The Brazen Age The first Act containing, The death of the Centaure Nessus, The Second, The Tragedy of Meleager : The Third The Tragedy of Iason and Medea, The Fovrth, Uvlcans Net : The Fifth. The Labours and death of Hercvles |
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 | The Brazen Age |  |
As the world growes in yeares ('tis the Heauens curse)
Mens sinnes increase; the pristine times were best:
The Ages in their growth wax worse & worse.
The first was pretious, full of golden rest.
Siluer succeeded; good, but not so pure:
Then loue and harmelesse lusts might currant passe:
The third that followes we finde more obdure,
And that we title by the Age of Brasse.
In this more grosse and courser mettal'd Age,
Tyrants and fierce oppressors we present.
Nephewes that 'gainst their Unckles wreake their rage,
Mothers against their children discontent,
A sister with her brother at fierce warre,
(Things in our former times not seene or knowne)
But vice with vertue now begins to iarre,
And sinnes (though not at height) yet great are growne.
Still with our history we shall proceed,
And Hercules vistorious acts relate:
His marriage first, next many a noble deed
Perform'd by him: last how he yeelds to Fate.
So you sit pleas'd in this our Age of Brasse.
| The Brazen Age | |