University of Virginia Library

[THE FIRST TRAGEDIE OF SENECA ENTITVLED Hercules Furens.]

THE SPEAKERS

• Iuno.
• Chorus.
• Megara.
• Amphitrion.
• Lycus.
• Hercules.
• Theseus.

THE FIRST ACTE.

Iuno
alone.
I syster of the Thunderer, (for now that name alone
Remaynes to me) Ioue euermore as though deuorst and gone,
And temples of the highest ayre as wydowe shunned haue,
And beaten out of skyes aboue the place to Harlots gaue.
I must go dwell beneath on ground, for Whoores do hold the sky.
From hence the Beare in parte aboue of ycy peale full hy,
A haughty starre the greekish shyps by Seas doth guyde about:
From this way, whence at spring time warme the day is loased out,
Europaes bearer through the waues of Tyria shynes full bright.
From thence, their stormy fearefull flocke to Ships, and seas affright,
The wandring daughters here and there of Atlas vpward sway.
With staring bush of hayre from hens Orion Gods doth fray:
And Perseus eke his glitteryng starres of golden glosse hath here.
From hence the twynnes of Tyndars stocke do shine, a signe full clere:
And at whose byrth first stode the grounde that erst went to and fro.
Nor onely Bacchus now himselfe, or Bacchus mother lo,
Haue clymd to Gods: least any parte should from rebuke be free,
The skies the Gnossian strumpets crownes do beare in spight of mee.
But I of old cōtemptes complayne: me, one dire, fierce, and shrewde,
Thebana land with wicked broode of Ioues base daughters strewde,
How oft hath it a stepdame made? though vp to heauen should ryse,
The conqueryng drabbe Alcmena now, and hold my place in skyes,
And eke her sonne to promisd starres obtayne the worthy way,
At byrth of whom the staying worlde so long deferd the day,
And Phœbus slow from morning sea began to glister bright,
Commaunded long in th'Ocean waues to hyde his drowned lyght.
Yet shall my hates not leaue them so, a wrathful kindled rage
His mynd in madnes shall stirre vp, and yre that may not swage
Shall euermore (all peace layd downe) wage warres eternally.
What warres? what euer hideous thinge the earth his ennemy
Begets, or what soeuer sea or ayre hath brought to syght
Both dredfull, dire, and pestilent, of cruel fiercest might,
T'is tierd and tam'd: he passeth all, and name by ills doth rayse,
And all my wrath he doth inioy, and to his greater prayse
He turnes my hates: whyle tedious toyles to much I him behest,
He proues what father him begot: both thence where light opprest
Hath sea, and where it showde agayne, where Titan day doth trayne,
And with his brand approaching nere doth dye those Aethiops twaine,
His strengh vntamde is honoured: and God eche where is hee
Now calde in worlde, and now more store of monsters want to mee,
And laboure lesse to Hercles is t'acomplish all my will,
Then me to bydde: at ease he doth myne imperies fulfyl.
What cruel hestes of tyrante now so fyerce a yong man may
Preuayle to hurt? for lo he beares for weapons now awaye
What once he feerde, and put to flight: he armed comes at syde
With Lyon fyerce and Hydra both: nor land suffiseth wyde,
But broake he hath the threshold loe of that infernall Ioue,
And spoyls with him of conquerd king he drawes to Gods aboue.
But thats but light, broke is the league of sprites that there do dwell.
I saw my selfe, I saw him lo (the night now gone, of hell
And Ditis tamde) throw out abroade before his fathers sight
His brothers spoyles. Why drawes he not opprest and bound by might
Hymselfe in chaynes that equall thynges to Ioue by lot doth hold?
And beare the rule of captiue hel, and way to Styxe vnfolde?
Up opened is from lowest ghostes the backward way to skye,
And sacred secrets of dire death in open sight do lye.
But he (the dredful den of sprites brake vp ful fierce and stout
Euen ouer mee doth tryumph lo, and with proude hand about
The foule blacke dogge by Grekish townes he leades frō hel away.
When seene was vgly Cerberus I saw the fading day,
And fearefull sunne: euen me lykewyse a trembling dread opprest,
And looking on the fylthy neckes of conquerd monstruous beast,
I feared much myne owne behestes: but light things I complayne,
For heauen I may be frayde, lest he may get the highest rayne,
That lowest wonne, the sceptors from his father wil he take,
Nor hee to starres (as Bacchus dyd) his way wil gently make:
The way with ruine will he seeke, and hee in empty skyes
Wil reygne alone with force displayd hys haughty hart doth ryse,
And he that heauen it selfe by force of his might gotted bee,
It bearyng learnd: quite vnderneth the world his head set hee.
Nor once his shoulders bowde the prayse of such a mighty mas:
And midst of heauen on Hercles necke alone (loe) setled was.
His necke vnwryde the starres aboue and skyes did only stay:
And me likewyse oppressyng him, to Gods he seekes the way.
Goe ire, goe on, and beate hym downe that great things doth inuent
Match thou with him, and with thy handes now thou thy selfe him rent.
Such hates why dost thou meditate? let all wyld beastes now go:
And weary Euristheus now be free from geeuing charges mo.
The Tytans daryng once of Ioue to breake the impery
Send out: let loase the denne abroade of mount of Sicilye.
The Doricke land that with the turne of gyant quakes afrayd,
Let it bring forth the dredful neckes of monster vnder layd.
Let yet the haughty moone aboue some other beastes beget,
But these he ouercame. Seekes thou a match t'Alcides yet?
Thers none, except hymselfe: let him agaynst himselfe rebell.
Let present be from bottome deepe vpraysd of lowest hell
Th'Eumenides, let flaming lockes of theyrs the fires out flinge,
And furious hands bestowe aboute the stroakes of vipers sting.
Go now ful prowde, and scale the skyes to seates of gods make waye.
Now must thy battels wages be ful cleere loe shynes the daye.
Despyse mans workes thinkst thou fierce wight yt hell and soules alow
Thou hast escapt? nay here I wil another hel thee show.
In deepe miste hid I will call vp from bottome low of hell
Beyond the wayes of gylty ghostes debateful goddesse fell.
Wheras the roaring dreadful den resoundes with cryes about.
From depest bond of Ditis raygne beneath I wil set out,
What so is left. Let hateful hurt now come in anger wood,
And fierce impyety imbrew himselfe, with his owne bloud,
And errour eke, and fury arm'd agaynst it selfe to fight.
This meane, this meane, let wrath of myne now vse to shewe my might.
Beginne ye seruantes now of hell: the feruent burning tree
Of Pyne shake vp: and set with snakes her dreadful flocke to see.
Let now Megæra bring to sight, and with her mournful hand
For burning rage bring out of hell a huge and direful brand.
Do this, require you vengeance due, and paynes of hel his spoyle,
Strike through his breast, let fyercer flame, within his bosome boyle.
Then which in Aetna fornace beates, so furiously to see.
That mad of mind and witles may Alcides driuen bee
With fury great through pearced quight, my selfe must first of all
Be mad. Wherfore doth Iuno yet not into raging fall?
Mee, me, ye Furyes, systers three throwne quite out of my wit
Tosse fyrst, if any thing to do, I do endeuour yet
For stepdame meete: let now my hates be turnd another way,
Let him (returnd) his babes behold in safety I you pray.
And strong of hand come home, I haue now found the day at length,
In which may greatly mee auayle the hated Hercles strength.
Both mee and eke hym selfe let him subdue and wish to die
Returnd from hel, yea let it here be my commodity,
That he of Ioue begotten is: here present wil I stand,
And that his shaftes goe streyght from bow, I wil direct his hand;
The mad mans weapons will I guide, euen Hercles fyghtyng, lo,
At length Ile ayde. This gylt once done then leefull is that so
His father may admit to skies those gylty handes of his

THE SECOND ACTE.

Megara.
O guider great of heauen, & of the world O Iudge full hie,
Yet now at length apoinct a meane of carefull miserie,
And ende of our calamitie. To mee yet neuer day
Hath careles shin'de: the ende of one affliction past away
Beginning of an other is: an other ennemy
Is forthwith founde, before that hee his ioyfull family
Retourne vnto an other fyght hee taketh by behest:
Nor any respite giuen is to him nor quiet rest:
But whyle that he commaunded is: straight him pursueth shee
The hatefull Iuno. Was yet once from toyle and labour free
His infants age? the monsters (lo) he vanquisht hath and slayne,
Before he knew what monsters ment. The skaled serpents twayne
Their double neckes drew on toward him, agaynst the which to ryse,
The infant crept to meete with them, the serpents glittring eyes
Lyke fyre, with quiet carelesse brest he looking fast vpon,
With coūtnance cleere, hard wrested knots of them he caught anon:
And strangling then the swelling throates of them with tender hand,
To Hydra prelude made the beast so swyfte of Mænale land,
That with much Golde bare vp full bright his beautifled head,
Is caught in course of Nemey wood likewise the greatest dread
The Lyon prest with Hereles armes hath roarde with dreadfull crie.
What should I speake of stables dyre, of steedes of Bystonye?
Or King cast out himselfe for foode his horses fierce to fill?
And bristled beast in thicke tops woont of Erymanthus hill?
The boare of Mænalye, the woods of Arcady to shake?
And Bull that did no litle dread to hundred peoples make?
Among the flocks of Hesper lande that hence farre distant bee,
The sheepherde of Cartesian coast of triple shape to see
Is slayne, and driuen is the pray from farthest parte of weast,
Citheton quak't when by him past to sea the well knowne beast.
He being bid to make by coastes of sommer sunne his way,
And parched landes which sore with heate doth boyle the middell day,
The mountaynes brake on either side and rampiers all vndoon,
Euen vnto swyft and raging sea hath made a way to roon.
Then entring in of plenteous wood, the pleasant gardeins gay,
The waking dragons golden spoyles with him he brought away.
The Lerna monsters numerous ill what neede to tell haue I?
Hath he not him with fyre at length subdewde, and taught to dye?
And which were woont with wings abrode to hyde the day from sight,
Euen from the cloudes he sought & braue the Stimphale birdes to flight.
Not him subdewde who euer lyes in bed vnmatcht at night
The wyddowe queene of them that tooke to Thermodont their flight.
Nor handes that well durst enterprise his noble trauayles all
The filthy labour made to shrynke of foule Augias hall.
What vayle all these? he wants the world which oft defended he.
And th'earth well knowes the worker of his quietnes to be
Away from earthe: the prosperous gilt that beareth happy sway,
Is vertue callde, and now the good to wicked doe obay.
The right doth stand in might of armes, feare treadeth downe the lawe.
Before my face with cruell hand, euen presently I sawe
Reuengers of theyr fathers reygne, the sonnes with sworde downe cast,
And of the noble Cadmus eke himselfe the ofspring last
Then slayne: I sawe his regall crowne at once from him away
With head bereft. Who Thebes alas enough bewayle nowe may?
The fertile land of Gods, what lorde now quakes it for to knowe?
Out of the fieldes of which somtime, and fruictfull bosome lowe,
The youth vpsprong with sworde in hand preparde to battell stoode:
And walls of which Amphion one of mighty Ioue his broode,
Hath built with sounding melody in drawing to the stones:
To towne of whom the parent chiefe of Gods not onely ones
Heauen being left hath come. this land that Gods aboue alway
Receiu'de, and which hath made them Gods, and (leefull beete to say)
Perhaps shall make, with lothsome yoake of bondage is prest downe.
O Cadmus stocke, and citezens of olde Amphions towne,
Whereto are yee nowe fall'ne? dread yee a cowardly exull thus,
His coastes to dwell in, lacking, and to ours iniurious?
Who through the worlde pursues the gilts and wrong by sea and land,
And cruell sceptors broken hath with iust and ryghtfull hand,
Nowe absent serues, and what he eas'de in other doth sustayne:
And now doth bannysht Lycus holde of Hercles Thebes the rayne.
Yet shall he not: he shall come home, and him with vengeaunce quight,
And sodaine rise to starres: he will soone flnde the way to light,
Or make it ells. returne thou safe, repayre to thine in haste:
And conquerour to conquer'de house yet come agayne at laste.
Ryse vp my spouse, and darknes deepe repell'de of helly shade
Breake vp with hand, if no way may for thee kept backe bee made,
And passage be shut vp, returne with world vprent by might.
And what soeuer li'the possest byneath in darkest night,
Send out with thee, as when the tops of haughty hylles vndoon
A headlong passage making through for hasty floude to roon
Thou somtime stoodst, whā with great might of thyne a sunder broake
The Tempye woods wyde open lay: and beaten with thy stroake
The mount, now here, now there fell downe: and [illeg.]amp[illeg.]er rente of slay,
The raging brooke of Thessaly did roon a newe found way,
Thy parentes so, thy sonnes, thy land repayring home to see,
Breake out, and lowest bonde of things out bringing thence with thee,
And what soeuer greedy age in all these long yeares race
Hath hid, shew forth, & ghosts that haue forgot theyr former case,
And people vp before thee driue that fearefull are of light.
Unworthy spoyles for thee they are, if thou but bring to sight
What bidden is. great thinges, but farre to much I speake for mee,
Unwotting of myne owne estate. when shall I hap to see,
The day when thee, and thy right hand, I may embrace agayne,
And slowe returnes, nor yet of me once myndefull, may complayne?
To thee for this O guide of Gods, vntamed Bulls shall bring
Their hundred necks: to thee O Queene of fruits on earth that spring
I'le geue thee secret sacrifice: to thee with much fayth loe
Long fyre brands at Eleusis towne full silent wyll I throe.
Then to my brethren shall I thinke to bee restoarde agayne
Theyr soules, and eke himselfe aliue and guiding of his rayne
My father for to flouryshe yet. if any greater might
Doe keepe thee shet, we followe thee: with thy returne to sight
Defend vs all, or els to hell drewe downe vs all to thee.
Thou shalt vs drawe, no God shall rayse vs vp that broken bee.

AMPHITRYON, MEGARA.
ME.
What wretches doe most chiefly wishe of all,
They soone beleue.

AM.
Nay what they feare to much lest it may fall,
They thinke it, neuer may bee shoon'de, nor rid by remedy.

ME.
Beleefe is ready still to dreade the woorser mysery.
Deepe drown'de, & whellm'de, & farthermore with all ye world full lowe
Oppressed downe, what way hath he to light agayne to goe?

AM.
What way I pray you had he then whē through the burning coste,
And tumbling after maner of the troubled Sea vp toste
He went by sands: and freate that twyse with ebbe away doth slip,
And twyse vpflowe: and when alone with his forsaken ship,
Fast caught he stucke in shallowe foordes of shelfye Syrtes sande,
And (nowe his ship on grounde) did passe through seas a foote to land?

ME.
Iniurious fortune vertue most of men most stout and strong
Doth seldome spare: no man alyue himselfe in safety long
To perills great and daungers may so often times out cast,
Whom chaunce doth often ouerslip, the same it findes at last.
But cruell loe, and greeuous threats euen bearing in his face,
And such as he of stomacke is, doth come euen such of pace,
Proude Lycus who the sceptors shakes in hande of other king,
The plentuous places of the towne of Thebes gouerning,
And euery thinge about the whych with fertile soyle doth goe
Sloape Phocis, and what euer doth Ismenus ouerfloe,
What euer thing Cithæron seeth with haughty top and hye,
And slender Isthmos Ile, the which betweene two seas doth lye.

Lycus. Megara. Amphitrion.
Meg.
What thing doth this destroyer of our stocke agayne anew
Prepare? what proueth he?

Ly.
O Queene that name renowmed hye
And tytle takste of regall stocke ful gentle and easily
A litle whyle receiue and heare my wordes with pacient eare,
If alwayes men eternal hates should one to th'other beare,
And rage be gone out of the hart should neuer fall away,
But th'happy still should armour holde, th'vnhappy stil obay,
Then shall the battayles nothing leaue: with wide fieldes then the lande
Shall lie vntild, with vnderlayd to housen fiery brand
Then ashes deepe shal ouerwhelme the buried people all.
Expedient is to conquerour to wish that peace befall:
To conquerd nedefull partner of the kingdome come to me:
Let's ioyne our myndes, take here this pledge of fayth and truth to thee.
My right hand touch. Why whishtest thou with cruell face and moode?

Meg.
Should I abyde, that I the hand sprinkt with my fathers bloud,
Should ouch, and double death imbrewd of both my brethren? nay
Fyrst shall sunne ryse extinguish quite, and West shal bring the day:
First faythful peace betweene the snowes and fiers there shalbe tryde,
And Scilla shall t'Ausonius fyrst ioyne his Sicilian syde:
And fyrst, the fleetyng floud that with swift turnes of course doth flowe
Euripus with Euboik waue shall standful stil and slow.
My father, th'empire, bretherne, house, thou hast me cleare bereft,
My countrey to: what may be more? one thing to me is left,
Then brother, father, kingdome, house, that dearer is to mee
The hate of thee, the which to me with people for to be
In commune woe I am: how great is myne alonly part?
Rule on ful proude, beare vp ful hye thy sprites and haughty hart:
Yet God the proude behynd theyr backes doth follow them to wreake.
I know the Thebane kingdomes: what should I the mothers speake,
Both suffring, and aduentring gyltes? what double mischiefe done?
And mixed name of spouse at once, of father and of sonne?
What bretherns double tentes? or what as many roages also?
The mother proude of Tantals brood congeald in mourning loe,
And sory stone yet flowes with teares in Phrygian Sipylye.
Himselfe likewyse erected vp his scaled heade awrye.
Euen Cadmus measuring throughout th'Illyrian landes in flight,
Behynd him left of body drawne long slymy markes in sight.
All these examples wayte for thee: rule thou as likes thy will,
Whyle thee our kingdomes wonted fates do call and oft hap yll.

Ly.
Goe to, these fierce and furious wordes thou woman mad refraine.
And imperyes of princes learne of Hercles to sustayne.
Though I the scepters gotten by the force of war do beare,
In conquering hand & all do rule without the law his feare.
Which armes subdue, a few wordes yet to thee now speake I shall
For this my cause thy father did in bloudy battel fall:
Thy brethren fell, the weapons kepe no measurable slay.
For neither easily tempred be, nor yet repressed may
The drawne swordes yre, the battels doth the bloud delite out shedde.
But he yet for his kingdome fought, wee altogether led
With wicked lust: yet th'end of war is now complayned, loe,
And not the cause, but now let all remembraunce therof goe:
When conquerour hath weapons left, the conquerds part should be
To leaue his hates. Not I that thou with lowly bended knee
Mee raygning worship should'st, require: euen this doth mee delight,
That thou thy myseries do'st beare with mynde so stout vpright.
Thou for a king a spouse art meete, let's ioyne our beds anone.

ME.
A trembling colde doth run throughout my bloudles lims ech one.
What hainous thinge comes to myne eares? I fear'de not then at all,
When (all peace broake) the noyse of warre did by the city wall
Resounde about, I bare all that vnfearefully to see,
I feare the wedding chambers: nowe I captiue seeme to mee.
Let heauy chaynes my body greeue, and eke with hunger long
Let lingring death be slowly brought, yet shall no force full strong
My truthe subdue: for euen thine owne Alcides will I dye.

LY.
Doth then thy husband droun'de in hell geue thee this stomack hie?

ME.
The hells alowe he toucht, that he the height againe might get.

LY.
The heauy paise oppresseth him of all the earth full great.

ME.
Hee with no burdein shall be prest, that heauen it selfe sustayn'de.

LY.
Thou shalt be forst.

ME.
He wots not how to die, that is cōstrain'd.

LY.
Speake, what may rather I prepare then wedding newe for thee.
More royall gyft?

ME.
Thine owne death els, or els the death of mee.

LY.
Thou shalt mad woman die.

ME.
I shall then to my husbande go.

LY.
More then my Sceptors is to thee a seruaunt loued so?

ME.
How many hath this seruant slayne of kings with hendy stroake?

LY.
Why doth he yet a king then serue, and still sustayne his yoake?

ME.
Take once away the hard behests, what's vertue then at last?

LY.
Do'st thou it vertue counte, to bee to beasts, and monsters cast?

ME.
T'is vertues part, to tame the things, that all men quake to know.

LY.
Him great things braggīg, darknes deepe of tartare presse ful low.

ME.
There neuer may from ground to stars an easy passage be.

LY.
Of whom begot, the housen then of Gods through pearceth he?

AM.
O wretched wife of Hercles great, thy words a whyle now spare.
My parte it is, the father of Alcides to declare,
And his true stocke, yet after all of man so stoute as this
So famous deedes, and after all appeas'de with hand of his
What euer Titan rysen vp, doth see, or els at fall,
And after all these monsters tam'de, and Phlegrey sprinkled all
With wicked bloud, and after Gods defended all on hye,
Is not his father yet well knowne? or Ioue doe we beelye?
Beleeue it yet by Iunoes hate.

LY.
Why do'ste thou sclaunder Ioue?
No mortall kinred euer may be mixt with heauen aboue.

AM.
To many of the Gods in skyes is this a common trade.

LY.
But were they euer seruauntes yet, before they Gods were made?

AM.
Of Delos Ile the sheepherde loe the flocks of Pherey fed.

LY.
But through all coasts he wandred not abroade as banished.

AM.
Whō straying mother first brought forth in wādring lond to sight?

LY.
Yet Phœbus did no monsters feare, or beasts of cruell might.

AM.
First Dragon with his bloud embrew'd the shafts of Phœbus lo.
Howe greeuous ills euen yet full yong he bare, doe you not knoe?
From mothers wombe ye babe out thrown with lightning flame frō hie,
Euen next his lightning Father stoode forthwith aboue in skye.
What? he him selfe that guides the starres, & shakes the clouds at will,
Did not that Infant lurke in Den of hollowe caued hill?
The byrthes so great full troublous pryce to haue loe alwayes ought:
And euer to be borne a God, with coste full great is bought.

LY.
Whom thou a miser see'st, thou mai'st know him a man to bee.

AM.
A miser him deny yee may, whom stout of heart yee see.

LY.
Call we him stout, from shoulders hye of whom the Lyon throwne
A gift for mayden made, and eke his Club from hand fell downe,
And paynted side with purple weede did shyne that he did weare?
Or may we him call stout of heart, whose staring lockes of heare
With ointmēt flowde? who hands renownde & knowne by prayses hye
To sound vnmeete for any man of timber did applye,
With barbarous mytar cloasing in his forhead rounde about?

AM.
The tender Bacchus did not blushe abroade to haue layde out
His brayded heares, nor yet with hand full soft the Thyrsus light
For to haue shooke, what time that he with pace vnstout in sight
His long train'de barbarous garment drew with golde full fayre to see.
Still vertue after many workes is woont releast to bee.

LY.
Of this the house of Euritus destroyde doth witnesse beare,
And virgins flockes that brutishly by him oppressed weare.
No Iuno did commaunde him this, nor none Eurystheus loe.
But these in deede his owne workes are.

AM.
Yet all yee doe not knoe,
His worke it is, with weapons of his owne hand vanquished
Both Eryx, and to Eryx ioyn'de Antæus Lybian ded:
And aulters which with slaughter of the straungers flowing fast,
Busyris well deserued bloud likewise haue drunke at last.
His deede it is, that he that met the wounde, and sworde is slayne
Constrain'de to suffre death before those other Geryons twayne.
Nor one all onely Geryon doth with one hand conquer'de lye.
Thou shalt among these be which yet with none adulterye
Haue wedlocke hurt.

LY.
What is to Ioue, to king is leefull thyng:
To Ioue thou gau'ste a wyfe, thou shalt nowe geue one to a kyng.
And euen of thee shee shall it learne to bee a thing not newe,
Her husband euen approuing it the better man t'ensewe.
But if shee stubberne to be matcht with me deny it still,
Then euen by force a noble childe of her beget I will.

Meg.
O Creons ghosts and all yee Gods of th'house of Labdacus,
And wedding torches blasing bryght, of wicked Oedipus,
To this my wedding geue yee nowe our wonted destenyes.
Now, now yee bloudy daughters all of Ægypts king likewyse,
Bee here whose hands defyled are with so much bloud out spilt:
One daughter lacks of Danaus, I wyll fyll vp the gylt.

Ly.
Because that stubburnely thou do'st refuse my wedding so,
And fear'ste a king, thou shalt know what the Scepters now may do.
Embrace thyne aulters, yet no God shall euer take away
Thee from my hands: no not although with world vpturned, may
Alcides victor yet agayne to Gods aboue returne.
The woods on heapes together cast, let all their temples burne
Euen throwne vpon theyr heads: his wyfe, and all his flocke at laste
With vnderlayed fyre, let one wood pyle consume and waste.

AM.
This only bowne I father of Alcides aske of thee,
Which well may me beseeme to craue, that I fyrst slayne may bee.

LY.
Who all appoyncts with present death to haue their punishment,
He tyrant wots not how to be: more sundry greeues inuent.
Restrayne the wretched man from death, commaunde that th'happy dye.
I, while with beames prepar'de to burne the pyle encreaseth hye,
Will him with vowing sacrifyce that rules the seas entreate.

AM.
Oh chiefest powre of Gods, and oh of heauenly things so great
The guyde, and parent eke, with whose throwne thunderbolts do shake
All things humane throughout the world of king so cruell slake
The wicked hande: but why do I to Gods in vayne thus cry?
Where euer thou be, heare me soone, why start so sodaynely
The temples thus with moouing shakte? Why roareth out the groūd?
The noyse of Hell from bottome deepe byneathe hath made a sound:
Wee herde are, loe it is the sound of Hercules his pace.

Chorus.

O fortune hating men of stoutest brest,
How ill rewards dost thou to good deuyde?
Eurystheus raynes at home in easy rest,
Alcmenaes sonne in euery battayle tryde,
To Monsters turnes hys hande that Skyes dyd stay:
And cruell Neckes cuts of, of hydous Snake,
And Apples brynges from Systers mokt away,
When once to sleepe hys watchefull Eyes beetake,
Dyd Dragon set ryche fruicte to ouersee.
Hee past the Scythian bowres that straye abroade,
And those that in their countreys straungers bee
And hardned top of frosen freate hee troade,
And sylent Sea with bankes full dumme about.
The Waters hard want there their floudes to sloe.
And where before the Shyps full Sayles spred out
Is worne a pathe for Sarmates wylde to goe.
The Sea doth stande to mooue in course agayne,
Nowe apt to beare the Ship, nowe horsemen bolde
The Queene that there doth ouer Wydowes rayne,
That gyrds her Wombe wyth gyrth of glittring gold,
Her noble spoyle from body drawne hath shee
And shyelde, and bandes of breast as whyte as snowe,
Acknowledging the Conquerour with Knee.
Wyth what hope drawne to headlong Hell alowe,
So bolde to passe the vnreturned wayes
Saw'ste thon Proserpines rayne of Sicylye?
Wyth Southern wynde, or Western there no seas
Aryse wyth waue and swellinge Surges hye.
Not there of Tyndars stocke the double broode
Two starres the fearefull Shyps doe ayde and guide.
Wyth gulph full blacke doth stande the slouthfull floode
And when pale death with greedy teeth so wyde.
Vnnumbred Nations hath sent downe to sprightes
Wyth one Boateman all ouer feryed bee.
God graunt thou maist of Hell subdue the rightes
And vnreuoked webs of Systers three.
There kyng of many people raygneth hee,
Who when thou did'st wyth Nestors Pylos fight,
Pestiferous handes appli'de to matche with thee
And weapon bare with triple mace of might:
And prickt with litle wounde he fled away,
And lorde of death hymselfe did feare to dye.
Breake Fate by force: and let the sight of day
To sorry sprightes of Hell apparant lye
And porche vnpast shew way to Gods aboue.
The cruell lordes of sprightes wyth pleasaunt song
And humble bownefull well could Orpheus moue,
Whyle he Eurydicen them craues among.
The Arte that drew Woods, Byrds, and stones at will:
Which made delay to Floudes of flitting flight
At sound whereof the sauage Beastes stoode still
With tunes vnwont doth Ghosts of hell delight
And clearer doth resounde in darker place:
And weepe wyth teares did Gods of cruell brest:
And they which faultes with to seuere a face
Doe seeke, and former gylt of Ghosts out wrest:
The Thracian Daughters wayls Eurydicen.
For her the Iudges weeping sit also.
Wee conquer'de are, chyefe kyng of death sayd then
To Gods (but vnder this condition) goe,
Behynde thy husbandes backe keepe thou thy way,
Looke thou not backe thy Wyfe before to see.
Than thee to sight of Gods hath brought the day
And gate of Spartane Tænare present bee.
Loue hates delay, nor coulde abyde so long.
His gyft, hee lost, while hee desires the syght.
The place that coulde be thus subdew'de with song
That place may soone bee ouercome by myght.

THE THYRDE ACTE.

Hercules.
O comfortable guyde of light, and honour of the skye,
That cōpassing both Hemyspheres with flaming chariot hye
Thy radiāt head to ioyful lāds about ye world dost bring,
Thou Phœbus pardon geue to me, if any vnlawful thing
Thyne eyes haue seene: (cōmaūded) I haue here to light out set
The secretes of the worlde: and thou of heauen o guider gret,
And parent eke, in flashe out throwne of lightning hide thy syght.
And thou that gouernest the seas with seconde sceptors myght,
To bottome synke of deepest waues: who so from hye doth see,
And dreading yet with countnaunce newe the earth defil'de to bee,
Let him from hence turne backe his sight, and face to heauen vpholde,
These monstrous sights to shun: let twayn this mischiefe great behold,
Hee who it brought, and shee that bad. for paynefull toyles to mee,
And laboures long, not all the earth thought wide inough may bee
For Iunoes hate: things vncome to all men I did see,
Unknowne to sonne, and spaces wyde that darke and shadefull bee
Which woorser poale geues dyrer Ioue to raygne and rule therein.
And yet if thyrde place pleased more for mee to enter in,
I there coulde raygne, the Chaos of eternall nyght of hell,
And woorse then night, the dolefull Gods I haue that there doe dwell,
And Fates subdu'de, the death contemn'de I am return'de to light.
What yet remaynes? I sawe and show'de the spryghts of hell to sight:
Appoynct, if ought be more, do'ste thou my hands so long permit
Iuno to ceasse? what thing byd'st thou to be subdued yet?
But why doe cruell souldiars holde the holy temples wyde?
And dread of armour sacred porche beset on euery syde?

Amphitryon, Hercules, Theseus.
Her.
Whens (father) happes this vglines, and why in mourning clad
Is thus my wyfe? how happes it that with filth so foule bestad
My children are? what misery doth thus my house oppresse?

Am.
Thy father in law is slayne: the kingdome Licus doth possesse.
Thy sonnes, thy parent and thy wyfe to death pursueth hee.

Her.
Ungrateful land, doth no man come that will an ayder bee
Of Hercles house? and this behelde so great and haynous wronge
Hath th'ayded world? but why were I the day in playnt so long?
Let thenmy dye and this renoume let strength obtayne in haste,
And of Alcides enmies all let Lycus be the last.
I driuen am to goe to shedde the bloud of enmye out.
Watch Theseu that no sodayne strength beset vs here aboute:
My warres require, embracing yet deferre O father deare,
And wyfe deferre them: Lycus shall to hell this message beare
That I am now returnd.

The,
Shake of O Queene out of thyne eyes
This weping face, and thou synce that thy sonne is safe likewyse
Thy dropping teares refrayne: yf yet I Hercles euer knew
Then Lycus shall for Creon paye the paynes to him ful due.
T'is lyght, he shal, he doth and that's to light he hath it done.

Am.
Now God that can them bring to passe, spede wel our wishes soone,
And come to helpe our weary woes. O noble harted mate
Of my stout sonne, of his renowne declare vs all the rate:
How long away doth leade to place where sory sprites doth dwell,
And how the hard and heauy bondes the dog hath borne of hell.

The.
The deedes thou dost constrayne to tell, that euen to mynde secure
Are dredful yet and horrible, scant yet the trust is sure
Of vitall ayre, sore blunted is the sharpnesse of my sight,
And dulled eyes do scant sustayne to see th'vnwoonted light.

AM.
Yet Theseus throughly ouercome what euer feare remaynes
In bosome deepe, nor do thou not of best fruict of thy paynes
Beguilde thy selfe. What thing hath once to suffre beene a care,
To haue remembred it is sweete, those dredfull haps declare.

TH.
All ryght of worlde, and thee lykewyse I praye ye bearst the rayne
In kingdome wyde, and thee, for whom all round about in vayne
Thy mother throughout Ætna sought, that secret things alowe
And hid in ground, it freely may bee lawfull for to showe.
The Spartane land a noble toppe of hyll aduaunceth hye,
Where Tænarus with woods full thick the Sea doth ouerly.
The house of hatefull Ditis here his mouth doth open set,
And rocke of hyll aboue doth gape, and with a denne full gret
A huge and gaping cleft of ground with Iawes full wyde doth lye,
And way full broade to people all doth spred to passe thereby.
Not straight with darkenes doth begin the way that blindes the sight.
A litle lingring brightnes loe behinde of late left light,
And doubtfull glittring yet of sonne afflicted falles alowe,
And mocks the sight: such light is wont vndoubtedly to showe
The dawne of day, or twylight els at edge of euening tyde.
From hence to hollowe places voyde are loaste the spaces wyde,
To which needes peryshe must all kinde of men that once are throwne.
Nor it a labour is to goe, the way it selfe leades downe.
As oft the ships agaynst theyr willes doth tosse the swelling surge,
So downward doth that headlong way, and greedy Chaos vrge:
And backe agayne to drawe thy pace thee neuer doe permit
The sprits who what they catch hold fast. alowe within doth flit
In chanell wyde with silent foorde the quiet lake of lethe,
And cares doth rid: and that there may to scape agayne from death
No meane be made, with many turnes and windings euery way
Foldes in his floude. in such sorte as with waue vnsure doth play
Mæander wandring vp and downe, and yeldes himselfe vnto,
And doubtfull stands, if he toward banke, or backe to spryng may goe.
The foule and filthy poole to see of slowe Cocytus lyes.
On th'one the Grype, on th'other side the mournefull Howlet cries,
And sad lucke of th'vnhappy Strix likewise resoundeth there.
Full vglily in shady bowes blacke Locks of lothsome heare,
Where Taxus tree doth ouer leane, which holdeth slouthfull sleepe,
And hunger sad with famisht Iawe that lyes his place to keepe,
And shame to late doth hide his face that knowes what crimes it hath,
Both feare, and quaking, funerall, and fretting raging wrath,
And mourning dyre doth follow on, and trembling pale disease,
And boystrous battayles set with sworde: and hid beyond all thease
Doth slouthfull age his lingring pace help forth with staffe in hand.

AM.
Of corne and wyne in hell alowe is any fertile land?

TH.
No ioyfull Meades do there bring forth with face so greene & fayre,
Nor yet with gentill Zephyrus wagges ripened corne in th'ayre,
Nor any tree hath there such bowes as doe bryng apples out.
The barrayne compasse of deepe foyle full filthy lyes about,
And withred with eternall drought the lothsome land doth waste
And bond full sad of thinges, and of the worlde the places laste:
The ayre vnmoued stands, and night sits there full darke to see
In slouthfull world, all thinges by dread full horrible there bee.
And euen farre worse then death it selfe, is place where death doth bide.

AM.
What? he that doth those places darke with regall sceptor guide,
In what seate set, doth he dispose and rule those peoples light?

TH.
A place there is in turne obscure of Tartarus from sight,
Which mist full thick with fearefull shade doth holde and ouergoe.
From hence a double parted streame from one wellspring doth floe:
The tone, much like a standing poole (by this the gods doe sweare)
The which the sacred Stygian lake with silent floude doth beare:
The t'other fierce with tumult great is drawen his course to goe,
And Acheron with raging floud the stones dryues to and froe
Unsaylable. with double foorde is rounde about beset
Agaynst it Ditis pallace dyre, and mansion house full gret
In shadefull woode is couered: from wide den here the posts
And thresholds of the tyrant hang, this is the walke of ghosts:
This of his kingdome is the gate: a fielde about it goes,
Where sitting with a countnaunce proude abroade he doth dispose
Newe soules. a cruell maiesty is in the God to knowe:
A frowning forehead, which yet of his brethren beares the showe,
And so great stocke: there is in him of Ioue the very face,
But when he lightens: and great part of cruell kingdomes place,
Is he himselfe the lorde thereof: the sight of whom doth feare,
What euer thing is fear'de.

AM.
Is fame in this poynct true, yt there
Such rygours are, and gilty Ghosts of men that there remayne
Forgetfull of theyr former faulte, haue there deserued payne?
Who is the rector there of ryght, and iudge of equity?

TH.
Not onely one extorter out of faultes in seate set hye
The iudgements late to trembling soules doth there by lot awarde:
In one appoyncted iudgement place is Gnossian Minos harde,
And in an other Radamanthe: this crime doth Aeac heare.
What eche man once hath done, he feeles: and guilt to th'author theare
Returnes, and th'hurtfull with their owne example punisht bee.
The bloudy cruell captaynes I in pryson shet did see,
And backe of tyrant impotent euen with his peoples hande
All torne and cut. what man of might with fauour leades his lande,
And of his owne lyfe lorde reserues his hurtlesse handes to good,
And gently doth his empyre guide without the thyrst of blood,
And spares his soule, he hauing long led forth the lingring dayes
Of happy age, at length to heauen doth eyther finde the wayes,
Or ioyfull happy places ells of fayre Elysius woode.
Thou then that here must be a iudge abstayne from man his bloode,
Who so thou be that raygnest kyng: our gyltes are there acquit
In greater wyse.

AM.
Doth any place prescript of lymite shit
The gylty Ghosts, and as the fame reportes, doth cruell payne
The wicked men make tame that in eternall bondes remayne?

TH.
Ixion roll'de on whyrling wheele is tost and turned hye:
Upon the necke of Sisyphus the mighty stone doth lye.
Amyd the lake with thyrsty Iawes olde Tantalus therein
Pursues the waues, the water streame doth wet and washe his chin,
And when to him nowe ofte deceyu'de it doth yet promise make,
Straight flits the floud: the fruicte at mouth his famyne doth forsake,
Eternall foode to fleeing foule doth Tytius hart geue still:
And Danaus daughters doe in vayne theyr water vessells fill.
The wicked Cadmus daughters all goe raging euery way:
And there doth greedy rauening byrde the Phiney tables fray.

AM.
Nowe of my sonne declare to me the noble worthy fight.
Brings he his willing vnckles gyft, or Plutoes spoyles to sight?

TH.
A dyre and dredfull stone there is the slouthfull foordes fast bye,
Where sluggish freat with waue aston'd full dull and slowe doth lye:
This lake a dredfull fellow keepes both of attire and sight,
And quaking Ghosts doth ouer beare an aged vgly wyght:
His Bearde vnkempt, his bosome foule deform'de in filthy wyse
A knot byndes in, full lothesome stand in head his hollowe eyes:
He Feary man doth steare about his Boate with his long Ore.
He driuing nowe his lightned Ship of burden towarde the Shore,
Repayres to waues: and then his way Alcides doth requyre,
The flocke of Ghosts all geuing place: alowde cryes Charon dyre,
What way attemptest thou so bolde? thy hastening pace here stay.
But Nathales Alemenaes sonne abyding no delay,
Euen with his owne poale bet he dothe full tame the shipman make,
And clymes the ship: the barke that coulde full many peoples take,
Did yelde to one: he sat, the boate more heauy like to breake
Whith shyuering ioyntes on eyther syde the lethey floud doth leake.
Then tremble all the monsters huge, the Centaures fierce of myght,
And Lapithes, kindled with much wyne to warres and bloudy fight.
The lowest Chanelles seeking out of Stygian poole a downe,
His Lerney labour sore affright his fertile heads doth drowne.
Of greedy Ditis after this doth then the house appere.
The fierce and cruell Stygian dogge doth fray the spirites there,
The which with great and roaring sounde his heads vpshaking three,
The kingdome keepes his vgly head with filth full foule to see
The serpentes licke: his hayres be fowle with vypers set among,
And at his crooked wrested tayle doth hysse a Dragon longe:
Lyke yre to shape. when him he wyst his pace that way to take,
His bristle hoyres he lifteth vp with fierce vp bended snake:
And sounde sent out he soone perceyues in his applyed eare,
Who euen the sprits is wont to sent as soone as stoode more neare
The sonne of Ioue, the doubtfull dogge strait couched downe in denne,
And eche of them did feare. beholde with dolefull barking then
The places dumme he makes a dred, the threatning serpent stout
Through all the fieldes about doth hysse: the bawling noyse sent out
Of dredfull voyce from triple mouth, euen sprits that happy bee
Doth make afrayde. from left side then strayte way vndoeth hee
The cruell Iawes, and Lyons head once slayne in Cleon fielde
Agaynst him sets, and couer doth himselfe with mighty shielde.
And bearing in his conquering hande a sturdy club of Oke,
Nowe here, now there he rolleth him about with often stroke:
His stripes he doubles: he subdew'de his threates asswaged all,
And all his heads the weary dogge at once full lowe let fall,
And quite out of the denn he fled. full greatly feared (set
In regall throne) both king and queene, and bad him to bee fet.
And me likewyse they gaue for gyft to Hercles crauing mee.
The monsters heauy neckes with hand then stroaking downe all three,
In lynked chayne he byndeth faste forgetting then his strength
The dogge the watchefull keeper of the kingdome darke at length
Layth downe his eares full sore affray'de: and suffring to be led,
And eke acknowledging his lorde, following wyth lowly hed,
With tayle that snakes theron doth beare he both his sides doth smight.
But after that to Tænare mouth we came, and clearenes bright
Had strooke his eyes of light vnknowne, good stomacke yet agayne
He takes although once ouercome, and now the happy chayne
He raging shakes: he had almost his leader pluckt from place,
And headlong backward drawne to hell, and moued from his pace.
And euen to my handes Hercles then his eyes did backward cast,
Wee both with double ioyned strength the dogge out drawne at last
For anger woode, and battells yet attempting all in vayne,
Brought vp to world. as soone as he the cleere ayre sawe agayne,
And spaces pure of bryght fayre poale had once behelde with eye,
The nyght arose: his sight to ground he turned by and by,
Cast downe his eyes, and hatefull day forthwith he put to flight,
And backward turnd away his looke, and streight with all his might
To th'earthe he falles: and vnderneath the shade of Hercles then
He hyd his head. therewith there came a great resorte of men
With clamour glad, that did the bay about theyr forheads bryng:
And of the noble Hercules deserued prayses sing.

Chorus.

Evrystheus borne with swiftned birth in hast,
Did bid to bottome of the Worlde to go:
This onely lackt of labours all at last,
To spoyle the Kyng of thyrde estate also,
The dongeons darke to enter ventred hee,
Where as the way to sprits farre of doth bring
Full sadde, and woode so blacke and fear'de to bee;
But full with flocke full great him following.
As great a preasse as flocke in cyties streetes,
To see the Playes of Theatre newe wrought:
As great as at Eléus thundrer meetes,
When Sommer fift the sacred game hath brought:
As great as when comes houre of longer night,
And willing quiet sleepes to bee extent,
Holdes equall Libra Phœbus Charlots light,
A sorte the secrete Ceres doe frequent,
And from theyr howsen left doe hast to comme,
The Atticke priestes the nyghte to celebrate:
Such heape is chaste beneath by fieldes so dumme.
With age full slowe some taking forth their gate
Full sad, and fillde with life so long now led:
Some yet doe runne the race of better yeares,
The virgins yet vnioynde to Spowses bed,
And yonglings eke on whom grow yet no heares
And Infant lately taught his mothers name.
To these alone, (that they the lesse might feare)
Is graunted night to ease with foreborne flame.
The rest full sad by darke doe wander theare:
As is our mynde, when once away is fled
The lyght, when eche man sorry feeles to bee
Deepe ouerwhelmde with all the earth his hed.
Thick Chaos standes, and darknesse fowle to see,
And colour ill of night, and slouthfull state
Of silent World, and diuers Cloudes about,
Let hoary age vs thyther bring full late.
No man comes late to that, whence neuer out,
When once hee is come, turne agayne he may.
To hast the hard and heauy Fate what vayles?
This wandring heape in wyde landes farre away,
Shall goe to Ghosts: and all shall geue their sayles
To slowe Cocytus all is to thee enclinde,
Both what the fall, and rise of sonne doth see:
Spare vs that comme, to thee wee death are signde:
Though thou be slow, our selues yet haste doe wee.
Fyrst houre, that gaue the lyfe, it loast agayne.
To Thebes is come the ioyfull day,
Your Aulters touch yee humbylly,
The fat fayre Sacrifices slay.
Maydes myxte with men in cumpany
Let them in solempne Flockes goe royle:
And nowe wyth yoake layde downe let cease
The Tillers of the fertile Soyle.
Made is wyth hande of Hercles peace
Betweene the morne and Hespers Glade,
And where Sonne holding myddle seate,
Doth make the Bodyes caste no Shade.
What euer grounde is ouerweate
Wyth compasse longe of Seas abought,
Alcydes laboure taemde full well.
Hee ouer Foordes of Tartare brought
Returnde appeased beeinge Hell.
There is remayning nowe no feare,
Nought lyes beyonde the Hell to see.
O Priest thy staring Lockes of heare
Wrappe in wyth loued Poplar tree.

THE FOVRTHE ACTE.

Hercules, Theseus, Amphitryon, Megara.
TH.
O Gods the builders of the towne, and which of Dragon fell,
The wilde woods vens, and noble waues likewise of Dirces well,
And Tyrian house enhabite eke of straunger wandring king.

HE.
Cast into fyres ye frankencense.

AM.
Sonne fyrst thy hands flowing
With bloudy slaughter, and the death of enmy purify.

HE.
Would God the bloud of hatefull head euen vnto Gods on hye
I might out shed, for lycour loe more acceptable none
Myght th'austers stayne: nor sacrifice more ample any one
Nor yet more plentyfull may bee to Ioue aboue downe cast,
Then king vniust.

AM.
Desyre that now thy father ende at last
Thy labours all: let quietnes at length yet gieuen bee,
And rest to weary folke.

HE.
I will thee prayers make, for mee
And Ioue ful meete in this due place let stand the haughty skye,
And land, and ayre, and let the starres dryue forth eternally
Their course vnstayde: let restful peace kepe nations quietly,
Let labour of the hurtles land all yron now occupye,
And swordes lye hyd: let tempest none ful vyolent and dyre
Disturbe the sea: let from the skyes no flash of lightning fyre
Fall downe whyle Ioue ful angry is: nor yet with winter snowe
Encreased flood the ground vpturnde, and field quyte ouerthrowe,
Let poysons cease: and from hensforth let vp from ground aryse
No greeuous hearbe with hurtful sappe: nor fierce and fell lykewyse
Let tyrantes raygne but if to sight some other mischiefe bringe
The ground yet shall, let it make hast: and any monstruous thinge
If it prepare let it be myne, but what meanes this? myd day
The darkenes haue incloas'd aboute lo Phœbus goeth his way
With face obscure without a clowde who dryues the day to flight,
And turnes to east? from whence doth now his dusky hed the night
Unknowne bring forth? whence fil the poale so many rownde about
Of daytyme starres? lo here behold my laboure first ful stout
Not in the lowest parte of heauen the Lyon shyneth bryght,
And feruently doth rage with yre, and byttes prepares to fyght.
Euen now loe he some star wil take, with mouth full wyde to see
He threatning standes, and fires out blowes and mane vp rustleth he
Shaking with necke the haruest sad of shape, what euer thinge,
And what soeuer winter colde in frosen tyme doth bring,
He with one rage wil ouerpasse, of spring tyme bull he will
Both seeke and breake the neckes at once.

Am.
what is this sodayne yll?
Thy cruel count'naunce whether sonne dost thou cast here and there?
And seest with troubled daseld syght false shape of heauen appere

Her.
The land is tam'de the swelling feas their surges did asswage,
The kingdomes lowe of hell lyke wyse haue felt and knowne my rage,
Yet heauen is free, a labour meete for Hercules to proue.
To spaces high I wil be borne of haughty skies aboue
Let th'ayre be skaeld, my father doth me promise starres t'obtayne.
What if he it denyde? all th'earth can Hercles not contayne,
And geeues at length to gods, me calles of one accorde beholde
The whole assembly of the gods, and doth their gates vnfolde,
Whyle one forbyddes, receyu'st thou mee, and openest thou the skye,
Or els the gate of stubburne heauen draw after me do I?
Do I yet doubt? I euen the bondes from Saturne wyll vndoe,
And euen agaynst the kingdome prowde of wicked father loe
My graundsyre loase. let Titans now prepare agayne their fight
With me theyr captaine raging: stones with woods I will down smight
And hye hilles tops with Centaures full in right hande will I take.
With double mountayne now I will a stayre to Gods vp make.
Let Chyron vnder Ossa see his Pelion mountayne gret:
Olympus vp to heauen aboue in thyrd degree then set
Shall come it selfe, or ells be cast.

AM.
Put farre away from thee
The thoughts that ought not to be spoake: of mynde vnsounde to see,
But yet full great, the furious rage asswage and lay away.

HE.
What meaneth this? the Gyauntes doe pestiferous armes assay,
And Tityus from the sprights is fled, and bearing torne to see
And empty bosome, loe howe neere to heauen it selfe stoode hee?
Cythæron falles, the mountayne hie Pallene shakes for feare,
And torne are Tempe. he the tops of Pindus caught hath here,
And Oethen he, some dredfull thing threatning doth rage about
Erynnis bringing flames: with stripes she soundes nowe shaken out,
And burned brandes in funeralles, loe yet more neare and neare
Throwes in my face: fearce Tisyphone with head and vgly heare
With serpentes set, nowe after dogge fet out with Hercles hand,
That empty gate shee hath shut vp, with bolte of fyry brande,
But loe the stocke of enmious king doth hidden yet remayne,
The wicked Lycus seede: but to your hatefull father slayne
Euen now this right hande shall you sende let nowe his arrowes light
My bowe out shoote: it seemes the shaftes to goe with such a flight
Of Hercles.

AM.
Whether doth the rage and fury blinde yet goe?
His mighty Bowe he drewe with hornes together driuen loe,
And quiuer loaste: great noyese makes with violence sent out
The shaft, and quight the weapon flewe his middle necke throughout,
The wound yet left.

HE.
His other broode I ouerthrow will quight,
And corners all. What stay I yet? to me a greater fyght
Remaynes then all Mycenes loe, that rockye stones should all
Of Cyclops being ouerturn'de with hande of myne, downe fall.
Let shake both here, and there the house, with all stayes ouerthrowne,
Let breake the poasts: and quight let shrinke the shaken piller downe:
Let all the Pallace fall at once. I here yet hidden see
The sonne of wycked father.

AM.
Loe his flattring handes to thee
Applying to thy knees dooth craue his lyfe with piteous mone.
O wicked gylt, full sad, and eke abhorde to looke vpone,
His humble right hand caught he hath, and raging rounde about
Him rolled twyse, or thryse hath cast. his head resoundeth out,
The sprinkled houses with the brayne of him throwne out are wet.
But shee poore wretch her little sonne in bosome hyding yet
Loe Megara, like one in rage doth from the corners flee.

HE.
Though runagate in bosome of the thundrer hid thou bee,
This right hand shall from euery where thee seeke, and bring to sight.

AM.
Wher goest thou wretch? what lurking dens, seekst thou to take, or flight?
No place of sauegarde is if once bee Hercles styrde with yre:
But doe thou rather him embrace, and with thy meeke desyre
Assay t'asswage him.

ME.
Husband spare vs I beseech thee nowe,
And knowe thy Megara, this sonne thy countenaunce doth showe,
And bodyes pytche: behould'st thou howe his hands vp lyfteth hee?

HE.
I holde my stepdame: followe on due penaunce paye to mee,
And bounden Ioue from fylthy bonde deliuer free away:
But I before the mother will this litle monster slay.

ME.
Thou mad man whither goest thou? wylt thou thine owne bloude sheade?

AM.
Th'infant with fathers fyry face astonnied all for dread,
Died euen before the wounde: his feare hath tooke away his lyfe.
And now likewise his heauy club is shaken towarde his wyfe:
He broaken hath the bones, her head from blocklyke body gone
Is quight, nor any where it stayes. dar'ste thou this looke vpone
To long lyu'de age? if mourning doe the greeue, thou hast then loe
The death preparde. Doe thou thy breast vppon his weapons throe,
Or ells this club with slaughter stayn'de of monsters slayne that bee,
Nowe hyther turne. thy parent false, vnfit for name of thee
Ryd hence away, least he should be to thy renowne a let.

TH.
Which way the father toward thy death dost thou thy selfe cast yet?
Or whyther goest thou mad man? flee and lye thou cloasely hid,
And yet from handes of Hercules this onely myschiefe rid.

HE.
T'is well, the house of shameful king is now quight ouerthrowne.
To thee O spouse of greattest Ioue I haue loe beaten downe
This offred flocke: I gladly haue fulfill'de my wyshes all
Full meete for thee, and Argos now geue other offrings shall.

AM.
Thou hast not sonne yet all perform'de, fill vp the sacrifice.
Loe th'offring doth at th'aultars stande, it waytes thy hand likewyse
With necke full prone: I geue my selfe, I roon, I follow loe.
Mee sacrifice. what meaneth this? his eyes rolle to and froe,
And heauines doth dull his sight. see I of Hercules
The trembling hands? downe falles his face to sleepe and quietnes,
And weary necke with bowed head full fast doth downeward shrynke,
With bended knee: nowe all at once he downe to ground doth sinke,
As in the woods wylde Ashe cut downe, or Bulwarke for to make
A Hauen in Seas. Liu'ste thou? or els to death doth thee betake
The selfe same rage, that hath sent all thy famyly to death?
It is but sleepe, for to and fro doth goe and come his breath.
Let tyme bee had of quietnesse, that thus by sleepe and rest
Great force of his disease subdew'de, may ease his greeued brest.
Remoue his weapons seruants, least he mad get them agayne.

Chorus.

Let th'ayre complayne, and eke the parent great
Of haughty Sky, and fertile land throughout,
And wandring waue of euer mouing freat.
And thou before them all, which lands about
And trayn of Sea thy beames abroade dost throe
With glittring face, and mak'st the night to flee,
O feruent Titan: bothe thy settinges loe
And rysing, hath Alcides seene wyth thee:
And knowne lykewise hee hath thy howsen twayne.
From so great ills release yee nowe hys brest,
O Gods release: to better turne agayne
His ryghter mynde, and thou O tamer best
O sleepe of toyles, the quietnesse of mynde,
Of all the lyfe of man the better parte,
O of thy mother Astrey wynged kynde,
Of hard and pyning death that brother arte,
With truth mingling the false, of after state
The sure, but eke the worste foreteller yet:
O Father of all thynges, of Lyfe the gate,
Of lyght the rest, of nyght and fellowe fyt,
That com'st to Kyng, and seruaunt equally,
And gently cherysshest who weary bee,
All mankynde loe that dreadfull is to dye,
Thou doost constrayne long death to learne by thee.
Keepe him fast bounde wyth heauy sleepe opprest,
Let slomber deepe his Limmes vntamed bynde,
Nor soner leaue his vnright raginge breaste
Then former mynd his course agayne may fynd,
Loe layd on ground with full fierce hart yet still
His cruel sleepes he turnes: and not yet is
The plague subdude of so great raging yll
And on great club the weary head of his
He wont to laye, doth secke the staffe to fynde
VVith empty handes his armes out casting yet
VVith mouing vayne: nor yet all rage of minde
He hath layd downe, but as with Sowthwind greate
The waue once vext yet after kepeth still
His raging long, and though the wind now bee
Asswaged swelles, shake of theis madde and yll
Tossinges of mynde, returne let piety,
And vertue to the man, els let be so
His mynde with mouing mad toste euery waye:
Let errour blynd, where it begun hath, go,
For naught els now but only madnes maye
Thee gyltles make in next estate it standes
To hurtles handes thy mischiefe not to know.
Now stroken let with Hercules his handes
Thy bosome sounde: thyne armes the worlde allow
VVere wonte to beare, let greuous strypes now smyte
VVith conquering hande, and lowde complayning cryes,
Let th'ayre now heare, let of darke pole and nighte
The Queene them hear, and who ful fyercely lyes
That beares his neckes in mighty chaynes fast bounde,
Low lurking Cerberus in deepest caue.
Let Chaos all with clamour sad resound,
And of broad sea wide open wafting waue.
And th'ayre that felt thy weapons beter yet, but felt them though.
The breastes with so great yls as these beset,
VVith litle stroake they must not beaten bee.
Let kingdomes three sound with one playnt and crye,
And thou neckes honour and defence to see,
His arrowe strong longe hanged vp on hye,
And quiuers light the cruell stripes now smyte
On his fierce backe his shouldars strong and stout
Let oken club now strike and poast of might
VVith knots ful hard his brestee load all aboute.
Let euen his weapons so great woes complayne
Not you pore babes mates of your fathers praise,
VVith cruell wound reuenging kinges agayne:
Not you your lims in Argos barriars playes,
Are taught to turne with weapons strong to smite
And strong of hand yet euen now daring loe
The weapons of the Scithian quiuer light
VVith stedy hand to paise set out from bow.
And stags to perce that saue them selues by flight
And backes not yet ful maend of cruel beast.
To Stigian hauens goe ye of shade and night
Goe hurtles soules, whom mischiefe hath opprest
Euen in fyrst porch of lyfe but lately had,
And fathers fury goe vnhappy kind
O litle children, by the way ful sad
Of iourney knowen.
Goe see the angry kynges.

THE FIFTHE ACTE.

Hercules, Amphitryon, Theseus.
A.
Let thus thyne ylles in sylens ouerpas.

He.
That I should vnreuenged bee?

Am,
Reuenge oft hurtful was.

He
Did euer man so greeuous yls without reuenge sustayne?

A
Whos'euer greater fearde.

H.
Then these O father yet agayne
May any greater thing, or els more greuous feared be?

Am.
How great apart is it thou wotst of thy calamity?

Her.
Take mercy father, lo I lift to thee my humble hands.
What meaneth this? my hand fleeth backe, some priuy gylt their standes
Whence comes this bloud? or what doth mean flowing wt death of child
The shaft imbrewd with slaughter once of Lerney monster kilde?
I see my weapons now, the hand I seeke no more to witte.
Whose hand could bend this bow but myne? or what right arme but it,
Could string the bow that vnto mee euen scantly doth obay?
To you I turne: O father deare, is this my gylt I pray?
They held their peace: it is myne own.

Am.
Thy greuous woe is there,
The cryme thy stepdames: this mischaunce no falt of thyne hath here.

Her.
From euery part now father throw in wrath thy thunders mighte,
And of thy sonne forgetful now with cruel hand requighte
At least thy nephewes, let the world that beares the starrs sounde out.
And let both th'one and th'other poale, flyng downe thy flames aboute:
And let the bankes of Caspyan sea my bounden body teare,
And gredy foule. Wherfore do of Prometheus lacke heare
The rockes? with huge and haughty top let now prepared be,
Both feeding beastes and foules, the syde of Caucas turne to see,
And bare of woods, the yle that bridge of Scithe that therby standes
Simplegas ioynes, both here and there let it my bounden handes
Stretch out abroade: and when with course return'de accustomd'ly
They shall togeather dryue, and shall the rockes tosse vp to skye
With bankes togeather beyng thrust, and eke the middle seay,
Let me betweene the mountaynes lye vnquiet restlesse stay
But building vp with wood throwne on a heaped plie on hie
My body thus with wicked bloud besprinct, why burne not I?
So, so yt must be done: to hell I Hercles will restore.

Am.
Not yet his hart astonied lackes his ragyng tumult sore,
But wrath hath turnd: and which of rage is property and yre
Agaynst himselfe he rageth now

Her.
The furies places dire
And dungeon depe of sprites in hell and place of tormentry
To gylty ghostes and banishment yf any yet do lye
Beyond Erebus, yet vnknowen to Cerberus and mee,
There hyde me ground to farthest bond of Tartarus to see,
To tary there Ile goe. O brest of myne to fierce and stoute:
Who you my children thus disperst through all my house about,
May worthely enough bewayle? in all my euils yet
This countnaunce hard can neuer weepe, a sword now hether set:
My shaftes reach hether, hyther reach my mighty club also:
To thee my weapons breake I will, to thee my sonne a two
Ile knappe my bowes, and eke my clubbe, this blocke of heauy wayghte
Shal to thy sprites be burned loe: this selfe same quiuer frayght
With Lerney shaftes to funerall of thyne shall likewyse goe.
Let all my weapons penance pay and you vnhappy to
Euen with my weapons burne I wil, O stepdames handes of myne,

Th.
Who euer yet to ignoraunce hath geuen name of cryme?

Her.
Ful oftentymes did errour greate the place of gylt obtayne.

Th.
T'is neede to be a Hercles now, this heape of yll sustayne.

Her.
Not so, hath shame yet geuen place with fury drowned quight:
But peoples all I rather should dryue from my wicked sight.
My weapons, weapons Theseus, I quickly craue to mee
Withdraw to be restoard agayne: if sound my mynd now bee,
Restore to me my weapons if yet last my rage of mynd,
Then father flee: for I the waye to death my selfe shal fynde.

Am.
By sacred holy kynreds rightes, by force and duty all
Of both my names; if eyther me thy brynger vp thou call,
Or parent els, and (which of good men reuerenced are)
By these hoare hayres, I the besech my desert age yet spare,
And wery yeares of house falne downe the one as only stay,
One onely light to mee, with yls afflicted euery way
Reserue thy selfe: yet neuer hath there happ'ned once of thee
Fruite of thy toyles: still eyther I the doubtful sea to see
Or monsters feard: who euer yet hath bene a cruell king
In all the world to ghostes allow, and aulters both hurtinge,
Of me is feard: the father of thee absent stil to haue
The fruite, the touching, and the sight of thee at length I craue.

He.
Wherfore I longer should sustayn my life yet in this light,
And linger here no cause there is, all good lost haue I quighte,
My mynd, my weapons, my renoume, my wife, my sonnes, my handes,
And fury to no man may heale and lose from gylty bandes
My mynd defyeld: needes must with death be heald so haynous yll.

Th.
Wilt thou thy father slay?

He.
Least I shoulde do it die I will.

Th.
Before thy fathers face?

He.
I taught him mischief for to see.

Th.
Thy deedes marking rather that should of al remembred bee,
Of this one only cryme I do a pardon of thee craue.

Her.
Sall he geue pardon to himselfe, that to none els it gaue?
I beeing bidden prayse deseru'd, this deede mine owne doth proue.
Helpe father now, if eyther els thy piety thee moue,
Or els my heauy fate, or els the honour and renowne.
Of stained strength, my weapons bringe, let fortune be throwen downe.
with my right hand.

Th.
The prayers which thy father makes to thee
Are stronge enough, but yet likewyse with weeping loe of me
Be moued yet: aryse thou vp, and with thy wonted myght
Subdue thyne yls: now such a mynde vnmeete to beare vpright
No euill hap, receyue againe loe now with manhode gret
Thou must preuayle euen Hercules forbyd with yre to fret.

HE.
Alyue, I hurt: but if I dye I take the gylt also.
I hast to ridde the world of cryme euen now before me lo
A wicked monster cruel, and vntamed fierce and stout
Doth wander: now with thy ryght hand beginne to goe aboute
A greate affayre, yea more then all thy twyse sixe labours long.
Yet stayst thou wretch, that late agaynst the children wast so stronge,
And fearful mother now except restoard my weapons bee,
Of Thracian Pindus eyther I wil teare downe euery tree,
And Bacchus holly woods and tops of mount Cythæron hye
Burne with myselfe, and al at once with all their housen I
And with the Lordes therof the roofes with goddes of Thebes all
The Thebane temples euen vppon my body will let fall:
And wyl be hyd in towne vpturnd: if to my shoulders might
The walles themselues all cast theron shall fall a burden light,
And couerd with seuen gates I shall not be enough opprest,
Then all the wayght wheron the worlde in middle part doth rest,
And partes the Goddes vppon my head Ile turne and ouerthrow
My weapons geue.

Am.
This word is meete for Hercles father lo
With this same arrow slaine behold thy sonne is tombled downe,
This weapōs cruell Iuno lo from handes of thyne hath throwne,
This same wil I now vse, loe see how leaps with feare afright
My wretched harte, and how it doth my careful body smight.
The shaft is set therto thou shalt a mischiefe lo do now
Both willing it and wotting: tel, what thing commaundest thou?
I nothing craue my doloure let in saf'ty standeth now.
To kepe my sonne alyue to mee that onely do canst thou
O Theseu, yet I haue not scapte great'st feare that happen can
Thou canst mee not a miser make, thou mayst a happy man
So order euery thyng thou dost, as all thy cause in hand,
And faine thou mayst wel know in strayght and doubtful case to stande
Thou liu'st, or diest: this slender soule that light is hence to flee,
Weried with age and no lesse bet with greuous ils to see,
In mouth I holde so slowly to a father with such staye
Doth any man geue lyfe? I wil no longer bid delay,
The deadly sword throughout my breast to strike I wil apply,
Here, here the gylt of Hercules euen sound of mynd shall lye.

Her.
Forbeare O father now forbeare, withdraw thy hand againe.
My manhood yeld thy fathers will, and impery sustaine.
To Hercles labours now like wyse, let this one labour goe,
Let me yet liue, lift vp from ground th'afflicted lims with woe
O Theseu of my parent: for from Godly touch doth flee
My wicked hand.

Am?
I gladly do this hand embrace to mee,
By this I beyng slayed will goe, this mouing to my brest
Ile slake my woes,

Her.
what place shall I seeke ronnagate for rest?
Where shall I hyde my selfe? or in what land my selfe engraue?
What Tanais, or what Nilus els, or with his Persyan waue
What Tygris violent of streame, or what fierce Rhenus flood,
Or Tagus troublesome that flowes with Ibera treasures good
May my ryght hand yow wash from gylt? although Mæoris cold
The waues of all the Northen sea on me shed out now wolde,
And al the water ther of shoulde now pas by my two handes,
Yet wil the mischiefe deepe remayne alas into what landes
Wilt thou O wicked man resort? to East or westerne costs?
Ech where wel knowen, all place I haue of banishment quight loste
From me the worlde doth flee a back, the starres that sydelyng rone
Do backwarde dryue their turned course, euen Cerberus the sone
With better count'naunce did behold O faythfull friend I saye,
O Theseu seeke some lurking place, farre hence out of the way
O thou awarder of mens gyltes what euer Iudge thou bee
That hurtful men dost loue, repay a worthy thanke to me:
And my desertes. I thee beseech, to ghostes of hell againe
Send me that once escaped them: & subiect to thy raine
Restore me yet to those thy bandes, that place shal me wel hyde:
And yet euen that place knowes me wel

Th.
Our land for thee doth bide
There Mars his hande acquite agayne and made from slaughter free
Restoard to armoure, loe that land (Alcides) calles for thee,
Which wontes to quite the gods, and proue them Innocent to be.