distresse strikes deeper in my heart Thy griefe lifes joy makes me neglect mine owne Brut. Thou must deare love that which thou sought'st receive Thy heart so high a saile in stormes still beares That thy great courage doth deserve to have Our enterprise entrusted to thine eares This magnanimitie prevailes so farre That it my resolution must controule And of my bosome doth the depths unbarre To lodge thee in the centre of my soule Thou seest in what estate the State now stands Of whose strong pillars Caesar spoyl'd the best Whil'st by his owne preventing others hands Our famous Father fell amongst the rest That proud usurper fondly doth presume To re-erect detested Tarquins throne Thus the worlds Mistresse all-commanding Rome Must entertaine no Minion now but one All those brave mindes who mark where he doth tend Swell with disdaine their Countries scorne to see And I am one of those who soone intend His death or mine procur'd to be made free Port. And without me canst thou resolve so soone To try the danger of a doubtfull strife As if despair'd and alwayes but undone Of me growne weary weary of thy life Yet since thou thus thy rash designe hast showne Leave Portia's portion venter not her part Endanger nought but that which is thine owne Go where thou lik st I will hold still thy heart But lest by holding of thy best part back The other perish't aggravate my grones Who would be so thought guilty of thy wrack Take all thy Treasure to the Seas at once Like Asia's Monarchs wife who with short haires Sad signes of bondage past still where he past To weare away or beare away thy cares I 'le follow thee and of thy fortune taste These hands which were with mine own bloud imbru'd To strike another may more strength afford At least when thou by th' enemies art pursu'd I 'le set my selfe betwixt thee and each Sword But if too great a priviledge I claime Whose actions all should be dispos'd by thee Ah! pardon Brutus and but onely blame This streame of passions that transported me Brut. Thou ask'st what thou shouldst give forgive deare Mate This ventrous course of mine which must have place Though it make Fortune Tyrant of our State Whose fickle foot-steps Vertue grieves to trace And wonder not though thus to thee I prove Since private duties now all pow'r have lost I weigh not glory profit pleasure love Nor what respect may now import me most So to the land of which I hold my life I may performe that worke which I intend Let me be call'd unkinde unto my wife Yea worst of all ingrate unto my friend As an instinct by Nature makes us know There are degrees of duty to be past Of which the first unto the Gods we owe The next t' our Countrey to our friends the last From Rome of old proud Tyrants bent to drive Did th' author of my race with ardent zeale Make those to dye whom he had made to live And spoil'd himselfe to raise the Common-weale To settle that which Caesar now o're-throws Though vertues nurserie stately whil'st it stood He with the Tyrant inter-changing blows On Glories Altar offered Fame his bloud And did that man to crosse the common foe Then damne his Sonnes to death and with dry eyes And is his speciall heire degener'd so In abject bondage that he basely lyes No his posterity his name not staines But even to tread his steps doth fast draw neare Yet of his sprit in us some spark remaines Who more then life our liberty hold deare Port. Then prosecute thy course for I protest Though with some griefe my soule the same approves This resolution doth become thy brest In honours spheare where heavenly Vertue moves And do this enterprise no more deferre What thee contents to me contentment brings I to my life thy safety do preferre But hold thy honour deare above all things It would but let the world my weaknesse see If I sought my delights not thy desires Though griefe it give and threaten death to me Go follow forth that which thy Fame requires Though Nature sexe and education breed No power in me with such a purpose even I must lend help to this intended deed If vows and pray'rs may penetrate the heaven But difficulties huge my fancie findes Nought save the successe can defray my feare Ah! Fortune alwayes frownes on worthy mindes As hating all who trust in ought save her Yet I despaire not but thou may'st prevaile And by this course to ease my present grones I this advantage have which cannot faile I le be a free-mans wife or else be nones For if all prosper not as we pretend And that the Heavens Romes bondage do decree Straight with thy liberty my life shall end Who have no comfort but what comes from tâ—â—â— My Father hath me taught what way to dye By which if hindred from encountring death Some other meanes I though more strange must try For after Brutus none shall see me breathe Brut. Thou for my cause all others earst didst leave But now forsak'st thy selfe to joyne with me Ore generous love no pow'r weake passions have Against thy minde thou dost with mine agree I le since by thee approv'd securely go And vilipend the dangers of this life Heavens make my enterprise to prosper so That I may once prove worthy such a wife But ah of all thy words those grieve me most Which bragge me with the dating of thy dayes What though I in so good a cause were lost None flies the fate which stablish'd for him stayes Do not defraud the world of thy rare worth But of thy Brutus the remembrance love From this faire prison strive not to breake forth Till first the fates have forc'd thee to remove Port. The heavens I feare have our confusion sworn Since this ill Age can with no good accord Thou and my Father ah should have beene borne When Vertue was advanc'd and Vice abhorr'd Then ere the light of Vertue was declin'd Your worth had reverenc'd beene not throwne away Where now ye both have but in darknesse shin'd As Starres by night that had beene Sunnes by day Brut. My treasure strive to pacifie thy brest Lest sorrows but sinistrously presage That which thou would'st not wish and hope the best Though Vertue now must act on Fortunes Stage Exeunt Chorus THen liberty of earthly things What more delights a generous brest Which doth receive And can conceive The matchlesse treasure that it brings It making men securely rest As all perceive Doth none deceive Whil'st from the same true courage springs But fear'd for nought doth what seemes best Then men are men when they are all their owne Not but by others badges when made knowne Yet should we not mispending houres A freedome seeke as oft it falls With an intent But to content These vaine delights and appetites of ours For then but made farre greater thralls We might repent As not still pent In stricter bounds
current doth o'reflow my minde VVhich never dream'd that which the soule annoyes But did in all a satisfaction finde I scorne vaine shadowes of conceited feares As one whose state is built on marble grounds In all my horoscope no cloud appeares My blisse abounds my pleasures passe all bounds Aesope That Grecian Sir is at the Court arriv'd VVhole wisedome fame through all the world records Croe. And to extoll my state have you not striv'd VVhil'st bent to sooth his eares with courteous words Aesope In all the parts where he hath chanc'd to be In forrain bounds or where he first saw light He never did such stately wonders see As since this Court enriched hath his sight VVhen regall shewes had ravish'd first his eye As mountains nurslings little simple swaines VVho us'd with infant flouds them never spy Sport portative like Serpents through the Plaines When one of them first comes to view the vailes And wanton water-Nymphs there wondring sees The rarenesse of the sight so much prevailes That rillets rivers seeme the rivers Seas So all the guards that garnisht Solons way Did to his minde a great amazement bring The gallants golden statues made him stay Each Groome a Prince each Esquire seem'd a King And now he comes to gaine your long'd-for sight Whom in his minde no doubt he doth adore He gaz'd on those who held of you their light Sunne of this soile he must admire you more Now he o're all will spread your praises forth A famous witnesse of your glorious raigne The record of one wise man is more worth Then what a world of others would maintaine Solon Great Prince doe not the loving zeale reject VVhich a meane man yet a good minde affords And who perchance doth more your good affect Then those who paint their love with fairer words Croe. Thy love sage Grecian gratefull is to us Whom fame long since acquainted with thy worth So that we long long'd for thy presence thus To spy the Spring which sent such treasures forth Would God that many such would here resort Whose vertues beames would shine in every brest VVhose count'nance grave would grace so great a Court And like a Lampe give light unto the rest Solon Spare courteous King that undeserved praise I am but one who doe the world despise And would my thoughts to some perfection raise A wisedome-lover willing to be wise Yet all that I have learn'd huge toyles now past By long experience and in famous Schooles Is but to know my ignorance at last Who think themselves most wise are greatest fooles Croe. This is the nature of a noble minde It rather would be good then be so thought As if it had no ayme but fame to finde Such as the shadow not the substance sought Yet forc'd to give that which thou wilt not take The world what thou hold'st down doth raise more high That which thy face thus shunnes shines on thy back Praise followes them who what they merit flye And how I thinke on th' earth no creature lives Who better can instruct what I would learne Then thou to whom franke Nature largely gives A minde to see a judgement to discerne Solon To satisfie your suit my dutious care Shall it or then my ignorance disâ—lose Croe. Loe you have seene my pomp my treasures rare And all the strength on which my thoughts repose Solon Those be but dreams of blisse which fortune brings To breake by bending foolish mortalls mindes I saw but sencelesse heapes of melting things A waving wealth expos'd to many windes This but the body serving to decore As foolish owners it it th' owners spends Where mindes more circumspect seek better store Of wealth from danger free that never ends Croe. I wot not what you meane whil'st thus in love With fain'd Ideas of imagin'd blisse By fancies drawn such portraits doe but move Sicke braines to dreame that which indeed they misse But more I have then their conceits can show Whose rich conjectures breed but poore effects And I beseech you did you ever know A man more blest then I in all respects Solon I Tellus knew a man whom Athens lov'd Who to doe good at no occasion fail'd And in my judgement hath most happy prov'd Since while he liv'd belov'd whil'st dead bewail'd And last that he might reape all fruits of blisse His Countries beaten bands neere put to flight By him encourag'd scorn'd to be submisse Who dy'd victorious in two Armies sight More glorious now then when he was alive As he in heaven on earth his happy rest To trace his steps who led by Vertue strive Heires of his worth and honour'd by the best Croe. Since this first place a private person gaines Whose fortunes treasure in short time was told Now next in ranke who registred remaines Whose happinesse you most accomplish'd hold Solon Of Cleobis and Bitons vertuous way The prosp'rous course doth to my thoughts approch Their mother wanting on a solemne day The horses which were us'd to draw her Coach Them to supply the place love kindely rais'd Who drew her to that place of publike mirth Whil'st both of them abundantly were prais'd They for their piety she for her birth This charitable worke when brought to end Both dy'd whil'st offering incenie to the Gods Who favour'd so to draw them did intend From further danger of afflictions rods O happy mother who with true delight Of labours past such pleasant fruits enjoy'd And happy children who did thus acquite The mothers paine and dyed whil'st well imploy'd Ah ah our lives are fraile doe what we can And like the brittle glasse breake whil'st they glance Then oft the heavens to curbe the pride of man Doe inter-sowre our sweets with some sad chance Croe. Is there no place appointed then for me Or is my state so abject in thine eyes That thou do'st thinke me blest in no degree As one whose best in fortunes ballance lyes Or think'st thou me of judgement too remisse A wretch expos'd to want to scorne or paines The bastard childe of fortune barr'd from blisse VVhom heavens doe hate and all the world disdaines Are those poore creatures then to be compar'd With one who may consume such in his wrath Who as I please doe punish or reward Whose words nay ev'n whose lookes give life or death Solon Let not your judgement thus from reason shrinke To glose on that which simply comes from me They who doe freely speake no treason thinke One cannot both your friend and flatterer be To us who Grecians are the Gods doe grant A moderate measure of an humble wit So that our Country yet did never want Some whom the world for wise men did admit And yet amongst us all the greatest number Whil'st living looke not for a perfect rest Though Fortunes minions in her bosome slumber And seeme to some whom this world blindes most blest Yet ov'r all mortall states change so prevailes We alterations daily doe attend And hold this for a
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
doth no lesse Rox. Loe now of late delivered of a sonne I to those Captaines scarce dare make it knowne His kingdomes all to part who have begunne And might by killing him make them their owne Ah! Madame this doth move me most to pause Who of those great men the ambition feare Lest by pretending but a publike cause They seeke themselves the Diadem to beare Thus they of my yong babe fraud masking wrath Would but be Tutors first and Traitors then Farre from obedience duty love or faith No things more deare then Diadems to men Olym. As those whose courage cannot be disâ—aâ—â— Let us now strive what way a force to finde And whilst that pitty doth procure for ayde The peoples passions tune unto our minde If that their love not vanish'd with his life Of Alexander in a high degree I thinke the Sonne the Mother and the Wife By Macedonians still must reverenc'd be And this doth with disdaine my soule consume That Arideus amongst other wrongs And proud Euridice his wife presume To take the honour which to us belongs O! they shall finde my fortune not so chang'd But I am able yet to curbe their pride What what Olympias must be reveng'd And save her selfe no Queene she can abide Exeunt Chorus Loe how all good decayes And ills doe now abound In this sky-compass'd round There is no kinde of trust For man-kinde whilst it strayes In pleasure-paved wayes With flouds of vice is drown'd And doth farre from refuge In endlesse shadowes lodge Yet strives to rise no more No doubt as most unjust The world once perish must And worse now to restore Then it was of before When at the last deluge Men by Deucalion once Were made againe of stones And well this wicked race Bewrayes a stony kinde Which beares a stubborne minde Still hardned â—nto sinne Loe now in every place All vertuous motions cease And sacred faith we finde Farre from the earth is fled Whose flight huge mischiefe bred And filles the world with warres Whilst impious brests begin To let base Treason in Which common concord marres Whilst all men live at jarres And nets of fraud doe spreade The simple to surprise Too witty but not wise Yet those who in deceit Their confidence repose A thing more deare doe lose Then can by guile be gain'd Which when repented late May ruine once their state Whilst purer sprites disclose With what their breasts are stor'd For though they would remord They get not trust againe But having honour stain'd And covenants prophan'd Are held in high disdaine And doe in end remaine Of all the world abhorrâ—d Not trusty when they should Not trusted when they would But ah our Nobles now Loe like Lysander still So that they get their will Regard not by what way And with a shamelesse brow Doe of the end allow Even though the meanes were ill Which all the world may see Disgraceth their degree Who changing every houre Doe all base slights assay What can brave mindes dismay Whose worth is like a Tower Against all fortunes pow'r Still from all fraud whilst free These keepe their course unknowne Whom it would shame if showne Who not from worth digresse To slights which feare imparts Doe shew heroicke hearts The which would rather farre An open hate professe Then basely it suppresse No glory comes from fearefull Arts But those who doe us leade As for dissembling made Even though that they intend Amongst themselves to warre Seeme in no sort to jarre But friendship doe pretend Not like their Lord now dead Who trusting to his worth Still what he meant spake forth The great men not for nought Doe seeke the peoples love Their deeds that to approve They may their mindes allure But Perdiccas is thought Too slowly to have sought Their doubtfull mindes to move As one who still conceits He may command the fates His pride so great is growne That none can it endure Yet stands his state unsure Since odious to his owne He must be once o're-throwne Whose humour each man hates Pride doth her followers all Leade head-longs to a fall Act 4. Scene 1. Antigonus Eumenes THough stormy discord and tumultuous wars Doe fire the mindes of men with flames or rage That hauing haughty thoughts as heaven hath Starres Their indignation nothing can asswage Yet loe amongst the Souldiers waving bowres The Heraulds cryes doe calme the Trumpets sounds And peace dare inter-pose unarmed pow'rs To limit for a time Bellona's bounds And whilst of fury they suspend th' effects The seeming-friended foes together treat And every one shewes what his soule affects Of peace a shadow th' essence must be great Thus men magnanimous amidst the field Dare of their en'mies to the promise trust And loathing what disloyaltie doth yeeld Not violate their vowes nor prove unjust Though love be past yet truth should still remaine I vertuous parts even in my foes applaud A gallant minde doth greater glory gaine To dye with honour then to live by fraud And why Eumenes as mistrusting me Or standing on your reputation long Did you disdaine to seeke as all men see A greater then your selfe and one more strong Eum. Though we come not to plead our birth-right here Let him tor warriours so should take their place In whom best signes of Noblenesse appeare Be grac'd as first who doth adorne a race Most Noble he who still by vertue strives To leave his name in mindes of men engrav'd And to his off-spring greater glory gives Then from his ancestors he hath receiv'd Earst we by birth in warre not marshal'd stood As at the Table upon Ivory beds A Souldiers worth consists not in his blond But in their bloud which as his foes he sheds What ever others of my linage try I am Eumenes and will not accord That there can be a greater man then I While as I have a heart a hand a sword Anti. Loe when prosperity too much prevailes Above the judgement thus of vulgar mindes As little Barges burden'd with great Sayles They move in state all swolne with fortunes windes And as adversity the sprite refines From th'abject drosse of pride and passions base That in affliction vertue clearest shines And makes one all the wayes of wit to trace So doth good successe make the judgement dye Then whilst the fortunate their ease doe take And lull'd asleep in pleasures meadowes lye As for the Slaughter fat and ripe to shake Yet this the nature is of gallant men To rest as in no state too much involv'd When prosp'ring warie and most humble then If cross'd couragious when imbark'd resolv'd What though your first attempts renowned are By which you in two fields victorious stood And did o're-throw two thunder-bolts of warre Who lost their lives amid'st a crimson flood Yet is that course of victory contrould And you have try'd what force your force exceeds Then faded Lawrels should not make you bold As still reposing on your by-past deeds For by the same to indignation
mov'd The Macedonians all abhorre your name Who at that time so proud a Conquerour provâ—d Thâ—ir great mens slaughter having wing'd your fame Eum. No fortune past so puffes up my conceit That it contempt of further danger brings Nor am I now dejected so of late But I intend to doe farre greator things He by prosperity made never proud Who knows the fâ—â—ilty of this â—arthly frame Can hardly by adversity be bow'd The Sunne although eclips'd remaines the same Worth should by th' events not be thrall'd to wit On th' accidents as th' essence did depend The fault of fortune cannot blemish it On which oft times disasters may attend Though fortune stumbling right concurre with worth Or yet if crosses bragge a gallant minde Both like themselves are alwaies sparkling forth In every state some tokens of their kinde Now at this time o're-match'd by num'rous pow'rs I kept my courage though I lost the field And vaunt no more of this for some few hour's May once to me the like advantage yeeld Nor is it long since that to fortune deare The world had never me but victor spy'd Though I protest by all th'Immortals here Press'd by necessity not mov'd by pride Proud Neoptolemus that traytour still Not worthy of a Macedonians name He to betray the hoste and me to kill Had labour'd long to his eternall shame But I of Craterus lament the fall Whom for his vertue I did dearely love And was constrain'd I Iove to witnesse call For my defence that refuge last to prove Anti. How fortun'd you your forces to dispose So well to scape that storme of threatned harmes For then you had to deale with mighty foes Who were in warre growne hoarie under armes Eum. When Neoptolemus did clearely spy That all his treason to the light was brought He where our foes were camp'd with haste did flye A foolish traitour who was false for nought There he inform'd or mis-inform'd my foes That by good successe growne secure of late I in my Tent did carelesly repose Though not by force to be o're-com'd by fate And to Antipater he further told That Macedonians if they at that time Of Craterus the count'nance did behold All willingly would yeeld themselves to him Now they had labour'd earnestly before That I abandon would Perdiccas part And did protest that they would give me more Then yet I had or hop'd for in my heart But love born free cannot be thrall d nor bought More then a shamefull peace I like just strife To generous mindes more deare then honour nought And ere I leave my faith I 'le lose my life Thus when despair'd that I would prove their friend They sought in time to plague me as a foe Where love could not begin that hate might end And came in haste to have surpris'd me so But Neoptolemus to crosse by slight The Macedonians I for him did bend And Craterus concealing from their sight To match with him caus'd troupes of strangers tend This policy which none could justly blame I with my selfe in secret did conspire And had my shirt beene privy to the same It should have beene an offring to the fire When deaths first game with danger playd was past I Neoptolemus did toile to finde And he me too which happ'ned at the last Two will doe much to meet when of one minde Then whilst we met for whom both th' armies warr'd Whose fortune did depend upon our hands All was perform'd that force or fury dar'd Whilst both were bent t' abate the others bands And yet the heavens would not betray my trust Foule treason never had a fairer end But smil'd upon my cause as which was just And did destruction to the traitour send For forc'd by him whose force he did despise Though fighting fiercely long he lost his breath As one more strong then true more stout then wise Whose greatest honour was his honest death But weakened with huge wounds almost I div'd In seas of bloud even quite from knowledge stray'd Yet by so great a victory reviv'd My courage grew more then my strength decay'd I having finish'd thus this fatall strife Did come where Craterus his course had runne Even in the confines plac'd 'twixt death and life The one neere gone the other not begun He with great valour had resisted long As all Briareus hands had mov'd his sword And did his Masters memory no wrong Whilst with his courage not his fortune stor'd What life refus'd to gaine by death he thought For life and death are but indifferent things And of themselves not to be shun'd nor sought But for the good or ill that either brings With endlesse glory bent to change his breath Of desp'rate valour all the pow'r was prov'd And for great Captaines no more glorious death Then to dy fighting with a minde unmov'd When it appear'd where victory did tend That armies courage with their Captaine fell And whilst I safely might be seene a friend I went where death his Spirits did expell And whilst I told how both to be betrayd By Neoptolemus were brought about My woe with teares I to the world bewray'd Milde pitty and true kindenesse must burst out Ah if the newes of this that I expresse Had come in time unto Perdiccas eares He might have liv'd their pride now to represse Who by his fall were first divorc'd from feares Ant. The humour of that man was too well knowne Could he have parted other men from pride Whose soule was sold a slave unto his owne And for the same forc'd by his followers dy'd Eum. The proud must still be plagu'd by prouder ones There must be had sharp steel to smooth rough stones Ant. No vice then pride doth greater hate procure Which foes doe scorne and friends cannot endure Eum. Yet Majesty must not it selfe deject A lofty carriage doth procure respect Ant. A haughty gesture shewes a tyrants heart All love a courteous count'nance voyd of Art Eum. Yet manners too submisse as much condemn'd Doe make Kings scorn'd and Captains be contemn'd Ant. A humble port kinde looks words smooth and soft Are meanes by which great mindes may mount aloft Eum. Those are indeed for such as raise their flight They may doe more whose course is at the height Imperious formes an Empire must defend Ant. Thus hastned was Perdiccas to his end Eum. That worthy man had many faire designes But vertue still by envy is pursu'd Though as a Candle in the night best shines It in a vitious age may best be view'd There was a man who scorn'd secure delights As still despising paine attemptive bold A brave observer of the antient Rites Steele strictly grasping prodigall of gold He lov'd to have the Souldiers of his band Chus'd at the Musters not in markets bought And would not flatter where he might command More meet to have then seeke that which he sought But Souldiers now in this degener'd age Are fawn'd on by faint mindes brib'd in such sort That all the reynes
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
imprecations execrable words And yet then this though voluntar'ly vow'd Free from all bonds save that which vertue bindes More constantly no course was ere allow'd Till that the end must manifest our mindes And since so many frankely keep their faith What first intended to accomplish bent No doubt in spight of sickle fortunes wrath A happy successe shall our soules content Might some few Thebans from the Spartans pride By divers tyrants deaths redeem their Towne And one Athenian who his vertue try'd By thirty tyrants ruine get renowne And to the Greekes are we inferiours growne That where they have so many tyrants spoil'd There cannot one be by us all o'rethrowne Whose state yet staggering may be soon imbroil'd I am resolv'd and with my thoughts decree VVhat ever chance to come or sweet or sowre I shall my soile from tyranny set free Or then my selfe free from the tyrants pow'r Dec. Brut. By Lepidus invited this last night VVhilst Caesar went to suppe and I with him Of all deaths shapes to talke we tooke delight So at the table to beguile the time And whilst our judgements all about were try'd Straight Caesar as transported to the rest With a most sudden exclamation cry'd O! of all deaths unlook'd for death is best It from our selves doth steale our selves so fast That even the minde no fearefull forme can see Then is the paine ere apprehended past Sowre things ere tasted would first swallowed be The threatned destiny thus he divin'd It would appeare divinely then inspir'd For now I hope that he shall shortly finde That forme of death which he himselfe desir'd Cai. Cas Whilst of our band the fury flames most hot And that their will to end this worke is such Lest Caesars absence disappoint the plot Which would of some abate the courage much It Decius were exceedingly well done That to his lodging you addrest your way Him by all meanes to further forward soone Lest him some sudden chance may move to stay Dec. Brut. There where the Senate minds this day to sit Stand all prepar'd not fearing danger more And for the Sacrifice when all is fit I 'le bring an offring hallowed of before Exeunt Act 4. Scene 2. Caesar Calphurnia Decius Brutus LOng-lookt-for Time that should the glory yeeld Which I through Neptunes trustlesse raign have sought And through the dust of many a bloudy field As by all dangers worthy to be bought Thy comming now those lowring shadowes cleares My hopes horizon which did long o're-cast This day defrayes the toyles of many yeares And brings the harvest of my labours past The Senators a Messenger have sent Most earnestly entreating me to come And heare my selfe discern'd by their consent To weare a Crowne o're all excepting Rome Thus they devise conditions at this houre For him of whom Mars hath made them the prey As Subjects limit could their Soveraignes pow'r Who must have minde of nought but to obey But having pacifi'd those present things I minde to leade my valorous legions forth To th' orientall Realmes adoring Kings Who can afford all that is due to worth Then swimme my thoughts in th' ocean of delight Whilst on the pillow of soft praise repos'd Those eyes to gaze upon my glories light Which Envy open'd Admiration clos'd Cal. Ah though your fancies great contentment finde Whilst thus the world your vertue doth advance Yet a prepost'rous terrour stings my minde And braggs me with I know not what mischance My wavering hopes o're-ballanc'd are with feares Which to my soule sinistrous signes impart And om'nous rumours so assault mine eates That they almost make breaches in my heart Caes What do foil'd Pompeys floting followers strive To recollect their ruines from the dust Dare they who onely by my tollerance live More to their strength then to my favour trust Or do'st thou feare his sonnes dejected state Who steales infamous flying through those flouds Which his great father Admirall of late Did plant with ships till all their waves seem'd woods Or makes his brothers death his hopes grow more Since by them straited in a bloudy strife I who in all the battel 's given before Did fight for victory then fought for life Or whilst to march to Parthia I prepare Doth a suspition thus afflict thy sprite By Crassus fortune mov'd who perish'd there The scorned prey of the Barbarians spight To those with Cassius who from thence retir'd Amongst my bands a place I will allow Whose foes shall finde bad fate at last expir'd Though the same sheep another sheep-heard now Doe not imagine matters to bemone For whilst there stands a world can Caesar fall Though thousand thousands were conjur'd in one I and my fortune might confound them all Cal. No none of those my minde doth miscontent Who undisguis'd still like themselves remaine Vnlook't-for harmes are hardest to prevent There is no guard against conceal'd disdaine But in whom further can your trust repose Whom danger now o're all by all attends Where private men but onely feare their foes Oft Kings have greatest cause to feare their friends For since most trusted fittest to betray Those unto whom ones favour force affords Most dangerous ambushes with ease may lay Whilst falsest hearts are hid with fairest words And some report though privately yet plaine That Dolabella and Antonius now By your destruction doe intend to gaine That which you keep by making all men bow Caes No corpulent sanguinians make me feare Who with more paine their beards then th'en'mies strike And doe themselves like th'Epicurians beare To Bacchus Mars and Venus borne alike Their hearts doe alwaies in their mouthes remaine As streames whose murmuring showes their course not deep Then still they love to sport though grosse and plaine And never dreame of ought but when they sleep But those high sprites who hold their bodies downe Whose visage leane their restlesse thoughts records Whilst they their cares depth in their bosomes drown I feare their silence more then th 'others words Thus Cassius now and Brutus seeme to hold Some great thing in their minde whose fire oft smoaks What Brutus would he vehemently would Thinke what they list I like not their pale lookes Yet with their worth this cannot well agree In whom bright vertue seemes so much to shine Can those who have receiv'd their lives from me Prove so ingrate that they doe thirst for mine Dare Cassius match'd with me new hopes conceive At th' Hellespont who fortune durst not try And like a dastard did his Gallies leave In all save courage though more strong then I Shall I suspect that Brutus seekes my bloud Whose safety still I tendred with such care Who when the heavens from mortals me seclude Is onely worthy to be Caesars heire Cal. The corners of the heart are hard to know Though of those two the world the best doth deeme Yet doe not trust too much to th' outward show For men may differ much from what they seeme None oft more fierce then those