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[scæna secunda.]
Amilcar. Hanno Asdrubal. Carthalo [officers.]Amilcar:
To steere a middle course twixt theis extreames
exacts our serious care.
Hanno:
I knowe not wch way
Amilcar
I showlde incline.
[Asdrubal]:
the reasons this man vrges
to proue hymselfe Antiochus are soe pregnant
and the attestation of his cuntriemen
in every circumstance soe punctuall
26
a kinde of barbarous crueltie.
Carthalo:
vnder correction
gieue mee leaue to speake my thowghts. wee are bounde to waigh
not what wee showlde doe in the poynt of honor,
swayde by our pittie, but what may bee donne
with the safetie of the state.
Asdrubal:
wch is indeede
the maine consyderation for, grant
this is the trewe Antiochus, without danger
nay almost certaine ruine to our selues
wee cannot yeelde hym favour or protection.
Hanno:
wee haue fear'd and felt the Roman power, and must
expecte yf wee provoke hym a returne
not limitted to the qualitie of the offence
but left at large to his interpretation
wch seldome is confind. whoe knowes not that
the tribute Rome receiues from Asia, is
her chiefe supportance. other provinces
hardlye defray the charge by wch they are
kepd in subiection, they in name perhaps
render the Roman terrible, but his strength
and power to doe hurt without quæstion is
deriud from Asia. and can wee hope then
that such as lende their aydes to force it from em
will bee helde for lesse then capitall enemies
and as such pursude, and punnishde?
Carthalo:
I cowlde wishe
wee were well rid of hym.
Asdrubal:
the surest course
is to deliver hym into the handes
of bolde flaminivs.
Hanno:
and soe oblige
Rome for a [na] matchlesse benefit.
27
yf my power
were absolute, as 'tis but titular
and that confinde to, beeinge by you elected
prince of the senate onlye for a yeare
I woulde oppose your counsailes, and not labour
with arguments to confute em. yet however
thowgh a fellow patriot with you let it not savour
of vsurpation thowgh in my opinion
I crosse your abler iudgements. call to minde
our grandsires glories (thowgh not seconded
with a due imitation) and remember
with what expence of coyne, as blood they did
maintaine their [nat] libertie, and kepde the scale
of empire evn 'twixt Carthage, and prowd Rome.
And thowgh the Punicque faith is branded by
[Her] our enemies, our confæderates, and freindes
founde it as firme as fate. are seaventeene kinges
our fædaries, our strengths [at sea superior] vpon the sea
exceedinge theirs, and our lande sowldiers
in number far aboue theirs, thowgh inferior
in arms, and discipline (to our shame wee speake it)
and then for our cavallerie [how often] in the champaigne
howe [they brak] often haue they brake their piles, & routed
theyr coward legions.
Hanno:
this I grant sr is not
to bee contradicted.
Amilcar:
yf soe, as wee finde it
in our recordes, and that this state hath bene
the sanctuary to wch mightie kinges
haue fled to for protection, and founde it
let it not to posteritie bee tolde
that wee soe far degenerate from the race
28
of the Roman power in a kinde to play the bawdes
to their ravenous lusts [in a kinde to play the b] by yeeldinge vp a man
that weares the shape of our confæderate
to their devouringe gripe whose stronge assurance
of our integritie, and impartiall doome
hath made this seate his altar.
Carthalo:
I ioine with you
in this opinion but noe farther then
it may bee donne with safetie.
Asdrubal:
in his ruines
to burye our selues you needes must grant to bee
an inconsyderate pittie noe way suitinge
with a wisemans reason.
Carthalo:
let vs face to face
heare the accuser, and accusd, and then
as eithers arguments worke on vs determine
as the respecte of our securitie,
or honor shall invite vs.
Amilcar:
from the senate
intreate the Roman Titus flaminivs
to assist vs with his counsaile.
Hanno:
& let the prisoner
bee brought into the court.
Amilcar:
the gods of Carthage
[Enter flaminivs.]
directe vs to the right way.
[OMITTED]Asdrubal:
with what gravitie
Hee does approch vs
Carthalo:
as hee woulde com̄ande
not argue his desires.
29
may it please your lordship
to take your place.
flaminivs:
in civill courtesie
as I am Titus flaminivs I may thancke you.
but sittinge heere as Romes embassador
in wch you are honor'd, to instruct you in
Her will, wch you are bounde to serue not argue
I must not borrow that were poore, but take
as a tribute due to her, that's iustlye stilde
the mistrisse of this earthlye globe the boldnesse
to reprehende your slowe progression in
doeinge her greatnesse right. that she beleeues
in mee, that this impostor was subornde
by the conquer'd Asiaticques [this impost] in their hopes
of future libertie to vsurpe the name
of dead Antiochus, shoulde satisfie
your scrupulous doubts, all proofes beyonde this beeinge
meerelye superfluous.
Carthalo:
my lord, my lord.
you trench to much vpon vs.
Asdruball:
wee are not
lead by an implicite faith
Hanno:
nor though wee woulde
preserue Romes amitie, must not yeelde vp
the freedome of our wills, & iudgements, to
quit, or condemne, as wee shall be appointed
by his imperious pleasure.
Carthalo:
wee confesse not
nor ever will shee hath a power aboue vs
Carthage is still her æquall.
Amilcar:
yf you can
proue this man an impostor, Hee shall suffer
as hee deserues, yf not you shall perceiue
30
Hanno:
call in the prisoner
then as you please confront hym.
flaminivs.
this neglecte
heereafter will bee thowght on.
Amilcar:
wee shall stand
the danger howsoever. when wee did
his cause vnheard, at your request com̄it
this Kinge, or this impostor, you receau'd
more favour then wee owde you
Enter [officers.] Antiochus (Habited like a kinge) Berecinthivs [OMITTED] the three marchants [OMITTED]
[wt hin:] officer:-
roome for the prisoner.
Antiochus:
this shape that you haue put mee in suites ill
with the late austerenesse of my life.
Berecinthivs:
faire glosse
wrongs not the richest stuffe but sets it of.
& let your language high and stately speake you
as you were borne a kinge.
Antiochus:
Health to the senate
wee doe s[OMITTED]ppose your duties donne, sit still
Titus flaminivs wee remember you
as you are a publique minister from Rome
you may sit cover'd.
flaminivs:
How?
Antiochus:
but as wee are
a potent kinge, in whose court you haue waited
and sought [my] our favour, you betray your pride,
31
a bended knee remembringe what wee are
much better would become you.
flaminivs:
Ha!
Antiochus:
wee sayd it.
but fall from our owne height to holde discourse
with a thinge soe far beneath vs.
Berecin:
admirable!
Amilcar:
The Roman lookes as hee had seene the wolfe
how his confidence awes hym.
Asdruball:
bee hee what hee will
Hee beares hym selfe like a kinge, and I must tell you
I am amazd to.
Antiochus:
Are wee soe transformde
from what wee were, since our disaster in
the Græcian enterprise that you gaze vpon vs
as some strange prodegie never seene in [Cartha] Affricque.
Antiochus speakes to you the kinge Antiochus
and challenges a retribution in
his entertainment, of the loue, and favours
extended to you. call to memorie
your trewe freinde, and confæderate, whoe refusde
in his respect to you the profferd amitie
of the Roman people. Hath this vile inchanter
inviron'd mee with such thicke clowdes in your
erroneous beleefe, from his report
that I was longe since dead, that beeinge present
the beames of maiestie cannot breake throwgh
the foggie mists raysde by his wicked charmes
to lende you light to knowe mee? I cite you
my lord Amilcar, now I looke on you
as prince of the senate, but when you were lesse
I haue seene you in my court assisted by
graue Hanno, Asdrubal, and Carthalo
the pillars of the Carthaginian greatenesse
32
to bee thus sleighted.
Amilcar:
not soe. wee in you
looke on the figure of the kinge Antiochus,
but without stronger proofes then yet you haue
producd to make vs thincke soe cannot heare you
but as a man suspected.
Antiochus:
of what guilt?
flaminivs:
of subornation, and imposture.
Antiochus:
Silence
this fellowes sawcie tongue. o maiestie
how soone a short eclipse hath made thy splendor
as it had never shinde on theis forgotten.
but you refuse to heare mee as a kinge
denie not yet in iustice what you grant
this fellowes sawcie tongue. o maiestie
how soone a short eclipse hath made thy splendor
as it had never shinde on theis forgotten.
but you refuse to heare mee as a kinge
denie not yet in iustice what you grant
to com̄on men, free libertie without
his interruption (havinge heard what Hee
obiects against mee) to acquit my selfe
of that wch in his malice I am chargd with
his interruption (havinge heard what Hee
obiects against mee) to acquit my selfe
of that wch in his malice I am chargd with
Amilcar:
you haue it.
Antiochus:
as my present fortune wills mee
I thancke your goodnesse. rise thow cursed agent
of mischiefe, and accumulate in one heape
all engins by the divell thy tutor fashiond
to ruine innocence; in poyson steepe
thy bloudied tongue, and let thy wordes as full
of bitternes, as malice labour to
seduce theis noble hearers. make mee in
thy coyned accusation guiltie of
such crimes, whose names my innocence nere knewe.
Ile stande the charge; and when that thow hast shot
all arrowes in thy quiver fether'd with
sclanders, and aimde with crueltie in vaine.
my truth thowgh yet conceald, the mountaines of
33
shall in a glorious shape appeare, and showe
thy paynted mistrisse falshood, when strippd bare
of borrowed, and adulterate colours in
her owne shape, and deformitie.
Berecinthivs:
I am ravishde!
1 marchant:
o more then royall sr!
Amilcar:
forbeare.
2 marchant:
the monster
prepares to speake.
Berecinthivs:
& still that villainous smile
vshers his followeinge mischiefes.
flaminivs
since the assurance
from one of my place, qualitie, and rancke,
is not sufficient with you to suppresse
this bold seductor, to acquit our state
from the least tyrannous imputation
I will forget awhile I am a Roman,
whose arguments are warranted by his sworde
and not filde from his tongue. this creature heere
that stiles hymselfe Antiochus, I knowe
for an Apostata Iew, thowgh others say
Hee is a cheatinge Greeke calld Pseudolus,
and [hath] keepes a whore in Corinth but Ile come
to reall proofes, reports, and rumors beeinge
subiects vnsutable with my gravitie
to speake, or yours to heare. 'Tis most apparent
the kinge Antiochus was slaine in Greece,
his bodie at his subiects suite deliverd,
his ashes from the funerall pile rakd vp
and in a golden vrne preserud, and kepd
in the royall monument of [his] the Asian kinges
such was the clemencie of Marcus Scaurus
the Roman conqueror, whose trivmphe was
grac'd only with his statue. but suppose
Hee had surviud (wch is impossible)
can it fall in the compasse of your reason
that this impostor (yf hee were the man
from one of my place, qualitie, and rancke,
is not sufficient with you to suppresse
this bold seductor, to acquit our state
from the least tyrannous imputation
I will forget awhile I am a Roman,
whose arguments are warranted by his sworde
and not filde from his tongue. this creature heere
that stiles hymselfe Antiochus, I knowe
for an Apostata Iew, thowgh others say
Hee is a cheatinge Greeke calld Pseudolus,
and [hath] keepes a whore in Corinth but Ile come
to reall proofes, reports, and rumors beeinge
subiects vnsutable with my gravitie
to speake, or yours to heare. 'Tis most apparent
the kinge Antiochus was slaine in Greece,
his bodie at his subiects suite deliverd,
his ashes from the funerall pile rakd vp
and in a golden vrne preserud, and kepd
in the royall monument of [his] the Asian kinges
such was the clemencie of Marcus Scaurus
34
grac'd only with his statue. but suppose
Hee had surviud (wch is impossible)
can it fall in the compasse of your reason
that this impostor (yf hee were the man
wch hee with impudence affirmes Hee is,
woulde haue wanderd two, and twenty tædious yeares
like a vagabond ore the worlde, and not haue tried
Romes mercie as a suppliant.
woulde haue wanderd two, and twenty tædious yeares
like a vagabond ore the worlde, and not haue tried
Romes mercie as a suppliant.
Hanno:
shrowde suspitions.
flaminivs:
a mason of Callipolis heretofore
presumde as far, and was like this impostor
by slavishe Asians follow'd, and a second
a Cretan, of a base condition did
maintaine the like. all ages haue bene furnish'd
with such as haue vsurpd vpon the names
and persons of deade princes. is it not
...as evident as the day, this wretch instructed
by theis poore Asians (sworne enemies
to the maiestie of Rome but personates
the dead Antiochus? hir'd to it by theis
to stirre vp a rebellion, wch they call
[rebellion] deliverie or restoringe. & will you
whoe for your wisdome are esteemd the sages
and oracles of Affricke, meddle in
th'affaires of this affronter, wch noe monarch
lesse rashe, and giddie then Antiochus was
would vndertake.
Antiochus:
would I were dead indeede
rather then heare this livinge.
flaminivs:
I confesse
Hee hath some markes of kinge Antiochus, but
35
what kinde of men they are that doe abett hym.
proscribd, and bannishd persons, the ringe leader
of this seditious troope a turbulent flamen
growne fat with idlenes
Berecinthivs:
that's I.
flaminivs:
& puffd vp
with the winde of his ambition.
Berecinthivs:
[settinge aside] with reverence to
[thy place] the state thow liest, I am growne to this bulke
by beeinge libde, and my disabilitie
to deflowre thy sister.
Amilcar:
thancke [thy] your goddesse. shee
defendes you from a whippinge.
Hanno:
take hym of
Hee does disturbe the court.
Berecinthivs:
I shall finde a place yet
where I will rore my wronges out.
exevnt officers with Berecinthivs.
flaminivs:
as you haue
in the removinge of that violent foole,
gieun mee a tast of your severitie
make it a feast, and perfit your greate iustice
in the surrendringe vp this false pretender
to the correction of the law, & let hym
vndergoe the same punnishement wch others
haue iustlye sufferd that preceded hym
in the same machination.
Antiochus:
as you wishe
a noble memorie to after times
reserue one eare for my defence and let not
for your owne wisdomes, let not that beleefe
this subtle fiende woulde plant bee rooted in you
till you haue heard mee. woulde you know the truth
a noble memorie to after times
reserue one eare for my defence and let not
36
this subtle fiende woulde plant bee rooted in you
till you haue heard mee. woulde you know the truth
and reall cause why poore Antiochus hath
soe longe conceald hymselfe? thowgh in the openinge
a wounde in some degree by time closde vp
I shall poure scaldinge oyle, and sulphur in it.
I will in the relation of my
to bee lamented storye punctualie
confute my false accuser. pray you conceaue
as far as your compassion will permit
how greate the griefe, and agonie of my soule was
when I consyderd that the violence
of my ill reynd ambition had made Greece
the fatall sepulcre of soe many thousands
of braue, and able men [that might haue stood in opposition] for the defence
of mine owne kingedom, and a readie ayde
for my confæderates. after wch route
& my retraite in a disguise to Athens
the shame of this disgrace thowgh I then had
the forheade of this man woulde haue deterd mee
from beeinge ever seene where I was knowne
and such was then my resolution.
soe longe conceald hymselfe? thowgh in the openinge
a wounde in some degree by time closde vp
I shall poure scaldinge oyle, and sulphur in it.
I will in the relation of my
to bee lamented storye punctualie
confute my false accuser. pray you conceaue
as far as your compassion will permit
how greate the griefe, and agonie of my soule was
when I consyderd that the violence
of my ill reynd ambition had made Greece
the fatall sepulcre of soe many thousands
of braue, and able men [that might haue stood in opposition] for the defence
of mine owne kingedom, and a readie ayde
for my confæderates. after wch route
& my retraite in a disguise to Athens
the shame of this disgrace thowgh I then had
the forheade of this man woulde haue deterd mee
from beeinge ever seene where I was knowne
and such was then my resolution.
Amilcar:
this granted, whither went you?
Antiochus:
as a punnishement
imposde vpon my selfe and æquall to
my wilfull follie gievinge ore the worlde
I went into a desert.
flaminivs:
this agrees
with the dead slaues report but I must contemne it.
Amilcar:
what drewe you from that austere life?
Asdrubal:
cleere that.
37
the counsayle of a graue Philosopher
wrought on mee to make knowne my selfe the man
that I was borne. and of all potentates
in Affricque to determine of the truth
of my life and condition I preferd
the com̄on welth of Carthage.
flaminivs:
as the fittest
to bee abusde.
Antiochus:
this is not faire.
Amilcar:
my lord
yf not intreat I must com̄ande your silence
or absence wch you please.
flaminivs:
soe peremptorie.
Antiochus:
to vindicate my selfe from all suspition
of forgerie, and imposture. in this scrowle
writ with my royall hande you may pervse
a true memoriall of all circumstances,
answers, despatches, doubts, & difficulties,
betwene my selfe, and your embassadors
sent to negotiate with mee.
Amilcar:
fetch the recordes.
Antiochus:
'tis my desire you shoulde truth seekes the light.
and when you haue compar'd 'em yf you finde em
in any poynt of moment differinge
conclude mee such a one, as this false man
presents mee to you. but yf you perceiue
the recordes brought in
those private passages in my cabinet argude
and but to your embassadors, and my selfe
conceald from all men, in each poynt agreeinge.
iudge yf a cheatinge Greeke a Pseudolus
or an Apostata Iewe coulde ere arriue at
38
Hanno:
to a sillable
they are the same.
Amilcar:
it cannot bee but this is
the trew [Seb*s****].
flaminivs:
a magitian rather
& hath the spirit of Pithon.
Carthalo:
theis are toyes.
Antiochus:
you see hee will omit noe trifle that
his malice can lay holde of to divert
his malice can lay holde of to divert
your loue, and favour to mee. now for my death
(the firmest base on wch hee buildes the strength
of his assertions, yf you please to waigh it
with your accustomd [clemencie] wisdome youle perceiue
tis meerely fabulous. had they meant fairely
and as a truth woulde haue it soe confirmde
to the doubtfull Asians. why did they not
suffer the carkase they affirmd was mine
to bee viewd by such men as were interressed
in the greate cause, that were bred vp with mee
and were familiar with the marks I carried
vpon my bodie, and not relye vpon
poore prisoners taken in the war, from whom
in hope of libertie, and rewarde, they drewe
such depositions as they [pleasd] knewe woulde make
for their darke endes. was any thinge more easie
then to suppose a bodie, and that plac'd on
a sollemne herse with funerall pompe to inter it
in a rich monument, and then proclaime
this is the bodye of Antiochus
kinge of the lower Asia.
(the firmest base on wch hee buildes the strength
of his assertions, yf you please to waigh it
with your accustomd [clemencie] wisdome youle perceiue
tis meerely fabulous. had they meant fairely
and as a truth woulde haue it soe confirmde
to the doubtfull Asians. why did they not
suffer the carkase they affirmd was mine
to bee viewd by such men as were interressed
in the greate cause, that were bred vp with mee
and were familiar with the marks I carried
vpon my bodie, and not relye vpon
poore prisoners taken in the war, from whom
in hope of libertie, and rewarde, they drewe
such depositions as they [pleasd] knewe woulde make
for their darke endes. was any thinge more easie
then to suppose a bodie, and that plac'd on
a sollemne herse with funerall pompe to inter it
in a rich monument, and then proclaime
this is the bodye of Antiochus
kinge of the lower Asia.
39
Romes honor
is taxd in this of practise, and corruption.
Ile heare noe more in your determinations
consyder what it is to holde and keepe her
your freinde or enemie.
Amilcar:
wee wishe wee coulde
receaue you as a kinge, since your relation
hath wrought soe much vpon vs that wee doe
incline to that beleefe. but since wee cannot
as such protecte you but with certaine danger
vntill you are by other potent nations
proclaimde for such. our fittinge caution
cannot be censur'd thowgh wee doe intreat
you would elswhere seeke iustice.
Antiochus:
where? when 'tis
frighted from you by power.
Amilcar:
and yet take comfort
not all the threates of Rome shall force vs to
deliver you. the short time that you stay
in [V**i*e] Carthage you are safe. noe more a prisoner
you are inlargd. with full securitie
consult of your affaires, in what wee may
wee are your freindes. breake vp the court.
exevnt Carthaginians.
1 marchant:
deere sr
take courage in your libertie the worlde
lyes open to you.
2 marchant:
wee shall meete with comfort
when most despaird of by vs.
Antiochus.
never. never.
40
yf once by fortune slaude are nere set free.
exevnt
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