the best This word necessity so wounds the eares The insolent with vile seditious words Who trembled whil'st they heard the Trumpets sound Stirre now their tongues as we did then our swords And what Mars spar'd make Mercury confound The people thus in time of peace agree To curbe the great men still even in that forme As in calme dayes they do disbranch the Tree Which shrowded them of late against a storme But now I look'd brave deeds appeasing spight That bursted Envy should for anguish dye Darke shadows as asham'd do vanish quite When at his height bright Phoebus cleares the skie And though their hatred deeply they disguise Yet can they not so hide enflam'd desires But that their spight rests sparkling through their eyes And boasts to burst out straight in open fires Ant. Since first great Caesar I discern'd thy worth On all thy actions I did still attend And what some whisper must speake freely forth Franke admonitions do become a friend The men who do suspect that you aspire Of government the present forme to change All in their soules your ruine do conspire And their affections farre from you estrange Since chast Lucretia by proud Tarquin stain'd Wash'd with her bloud the violated bed Whil'st by his pow'r Rome basely was constrain'd All to obey which his curst braine had bred This government which some tyrannicke call Doth sound so odious in the peoples eares That they as Tyrants vile detest them all Whose greatnesse gives them any cause of feares Caes I not affect the title of a King For love of glory or desire of gaine Nor for respect of any private thing But that the State may by my travels gaine You know Sibylla's books which never faile In many mindes have an opinion bred That o're the Parthians Rome cannot prevaile Till by a Prince her valorous Bands be led For as confusion is the fruit we finde Of those affaires which divers thoughts dispose So Soveraignty match'd with a gallant minde Breeds reverence in ones owne feare to his foes And O! it grieves me that these steps of ours Have trod so oft on many a millions necks Whil'st yet the Parthian vilipends our pow'rs And all our victories not vanquish'd checks Ah! should a Generall of the Roman race Be by Barbarians kill'd and not reveng'd And should his Ensignes signes of our disgrace Rest in the ranke of conquer'd relicts rang'd No no wretch'd Crassus now thy selfe content I le pacifie thy Ghost with Parthians spoyles My boyling fancies have beene alwayes bent To match the matchlesse daunt th' undaunted soiles Ant. With victories quite cloi'd will you not then Your safety once more then new warres respect Caes No though I have surmounted other men My fancies yet do greater things affect In emulation of my selfe at last I even with envy look on my owne deeds And bent to make the new surpasse things past Now to my minde stale praise no pleasure breeds Ant. The world hath seene thee great man for Romes good In danger oft of many a dangerous shelfe Whil'st for her glory thou engag'd thy bloud Of others carefull carelesse of thy selfe Caes Though whil'st in th'Aprill of my blooming age I from the vulgar rate redeem'd my name Some with my deeds did burden youths hot rage And an ambitious appetite of Fame Yet since the coldnesse of declining yeares Boasts to congeale the bloud which boil'd of late Whil'st loe my life the Sunne of glory cleares Who now of all the world am knowne most great I cannot covet that thing which I have I have all honour that can be requir'd And now as that which wants would onely crave To taste the pleasures of a life retyr'd But save to serve the State for nought I strive For O! neglecting th' ecchoes of renowne I could content my selfe unknowne to live A private man with a Plebeian gowne Since Anthonie thus for the state I care And all delights which Nature loves disdaine Go and in time the peoples mindes prepare That as the rest I may the title gaine Yet indirectly at the first assay To what their doubtfull mindes do most incline But as without my knowledge that they may All marke your minde and yet not thinke of mine Exeunt Act. 2. Scene 2. Cicero Decius Brutus DId I survive th' impetuous Scilla 's rage And in a torrent of destruction stood Whil'st Tyrants did make Rome a tragicke stage Through a voluptuous appetite of bloud Scap'd I confusion in a time so bad Of liberty and honour once to taste That bondage now might make my soule more sad By the remembrance of my fortunes past What though I once when first by Fame made knowne From Catilines strange treason did preserve This Towne when free from foes thrall'd by her owne Since now the world from equity doth swerve A sparke of that conspiracy I spie As yet not quench'd to have our state imbroil'd Which Rome to burne makes many flames to flie Thus one was spar'd that we might all be spoil'd O worthy Cato in whose matchlesse minde Three rarely match'd things Nature did reveale Wit Honesty and Courage which design'd A Citizen for Plato's common-weale Whil'st courteous Pompey did things as a friend Thou as a wise-man spoke and still fore-told To what all Caesars deeds would turne in th' end If that his pride were not in time controld And had we him as wisely thou advis'd Given to the Germans whom he had injur'd We had not now beene thus like slaves despisd To see Rome's glory and our owne obscur'd But yet I may disbending former cares A space comport with that proud Tyrants pow'r Age gives assurance by my hoarey haires Ere he Romes freedome death will me devour But all whose youth and sprite might have attain'd Those dignities which Caesar hath undone O! ye have lost as much as he hath gain'd Whose rising hopes must be retrench'd so soone Dec. Though if novations at the first seeme strange Yet oft experience approbation brings And if with upright thoughts we weigh this change From thence the safety of our City springs As doth a ship when toss'd by severall windes More danger runne whil'st Pylots do contest So was our City vex'd by differing mindes Who did interpret laws as pleas'd them best Whil'st for one sicknesse divers drugges are us'd Whose pow'rs repugnant in digestion jarre Th' impatient patients perish when abus'd So did we long whil'st cross'd by civill warre But now great Caesar from tempestuous windes Romes scattered ruines recollects of late A Pilot meet to calme tumultuous mindes A fit Physitian for an aguish State Cic. The State from stormes secure by drowning proves Now whil'st despaire doth doubtfull feares appease He with the life the sicknesse quite removes Thus is the Physick worse then the Disease This Common-weale as all the world did spie Was by proud spirits in civill warres involv'd Yet like black Clouds which would obscure the skie These tumid humours suddenly dissolv'd And no disgrace unto the state redounds
have him spoil'd That though of valour he rare wonders prov'd And oft by force Antigonus had foil'd Yet from their mind it could not be remov'd For by their meanes allur'd the other bands To get some baggage which they lost againe Did take their Captaine with outragious hands Their glory darkning by that odious stayne And though Eumenes trusting to new hopes By flying labour'd succour to have found He was prevented by his Trait'rous Troupes And like to some base fugitive was bound Scarce could his stormy stomack bent to breake Daigne to entreat those who had him betrai'd Yet hauing hardly purchas'd leave to speake He stretch'd them forth his fettred hands and sayd Loe what apparell now your Generall weares Since with your faith his libertie was lost Yet he those bands not given by th' enemie beares No but by you in whom he trusted most And must he thus be led who should you lead Is this the triumph which I should receave For all my victories thus to be made Of Captaine Captive of a Conquerour slave How oft my Souldiers have yee all of late To me by solemne oathes sworne to be true But it becomes none in a captives state With loftie words his keepers to pursue Nor crave I further favour at this houre Then that ye bath your weapons in my brest Let not my life be in mine enemies pow'r Loe all that your Commander doth request I know Antigonus doth take no care Who get my bodie so he get my head And he regards not neither when nor where Nor in what sort I die so I be dead But if through horrour of so vile a deed Your eyes looke downe your haire erected stands Which in your mindes this much remorse doth breed That as your hearts ye will not staine your hands Then as your Captaine since not force I may I as your friend entreate that now in time I may but have a Sword my selfe to stay You to excuse whilst partner of your crime But when he saw that words could not asswage Their barb'rous thoughts which nothing could controule Then having turn'd his Courage all in rage He thus flam'd forth the fury of his soule O damned rascalls who have lost all faith Whom neither duty nor yet merit bindes How oft was Alexander mov'd to wrath By those your mut'nous and malitious mindes And O! what could I at those hands attend Which yet were smoâ—king with Perdiccas blood Of those who by like Treason did intend With old Antipaters to be imbru'd Heaven thunder on you from th' aetheriall Rounds And make you live abominable band Base vagabonds barr'd from your native bounds Then die detested in a harb'rous Land And as ye have the world with murder fill'd So may your blood by the same Swords be shed By which you have moe of your Captaines kill'd Then of your foes from whom like beasts ye fled But neither courteous nor outragious words Could change his souldiers from their first intent Who forward led their Captaine chain'd with cords A scorned Captive to his Rivals Tent Where to the end that he might quickly end He ask'd what stay'd Antigonus to goe By setting of him free to gaine a friend Or by his death to rid him of a foe And soone Antigonus did hast his fall By this great magnanimity not mov'd And th' Agiraspides dispers'd o're all As murderers murder from the world remov'd Thus oft have Traitours beene dispatch'd in time By those whom their upbraiding lookes dismay That loath'd remembrance of the Authors crime The actors death can onely wipe away Now claimes Antigonus when fame doth feast Above his Soveraignes selfe in ranke to sit For Alexander but subdu'd the East And he hath conquer'd them who conquer'd it Cass No doubt but he will doe the best he can And hath within himselfe high things design'd For whilst prosperity transports a man Nought seemes difficult to a loftie minde Sel. Of those in whom he did suspect a sprite Whose courage serv'd his courses to resist He hath himselfe by diverse meanes made quite In others wreakes his safety doth consist Thus martiall Pithon who no danger spar'd Whom Alexander held in high account Did at the last receave a hard reward For helping him Eumenes to surmount His sprite to tempt and power fit to performe Made jealousie Antigonus torment And yet he fain'd to love him for the forme Till he his Court did love him to frequent Where whilst he did mistrusting nought abide He publikely in all the peoples sight Though seeming justly damn'd unjustly di'd No wrong more vile then wrong that lookes like right Thus divers Governours within short space Their Government or then their life have lost And others are preferr'd unto their place Who did depend upon his favour most Oft likewise me he labour'd to surprise By policy whom he would have o'rethrowne But I whom Pythons danger had made wise Learn'd by his ruine to prevent mine owne To save my life abandon'd is my state And I have fled with danger as you see That you may know how that man doth grow great Whose pride may plague you all as well as me Cass Then let us see what course we should intend Least out of time made wise we rue too late Lysim I rather first pursue then last defend Ptol. A fire would still be quench'd ere it grow great Cass Then let us from Antigonus in haste Demand our share of what he did attaine Since in this warre we did our Treasure waste We should be likewise partners of the gaine But if against our suite his eares he barre And doe with scornefull words contemne our claime Then may our messenger denounce the warre And we shall shortly prosecute the same Ptol. A mutuall band must made amongst us be To make one fortune common to us all And from hence-forth we must all foure agree To stand together or together fall And since the Princely buds for which we car'd How ever dead are dead what ere we doe So to procure from men the more regard We with the state must take the title too And we must both be crown'd and knowne for kings The diadem of Greatnesse is the Tower All vulgar judgements leane on th' outward things And reverence State where they obey but pow'r Exeunt Nuntius Philastrus Chorus IS there a Heaven and are there Heavenly Pow'rs To whose decree terrestriall things are thrall Or would the Tyrant that begets the houres Eternity not spar'd extinguish all Loe Nature travels now as big with change Since mortals all humanity have lost And in th' old Chaos or some masse more strange To leave their essence all things earthly boast Can reasonable soules from reason barr'd Even strive which most in cruelty exceeds What eye hath seene or yet what eare hath heard Such monstrous chances and prodigious deedes Th' Arabian Robbers nor the Scythians wild With savage beasts which doe as barbarous haunt With such foule facts have not themselves defil'd As those who
out We must in time attempt and not attend That race of victors which did Realmes appall Ah vanquish'd by their victories at last Are by their too much liberty made thrall Since all their strength but down themselves doth cast And we who by our birth aym'd at great things Of the worlds mistresse mighty minions once Who might have labour'd to give lawes to Kings Lawes from a King must looke for now with grones For such of Caesar is the monstrous pride That though he domineers even at this houre And to his Clients kingdomes doth divide With an unlimited tyrannicke pow'r Yet of Dictator he disdaines the name And seekes a tyrants title with the place Not for his honour no but for our shame As onely bent bragge of our disgrace Marc. Brut. I thought to see that man as others are Walke re-apparrell'd with a private gowne As one who had unwillingly made warre To stand himselfe not to cast others downe So Silla though more inhumane then he Whilst having all to what his heart aspir'd The Soveraignty resign'd and set Rome free When expectations date was quite expir'd By Caesars worth we must thinke that he too Will render freedome to this captiv'd state When first the world hath view'd what he might doe His thoughts are generous as his minde is great Though insolencies oft from courage flow His dying fury sparkles but a space High thoughts which Mars inspires nought can bring low Till one have us'd the purity of peace Those who by violence to all things tend Scâ—râ—â— can themselves to quietnesse conforme Their stately carriage and franke words offend Whil'st peace cannot comport with warres rude forme I hope that Caesar setling civill broyles When worne by custome from intestine rage Will strive to mitigate his Countries toyles And all those flames which burn'd his brest asswage Ca. Cassius Thus of his course you by your owne conceiv'd As if like thoughts of both did bound the will Ah honest mindes are with least paine deceiv'd Those who themselves are good dreame not of ill To sound of some the still unsound device Their inclination must your judgement sway The square of vertue cannot measure vice Nor yet a line when straight a crooked way So Caesar rising may usurpe the State He cares not by what force nor by what sleight O! one may soone deceive men and grow great Who leaves religion honesty and right When as the Senators no more their owne Came to that Tyrant whom ambition blindes And by high honours shew'd how they had shownâ— To gratifie his greatnesse gratefull mindes He in a Chayre imperiously plac'd Not daign'd to rise nor bow in any sort As both of them had but their due embrac'd When he a haughty they a humble port But if he thus ere we be throughly thrall'd Dare so disdainefully such great men use When in a regall Throne by us enstall'd Then will he breake that which he now doth bruise Was he not first who ever yet began To violate the sacred Tribunes place And punish'd them for punishing a man Who had transgress'd the lawes in time of peace The lawes which doe of death all guilty hold Whose actions seeme to tyranny inclin'd So earnest were our Ancestors of old To quench a tyrants light before it shin'd And shall our Nephewes heires of bondage blame Vs dastard parents who their hopes deceiv'd Who saw who suff'red who surviv'd such shame Not leaving dead what we when borne receiv'd By Caesars friends to an assembly brought The Senators intend to call him King Brut. I 'le not be there Cass But what if we be sought To ayde as Pretors such a publike thing Brut. I will resist that violent decree None of Romes Crowne shall long securely boast For ere that I live thrall'd I 'le first dye free What can be kept when liberty is lost Cass O! with what joy I swallow up those words Words worthy of thy worth and of thy name But Brutus doe not feare this cause affords In danger many but few mates in fame When Anthony proud Caesars image crown'd By silent sorrow all the people told In what a depth of woes their thoughts were drown'd That bondage-bragging Comet to behold What doe those scroules throwne in thy chaire import Which what thou art to brave thy courage brings Be those the fancies of the vulgar sort No none but noble mindes dreame of great things Of other Pretors people looke for showes And distributions whose remembrance dyes Whilst bloudy Fencers fall with mutuall blowes And Africkes monsters doe amaze their eyes But from thy hands they liberty attend By birth-right due the glory of thy race And bent for thee their bloud will frankely spend So thou succeed in thy great Parents place He Rome redeeming Tarquin did o'rethrow Though from his birth obey'd and without strife A rising tyrant then bring boldly low To what extinguish'd was who would give life Brut. I weigh thy words with an afflicted heart Which for compassion of my Country bleeds And would to God that I might onely smart So that all others scap'd what mischiefe breeds Then never man himselfe from death did free With a more quiet and contented minde Then I would perish if I both could be To Caesar thankefull to my Country kinde But though that great mans grace to me enlarg'd May chalenge right in my affections store Yet must the greatest debt be first discharg'd I owe him much but to my Country more This is my brest hath great dissension bred I Caesar love but yet Romes enemy hate And as Iove lives I could be mov'd to shed My bloud for Caesar Caesars for the State I for my fathers death loath'd Pompey long Whilst just disdaine did boyle within my brest Yet when he warr'd to venge the common wrong I joyn'd with him because his cause was best A minde to raigne if Caesar now reveale I will in time precipitate his end Thus never arm'd but for the Common-weale I help'd a foe and now must hurt a friend Cas Lest of his favour thou the poyson prove From swallowing of such baites in time now spare No tyrant trust me can intirely love Nor none who for himselfe doth onely care He by this course doth cunningly intend Thy vertue slack'd to undermine thy minde Thy well-knowne courage purpos'd to disbend Thus though with silken bonds he would thee binde This of each tyrant is the common tread To wreake all those in whom most worth he findes Or whilst that terrours tosse his jealous head By subtilty to snare the greatest mindes As for the Pretor-ship when we did strive Then both were held in hope that so deceiv'd Each th 'others harmes might study to contrive Through emulation and disdaine conceiv'd Thus subtile Caesar by such sleights hath toild To sow dissension that we both might pause Of private wrongs and by such meanes imbroil'd Still courting him neglect the common cause But nought must make us th' one t'another strange Who should in time
no further then the eye And more to Nature trusts then unto Art Such doubtfull fortunes fittest is to try A furious actor for a desp'rat part We have enow and of the best degree Whose hands unto their hearts hearts t' us are true And if that we seek moe I feare we be To hide too many if disclos'd too few Let us advise with an industrious care Now ere the Tyrant intercept our mindes The time the place the manner when and where We should en-trust our Treasure to the windes And since our states this doth in danger bring Let every point be circumspectly weigh'd A circumstance or an indifferent thing Doth oft marre all when not with care conveigh'd Mar. Brut. As for the time none could be wish'd more fit Then is the present to performe our vow Since all the people must allow of it By recent anguish mov'd extreamely now When represented in his triumph past Great Cato's mangled intrails made them weep And desp'rat Scipio whil'st he leap't at last To seek a Sanctuary amidst the deep Then all those great men whom in severall parts Bent for Romes freedome Caesar did o're-throw Did by their pictures pierce the peoples hearts And made a piteous though a pompous show How could they but conceive a just disdaine To be upbraided in so strange a sort Whil'st he who onely by their losse did gaine Of their calamitie did make a sport But yet his purpose grieves them most of all Since that he strives to be proclaim'd a King And not contents himselfe to make us thrall But would even all our heires to bondage bring Thus whil'st the people are with him displeas'd We best may do what to our part belongs For after this they may be best appeas'd If whil'st their wrath doth last we venge their wrongs And since we nought intend but what is right Whil'st from our Countrey we remove disgrace Let all be acted in the Senates sight A common cause and in a common place Let those whose guilty thoughts do damne their deeds In corners like Minerva's birds abide That which our Countrey good us glory breeds May by the lights of heaven and earth be try'd The Senatours by our example mov'd Pleas'd with this action which imports them too To have the yoke of tyranny remov'd May at the least confirme that which we do So all the Senatours were said of old King Romulus in peeces to have torne Who then to tyrannize was growne too bold And ere turn'd God humanitie did scorne Dec. Brut. Yea what though Caesar were immortall made As Romulus whose deitie him revives I rather as a God adore him dead Then as a King obey him whil'st he lives Cai. Cass That place indeed most for our glory makes A Theater worthy of so great an act Where in their sight from whom most pow'r he takes We of the Tyrant vengeance may exact But I must recommend unto your minde A course though strict of which we must allow Lest it o're-throw all that we have design'd Since past recovery if neglected now There is Antonius Caesars greatest friend A man whose Nature tyranny affects Whom all the Souldiers daily do attend As one who nought but to command respects I feare that he when we have Caesar slaine The grieved faction furnish with a head So when we end we must begin againe With one who lives worse then the other dead And in my judgement I would thinke it best VVhen sacrific'd the proud usurper lyes That this seditious enemy of rest Should fall with him with whom he first did rise Thus of our liberty we now may lay A solid ground which can be shak't by none Those of their purpose who a part delay Two labours have who might have had but one Mar. Brut. I cannot Cassius condescend to kill Thus from the path of justice to decline One faultlesse yet lest after he prove ill So to prevent his guiltinesse by mine No no that neither honest were nor just Which rigorous forme would but the world affright Men by this meane our meaning might mistrust And for a little wrong damne all that 's right If we do onely kill the common foe Our Countries zeale must then acquire due praise But if like Tyrants fiercely raging so We will be thought that which we raze to raise And where we but intend to aide the State Though by endangering what we hold most deare If slaying him as arm'd by private hate We to the world all partiall will appeare Ah ah we must but too much murder see Who without doing ill cannot do good And would the Gods that Rome could be made free Without the shedding of one drop of bloud Then there is hope that Anthonie in end Whil'st first our vertue doth direct the way Will leagu'd with us the liberty defend And when brought back will blush as once astray Ca. Cass Well Brutus I protest against my will From this black cloud what ever tempest fall That mercy but most cruelly doth kill Which thus saves one who once may plague us all Dec. Brut. When Caesar with the Senatours sits downe In this your judgements generally accord That for affecting wrongfully the Crowne He lawfully may perish by the Sword No greater harme can for our course be wrought Then by protracting the appointed time Lest that which acted would be vertue thought Be if prevented constru'd as a crime Can one thing long in many mindes be pent No purposes would never be delayd Which judg'd by th' issues Fortune doth comment If prosp'ring reason treason if betrai'd There may amongst our selves some man remaine Whom if afraid his pardon to procure Or if too greedy for the hope of gaine Time to disclose his consorts may allure Then for our recompence we ruine reape If ought our course thus made abortive marre For if discovered once we cannot scape As tyrants eares heare much their hands reach farre Ca. Cassius The brest in which so deep a secret dwels Would not be long charg'd with so weighty cares For I conjecture as their count'nance tels That many know our mindes though we not theirs Even but of late one Casca came to see Who curious was to have our purpose knowne And said to him that which thou had'st from me To me by Brutus hath at length been shown Then Laena once came to us in like sort And wish'd that our designe might prosper well But yet to haste did earnestly exhort Since others told what we refus'd to tell Whilst strangers rest familiar with our minde And ere we them doe all our purpose spy Make forward fast or we will come behinde Fame wing'd with breath doth violently flye Mar. Brut. Their words but burst from tales uncertaine forth For whilst considering of their bondage thus Of Caesars tyranny and of our worth They thinke this should be done and done by us Such conjurations to confirme of old Some drinking others blouds swore on their swords And cursing those who did their course unfold Vs'd
RECREATIONS VVITH THE MVSES By WILLIAM Earle of STERLINE LONDON Printed by THO. HARPER 1637. A Table of the severall Poems contained in the ensuing Volume FOure Monarchicke Tragedies Doomes-day or the great day of the Lords judgement in twelve houres A Paraenesis to Prince Henry Ionathan An heroicke Poeme intended The first Booke To his Sacred Majestie DIsdaine not mighty Prince those humble lines Though too meane Musicke for so dainty eares Since with thy greatnesse learnings glory shines So that thy brow a two-fold Lawrell beares To thee the Muses Phoebus now resignes And Vertues hight eternall trophees reares As Orpheus Harpe heavens may enstall thy pen A liberall light to guide the mindes of Men. Although my wit be weake my Vowes are strong Which consecrate devoutly to thy name My Muses labours which ere it be long May graft some feathers in the wings of fame And with the subject to conforme my song May in more lofty lines thy worth proclame With gorgeous colours courting glories light Till circling Seas doe bound her ventrous flight Ere thou wast borne and since heaven thee endeeres Held backe as best to grace these last worst Times The World long'd for thy birth three hundreth yeeres Since first fore-told wrapt in Propheticke rimes His love to thee the Lords deliveries cleeres From Sea from Sword from Fire from Chance from Crimes And that to him thou onely might be bound Thy selfe was still the meanes foes to confound I doe not doubt but Albions warlike coast still kept unconquer'd by the heavens decree The Picts expell'd the Danes repell'd did boast In spite of all Romes power a state still free As that which was ordain'd though long time crost In this Herculean birth to bring forth thee Whom many a famous Sceptred Parent brings From an undaunted race to doe great things Of this divided Ile the Nurslings brave Earst from intestine warres could not desist Yet did in forraine fields their names engrave Whilst whom one spoil'd the other would assist Those now made one whilst such a head they have What world of words were able to resist Thus hath thy worth great IAMES conjoyn'd them now Whom battels oft did breake but never bow And so most justly thy renowned deeds Doe raise thy fame above the starry round Which in world a glad amazement breeds To see the vertues as they merit crown'd Whilst thou great Monarch who in power exceeds With vertuous goodnesse do st vast greatnesse bound Where if thou lik'dst to be more great then good Thou might'st soone build a Monarchie with bloud O! this faire world without the world no doubt Which Neptune strongly guards with liquid bands As aptest so to rule the Realmes about She by her selfe as most Majesticke stands Thence the worlds Mistris to give judgement out With full authority for other Lands Which on the Seas would gaze attending still By wind-wing'd Messengers their Soveraignes will The Southerne Regions did all Realmes surpasse And were the first which sent great Armies forth Yet Soveraignty that there first founded was Still by degrees hath drawne unto the North To this great Climate which it could not passe The fat all period bounding all true worth For it cannot from hence a passage finde By roring Rampiers still with us confinde As Waters which a masse of earth restraines If they be swelling high begin to vent Doe rage disdainefully over all the plaines As with strict borders scorning to be pent Even so this masse of earth that thus remaynes Wall'd in with waves if to burst out when beâ—t The bounding flouds o're-flow'd it rush forth then That deluge would o're-run the world with men Then since great Prince the torrent of thy power May drowne whole Nations in a Scarlet floud On Infidels thy indignation powre And bathe not Christian bounds with Christian bloud The Tyrant Ottoman who would devoure All the redeemed souls may be withstood While as thy troups great Albions Emperour once Do comfort Christs afflicted flock which moanes Thy thundring troups might take the stately rounds Of Constantines great Towne renown'd in vaine And barre the barbarous Turks the baptiz'd bounds Reconquering Godfreys conquests once againe O well spent labours O illustrious wounds Whose trophees should eternall glory gaine And make the Lyon to be fear'd farre more Then ever was the Eagle of before But O thrice happy thou that of thy Throne The boundlesse power for such an use controuls Which if some might command to raigne alone Of all their life they would be-bloud the scrouls And to content the haughtie thoughts of one Would sacrifize a thousand thousand souls Which thou do'st spare though having sprite and might To challenge all the world as thine owne right Then unto whom more justly could I give Those famous ruines of extended states Which did the world of libertie deprive By force or fraud to reare Tyrannick seats Then unto thee who may and will not live Like those proud Monarchs borne to stormy fates But whil'st frank-sprited Prince thou this wouldst flee Crowns come unsought and Scepters seek to thee Vnto the Ocean of thy worth I send Those runnels rising from a rash attempt Not that I to augment that depth pretend Which heavens from all necessitie exempt The Gods small gifts of zealous mindes commend While Hecatombes are holden in contempt So Sir I offer at your vertues shrine This little incense or this smoke of mine To the Author of the Monarchicke TRAGEDIES WEll may the programme of thy Tragicke stage Invite the curious pompe-expecting eyes To gaze on present shewes of passed age Which just desert Monarchicke dare baptize Crownes throwne from Thrones to Tombs detomb'd arise To match thy Muse with a Monarchicke theame That whilst her sacred soaring cuts the skyes A vulger subject may not wrong the same And which gives most advantage to thy fame The worthiest Monarch that the Sunne can see Doth grace thy labours with his glorious Name And daignes protector of thy birth to be Thus all Monarchicke Patron Subject stile Make thee the Monarch-tragicke of this I le S. Robert Ayton Jn praise of the Author and his Tragedy of Darius A SONNET GIve place all ye to dying Darius wounds While this great Geeek him in his throne enstals Who fell before seven-ported Thebes wals Or under Ilions old sky-threatning Rounds Your sowre-sweet voyce not halfe so sadly sounds Though I confesse most famous be your fals Slaine sacrific'd transported and made thrals Thrown headlong burnt and banish't from your bounds Whom Sophocles Euripides have song And Aeschylus in stately Tragicke tune Yet none of all hath so divinely done As matchlesse Menstrie in his native tongue Thus Darius Ghost seemes glad now to be so Triumpht on twise by Alexanders two IO. MURRAY THE ARGUMENT AT that time when the States of Greece began to grow great and Philosophie to be thought precious Solon the first light of the Athenian commonswealth like a provident Bee gathering honey over many fields learning knowledge over
many Countries was sent for by Croesus King of Lydia as famous for his wealth as the other was for his wisedome And not so much for any desire the King had to profit by the experience of so profound a Philosopher as to have the report of his as he thought it happinesse approved by the testimonie of so renowmed a witnesse But Solon alwayes like himselfe entring the regall Palace and seeing the same very gloriously apparrelled but very incommodiously furnished with Courtiers more curious to have their bodies deckt with a womanishly affected forme of rayment and some superficiall complements of pretended curtesies then to have their mindes enriched with the true treasure of inestimable vertue he had the same altogether in disdaine Therefore after some conference had with Croesus concerning the felicitie of man his opinion not seconding the Kings expectation he was returned with contempt as one of no understanding But yet comforted by Aesop Author of the witty fables who for the time was resident at Courts and in credit with the King Immediately after the departure of Solon Croesus having two Sounes whereof the eldest was dumbe and the other a brave youth dreamed that the yongest dyed by the wound of a Dart wherewith being marvellously troubled he married him to a Gentlewoman named Caelia and for farther disappointing the suspected though inevitable destinie he discharged the using of all such weapons as he had dreamed of Yet who could cut away the occasion of the heavens from accomplishing that which they had design'd The spiritfull youth ing long restrain'd from the fields was invited by some Country-men to the chace of a wilde Bore yet could very hardly impetrate leave of his loving suspicious Father Now in the meane time there arrived at Sardis a youth named Adrastus Sonne to the King of Phrygia one no lesse infortunate then valorous he having lost his Mistrisse by a great disaster and having kill'd his brother by a farre greater came to Croesus by whom he was courteously entertained and by the instancy of the King and the instigation of others against his own will who feared the frowardnesse of his infectious fortune he got the custodie of Atis so was the Prince called whom in time of the sport thinking to kill the Bore by a monstrous mishap he killed After which disastrous accident standing above the dead corps after the inquiry of the truth being pardoned by Croesus he punished himselfe by a violent death There after Croesus sorrowing exceedingly this exceeding misfortune he was comforted by Sandanis who laboured to disswade him from his unnecessary journey against the Persians yet he reposing on superstitious and wrong interpreting responses of deceiving Oracles went against Cyrus who having defeated his forces in the field and taken himselfe in the Citie tyed him to a stake to be burned where by the exclayming divers times on the name of Solon moving the Conquerour to compassion he was set at libertie and lamenting the death of his Sonne and the losse of his kingdome gives a ground for this present Tragedie The persons names who speake CROESUS King of Lydia ATIS his sonne COELIA wife to ATIS ADRASTUS SANDANIS a Counsellour SOLON AESOPE CYRUS King of Persia HARPAGUS Lievetenant to CYRUS CHORUS of some Country-men CHORUS of all the Lydians The Scene in Sardis THE TRAGEDY OF CROESVS Act 1. Solon Loe how the stormy world doth worldlings tosse Twixt sandy pleasures and a rocky will Whil'st them that Court it most it most doth crosse To vice indulgent vertues stepdame still This masse of thoughts this animated slime This dying substance and this living shadow The sport of Fortune and the prey of Time Soon rais'd soon raz'd as flowers are in a meadow He toyles to get such is his foolish nature A constant good in this inconstant ill Unreasonable reasonable creature That makes his reason subject to his will VVhilst on the height of contemplation plac'd I weigh fond earthlings earnest idle strife All though they all have divers parts imbrac'd Would act a comicke Scene of tragicke life The minde which alwaies at some new things aymes To get for what it longs no travell spares And lothing what it hath of better dreames Which when enjoy'd doth procreate but cares Yet to a Soveraign blisse which they surmise By divers meanes all pregnant wits aspire But with strange shapes the same so much disguise That it we scarce can know much lesse acquire Some place their happinesse unhappy beasts Whose mindes are drunke with momentary joyes In gorgeous garments and in dainty feast To pamper breath-toss'd-flesh with pleasures toyes Some more austere no such delights allow But reyne their passions with advis'd respects And by no fortune mov'd to brag nor bow Would make the world enamour'd of their sects Some bathing still in vertues purest springs Doe draw Ideas of a heavenly brood And search the secrets of mysterious things As most undoubted heires of that high good Thus with a dream'd delight and certaine paine All seek by severall wayes a perfect blisses And let none wonder though they toyle in vaine Who cannot well discerne what thing it is What happinesse can be imagin'd here On painted grounds though we our hopes repose Who dearely first doe gaine what we hold deare Then what we once must lose still feare to lose Thinke though ' mongst thousands scarcely one of all Can at this point of happinesse arrive One fortune have whilst so to fortune thrall To get the thing for which a world doth strive What though he swimme in Oceans of delights Have none above him and his equals rare Eares joying pleasant sounds eyes stately sights His treasures infinite his buildings faire Yet fortunes course which cannot be contrould Must mount some meane men up throw down the great And still in motion circularly rould From what it is must alter every state Though of his wealth the greedy man doth boast Whil'st treasures vaine his drossie wits bewitch What hath he gain'd but what another lost And once his losse may make another rich But ah all lose who seeke to profit thus To found their trust on trustlesse grounds whil'st made We may be rob'd from them they rob'd from us Griev'd for their losse as when first purchas'd glad Those are but fooles who hope true rest to finde In this fraile world where for a while we range Which doth like Seas expos'd to every winde Ebbe flow storme calme still moving still in change Each wave we see doth drive the first away And still it whitest fomes where rockes are neare While as one growes another doth decay The greatest danger oft doth least appeare Their seeming blisse who trust in frothy showes Whose course with moments fickle fortune dates As to a height so to confusion growes A secret fate doth manage mighty states But I scorne fortune and was ever free From that dead wealth depending to her power My treasure still I beare about with me Which neither time nor tyrants can
ground that never failes None can be throughly blest before the end I may compare our state to table-playes Whil'st Iudges that are blinde give onely light Their many doubt the earnest minde dismayes Which must have happy throwes then use them right So all our dayes in doubt what things may chance Time posts away our breath seems it to chace And when th' occasion comes us to advance It of a thousand one can scarce embrace When by a generous indignation mov'd Two fight with danger for a doubtfull praise Whil'st valour blindely but by chance is prov'd That ones disgrace anothers fame must raise O! what a foole his judgement will commit To grace the one with a not gain'd applause Where fortune is but to give sentence yet Whil'st bloudy agents plead a doubtfull cause This world a field is whereas each man fights And arm'd with reason resolutely goes To warre till death close up the bodies lights Both with externall and internall foes And how can he the Victors title gaine Who yet is busied with a doubtfull fight Or he be happy who doth still remaine In fortunes danger for a small delight The wind-wing'd course of man away fast weares Course that consists of houres houres of a day Day that gives place to night night full of feares Thus every thing doth change all things decay Those who doe stand in peace may fall in strife And have their fame by infamy supprest The evening crownes the day the death the life Many are fortunate but few are blest Croe. I see this Grecians sprite but base appeares Which cannot comprehend heroicke things The world of him more then he merits heares At least he knowes not what belongs to Kings Yet fame his name so gloriously array'd That long I long'd to have him in my house But all my expectations are betray'd I thinke a Mountaine hath brought forth a Mouse Act 2. Scene 2. Solon Aesope THis King hath put his trust in trustlesse toyes Whil'st courting onely temporary things And like a hooded Hawk gorg'd with vaine joye At randon flyes born forth on follys wings O how this makes my griefe exceeding great To see ones care who lives for dead things such Whil'st shew-transported mindes admire his state Which I not envy no but pitty much Thus wormes of th' earth whil'st low-plac'd thoughts prevaile Love melting things whose shew the body fits Where soule 's of clearer sight doe never faile To value most the treasure of good wits Those worldly things doe in this world decay Or at the least we leave them with our breath Where to eternity this leades the way So differ they as farre as life and death Aesope And yet what wonder though he wander thus Whom still by successe treacherous fortune blindes Though this indeed seem somewhat strange to us Who have with learning purifi'd our mindes Was he not borne heire of a mighty state And us'd with fortunes smiles not fear'd for frownes Doth measure all things by his owne conceit A great defect which fatall is to Crownes Then from his youth still trusting in a Throne With all that pride could crave or wealth could give Vs'd with entreaties and contrould by none He would the tongue of liberty deprive Though to his sight I dare not thus appeare Whose partiall judgement farre from reason parts I grieve to see your entertainment here So farre inferiour to your owne deserts That matchlesse wisedome which the world admires And ravish't with delight amazed heares Since not in consort with his vaine desires Did seeme impleasant to distemper'd eares Eares which can entry give to no discourse Save that which enters fraughted with his praise He can love none but them that love his course And thinkes all fooles who use no flattering phrase This with the great ones doth the gods displease Though spreading all her heavenly treasures forth They if not in their livery them to please Doe vertue vilifie as of no worth Solon I care not Aesope how the King conceiv'd Those my franke words which I must alwaies use I came not here till he my comming crav'd And now when come will not my name abuse Should I his poys'nous Sycophants resemble Whose silken words their Soveraigne doe o'rethrow I for his Diadem would not dissemble What hearts doe thinke the tongues were made to show And what if I his humour to content The worlds opinion lost by gaining ones He can but give me gifts which may be spent But nought can cleere my fame if darkned once That so he might my reputation raise If I sooth'd him it would procure my shame Whil'st those who vitious are our vertues praise This in effect is but a secret blame Though as a simple man he me despise Yet better simply good then doubly ill I not my worth by others praises prize Nor by opinions doc direct my will That praise contents me more which one imparts Of judgement sound though of a meane degree Then praise from Princes voyd of princely parts Who have more wealth but not more wit then he Aesope Who come to Court must with Kings faults comport Solon Who come to Court should truth to Kings report Aesope A wise man at their imperfections winkes Solon An honest man will tell them what he thinkes Aesope So should you lose your selfe and them not save Solon But for their folly I no blame would have Aesope By this you should their indignation finde Solon Yet have the warrant of a worthy minde Aesope It would be long ere you were thus preferr'd Solon Then it should be the King not I that err'd Aesope They guerdon as they love they love by guesse Solon Yet when I merit well I care the lesse Aesope It 's good to be still by the Prince approv'd Solon It 's better to be upright though not lov'd Aesope But by this meane all hope of honour failes Solon Yet honesty in end ever prevailes Aesope I thinke they should excell for vertue rare All men in wit who unto men give lawes Kings of their kingdomes as the centers are To which each weighty thing by nature drawes For as the mighty rivers little streames And all the liquid pow'rs which rise or fall Doe seeke in sundry parts by severall seames The Oceans bosome that receives them all It as a Steward of the tumid deeps Doth send them backe by many secret veynes And as the earth hath need of moisture keeps These humid treasures to refresh the Plaines Thus are Kings brests the depths where daily flow Cleare streames of knowledge with rare treasures charg'd So that continually their wisedomes grow By many helpes which others want enlarg'd For those who have intelligence ov'r all Doe commonly communicate to Kings All th' accidents of weight that chance to fall Which great advantage Greatnesse to them brings They jealously dispos'd comment on mindes And these who Arts or Natures gifts enhaunce Whose value no where else a Merchant findes Doe come to Kings as who may them advance No doubt
great Iove since they supply his place So with their charge to make their vertues even Doth give to them some supernaturall grace Vice-gods on th' earth great Lievtenants ot heaven Solon As you have shown Kings good occasion have To sound the deepes and mysteries of wit And those who so their stares from râ—iâ—e save Doe well deserve upon a Throne to sit But ah those rivers are not ever pure Through tainted channels which oft times convaid By flatteries poyson rendred are impure Oft Princes hearts are by their eares betray'd For impudent effronted persons dare Court with vaine words and detestable lyes Whil'st men of minds more pure must stand afarre The light is loath some to diseased eyes But with amazement this transports my minde Some who are wise grosse flattery can digest And though they know how all men are inclin'd Yet please the bad and do but praise the best Is' t that such men no errour can controll Nor will not crosse their appetite in ought But nothing censuring every thing extoll Where better wits would argue as they thought Or since the world of worth in all esteemes They never like a pregnant sprite to raise So to have none who but to help them seemes Or may pretend an int'rest in their praise This self-conceit is a most dangerous shelfe Where many have made shipwrack unawares He who doth trust too much unto himselfe Can never faile to fall in many snares Of all men else great Monarchs have most need To square their actions and to weigh their words And with advice in all things to proceed A faithfull Counsell oft great good affords Loe how th' inferiour spheares of force do bend As the first mover doth their courses drive The Commons customes on the Prince depend His manners are the rules by which they lives As for himselfe none onely is brought forth Kings for the use of many are ordain'd They should like Sunnes cleare Kingdomes with their worth Whose life a patterne must be kept unstain'd All vertuous Princes have a spatious field To shew their worth though even in Fortunes spight Where meane men must to their misfortune yeeld Whil'st want of power doth cloud their vertue quite As pretious stones are th' ornaments of rings The stone decores the ring the ring the hand So Countries are conforme unto their Kings The King decores the Court the Court the Land And as a crop of poyson spent alone Infected fountains doth with venome fill So mighty states may tainted be by one A vitious Prince is a contagious ill Aesope It easie is anothers faults to spie And paint in th' aire the shadows of our mindes Whil'st apprehending with the inward eye A high perfection which no practise findes Solon I grant those grounds which we imagine may Will move no charmed man much lesse a Prince To disenchant himseife and seeke some way At Reasons Court his passions to convince Ere Croesus can refraine from this his fury He must forsake himselfe as one renew'd And in the lethe of oblivion burie The vanities that have his soule subdew'd Those his prerogatives he first must bound And be a man a man to be controll'd Then all his faults as in another found An arbiter with equall eyes behold Could he cast off this vaile of fond self-love Through which each object Pride too grosly spies He would these ravenous Parasites remove Vile instruments of shame that live by lyes The onely meanes to make such people part That he might judge more freely of his state Were to cast out the Idoll of his heart Which when o're-thrown he must disclaime too late For forraine flatterers could finde no accesse If not that weighing his owne worth too much He first concludes to sooth himselfe inclin'd That all their praises should of right be such And when those hireling Sycophants have found A Prince whom too secure opinion makes His noblest part they by smooth weapons wound All spoyle by pleasing them whom flattery takes Ore rulers rule when such a person beares Of vertuous men the rising to prevent From wholsome counsell they close up his eares To crosse the better sort in all things bent Aesope If you at Court to credit would arise You must not seek by truth to gaine renowne But sometime must applaud what you despise And smile in show whil'st in effect you frowne Solon From hence in haste I will my selfe retyre I hate Courts slavery it my freenesse scornes Nor am I one whom Croesus doth desire Since I detest what him he thinks adornes O how light Fortune doth his folly flout While as he glories in this flying show With greedy harpies hedg'd in round about Which gape to be made rich by his o're-throw Not all the wealth that his great kingdome shows Can make me from my resolution shrinke Nor can the terrour of a Tyrants blows Enforce my tongue to speake more then I thinke Nothing so much as doubts doth vex the minde Whil'st anxious thoughts to fix nowhere can come Yet every one the way to rest may finde A resolution all things doth o're-come And since my thoughts in Innocency rest No outward warre can inward peace surprise What can imagi'd be to brave a brest That both doth death and povertie despise Exeunt Chorus OF all the Creatures bred below We must call Man most miserable Who all his time is never able To purchase any true repose His very birth may well disclose What miseries his blisse o're-throw For first when borne he cannot know Who to his state is friend or foe Nor how at first he may stand stable But even with cryes and teares doth show What dangers do his life enclose Whose griefes are sure whose joyes a fable Thus still his dayes in dolour so He to huge perils must expose And with vexation lives and dyes with woe Not knowing whence he came nor where to go Then whil'st he holds this lowest place O! how uncertaine is his state The subject of a constant fate To figure forth inconstancy Which ever changing as we see Is still a stranger unto peace For if man prosper but a space With each good successe fondly bold And puft up in his owne conceit He but abuses Fortunes grace And when that with adversity His pleasures treasures end their date And with disasters are controll'd Straight he begins for griefe to dye And still the top of some extreame doth hold Not suffering Summers heat nor Winters cold His state doth in most danger stand Who most abounds in worldly things And scares too high with Fortunes wings Which carry up aspiring mindes To be the object of all windes The course of such when rightly scan'd Whiâ—st they cannot themselves command Transported with aâ— empty name Oft unexpected ruine brings There were examples in this Land How worldly blisse the senses blindes From which at last oft trouble springs He who presumes upon the same Hidde poyson in his pleasure findes And sayling rashly with the windes of fame Doth
all dangers which might make us thralls For Cyrus had proclaim'd a great reward To him whose steps first trod the conquer'd walls And this companion seeing without stay One in his sight that craggie passage clime Straight on his foot-steps followed all the way And many a thousand hasted after him Then all that durst resist were quickly kill'd The rest who fled no where secure could be For every street was with confusion fill'd There was no corner from some mischiefe free O what a piteous clamour did arise Of ravish'd virgins and of widow'd wives Who pierc'd the heavens with lamentable cryes And having lost all comfort loath'd their lives Whil'st those proud Victors would themselves have stain'd With all the wrongs that Pride or power could use They by a charge from Cyrus were restrain'd And durst no more their captives thus abuse Chor. No doubt but high mishaps did then abound Whil'st with disdaine the Conqu'rours bosome boyld As some the sword disgrace did some confound Not onely houses Temples too were spoyld What misery more great can be devis'd Then is a Cities when by force surpris'd But whil'st that stately Towne was thus distress'd What did become of our unhappy King Nunt. Then when the Enemy had his state possest And that confusion seaz'd on every thing He scarcely first could trust his troubled sight The Fortune past transported had him so Yet having eyes who can deny the light He saw himselfe inferiour to his foe And apprehending there whil'st left alone How that his judgement long had beene betray'd As metamorphos'd in a marble stone His ravish'd thoughts in admiration stray'd But such a weight of woes not us'd to beare He first was griev'd then rag'd and last despair'd Till through excessive feare quite freed from feare He for his safetie then no further car'd And never wishd he so to have long life But death farre further was affected now Still feeking danger in the bounds of strife So he were sure to dye he car'd not how Whilst furies thus were fostred in his brest Him suddenly a Souldier chanc'd to meet As insolent as any of the rest Who drunk with bloud ran raging through the street And wanting but an object to his ire He sought to him and he to him againe I know not which of them did most desire The one to slay the other to be slaine But whil'st so base a hand towring aloft Did to so great a Monarch threaten death His eldest Sonne who as you have heard oft Was barr'd from making benefit of breath I cannot tell you well nor in what forme If that the destinies had so ordain'd Or if of passions an impetuous storme Did raze the strings that had his tongue restrain'd But when he saw his Syre in danger stand He with those words a mighty shout did give Thou furious Stranger stay hold hold thy hand Kill not King Croesus let my Father live The other hearing this his hand retyr'd And call'd his Kings commandement to minde High were those aymes to which his thoughts aspir'd Whom for great fortunes this rare chance design'd Now when that Croesus who for death long long'd Was quite undone by being thus preserv'd As both by life and death then doubly wrong'd Whil'st but by fates for further harme reserv'd He with sad sighs those accents did accord Now let the heavens do all the ill they can Which would not unto me the grace afford That I might perish like a private man Ah must I live to sigh that I was borne Charactring shame in a dejected face Ah must I live to my perpetuall scorne The abject object pointed for disgrace Yet this unto his soule more sorrow bred He scorne pretending state as King array'd Was with great shouts ridiculously led Backe to the Tent whereas their Emp'rour stay'd Then that he might his misery conceive Those robes so rich were all exchang'd with chains And prisons strictnesse bragg'd him with the grave So soone as death could make a choice of paines They caus'd in haste a pile of wood to make And in the mid'st where all men might him spie Caus'd binde the captive King unto a stake With fourteene others of the Lydians by There as if offerings fit to purge the state Foes sought with flames their ruine to procure Though Iove prepostrous piety doth hate No sacrifice is sweet which is not pure Now whil'st the fire was kindling round about As to some pow'rfull God who pray'd or vow'd With eyes bent up and with his hands stretch'd out O! Solon Solon Croesus cry'd aloud Some hearing him to utter such a voice Who said that Cyrus curious was to know When dying now what deity was his choice Did him request his last intent to show His exclamation was said he on one With whom he wish'd their frailty so to see That all who ever trusted in a Throne Had but conferr'd a space as well as he Then there he told what Solon had him showne Whil'st at his Court which flourish'd then arriv'd How worldly blisse might quickly be o're-throwne And not accomplish'd was while as one liv'd Whil'st forth salt flouds attending troupes did powre He shew how much the wise-man did disdaine Those who presum'd of wealth or worldly pow'r By which none could a perfect blisse obtaine This speech did Cyrus move to ponder much The great uncertainty of worldly things As thinking that himselfe might once be such Since thrall'd to Fortunes throne like other Kings Then such a patterne standing him before Whom envy once then pitie did attend He to our King did liberty restore And with his life did Solons fame extend Yet him the fire still threatned to devoure Which rising high could hardly be controll'd But O devotion then appear'd thy pow'r Which to subdue the heavens makes worldlings bold To quench the flames whil'st divers toild in vaine Iove mov'd by prayer as Croesus did require The azure Cisterns open'd did remaine And clouds fell downe in flouds to quench the fire Then whil'st the Souldiers did the Citie sack To save the same as to his Countrey kinde The hopelesse Croesus thus to Cyrus spake With words which pitie melted from his minde Great Prince to whom all Nations now succumbe And do thy yoke so willingly embrace That it some comfort gives to be o're-come By one whose glory graces our disgrace Since now I am constrain'd your thrall to be I must conforme my selfe unto my fate And cannot hold my peace whereas I see That which may wrong the greatnesse of your state Your state is spoil'd by not suspected pow'rs If this rich Citie thus do rest ore-throwne Which now no more is mine but is made yours And therefore Sir have pittie of your owne Yea though the losse of such a populous Towne Both rich and yours your minde could nothing move Yet thinke of this which may import your Crowne A peece of policy which time will prove The haughty Persians borne with stubborne mindes Who but for poverty first followed you
TRAGEDY OF DARIVS Act 1. Darius WHat thund'ring pow'r grown jealous of my state Which having daunted th' earth perchance heaven fears Thus arm'd with lightning breathing flames of hate Big with disdaine high indignation beares Long smooth'd of all whilst I pale cares despis'd In fortunes lap asleep of greatnesse dream'd Even in that calme my state a storme surpris'd And ere I wak't my ruine was proclam'd Thus I whose onely name did terrour give As Idoll of the world ador'd over all With crosses compass'd such a wretch doe live That who admir'd my might admire my fall Ah then indeed I fell when gallants stood And Phoenix like renew'd their lives by death Who having seal'd their force and faith with bloud Would rather dye then draw a borrowed breath Yet I not I did view not venge though neare Those monstrous mountaines of my Subjects slaine Though even my enemies must my courage cleare Which flames of fury lightned forth in vaine Through greatest dangers death I did pursue Till heapes of slaughtred bodies barr'd my way And chang'd my Chariot to a scarlet hue Ere wounded honour could be drawne away O how I envy yet their happy Ghosts Who dy'd whilst hope of victory remain'd And in the presence of two famous hosts To praise their valour even their foes constrain'd Shall I survive that memorable shame Which Persia's glory with disgrace confin'd No rather let me dye and let my name As vaine quite vanish raz'd from every minde Starre-boasting Babylon all Asia's Queene Blush to behold thy King in such a state That by the gazing world he now is seene A scorned futer humbly to entreate But not turn'd vassall as by pow'r appall'd Though all my Empire to a period come Yet none shall vaunt that ever I was thrall'd Hearts holding courage are not quite o're-come Should I whose Soveraignty so oft was sworne Be seene submisse to scape a minutes paines No let them bow who but to bow were borne For Darius this indignity disdaines Since I was once judg'd worthy to command Shall I descend a Subjects state to try No whilst a sword yeelds homage to this hand I scorne to grant a greater man then I. Brave sprites who now possesse the pleasant bow'rs And glorious Gardens of th' Elysian Plaines For if deserts may move th' infernall pow'rs That happy shade your shadowes now containes Those fatall fields where I did leade you forth Your bodies bury but enlarge your fames Men shall adore the relickes of your worth And Trophees reare to your immortall names I 'le sacrifice as Incense to your soules His dying sighes and sorrowing Parents teares Who now whilst none his prospering pride controules Our conquer'd Ensignes in his triumph beares For it may ease your Ghosts to heare his grones Whilst burden'd earth rebounding backe doth send A wailing eccho rais'd from woods and stones With wounded words to shew that Armies end Why spend I speeches to disturbe your rest As but with words an idle speaker pleas'd A mighty fury hath enflam'd my brest And I will rage till by revenge appeas'd Did I that strong Cadusian first afront Who durst advance himselfe to brave our bands Then turn'd applauded and in high account Charg'd with his spoiles the honour of my hands What could I then all kinde of doubt remov'd Alone adventure to an Armies shame And should I now that ancient praise disprov'd With squadrons compass'd lose that glorious name Blinde fortune O! thy stratagems are strange Which spoile my pow'r and staine my honour too And having made my state the stage of change Hast acted all was in thy power to doe Loe I who late of swarming troups did boast Neere left alone have fortunes fraud disclos'd And those made captives whom I fancy most To vaunting Victors are by fates expos'd O torment but to thinke death to beleeve That any may my dearest part annoy And I wretch'd I not able to releeve Mine eyes chiefe jewell and my hearts chiefe joy Deare object of my thoughts my life my love Sweet Spring of my delights my one my all Bright image of th'excellencies above What do'st thou breath and com'st not when I call And can I be and not be where thou art Hath heaven the force me from thy face to barre Or are my hands growne traitours to my heart That they should shrinke from doing what it dare O! could my minde but distribute a space Those emulating thoughts which tosse my brest To pointlesse ciphers who but spend a place Then I alone might animate the rest Since in this great disgrace I chanc'd to fall Now nothing rests to raise my fame forlorne But by some desperate course to hazard all I 'le live with praise or by my death flye scorne Some prosp'rous issue afterward may purge This crime which fortune hath impos'd on me This crime that carryes with it selfe a scourge No greater torment then the want of thee But fortunes course what mortall can restraine Who Diadems through dust for sport doth roule A stranger now o're my delights doth raigne And may extort the treasures of my soule Now not till now I apprehend my harmes When I imagine how my best belov'd Must entertaine mine enemy in her armes And I so farre from offering ay de remov'd A host of furies in my brest I finde Which doe my soule with dreadfull horrours fill Whilst Melancholy musters in my minde Strange apprehensions that affright me still And this surmiz'd disgrace grown throughly strong Reades hourely in mine eares a hatefull scroule Of an imagin'd yet a helpelesse wrong Such poison'd thoughts like Serpents sting my soule Blinde love beguiles me not sharpe sighted feares With reason fed doe make suspition live Would God that I had neither eyes nor eares Which to the heart intelligence might give This aggravates the weight of my despaire When doubt objects to breake loves last defence How he is yong and fierce she yong and faire He to offend she subject to offence From wronging me both cannot long abstaine Her beauty is sufficient to allure His bravery is sufficient to obtaine Captaines will force and Captives must endure O Alexander tender my renowne Though thus thou travell to usurpe my throne I rage to have a rivall in my Crowne But in my love I can comport with none That boundlesse flame which in thy bosome boyles If quench'd with ought save bloud as base I blame My fortunes take but spare her honours spoiles Which not thy glory yet must breed our shame But pardon deare that which griev'd thoughts burst â—orth More bright thy fame that darkened is my state By many meanes men may approve their worth A woman onely with a wretched mate Chast mindes still pure doe then most firmely stand When fortifi'd with wedlockes sacred band Yet let me doubt or let me leave to love To feare the worst it is affections part I doubt not of thy truth yet it may prove Thy face betray thy faith thy hap thy heart But on thy
floud of teares be-dew'd his feet Then said by death expecting to be free Let us entombe great Darius like a King Then when we first his funerall honour see Death must to us a great contentment bring This oft they urg'd though he attested there That Darius was not dead as they suppos'd But liv'd with hope his ruines to repaire And in the pow'r of other Realmes repos'd Then did he urge what comfort and reliefe They might attend depending on your Grace Thus having toil'd to mitigate their griefe It seem'd they long'd to see my Soveraignes face Alex. I pitie still and not insult o're such Though once mine Enemies who are humbled so And lest weake feare oppresse their mindes too much To comfort them straight to their Tent I 'le go Exeunt Chorus OF all the passions which possesse the soule None so disturbes vaine Mortals mindes As vaine Ambition which so blindes The light of them that nothing can controll Nor curb their thoughts who will aspire This raging vehement desire Of Soveraignty no satisfaction findes But in the breasts of men doth ever roule The restlesse stone of Sisyph to torment them And as his heart who stole the heavenly fire The Vulture gnaws so doth that monster rent them Had they the world the world would not content them This race of Ixion to embrace the clouds Contemne the state wherein they stand And save themselves would all command As one desire is quench'd another buds When they have travell'd all their time Heapt bloud on bloud and crime on crime There is an higher power that guides their hand More happie he whom a poore Cottage shrouds Against the tempest of the threatning heaven He stands in feare of none none envies him His heart is upright and his ways are even Where others states are still twixt six and seven That damned wretch up with Ambition blowne Then whil'st be turnes the wheele about Throwne high and low within without In striving for the top is tumbling downe Those who delight in climbing high Oft by a precipice do dye So do the Starres skie-climbing worldlings slout But this disease is fatall to a Crowne Kings who have most would most augment their bounds And if they be not all they cannot be Which to their damage commonly redounds The weight of too great states themselves confounds The mighty toyling to enlarge their state Themselves exceedingly deceive In hazarding the thing they have For a felicity which they conceive Though their Dominions they encrease Yet their desires grow never lesse For though they conquer much yet more they crave Which fatall Fortune doth attend the great And all the outward pompe that they assume Doth but with shows disguise the Minds distresse And who to conquer all the earth presume A little earth shall them at last consume And if it fortune that they dye in peace A wonder wondrous rarely seene Who conquer first heavens finde a meane To raze their Empire and oft-times their race Who comming to the Crowne with rest And having all in peace possest Do straight forget what bloudy broyles have beene Ere first their Fathers could attaine that place As Seas do flow and ebbe States rise and fall And Princes when their actions prosper best For feare their greatnesse should oppresse the small As of some hated envied are of all We know what end the mighty Cyrus made Whom whil'st he striv'd to conquer still A woman justly griev'd did kill And in a bloudy vessell roll'd his head Then said whil'st many wondring stood Since thou didst famish for such food Now quench thy thirst of bloud with blond at will Some who succeeded him since he was dead Have raign'd a space with pompe and yet with paine Whose glory now can do to us no good And what so long they labour'd to obtaine All in an instant must be lost againe Loe Darius once so magnified by fame By one whom he contemn'd o're-come For all his bravery now made dombe With down-cast eyes must signifie his shame Who puft up with ostentive pride Thinke Fortune bound to serve their side Can never scape to be the prey of some Such spend their prosp'rous dayes as in a dreame And as it were in Fortunes bosome sleeping Then in a dull security abide And of their doubtfull state neglect the keeping Whil'st fearfull ruine comes upon them creeping Thus the vicissitude of worldly things Doth oft to us it selfe detect When heavenly pow'rs exalt deject Confirme confound erect and ruine Kings So Alexander mighty now To whom the vanquish'd world doth bow With all submission homage and respect Doth flie a borrow'd flight with Fortunes wings Nor enters he his dangerous course to ponder Yet if once Fortune bend her cloudy brow All those who at his sudden successe wonder May gaze as much to see himselfe brought under Act. 3. Scene 1. Sisigambis Statira Regina Statira virgo O Dismall day detested be thy light And would the Gods but Gods neglect our case The world were wrapt in a Cymmerian Night That no proud eye might gaze on our disgrace Why did the Heavens reserve my feeble age To make my burden more when strength grows lesse Could nothing but my harmes their wrath asswage Thus offred up on th' Altar of distresse Ah! have I spent my youth in pompe and pleasure And had my spring-time grac'd with pleasant flowres That th' Autumne which should reape the Sommers treasure Might be distempred with such stormy showres And did smooth calmes and Sunne-shines for a space Make all my voyage through the world a sport That I should fall when neere to end my race And toss'd with stormes even perish at my port Yet for all this were I expos'd alone The wretched object of Ioves thund'ring armes I should not thinke I had just cause to mone When I but wail'd mine owne not others harmes Ah me on those whom more then life I love The state-disturbing blasts of Fortune fall Yet each of them some severall losse doth move But I in anguish beare a part with all I suffred when I saw Oxatres slaine My loving Sonne and most entirely lov'd I dy'd in Darius when he try'd in vaine What Fates would do yet still their hatred prov'd The heavens to plague me more yet make me breath O rigour rare what tortures rack my breast Who feele the sowre but not the sweet of death Still cours'd not kill'd lest that should breed me rest Yet Iove if this may dis-enflame thine ire Let all thy lightning light upon my head To be consum'd with a celestiall fire Some comfort were since that I must be dead Sta. Reg. Leave mother those complaints as fit for me Who still must grieve my friends and grace my foes Whose fortune is so wretched still to be That all the world may wonder at my woes Loe that deare Lord and treasure of my thought Whose presence I my Paradise esteem'd To such a precipice is headlong brought That he from ruine cannot be redeem'd Ah! on
yvorie orbes two Sunnie eyes Do charge the soule I know not how O then A secret pow'r compos'd of hopes and feares So charms the minde that it strange thoughts conceives And straight the heart quass'd drunke by th' eyes and th' eares Doth staggring reele and full of fancies raves Alex. But yet in my conceit I scorne all such And do disdaine to yeeld my selfe at all Yea in that sort to bow I loath so much Let rather Mars then Cupid make me fall Should I be bound with fraile affections chains As one oblivious of my former fame No no this purpose still my soule retaines To ballance nothing with a noble name O! what a great indignity is this To see a Conquerour to his lust a slave Who would the title of true worth were his Must vanquish vice and no base thoughts conceive The bravest Trophee ever man obtain'd Is that which ov'r himselfe himselfe hath gain'd Hep. I 'm glad my Soveraigne that as you excell Not onely men but Mars himselfe in armes That from your minde you likewise may repell The flatt'ring pow'r of loves alluring charmes That vertue rare whose rayes shine in your words With generous ardour doth enflame my soule And o're my selfe to me such pow'r affords That some brave deeds must straight this course controule Act 3. Scene 3 Bessus Narbazanes NArbazanes now ere the time be gone Let us accomplish that which we intend And joyne our wit our force and all in one Ere known begun that it may quickly end You see th' occasion if our course we keepe To raise rare fortunes points us out the way Yea blames our sluggishnesse that as a sleepe So great a purpose doe so long delay Loe angry Iove our Princes part disproves For Fortunes worst what ever he attempt From following him the peoples minde removes Distresse still is attended by contempt A ground for so great hopes who ere did see As heavens so happily breed in our mind For since our King confounded is to be We by his fall a meanes to rise may finde Nar. I will most willingly performe my part For I the same exceedingly allow Deare wealth and honour Idols of my heart If you I may enjoy I care not how Yet that this course may best be kept obscure Our care must seeme all for our Country bent When mask'd with zeale crimes are reputed pure A shew of good doth vulgar mindes content In dangerous plots where courage joynes with Art Let slow advice a quicke dispatch be us'd What can save successe justifie our part Who must command or come to be accus'd Bes To Alexander one was sent of late To speake of peace whose speech was spent in vaine So that thus toss'd most desp'rate is his state Who peace cannot obtaine nor warre maintaine To cleare his thoughts which many doubts doe sway He now craves each mans minde who squadrons leads This for our purpose must prepare the way Those who would compasse Kings need crafty heads And that to gaine which we so much esteeme We can upon no meanes more safe conclude Then crooked counsels that doe upright seeme To maske our selves and others to delude He must advis'd by some renounce a space The shew of pow'r and from affaires retire That for a fashion one may use his place Not as usurp'd but at his owne desire So may he try if others can bring backe That which his fortunes ebbe hath borne away Then he againe his Diadem shall take And as before the regall Scepter sway Nar. Well then amongst our selves to flye debate Which such great actions oft-times under-mines I yeeld that you possesse the highest seat And will my faction frame for our designes Bes All that is one which of us two receive it Since every thing doth equally belong us I 'le take it for the forme t is one who have it For we will part his kingdomes all among us But if he condescend to this we crave To judgements rash which would at first seeme good Let him not thinke us two such fooles to leave That which so many else have bought with bloud Who once advanc'd would willingly goe downe And prop'd with pow'r not love in state to stand This not the custome is to quite a Crowne When one hath knowne how sweet it 's to command This name of faith but to get credit fain'd Is weigh'd with kingdomes lighter then a Crowne And even in them whose thoughts are most restrain'd A Scepters weight would presse all goodnesse down Nar. Yet of my thoughts some doubt new counsell claimes And with huge honour aggravates disgrace The staine of treason still attends our names And with our errour burdens all our race Our purpose must accomplish'd be with paine And we though pompe a space appease our soules Shall finde afflictions to disturbe our raigne And be when dead defam'd by famous scroules The sacred title of a Soveraigne King Doth worke a terrour more then can be thought And Majestie to brave my minde doth bring Whose count'nance only strange effects hath wrought Bes To idle sounds and frivolous reports Give straight a pasport for they last not long And what thou do'st alledge not much imports A Crowne may cover any kinde of wrong What hainous thing so odious is by nature Which for a Kingdome not committed is To be a King let me be call'd a traitour Faith if for ought may broken be for this Those are but feeble braines which fancies loade With timorous dreams which bare surmising brings Who feare vaine shadowes must not walke abroad Too warie wits dare never worke great things If our brave project happily succeed As now I doubt not but it shall doe soone We straight will numbers finde to praise our deed And sooth us up in all that we have done Nar. Now that the time and manner may be sure The Bactrian bands shall all attend in Armes Yet faine a cause that he may live secure And be surpris'd not looking for alarmes Then through the campe a rumour must be spread That hopelesse Darius hath despair'dly gone By violence to dwell amongst the dead Which as much griev'd we must appeare to mone The Persians may promises be pleas'd So to disarme him of his native pow'rs Then taking him our thoughts may all be eas'd For whil'st he is his owne we are not ours Till strong with titles we with pow'r command His shadow shrouds while rights are forc'd or fain'd And his to daunt or strangers to gaine-stand To raise our state his shew must be maintain'd To Alexander after we will send And offer him his foe to bondage bought Then crave that us his favour may defend As those who all things for his good have wrought Then if we thus his grace cannot procure But that he us with rigour doe pursue With Darius death we will our states assure Then first our force and next the warres renue Bes Let us hence-forth for nothing be dismaid But strive our selves couragiously to beare This dangerous
up break And let eye-flatt'ring shows our wits enchaunt All perish'd are ere of their pomp men speak Those golden palaces those gorgeous Halls With furniture superfluously faire Those stately Courts those skie-encountring walls Do vanish all like vapours in the ayre O! what affliction jealous greatnesse beares Which still must travell to hold others downe Whil'st all our guards not guard us from our fears Such toile attends the glory of a Crowne Where are they all who at my feet did bow Whil'st I was made the Idoll of so many What joy had I not then what have I now Of all once honour'd and now scarce of any Our painted pleasures but apparrell paine We spend our nights in feare our dayes in dangers Balls toss'd by Starres thrals bound to Fortunes raigne Though known to all yet to our selves but stranges A golden Crowne doth cover leaden cares The Scepter cannot lull their thoughts asleep Whose souls are drown'd with flouds of cold despaires Of which base vulgars cannot sound the deep The Bramble grows although it be obscure Whil'st loftie Cedars feele the blust'ring windes And milde Plebeian souls may live secure While mighty tempests tosse Imperiall mindes What are our dayes but dreames our raigne a glance Whil'st Fortunes feaver makes us rage and rave VVhich with strange fits doth to a height advance Till ere paine us we first our life must leave For glist'ring greatnesse by Ambition lov'd I was the wonder of all gazing eyes But free from shadows reall essence prov'd States just proportion ruine onely tryes Loe charg'd with chains which though they be of gold My states distresse diminish not the more When this prepost'rous honour I behold It but upbraids me what I was before And what was I before as now I see Though what afflicted was not clearly knowne But still in fetters whilst appearing free And in a labyrinth of labours throwne Was I not forc'd to serve a thousand humours To scape the censure of a Criticke storie Still clog'd with cares enrag'd with many rumours O glorious bondage and ô burd'nous glory That dignity which deifi'd me late And made the world doe homage to my name Doth not oppose that which pursues my state But by fall gives feathers unto fame My best was but a momentary blisse Which leaves behind this ever-lasting sting That of all woes no woe is like to this To thinke I was and am not now a king No man with me in all th'accomplish'd joyes That satisfie the soule could once compare No man may match me now in sad annoyes Or any crosse which can provoke despaire Thrice fortune did my gallant troups entrap And I to fall did desperately stand Yet could not be so happy in mishap As to have di'd by some renowned hand But for my greater griefe disgrace and scorne The mindes of men so apt are to deceave They whom aloft my favours wings had borne Evâ—â— they have made their Master thus a slave Ah! did nor death in prison from me reave The â—â—â—â—red Soveraigne of my soules desires And I wretch'd I not present to receave The 〈◊〉 â—olâ— kisse that should have quench'd my fires Yet o thrice happie thou who hast not liv'd To beare a burden of this great disgrace More then a thousand deaths this had thee grievd To know I di'd and di'd in such a case Ah! doe the pledges of our mutuall love The onely comfort that the fates have left Rest prison'd yet and may I not remove Mâ— mother thence as of all power quite reft My paines are more then with my pleasures even Since first my head was burden'd with a Crowne Was I exalted once up to the Heaven That to the Center Iove might throw me downe My ample Empire and my Princely birth My great magnificence and vaine excesse All cannot yeeld my minde one minutes mirth To ease me now in this my great distresse Loe here reduc'd vnto the worst of ills Past helpe past hope and onely great in griefe Two abject vassals make me waite their willes Not looking no nor wishing for reliefe If that my honour had beene first repair'd Then what though death had this fraild fortresse wonne I waile my life since for disgrace prepar'd Not that it ends but that it was begunne What fatall conflict can my count'nance marre Though me to bragge death all his horrours bring I never shall wrong Majestie so farre As ought to doe that not becomes a king Chorus SOme new disaster daylie doth fore-show Our comming ruine wee have seene our best For fortune bent as wholy to o'rethrow Throwes downe our king from her wheeles height so low That by no meanes his state can be redrest For since by armes his pow'r hath been represt Both friends and servants leave him all alone Few have compassion of his state distrest To him themselves a number false doth show So foes and faithlesse friends conspir'd in one Fraile fortune and the fates with them agree All runne with Hatchets on a falling tree This Prince in prosp'rous state hath flourish'd long And never dream'd of ill did thinke farre lesse But was well follow'd whilst his state was strong Him flattering Syrens with a charming song Striv'd to exalt then whilst he did possesse This earthly drosse that with a vaine excesse He might reward their mercenarie love But now when fortune drives him to distresse His favourites whom he remain'd among They straight with her as hers their faith remove And who for gaine to follow him were wont They after gaine by his destruction hunt O more then happie ten times were that king Who were vnhappie but a little space So that it did not utter ruine bring But made him prove a profitable thing Who of his traine did best deserve his grace Then could and would of those the best embrace Such vulturs fled as follow but for prey That faithfull Servants might possesse their place All gallant minds it must with anguish fling Whilst wanting meanes their vertue to display This is the griefe which bursts a generous heart When favour comes by chance not by desart Those minions oft to whom kings doe extend Above their worth immoderate good-will The buttes of common hate oft hit in end In prosp'rous times they onely doe depend Not upon them but on their fortune still Which if it change they change them though they fill Their hopes with honour and their chests with Coyne Yet if they fall or their affaires goe ill Those whom they rais'd will not with them descend But with the side most stronge all straight doe joyne And doe forget all what was given before When once of them they can expect no more The truth hereof in end this strange event In Bessus and Narbazenes hath prov'd On whom their Prince so prodigally spent Affection Honour Titles Treasure Rent And all that might an honest minde have mov'd So bountyfull a Prince still to have lov'd Who so benignely tendred had their state Yet Traitours vile all due respects remov'd
his hand a little space When dying like a Torch whose waxe is spent In spite of payne even with a princely grace His hands still seem'd directing as he went Alex. Who could refraine from teares to heare declar'd The huge mishapps which all at once did light Have subiects slaine their Prince whom strangers spar'd Vs hath he fled that perish thus he might I for his fall am wonderfully sorry Whom first I forc'd but last would have maintain'd I envie death because it rob'd the glory Which I by giving him his life had gain'd Hep. Since death hath put a period to his woes That favour which to him you would extend Let it with furie flame against his foes For your designes can have no fairer end So shall you both the peoples love obtaine Whilst by your meanes reveng'd their Soveraigne rests And likewise may the more securely raigne The state well purg'd from such contagious pests If but one vertue did adorne a king It would be justice many great defects Are vail'd thereby whereas each vertuous thing In one who is not just the world suspects Alex. Though this your Counsell nor yet his request Had not the pow'r to penetrate my eare A generous stomach could not well digest So great a wrong which courage stormes to beare My sprite impatient of repose disdaines That they so long their infamie survive But I will punish with most grievous paines The monstrous Treason that they did contrive What doe they thinke though back'd with numbrous bands That Bactria is a bulwarke for mine Ire Flie where they list they cannot scape my hands My wrath shall follow like consuming fire Such damned soules the heaven cannot receave I le force Hells dungeons as Alcides did And they on th' earth no bounds but mine can have I 'le search them out though in the center hid And when as threatning now I once may strike Betwixt the bending boughs of some strong tree To Traitours terrours who intend the like They shall by violence dismembred be Poll. Sir may it please you to extend your care That some his funerall offices performe Alex. Goe presently and every thing prepare As best becomes the military forme Act 5. Scene 2. Sisigambis Nuntius Chorus THIS looke alas hath charg'd my soule with feares Speak for my life doth on thy lippes depend Thy count'nance ah a dolefull copie beares Of some sad summons to denounce my end Starve not my eares which famish for thy words Though they when swallow'd may but make me burst Nun. The message madame which my soule affords Must once be knowne and once knowne still accurst Sis. Be not a niggard of ill newes Nun. And why Sis. Fame will tell all the world Nun. But first to you Sis. Tell soone Nun. Your sonne is dead Sis. Then let me die Cho. Her joyes and pleasures all are perish'd now Sis. Why opens not the Earth straight to devoure A hopelesse caitive who all good hath lost The longer that I live my griefe growes more As but to mischiefe borne kept to be crost Would God this masse where miserie remaines A weight of Earth from sight of men might keepe Or that the Seas all raging through the plaines Would make my tombe amid'st their tumid deepe O Alexander hast thou rob'd his life Yet entertain'd me still in hope to finde him Why did'st thou not first kill this poore old wife Who was not worthie to have liv'd behind him That I should live till thou my Sonne had'st slaine Was all thy kindnesse for this cause imploi'd Nun. You wrong that Prince for he with hast in vaine Came him to helpe whom others had destroi'd Sis. What impious thoughts durst dreame so vile a deed A monarchs murther Asia's glories end Nun. Two whom he rais'd did his confusion breed He found his friend his foe his foe a friend Sis. Tell on thy message messenger of death And loade my minde with mountaines of distresse That tears may drowne my sight sighs choake my breath Whilst sorrow all my sences doth possesse Nun. When Alexander who at peace repin'd Did save submission hold all offers vaine Bent of sterne Mars to try the doubtfull minde A generall muster Darius did ordaine And in one battell bent to venture all He caus'd his will be publikely proclaim'd Whilst two vile Traitours did conspire his fall Who Bessus and Narbazanes were nam'd Those two in councell did discover first Some portion of the poison of their heart Which caus'd the king suspect but not the worst Yet with a sword he sought to make them smart But having scap'd what first was fear'd from rage They seem'd so much their errour to lament His indignation that they did asswage False hypocrits pretending to repent Whilst Artabazus as an honest man Who judg'd of others by his vpright minde No fraud conceav'd sought more to scape then scan What they with craft to compasse Crownes design'd Cho. A mind sincere is ever least suspitious These think all faultie who themselves are vitious Nun. They urg'd him with the king to interceed That in his favour he would give them place And did protest that by some valorous deed They labour would to gaine againe his grace Then Artabazus came and told the king That in the battell he might try their faith And both before his majestie did bring Who when submisse did quickly calme his wrath With hands stretch'd up to Heaven and humbled knees With teares like those which Crocodiles doe shed Woe in their face and pitie in their eyes Did for compassion though from rigour pleade The king of nature milde did them receave And them who thus but for the forme complain'd Not onely all relenting quite forgave But wept in earnest too whil'st they but fain'd When in his Coach from all suspition free With count'nance sad long following on behinde As still pretending supplicants to be They bow'd to him whom they were bent to binde The Grecian Captaine curiously neare When mark'd a suter crav'd what he requir'd By pregnant proofes did evidently cleare What treason was against his state conspir'd He told what way their purpose might be tri'd And how the Bactrians were for trouble bent Then for his safety pray'd him to provide By straight with him retyring to his Tent But in the King who did neglect his state No kinde of care this friendly offer bred So that it seem'd he by some pow'rfull fate Was head-long forward to confusion led The Greeke past thence despairing him to save Who thus all meanes to help himselfe refus'd With subtle words then Bessus there did crave To purge himselfe and errours past excus'd Old Artabazus happ'ning to approach The King to him did Patrons speech report Who then perceiv'd what danger did encroach And wish'd he would where Greeks were strong resort But in his breast this purpose firmly plac'd That from his Subjects he would never flie With mutuall teares they tenderly embrac'd And parted there like two who went to dye Now silent night in
But when that I extended had my state From learned Athens to the barbarous Iâ—des Still my tumultuous troups my pride did hate As monstrous mutinies unmask'd their mindes I so my name more wonderfull to make Of Hercules and Bacchus past the bounds And whil'st that Memnons Sunne-burnt bands did quâ—ke Did write my worth in many a Monarchs wounds Kings were my Subjects and my servants Kings Yet my contentment further did require For I imagin'd still more mighty things And to a greater greatnesse did aspire The spatious carriere of the speedy Sunne All quickly thrall'd like lightning I o're-ran Yet wept and wish'd more worlds t' have been wonne As this had wanted roome to ease one man No wonder I was thought a God by some Since all my aymes though high as heaven prevail'd And what man save my selfe did still o're-come Of all my fancies never project fail'd This made me thought immortaliz'd to be Which in all mindes amazement yet contracts I led blinde Fortune and she courted me As glad to grace the greatnesse of my acts Yet I have found it a more easie thing To conquer all whereon the Sunne ere shin'd Then mine owne selfe and of my passions King To calme the tumults of a stormy minde What comfort justly could my soule receive Of all my Conquests past if that even then Whil'st I triumph'd to wrath and wine a slave I scap'd not scandall more then other men Ah! seazing without right on every state I but my selte too great a Monarch made Since all men gap'd to get the golden bait Which by my death seem'd easie to be had Whil'st from humanity too much divorc'd My deeds all hearts with feare and horrour fill'd I who by foes could never have beene forc'd By friends did fall yet not over-com'd but kill'd But now I see the troublous time draws neare When they shall keep my obsequies with blond No wonder too though such a warriours beere At last doth swimme amidst a scarlet floud For as my life did breed huge broils o're all My death must be the cause of monstrous cumbers And it doth best become a strong mans fall To be renown'd by ruining of numbers The Snake-tress'd Sisters now shall never need Their fatall fire-brands loathsome Pluto's pests Nor inspirations strange whose rage doth breed A thirst of murther in transported brests Ambitions flames may from my ashes shine To burne my Minions mindes with high desires Each of their sprits that hath a spark of mine To ruine all the world may furnish fires The Beauties of the Earth shall all look red Whil'st my Lievtenants through that pride of theirs With Armes unkinde huge streames of bloud do shed By murthering of my heires to be my heires Is this that Greatnesse which I did designe By being eminent to be o're-throwne To ruine first my selfe then root out mine As conquering others but to lose mine owne O happie I more happie farre my race If pleas'd with that which was our ancient rent I manag'd had th' Aemaethian pow'r in peace Which was made lawfull by a long discent Then farre sequestred from Bellona's rage I had the true delights of Nature tri'd And ag'd with honour honour'd in my age Had left my Sonne secure before I dy'd And he inheriting a quiet state Which then because lesse great had beene more sure Had free from envy not beene harm'd by hate Which of most States the ruine doth procure But since they will en-earth my earthly part Which now no badge of majestie retaines To roaring Phlegeton I must depart Farre from the lightsome bounds of th'aiery plainâ—â— And must I there who did the world surmount Arrested by the Monarch of the Ghosts To Rhadamanthus render an account Of all the deeds done by my ravenous hosts There whil'st with Minos Aeacus sits downe A rigorous Iudge in hels most horrid Court With me who passe his Nephew in renowne Though of his race he no way will comport O what pale Ghosts are here together brought Which were of bodies spoil'd by my Decree And first Parmenio without whom I nought But who did many great things without me At the tribunall of Tartarian pow'rs He aggravates ingratitude too great And whil'st the raging Tyrant foaming lowres All whom I wrong'd for vengeance do entreat Yet guilty thoughts torment me most of all No sprit can be by plaguing furies pin'd Though charg'd without with snakes within with gall As by the stings of a remording minde If it be true that drowsie Lethes streames In darke oblivion drowne all things at last There let me bury farre from Phoebus beames The loath'd remembrance of my labours past Exit Chorus VVHat strange adventures now Distract distressed mindes With such most monstrous formes When silence doth allow The peace that Nature findes And that tumultuous windes Do not disturbe with stormes An universall rest When Morpheus hath represt Th' impetuous waves of cares And with a soft sleepe bindes Those Tyrants of the brest Which would spread forth most dangerous snares To sink affliction in despaires Huge horrours then arise The Elements to marre With most disastrous signes Arm'd Squadrons in the skies With lances throwne from farre Do make a monstrous warre Whil'st furie nought confines The Dragons vomit fire And make the Starres retire Cut of their Orbes for feare To satisfie their ire Which heavens high buildings not forbear But seem the Crystall Towres to teare Amidst the ayre fierce blasts Doe boast with blustring sounds To crush this mighty frame Which whilst the tempest lasts Doth rent the stately rounds To signifie what wounds To all her off-springs shame Shall burst th' earths veynes with bloud And this all-circling floud As it the heavens would drowne Doth passe the bounding bounds And all the scalie brood Reare roaring Neptunes foamie Crowne Whilst th' earth for feare seems to sinke downe Those whom it hid with horrour Their ashy lodgings leave To re-enjoy the light Or else some Panicke terrour Our judgement doth bereave Whilst first we misconceive And so prejudge the sight Or in the bodies stead The genius of the dead Turnes backe from Styx againe Which Dis will not receive Till it a time engendring dread Plague whilst it doth on th' earth remaine All else with feare it selfe with paine These fearefull signes fore-show All nations to appall What plagues are to succeed Since death hath layd him low Who first had made us thrall We heard that straight his fall Our liberty would breed But this proves no reliefe For many O what griefe The place of one supply And we must suffer all Thus was our comfort briefe O! rarely doe usurpers dye But others will their fortune try Act 2. Scene 1. Perdiccas Meleager Ptolomie Antigonus Eumenes WHat eye not big with teares can view this host Which hath in one ah as the end doth prove A King a Captaine and a brother lost Crown'd follow'd try'd by right for worth in love I thinke amongst us all there is not one Whom divers
enlarg'd unto their rage They with so straight a course cannot comport What was mis-fortune knowne unto them all Their malice as some great neglect did cite All things must helpe th' unhappy men to fall Thus forth they spu'd the poyson of their spite For hating his franke forme and naked words By that occasion whetting their desires They in his body boldly sheath'd their swords A deed which even barbarity admires Those trait'rous troups may spot the purest bands If for a fact so vile they be excus'd This will set swords all our souldiers hands Against us and not for us to be us'd Ant. I wish that Souldiers never could be brought To prove so mut'nous as they oft have beene And that they durst not violate in ought Those who by them as sacred should be seene Nor like I Captaines who like blustring windes Would o're their troupes insult as tyrants still Not weighing merits nor respecting mindes As carried head-long with a blinded will Pride by presumption bred when at a height Encount'ring with contempt both match in ire And 'twixt them bring base cruelty to light The loath-some off-spring of a hated Syre Such of Perdiccas was the monstrous pride The vice from which that vice more vile proceeds That it strange wayes for his advancement try'd And did burst forth in most prodigious deeds At first by Meleagers death when stain'd He show'd what tyrants harbour'd in his heart To whom faith given nor yet the Church he gain'd Though sacred both no safety could impart The Cappadocians when all else was try'd Choos'd rather then his insolence to beare By massâ—â—ring themselves to scape from pride Pride spight and horrour death breeds onely feare Yet what against his foes he did performe From martiall mindes might plead for some excuse Since irritated thoughts which wrong'd doe storme In mindes offended fury doe infuse But yet why sought he in a servile sort To play the tyrant braving his best friends Who with disdainefull formes could not comport More then an enemies yoke a friends offends And when of late by Ptolomie constrain'd He brought his bands with disadvantage backe How by the same his governement was stayn'd The world can witnesse by his Armies wracke But hate made judge each errour seemes a crime Whilst present ils doe aggravate things gone His Souldiers mov'd by fortune and the Time Did by his death venge all their wrongs in one Eum. As nought smels well to a distemper'd taste So to conceits pre-occupy'd before Even good seemes bad in them whom they detest Men must mislike where they can like no more To you who loath'd Perdiccas and his state What ever came of him could not seeme good And I not wonder though your soule did hate One who had right and pow'r to take your bloud For fled from him to whom you once belong'd His Trumpet still breath'd terrour in your eare Then all men hate those whom they once have wrong'd And by no meanes can love them whom they feare Ant. That which you speake of hate in love I spy Love cannot finde an imperfection forth But doth excuse extenuate or deny Faults where it likes with shadowes of no worth I left Perdiccas but did him no wrong Who first to take my life all meanes did prove I told Antipater how he so long Had been abus'd by a pretended love For as I frankely love whilst lov'd againe If the ingrate ingrately me acquite Straight kindling fury with a just disdaine I by love past proportion then my spite And yet Eumenes I commend thy minde Who to defend thy friend hast prov'd so free And since in love so constantly inclin'd A friendship firme I would contract with thee Then where that now thy state hath been brought low Since spoil'd of him in whom thou did'st repose Whilst ayded by our power thou great maist grow And raise thy hopes of kingdomes to dispose Eum. I 'le be your friend whilst friend to right you rest For without vertue friendship is but vaine Which cannot lodge in a polluted brest Whos 's impious thoughts do sacred things prophane While as the oath is kept which once was sworne To Alexanders selfe and to his race Still shall this sword for your defence be borne But in my heart they hold the highest place And doe not thus as o're one vanquish'd vaunt Nor thinke me thrall'd though once by chance o'rethrowne The world must perish ere advent'rers want Who tosse all States to stablish once their owne Whil'st bravely taking or yet giving place How ever feare objecting danger comes Misfortune bondage torment death disgrace And all things else a minde resolv'd o're-comes Act. 4. Scene 2. Cassander Lysimachus ANd must we buy our pompe at such a rate Who beare th' authority or whom it beares O O! how thorny are the wayes of State With open dangers pav'd and secret feares Each of our steps is waited with some snare Whil'st from our selves we all repose repell And in fraile Barks press'd by tempestuous care Do seek a haven whose heaven is but a hell Lysim Whil'st Eolus and Neptune joyn'd in all With winds and waves beat th' earth and brag the skies The tumbling Mountains do not rise and fall Though each of them another doth surprise As do th' aspiring pow'rs which are with doubt Toss'd through the waving world on stormy Thrones And are as in a Circle hurl'd about Ascending and descending both at once Loe some whose hopes would at their birth have seem'd By Fortunes strictnesse with contempt confin'd Have from the vulgar yoke themselves redeem'd To do farre more then such durst have design'd And they who once might life to thousands give When some great period revolutions brings Brought downe even low cannot have leave to live Made lesse then Subjects who were more then Kings Cass What once they scarce could dreame some thus procur Whose pow'r though nought at first last Scepters swayes And some whose states seem'd once to be secure Throwne from their Fortunes height lose glorious Bayes My Father loe to gaine that soveraigne place Through many dangers boldly march'd of late And then the greatest greater for a space Did manage all the Macedonian State But I his Sonne who as some would suppose Might keep whith ease that which he got with paine Can by no meanes my rest-lesse thoughts repose such raging Tyrants o're my fancies raigne Lysim And yet I thinke you have an easie part To whom his State your Father did resigne For it may make you smile which made him smart Some presse the grape and others drinke the wine Cass I le not beleeve that ever any ill Was bred for me within my Fathers brest Since children must suppose their Parents will Though seeming bad still purpos'd for the best And yet my Fathers Ghost must pardon me Though when from us he minded to remove I thinke the tenor of his last Decree Show'd lack of judgement or at least of love For what base course had ever beene begun
To make me seeme not worthy of his place That he preferr'd a Stranger to his Sonne As bent to cloud the glory of his race Thus since in such a sort he did neglect The Sonne who should his name from death exempt As dis-regarded for some great defect All other men may have me in contempt But ere his age attain'd the fatall date He saw my brows with lawrell boughs array'd And spy'd my skill in warre and wit in state Which grew as much as his had then decay'd Nor can my courage so be brought to bow But Polypercon shall by proofe finde soone That in my Fathers will I Will allow Not what he did but what he should have done And since by him high dignities were wonne I minde to prosecute what he began For though I would so great a Fathers Sonne Can not securely live a private man Loe Polypercon by our pow'r repell'd From Macedonie hath retyr'd dismay'd And for the feare of us hath beene compell'd To rest beholding for anothers aid Let him not think that shadows though of Kings Can match my pow'r with these his borrow'd bands A doubtfull flight all fram'd with others wings Will never beare him from Cassanders hands And though Olympias count'nanc'd once his cause As from Epirus come to ruine me Now of her owne misfortune she must pause Since brought of late unto a low degree Lysim And yet Olympias once did prosper well When first she touch'd the Macedonian bounds Whil'st Polypercon proudly did repell all those who durst resist with words or wounds Though Philip and Euridice his Queene To give them battell bent in time arriv'd The Macedonians when they had her seene As their owne Queene to do her honour striv'd And haplesse Philip whil'st constrain'd to yeeld There for a Kings did take a captives state And with his mate though flying from the field Was follow'd by their force and by her fate Then â—id her husband and her selfe give place Whose brows of late a Diademe had borne But then throwne downe in depths of black disgrace Were made of pride the prey the butt of scorne Cass Those were the means which did them first entrap But have you heard how after they were thrall To plague the world with horrour and mishap The proud Olympias tyrraniz'd o're all Lys Some doubtfull rumors did frequent each 〈◊〉 Such as rash Fame confus'dly durst unfold But yet by favour hid or else for feare The truth of all it may be was not told Cass When thus the Tygresse happ'ned to surprise Those wretched souls as ravish'd in a dreame Her heart at first seem'd scarce to trust her eyes She surfetted her sight so with their shame But when she saw by reason of her pow'r That she might safely let her rage burst out She them about caus'd build a lightlesse Tower Press'd by whose walls they scarce could turne about And in that dungeon as entomb'd they stood With high disgrace t' appease more high disdaines Farre from all comfort whil'st a little food Their life prolong'd but to prolong their paines But for misfortune pity last doth pleade As envy doth prosperity oppose The Macedonians then indifferent made On murmur'd rumours doubtfully did glose The peoples grudge Olympias did perceive And of just fury fearing the effect She straight resolv'd lifes remnant to bereave From weakened pow'rs which did no lesse expect And when some Thracians basely bent for bloud As she had charg'd with mercenary spight Had murdred Philip and his Queene imbru'd With these red streames that drown'd her lifes delight She sent to her whose soule in griefe did sinke As messengers of death to bragge her brest A sword a cord and an empoyson'd drink A Tyrants presents yet a wretches best Those seene the Queene unmov'd this speech did make As one who had imbrac'd some great reliefe Fit gifts for her to give for me to take Since she exceeds in hate and I in griefe And tell the Tyrant that I gladly dye That once the angry gods to venge my death May thunder forth that judgement which I spie With bloud must choak that bloudy womans breath Last looking on her Lord who there lay slaine Once partner of his joy then of his woe Whil'st that his Roses did her Lillies staine She kiss'd his wounds as taking leave to goe Lest Time her Resolution had betray'd Her snowie necke not us'd with such a chaine Her girdle grasp'd then dy'd no way dismai'd And if she sigh'd she sigh'd but for disdaine Lysi This barbarous act my breast with griefe dotâ— sâ—ing Can spight so much transport the meekest kinde And yet on th' earth there 's no more cruell thing Then malice raging in a womans minde Cass But yet this sacrifice could not asswage The boyling thoughts of her unbounded will For entring thus she rioted in rage As dogges that once get bloud would alwayes kill Each light occasion kindling still her wrath The Soveraignty she shamefully abus'd And put my brother Nicanor to death Though for no crime condemn'd no not accus'd To some when dead an hate by her was borne Whose cruelty no floud of bloud confin'd Of Iolas the Tombe prophanely torne She robbing th' earth with ashes stain'd the winde To be Cassanders friend was such a crime As none could scape who ever favour'd me Thus huge disorders did abound a time Where laws not valued are all things are free When having heard of this outragious pride Which made my native soyle contemn'd to be I those indignities could not abide Whose shame and danger did ayme most at me So that at last mov'd by my Countries care As much as by particular respects I with great speed an Army did prepare To punish or prevent the like effects But when I was to Macedony come To fortifie a Towne she did designe Which I enclos'd and quickly did o're-come Whil'st famine forc'd the Fortresse to resigne Then to necessity weake pride gave place Her lofty courage was constrain'd to bow So that she rests depending on our grace To be dispos'd as it shall please us now Lysim This chance the world to wonder may invite Loe there a Queene who had though now distress'd The rarest Fortune and the greatest sprite That ever any of her sex possess'd The widow'd Empresse who first bragg'd the Indes Or proud Thomiris though both prais'd have beene Or th' Amazons all borne with martiall mindes Have never beene more stout then was this Queene Her lifes first progresse did but prove too sweet Whom once the world with treasures striv'd to blesse But now sad soule foil'd under Fortunes â—eet Her misery no creature can expresse Cass Those were but Fortunes gifts which made her great Whil'st treacherous shows by shallow wits were prais'd Her imperfections did but staine the State Where her not hers but others merits rais'd When first that Dame with famous Philip match'd Her cunning carriage was not free from blame But though she then with Argos eyes was watch'd As was suppos'd soone forfeited
her Fame At least shame-fear'd he did her first disdaine And of that sexe the precious fame is such Their tender honour any breath may staine If tainted foule if but suspect'd too much Yet this at last did his destruction breed For which her spightfull thoughts had labour'd long She by Pausanias privy to his deed Had spurr'd him to performe th' intended wrong And by such meanes long sought that to her will Her husbands murder might enlarge the raynes Whil'st back'd by power she boldly did the ill Of which too late the troubled Realme complaines Though loath'd of all long suffred for her Sonne She play'd the Tyrant safely as she pleas'd But by the course that I have now begun I hope those whom she plagu'd shall be appeas'd Lysim Yet of Olympias though cast downe by you The fight her Sonne and Husband will revive And so may make the Macedonians now For her reliefe strange courses to contrive Of those whose greatnesse doth regard extort The miseries entender every minde And still th' affections of the vulgar sort Are head-long led too cruell or too kinde Cass O! but I can precipitate her fall Even by the meanes which might support her most For pity shall barre pity whil'st they all Waile for their friends who through her pride were lost Lysim As those to whom all other things are free Must have their life and raigne both of one date So private men who passe their owne degree Can hardly turne to take their former state Your Fortune thus is trusted to the fates None can retyre who enters in such things All those who dare attempt against great States Must dye as Traitors or else live as Kings And though you would but some disorders stay You deale with those who borne not to be thrall As torrents beare away what stops their way And must of force if not undone do all Such though set free will storme when they are gone Who scorne to take the thing that they should give All those must dye who dare but touch a Throne Who may endanger Kings they must not live Cass Since in this course I onely once can erre I shall be sure ere she her selfe with-draw Lysim And yet what surety can you have of her Can laws binde them who are above the law Who can a concord make betwixt the two Whereas the one must hate the other feare Cass O but I minde to use the matter so That both from hence shall further strife forbeare Lysim What can her freedome and your peace procure Cass Death both can make her free and me secure Lysim And would you do such ill to shed her bloud Cass Yea ill to others so it do me good Lysim The Macedonians will abhorre this wrong Cass And yet obey me if I be most strong Lys But who shall have the Realme amidst those broils Cass Who ever winnes the field doth owe the spoils Lysim So to possesse the Realme you have no right Cass But I have more so long as I have might Lysim This State doth to it selfe an heire afford Cass All kingdomes rights are pleaded by the Sword Lysim The people all will grudge against your state Cass But dâ—re not stirre whil'st feare exceeds their hate Lysim And in their hearts they will detest you too Cass Think what they will who have no pow'r to doe Lysim What tâ—ough Olympias in a little space May lose her pow'r together with her breath Yet there remaines another of her race Who is by Nature bound to venge her death Cass The raging streames of a tempestuous flood Which drowns the old not yeelds the yong reliefe What foole who of his foes victorious stood Would spoyle an Army and yet spare the chiefe No since I must my selfe with murder staine I le by the roots raze all the Royall race So that no pow'r shall spring from thence againe That may my selfe or yet my plants displace The strength hath left great Alexanders arme Whose mothers fatall threed is now neere spunne And I have meanes to keep my selfe from harme Both of Roxane and her tender Sonne But since this course may much our states advance By which a ground for great attempts is layd I mâ—â—t entreat you now what ever chance To lend us your applause though not your ayd Lysim I 'le be your friend yet wish you would refraine From doing this but ere you be undone Since by your guiltnesse I thus may gaine I le suffer that which I would not have done Exeunt Olympias alone CAn I be she whom all the world admir'd As the most happie Queene that raign'd below Whom all the Planets have to plague conspir'd Of fickle Fortunes course the pow'r to show No no not I for what could me controull Or force me thus t' attend anothers will Since I despise this prison of my soule Where it disdaines t' abide in bondage still Ah! whil'st vaine pompe transported fancies fed The jealous gods my state to grudge did tempt My state which Envy once and Reverence bred Though now it breed but pity and contempt Olympias once high as Olympus stood The wife Philip Alexanders Mother Who match'd Alcides and Achilles bloud To breed a man more worth then both together Am I the woman whose majesticke state Seem'd once so happy to deceiv'd conceits I I am she and never yet more great Then at this present even in spight of fates A double bondage long did burden me I to my selfe my selfe to Fortune thrall But now captivity hath set me free Who could not rise till first I had a fall A sprit whil'st it prosperity benummes Scarce like the selfe can to the world appeare But then when vertue every crosse o're-comes True Greatnesse shines most bright in Glories spheare Our treasure now I see consists no more Without our selves in th'eye-betraying shows But in the breasts inestimable store Which neither Time entombes nor Pow'r o're-throws O never were my thoughts enlarg'd till now To mark my selfe and quintessence my minde For long a prey to pride I know not how A mist of fancies made my judgement blinde As those who dreame sweet dreames whil'st wak't at last Do finde their errour when their eyes finde light Free from the slumb'ring of my Fortune past I now arise to judge of all things right That cloud of pomp whose smoak me shadow'd once Loe now remov'd unmasks my life too late And now I see that Scepters Crownes and Thrones Are burd'nous badges of a dangerous state O happie woman of true pleasure sure Who in the Countrey lead'st a guiltlesse life From Fortunes reach retyr'd obscure secure Though not a Queene yet a contented wife Thy Mate more deare to thee then is the light Thongh low in state loves in a high degree And with his presence still to blesse thy sight Doth scorne great Courts whil'st he lives courting thee And as thou wound'st him not with hid disgrace He with no jealous thought doth rack thy brest Thus
by others pow'rs Whil'st feare licentious thoughts appalls Of all the Tyrants that the world affords Ones owne affections are the fiercest Lords As Libertines those onely live Who from the bands of vice set free Vile thoughts cancell And would excell In all that doth true glory give From which when as no Tyrants be Them to repell And to compell Their deeds against their thoughts to strive They blest are in a high degree For such of fame the scrouls can hardly fill Whose wit is bounded by anothers will Our Ancestors of old such prov'd Who Rome from Tarquines yoke redeem'd They first obtain'd And then maintain'd Their liberty so dearly lov'd They from all things which odious seem'd Though not constrain'd Themselves restrain'd And willingly all good approv'd Bent to be much yet well esteem'd And how could such but ayme at some great end Whom liberty did leade Glory attend They leading valorous legions forth Though wanting Kings triumph'd o're Kings And still aspir'd By Mars inspir'd To conquer all from South to North Then lending fame their Eagles wings They all acquir'd That was requir'd To make them rare for rarest things The world made witnesse of their worth Thus those great mindes who domineer'd o're all Did make themselves first free then others thrall But we who hold nought but their name From that to which they in times gone Did high ascend Must low descend And bound their glory with our shame Whil'st on an object Tyrants Throne We base attend And do intend Vs for our fortune still to frame Not it for us and all for one As liberty a courage doth impart So bondage doth disbend else breake the heart Yet O! who knows but Rome to grace Another Brutus may arise Who may effect What we affect And Tarquines steps make Caesar trace Though seeming dangers to despise He doth suspect What we expect Which from his breast hath banish'd peace Though fairely he his feares disguise Of Tyrants even the wrong revenge affords All feare but theirs and they feare all mens swords Act. 4. Scene 1. Decius Brutus Albinus Marcus Brutus Caius Cassius DEare Cosin Cassius did acquaint mine eares With a designe which toss'd my minde a space For when strange news a strangers breath first beares One should not straight to rash reports give place I would not then discover what I thought Lest he to trap my tongue a snare had fram'd Till first with thee I to conferre was brought Whom he for Patron of his purpose nam'd One should look well to whom his minde he leaves In dangerous times when tales by walls are told Men make themselves unnecessar'ly slaves Of those to whom their secrets they unfold Mar. Brut. As Cassius told thee griev'd for Romes distresse Which to our shame in bondage doth remaine We straight intend what ever we professe With Caesars bloud to wash away this staine Though for this end a few sufficient are To whom their vertue courage doth impart Yet were we loth to wrong thy wroth so farre As of such glory to give thee no part Since both this cause yea and thy name thee binde In this adventrous band to be compris'd There needs no Rhetoricke to raise thy minde To do the thing which thou shouldst have devis'd Dec. Brut. I thought no creature should my purpose know But he whose intrest promis'd mutuall cares Of those to whom one would his secret show No greater pledge of trust then to know theirs As when two meet whil'st mask'd though most deare friends With them as strangers no respect takes place But straight when friend-ship one of them pretends The other likewise doth un-cloud the face So as thou first I 'le now at last be bold My brest with the same birth long bigge hath gone But I to others durst it not unfold Nor yet attempt to compasse it alone But since this course at which I long did pause On such great pillars now so strongly stands Whose count'nance may give credit to a cause It hath my heart and it shall have my hands Ca. Cass To our designes propitious signes are sent So that the Gods would give us courage thus For all who ever heard of our intent Would willingly engage themselves with us Let other men discourse of vertuous rites Ours but by action onely should be showne Bare speculation is but for such sprits As want of pow'r or courage keeps unknowne In those who vertue view when crown'd with deeds Through Glories glasse whose beauties long have shin'd To be embrac'd an high desire she breeds As load-stones iron so ravishing the minde What though a number now in darknesse lyes Who are too weak for matters of such weight We who are eminent in all mens eyes Let us still hold the height of honour straight Mar. Brut. Earst that our faction might be strengthned thus I labour'd much to purchase all their pow'rs Whom hate to Caesar love to Rome or us Might make imbarke in those great hopes of ours By sicknesse then imprison'd in his bed Whil'st I Ligarius spy'd whom paines did pricke When I had said with words that anguish bred In what a time Ligarius art thou sick He answer'd straight as I had Physicke brought Or that he had imagin'd my designe If worthie of thy selfe thou would'st do ought Then Brutus I am whole and wholly thine Since he by Caesar was accus'd of late For taking Pompey's part yet at this houre He though absolv'd doth still the Tyrant hate Since once endanger'd by his lawlesse pow'r Thus of great sprits exasperating spites Heaven of our course the progresse doth direct One inspiration all our soules incites Who have advis'dly sworne for one effect Dec. Brut. So I with Cicero did conferre at length Who I perceive the present state detests And though old Age diminish'd hath his strength In him a will to free his Countrey rests Mar. Bru. That man whose love still to his countrey shin'd Would willingly the common-wealth restore Then he I know though he conceals his minde None Caesar more dislikes nor likes us more Yet to his custody I 'le not commit The secrets of our enterprise so soone Men may themselves be often-times not fit To do the things which they would wish were done He still was timorous and by age growne worse Might chance to lay our honour in the dust All Cowards must inconstant be of force With bold designes none fearfull breasts should trust Then some of ours would hold their hands still pure Who ere they be suspected for a space Amid'st the tumult may remaine secure And with the people mediate our peace But who then Tullius fitter for that turne Whose eloquence is us'd to charme their eares His banishment they in black Gownes did mourne Whom all do honour for his worth and yeares Cai. Cass Those studious wits which have through dangers gone Would still be out ere that they enter in Who muse of many things resolve of none And thinking of the end cannot begin The minde which looks