The Tragicall Death of Sophonisba Written by David Mvrray |
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The Tragicall Death of Sophonisba. |
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 | The Tragicall Death of Sophonisba |  |
The Tragicall Death of Sophonisba.
The Argument of this Poeme.
At
what time that great and fatall enemy of
Rome, Hannibal (after that he had wonne those
memorable and famous battels of Ticenum,
Trebesa, Thracimen, and Cannes) had ouer-run
and subdued the most part of all Italy, putting
Rome her selfe into a maruellous feare to haue beene surprised
if he had then followed his fortune: Of all her great Captains
and Commanders (she then had) Fabius Maximus was esteemed
the most wise and politicke, Marcellus the most valiant,
because by experience in sundry conflicts, he made the Romans
know, that Hannibal was not inuincible: yet of them all none
so much repined to see the Maiesty, and greatnesse of her state
limited, as it were, within her owne wals, as young Publius
Corn. Scipio, the sonne of that Publ. Scipio, who first fought
with Hannibal at his coming into Italy, and afterwards kild,
valiantly fighting against his enemies, in Spain, with his brother
Cne. Scipio. They both thus dead, & the army there destitute
of a Commander, the Senat long time consulted to find
out some worthy Captaine to supply that roome, but could find
no man that durst vndertake so dangerous a charge, considering
the losse of two so great and famous Captaines before. Til
at length, the whole assembly beeing called, to chuse a Uice-
consull, all the other Princes and Peeres of the Realme being
silent at so worthy a motion, Scipio beeing but 24. yeares of
age, accepted the charge, and immediatly thereupon departed
for Spaine, which to his immortall glorie, he quickly subdued
againe to the Romaine obedience; from whence returning to
Rome, he was presently chosen Consul, with the great ioy and
applause of the people: and had Cicill assigned to him for his
Prouince, with power (if he pleased) to make war in Aphrick.
So beeing stirred vp thereto by the often intreaties, aad great
promises of Massinissa king of Numidia, a valorous and coragious
young Prince, and a great friend of the Romanes, he
leauied new forces, and hauing prepared ships and munition
in Sicill fit for such a iourney, went thither: and after many
famous battels, at the last he ouercame Hasdrubal, and Syphax
king of the Mascæcilians; who to enioy the beautie
of Sophonisba, the daughter of the sayd Hasdrubal, had but
lately left the Romane friendship, to take part with the Carthaginians;
to follow whome Scipio sent Massinissa, with
Caius Lælius and his light horse-men, whom they pursued to
his owne country, and there in a new conflict tooke him prisoner.
Thereafter Massinissa went to Cyrtha the chiefe
citty of his Realme, which he took, and there at the first view
became enamoured with the matchlesse and incomparable
beauty of Sophonisba, whom not only he promised to free frō
Romane bondage, but also tooke her to his wife: which Scipio
vnderstanding, sharply rebukes him for his fault, telling
him, that no Romane confederate was able to giue libertie to
a prisoner taken by the Romane armes, who heauily regrating
his offence, to so courteous and continent a Captaine, and lamenting,
hee could not obserue his promise to Sophonisba,
sends her a cup of poyson, with a letter, shewing her, hee could
not else obserue his faith giuen to her but by that potion, which
she immediatly drinks, to preuent all further misery, and giues
me the Argument of this Poeme.
Sad
Massinissa, swoolne with griefe and rage,
When all his credit seru'd not to intreat
His braue victorious friend, to dis-ingage
His late-spous'd Lady from a seruile state:
Halfe mad, distraught, confus'dly doth hee write,
To show, the Romaine Conqueror thinks to send
Her as a slaue his triumph to attend.
When all his credit seru'd not to intreat
His braue victorious friend, to dis-ingage
His late-spous'd Lady from a seruile state:
Halfe mad, distraught, confus'dly doth hee write,
To show, the Romaine Conqueror thinks to send
Her as a slaue his triumph to attend.
But lo (quoth he) t'auoyd this vnkind doome,
And that my oath vn-uiolate remaine,
Made once to thee, thou neuer shouldst see Rome:
That her proud Dames might glory in thy paine,
And point their fingers at thee in disdaine:
I send thee here a potion with my letters,
To saue my faith from foyle, and thee from fetters.
And that my oath vn-uiolate remaine,
Made once to thee, thou neuer shouldst see Rome:
That her proud Dames might glory in thy paine,
And point their fingers at thee in disdaine:
I send thee here a potion with my letters,
To saue my faith from foyle, and thee from fetters.
Yet if my vnfain'd tears can haue the force,
(Deare Idoll of my soule) with thee so much,
I pray thee onely haue this small remorse
Of thine owne life, this cup thou neuer touch,
Till that thou see thy haples fortune such
As nothing else can serue: I say (though loth)
Drinke this to saue thine honor, and my oth.
(Deare Idoll of my soule) with thee so much,
I pray thee onely haue this small remorse
Of thine owne life, this cup thou neuer touch,
Till that thou see thy haples fortune such
As nothing else can serue: I say (though loth)
Drinke this to saue thine honor, and my oth.
In this meane time il' labour with thy foe,
In whose assistance I haue spent my bloud,
To pitty thy estate, and ease my woe,
In the releasing of thy seruitude;
Which if his gentle Nature shall thinke good,
Straight you shall know, if hee refuse, too soone,
These lines, aye me! haue said what should be done.
In whose assistance I haue spent my bloud,
To pitty thy estate, and ease my woe,
In the releasing of thy seruitude;
Which if his gentle Nature shall thinke good,
Straight you shall know, if hee refuse, too soone,
These lines, aye me! haue said what should be done.
Thus hauing written, with a sighing spirit,
Hee foulds those blacke newes in a snow-white sheet,
Vtt'ring these speeches, to the scroll; her merit
Deseru'd a better present then this writ:
Yet shall she see so rare a thing in it,
From seruitude and shame shall saue her now,
And likewise me from a polluted vow.
Hee foulds those blacke newes in a snow-white sheet,
Vtt'ring these speeches, to the scroll; her merit
Deseru'd a better present then this writ:
Yet shall she see so rare a thing in it,
From seruitude and shame shall saue her now,
And likewise me from a polluted vow.
Then quickly cals he vnto him a post,
Whose secrecy he oftimes vs'd to proue,
Whom straight-waies he commands to leaue the hoste,
And beare these gifts of death vnto his loue;
Who doth no sooner from his sight remoue,
But straight his conscience summons out his fact,
T'appeare before him in a shape most blacke.
Whose secrecy he oftimes vs'd to proue,
Whom straight-waies he commands to leaue the hoste,
And beare these gifts of death vnto his loue;
Who doth no sooner from his sight remoue,
But straight his conscience summons out his fact,
T'appeare before him in a shape most blacke.
Behold the resolutions of man,
How vnaduisdly, sometimes, they proceed
Breeding repentance oftimes, when they can
Not bring a backe that which they once decreed;
Th' al-ruling heauens being the cause indeed,
Which scorning humane wisdome lets vs know,
The imperfections of our thoughts below.
How vnaduisdly, sometimes, they proceed
Breeding repentance oftimes, when they can
Not bring a backe that which they once decreed;
Th' al-ruling heauens being the cause indeed,
Which scorning humane wisdome lets vs know,
The imperfections of our thoughts below.
For loe this Prince who lately thought his faith,
And his sweet Ladies liberty to stand,
In the post-speedy acting of her death,
Which made him this sad message to command,
Which being past he rewes it out of hand.
But can not now remend it which is worse,
“Too late repentance euer breeds remorse.
And his sweet Ladies liberty to stand,
In the post-speedy acting of her death,
Which made him this sad message to command,
Which being past he rewes it out of hand.
But can not now remend it which is worse,
“Too late repentance euer breeds remorse.
The messenger whom time and vse had learn'd,
Obsequious duty to his maisters will,
Hasts to his iourney, hauing not discern'd,
The soddaine passion that his soule did kill:
Each cannot gaze a Princes breast intill.
Whose outward iestures seldome doe bewray,
Those inward griefes, whereon there thoughts doe prey
Obsequious duty to his maisters will,
Hasts to his iourney, hauing not discern'd,
The soddaine passion that his soule did kill:
Each cannot gaze a Princes breast intill.
Whose outward iestures seldome doe bewray,
Those inward griefes, whereon there thoughts doe prey
So ist with him who on his iourney goes,
Thinking on nothing but a quick returne,
Leauing his maister so o'r-come with woes,
That downe he lies vpon his bed to mourne:
Whose scalding sighes which inwardly doe burne,
The perly conduites of his teares vp dries,
As Phœbus drinks the May dew from the skies,
Thinking on nothing but a quick returne,
Leauing his maister so o'r-come with woes,
That downe he lies vpon his bed to mourne:
Whose scalding sighes which inwardly doe burne,
The perly conduites of his teares vp dries,
As Phœbus drinks the May dew from the skies,
It was the time by this the post departed,
That golden Phœbus hides his glorious beames,
Low in the Westerne Ocean, when vncarted:
His neighing steeds leauing their wearied teames,
Whose mouthes through trauell yet the froth out fumes.
Goes to their nightly manger, and their guide,
In Thetis lap his hoary head did hide.
That golden Phœbus hides his glorious beames,
Low in the Westerne Ocean, when vncarted:
His neighing steeds leauing their wearied teames,
Whose mouthes through trauell yet the froth out fumes.
Goes to their nightly manger, and their guide,
In Thetis lap his hoary head did hide.
A sable darkenesse did the earth o'reshed,
And busie labourers left their dayly toile:
Way-faring Pilgrims wished peryods made
To that dayes iourney, wearied with turmoile,
The pearly dew besprinkled all the soile:
And chaste Diana gan for to arise,
And thrust her forked head into the skies.
And busie labourers left their dayly toile:
Way-faring Pilgrims wished peryods made
To that dayes iourney, wearied with turmoile,
The pearly dew besprinkled all the soile:
And chaste Diana gan for to arise,
And thrust her forked head into the skies.
Both man and beast, and all the fowles that flies,
Betooke them to the nights delighting ease:
Nothing did stirre, saue that the trembling trees,
Did by their shakings little whisprings raise:
The siluer streames slide fostly by their braise.
And sauing wronged Philomell that wept
Her wofull rape, each other creature slept.
Betooke them to the nights delighting ease:
Nothing did stirre, saue that the trembling trees,
Did by their shakings little whisprings raise:
The siluer streames slide fostly by their braise.
And sauing wronged Philomell that wept
Her wofull rape, each other creature slept.
The Heauens were calme, imbrodered with starres,
The earth was silent, and the seas at rest,
Eole and Neptune lest their wonted warres,
And as companions for that night embrac'd,
And if it were not mindes with griefe opprest;
Whose carefull thoughts are still renew'd by night,
A drowsie slumber did possesse each wight.
The earth was silent, and the seas at rest,
Eole and Neptune lest their wonted warres,
And as companions for that night embrac'd,
And if it were not mindes with griefe opprest;
Whose carefull thoughts are still renew'd by night,
A drowsie slumber did possesse each wight.
And well this solitary time did fit,
The griefe-oppressed minde of this great Lord,
Who now almost distract of sence and wit,
His loues estate such passions do affoord,
That he has scarsely power to breath one word;
“For greatest sorrowes oft-times hold their peace,
“While little grieues to prattle neuer cease.
The griefe-oppressed minde of this great Lord,
Who now almost distract of sence and wit,
His loues estate such passions do affoord,
That he has scarsely power to breath one word;
“For greatest sorrowes oft-times hold their peace,
“While little grieues to prattle neuer cease.
His toung into his throates deepe center flies,
In silence there for euer to abide,
Likewise, ashamed of the light, his eyes
Within their Iuory couerlets them hide,
From thence againe, nere thinking to be spide,
For since the light of his desires was gone,
He thought no light was to be look't vpon.
In silence there for euer to abide,
Likewise, ashamed of the light, his eyes
Within their Iuory couerlets them hide,
From thence againe, nere thinking to be spide,
For since the light of his desires was gone,
He thought no light was to be look't vpon.
Nothing he heares but straight affrights his eares,
Each thing lie feeles and touches, breeds him terror:
Without benum'd of sense within his feares
Perplexe his minde, with ougly shapes of horror,
His conscience still vpbraides him, with his error,
First of the making of his vowe, and next,
That found so fowle a meane to keepe it fixt.
Each thing lie feeles and touches, breeds him terror:
Without benum'd of sense within his feares
Perplexe his minde, with ougly shapes of horror,
His conscience still vpbraides him, with his error,
First of the making of his vowe, and next,
That found so fowle a meane to keepe it fixt.
Ten thousand sundry thoughts at once molest him,
In diuerse formes presenting diuers woes,
The harmlesse bed wherein he lyes to rest him,
Of his past deed he thinkes the fondnesse showes,
His cares growne big with many bitter throwes,
Seeke for deliuery from his griefe swolne brest,
Which in the birth dye smoothered and opprest.
In diuerse formes presenting diuers woes,
The harmlesse bed wherein he lyes to rest him,
Of his past deed he thinkes the fondnesse showes,
His cares growne big with many bitter throwes,
Seeke for deliuery from his griefe swolne brest,
Which in the birth dye smoothered and opprest.
He burnes, he swels, he turnes, and takes no rest,
With anger, rage, with griefe, and restlesse groanes,
So great a masse of sorrowes him opprest,
As now the world deliuered, he suppones,
And free exempt from cares, releas'd of moanes,
Her spacious face so oft before had troubled,
And all laide now on him, yea more then doubled.
With anger, rage, with griefe, and restlesse groanes,
So great a masse of sorrowes him opprest,
As now the world deliuered, he suppones,
And free exempt from cares, releas'd of moanes,
Her spacious face so oft before had troubled,
And all laide now on him, yea more then doubled.
His sorrow-silent-stricken-toung, cannot
Keepe back the passage of his sighes, no more
Which so assailes it, that it leaues his throate,
Returning thither whence it fled before,
While comming to his breath's faire Iuory doore,
It begs a pasport from his lips of new,
To those greefe-boyling sighes which so pursue.
Keepe back the passage of his sighes, no more
Which so assailes it, that it leaues his throate,
Returning thither whence it fled before,
While comming to his breath's faire Iuory doore,
It begs a pasport from his lips of new,
To those greefe-boyling sighes which so pursue.
But they like volleys, willing to be wrocken,
On it poore toung, that staid their course so long,
Disorderly do march, their rankes being broken
All would be first for to reueng their wrong,
Euen as wee see a mad vnruly throng,
Of countrey Clownes, to sack some bordering towne,
Run swarming from the hills and mountaines downe.
On it poore toung, that staid their course so long,
Disorderly do march, their rankes being broken
All would be first for to reueng their wrong,
Euen as wee see a mad vnruly throng,
Of countrey Clownes, to sack some bordering towne,
Run swarming from the hills and mountaines downe.
Or as a Christall current, that is staid,
To pay his debtfull tribute to the sea,
His channell stopt, whereby his course delayd,
He's forst a back vnto his sourse to flye,
Till that his streames increas'd, he growes so high,
That ouer bankes and braies he runs a maine,
Impetuously vnto the sea againe.
To pay his debtfull tribute to the sea,
His channell stopt, whereby his course delayd,
He's forst a back vnto his sourse to flye,
Till that his streames increas'd, he growes so high,
That ouer bankes and braies he runs a maine,
Impetuously vnto the sea againe.
So his vnruly sighes all head-long follow,
Each striuing first who shall preuent an other:
But his throats entry being straight and hollow,
And they in number numberlesse come thither,
Cannot affoord them passage altogether.
While striuing for the place each in disdaine,
Sends one another smothered back againe.
Each striuing first who shall preuent an other:
But his throats entry being straight and hollow,
And they in number numberlesse come thither,
Cannot affoord them passage altogether.
While striuing for the place each in disdaine,
Sends one another smothered back againe.
His eyes which all this time inclosed lye,
Gazing vpon the motions of the thought:
How soone those ciuill broyles they do espye,
That sorrow had to his mindes kingdome brought,
No longer in their Couerletts they mought
Behould the tragick view of their friends dying,
But straight retires them to their former being.
Gazing vpon the motions of the thought:
How soone those ciuill broyles they do espye,
That sorrow had to his mindes kingdome brought,
No longer in their Couerletts they mought
Behould the tragick view of their friends dying,
But straight retires them to their former being.
His toung and eyes now com'd to their owne place,
It enters to complaine, and they to weepe,
For since the ardor of his sighes did cease,
The humid vapours which his heart did keepe,
Vnboyld by them, to his eyes cesterns creepe.
From thence vpon his tender cheekes downe hopps,
Hanging like Perles vpon his soft-downe cropps.
It enters to complaine, and they to weepe,
For since the ardor of his sighes did cease,
The humid vapours which his heart did keepe,
Vnboyld by them, to his eyes cesterns creepe.
From thence vpon his tender cheekes downe hopps,
Hanging like Perles vpon his soft-downe cropps.
And after long spent teares, his toung at length
In pittious sort those wofull words did breath,
Wretch'd Massinissa, had thou not the strength,
To saue one poore distressed Dame from death,
Brought vnder by vnconstant fortunes wrath?
Who onely vnder safety of thy shield,
Poore Lady, life and liberty did yeeld.
In pittious sort those wofull words did breath,
Wretch'd Massinissa, had thou not the strength,
To saue one poore distressed Dame from death,
Brought vnder by vnconstant fortunes wrath?
Who onely vnder safety of thy shield,
Poore Lady, life and liberty did yeeld.
And that on such a couenant alasse,
Shee thee ingag'd these Iewels of her minde,
That thou should still preserue her from disgrace,
Which thou to doe, thy selfe by oath didst binde,
O cruell, cruell, thousand times vnkinde,
That could not else obserue thy passed faith,
But by thy haplesse louers wofull death.
Shee thee ingag'd these Iewels of her minde,
That thou should still preserue her from disgrace,
Which thou to doe, thy selfe by oath didst binde,
O cruell, cruell, thousand times vnkinde,
That could not else obserue thy passed faith,
But by thy haplesse louers wofull death.
Ah! who had seene her, when thou didst behold her,
Heauing her faire and snow-white hands to thee.
Crauing thy pitty, as thy selfe then told her,
(Though in th' extreamest state of misery)
Became much rather her sweete selfe to bee
A pitty giuer, then to beg the same,
That so with lookes the conqueror ouer-came.
Heauing her faire and snow-white hands to thee.
Crauing thy pitty, as thy selfe then told her,
(Though in th' extreamest state of misery)
Became much rather her sweete selfe to bee
A pitty giuer, then to beg the same,
That so with lookes the conqueror ouer-came.
Throwne downe by fortune, plung'd in deepe distresse,
Cros'd with affliction, ouer-come with sorrow:
Touch'd with each passion, could a minde oppresse;
Captiu'd or night, that was a Queene at morrow,
Yet her sweet looks, though sad sweet looks did borrow,
Both pitty, and compassion, to her griefe,
Deferring present euill, t'a worse mischiefe.
Cros'd with affliction, ouer-come with sorrow:
Touch'd with each passion, could a minde oppresse;
Captiu'd or night, that was a Queene at morrow,
Yet her sweet looks, though sad sweet looks did borrow,
Both pitty, and compassion, to her griefe,
Deferring present euill, t'a worse mischiefe.
Vindictiue thoughts, calamity and care,
Foes vnto beauty, maiesty, and grace,
Made her not seeme lesse beautifull, lesse faire,
For though that sorrow seem'd to maske her face,
Yet her faire eyes, as if they scorn'd disgrace,
Whiles floods of liquid pearls down frō them powres,
Did glance like Phœbus rayes in Aprill showres.
Foes vnto beauty, maiesty, and grace,
Made her not seeme lesse beautifull, lesse faire,
For though that sorrow seem'd to maske her face,
Yet her faire eyes, as if they scorn'd disgrace,
Whiles floods of liquid pearls down frō them powres,
Did glance like Phœbus rayes in Aprill showres.
Ay me! vnhappy, thus to minde her rarieties,
To which all hearts and eyes did owe their feauty,
Whiles all her vertues (as contesting parties;)
Doe now vpbraid me with the breach of duty,
For had she not beene of such birth and beauty;
And alwayes matchlesse-excellent, God knowes,
Her mischiefes had beene lesse, and lesse my woes.
To which all hearts and eyes did owe their feauty,
Whiles all her vertues (as contesting parties;)
Doe now vpbraid me with the breach of duty,
For had she not beene of such birth and beauty;
And alwayes matchlesse-excellent, God knowes,
Her mischiefes had beene lesse, and lesse my woes.
For, oh! this grieues me more then death ten-fold,
To thinke that one of such desert must dye,
And that I haue not power to controul't,
Yea that I must the author thereof be,
Oh wondrous! wondrous contrariety!
Oh wofull chance! griefe past compare to giue
Death to that iife, by which I onely liue.
To thinke that one of such desert must dye,
And that I haue not power to controul't,
Yea that I must the author thereof be,
Oh wondrous! wondrous contrariety!
Oh wofull chance! griefe past compare to giue
Death to that iife, by which I onely liue.
Oh this it is torments my martyr'd minde,
That my vnhappy destiny is such,
To prooue most cruell, where I would most kinde:
Is this th' effect? ô gods! of louing much,
If it be so, let neuer loue more touch
The plagued heart of such a wofull wretch,
Curst be that loue that cruelty doth hatch.
That my vnhappy destiny is such,
To prooue most cruell, where I would most kinde:
Is this th' effect? ô gods! of louing much,
If it be so, let neuer loue more touch
The plagued heart of such a wofull wretch,
Curst be that loue that cruelty doth hatch.
Sweete Sophonisba, when thou shalt receiue,
That hatefull potion, which I now haue sent thee;
It will not grieue thee halfe so much to leaue
(I know the heauens so great a spirit haue lent thee)
Thy lingring life, as that it will repent thee.
Thou was not kild in that vnhappy day,
When in proud Cyrtha thou became my prey.
That hatefull potion, which I now haue sent thee;
It will not grieue thee halfe so much to leaue
(I know the heauens so great a spirit haue lent thee)
Thy lingring life, as that it will repent thee.
Thou was not kild in that vnhappy day,
When in proud Cyrtha thou became my prey.
For had thou then by rage of victors wrath,
Beene cruelly kild by force of Sword or Dart,
More happy thrice had beene thy haplesse death,
And gladlier might thy Ghost to Styx depart,
Nor left to dye by one to whom thy heart
Thou gaue in pledge of liberty and life,
Who sau'd a captiue Queene to kill a wife.
Beene cruelly kild by force of Sword or Dart,
More happy thrice had beene thy haplesse death,
And gladlier might thy Ghost to Styx depart,
Nor left to dye by one to whom thy heart
Thou gaue in pledge of liberty and life,
Who sau'd a captiue Queene to kill a wife.
But now to die when life was most assur'd
By oath and promise seal'd with wedlockes knot,
An heauy burdning n'ere to be indur'd,
Detested fact which cannot be forgott,
Haynous offence which neuer Time shall blot:
But that it shall by all-relating fame,
Fly through the world to my eternall shame.
By oath and promise seal'd with wedlockes knot,
An heauy burdning n'ere to be indur'd,
Detested fact which cannot be forgott,
Haynous offence which neuer Time shall blot:
But that it shall by all-relating fame,
Fly through the world to my eternall shame.
Why did I not fore-warne thee at thy taking,
Freely to death or bondage to giue place?
But then (alas) was no such bargaine making,
For the nere-like-seene beauty of thy face,
Bewitcht me then with such inchanting grace,
That in despite of all the Romane swords,
I vow'd thy safety and defence by words.
Freely to death or bondage to giue place?
But then (alas) was no such bargaine making,
For the nere-like-seene beauty of thy face,
Bewitcht me then with such inchanting grace,
That in despite of all the Romane swords,
I vow'd thy safety and defence by words.
Which oh! hath prou'd a weake and strengthlesse vow
Affoording nothing vnto thee but death:
For had thou daign'd thy haughty heart to bow
To th' meanest souldier that our Legions hath,
He rather would haue sacrifiz'd his breath,
Or that he would haue suffered thee to bee
Vs'd by constraint, much lesse haue seene thee die.
Affoording nothing vnto thee but death:
For had thou daign'd thy haughty heart to bow
To th' meanest souldier that our Legions hath,
He rather would haue sacrifiz'd his breath,
Or that he would haue suffered thee to bee
Vs'd by constraint, much lesse haue seene thee die.
But I much more then common souldiers be:
A Captaine, a Commander, and a King,
Whom Fortune in her grace aduanc'd so high,
That mighty Princes I to bands did bring,
Cannot (alas) O to be wondred thing!
Thee poore distressed Dame from bondage shield,
Who to none liuing but my selfe would yeeld.
A Captaine, a Commander, and a King,
Whom Fortune in her grace aduanc'd so high,
That mighty Princes I to bands did bring,
Cannot (alas) O to be wondred thing!
Thee poore distressed Dame from bondage shield,
Who to none liuing but my selfe would yeeld.
Thou neither life, nor kingdome didst implore,
Nor yet thy husband Syphax his releefe,
Nor that they would thy royalty restore,
Nor that thy followers might auoide mischiefe,
No, haplesse Queene, this was thy onely griefe,
And wofull sute, that to no Romaine borne,
Thou might be giu'n to liue in seruile scorne.
Nor yet thy husband Syphax his releefe,
Nor that they would thy royalty restore,
Nor that thy followers might auoide mischiefe,
No, haplesse Queene, this was thy onely griefe,
And wofull sute, that to no Romaine borne,
Thou might be giu'n to liue in seruile scorne.
Innated hatred, bred in either blood,
Of Carthaginian and of Romaine race,
Farre worse then death, feare of their seruitude,
Made thee alas, to thinke it lesse disgrace,
To haue beene sacrificed in that place,
By some—bloud guilty hand, nor liu'd a Queene,
In chaines of gold, in Romes faire Citty seene.
Of Carthaginian and of Romaine race,
Farre worse then death, feare of their seruitude,
Made thee alas, to thinke it lesse disgrace,
To haue beene sacrificed in that place,
By some—bloud guilty hand, nor liu'd a Queene,
In chaines of gold, in Romes faire Citty seene.
Which made thee to relye thy hopes on me,
Whom neighbourhood and nature did combine,
Com'd of Italian bloud by no degree,
But of that ancient great Numidiau line,
Which euer at Romes greatnesse did repine:
And most of all, this one thing mou'd thy minde.
That I was theirs by chance, and not by kinde,
Whom neighbourhood and nature did combine,
Com'd of Italian bloud by no degree,
But of that ancient great Numidiau line,
Which euer at Romes greatnesse did repine:
And most of all, this one thing mou'd thy minde.
That I was theirs by chance, and not by kinde,
And on my part much more did challenge loue,
Then countrey, blood, or birth, or high degree,
Maiesticke courage, beauty, grace, did mooue,
And plead compassion in the cruellest eye,
Hard Tygrish harted, and remorselesse hee,
Hearing thy sighes and plaints, veiwing thy teares,
Would not haue freed the scorning world of feares.
Then countrey, blood, or birth, or high degree,
Maiesticke courage, beauty, grace, did mooue,
And plead compassion in the cruellest eye,
Hard Tygrish harted, and remorselesse hee,
Hearing thy sighes and plaints, veiwing thy teares,
Would not haue freed the scorning world of feares.
Is death a ioynter equall to thy dower?
Should such a beauty be bereft of breath?
But feeble Massinissa see thy power,
Behold the fruites are frustrate of thy faith,
Who couldst not saue a Lady faire from death,
To whom (alas) were left no other meanes,
But she must die a Queene, or liue in chaines.
Should such a beauty be bereft of breath?
But feeble Massinissa see thy power,
Behold the fruites are frustrate of thy faith,
Who couldst not saue a Lady faire from death,
To whom (alas) were left no other meanes,
But she must die a Queene, or liue in chaines.
O Liberty! too dearely, dearely bought
At such a rate, so ransom'd and obtain'd,
And who procures you so, may well be thought
Of his owne life too prodigall a friend:
O cruell freedome! that must be maintain'd
By blouds expence, and by no other way,
As this vnhappy wretched Queene may say.
At such a rate, so ransom'd and obtain'd,
And who procures you so, may well be thought
Of his owne life too prodigall a friend:
O cruell freedome! that must be maintain'd
By blouds expence, and by no other way,
As this vnhappy wretched Queene may say.
Yet wronged Lady, thou art not to blame,
Now to exchange thy life for liberty:
I must sustaine the blot thereof with shame,
As th' onely author of thy miserie;
Happy, (though haples I) thou ay shalt be,
For thy braue mind into renowne be had,
Though still detested I who thee betrayd.
Now to exchange thy life for liberty:
I must sustaine the blot thereof with shame,
As th' onely author of thy miserie;
Happy, (though haples I) thou ay shalt be,
For thy braue mind into renowne be had,
Though still detested I who thee betrayd.
What shall the world and comming ages speake,
When they shall read the story of thy fall?
Shall they not sweare that I might iustly breake
To flinty Scipio, and the Romaines all?
A traytor to my heart they shall me call:
To thee but mercy: cruell, and vnkind,
And iustly all to me may be assign'd.
When they shall read the story of thy fall?
Shall they not sweare that I might iustly breake
To flinty Scipio, and the Romaines all?
A traytor to my heart they shall me call:
To thee but mercy: cruell, and vnkind,
And iustly all to me may be assign'd.
Both to my Deare vngratefull, and to Nature
I shall be thought (alas) for euer still,
That furnisht death, vnto so rare a creature,
Whom euen Deaths selfe did pitty (oh) to kill:
O to be thought-of-memorable illl
Which by no tract of time shall be forgotten,
But shall grow euer greene, when it seemes rotten.
I shall be thought (alas) for euer still,
That furnisht death, vnto so rare a creature,
Whom euen Deaths selfe did pitty (oh) to kill:
O to be thought-of-memorable illl
Which by no tract of time shall be forgotten,
But shall grow euer greene, when it seemes rotten.
What rests there then (detested wretch) to thee?
But that thou find out some repairelesse place
To waile thy woes: but whither shalt thou flie
To saue thee from the sting of thy disgrace?
For no where great Apollo showes his face,
To Indus, Tagus, Tay, nor Nilus streame,
But all shall know vile Massinissa's shame.
But that thou find out some repairelesse place
To waile thy woes: but whither shalt thou flie
To saue thee from the sting of thy disgrace?
For no where great Apollo showes his face,
To Indus, Tagus, Tay, nor Nilus streame,
But all shall know vile Massinissa's shame.
Mourne foorth thy shame with neuer-stanching teares,
Sigh for thy error till thy heart be broken,
Acquaint thy wrong to Tygers, Wolfes, and Beares,
Whose quenchles thirst of blood, thy blood may slocken,
That so thy fault may be seuerely wrocken:
And for thy beastly cruelty, that they
To stanch their hunger, on thy corps may prey.
Sigh for thy error till thy heart be broken,
Acquaint thy wrong to Tygers, Wolfes, and Beares,
Whose quenchles thirst of blood, thy blood may slocken,
That so thy fault may be seuerely wrocken:
And for thy beastly cruelty, that they
To stanch their hunger, on thy corps may prey.
But if more pitty in their sauage hearts,
There be nor was in thy remorslesse mind,
Thinke that the same nought els to thee imparts,
But as thou nature, so they'l passe their kind,
Which being to rapine and to bloud inclin'd,
Yet least it were a benefite to thee,
From tortring thoughts deny thy soule to free.
There be nor was in thy remorslesse mind,
Thinke that the same nought els to thee imparts,
But as thou nature, so they'l passe their kind,
Which being to rapine and to bloud inclin'd,
Yet least it were a benefite to thee,
From tortring thoughts deny thy soule to free.
And sometimes while the Turtle moanes her make,
With many a heauie, shrill, and piteous crie,
Leaning her soft brest to a withered stake,
Still crauing death, (poore bird) but cannot die:
No other beast neere-hand, nor no fowle nye,
Who hauing lost her loue, doth hate repaire,
Be thou her Eccho to resound her care.
With many a heauie, shrill, and piteous crie,
Leaning her soft brest to a withered stake,
Still crauing death, (poore bird) but cannot die:
No other beast neere-hand, nor no fowle nye,
Who hauing lost her loue, doth hate repaire,
Be thou her Eccho to resound her care.
Sing thou the treble to her mournfull songs,
Reply her sad notes with thy dying grones,
While she bewailes her griefes, bewaile thy wrongs,
And as she sits on prickes, sit thou on stones:
This sympathie shall best become your moanes;
This harmony of neuer-dying playnts,
Best fits the humors of such male-contents.
Reply her sad notes with thy dying grones,
While she bewailes her griefes, bewaile thy wrongs,
And as she sits on prickes, sit thou on stones:
This sympathie shall best become your moanes;
This harmony of neuer-dying playnts,
Best fits the humors of such male-contents.
This Purgatorie-penance to endure,
With patience thy selfe till death content,
Into those desarts where thou must immure
Thy errors euerlasting penitent,
Ne're finding one with whom thou maist frequent;
Vnlesse thou hap vpon some homely cell,
Where Pilgrims haunt and hoary Hermits dwel.
With patience thy selfe till death content,
Into those desarts where thou must immure
Thy errors euerlasting penitent,
Ne're finding one with whom thou maist frequent;
Vnlesse thou hap vpon some homely cell,
Where Pilgrims haunt and hoary Hermits dwel.
Liue then this death, or rather dye this life,
Let it be death to liue, and life to die:
Let thy owne soule be with thy soule at strife:
Let thy owne heart, thy hearts own bourreau be,
Let all the euils on earth triumph in thee,
Let still thy selfe be of these euils the worst,
In actions all, in life, in death accurst.
Let it be death to liue, and life to die:
Let thy owne soule be with thy soule at strife:
Let thy owne heart, thy hearts own bourreau be,
Let all the euils on earth triumph in thee,
Let still thy selfe be of these euils the worst,
In actions all, in life, in death accurst.
Thus al the night he did his plaints renew,
Mourning his sweet loues wofull miserie:
And now the Morning lent a loath'd adew,
Till amorous Titan in a scarlet die,
And the swift-winged Consort mounting high,
Tun d out their sweetest warbles in the skies,
Till Phœbus wakened with their restlesse cries.
Mourning his sweet loues wofull miserie:
And now the Morning lent a loath'd adew,
Till amorous Titan in a scarlet die,
And the swift-winged Consort mounting high,
Tun d out their sweetest warbles in the skies,
Till Phœbus wakened with their restlesse cries.
Who peece and peece his golden head vp-heaues
Aboue th' vnconstant watry liquid Maine,
There weeping Memnons losse, Aurora leaues,
Whose teares for pittie he quaffes vp againe,
Which all the night bedewed had each plaine:
The tender grasse seem'd by their withered crops,
To waile the wanting of these holesome drops.
Aboue th' vnconstant watry liquid Maine,
There weeping Memnons losse, Aurora leaues,
Whose teares for pittie he quaffes vp againe,
Which all the night bedewed had each plaine:
The tender grasse seem'd by their withered crops,
To waile the wanting of these holesome drops.
And now the Light (expelling darknesse) shin'd
Through Sophonisba's chamber where she lay,
Who all this night was most extreamly pin'd,
With vgly visions did her mind astray,
That she can nought discerne: if it be day,
She thinkes she dreames that which she waking sees,
Scarse if she will giue credit to her eyes.
Through Sophonisba's chamber where she lay,
Who all this night was most extreamly pin'd,
With vgly visions did her mind astray,
That she can nought discerne: if it be day,
She thinkes she dreames that which she waking sees,
Scarse if she will giue credit to her eyes.
But whether that accustomated time,
Or then the loathing of a restlesse rest,
Or of imagination of some crime,
The waking Sent'nell of each carefull brest:
Or then the nature of a mind opprest:
Made her to know't, or if that all in one,
But now she finds the night away is gone.
Or then the loathing of a restlesse rest,
Or of imagination of some crime,
The waking Sent'nell of each carefull brest:
Or then the nature of a mind opprest:
Made her to know't, or if that all in one,
But now she finds the night away is gone.
Then enters she for to bethinke what end,
The Oracles imported she had dream'd,
To which her fancies Commentar's do lend,
Direct contrare to that they had proclaim'd,
To apprehend the worst she is asham'd:
Loue makes her iudge of things in such degree,
Not as they were, but as she wisht to bee.
The Oracles imported she had dream'd,
To which her fancies Commentar's do lend,
Direct contrare to that they had proclaim'd,
To apprehend the worst she is asham'd:
Loue makes her iudge of things in such degree,
Not as they were, but as she wisht to bee.
But now t'auoyd those ominous conceits
Sleepe did afford, she quickly vp arose,
Leauing the snow-white, soft, and lawny sheets,
Impouerish'd thereby t'enrich her cloes,
Which to presage her worser-comming woes,
That day by fortune were of colour blacke:
And thus vnwares deaths liuery she doth take.
Sleepe did afford, she quickly vp arose,
Leauing the snow-white, soft, and lawny sheets,
Impouerish'd thereby t'enrich her cloes,
Which to presage her worser-comming woes,
That day by fortune were of colour blacke:
And thus vnwares deaths liuery she doth take.
In which her heart-bereauing beauty shin'd,
Like faire Diana in the sable night,
Or like a polisht Diamond of Ind,
Set in blacke Iet, to giue a glance more bright,
Or like the great bright Patterne of the light,
When that his glorious glistering beames do chase
Some ouer-shadowing cloudes that maske his face.
Like faire Diana in the sable night,
Or like a polisht Diamond of Ind,
Set in blacke Iet, to giue a glance more bright,
Or like the great bright Patterne of the light,
When that his glorious glistering beames do chase
Some ouer-shadowing cloudes that maske his face.
Her conquering eyes were in ambuscad layd
Of golden glittering haire, where twinkling they
Send foorth such dazeling glances from that shade,
As Phœbus brighter neuer did display:
There wanton Cupid sporting himselfe lay.
In those pure streames, which from those eyes distil'd,
From whence vn-wares the haughtiest hearts he kil'd,
Of golden glittering haire, where twinkling they
Send foorth such dazeling glances from that shade,
As Phœbus brighter neuer did display:
There wanton Cupid sporting himselfe lay.
In those pure streames, which from those eyes distil'd,
From whence vn-wares the haughtiest hearts he kil'd,
Her smooth cheekes whiter then the whitest lawne,
Or winter snowes which couer Atlas face,
Where Nature artificially had drawne,
Her fairer nose, that fairer part to grace:
On whose each side a little distant space,
Vermillion Roses, and sweet Lillies grew
Which checker'd that faire field with crimson hew.
Or winter snowes which couer Atlas face,
Where Nature artificially had drawne,
Her fairer nose, that fairer part to grace:
On whose each side a little distant space,
Vermillion Roses, and sweet Lillies grew
Which checker'd that faire field with crimson hew.
Her teeth like rankes of orientall pearle,
With corrall died lips were compas'd round,
From whence farre sweeter then the well tun'd merle:
Her heart-bereauing tongue did softly sound:
Words of such force the flintiest heart to wound.
Her baulmy breath, in worth, in taste, in smell,
Did ciuet, muske, and amber-greaze excell.
With corrall died lips were compas'd round,
From whence farre sweeter then the well tun'd merle:
Her heart-bereauing tongue did softly sound:
Words of such force the flintiest heart to wound.
Her baulmy breath, in worth, in taste, in smell,
Did ciuet, muske, and amber-greaze excell.
Her dimpled chinne (loues cabinet) where he,
To gaze on hidden beauty oft repar'd,
Their sat the wanton, and with lusting eye,
Now on her breast, now on her belly star'd:
Whose amorous soule with such hid ioyes insnar'd.
Betwixt her milky globes skipt oft from thence,
A littler lower to delight his sence.
To gaze on hidden beauty oft repar'd,
Their sat the wanton, and with lusting eye,
Now on her breast, now on her belly star'd:
Whose amorous soule with such hid ioyes insnar'd.
Betwixt her milky globes skipt oft from thence,
A littler lower to delight his sence.
Her marble necke did vnder-prop those graces,
Which from her line straight-body stately sprung,
Her foulding armes into there seuerall places,
Close by her tender dainty sides downe hung:
From whence her snow white hands, smooth, sleeke and long
In Iuory colums, did themselues forth spread,
Whose smallest touch the heauiest heart could glad.
Which from her line straight-body stately sprung,
Her foulding armes into there seuerall places,
Close by her tender dainty sides downe hung:
From whence her snow white hands, smooth, sleeke and long
In Iuory colums, did themselues forth spread,
Whose smallest touch the heauiest heart could glad.
Her breast the cabbin of her Princely minde,
Whereon two alablaster globes were fixt,
Whose wounding aspect the beholders pin'de:
Being heere and there with azur'd veines commixt,
To tell her other rar'ties were prolixt.
Imagine all her clothes of cristall glasse,
VVhere eyes cannot, let apprehension passe.
Whereon two alablaster globes were fixt,
Whose wounding aspect the beholders pin'de:
Being heere and there with azur'd veines commixt,
To tell her other rar'ties were prolixt.
Imagine all her clothes of cristall glasse,
VVhere eyes cannot, let apprehension passe.
But liuely to expresse her right Idea,
And in a word her matchlesse parts to tell,
Such was sweet Sidneis faire, faire Philoclea,
When her braue riuals at contention fel
By Ladons streames, yet ours did her excel.
In that his braine but dream'd of such as she,
Ours was that which, his braine dream'd her to bee.
And in a word her matchlesse parts to tell,
Such was sweet Sidneis faire, faire Philoclea,
When her braue riuals at contention fel
By Ladons streames, yet ours did her excel.
In that his braine but dream'd of such as she,
Ours was that which, his braine dream'd her to bee.
Thus deckt (sweet Lady) both by Art and Nature,
Viewd, woundred at, admired by each eie,
She leaues her chamber like some heauenly creature,
Adorn'd with all the pompe of Maiesty,
But ah! who can auoide the Fates decree?
VVhat power can flie death, when he list to strike,
In court and cottage priuiledg'd a like?
Viewd, woundred at, admired by each eie,
She leaues her chamber like some heauenly creature,
Adorn'd with all the pompe of Maiesty,
But ah! who can auoide the Fates decree?
VVhat power can flie death, when he list to strike,
In court and cottage priuiledg'd a like?
Nor doth this breath-bereauing monster keepe,
A certaine diet, or appointed date,
For sometime they who most securely sleepe,
VVho doe on nothing lesse then death conceit,
There life then hangs into most dangerous state:
For why vnwares he oftimes comes to many,
But being calld for, seldome comes to any.
A certaine diet, or appointed date,
For sometime they who most securely sleepe,
VVho doe on nothing lesse then death conceit,
There life then hangs into most dangerous state:
For why vnwares he oftimes comes to many,
But being calld for, seldome comes to any.
And when he comes, request, nor yet intreat,
With this remorselesse catife nought availes,
For when he finds aproach the fatall date:
The execution neuer in him failes,
So many kinde of waies this theefe assailes,
That where so e're we goe, we walke, or fare,
Head-longs we run the post into his snare.
With this remorselesse catife nought availes,
For when he finds aproach the fatall date:
The execution neuer in him failes,
So many kinde of waies this theefe assailes,
That where so e're we goe, we walke, or fare,
Head-longs we run the post into his snare.
Ten thousand diuers meanes he has, whereby
He do's destroy this little world of man,
Sometime by naturall sicknesse makes him lie,
Till Atrop's cut the thred her sister span:
Sometime by sword, by pestilence, or than
By cruell famine, which of all is worst,
Poore silly man to quit his breath is forst.
He do's destroy this little world of man,
Sometime by naturall sicknesse makes him lie,
Till Atrop's cut the thred her sister span:
Sometime by sword, by pestilence, or than
By cruell famine, which of all is worst,
Poore silly man to quit his breath is forst.
He sometime stirs vp brother against brother
To cruell iarres, like earth-borne Cadmus brood,
And which is more vnnaturall, makes the mother
T'inwombe againe her child for want of food,
And sometime makes within the raging flood,
The monstrous great Balena to intombe,
Poore wretched man within his hollow wombe.
To cruell iarres, like earth-borne Cadmus brood,
And which is more vnnaturall, makes the mother
T'inwombe againe her child for want of food,
And sometime makes within the raging flood,
The monstrous great Balena to intombe,
Poore wretched man within his hollow wombe.
And in this last age mongst so many hunders,
Of diuers kindes of instruments he hath,
The deuill ha's moulded one engine that thunders
Destruction, ruine, horror, terrour, death;
This mercy-wanting frame, this birth of wrath,
Not onely brai's to ashes, flesh and bones,
But ruins mountaines, hils and towers of stones.
Of diuers kindes of instruments he hath,
The deuill ha's moulded one engine that thunders
Destruction, ruine, horror, terrour, death;
This mercy-wanting frame, this birth of wrath,
Not onely brai's to ashes, flesh and bones,
But ruins mountaines, hils and towers of stones.
Yet notwithstanding all those diuerse waies,
He hath reserued secret meanes, whereby,
To kill whom neither sword nor famine slaies,
Nor naturall death, nor pestilence makes die:
Nor that is swallowed by the raging sea.
With powerfull poison secret and vnseene,
He can dispatch, as he did serue this Queene.
He hath reserued secret meanes, whereby,
To kill whom neither sword nor famine slaies,
Nor naturall death, nor pestilence makes die:
Nor that is swallowed by the raging sea.
With powerfull poison secret and vnseene,
He can dispatch, as he did serue this Queene.
For now the post, who, as you heard, was gone,
From Masinissa so his iourney hied
That by the swift pac'd horses of the Sunne,
Were in their places to his Charriot tied.
He Sophonisbae's palace had espied,
And euen as from her chamber shee did goe,
He doth his letters and his credit shew.
From Masinissa so his iourney hied
That by the swift pac'd horses of the Sunne,
Were in their places to his Charriot tied.
He Sophonisbae's palace had espied,
And euen as from her chamber shee did goe,
He doth his letters and his credit shew.
But he no sooner doth approach her sight,
When lo her alwaies harme-misdeeming minde,
Takes apprehension all things went not right:
Whether t'were that her Genius so deuin'd,
Or that her thoughts suspiciously enclin'd,
Marking the letters date and his great speed,
Coniectures some sad matter to succeed.
When lo her alwaies harme-misdeeming minde,
Takes apprehension all things went not right:
Whether t'were that her Genius so deuin'd,
Or that her thoughts suspiciously enclin'd,
Marking the letters date and his great speed,
Coniectures some sad matter to succeed.
Yet doth she all that lies in her to couer,
This suddaine feare that so appales her heart,
And to that end ask's for his Lord her louer:
In what good health he was, and in what part:
And with that word her stagring tongue did thwart.
For the remembrance in what part he was,
Inforc'd her minde to sadder thoughts giue place.
This suddaine feare that so appales her heart,
And to that end ask's for his Lord her louer:
In what good health he was, and in what part:
And with that word her stagring tongue did thwart.
For the remembrance in what part he was,
Inforc'd her minde to sadder thoughts giue place.
Then with a houering silence still she stands
And gazes on the ground with staring eyes,
The simple swain to such abrupt demaunds,
Ere he could answere long amazed staies;
At last with bashfull tongue he thus replies,
Your royall husband, Madam, and my Lord,
Rests in good health as I can well record.
And gazes on the ground with staring eyes,
The simple swain to such abrupt demaunds,
Ere he could answere long amazed staies;
At last with bashfull tongue he thus replies,
Your royall husband, Madam, and my Lord,
Rests in good health as I can well record.
Of which (sayd hee) I hope his princely letter.
Can better far then I informe your grace,
I thanke thee friend (sayd shee) but sighes did let her
To say the rest, such was her carefull case:
Transported for a while, she held her peace.
Words killing sighes, sighes killing words againe,
So that betwixt them her discours is slaine.
Can better far then I informe your grace,
I thanke thee friend (sayd shee) but sighes did let her
To say the rest, such was her carefull case:
Transported for a while, she held her peace.
Words killing sighes, sighes killing words againe,
So that betwixt them her discours is slaine.
This airy combat, this debate of breath,
This speech restrayning strife, this sighing warre
Did euen bewray what she to shew was saith:
And makes the carrier to discerne her care,
Who sad to see a beauty matchlesse faire,
In such a plight (poore swaine) he smiling told her,
How much his louing Lord long'd to behold her.
This speech restrayning strife, this sighing warre
Did euen bewray what she to shew was saith:
And makes the carrier to discerne her care,
Who sad to see a beauty matchlesse faire,
In such a plight (poore swaine) he smiling told her,
How much his louing Lord long'd to behold her.
By speech and iesture shee remarkes him then,
Vndoubted badges of a troubled minde,
And neither token, nor appeerance can
Of any harme by his behauiour find;
So that her feares they vanish with the winde.
And her disturbed thoughts of new takes hold,
Of better hopes which makes her somewhat bold.
Vndoubted badges of a troubled minde,
And neither token, nor appeerance can
Of any harme by his behauiour find;
So that her feares they vanish with the winde.
And her disturbed thoughts of new takes hold,
Of better hopes which makes her somewhat bold.
She takes the letter and with smyling cheere,
She opens and vnfoulds the seales with speed,
At the first view whereof it did appeere,
The crimson beauty of her cheekes did fade
Which straight returnes into a brighter red,
In scarlet collour dying all her face,
Which to pale whitenesse soone againe giues place.
She opens and vnfoulds the seales with speed,
At the first view whereof it did appeere,
The crimson beauty of her cheekes did fade
Which straight returnes into a brighter red,
In scarlet collour dying all her face,
Which to pale whitenesse soone againe giues place.
But howsoe'r her bloud thus went and came,
Vn-interrupted she reads out the letter,
And hauing read it still reads o're the same:
The more she reads it seemes she likes it better,
The standers-by thought it some louely matter,
Which in the reading bred her so great pleasure,
Leaues her alone to read it at more leasure,
Vn-interrupted she reads out the letter,
And hauing read it still reads o're the same:
The more she reads it seemes she likes it better,
The standers-by thought it some louely matter,
Which in the reading bred her so great pleasure,
Leaues her alone to read it at more leasure,
Thus left, and left in such a taking to,
She takes the poyson and remarkes it well,
Which she could not so vnamaz'dly doe,
But that her heart a sodaine change did feele:
Her dazled eyes began for feare to reell,
And if that honour had not come to aide her,
Fraile flesh and life to view it more had stai'd her.
She takes the poyson and remarkes it well,
Which she could not so vnamaz'dly doe,
But that her heart a sodaine change did feele:
Her dazled eyes began for feare to reell,
And if that honour had not come to aide her,
Fraile flesh and life to view it more had stai'd her.
Then enters straight a combat in her soule,
Betwixt her honour and her fearefull life,
Life wishes her to shun a death so foule:
Honour by death praies her to end all strife:
Life yet intreats for respit to her life,
And honour still protests that in no case,
But by her death she can avoide disgrace.
Betwixt her honour and her fearefull life,
Life wishes her to shun a death so foule:
Honour by death praies her to end all strife:
Life yet intreats for respit to her life,
And honour still protests that in no case,
But by her death she can avoide disgrace.
And addes this more, that if she ment to liue,
She needs would leaue her, and with her also,
Her chastity which heauily did greeue,
To be a prey to an insulting foe:
And praies her to accept of either two,
A glorious death with honour and with fame,
Or still to liue with foule reproach and shame.
She needs would leaue her, and with her also,
Her chastity which heauily did greeue,
To be a prey to an insulting foe:
And praies her to accept of either two,
A glorious death with honour and with fame,
Or still to liue with foule reproach and shame.
But life againe those reasons t'ouerthrow,
A thousand sweet alluring baites doth lay
Before her eyes, thereby to make her know,
T'was inhumane her selfe to kill and slay:
Sayd she let skil-contending Doctors play,
Such tragicke fits that doe maintaine like fooles,
This honour in their Academicke schooles.
A thousand sweet alluring baites doth lay
Before her eyes, thereby to make her know,
T'was inhumane her selfe to kill and slay:
Sayd she let skil-contending Doctors play,
Such tragicke fits that doe maintaine like fooles,
This honour in their Academicke schooles.
And whereas honour now would threaten thee,
That if thou liue, thou must quite claime, for aye
Thy wonted fame and spotlesse chastity,
Who shall accuse thee for the same I pray?
Thy husbands lost, captiu'd, gone, and away,
For that no ransome euer can redeeme him,
So that for dead I doubtlesse doe esteeme him.
That if thou liue, thou must quite claime, for aye
Thy wonted fame and spotlesse chastity,
Who shall accuse thee for the same I pray?
Thy husbands lost, captiu'd, gone, and away,
For that no ransome euer can redeeme him,
So that for dead I doubtlesse doe esteeme him.
Dead must to dead, the liuing to the liuing,
The graue cannot be capable of loue,
It ill beseemes thy youth to be thus greeuing:
Must thou a mourner restlesse euer proue?
Thy beauty was not fram'd to such behoue,
That thy sweete yeeres should still consumed be,
A votresse vnto loues-foe, chastity.
The graue cannot be capable of loue,
It ill beseemes thy youth to be thus greeuing:
Must thou a mourner restlesse euer proue?
Thy beauty was not fram'd to such behoue,
That thy sweete yeeres should still consumed be,
A votresse vnto loues-foe, chastity.
Let vestalls, who all other Nuns excells,
Closely immur'd from mens society,
While as they chat in their religious cells,
Maintaine this idle theame of chastitie,
Let this their Euen-song, and their Matins be,
A text more fitting that retired sort,
Then for the tender beauties of the Court.
Closely immur'd from mens society,
While as they chat in their religious cells,
Maintaine this idle theame of chastitie,
Let this their Euen-song, and their Matins be,
A text more fitting that retired sort,
Then for the tender beauties of the Court.
Beauty (God knowes) was not ordain'd to mone,
Nor to liue chastely at her first creation:
For skilfull Nature, who hath made the Sunne
To giue vs light, made her for procreation,
Not Image-like for ostentation,
But as choise fruites are made-of for choise seedes,
And stately Stallions to breed stately steeds.
Nor to liue chastely at her first creation:
For skilfull Nature, who hath made the Sunne
To giue vs light, made her for procreation,
Not Image-like for ostentation,
But as choise fruites are made-of for choise seedes,
And stately Stallions to breed stately steeds.
As th' Apple to the taste, the Rose to smell,
The pleasant Lilly to delight the eye,
Gould for the touch, sweete Musick greefe to expell,
So rarest beauty was ordained to be,
The mindes desired full saciety,
The treasure of the soule, the hearts delight,
Loues full contentment both by day and night.
The pleasant Lilly to delight the eye,
Gould for the touch, sweete Musick greefe to expell,
So rarest beauty was ordained to be,
The mindes desired full saciety,
The treasure of the soule, the hearts delight,
Loues full contentment both by day and night.
Stray but along the pleasant fields and see,
If that each creature loues not in some measure,
The wanton birds sit billing on each tree,
To see the faire Pawne wooe, it were a pleasure,
Beauty alone is not the Princes treasure,
Marke well each flock, by mountaine or by plaine,
Is follow'd by some louing Nimph or Swaine.
If that each creature loues not in some measure,
The wanton birds sit billing on each tree,
To see the faire Pawne wooe, it were a pleasure,
Beauty alone is not the Princes treasure,
Marke well each flock, by mountaine or by plaine,
Is follow'd by some louing Nimph or Swaine.
There feeds the Heifer, and the gentle Ewe,
Courting the proud Bull, and the sawcy Ramme,
There does the courser his hotte loue pursue,
With his braue breeder in a mutuall flame:
The timorous Hare, and Conie doth the same,
So doth the princely Stagge, the milke white Hinde,
All loue according to their course of kinde.
Courting the proud Bull, and the sawcy Ramme,
There does the courser his hotte loue pursue,
With his braue breeder in a mutuall flame:
The timorous Hare, and Conie doth the same,
So doth the princely Stagge, the milke white Hinde,
All loue according to their course of kinde.
And if it be not that sole bird of wonder,
Th' Arabian Phœnix, nothing breath's but loues,
Which vestall like, doth spend of yeares fiue hunder,
And neuer loues sweete operation prooues;
The thought thereof, so much her chaste minde mooues,
That as agreeu'd to liue so long alone,
At length she burnes for sorrow in the sunne.
Th' Arabian Phœnix, nothing breath's but loues,
Which vestall like, doth spend of yeares fiue hunder,
And neuer loues sweete operation prooues;
The thought thereof, so much her chaste minde mooues,
That as agreeu'd to liue so long alone,
At length she burnes for sorrow in the sunne.
How then vnkindly honor with thee deales,
Who so vntimely would thy life bereaue?
As if that nothing now saue death auailes,
Nor that thou could not liue vnlesse a slaue,
How fondly loe, she seekes thee to deceaue,
There's no such danger, if thou wilt beleeue,
From hence therfore, let no such thoughts thee grieue.
Who so vntimely would thy life bereaue?
As if that nothing now saue death auailes,
Nor that thou could not liue vnlesse a slaue,
How fondly loe, she seekes thee to deceaue,
There's no such danger, if thou wilt beleeue,
From hence therfore, let no such thoughts thee grieue.
The meekest conquerors to a yeelding foe,
That euer yet aspir'd to greatnesse hight,
Are the braue Romans, who as wisely know,
To vse their mercy as they doe their might;
Let not dispaire so much thy soule affright,
For why thy fates more good to thee designe,
If thou do not against thy fates repine.
That euer yet aspir'd to greatnesse hight,
Are the braue Romans, who as wisely know,
To vse their mercy as they doe their might;
Let not dispaire so much thy soule affright,
For why thy fates more good to thee designe,
If thou do not against thy fates repine.
Conceit that thou must brauely liue in blisse,
Thinke that thy minde and fortune shall agree,
Who knowes but that thy noble friend ere this,
Has mollified proud Scipios hard decree?
'T'is time enough sweete Queene for thee to dye,
When thou art not thy selfe, euen then alasse,
When thy true glasse shall shew thy wrinckled face.
Thinke that thy minde and fortune shall agree,
Who knowes but that thy noble friend ere this,
Has mollified proud Scipios hard decree?
'T'is time enough sweete Queene for thee to dye,
When thou art not thy selfe, euen then alasse,
When thy true glasse shall shew thy wrinckled face.
Thy dainty corps fits better to receiue
The sweet imbracements of a louing friend
Then to be made a morsell for the graue,
From whence againe it cannot be redeem'd:
Oh! that from thence it might be still exeem'd,
Thy beauty is too delicate a prey.
By lothsome wormes to be consum'd away.
The sweet imbracements of a louing friend
Then to be made a morsell for the graue,
From whence againe it cannot be redeem'd:
Oh! that from thence it might be still exeem'd,
Thy beauty is too delicate a prey.
By lothsome wormes to be consum'd away.
Thus fearefull life did for her selfe protest,
Still seeking intertainment by delayes;
Till Honor mad to see her so possest,
With such inchanting, false, and Syren sayes,
Her conquering colours boldly forth displayes,
Into the face of life, and in this sort,
Her arguments and errors doth retort,
Still seeking intertainment by delayes;
Till Honor mad to see her so possest,
With such inchanting, false, and Syren sayes,
Her conquering colours boldly forth displayes,
Into the face of life, and in this sort,
Her arguments and errors doth retort,
And what O life! and must thou too conspire
With her disgrace t'out-liue a glorious name?
Fye dastard, banish such a fond desire,
And blush thou didst conceit the same for shame,
I put the case thou passe the date of fame,
And that thou scape th' insulting victors wrath,
Yet what assurance hast thou of thy breath?
With her disgrace t'out-liue a glorious name?
Fye dastard, banish such a fond desire,
And blush thou didst conceit the same for shame,
I put the case thou passe the date of fame,
And that thou scape th' insulting victors wrath,
Yet what assurance hast thou of thy breath?
Which like a dreame, a smoake, a vapor flyes,
Without assured or prefixed date,
How many well at morne or euening dies:
“Such is the frailty of our humaine state,
“Most certainly vncertaine, of our fate.
Yet this we know for certaine, wee must dye.
When, where, or how God knowes, vncertaine wee.
Without assured or prefixed date,
How many well at morne or euening dies:
“Such is the frailty of our humaine state,
“Most certainly vncertaine, of our fate.
Yet this we know for certaine, wee must dye.
When, where, or how God knowes, vncertaine wee.
Then peeuish hagge, how dares thou thus presume,
With thy be-lying reasons to perswade,
This fortune-wronged Lady to see Rome,
As if no danger thereby might be had?
Shall it of Sophonisba (ah) be said,
That she t'shunne a transitory paine,
Made choice to liue vnto her honours staine.
With thy be-lying reasons to perswade,
This fortune-wronged Lady to see Rome,
As if no danger thereby might be had?
Shall it of Sophonisba (ah) be said,
That she t'shunne a transitory paine,
Made choice to liue vnto her honours staine.
No, no, it were an vnaduised choise,
Great Queene, for thee to liue with such disgrace,
What more dishonour couldst thou do to those,
I meane to Syphax, Carthage, and thy race,
Then that thou shouldst now fearfully giue place
To lifes allurements ,which doth seeke with shame,
To kill thee by the killing of thy fame?
Great Queene, for thee to liue with such disgrace,
What more dishonour couldst thou do to those,
I meane to Syphax, Carthage, and thy race,
Then that thou shouldst now fearfully giue place
To lifes allurements ,which doth seeke with shame,
To kill thee by the killing of thy fame?
Would not great Syphax blush to heare it told,
His soules chiefe minion, darling of his heart,
T'inioy whose loue, hee was so fondly bold,
From the great Romans friendship to depart,
Which makes him liue captiu'd in endlesse smart,
Should now t'his eternal griefe be made,
A lustfull prey vnto a lawlesse bed?
His soules chiefe minion, darling of his heart,
T'inioy whose loue, hee was so fondly bold,
From the great Romans friendship to depart,
Which makes him liue captiu'd in endlesse smart,
Should now t'his eternal griefe be made,
A lustfull prey vnto a lawlesse bed?
And would not Romes Corriuall to be sorrie,
Great Carthage that her Sophonisba should
Be made a trophæ to the Romane glorie,
Whose matchlesse beautie oft-times purchase could
Mo friends to her then all her wealth or gold,
It doubtlesse would breed in that famous cittie
More hate to her then either loue or pitty.
Great Carthage that her Sophonisba should
Be made a trophæ to the Romane glorie,
Whose matchlesse beautie oft-times purchase could
Mo friends to her then all her wealth or gold,
It doubtlesse would breed in that famous cittie
More hate to her then either loue or pitty.
What would thy parents, friends, and kindred say,
If thou shouldst yeeld a captiue now to be?
But all bewaile the curst vnhappy day
Of thy conception and natiuitie:
Then drinke this potion, that thou maist set free
Thy matchles-noble mind from beeing thrall,
So shalt thou be most famous in thy fall.
If thou shouldst yeeld a captiue now to be?
But all bewaile the curst vnhappy day
Of thy conception and natiuitie:
Then drinke this potion, that thou maist set free
Thy matchles-noble mind from beeing thrall,
So shalt thou be most famous in thy fall.
Looke how we see on glassie Neptunes face,
Two warlike ships a furious fight begin,
Now flies the one, the other now takes chase,
Now by the loofe, now by the lee they rin,
The liquid Mayne with their sharpe beakes they twin:
At length they grapple, and then boords in hast,
And who first enters backe againe is chac't.
Two warlike ships a furious fight begin,
Now flies the one, the other now takes chase,
Now by the loofe, now by the lee they rin,
The liquid Mayne with their sharpe beakes they twin:
At length they grapple, and then boords in hast,
And who first enters backe againe is chac't.
No otherwise within her care-fraught breast,
This powerfull combat twixt her life and honor,
Is still maintain'd by turnes, whiles th' one is chac't,
Whiles th' other flies, whiles both do set vpon her,
Yet neither of them to their side can win her:
But now to honor, now to life giues place,
And dares not either freely to embrace.
This powerfull combat twixt her life and honor,
Is still maintain'd by turnes, whiles th' one is chac't,
Whiles th' other flies, whiles both do set vpon her,
Yet neither of them to their side can win her:
But now to honor, now to life giues place,
And dares not either freely to embrace.
Now in the midst of this intestine warre,
Vncertaine thus to either side to yeeld,
Her passions still augment, more growes her care;
Her woes the greater that they are conceal'd:
“Sorrow is lightest when it is reueal'd:
“A heauy burthen to a troubled hart,
“Is much to feele, and little to impart.
Vncertaine thus to either side to yeeld,
Her passions still augment, more growes her care;
Her woes the greater that they are conceal'd:
“Sorrow is lightest when it is reueal'd:
“A heauy burthen to a troubled hart,
“Is much to feele, and little to impart.
Yet in this sad and silent agonie,
While life and honor furiously contend,
Enters braue Courage with audacitie,
And giues this inward strise a fatall end,
And Honors high attempt doth so commend,
That in despite of what her life could say,
Makes her resolu'd to die without delay.
While life and honor furiously contend,
Enters braue Courage with audacitie,
And giues this inward strise a fatall end,
And Honors high attempt doth so commend,
That in despite of what her life could say,
Makes her resolu'd to die without delay.
At last she gently enters to vnfold
Her currall lips, from whence her balmy breath,
Euen loath to leaue that paradized hold,
Where it so long time sweetly soiourn'd hath,
Flies houering bout her lips afraid of death,
Till gentle Zephir's gales finding it there,
Doth softly blow it to perfume the ayre.
Her currall lips, from whence her balmy breath,
Euen loath to leaue that paradized hold,
Where it so long time sweetly soiourn'd hath,
Flies houering bout her lips afraid of death,
Till gentle Zephir's gales finding it there,
Doth softly blow it to perfume the ayre.
Looke how in cleare Meanders winding brinkes,
The snow-white Swan her exequies doth sing
In sweetest notes, till that for paine she shrinkes,
And doth her musicke with her breath resigne:
Euen so doth she, O to be wondred thing!
Vnto the poyson such sweet speeches breath,
As she had courted Cupid and not Death.
The snow-white Swan her exequies doth sing
In sweetest notes, till that for paine she shrinkes,
And doth her musicke with her breath resigne:
Euen so doth she, O to be wondred thing!
Vnto the poyson such sweet speeches breath,
As she had courted Cupid and not Death.
Thrice-happy welcome guift (sayd she to me)
And much more welcome had thou bin (God knowes)
If husbands hands had not affoorded thee,
For Deaths more grieuous friends do giue then foes,
Yet art thou not to blame, thou knewst my choice
Was euer to preferre a glorious death
Before an ignominious seruile breath.
And much more welcome had thou bin (God knowes)
If husbands hands had not affoorded thee,
For Deaths more grieuous friends do giue then foes,
Yet art thou not to blame, thou knewst my choice
Was euer to preferre a glorious death
Before an ignominious seruile breath.
I thanke you hartly for your kind regard,
And for the due aduertisement you giue
Of Scipio's plots, against poore me prepar'd,
Who for his owne sake suffers me to liue,
The period of Ambition to atchiue,
To lead in triumph such a mighty Queene,
Who neuer shall at Rome aliue be seene.
And for the due aduertisement you giue
Of Scipio's plots, against poore me prepar'd,
Who for his owne sake suffers me to liue,
The period of Ambition to atchiue,
To lead in triumph such a mighty Queene,
Who neuer shall at Rome aliue be seene.
Nor shall that proude ore-all-empiring citty,
Or her more proud inhabitants, whose rage
My father, friends, and kindred all but pitty,
Kild and vndid their furie to asswage,
Behold me captiue clos'd up in a cage,
Or lead in triumph to their Capitoll,
I rather chuse a thousand deaths to tholl.
Or her more proud inhabitants, whose rage
My father, friends, and kindred all but pitty,
Kild and vndid their furie to asswage,
Behold me captiue clos'd up in a cage,
Or lead in triumph to their Capitoll,
I rather chuse a thousand deaths to tholl.
Where her faire glorious Dames enricht by spoyle
Of an vnlawfull conquest, daily weares
Those robes and iewels which with great turmoyle,
Others haue conquerd to their haplesse heires:
Who ouercome with this great power of theirs,
Giue all they haue to ransome their poore liues,
Which they send home to beautifie their wiues.
Of an vnlawfull conquest, daily weares
Those robes and iewels which with great turmoyle,
Others haue conquerd to their haplesse heires:
Who ouercome with this great power of theirs,
Giue all they haue to ransome their poore liues,
Which they send home to beautifie their wiues.
Shall they into their windowes richly deckt,
To gaze vpon my miseries remaine?
Or shall they with their longing lookes expect
My wish'd approch, their eyes to entertaine
With the sad obiect of my glories waine?
But ere their sights be satisfied so,
I rather chuse quicke to my graue to go.
To gaze vpon my miseries remaine?
Or shall they with their longing lookes expect
My wish'd approch, their eyes to entertaine
With the sad obiect of my glories waine?
But ere their sights be satisfied so,
I rather chuse quicke to my graue to go.
No, none ore me shall so insult or vaunt,
Whome slaue nor captiue they shall neuer see,
Though conquerd and orecome my selfe I graunt,
In all things else, yet of my liberty
None other liuing shall commander be;
Which I esteeme and prize at higher rate,
Then whatsoeuer riches, wealth, or state.
Whome slaue nor captiue they shall neuer see,
Though conquerd and orecome my selfe I graunt,
In all things else, yet of my liberty
None other liuing shall commander be;
Which I esteeme and prize at higher rate,
Then whatsoeuer riches, wealth, or state.
Shall I who in the highest chiefe degree
Of Fortunes fauour lately shin'd in grace,
Abase my selfe so low a slaue to be,
To those who ruin'd me and all my race?
No, no such thought nor motion shall haue place,
Though all the euils on earth should me oppresse,
I liu'd a Queene, and I must die no lesse,
Of Fortunes fauour lately shin'd in grace,
Abase my selfe so low a slaue to be,
To those who ruin'd me and all my race?
No, no such thought nor motion shall haue place,
Though all the euils on earth should me oppresse,
I liu'd a Queene, and I must die no lesse,
Let Rome triumph to heare of my distresse,
But neuer glorie to behold my wo:
Scipio my wracke in words may well expresse,
But me a captiue shall he neuer show:
Go who so list, I neuer meane to go
One foote, to grace his victories, I vow,
With his designes beeing so acquainted now.
But neuer glorie to behold my wo:
Scipio my wracke in words may well expresse,
But me a captiue shall he neuer show:
Go who so list, I neuer meane to go
One foote, to grace his victories, I vow,
With his designes beeing so acquainted now.
Haue not mine eyes as yet beheld alasse,
To many wofull obiects, but of force
They must behold and view their owne disgrace,
To grace the breeders triumph which is worse:
Is there no other pitty nor remorse?
My crown's bereft, what rests there more to doe,
Must they bereaue me of my honour to?
To many wofull obiects, but of force
They must behold and view their owne disgrace,
To grace the breeders triumph which is worse:
Is there no other pitty nor remorse?
My crown's bereft, what rests there more to doe,
Must they bereaue me of my honour to?
The gods and nature to the world did giue mee,
Most free by birth, and so I'ue liu'd as yet,
And of my birth-right would they now bereaue me
To curbe me with captiuities hard bit?
I minde not so from Natures gift to flit.
My freedomes lease till death doth not expire,
Which I to forfit neuer shall desire.
Most free by birth, and so I'ue liu'd as yet,
And of my birth-right would they now bereaue me
To curbe me with captiuities hard bit?
I minde not so from Natures gift to flit.
My freedomes lease till death doth not expire,
Which I to forfit neuer shall desire.
Thrice happy yee that spent your blessed breaths
In the defence of country liberty,
Who by your glorious and renouned deaths,
Express'd your mindes great magnanimity:
And left sad tokens to the enemy
Of your great valour and couragious spirits
While each his death, with his foes death acquits.
In the defence of country liberty,
Who by your glorious and renouned deaths,
Express'd your mindes great magnanimity:
And left sad tokens to the enemy
Of your great valour and couragious spirits
While each his death, with his foes death acquits.
As most kinde children to your natiue soile,
In her defence yee spent your deerest bloud,
Your eyes ne'r vewing the regratefull spoile
Heauens hauing your attempts and force withstood
Which the proude fortune-follow'd multitude,
Of your fierce foes tooke on your haplesse ayres,
Being plagued both in this your losse, and theirs.
In her defence yee spent your deerest bloud,
Your eyes ne'r vewing the regratefull spoile
Heauens hauing your attempts and force withstood
Which the proude fortune-follow'd multitude,
Of your fierce foes tooke on your haplesse ayres,
Being plagued both in this your losse, and theirs.
Of which none iustlier may lament then I,
The wofull type of fortunes fickle grace,
Who with those haplesse eyes (alasse) did spie:
My noble father slaine before my face:
And by his side the most part of our race.
My husband conquer'd and captiu'd also,
In whose each griefe I felt a seueral woe.
The wofull type of fortunes fickle grace,
Who with those haplesse eyes (alasse) did spie:
My noble father slaine before my face:
And by his side the most part of our race.
My husband conquer'd and captiu'd also,
In whose each griefe I felt a seueral woe.
But fortune neuer wearied of change,
Vnconstant goddesse which affects nought more,
As if alone on mee she ment reuenge,
While death and horror stood my eyes before,
Did then present me with a shew of glore,
As if repenting of her former wrong,
And yet meant greater iniuries ere long.
Vnconstant goddesse which affects nought more,
As if alone on mee she ment reuenge,
While death and horror stood my eyes before,
Did then present me with a shew of glore,
As if repenting of her former wrong,
And yet meant greater iniuries ere long.
Who would haue thought amidst a world of woes,
While nothing but destruction did appeere,
All being in power of the insulting foes,
Life, liberty, or what I held most deere:
Teares in my eyes, my heart possest with feare,
Looking for nothing but a shamefull death,
That fortune then had mitigate her wrath?
While nothing but destruction did appeere,
All being in power of the insulting foes,
Life, liberty, or what I held most deere:
Teares in my eyes, my heart possest with feare,
Looking for nothing but a shamefull death,
That fortune then had mitigate her wrath?
Oh! had I died when death was so expected,
It had not seem'd so grieuous far (alasse)
For while I stood at vnder and deiected,
Bearing the burden of a sad disgrace,
I would haue thought he pittied had my case
Who had me kil'd in such a wofull plight,
For death, in sorrow and despaire, seemes light.
It had not seem'd so grieuous far (alasse)
For while I stood at vnder and deiected,
Bearing the burden of a sad disgrace,
I would haue thought he pittied had my case
Who had me kil'd in such a wofull plight,
For death, in sorrow and despaire, seemes light.
But fortune false, her fury to fulfill,
Reseru'd me then to a more wretched end,
As to make him the author of my ill,
Who from all euils did euer me desend,
But pardon me deere friend if I offend,
In counting thee a partner of my wrack,
Since death seemes grieuous which from thee I take.
Reseru'd me then to a more wretched end,
As to make him the author of my ill,
Who from all euils did euer me desend,
But pardon me deere friend if I offend,
In counting thee a partner of my wrack,
Since death seemes grieuous which from thee I take.
Scarse haue I dream'd yet of that matchlesse pitty,
Which vndeseru'd you did extend to me,
When in the ruines of this sacked cittie,
Thou did preserue my wished liberty,
And which is more, vouchsafst me then to be,
Thy blist and happy, now curst haplesse bride,
Since this sad potion must our loues deuide.
Which vndeseru'd you did extend to me,
When in the ruines of this sacked cittie,
Thou did preserue my wished liberty,
And which is more, vouchsafst me then to be,
Thy blist and happy, now curst haplesse bride,
Since this sad potion must our loues deuide.
How can I but regrate, complaine and moane,
When scarcely yet I haue begun to taste
Those speachlesse pleasures that attend vpon
The sweete fruition of a Nuptiall feast,
Where sacred Hymen should be chiefest guest,
Sweete Madrigalls, and blessed hymnes be sung,
And no sad toales of buriall-bells be rung.
When scarcely yet I haue begun to taste
Those speachlesse pleasures that attend vpon
The sweete fruition of a Nuptiall feast,
Where sacred Hymen should be chiefest guest,
Sweete Madrigalls, and blessed hymnes be sung,
And no sad toales of buriall-bells be rung.
Oh let them iudge, who with delight and ioy,
Haue felt the pleasures of sweet wedlocks bed,
What griefe, what care, what sorrow, what annoy,
It's to forsake the same ere it be had!
Thus onely this, and nothing else thats said,
Makes me to hate this wofull gift of thine,
Which otherwise seemes a most blest propine.
Haue felt the pleasures of sweet wedlocks bed,
What griefe, what care, what sorrow, what annoy,
It's to forsake the same ere it be had!
Thus onely this, and nothing else thats said,
Makes me to hate this wofull gift of thine,
Which otherwise seemes a most blest propine.
But what, O loue! and must thy passions be
So powerfull in my soule, that they must mooue
Mee to accuse him of seueritie,
Who in his actions al, most kinde doth prooue?
No rather farre detested be all loue,
Or it enforce me in a thought to fall,
To him I honor'd aye, and euer shall.
So powerfull in my soule, that they must mooue
Mee to accuse him of seueritie,
Who in his actions al, most kinde doth prooue?
No rather farre detested be all loue,
Or it enforce me in a thought to fall,
To him I honor'd aye, and euer shall.
Sweete Massinissa, courteous, gentle, kinde,
That you are so, ile seale it with my bloud,
Nothing torments so much my dying minde,
Thou wast not in my better fortunes lou'd,
And O that thou, if fates had thought it good,
Had cropt the blossomes of my beauties prime,
Which now you scarce haue tasted out of time.
That you are so, ile seale it with my bloud,
Nothing torments so much my dying minde,
Thou wast not in my better fortunes lou'd,
And O that thou, if fates had thought it good,
Had cropt the blossomes of my beauties prime,
Which now you scarce haue tasted out of time.
This, this it is, breeds my eternall smart,
That in the desolation of my glory,
My wayning beauty did surprise thy heart,
Deare Lord, this makes thy dying spouse most sorry,
To thinke that she must be the wofull story,
A registred remarkeable mischiefe,
Whose loue had birth and buriall both in griefe.
That in the desolation of my glory,
My wayning beauty did surprise thy heart,
Deare Lord, this makes thy dying spouse most sorry,
To thinke that she must be the wofull story,
A registred remarkeable mischiefe,
Whose loue had birth and buriall both in griefe.
That you are guiltlesse of my haplesse death,
I both attest the heauens and spirits aboue,
In witnesse whereof heere I do bequeath,
My heart to thee, in token of our loue,
From hence no amorous motion shall me mooue:
Farewell therefore, to life, to loue, and thee,
True witnesses of deare bought liberty.
I both attest the heauens and spirits aboue,
In witnesse whereof heere I do bequeath,
My heart to thee, in token of our loue,
From hence no amorous motion shall me mooue:
Farewell therefore, to life, to loue, and thee,
True witnesses of deare bought liberty.
Go wanton Cupid, sport thee with thy mother,
In some more happy climate then is ours,
Here thou and Death will ne're agree together,
He likes the Graues, and thou the reuelling Boures,
Lasciuous Rome with her skie-mounting towers,
As Empresse of all kingdomes and Empires,
Seemes fittest place for fuell to thy fires.
In some more happy climate then is ours,
Here thou and Death will ne're agree together,
He likes the Graues, and thou the reuelling Boures,
Lasciuous Rome with her skie-mounting towers,
As Empresse of all kingdomes and Empires,
Seemes fittest place for fuell to thy fires.
Whose amorous youths, when once they feele the force,
Of thy enuenomed shafts, shall freely story
Mee and my Masinissaes sad diuorce,
Feeding their Ladies eares with farre-fetchd glory,
Straining their toungs, their wits and memory,
In their best forme, with eloquence to show,
Such accidents as they desire to know.
Of thy enuenomed shafts, shall freely story
Mee and my Masinissaes sad diuorce,
Feeding their Ladies eares with farre-fetchd glory,
Straining their toungs, their wits and memory,
In their best forme, with eloquence to show,
Such accidents as they desire to know.
One in his armes holding his deerest dame,
May haply court her with such words as these:
Faire worlds admired beauty, here I am,
Who not long since, amid ten thousand foes,
Most valiantly did this pure brest oppose,
Against the fury of the cruell'st fight,
Yet neuer wounded till approch'd thy sight.
May haply court her with such words as these:
Faire worlds admired beauty, here I am,
Who not long since, amid ten thousand foes,
Most valiantly did this pure brest oppose,
Against the fury of the cruell'st fight,
Yet neuer wounded till approch'd thy sight.
Hard by my feete, great Hasdruball lay slaine,
Who to all Romaines, bare innated hate,
Not distant farre from him was Syphax tane,
Who to oppose himselfe against our state,
Receiu'd in Dower his Daughter but of late,
Who now attends Scipios triumphant carre,
As the proud trophæ of this famous warre.
Who to all Romaines, bare innated hate,
Not distant farre from him was Syphax tane,
Who to oppose himselfe against our state,
Receiu'd in Dower his Daughter but of late,
Who now attends Scipios triumphant carre,
As the proud trophæ of this famous warre.
Let them thus vainely prattle of my griefe,
And mock my woes, my miseries and wrongs,
Let them spend time in telling my mischiefe,
Let my disgrace be subiect to their songs,
And let them all, these iolly things amongs,
Proclaime their vallour, and reueale our wrack,
Yet in my bonds they shall no pleasure take.
And mock my woes, my miseries and wrongs,
Let them spend time in telling my mischiefe,
Let my disgrace be subiect to their songs,
And let them all, these iolly things amongs,
Proclaime their vallour, and reueale our wrack,
Yet in my bonds they shall no pleasure take.
For death and I are now agreed together,
Euen from this moment neuer more to sunder,
Who by no meanes will grant I should go thither,
Where worlds of eyes vpon my fall shall wonder,
Scipio may threaten, and proud Rome may thunder,
That I shall rest their euerlasting thrall,
Yet death has vowd to set me free from all,
Euen from this moment neuer more to sunder,
Who by no meanes will grant I should go thither,
Where worlds of eyes vpon my fall shall wonder,
Scipio may threaten, and proud Rome may thunder,
That I shall rest their euerlasting thrall,
Yet death has vowd to set me free from all,
Welcome thy friendship, sweete confederate Death,
Who still most faithfull in distresse doost prooue;
Who would not gladly yeeld to thee their breath,
Since onely thou canst miseries remooue,
O how my soule with thee is falne in loue!
Knowing how quickly thou her paines can finish,
Haste then sweet death, ere she her loue diminish.
Who still most faithfull in distresse doost prooue;
Who would not gladly yeeld to thee their breath,
Since onely thou canst miseries remooue,
O how my soule with thee is falne in loue!
Knowing how quickly thou her paines can finish,
Haste then sweet death, ere she her loue diminish.
How falsely haue they wrong'd the trueth, that faine,
(Thereby to make thee odious to our eyes)
Thee to be ougly, cruell, meager, leane,
Drawing thy portrait with deformities?
Some paint thee fleshlesse, all but bones and knees:
Most like a withered vile Anatomy,
Some with a lethall Dart do picture thee.
(Thereby to make thee odious to our eyes)
Thee to be ougly, cruell, meager, leane,
Drawing thy portrait with deformities?
Some paint thee fleshlesse, all but bones and knees:
Most like a withered vile Anatomy,
Some with a lethall Dart do picture thee.
But let the world thus paint thee as they list;
Yet thou appeers most louely to my sight,
Who in this cup comes but to quench my thirst,
And not my soule with ougly shapes t'affright:
Well may that torment be accounted light,
That emptying with one draught this little boule,
From all disasters so may free my soule.
Yet thou appeers most louely to my sight,
Who in this cup comes but to quench my thirst,
And not my soule with ougly shapes t'affright:
Well may that torment be accounted light,
That emptying with one draught this little boule,
From all disasters so may free my soule.
Why stay I then to surfet out this potion,
Whose drousie liquour shall breed such a slumber,
As I shall need to feare no careful motion:
Nor with my sad disgrace my thoughts to cumber,
My woes, my griefes, and my mishaps past number
Shall all be buried in eternall sleepe,
My heart, and eyes shall no more sigh and weepe.
Whose drousie liquour shall breed such a slumber,
As I shall need to feare no careful motion:
Nor with my sad disgrace my thoughts to cumber,
My woes, my griefes, and my mishaps past number
Shall all be buried in eternall sleepe,
My heart, and eyes shall no more sigh and weepe.
This body thereby shall be sau'd from scorne,
These hands from bands, mine eyes from misery,
This head, which late imperiously hath worne,
A Princely crowne shall not so abiect be,
As from anothers liberality.
Which tyrannizing did the same bereaue,
In seruile manner it againe receiue.
These hands from bands, mine eyes from misery,
This head, which late imperiously hath worne,
A Princely crowne shall not so abiect be,
As from anothers liberality.
Which tyrannizing did the same bereaue,
In seruile manner it againe receiue.
Victorious Scipio, Carthage fatal foe,
The scourge of Affrick, and the glore of Rome,
Whose chiefest drift and aime is t'haue me goe,
T'attend his triumphes vainely shall consume,
Those idle hopes by which he doth presume,
With my disgrace, to grace his high renoune,
In his proud entry, to that more proud towne.
The scourge of Affrick, and the glore of Rome,
Whose chiefest drift and aime is t'haue me goe,
T'attend his triumphes vainely shall consume,
Those idle hopes by which he doth presume,
With my disgrace, to grace his high renoune,
In his proud entry, to that more proud towne.
For why my better destiny now saies,
From Affrick, Europe shall no way deuide,
This wretched remnant of my worser daies,
The best being spent already here in pride:
How can it iustly be to me denide?
But as kinde Affrick, gaue me life and beeing,
To her againe I giue her owne, I dying.
From Affrick, Europe shall no way deuide,
This wretched remnant of my worser daies,
The best being spent already here in pride:
How can it iustly be to me denide?
But as kinde Affrick, gaue me life and beeing,
To her againe I giue her owne, I dying.
Then O deere country! yet in loue receaue,
This hatefull life that still your harme procur'd,
And in compassion grant my bones a graue:
Which while I breath'd your quiet still iniur'd,
Wherefore from hence that you may rest secur'd:
Deere soyle disdaine not such a small request,
That breeds thy peace, and my desired rest.
This hatefull life that still your harme procur'd,
And in compassion grant my bones a graue:
Which while I breath'd your quiet still iniur'd,
Wherefore from hence that you may rest secur'd:
Deere soyle disdaine not such a small request,
That breeds thy peace, and my desired rest.
Yet one thing let my dying ghost intreat,
(Which to my griefe thy ruine doth presage)
Liue still with Rome, and Romans at debate,
Let armes gainst armes, rage be oppos'd to rage:
Kil, murther al, forbeare no sexe, no age.
Agree at last, and that will be to soone,
When either Rome, or Carthage is vndone.
(Which to my griefe thy ruine doth presage)
Liue still with Rome, and Romans at debate,
Let armes gainst armes, rage be oppos'd to rage:
Kil, murther al, forbeare no sexe, no age.
Agree at last, and that will be to soone,
When either Rome, or Carthage is vndone.
To thee then freely, now I drinke my last,
With that the poyson to her head she hied,
And while her lookes she doth about her cast,
Least any had this act of hers discried:
Her staring eyes vnwares by chance espied,
The wofull story of Queene Didoes fall,
Drawne by some curious pensel on the wal.
With that the poyson to her head she hied,
And while her lookes she doth about her cast,
Least any had this act of hers discried:
Her staring eyes vnwares by chance espied,
The wofull story of Queene Didoes fall,
Drawne by some curious pensel on the wal.
Which with attention she remarkes and viewes,
Wondring the beauty of the work-mans art,
Who in a thousand strange and diuers hewes
Of choicest colours had discharg'd his part,
All was so portrayd in this matchlesse Chart,
That liueles shadowes liuing bodies seem'd,
The paynter had each lineament so lim'd.
Wondring the beauty of the work-mans art,
Who in a thousand strange and diuers hewes
Of choicest colours had discharg'd his part,
All was so portrayd in this matchlesse Chart,
That liueles shadowes liuing bodies seem'd,
The paynter had each lineament so lim'd.
Æneas Nauie on the wauing Mayne,
Spred forth their proud sayles for to catch the aire,
Here sweld a billow, there it fel againe:
A thousand Daulphins skip vp here and there,
The mariners ay two and two by paire,
With supple palmes did span their heauie oares,
At whose sad strokes the wounded ocean roares.
Spred forth their proud sayles for to catch the aire,
Here sweld a billow, there it fel againe:
A thousand Daulphins skip vp here and there,
The mariners ay two and two by paire,
With supple palmes did span their heauie oares,
At whose sad strokes the wounded ocean roares.
High in a turret wretched Dido stood,
For to behold her faithlesse louers flight,
From whose faire eyes distil'd a christall flood
Of brinish teares when she beheld that sight,
Each thing was fram'd so curiously and right,
That whatsoeuer was to th' eyes presented,
Seem'd in effect farre rather, then invented.
For to behold her faithlesse louers flight,
From whose faire eyes distil'd a christall flood
Of brinish teares when she beheld that sight,
Each thing was fram'd so curiously and right,
That whatsoeuer was to th' eyes presented,
Seem'd in effect farre rather, then invented.
A little lower did present to view,
The saddest obiect in this matchlesse frame:
There one might see how in despaire she drew
The cruell sword, then fell vpon the same.
O how the streames of purple blood foorth came!
From which, as it had bin yet warme, did flie,
A little smoke which purld into the skie.
The saddest obiect in this matchlesse frame:
There one might see how in despaire she drew
The cruell sword, then fell vpon the same.
O how the streames of purple blood foorth came!
From which, as it had bin yet warme, did flie,
A little smoke which purld into the skie.
Looke how a rose which from the stalke is cropt,
Leaues here and there some blossomes on the ground,
So here and there the place was all bedropt
With her vermilion bloud about her round:
The Painters skill in painting of her wound
Seem'd most diuine and exquisit indeed,
For still there-from the drops yet seem'd to bleed.
Leaues here and there some blossomes on the ground,
So here and there the place was all bedropt
With her vermilion bloud about her round:
The Painters skill in painting of her wound
Seem'd most diuine and exquisit indeed,
For still there-from the drops yet seem'd to bleed.
Sad Sophonisba wistly notes the storie,
And giuing foorth a death-presaging grone:
Deare wronged Lady (quoth she) I am sorry,
That time will not permit me to bemone
Thy sad mischance, nor shalt thou grieue alone;
For why I hope our ghosts shall meet ere long,
Where each to other shall complaine our wrong.
And giuing foorth a death-presaging grone:
Deare wronged Lady (quoth she) I am sorry,
That time will not permit me to bemone
Thy sad mischance, nor shalt thou grieue alone;
For why I hope our ghosts shall meet ere long,
Where each to other shall complaine our wrong.
O how my fortune doth resemble thine!
How like thy sorrowes are (alas) my woes!
Affricke thy country, Affricke likewise mine:
Both our destructions from one fountaine flowes:
Æneas thine, his of-spring now my foes;
He bred thy ruine, they my sad distresse;
He wrong'd a Queene, they wrong'd me now no lesse.
How like thy sorrowes are (alas) my woes!
Affricke thy country, Affricke likewise mine:
Both our destructions from one fountaine flowes:
Æneas thine, his of-spring now my foes;
He bred thy ruine, they my sad distresse;
He wrong'd a Queene, they wrong'd me now no lesse.
And since the greatnesse of thy mind was such,
Death to preferre vnto a liuing shame,
Shall not thy braue example mooue as much
Desire in me for to performe the same?
Let comming ages heare it told by Fame,
How Sophonisba imitating thee,
Chus'd rather death, then liuing Infamy.
Death to preferre vnto a liuing shame,
Shall not thy braue example mooue as much
Desire in me for to performe the same?
Let comming ages heare it told by Fame,
How Sophonisba imitating thee,
Chus'd rather death, then liuing Infamy.
This spoke without amazement, feare or dread,
She drinks the fatall poyson (noble Dame)
Which streight his venim through her veines doth spread
Scorning resistance wheresoere it came:
Euen as we see a little sparke or flame,
When once it kindles where it finds fit matter,
From place to place his furious flames doth scatter.
She drinks the fatall poyson (noble Dame)
Which streight his venim through her veines doth spread
Scorning resistance wheresoere it came:
Euen as we see a little sparke or flame,
When once it kindles where it finds fit matter,
From place to place his furious flames doth scatter.
Now while this powerfull potion in her veines,
So fiercely wrought, her life began to faile,
Which no more lordship in her brest retaines:
So bitterly death did it their assaile,
Which hauing bidden to her heart farewell:
Her chiefest dwelling straight for feare she flies
For safety vpwards to her lips and eyes.
So fiercely wrought, her life began to faile,
Which no more lordship in her brest retaines:
So bitterly death did it their assaile,
Which hauing bidden to her heart farewell:
Her chiefest dwelling straight for feare she flies
For safety vpwards to her lips and eyes.
There as if death had com'd awhile to play
Vnder the shadow of discheuild haire,
Which dangling o're her face and shoulders lay,
She yet retaines a countenance most faire,
Her gesture did her willing death declare:
And as her breath by intermission dies,
So peece by peece her beautie fades and flies.
Vnder the shadow of discheuild haire,
Which dangling o're her face and shoulders lay,
She yet retaines a countenance most faire,
Her gesture did her willing death declare:
And as her breath by intermission dies,
So peece by peece her beautie fades and flies.
Most like vnto a tender Lilly faire,
That's ouer-blasted with some raging storme,
Whose sauory blossomes late perfum'd the ayre,
Hangs downe his head, losing his wonted forme,
Or as a flower chokt with a canker worme,
Euen so the natiue beauty now ore-blowne,
Of this faire Queen seem's borrowed, not her owne.
That's ouer-blasted with some raging storme,
Whose sauory blossomes late perfum'd the ayre,
Hangs downe his head, losing his wonted forme,
Or as a flower chokt with a canker worme,
Euen so the natiue beauty now ore-blowne,
Of this faire Queen seem's borrowed, not her owne.
Thus while her life stayes in an houering feare,
Within the precinct of her currall lips:
Finding grim death had tane possession there,
Not willing more to enter in his grips,
Giuing a bitter sob from thence she skips,
Leauing free passage to her soule opprest,
To leaue the daintie prison of her brest.
Within the precinct of her currall lips:
Finding grim death had tane possession there,
Not willing more to enter in his grips,
Giuing a bitter sob from thence she skips,
Leauing free passage to her soule opprest,
To leaue the daintie prison of her brest.
But soule and body loth to part asunder,
Both seeme some little respite to intreat:
Yet th' one must go, the other stay: a wonder
For all the world that viewes it to regreet:
Victorious death now strikes, he leaues to threat:
So this braue Dame her gallant ghost vp yeelds,
Which flies with triumph to th' Elizian fields.
Both seeme some little respite to intreat:
Yet th' one must go, the other stay: a wonder
For all the world that viewes it to regreet:
Victorious death now strikes, he leaues to threat:
So this braue Dame her gallant ghost vp yeelds,
Which flies with triumph to th' Elizian fields.
FINIS.
| The Tragicall Death of Sophonisba | |