Lvcans Pharsalia Containing The Ciuill Warres betweene Caesar and Pompey. Written In Latine Heroicall Verse by M. Annaevs Lvcanus. Translated into English verse by Sir Arthur Gorges ... Whereunto is annexed the life of the Authour, collected out of diuers Authors |
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The tenth Booke.
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 | Lvcans Pharsalia |  |
417
The tenth Booke.
The Argvment.
Cæsar arriues at Pharos Bay,And doth with dreadlesse face suruay
Their Temples and their Monuments:
The King with him in league assents.
There Cleopatra pleades her right,
And fauour findes in Cæsars sight.
Then feasts and banquetings ensue,
And Ægypts treasure set to view.
Whilst Achoreus doth discourse
Of Nylus springs and flowing sourse.
Photinus doth with force employ
Achillas, Cæsar to destroy.
Against the Court their Armes they bend,
Which Cæsar brauely doth defend;
And in the secret of the night,
By ship to Pharos takes his flight.
Where being straighted by his foes,
From thence by swimming safely goes.
As soone as Cæsar (being led
By him that offred Pompeys head)
Had brought his Nauy to the land,
And trode on Pharos wretched sand;
The Fortune of this conquering guest
Did with false Ægypts fate contest:
Whether that now the Lagian state
The Roman Armes should captiuate;
Or that the Memphit murdering gleaue
Should trayterously the world bereaue
As well of him that conquered,
As of the other vanquished.
“Thy death (O Pompey) did much good
“To Cæsar, and preseru'd his blood
“By losse of thine, whereby the Nyle
“Should not the Romans trust beguile.
Hence he to Alexandria Towne
Goes safely, and (for more renowne)
His Ensignes are before him borne,
And that dire pledge their wicked scorne.
But he perceiues that in their breasts
A secret spleene, repining rests
Amongst that people, that did hate
And murmure so to see their state
Subiected to the Roman guise
With fagots borne, which they despise,
He sees their mindes, and thereby try'd
Twas not for his sake Pompey dy'd.
Yet in his lookes no dread appeares,
But passeth on (deuoyd of feares)
Vnto their Temples, and suruayes
The Monuments that they did raise
Of old, vnto Macedons praise.
But with no pleasure sees those sights,
Nor in those golden shewes delights.
Their garnisht Gods feast not his eyes,
Nor their huge walles that stately rise.
He willingly discends to see
The vault, where their Kings tombed bee.
There he beholds the body laid
Of that same Fury, that dismaid
The worlds Comerce, whereon he praid
VVith happy mart so ouer-run,
That Pollean Springold Philips sonne.
Whose twist of life reuenging Fate
Hath shortned with vntimely date.
And now his bones interred are
Within an holy Sepulcher;
Whose ashes rather should be strode
Throughout the aire, the world abrode.
But Fortune so his ghost did frend,
That there a Tombe she did him lend,
Vntill this kingdomes state did end.
By him that offred Pompeys head)
Had brought his Nauy to the land,
And trode on Pharos wretched sand;
418
Did with false Ægypts fate contest:
Whether that now the Lagian state
The Roman Armes should captiuate;
Or that the Memphit murdering gleaue
Should trayterously the world bereaue
As well of him that conquered,
As of the other vanquished.
“Thy death (O Pompey) did much good
“To Cæsar, and preseru'd his blood
“By losse of thine, whereby the Nyle
“Should not the Romans trust beguile.
Hence he to Alexandria Towne
Goes safely, and (for more renowne)
His Ensignes are before him borne,
And that dire pledge their wicked scorne.
But he perceiues that in their breasts
A secret spleene, repining rests
Amongst that people, that did hate
And murmure so to see their state
Subiected to the Roman guise
With fagots borne, which they despise,
He sees their mindes, and thereby try'd
Twas not for his sake Pompey dy'd.
Yet in his lookes no dread appeares,
But passeth on (deuoyd of feares)
Vnto their Temples, and suruayes
The Monuments that they did raise
Of old, vnto Macedons praise.
But with no pleasure sees those sights,
Nor in those golden shewes delights.
Their garnisht Gods feast not his eyes,
Nor their huge walles that stately rise.
He willingly discends to see
The vault, where their Kings tombed bee.
There he beholds the body laid
Of that same Fury, that dismaid
The worlds Comerce, whereon he praid
VVith happy mart so ouer-run,
That Pollean Springold Philips sonne.
419
Hath shortned with vntimely date.
And now his bones interred are
Within an holy Sepulcher;
Whose ashes rather should be strode
Throughout the aire, the world abrode.
But Fortune so his ghost did frend,
That there a Tombe she did him lend,
Vntill this kingdomes state did end.
For if the world should once retaine
Her ancient liberty againe,
His memory would be a scorne,
As fruitlesse to all Nations borne.
That possibly so many lands
Should subiect be to one mans hands.
Macedons soyle he did forsake,
The seate where he his birth did take;
And conquer'd Athens he despisd,
Whose state his father had surprisd:
And carried on by fatall rage,
With bloody slaughters warre did wage,
And Asias people did engage.
His sword each where is exercisd,
And ouer all he tyrannisd.
Strange Riuers he with blood engraines,
The Persian Euphrates he staines,
And Ganges, that doth India trend:
On earth he was a raging fiend;
A lightning, that such flames did cast,
As did all lands and people blast.
A starre malignant vnto Realmes;
With fleetes he cuts the Ocean streames:
And then he Nauies did prepare
To search the seas that vtmost are:
Neither the waues, nor scorching gleed,
Nor barren Lybs, where Serpents breed;
Nor Ammons Syrts could him withstand,
He pierc'd them all with powerfull hand.
Nay he was wending to the west,
Whereas the Sunne declines to rest.
To either Poles his heart was led,
And would haue drunke at Nylus head;
But that his latest day him met,
And Nature onely bounds could set
To the ambitious haught desire,
That this fierce Prince had set on fire.
And with like enuie workes his bane,
As he vnto himselfe had tane
The whole worlds Empire for his owne,
Leauing behinde him no heire knowne;
Whereby great Citties, and rich soyles
Abandon'd were to wrackes and spoyles.
In his owne Babylon he dy'd,
A terror to the Parthian pride.
O shame! these Easterne nations all
Macedon Pykes did more appall,
Then now those people stand in feare
Of Roman Piles, that we doe beare.
And though the North wee ouer-awe,
And Westerne clymes to tribute draw,
And to the South prescribe their law;
Yet from the East we haue disgrace
Affronted by Arsaces race.
Crassus (with all his Roman host)
Was haplesse on the Parthian coast:
Whilst Macedon, that little state,
Securely did suppresse their hate.
Her ancient liberty againe,
His memory would be a scorne,
As fruitlesse to all Nations borne.
That possibly so many lands
Should subiect be to one mans hands.
Macedons soyle he did forsake,
The seate where he his birth did take;
And conquer'd Athens he despisd,
Whose state his father had surprisd:
And carried on by fatall rage,
With bloody slaughters warre did wage,
And Asias people did engage.
His sword each where is exercisd,
And ouer all he tyrannisd.
Strange Riuers he with blood engraines,
The Persian Euphrates he staines,
And Ganges, that doth India trend:
On earth he was a raging fiend;
A lightning, that such flames did cast,
As did all lands and people blast.
A starre malignant vnto Realmes;
With fleetes he cuts the Ocean streames:
And then he Nauies did prepare
To search the seas that vtmost are:
Neither the waues, nor scorching gleed,
Nor barren Lybs, where Serpents breed;
Nor Ammons Syrts could him withstand,
He pierc'd them all with powerfull hand.
Nay he was wending to the west,
Whereas the Sunne declines to rest.
420
And would haue drunke at Nylus head;
But that his latest day him met,
And Nature onely bounds could set
To the ambitious haught desire,
That this fierce Prince had set on fire.
And with like enuie workes his bane,
As he vnto himselfe had tane
The whole worlds Empire for his owne,
Leauing behinde him no heire knowne;
Whereby great Citties, and rich soyles
Abandon'd were to wrackes and spoyles.
In his owne Babylon he dy'd,
A terror to the Parthian pride.
O shame! these Easterne nations all
Macedon Pykes did more appall,
Then now those people stand in feare
Of Roman Piles, that we doe beare.
And though the North wee ouer-awe,
And Westerne clymes to tribute draw,
And to the South prescribe their law;
Yet from the East we haue disgrace
Affronted by Arsaces race.
Crassus (with all his Roman host)
Was haplesse on the Parthian coast:
Whilst Macedon, that little state,
Securely did suppresse their hate.
Now was this boy (the King) come down
From that side of Pelusium Towne,
Where Nylus fall doth make a Bay:
Then he the mutinie did stay,
That this vnwarlike people make,
And he himselfe doth vndertake
To be the hostage, and procure
All peace and quiet, to secure
Cæsar himselfe, and all his traine,
Whilst in his Court they did remaine.
Then Cleopatra giues in charge,
To fit for her a gally barge,
Wherein she doth her selfe imbarke
And findeth meanes, that in the darke
The chaine, that doth the hauen barre,
The Pharus keeper should vnsparre;
Whom she corrupts, and so she past
To Cæsars lodgings in great hast.
VVho thereof neuer thought nor knew
Before her presence he did view.
O Egypts impudence and shame!
Erynnis fierce to Latium name!
A strumpet to the Roman state,
Vnchast, our fuell of debate!
Looke how much woe and wretched toyle
Fell out vpon the Grecian soyle,
And with what wracks and ruine wrought
That Spartan face, the Troians bought;
In no lesse fury, and mishap
Did Cleopatra Latium wrap.
She frighted (if I so might say)
The Capitoll with Systrons bray.
And would our Roman spoiles haue bore
Vnto Canopo's coward shore.
And Cæsar then haue captiued,
And him in Pharian triumphs led.
For doubtfull twas, at Actium fight,
VVhat hand shold sway the Empires right,
And whether that our Matron Rome
Should rule the world with her sole doome.
These humors that night brought to passe
VVhen first this Ptolomean lasse,
Did with incestious armes imbrace
The chieftains of our Roman race.
From that side of Pelusium Towne,
Where Nylus fall doth make a Bay:
Then he the mutinie did stay,
That this vnwarlike people make,
And he himselfe doth vndertake
To be the hostage, and procure
All peace and quiet, to secure
Cæsar himselfe, and all his traine,
Whilst in his Court they did remaine.
Then Cleopatra giues in charge,
To fit for her a gally barge,
Wherein she doth her selfe imbarke
421
The chaine, that doth the hauen barre,
The Pharus keeper should vnsparre;
Whom she corrupts, and so she past
To Cæsars lodgings in great hast.
VVho thereof neuer thought nor knew
Before her presence he did view.
O Egypts impudence and shame!
Erynnis fierce to Latium name!
A strumpet to the Roman state,
Vnchast, our fuell of debate!
Looke how much woe and wretched toyle
Fell out vpon the Grecian soyle,
And with what wracks and ruine wrought
That Spartan face, the Troians bought;
In no lesse fury, and mishap
Did Cleopatra Latium wrap.
She frighted (if I so might say)
The Capitoll with Systrons bray.
And would our Roman spoiles haue bore
Vnto Canopo's coward shore.
And Cæsar then haue captiued,
And him in Pharian triumphs led.
For doubtfull twas, at Actium fight,
VVhat hand shold sway the Empires right,
And whether that our Matron Rome
Should rule the world with her sole doome.
These humors that night brought to passe
VVhen first this Ptolomean lasse,
Did with incestious armes imbrace
The chieftains of our Roman race.
O Anthonie who will disproue
Thee, for thy lawlesse filthy loue.
Since Cæsars haughtie heart so fries,
VVith this bewitcing harlots eyes;
As that amidst the rage of armes,
Amongst these broiles and chrill harmes,
And in this court, where Pompeys ghost
Did crie for vengeance on this coast,
And whilst as yet thou wert bespred
With blood, at thy Pharsalia shed,
Thou wouldst admit vnto thy bed
This foule adulterous venerie,
And mixe thy armes with banderie;
And so didst seeke to raise thy line
Vpon a strumpet concubine.
O shame! to Iulia this is scorne,
That though her Pompey be forlorne,
Thou her of brothers wouldst prouide,
Begotten of a Bastard side.
Thou dost constraine those Roman troops,
That vnder Pharsals ruins droops,
To roame about the Lybian coast,
Who still from place to place are tost;
Whilst thou thy time dost so mispend,
And Egypts filthie lust entend,
And rather pardon'st Pharos spight,
Then subiect her to Roman might.
Thee, for thy lawlesse filthy loue.
Since Cæsars haughtie heart so fries,
VVith this bewitcing harlots eyes;
As that amidst the rage of armes,
Amongst these broiles and chrill harmes,
And in this court, where Pompeys ghost
Did crie for vengeance on this coast,
And whilst as yet thou wert bespred
422
Thou wouldst admit vnto thy bed
This foule adulterous venerie,
And mixe thy armes with banderie;
And so didst seeke to raise thy line
Vpon a strumpet concubine.
O shame! to Iulia this is scorne,
That though her Pompey be forlorne,
Thou her of brothers wouldst prouide,
Begotten of a Bastard side.
Thou dost constraine those Roman troops,
That vnder Pharsals ruins droops,
To roame about the Lybian coast,
Who still from place to place are tost;
Whilst thou thy time dost so mispend,
And Egypts filthie lust entend,
And rather pardon'st Pharos spight,
Then subiect her to Roman might.
To Cæsar, Cleopatra goes,
And in her beautie trust repose,
Her lookes demure and sad withall:
But yet no teares she did let fall.
A fained sorrow in her face,
Which vnto her gaue greater grace.
Her curled lockes, in carelesse wise,
Dangling about her shoulders fiies,
She thus her speech begins to frame.
Most mightie Cæsar, great of fame,
If noble birth may purchase gace,
Behold one of the royall race
Of Egypts blood, king Lagus childe,
That am distrest and liue exilde.
From my paternall lawfull right,
I am withheld by maistring might;
And if thou wilt vouchsafe therefore
With powrefull hand me to restore
Vnto my former state and place,
I will a Queene thy feet imbrace
That art a plannet sent by fate
To render iustice to our state.
Why should not I a woman raigne
On those chiefe Citties, that pertaine
To me by right in Nylus land?
No sexe our custome doth withstand,
But that it hath bene often seene
This kingdome hath obeyd a queene.
Reade but my fathers last bequeast,
And that will shew he did inuest
Me with his kingdome equally,
And me espousd to Ptolomey.
But let him as a boy approue
Me as his sister in his loue,
And in his wedlocks choise rest free;
But his affects must ruled be
According to Photinns word:
For in his hand he holds the sword,
I nothing do desire to haue,
But what my Father to me gaue:
And that our family be freed
From any foule incestuous deed,
And that thou wouldst the powre abate
Of Photyne, that doth wrong our state
And do appoint (by thy behest)
The king to rule as fits him best.
But his base seruant is with pride
So puffed vp and magnifide,
Because that he the plot did lay,
That Pompeys head hath reft away.
And now the like (but Gods defend)
Against thy selfe he doth entend
That haynous deed, that all doth loath
Hath wrong the world, and Cæsar both:
Whilst Photyne prowdly doth exact
To merit glory for the fact.
And in her beautie trust repose,
Her lookes demure and sad withall:
But yet no teares she did let fall.
A fained sorrow in her face,
Which vnto her gaue greater grace.
Her curled lockes, in carelesse wise,
Dangling about her shoulders fiies,
She thus her speech begins to frame.
Most mightie Cæsar, great of fame,
If noble birth may purchase gace,
Behold one of the royall race
Of Egypts blood, king Lagus childe,
That am distrest and liue exilde.
From my paternall lawfull right,
I am withheld by maistring might;
And if thou wilt vouchsafe therefore
With powrefull hand me to restore
Vnto my former state and place,
I will a Queene thy feet imbrace
That art a plannet sent by fate
To render iustice to our state.
423
On those chiefe Citties, that pertaine
To me by right in Nylus land?
No sexe our custome doth withstand,
But that it hath bene often seene
This kingdome hath obeyd a queene.
Reade but my fathers last bequeast,
And that will shew he did inuest
Me with his kingdome equally,
And me espousd to Ptolomey.
But let him as a boy approue
Me as his sister in his loue,
And in his wedlocks choise rest free;
But his affects must ruled be
According to Photinns word:
For in his hand he holds the sword,
I nothing do desire to haue,
But what my Father to me gaue:
And that our family be freed
From any foule incestuous deed,
And that thou wouldst the powre abate
Of Photyne, that doth wrong our state
And do appoint (by thy behest)
The king to rule as fits him best.
But his base seruant is with pride
So puffed vp and magnifide,
Because that he the plot did lay,
That Pompeys head hath reft away.
And now the like (but Gods defend)
Against thy selfe he doth entend
That haynous deed, that all doth loath
Hath wrong the world, and Cæsar both:
Whilst Photyne prowdly doth exact
To merit glory for the fact.
And now lest that her words might faile
With Cæsars hard eares to preuaile;
Her gesture doth her speeches grace:
She supplicates with flattring face,
And with her chambring by night
She charmes her iudge to rue her plight.
So as when they had peace obtaind
At Cæsars hand, with great guifts gaind;
They feasted then the Roman Lord
In shew of ioy for this accord.
Then Cleopatra shews her port
With luxurie and great resort,
And there such sumptuous pride was showne
As earst in Rome was neuer knowne.
The place a royall fabricate
Was as a temples type in state;
Whose match for beauty future date
Will hardly raise; the fretted ruffe,
Composed was of richest stuffe.
As for the beames and timber frames,
Were couered thicke with golden lames.
The parget of the walls did shine
With snow white marble polisht fine.
The Agat stood inlayed there,
Commixt with purple stones each where.
And euery floore they troad vpon
Was paued with the Onyx stone.
The Mareoticke heben wood,
No where for outward building stood,
But as huge posts to a beare waight
Vnder those frames, that did them fraight.
It was not vsde the house to grace:
That timber they accounted base:
The Yuory the frounts did face.
Vpon the doores enlaid with art
The shining shels of Indias mart,
Were fixt vpon the backer part.
The bedsteads were with gems set out,
Spotted with Emrald round about.
The implements were all bedight
With yeallow Iasper glistring bright.
The couerlets and carpets spred
Colourd like Tyrian scarlet red:
Whose die was long to take the staine,
And more then once boyld in the graine.
One part did shine like glittring gold,
Th' other a purple hue did hold:
As do the Pharean weauers vse,
That mingled changes can enfuse
In wouen silkes of sundry hues.
Then numbers of attendant maids
And pages, that the seruice aides,
Discolourd blood distinct appeares
In some, and some by diffring yeares.
A part of them haue Lybian haire:
And other yeallow tresses faire.
So as that Cæsars selfe could say,
In all those soyles where Rhene doth stray,
He had not seene, amongst the flocks
Of German lasses, fairer locks.
Some of their heads were frisled blacke,
And from their foreheads turned backe.
There were withall another sort
Of hopelesse youths for Venus sport,
Whose manly parts the knife had hent:
But others, of a stronger bent,
Stood their in place; yet scarce begins
A signe of downe on all their chins.
With Cæsars hard eares to preuaile;
Her gesture doth her speeches grace:
She supplicates with flattring face,
And with her chambring by night
She charmes her iudge to rue her plight.
424
At Cæsars hand, with great guifts gaind;
They feasted then the Roman Lord
In shew of ioy for this accord.
Then Cleopatra shews her port
With luxurie and great resort,
And there such sumptuous pride was showne
As earst in Rome was neuer knowne.
The place a royall fabricate
Was as a temples type in state;
Whose match for beauty future date
Will hardly raise; the fretted ruffe,
Composed was of richest stuffe.
As for the beames and timber frames,
Were couered thicke with golden lames.
The parget of the walls did shine
With snow white marble polisht fine.
The Agat stood inlayed there,
Commixt with purple stones each where.
And euery floore they troad vpon
Was paued with the Onyx stone.
The Mareoticke heben wood,
No where for outward building stood,
But as huge posts to a beare waight
Vnder those frames, that did them fraight.
It was not vsde the house to grace:
That timber they accounted base:
The Yuory the frounts did face.
Vpon the doores enlaid with art
The shining shels of Indias mart,
Were fixt vpon the backer part.
The bedsteads were with gems set out,
Spotted with Emrald round about.
The implements were all bedight
With yeallow Iasper glistring bright.
The couerlets and carpets spred
Colourd like Tyrian scarlet red:
Whose die was long to take the staine,
And more then once boyld in the graine.
One part did shine like glittring gold,
425
As do the Pharean weauers vse,
That mingled changes can enfuse
In wouen silkes of sundry hues.
Then numbers of attendant maids
And pages, that the seruice aides,
Discolourd blood distinct appeares
In some, and some by diffring yeares.
A part of them haue Lybian haire:
And other yeallow tresses faire.
So as that Cæsars selfe could say,
In all those soyles where Rhene doth stray,
He had not seene, amongst the flocks
Of German lasses, fairer locks.
Some of their heads were frisled blacke,
And from their foreheads turned backe.
There were withall another sort
Of hopelesse youths for Venus sport,
Whose manly parts the knife had hent:
But others, of a stronger bent,
Stood their in place; yet scarce begins
A signe of downe on all their chins.
Then did the King and Princes all,
Vpon their beds to feasting fall.
But Cæsar (as the chiefest guest)
Had highest place amongst the rest.
There Cleopatra sets to view
Immodestly her painted hew:
So to enchant the gazers eyes.
Her scepter doth not her suffise:
Nor yet to be her brothers wife.
About her necke there hangeth rife
The red seas spoiles, and in her heire
Those pretious iewels glistring were.
Her rifing brests, that snow white beene,
Through the Sydonian lawns are seene:
Whilst it a vaile doth ouershade,
That with the Nylan neelde was made,
Most curiously with threds compact:
Yet with the combe so nycely slackt,
As that some places being thinne,
It did bewray her lilly skinne.
Before them all round tables stood,
(Fram'd of the rare Atlanticke wood)
On tresles made of Iuorie,
Such as againe of Cæsars eye
Were neuer seene, though Iubas soyle
Soone afterwards fell to his spoyle.
O blind and mazde ambitious rage,
That sets thy treasures on a stage
To him, that ciuill warre did wage;
So to Prouoke with riches charmes
A guest, so powrefull great in armes!
For though he were not then in case,
With wicked warre to run the race,
That might with wracke the world constrain,
For riches sake and greedy gaine;
Yet were those captains, that of old
In poorer times great names did hold,
Subsisting now in woonted mood,
Fabritians, and the Curian brood,
And that braue Consull, that was tane
(In hast for need to saue Romes bane)
From plowing the Hetrurian lands,
Where he was toyling with his hands;
Those would haue gladly giuen their doome
To bring such triumph spoiles to Rome.
Vpon their beds to feasting fall.
But Cæsar (as the chiefest guest)
Had highest place amongst the rest.
There Cleopatra sets to view
Immodestly her painted hew:
So to enchant the gazers eyes.
Her scepter doth not her suffise:
Nor yet to be her brothers wife.
About her necke there hangeth rife
The red seas spoiles, and in her heire
Those pretious iewels glistring were.
Her rifing brests, that snow white beene,
Through the Sydonian lawns are seene:
Whilst it a vaile doth ouershade,
That with the Nylan neelde was made,
Most curiously with threds compact:
Yet with the combe so nycely slackt,
426
It did bewray her lilly skinne.
Before them all round tables stood,
(Fram'd of the rare Atlanticke wood)
On tresles made of Iuorie,
Such as againe of Cæsars eye
Were neuer seene, though Iubas soyle
Soone afterwards fell to his spoyle.
O blind and mazde ambitious rage,
That sets thy treasures on a stage
To him, that ciuill warre did wage;
So to Prouoke with riches charmes
A guest, so powrefull great in armes!
For though he were not then in case,
With wicked warre to run the race,
That might with wracke the world constrain,
For riches sake and greedy gaine;
Yet were those captains, that of old
In poorer times great names did hold,
Subsisting now in woonted mood,
Fabritians, and the Curian brood,
And that braue Consull, that was tane
(In hast for need to saue Romes bane)
From plowing the Hetrurian lands,
Where he was toyling with his hands;
Those would haue gladly giuen their doome
To bring such triumph spoiles to Rome.
Their costly cates were seru'd in gold,
What euer might be bought or sold,
That earth, or aire, or Ocean yeelds,
Or Nylus flood, and fruitfull fields,
Or whatsoeuer could be found
To make this luxurie abound,
Ambitious pride made it be sought,
That in the world was to be bought:
Not onely hunger to suffise,
But for to feast their wanton eyes
With beasts, and birds of sundry store,
Which (by their sacred rites of yore)
Th' Egyptians did as Gods adore.
The water, for to wash their hands,
In clearest cristall basons stands:
The bowles, wherein they drinke their wine,
Were made of pretious stones that shine:
But Mareotis grape pleasd not:
A nobler wine then it they got,
That had bene kept for certaine yeares,
And with the age the strength appeares.
Falermums fragrant wine it was,
That froths and spurtles in the glasse.
Then Garlands must their heads enclose
Of pleasant Nard, that greene still groes,
And neuer sheeds his flowring rose.
When on their balmed haire they throw
Those pretious powders that do grow
In Easterne Inde, that had not lost
The sent and sauour of that cost,
Mixt with Amomum gatherd new,
Brought from the countries where it grew.
Here Cæsar learnes to take the spoyles
Of all the whole worlds richest soyles,
And now the warres hee doth detest,
That his poore son-inlaw opprest,
Wishing withall that some debate
Might turne his Mart on Egypts state.
What euer might be bought or sold,
That earth, or aire, or Ocean yeelds,
Or Nylus flood, and fruitfull fields,
Or whatsoeuer could be found
To make this luxurie abound,
Ambitious pride made it be sought,
That in the world was to be bought:
Not onely hunger to suffise,
But for to feast their wanton eyes
With beasts, and birds of sundry store,
Which (by their sacred rites of yore)
Th' Egyptians did as Gods adore.
427
In clearest cristall basons stands:
The bowles, wherein they drinke their wine,
Were made of pretious stones that shine:
But Mareotis grape pleasd not:
A nobler wine then it they got,
That had bene kept for certaine yeares,
And with the age the strength appeares.
Falermums fragrant wine it was,
That froths and spurtles in the glasse.
Then Garlands must their heads enclose
Of pleasant Nard, that greene still groes,
And neuer sheeds his flowring rose.
When on their balmed haire they throw
Those pretious powders that do grow
In Easterne Inde, that had not lost
The sent and sauour of that cost,
Mixt with Amomum gatherd new,
Brought from the countries where it grew.
Here Cæsar learnes to take the spoyles
Of all the whole worlds richest soyles,
And now the warres hee doth detest,
That his poore son-inlaw opprest,
Wishing withall that some debate
Might turne his Mart on Egypts state.
When now at length they all were fild
With pleasant wines, that they had swild,
And daintie meates of sundry tast,
With banquetting closd vp at last;
Cæsar begins (for more delight)
With talke to entertaine the night,
And with sweet words and pleasant grace
To Achoreus (of the race
Of Egypts breed, who in that place
Did sit vpon a bench of state)
In this sort did his mind relate.
O reuerend sire, that for thy part
To sacred rites deuoted art,
That with the Gods hast such esteeme,
As by thy aged yeares may seeme;
To me the first beginning shew,
From whence th' Egyptian race did grow,
The climate of this fruitfull land,
And how the peoples customes stand,
And of your Gods the forms and rites,
The which your old records recites:
And what ingrauen is in stone,
Vpon your Pyramides make knowne:
Reueale your Gods, that would be showne
If your fore-fathers did their art
And sacred mysteries impart
To Plato, of a Grecian name;
Then may you well reueale the same
To Cæsars selfe; for where can rest
In all the world a worthier guest
To whom your skill may be exprest?
I must confesse that Pompeys name
Was some cause, that did make me frame
My iourney to the Pharian coast:
And yet when all my warres were most,
I euermore did giue my mind,
The motions of the stars to find:
My thoughts were to the heauens enclind.
So as Eudoxus Calender
Shall not surpasse my framed yeare.
And therefore, as within my brest
A great and true desire doth rest
Of knowlegde, and of vertues lore:
So nothing do I couet more,
Then to finde out the secret course
From whence this riuer takes his source:
And where his fountaines head appears,
That lies vnknowne so many yeares.
O I will hope at last to see
Where Nylus springs for certaine be,
And so from ciuill warre rest free.
So Cæsar makes an end to speake,
And this graue sire did silence breake.
With pleasant wines, that they had swild,
And daintie meates of sundry tast,
With banquetting closd vp at last;
Cæsar begins (for more delight)
With talke to entertaine the night,
And with sweet words and pleasant grace
To Achoreus (of the race
Of Egypts breed, who in that place
Did sit vpon a bench of state)
In this sort did his mind relate.
O reuerend sire, that for thy part
To sacred rites deuoted art,
That with the Gods hast such esteeme,
As by thy aged yeares may seeme;
428
From whence th' Egyptian race did grow,
The climate of this fruitfull land,
And how the peoples customes stand,
And of your Gods the forms and rites,
The which your old records recites:
And what ingrauen is in stone,
Vpon your Pyramides make knowne:
Reueale your Gods, that would be showne
If your fore-fathers did their art
And sacred mysteries impart
To Plato, of a Grecian name;
Then may you well reueale the same
To Cæsars selfe; for where can rest
In all the world a worthier guest
To whom your skill may be exprest?
I must confesse that Pompeys name
Was some cause, that did make me frame
My iourney to the Pharian coast:
And yet when all my warres were most,
I euermore did giue my mind,
The motions of the stars to find:
My thoughts were to the heauens enclind.
So as Eudoxus Calender
Shall not surpasse my framed yeare.
And therefore, as within my brest
A great and true desire doth rest
Of knowlegde, and of vertues lore:
So nothing do I couet more,
Then to finde out the secret course
From whence this riuer takes his source:
And where his fountaines head appears,
That lies vnknowne so many yeares.
O I will hope at last to see
Where Nylus springs for certaine be,
And so from ciuill warre rest free.
So Cæsar makes an end to speake,
And this graue sire did silence breake.
Cæsar I thinke that well I may
These mysteries to thee bewray,
That our great Fathers hidden kept,
And in their thoughts obscured slept,
Reserued from the vulgar waies
From age to age to these our daies.
Let others thinke it pietie
To silence any mysterie:
But I do deeme the Gods aboue
The worke as gratefull will approue,
That their great wonders should be showne,
And sacred rules to all made knowne.
When first an order was ordaind,
Whereby the world should be maintaind,
A diuers motion to the starres
Was giuen to hold concordant iarres,
That they the orbs might onely sway
And temper in their whirling way,
Contrarie to that rapide Pole,
That first of all doth mouing rolle.
The Sun doth still diuide and steare
The times and seasons of the yeare,
And so the daies to nights doth change,
And doth restraine the stars to range
About their orbs with powrefull rayes.
His station staies those wandring wayes.
The Moone her alteration breeds
Vpon the seas, and earthly seeds.
Old Saturne his empiring holds
On freezing zoanes and ycie colds.
And Mars with wrathfull looke abashes
The boisterous winds and lightning flashes.
Great Ioue no tempests doth procure,
But keepes all in milde temperature.
And fruitfull Venus of her grace
Doth cherrish seeds in euery place.
Whilst Mercurie with charming vaine
Doth moderate the wild vast maine.
These mysteries to thee bewray,
429
And in their thoughts obscured slept,
Reserued from the vulgar waies
From age to age to these our daies.
Let others thinke it pietie
To silence any mysterie:
But I do deeme the Gods aboue
The worke as gratefull will approue,
That their great wonders should be showne,
And sacred rules to all made knowne.
When first an order was ordaind,
Whereby the world should be maintaind,
A diuers motion to the starres
Was giuen to hold concordant iarres,
That they the orbs might onely sway
And temper in their whirling way,
Contrarie to that rapide Pole,
That first of all doth mouing rolle.
The Sun doth still diuide and steare
The times and seasons of the yeare,
And so the daies to nights doth change,
And doth restraine the stars to range
About their orbs with powrefull rayes.
His station staies those wandring wayes.
The Moone her alteration breeds
Vpon the seas, and earthly seeds.
Old Saturne his empiring holds
On freezing zoanes and ycie colds.
And Mars with wrathfull looke abashes
The boisterous winds and lightning flashes.
Great Ioue no tempests doth procure,
But keepes all in milde temperature.
And fruitfull Venus of her grace
Doth cherrish seeds in euery place.
Whilst Mercurie with charming vaine
Doth moderate the wild vast maine.
Now when Cyllenius doth appeare
In that part of the wheeling spheare,
Where Leos sparkling torchets are
In enterchange with Cancers starre,
Where Syrius with his scorching ray,
Contagiously enflames the day,
And where the circle that doth change
The yearely season; iust doth range
Betwixt the Tropicks equally,
Vnder whose couert Nyle doth lie.
Which when this powre (I say that keepes
An order in the raging deepes)
Doth touch with his starres influence;
Nylus as hauing thereof sence,
His channell lifts with swelling crest,
Scorning within his banks to rest.
Iust as Neptunus Empire flowes,
When Phœbes horned visage growes.
Nor doth he call his streames againe
In their old harbour to remaine,
Vntill the Sun by his decline
Do vnto the night those houres resigne,
(That halfe the yeare he kept away)
To make her equall with the day.
The olde conceit is but a dreame
Of this increase of Nylus streame,
That Æthiopias molten snowes
Is cause of her great ouerflowes.
For in those mounts the Northern stowre,
Nor Boreas blasts haue any powre.
And to assure thee that is true,
Marke but the peoples Sun-burnt hue.
And those warme vapours that they find
Perpetually from Austers winde.
Then for more proofe adde this likewise,
That euery riuer that doth rise
By falling of the molten yse,
Doth then begin to be embost
When summers spring first melts the frost.
But Nylus neuer waxeth hire,
Before the Dog-starre breaths his fire.
Nor euer doth her waues restraine,
To keepe within her banks againe:
But when as Libra with iust paise.
Doth equallize the nights and dayes.
Againe those rules do beare no sway
With Nyle, that other streames obay.
For winter giues to him no pride.
His fountaines then their forces hide.
But when the temper of the skies
Most feruently with burning fries,
Amidst those heates then out he flies.
And cooles those lands that fire would wast,
Which vnderneath the line are plast.
So Nylus helps the world to swage
The scorching flames of Leos rage.
And being cald doth giue redresse
To his Syene in distresse:
When Cancers heates do it oppresse.
And from these fields draws not his streams
Vntill the force of Phœbus beames
In Autumns season do decline,
And Neroe do shade the shine.
Now who can hereof tell the cause?
But so great Nature giues her lawes,
That Nylus thus should range his flood,
And needfull tis for humane good.
But former times haue vainely guest
This cause; of winds blowne from the west,
Who with great force the aire doth chace
With long continuance in one place.
And that this occidentall blast
Doth driue the watrie clouds so fast
A thwart the South: and their in showres
Downe right vpon the Nylus powres.
Or that the seas, so often tost,
And beating on the Zoylan coast,
The very furie of the maine
Repels the riuer backe againe.
So as (restrained of his way
By the vast Oceans powrefull sway)
Aloft beyond his bounds doth stray.
There are againe that do suppose
That his great inundation growes
Of moisture, breathing from the earth,
Whose steaming vapors haue their birth
Within the concaues of the ground,
And belcht out where great rifts are found.
And that these moistures meerely are
By secret courses drawne from farre,
Out of the Northerne Region,
By the attracting middle zoane:
When Titans arrows (shot down right)
On Meroe do parching light;
And to the burned land it brings
The waters from farre rising springs.
Ganges and Padus send their streames
In secret thorow many realmes.
Then Nylus powres out by one vaine
All riuers that he doth retaine.
But many outlets makes of these,
When he conuaies them to the seas.
Another fancy many holds
That the vast Ocean, which enfolds
The circuit of the earth about,
Flowing from farre at last breakes out,
With violence, where Nyle doth range,
And (with long tracke) at length doth change
The salt sea streames to waters sweete,
Whilst through earths bowels they do fleet.
Some thinke againe that these maine waues
Rapt by the Sun when Cancer raues
Into the middle regions height,
VVhich cannot well retaine their weight,
The nights do them againe distill
On Nylus flood, and his banks fill.
But I (ô Cæsar) do beleeue
(If I may be so bold to giue
My censure in so great a doubt)
VVhen many ages were run out;
After the worlds first fabricate;
Some wattery waues but new create
VVithin the earth; by fatall stroake
Brake out, which God did not prouoke:
And some againe there being had,
When this great All at first was made:
Which the Creator high doth hold
Vnder a constant law controld.
In that part of the wheeling spheare,
Where Leos sparkling torchets are
In enterchange with Cancers starre,
430
Contagiously enflames the day,
And where the circle that doth change
The yearely season; iust doth range
Betwixt the Tropicks equally,
Vnder whose couert Nyle doth lie.
Which when this powre (I say that keepes
An order in the raging deepes)
Doth touch with his starres influence;
Nylus as hauing thereof sence,
His channell lifts with swelling crest,
Scorning within his banks to rest.
Iust as Neptunus Empire flowes,
When Phœbes horned visage growes.
Nor doth he call his streames againe
In their old harbour to remaine,
Vntill the Sun by his decline
Do vnto the night those houres resigne,
(That halfe the yeare he kept away)
To make her equall with the day.
The olde conceit is but a dreame
Of this increase of Nylus streame,
That Æthiopias molten snowes
Is cause of her great ouerflowes.
For in those mounts the Northern stowre,
Nor Boreas blasts haue any powre.
And to assure thee that is true,
Marke but the peoples Sun-burnt hue.
And those warme vapours that they find
Perpetually from Austers winde.
Then for more proofe adde this likewise,
That euery riuer that doth rise
By falling of the molten yse,
Doth then begin to be embost
When summers spring first melts the frost.
But Nylus neuer waxeth hire,
Before the Dog-starre breaths his fire.
Nor euer doth her waues restraine,
To keepe within her banks againe:
But when as Libra with iust paise.
431
Againe those rules do beare no sway
With Nyle, that other streames obay.
For winter giues to him no pride.
His fountaines then their forces hide.
But when the temper of the skies
Most feruently with burning fries,
Amidst those heates then out he flies.
And cooles those lands that fire would wast,
Which vnderneath the line are plast.
So Nylus helps the world to swage
The scorching flames of Leos rage.
And being cald doth giue redresse
To his Syene in distresse:
When Cancers heates do it oppresse.
And from these fields draws not his streams
Vntill the force of Phœbus beames
In Autumns season do decline,
And Neroe do shade the shine.
Now who can hereof tell the cause?
But so great Nature giues her lawes,
That Nylus thus should range his flood,
And needfull tis for humane good.
But former times haue vainely guest
This cause; of winds blowne from the west,
Who with great force the aire doth chace
With long continuance in one place.
And that this occidentall blast
Doth driue the watrie clouds so fast
A thwart the South: and their in showres
Downe right vpon the Nylus powres.
Or that the seas, so often tost,
And beating on the Zoylan coast,
The very furie of the maine
Repels the riuer backe againe.
So as (restrained of his way
By the vast Oceans powrefull sway)
Aloft beyond his bounds doth stray.
There are againe that do suppose
That his great inundation growes
432
Whose steaming vapors haue their birth
Within the concaues of the ground,
And belcht out where great rifts are found.
And that these moistures meerely are
By secret courses drawne from farre,
Out of the Northerne Region,
By the attracting middle zoane:
When Titans arrows (shot down right)
On Meroe do parching light;
And to the burned land it brings
The waters from farre rising springs.
Ganges and Padus send their streames
In secret thorow many realmes.
Then Nylus powres out by one vaine
All riuers that he doth retaine.
But many outlets makes of these,
When he conuaies them to the seas.
Another fancy many holds
That the vast Ocean, which enfolds
The circuit of the earth about,
Flowing from farre at last breakes out,
With violence, where Nyle doth range,
And (with long tracke) at length doth change
The salt sea streames to waters sweete,
Whilst through earths bowels they do fleet.
Some thinke againe that these maine waues
Rapt by the Sun when Cancer raues
Into the middle regions height,
VVhich cannot well retaine their weight,
The nights do them againe distill
On Nylus flood, and his banks fill.
But I (ô Cæsar) do beleeue
(If I may be so bold to giue
My censure in so great a doubt)
VVhen many ages were run out;
After the worlds first fabricate;
Some wattery waues but new create
VVithin the earth; by fatall stroake
Brake out, which God did not prouoke:
433
When this great All at first was made:
Which the Creator high doth hold
Vnder a constant law controld.
But that desire that leades thee so
(Great Roman Lord) the cause to know
Why Nylus doth thus strangely flow,
The Pharian Tyrants heretofore,
And Greekes, and Persians did explore,
And euery age desir'd the praise
Of leauing vnto future dayes
The knowledge of this mystery:
But Nature still with secresie
Conceales it from discouery.
That great Macedon, King of Kings,
(Whose high renowne our Memphis rings)
Did Æthiopian men select,
To search the cause of this effect.
In scorne of Nylus those hee sends
To suruey Affrickes vtmost ends.
But loe! the Torrid Zone with heates,
Held them from doing of those feates,
To see what springs warme Nyle repleates.
Then to the Westerne furthest land
Sesostris goes, and takes in hand
This busie taske, and with great pride
To draw his Charrets, Kings he tide.
But Rhodonus and fertile Poe
Your Riuers he might sooner know,
Then euer he could come to drinke
At Nyles concealed fountaines brinke.
Then fierce Cambyses Easterne throng,
Comes where the people liue so long:
But his huge traine was staru'd for meate;
So as at last themselues they eate:
And then return'd with nothing gain'd,
Nyles springs to him vnknowne remain'd.
No fables euer yet did dare
The head of thy springs to declare.
But whosoeuer thee hath seene,
Yet are to seeke where thy heads beene.
No nation hath attain'd the fame
To know from whence thy rising came.
But yet ô Nyle I will relate
So much of thy discouered state,
As that great God shall giue me leaue,
From whom thou dost thy course receaue.
Thou risest from the Southerne Pole,
And with thy swelling streames dost role
Against hot Cancers fiery face,
And forth-right North dost run thy race,
Amidst Boötes wheeling chase.
Somtimes thy streams doth westward trend:
And sometimes to the East doth bend.
Sometimes thou seest Arabia's lands,
And sometimes shar'st with Lybias sands.
The Seres first of all thee see:
Yet whence thou art vncertaine be.
Through Æthyopia thou dost stray;
But from what fount they cannot say.
No land that to the world is knowne,
Can claime thy birth to be her owne.
Nature hath not discouered
To any wight thy secret head:
Nor euer, in a slender streame,
Wert thou seene run through any Realme.
For Nature, that thy fountaine hides
Within her bosomes, so prouides,
Men rather should admire thy course,
Then know from whence thou tak'st thy source.
Thy waues permitted are to clime,
The Solstice being in his prime.
A winter strange makes thy increase:
Then thou beginst when others cease:
Onely to thee is granted grace
From Pole to Pole to run thy race.
Towards the South thy head doth rise,
And in the North thy current dyes.
Neroë (that blacke people breedes)
Thy riuer there diuided feedes.
And doth that Isle inuiron round,
VVhere pleasant Heben doth abound;
VVhich trees, altough still full of greene,
Yet shelters not with shade the sheene:
For on it with a downe-right line
The Lyon bands his fiery eyne.
Thou shewst thy face to Phœbus rage:
And yet thy streames doe not asswage.
The barren sands thou meetst in length;
Sometimes collecting all thy strength,
And branches into one selfe streame:
And then againe through Ægypts Realme
Thou dost disperse them all abrode:
Thy bankes with ease are ouerflowd.
Then thy slow chanell calles amaine
His ranging riuelets backe againe,
Where Phile, that doth frontring stand
On borders of Ægyptian land,
Doth from Arabia diuide
That kingdome, through which thou dost glide.
Then through those desarts thou dost cut,
That all that great comerce doth shut
Betwixt that sea of scarlet staine,
And the earth middle cutting maine,
Running but with a gentle traine.
But who (O Nylus) now would wot
That thou, which here dost mildly flote
Shouldst suddenly enraged fret,
With such a violent out-let?
For when the rugged broken wayes
Thy falling water-courses stayes,
And steepy Cataracts from hye
A gentle passage doth deny
Thy waues, that no resistance finde,
Scorning that rocks their race should bind,
Do spit their foame into the winde,
And with the brushing that they make,
The very aire and shores doe quake.
With murmuring rut the mountains sound,
And this streames froth doth so abound,
As that (with strain'd resistlesse might)
His boisterous billowes all turne white.
Here is that Ile of Abatos,
As reuerent ancients did suppose,
A mighty land, and whereas first
Those thundring roarings out doe burst.
And where the rockes (as they haue said)
With springing vaine this streame doth aid.
For proofe whereof this signe is plaine,
That here he swels anew againe:
Here Nature doth with hilles enclose
These stickle streames, that wandring goes,
Which doth thee Nyle from Lybia hold,
And thy huge heaped waues enfold
Within a spacious valley deepe,
Through which thy swelling chanels sweep.
Then Memphis to thee freedome yeelds,
By lending thee her open fields,
And doth forbid within her land
That any bound should thee withstand.
(Great Roman Lord) the cause to know
Why Nylus doth thus strangely flow,
The Pharian Tyrants heretofore,
And Greekes, and Persians did explore,
And euery age desir'd the praise
Of leauing vnto future dayes
The knowledge of this mystery:
But Nature still with secresie
Conceales it from discouery.
That great Macedon, King of Kings,
(Whose high renowne our Memphis rings)
Did Æthiopian men select,
To search the cause of this effect.
In scorne of Nylus those hee sends
To suruey Affrickes vtmost ends.
But loe! the Torrid Zone with heates,
Held them from doing of those feates,
To see what springs warme Nyle repleates.
Then to the Westerne furthest land
Sesostris goes, and takes in hand
This busie taske, and with great pride
To draw his Charrets, Kings he tide.
But Rhodonus and fertile Poe
Your Riuers he might sooner know,
Then euer he could come to drinke
At Nyles concealed fountaines brinke.
Then fierce Cambyses Easterne throng,
Comes where the people liue so long:
But his huge traine was staru'd for meate;
So as at last themselues they eate:
And then return'd with nothing gain'd,
Nyles springs to him vnknowne remain'd.
No fables euer yet did dare
The head of thy springs to declare.
But whosoeuer thee hath seene,
434
No nation hath attain'd the fame
To know from whence thy rising came.
But yet ô Nyle I will relate
So much of thy discouered state,
As that great God shall giue me leaue,
From whom thou dost thy course receaue.
Thou risest from the Southerne Pole,
And with thy swelling streames dost role
Against hot Cancers fiery face,
And forth-right North dost run thy race,
Amidst Boötes wheeling chase.
Somtimes thy streams doth westward trend:
And sometimes to the East doth bend.
Sometimes thou seest Arabia's lands,
And sometimes shar'st with Lybias sands.
The Seres first of all thee see:
Yet whence thou art vncertaine be.
Through Æthyopia thou dost stray;
But from what fount they cannot say.
No land that to the world is knowne,
Can claime thy birth to be her owne.
Nature hath not discouered
To any wight thy secret head:
Nor euer, in a slender streame,
Wert thou seene run through any Realme.
For Nature, that thy fountaine hides
Within her bosomes, so prouides,
Men rather should admire thy course,
Then know from whence thou tak'st thy source.
Thy waues permitted are to clime,
The Solstice being in his prime.
A winter strange makes thy increase:
Then thou beginst when others cease:
Onely to thee is granted grace
From Pole to Pole to run thy race.
Towards the South thy head doth rise,
And in the North thy current dyes.
Neroë (that blacke people breedes)
Thy riuer there diuided feedes.
435
VVhere pleasant Heben doth abound;
VVhich trees, altough still full of greene,
Yet shelters not with shade the sheene:
For on it with a downe-right line
The Lyon bands his fiery eyne.
Thou shewst thy face to Phœbus rage:
And yet thy streames doe not asswage.
The barren sands thou meetst in length;
Sometimes collecting all thy strength,
And branches into one selfe streame:
And then againe through Ægypts Realme
Thou dost disperse them all abrode:
Thy bankes with ease are ouerflowd.
Then thy slow chanell calles amaine
His ranging riuelets backe againe,
Where Phile, that doth frontring stand
On borders of Ægyptian land,
Doth from Arabia diuide
That kingdome, through which thou dost glide.
Then through those desarts thou dost cut,
That all that great comerce doth shut
Betwixt that sea of scarlet staine,
And the earth middle cutting maine,
Running but with a gentle traine.
But who (O Nylus) now would wot
That thou, which here dost mildly flote
Shouldst suddenly enraged fret,
With such a violent out-let?
For when the rugged broken wayes
Thy falling water-courses stayes,
And steepy Cataracts from hye
A gentle passage doth deny
Thy waues, that no resistance finde,
Scorning that rocks their race should bind,
Do spit their foame into the winde,
And with the brushing that they make,
The very aire and shores doe quake.
With murmuring rut the mountains sound,
And this streames froth doth so abound,
436
His boisterous billowes all turne white.
Here is that Ile of Abatos,
As reuerent ancients did suppose,
A mighty land, and whereas first
Those thundring roarings out doe burst.
And where the rockes (as they haue said)
With springing vaine this streame doth aid.
For proofe whereof this signe is plaine,
That here he swels anew againe:
Here Nature doth with hilles enclose
These stickle streames, that wandring goes,
Which doth thee Nyle from Lybia hold,
And thy huge heaped waues enfold
Within a spacious valley deepe,
Through which thy swelling chanels sweep.
Then Memphis to thee freedome yeelds,
By lending thee her open fields,
And doth forbid within her land
That any bound should thee withstand.
Thus they the time securely spent,
Till mid-night vail'd the Element,
And as in peace tooke their delight;
But yet Photinus trayterous spright,
Since he that sacred blood had spilt,
Prepared was for any guilt:
And thought that no fact was vn-milde
Now Pompeys death had him defilde:
Whose ghost did broyle within his breast,
And him with murdrous mood possest.
The Gods likewise (with vengeance due)
Stird vp in him presumptions new:
For he his abiect hands reputed
Worthy with blood to bee poluted
Of Cæsars selfe, that was the man
By Fortunes hest designed than
The powerfull Roman reuerent state
To ouer-awe, and captiuate.
The scourge that ciuill warre should haue,
And vengeance, that the Senate craue,
Was almost left vnto a slaue.
But O the ruling Fates we pray,
To turne from vs that fault away,
That Cæsar may not haue his meed,
If Brutus hand doe not the deed.
For else the Roman Tyrants blame
Shall chastisd be, vnto our shame,
By Ægypts sword, and thereby shall
Iustice example quaile withall.
But still this viper Fates prouoke
To giue this tyrants necke the stroke;
And yet he doth not now prepare
With secret plots his life to snare:
But openly meanes to assaile
The Captaine, whom no Mart could quaile.
Such hope his wickednesse hath bred
To triumph ouer Cæsars head;
And will (O Pompey) do his best
That Cæsars fate with thine may rest:
And by a secret seruant sends
These lines, to shew what he entends,
And to Achillas them commends,
That was his partner in the deed
VVhen Pompeys murther was decreed.
This man the boyish King did call
To be Lieuetenant Generall
Of all his force, and in his hand
He puts the sword, and all command;
Exempting nothing from his might,
No not himselfe by Kingly right.
Rest quietly on thy soft bed,
And with sweete sleepe be thou fat fed.
Yet now (quoth he) be well aduisd,
For Cleopatra hath surprisd
The Palace, and is there obay'd;
The Realme not onely is betray'd,
But giuen to her, as proper right,
By Cæsar, and his Roman might.
Wilt thou forbeare, thus hard bested,
To violate thy Mistresse bed?
The wicked Sisters nuptiall vowes
Establish't her, her brothers spouse:
And now this Lord of Roman race
Doth her his Concubine embrace.
So as betweene her husbands twaine,
On Ægypt she will rule and raigne,
And well deserueth Rome to gaine.
VVith charming poysons shee knew how
To her to make the old man bow.
And if thou (wretch) do trust the boy,
VVhom if one night she doe enioy,
And once with her bewitching face
VVithin her Armes do him embrace;
So that if he once draw the fires
Of her incestious hot desires:
For euery kisse she will entice
That our two heads shall pay the price.
And if his sister him delight,
Those loues will turne to our despight.
The King her husband will obay,
Adulterous Cæsar she can sway.
So both of vs (I must confesse)
Shall stand condemn'd remedilesse.
If she should bee our cruell iudge,
That long hath borne vs mortall grudge.
VVhom doth not Cleopatra hate
Of vs, as hainous to her state?
From whom hath she her loue restrain'd
And held her chastity vnstaind?
And for thine owne sake I require,
And by that deed wee did conspire,
VVhereby our selues we did engage
(VVith mutuall league) to Roman rage,
For Pompeys blood, which we haue shed.
Plucke vp thy spirits, and cast off dread:
Raise sudden warre and tumults broyle:
Breake in with force, and put to spoyle
Their chambring sports, and nuptiall flame,
And murder that incestious Dame
Euen in her bed, where she doth rest,
And whosoeuer is her guest.
And let it not our courage bate,
The Fortune of this Roman mate.
For she hath raised his renowne,
And made him tread the whole world down.
That glory we will share alone,
When he by vs is ouer-throwne.
And we already are renown'd
For Pompey, whom we did confound.
Behold with hope the Pharian shore,
As witnesse of that bloody gore:
Consider by those waues distain'd,
What liberty to vs remain'd.
See there a slender heape of sands,
That for a Tombe to Pompey stands.
So as the same doth scarce suffise
To heale his body where it lies;
And yet this man so scorned heere,
To him thou fearst was equall Peere.
What though no Royall blood we haue?
The subiects wealth we do not craue;
Nor after Kingdomes do we raue.
This onely fact our state will raise:
Fortune to vs these men betrayes.
And so then in the necke of this
There is prepar'd a greater blisse.
The second slaughter will vs make
Belou'd of Rome for freedomes sake.
And this aduantage we shall gaine,
If Cæsar by our hands be slaine:
Those we for Pompey did offend,
Will loue vs for this Tyrants end.
Why should his name giue vs affright?
What need we feare his martiall might?
For if his troopes doe from him fall,
Him but a souldier wee may call.
This night shall end these ciuill warres,
And expiate Pharsalias skarres:
And send vnto the shades below
His head, which he the world doth owe.
Then to this worke with courage fall,
And so cut Cæsars throat withall.
Let Lagean youths performe this thing,
As due, for safety of their King,
And liberty to Rome to bring.
In any wise vse no delay:
For thou shalt take them at a bay,
Feasting themselues with dainty meate,
Quaffing sweet wines in Bowles repleate,
And so prepar'd for Venus heate.
Doe thou but dare, and make no doubt,
The Gods will bring it so about,
That Brutus vowes, and Catos will
Shall rest in thy hand to fulfill.
Achillas was not slowly bent
To this bold fact to yeeld consent.
No publique Ensignes he displayes,
As was the vse his force to raise;
Neither did he his troopes draw out
With Trumpets sounds, or Souldiers shout;
But suddenly his martiall bands
Do take their weapons in their hands:
Whose greatest part, that Armes did beare,
The trained Latium Souldiers were,
Who had their duties much forgot,
That such corruption so should blot
Their honour, and their Countries fame,
To follow one of seruile name.
And as their Captaine to obay
A man, in mercenary pay:
When Ægypts King was not of worth
Himselfe in warres to lead them forth.
Till mid-night vail'd the Element,
And as in peace tooke their delight;
But yet Photinus trayterous spright,
Since he that sacred blood had spilt,
Prepared was for any guilt:
And thought that no fact was vn-milde
Now Pompeys death had him defilde:
Whose ghost did broyle within his breast,
And him with murdrous mood possest.
The Gods likewise (with vengeance due)
Stird vp in him presumptions new:
For he his abiect hands reputed
Worthy with blood to bee poluted
Of Cæsars selfe, that was the man
By Fortunes hest designed than
The powerfull Roman reuerent state
To ouer-awe, and captiuate.
The scourge that ciuill warre should haue,
And vengeance, that the Senate craue,
437
But O the ruling Fates we pray,
To turne from vs that fault away,
That Cæsar may not haue his meed,
If Brutus hand doe not the deed.
For else the Roman Tyrants blame
Shall chastisd be, vnto our shame,
By Ægypts sword, and thereby shall
Iustice example quaile withall.
But still this viper Fates prouoke
To giue this tyrants necke the stroke;
And yet he doth not now prepare
With secret plots his life to snare:
But openly meanes to assaile
The Captaine, whom no Mart could quaile.
Such hope his wickednesse hath bred
To triumph ouer Cæsars head;
And will (O Pompey) do his best
That Cæsars fate with thine may rest:
And by a secret seruant sends
These lines, to shew what he entends,
And to Achillas them commends,
That was his partner in the deed
VVhen Pompeys murther was decreed.
This man the boyish King did call
To be Lieuetenant Generall
Of all his force, and in his hand
He puts the sword, and all command;
Exempting nothing from his might,
No not himselfe by Kingly right.
Rest quietly on thy soft bed,
And with sweete sleepe be thou fat fed.
Yet now (quoth he) be well aduisd,
For Cleopatra hath surprisd
The Palace, and is there obay'd;
The Realme not onely is betray'd,
But giuen to her, as proper right,
By Cæsar, and his Roman might.
Wilt thou forbeare, thus hard bested,
To violate thy Mistresse bed?
438
Establish't her, her brothers spouse:
And now this Lord of Roman race
Doth her his Concubine embrace.
So as betweene her husbands twaine,
On Ægypt she will rule and raigne,
And well deserueth Rome to gaine.
VVith charming poysons shee knew how
To her to make the old man bow.
And if thou (wretch) do trust the boy,
VVhom if one night she doe enioy,
And once with her bewitching face
VVithin her Armes do him embrace;
So that if he once draw the fires
Of her incestious hot desires:
For euery kisse she will entice
That our two heads shall pay the price.
And if his sister him delight,
Those loues will turne to our despight.
The King her husband will obay,
Adulterous Cæsar she can sway.
So both of vs (I must confesse)
Shall stand condemn'd remedilesse.
If she should bee our cruell iudge,
That long hath borne vs mortall grudge.
VVhom doth not Cleopatra hate
Of vs, as hainous to her state?
From whom hath she her loue restrain'd
And held her chastity vnstaind?
And for thine owne sake I require,
And by that deed wee did conspire,
VVhereby our selues we did engage
(VVith mutuall league) to Roman rage,
For Pompeys blood, which we haue shed.
Plucke vp thy spirits, and cast off dread:
Raise sudden warre and tumults broyle:
Breake in with force, and put to spoyle
Their chambring sports, and nuptiall flame,
And murder that incestious Dame
Euen in her bed, where she doth rest,
439
And let it not our courage bate,
The Fortune of this Roman mate.
For she hath raised his renowne,
And made him tread the whole world down.
That glory we will share alone,
When he by vs is ouer-throwne.
And we already are renown'd
For Pompey, whom we did confound.
Behold with hope the Pharian shore,
As witnesse of that bloody gore:
Consider by those waues distain'd,
What liberty to vs remain'd.
See there a slender heape of sands,
That for a Tombe to Pompey stands.
So as the same doth scarce suffise
To heale his body where it lies;
And yet this man so scorned heere,
To him thou fearst was equall Peere.
What though no Royall blood we haue?
The subiects wealth we do not craue;
Nor after Kingdomes do we raue.
This onely fact our state will raise:
Fortune to vs these men betrayes.
And so then in the necke of this
There is prepar'd a greater blisse.
The second slaughter will vs make
Belou'd of Rome for freedomes sake.
And this aduantage we shall gaine,
If Cæsar by our hands be slaine:
Those we for Pompey did offend,
Will loue vs for this Tyrants end.
Why should his name giue vs affright?
What need we feare his martiall might?
For if his troopes doe from him fall,
Him but a souldier wee may call.
This night shall end these ciuill warres,
And expiate Pharsalias skarres:
And send vnto the shades below
His head, which he the world doth owe.
440
And so cut Cæsars throat withall.
Let Lagean youths performe this thing,
As due, for safety of their King,
And liberty to Rome to bring.
In any wise vse no delay:
For thou shalt take them at a bay,
Feasting themselues with dainty meate,
Quaffing sweet wines in Bowles repleate,
And so prepar'd for Venus heate.
Doe thou but dare, and make no doubt,
The Gods will bring it so about,
That Brutus vowes, and Catos will
Shall rest in thy hand to fulfill.
Achillas was not slowly bent
To this bold fact to yeeld consent.
No publique Ensignes he displayes,
As was the vse his force to raise;
Neither did he his troopes draw out
With Trumpets sounds, or Souldiers shout;
But suddenly his martiall bands
Do take their weapons in their hands:
Whose greatest part, that Armes did beare,
The trained Latium Souldiers were,
Who had their duties much forgot,
That such corruption so should blot
Their honour, and their Countries fame,
To follow one of seruile name.
And as their Captaine to obay
A man, in mercenary pay:
When Ægypts King was not of worth
Himselfe in warres to lead them forth.
No faith nor pietie remaines
In those that follow camps for gaines,
For hired hands payes hope retaines.
And commonly they will accost
The leader, that doth giue them most.
The slender pay they had before
To armes prouokes them now the more.
And not that Cæsars head they sought,
But great rewards their aid had bought.
O Liberty growne too too base!
Such is the wofull Empires case,
That euery where her cankred mindes,
For ciuill strife ocasion findes.
This Army (from Pharsalia led)
On Nylus shore new rage hath spred.
Like ciuill strife in Latium bred.
What more durst Ægypts force haue done
If after Pompey they had runne?
For all their hands they doe combine
To act what higher powers designe:
No rest remaines for Roman line.
So hath it pleasd the Gods of late
To rent the limbes of Latium state:
Nor Pompeys, nor yet Cæsars cause
These people now to fury drawes.
A Pharian Captaines larger payes
This ciuill strife anew doth raise.
And here his force Achillas bends,
Who Roman liberty pretends.
And had not destiny ordain'd,
That their hands should not be distaind
With Cæsars blood (by Fates protected)
Their purpose then had beene effected.
Photinus and Achillas both
Were prest to scoure this Court of sloth,
That so with feasting was possest:
VVhere all sorts did so carelesse rest:
Treason might choose what time was best.
The Bowles, that on the Cup-boords stood
Might haue beene fild with Cæsars blood.
And to the Table of the King
His head they easily might bring.
But that these Captaines then did doubt
The hazard of a nightly rout;
Lest that confusions murdrous might
Shold wrong the work that they would right:
For if this rage to chance were left,
Thy life (O King) might so be reft.
So hard it is to rule the sword,
When fury freedome doth affoord.
Thus they refusd to take that time,
For to effect their bloody crime:
And do the best occasion lose
To act the worke they did propose.
But these fresh-souldier-seruile lowts,
Of fitter seasons make no doubts:
And therefore did that houre delay.
By night they would not Cæsar slay;
His date was kept to see day light,
And by that meanes gaue him this night.
Thus by Photinus onely grace,
Cæsar did run a longer race,
Whilst Phœbus shew'd againe his face.
In those that follow camps for gaines,
For hired hands payes hope retaines.
And commonly they will accost
The leader, that doth giue them most.
The slender pay they had before
To armes prouokes them now the more.
And not that Cæsars head they sought,
441
O Liberty growne too too base!
Such is the wofull Empires case,
That euery where her cankred mindes,
For ciuill strife ocasion findes.
This Army (from Pharsalia led)
On Nylus shore new rage hath spred.
Like ciuill strife in Latium bred.
What more durst Ægypts force haue done
If after Pompey they had runne?
For all their hands they doe combine
To act what higher powers designe:
No rest remaines for Roman line.
So hath it pleasd the Gods of late
To rent the limbes of Latium state:
Nor Pompeys, nor yet Cæsars cause
These people now to fury drawes.
A Pharian Captaines larger payes
This ciuill strife anew doth raise.
And here his force Achillas bends,
Who Roman liberty pretends.
And had not destiny ordain'd,
That their hands should not be distaind
With Cæsars blood (by Fates protected)
Their purpose then had beene effected.
Photinus and Achillas both
Were prest to scoure this Court of sloth,
That so with feasting was possest:
VVhere all sorts did so carelesse rest:
Treason might choose what time was best.
The Bowles, that on the Cup-boords stood
Might haue beene fild with Cæsars blood.
And to the Table of the King
His head they easily might bring.
But that these Captaines then did doubt
The hazard of a nightly rout;
Lest that confusions murdrous might
Shold wrong the work that they would right:
For if this rage to chance were left,
Thy life (O King) might so be reft.
442
When fury freedome doth affoord.
Thus they refusd to take that time,
For to effect their bloody crime:
And do the best occasion lose
To act the worke they did propose.
But these fresh-souldier-seruile lowts,
Of fitter seasons make no doubts:
And therefore did that houre delay.
By night they would not Cæsar slay;
His date was kept to see day light,
And by that meanes gaue him this night.
Thus by Photinus onely grace,
Cæsar did run a longer race,
Whilst Phœbus shew'd againe his face.
By this the messenger of day
Bright Lucifer did then display
His glittring face, from Cassium hill,
And Phœbus first gan to distill
His warmth vpon the Pharian coast,
When from the walles they saw the hoast
A farre off marching on the sands,
Not rang'd abrode in single bands,
Nor yet in seuerall cohorts spred;
But in one squared front were led,
As if they should now charge their foes
In armed bulke with present blowes.
But Cæsar puts no trust at all
Of safety in the Citties wall.
The Palace his defence he makes,
And base by-wayes he vndertakes.
For all the Court (in this hot Mart)
Did not to him their aid impart.
Therefore a little place he guards,
And thither all his force awards.
Then feare and fury him possest,
Doubting the place might be opprest.
And yet to dread he did detest.
So doth the noble Lyon rage,
When he is pend within his cage.
And with his tearing teeth hee tries
To force the prison where he lies.
And so, O Mulciber, like vent
Would thy flames seeke for their assent,
That in Scycillias cauernes blast,
If Ætnas top were closed fast.
He that of late by Æmus mount,
At Pharsals field, made slight acccount
Of all Hesperias noble traine,
And did the Senates force constraine,
(Though Pompey did their Army guide,
And small hope in his right affide)
All feare at that time did disdaine,
And hop't a wrongfull cause to gaine;
Yet this man so a captiue slaue
(With hazard of his life) did braue,
And in the Court where he did rest,
VVith darts and weapons him opprest.
He whom the fierce Alani's might,
Nor Scythians rage could ought affright,
Nor yet the Moore, that killes in iest
VVith wounding darts, his friendly guest:
Yea he that could not bee content
VVhen all Romes Empire he had hent.
But thought all those dominions small
From Inde, to Tytans westerne fall;
Now like a boy, in warres vntrain'd,
Or woman-like, with walles restraind,
VVithin a house for succour flyes,
And so (to rescue life) relies
Vpon the hope of shut vp wayes,
And in and out vncertaine straies.
But with him doth the King retaine,
To be partaker of the paine,
And as a sacrifice be slaine,
If Cæsar must his life resigne.
For (Ptolemey) that head of thine
Shall pay the price, if sword or fire
Cannot suppresse thy seruants ire.
So did that sauage Colchis Queene
(With murdrous sword) expresse her spleene
Vpon her brothers members shred,
Fearing reuenge, because she fled,
When as her father and the state
Pursued her with deadly hate.
But Cæsars last hope that remain'd,
Was that a peace might be obtain'd;
And sends one of the Tyrants guard
To check those men that thus had dar'd,
And from the King, and in his name
To disallow this heynous blame,
And learne the Authors of the same.
But lawes of Nations were reiected:
And he that was for peace directed
(As legat from the Tyrant sent)
Thought that those vipers neuer meant
The holy lawes of leagues to hold,
Nor that those monsters vncontrold,
Which thy soyle (wicked Ægypt) breedes,
VVould Iustice keepe in their false deedes.
But neither the Thessalian warre,
Nor Iubas kingdome stretching farre,
Nor yet the force of Pontus Realme,
Nor those dire Ensignes, that did streame
Amidst Pharnaces armed hoast,
Nor toyles of the Iberean coast,
Inuiron'd with the circling maine,
Nor Syrts with their Barbarian traine,
Could Cæsars fate so much distress,
As banqueting and wantonnesse.
VVith force on all sides he is prest,
And showres of darts the house molest,
The buildings shake, and yet no stroke
Of battring Ramme did them prouoke:
The walles they would haue ouer-throwne,
But Engines for the warre had none:
Nor fireworks, that should make the way.
The giddy rout do gadding stray,
And round about the Palace runne:
All is without direction done.
And no one place for all their rage
With one maine strength they do engage.
The fates forbid, and fortunes hand
Doth as a wall for Cæsar stand.
Bright Lucifer did then display
His glittring face, from Cassium hill,
And Phœbus first gan to distill
His warmth vpon the Pharian coast,
When from the walles they saw the hoast
A farre off marching on the sands,
Not rang'd abrode in single bands,
Nor yet in seuerall cohorts spred;
But in one squared front were led,
As if they should now charge their foes
In armed bulke with present blowes.
But Cæsar puts no trust at all
Of safety in the Citties wall.
The Palace his defence he makes,
And base by-wayes he vndertakes.
For all the Court (in this hot Mart)
Did not to him their aid impart.
Therefore a little place he guards,
And thither all his force awards.
Then feare and fury him possest,
Doubting the place might be opprest.
And yet to dread he did detest.
So doth the noble Lyon rage,
When he is pend within his cage.
443
To force the prison where he lies.
And so, O Mulciber, like vent
Would thy flames seeke for their assent,
That in Scycillias cauernes blast,
If Ætnas top were closed fast.
He that of late by Æmus mount,
At Pharsals field, made slight acccount
Of all Hesperias noble traine,
And did the Senates force constraine,
(Though Pompey did their Army guide,
And small hope in his right affide)
All feare at that time did disdaine,
And hop't a wrongfull cause to gaine;
Yet this man so a captiue slaue
(With hazard of his life) did braue,
And in the Court where he did rest,
VVith darts and weapons him opprest.
He whom the fierce Alani's might,
Nor Scythians rage could ought affright,
Nor yet the Moore, that killes in iest
VVith wounding darts, his friendly guest:
Yea he that could not bee content
VVhen all Romes Empire he had hent.
But thought all those dominions small
From Inde, to Tytans westerne fall;
Now like a boy, in warres vntrain'd,
Or woman-like, with walles restraind,
VVithin a house for succour flyes,
And so (to rescue life) relies
Vpon the hope of shut vp wayes,
And in and out vncertaine straies.
But with him doth the King retaine,
To be partaker of the paine,
And as a sacrifice be slaine,
If Cæsar must his life resigne.
For (Ptolemey) that head of thine
Shall pay the price, if sword or fire
Cannot suppresse thy seruants ire.
So did that sauage Colchis Queene
444
Vpon her brothers members shred,
Fearing reuenge, because she fled,
When as her father and the state
Pursued her with deadly hate.
But Cæsars last hope that remain'd,
Was that a peace might be obtain'd;
And sends one of the Tyrants guard
To check those men that thus had dar'd,
And from the King, and in his name
To disallow this heynous blame,
And learne the Authors of the same.
But lawes of Nations were reiected:
And he that was for peace directed
(As legat from the Tyrant sent)
Thought that those vipers neuer meant
The holy lawes of leagues to hold,
Nor that those monsters vncontrold,
Which thy soyle (wicked Ægypt) breedes,
VVould Iustice keepe in their false deedes.
But neither the Thessalian warre,
Nor Iubas kingdome stretching farre,
Nor yet the force of Pontus Realme,
Nor those dire Ensignes, that did streame
Amidst Pharnaces armed hoast,
Nor toyles of the Iberean coast,
Inuiron'd with the circling maine,
Nor Syrts with their Barbarian traine,
Could Cæsars fate so much distress,
As banqueting and wantonnesse.
VVith force on all sides he is prest,
And showres of darts the house molest,
The buildings shake, and yet no stroke
Of battring Ramme did them prouoke:
The walles they would haue ouer-throwne,
But Engines for the warre had none:
Nor fireworks, that should make the way.
The giddy rout do gadding stray,
And round about the Palace runne:
All is without direction done.
445
With one maine strength they do engage.
The fates forbid, and fortunes hand
Doth as a wall for Cæsar stand.
The court likewise on all that side
Whereas the seas with swelling tide
Vp to the banke doth bring his waues,
And that lasciuious structure laues,
The armed ships assalting braues.
But Cæsar at defence doth stand,
In euery place with valiant hand.
Some with the sword he doth affray,
And some with fire doth chace away.
During this siege, in all affrunts,
Himselfe sustaines the chiefest brunts.
His resolution neuer quaild:
Such courage in his mind preuaild.
Then he commands his men to greet
With wild-fire bals the neighbor fleete,
And flaming darts amongst them throwes,
Which they of pitch and tarre compose,
And such like stuffe, that soone would take,
And where it lights quicke riddance make.
The sailes and ropes are all on flame,
The decks and ore-lops do the same.
Each where the pitch and tarre that melts
Amongst the timbers burning swelts.
And in a trice the fier doth flit
Vnto the Benches, where doe sit
The Gally slaues, and then likewise
Vnto the yards and masts it flies.
So as the ships, burnt past the brinke,
Amidst the seas downe right do sinke.
And now the foes, and all their armes
Vpon the waues do flote in swarms.
Neither the ships alone do frie,
But all the houses (standing nie
The shore) are with these flames opprest,
Anu with the wind the rage encreast.
Whose blasts disperse the sparks aloofe,
And so do creepe from roofe to roofe.
Which through the aire casts blazing beams
Like to a fierie Meteors streames,
Whose substance being spent and gone,
Yet flashes in the aire alone.
Whereas the seas with swelling tide
Vp to the banke doth bring his waues,
And that lasciuious structure laues,
The armed ships assalting braues.
But Cæsar at defence doth stand,
In euery place with valiant hand.
Some with the sword he doth affray,
And some with fire doth chace away.
During this siege, in all affrunts,
Himselfe sustaines the chiefest brunts.
His resolution neuer quaild:
Such courage in his mind preuaild.
Then he commands his men to greet
With wild-fire bals the neighbor fleete,
And flaming darts amongst them throwes,
Which they of pitch and tarre compose,
And such like stuffe, that soone would take,
And where it lights quicke riddance make.
The sailes and ropes are all on flame,
The decks and ore-lops do the same.
Each where the pitch and tarre that melts
Amongst the timbers burning swelts.
And in a trice the fier doth flit
Vnto the Benches, where doe sit
The Gally slaues, and then likewise
Vnto the yards and masts it flies.
So as the ships, burnt past the brinke,
Amidst the seas downe right do sinke.
And now the foes, and all their armes
Vpon the waues do flote in swarms.
Neither the ships alone do frie,
But all the houses (standing nie
The shore) are with these flames opprest,
Anu with the wind the rage encreast.
Whose blasts disperse the sparks aloofe,
446
Which through the aire casts blazing beams
Like to a fierie Meteors streames,
Whose substance being spent and gone,
Yet flashes in the aire alone.
This raging wracke and burning rut
Out of the Court (still being shut)
Doth peoples aide from thence desire,
To free the cittie from this fire.
And Cæsar now the meanes doth take,
And of this fright aduantage make,
The time he doth not sleepe away,
But safely doth himselfe conuay
Into a ship, by darke of night,
Vsing therein a happy sleight.
His wont was such in all his mart
To vse dispatch, and take the start
When as occasion was presented.
Whereby the foe he still preuented.
And Pharos now he doth surprise,
Which barre before the hauen lies.
Whilom an Iland, but it stood
In midst of that same Pharion flood,
When Proteus their Prophet was.
But now this Ilands heaped masse,
(With trackt of time and sands that fall)
Stands nearer to the citties wall.
Cæsar, when he the place did take,
A double vse thereof did make.
It stops the pursuit of his foes,
And can the hauens mouth dispose.
Now when at first he had suruaide
The sea, made free to bring him aide;
He then resolu'd, without delay,
Photinus head the price should pay,
But therein Cæsar nought obseru'd
The rigor that the wretch deseru'd.
Vnto no torment was he put,
Nor yet amongst wilde lyons shut,
Nor liuing was with fire blasted:
He died, but neuer torture tasted,
They him to good a death afford:
His necke but sundred with the sword.
A wretched worke it was, God wot,
That Pompeys death should be his lot.
Now had Arsinoe obtaind
Her libertie, that was restraind,
By secret slights along time sought,
Which Ganimed her seruant wrought.
And then with Cæsars foes takes part.
Who wanting one to rule their mart;
She (as the daughter of their king)
Assumes thereof the managing.
And to that Tyrants murdrous slaue,
Achillas she due iustice gaue:
And from his corps his head did shaue.
So now another sacrifice
To thee (ô Pompey) bleeding lies,
For expiation to thy ghost:
But fortune will bestow more cost.
And heauens forbid this should be all
The offrings for thy funerall.
The tyrants selfe of worth is not,
Nor all his Realme to cleare that blot.
And till the Senatorean state
On Cæsars bowels venge their hate
Pompeys reuenge will be in date.
But yet this broile and martiall rage
These leaders deaths could not asswage
For now againe fresh stirs arise
From Ganimed, with more supplies,
Which fiercely doth on Cæsar presse,
And giue a charge with shrewd successe.
This one daies danger was so great,
That Cæsars fortune it did threat
And so mought Ganemedes name
Throughout the world haue flown with fame
For whilst that Cæsar doth prouide
(In emptie ships from tother side)
Some armed troop and old cohort
Vnto this Ile for his support;
Vpon a sodaine many foes
With armed force do him enclose.
On this side hostil ships do keepe
The shoares, and barre him from the deepe.
Behind his backe the traitors bands
(In filed ranks) with weapons stands.
No hope of safetie doth remaine:
No place for flight, all valour vaine.
And (that which did him most offend)
Scarce meanes to find a glorious end.
No force he had whereby he might
In martiall sort frame any fight.
Now Cæsars fortune must be lost:
And yet nor fight, nor slaughter cost:
Coopt vp, whereas the place affords
No triall there for bloody swords.
Thus doubtfull musing whether tweare
Fitter to die or basely feare;
He sternely casts his eyes behind,
And sees his foes in troops combind.
Wherewith he cals vnto his mind
Scæua his souldier, that with fame
Had purchast such a glorious name.
For that braue end and dantlesse spright
Which he shewed at Dyrachium fight.
Where he alone the Rampart kept,
And neuer once retiring stept,
When Pompey had the walles beat downe,
Yet from them all did win renowne.
Out of the Court (still being shut)
Doth peoples aide from thence desire,
To free the cittie from this fire.
And Cæsar now the meanes doth take,
And of this fright aduantage make,
The time he doth not sleepe away,
But safely doth himselfe conuay
Into a ship, by darke of night,
Vsing therein a happy sleight.
His wont was such in all his mart
To vse dispatch, and take the start
When as occasion was presented.
Whereby the foe he still preuented.
And Pharos now he doth surprise,
Which barre before the hauen lies.
Whilom an Iland, but it stood
In midst of that same Pharion flood,
When Proteus their Prophet was.
But now this Ilands heaped masse,
(With trackt of time and sands that fall)
Stands nearer to the citties wall.
Cæsar, when he the place did take,
A double vse thereof did make.
It stops the pursuit of his foes,
And can the hauens mouth dispose.
Now when at first he had suruaide
The sea, made free to bring him aide;
He then resolu'd, without delay,
Photinus head the price should pay,
But therein Cæsar nought obseru'd
The rigor that the wretch deseru'd.
Vnto no torment was he put,
Nor yet amongst wilde lyons shut,
Nor liuing was with fire blasted:
447
They him to good a death afford:
His necke but sundred with the sword.
A wretched worke it was, God wot,
That Pompeys death should be his lot.
Now had Arsinoe obtaind
Her libertie, that was restraind,
By secret slights along time sought,
Which Ganimed her seruant wrought.
And then with Cæsars foes takes part.
Who wanting one to rule their mart;
She (as the daughter of their king)
Assumes thereof the managing.
And to that Tyrants murdrous slaue,
Achillas she due iustice gaue:
And from his corps his head did shaue.
So now another sacrifice
To thee (ô Pompey) bleeding lies,
For expiation to thy ghost:
But fortune will bestow more cost.
And heauens forbid this should be all
The offrings for thy funerall.
The tyrants selfe of worth is not,
Nor all his Realme to cleare that blot.
And till the Senatorean state
On Cæsars bowels venge their hate
Pompeys reuenge will be in date.
But yet this broile and martiall rage
These leaders deaths could not asswage
For now againe fresh stirs arise
From Ganimed, with more supplies,
Which fiercely doth on Cæsar presse,
And giue a charge with shrewd successe.
This one daies danger was so great,
That Cæsars fortune it did threat
And so mought Ganemedes name
Throughout the world haue flown with fame
For whilst that Cæsar doth prouide
(In emptie ships from tother side)
Some armed troop and old cohort
448
Vpon a sodaine many foes
With armed force do him enclose.
On this side hostil ships do keepe
The shoares, and barre him from the deepe.
Behind his backe the traitors bands
(In filed ranks) with weapons stands.
No hope of safetie doth remaine:
No place for flight, all valour vaine.
And (that which did him most offend)
Scarce meanes to find a glorious end.
No force he had whereby he might
In martiall sort frame any fight.
Now Cæsars fortune must be lost:
And yet nor fight, nor slaughter cost:
Coopt vp, whereas the place affords
No triall there for bloody swords.
Thus doubtfull musing whether tweare
Fitter to die or basely feare;
He sternely casts his eyes behind,
And sees his foes in troops combind.
Wherewith he cals vnto his mind
Scæua his souldier, that with fame
Had purchast such a glorious name.
For that braue end and dantlesse spright
Which he shewed at Dyrachium fight.
Where he alone the Rampart kept,
And neuer once retiring stept,
When Pompey had the walles beat downe,
Yet from them all did win renowne.
This memory of Scæuas Mart
Puts courage into Cæsars heart,
And nobly hee resolues to dye
VVith fame, that through the world shold fly
But his designe the Fates gaine-say,
Fortune shewes him a safer way.
For, as he casts his eye aside,
Vpon his left hand he espide
Ships of his friends, that there did ride.
To swim to them he doth entend,
And therewith said, what shall we end
Our Fortunes here by villaines slaine?
Or rather sinke amidst the maine?
Then shall this Eunuch Ganimede
No conquest gaine on Cæsars head.
So hauing sayd; he brauely leapt
Into the sea, but safe he kept
His bookes within his left hand drie,
And with his right the waues doth trie.
So through the deeps he safely swamme
Vntill amongst his frends he came
Who him receiue with ioyfull cries,
That to the Heauens with Ecchos flies.
Puts courage into Cæsars heart,
And nobly hee resolues to dye
VVith fame, that through the world shold fly
But his designe the Fates gaine-say,
Fortune shewes him a safer way.
For, as he casts his eye aside,
Vpon his left hand he espide
Ships of his friends, that there did ride.
To swim to them he doth entend,
449
Our Fortunes here by villaines slaine?
Or rather sinke amidst the maine?
Then shall this Eunuch Ganimede
No conquest gaine on Cæsars head.
So hauing sayd; he brauely leapt
Into the sea, but safe he kept
His bookes within his left hand drie,
And with his right the waues doth trie.
So through the deeps he safely swamme
Vntill amongst his frends he came
Who him receiue with ioyfull cries,
That to the Heauens with Ecchos flies.
Finis libri decimi.
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