University of Virginia Library

Scœn. 5.

Hyarchvs
, Hipponax, Laelio.
When, when (ô Goddesse) will thy anger leaue
To punish nature, and afflict poore man,
Who was created to offensiue sinne?
The Souldiers awe, and common peoples rage,
Make ciuill customes be licentious;
Rapine, rude contracts, discord, enmity,
All take their essence from one extasie:

Hip.
Mænander liues, the lucklesse cause of all;
His life alone procures the kingdomes fall:

Lae.
The longer life, the losse more eminent:
Know (Lords) I am a witnesse ocular,
And may with priuiledge informe you both
Of a most new and fatall accident:
The King, Mænander, did produce a Scœne,
A Scœne of Aiax, that vnhappy play
(Pretending sport) became a Tragedy
For blood, and breath's efluxion: fiue deepe wounds
(wearing Mænanders badge) at once depriu'd
The sister Royall, next ally'd, by law
Of birth, and natiue consanguinity,
From hope of all succession to the chaire.

Amb.
Lucilla dead?

Lae.
VVith her Mantesio sleeps:
Each life was tributary to the rage
Of our mad King; but each accus'd it selfe
As priuy, to that arch-conspiracy
So long forgotten; to Pheudippe's crime.

Hy.
Conceal'd so long?

Hip.
Who did discouer it?

Lae.
A question doubtfull, but Mænander saith
An apparition did reueale the truth.

Hip.
Shadows may walke indeed.

Hy.
Impossible!
I am resolu'd against all argument;
I am incredulous; dead neuer walke.

Lae.
Neuer the same, yet the similitude.

Hy.
Who sayes againe so, weel'e averre the lye;
What be no things of nature, I account
Fables.

Hip.
You are not Metaphysicall.

Hy.
No sir: I thinke the age is giddy; death!
Can wee from ashes raise a second life?
The age is drunken sure.

Lae.
A doting age.

Hy.
The times are dizzy.

Lae.
No man doth deny
A theame so irrepugnable and true:
Reasons owne selfe will be our advocate
In prouing what you speake; for punics know
The world's lame reuoluti'on hath beene long,
And all partake of mundane giddinesse:
The turning round of earth hath touch'd our braine;
The longer age, the more absurd and vaine.

Hip.
Age must decline, life's comfort will decay,
Though all things perish, let religion stay.