University of Virginia Library

Scena Prima.

Enter, Bassaes Isaack with a Crowne in his hand, Mustapha with a Scepter, Mesithes with a Sword, they Crowne Corcutus youngest sonne to Baiazet.
Isaack.
Let the world feele thee, and those Demigods,
Proud with the name of Kings, debase themselues
To honour thee, this Crowne commands as much
He crowns him.
Wherewith I doe invest thy happy brow,
Happy indeed if that succeeding times
Shall set vp vertue, so to lessen crimes.
Thus from the ashes of dead Solyman
Is raised another Phœnix great Corcutus;
Liue equally adored, when Princes bend
To better courses, all their subiects mend.

Must.
Crowns make not Kings, nor can that glittering shew
Perfect thine honour, take another signe
Giues him the Scepter.
Of thy Imperiall dignity, 'tis thine.
That addes a God-like grace vnto thy brow,
This binds due honour, that prostrates euery knee
Before thy throne, then liue, and may that arme
Secure thy subiects from all forraigne harme.

Mesith.
What seasoned knowledge, learnings prudent Queen
Hath blest thee with, must now initiate thee
In the pathes of warre, all studied Arts
Are but degrees vnto some wished end,
And steps of hope whereby we doe ascend
Vnto the top; and leuell of our thoughts.
But Kings then proue most happy when they are
Watchfull in peace, and prouident in warre.
Those are their vtmost ends, which that they may
O're-take, Art, and the sword, make fairest way.
The Muses nourc'd thee vp, and thou didst draw
The pleasant iuice of learning from their brests,
In thy first non-age; here then we bestow
The second helpe, to which good Princes owe
Much of their welfare; swords are the first ground
Of peace, and warre; they both defend and wound.
Thus are we vow'd to thee, let thy dread fame
Thunder amazement through the spatious world,
That when thou lifts thine arme, thy foes may say
Showts 3.
Not Ioue, but great Corcutus rules the day.

Corcut.
Which that applause hath crowned, and with it
Will euer spight of traytors ioying sit
As now we doe; nor shall my watchfull care
Be wanting to you, whilst this subtill ayre
Feedes mine industrious spirits, I shall fill
The good with ioy, by cutting of the ill
Corrupted ragges of men; Ioue let me stand
An obiect in thine eye, when thy swift hand
Failes in the stroke of Iustice, vertue returne
From thy sad exile, I will purge the walls
From spotted vice, and make this Cittie free
To entertaine so faire a Queene as shee.
Then (Bassaes) I embrace what you haue throwne
Vpon me, and these signes of honour thus
Giues them backe.
We re-bestow; their power still stayes with vs.
Could this vast body of the Common-wealth
Stand fast without a soule? each man should see
I am not greedy of this dignity:
This burdenous waight which some must vndergoe,
The gods are busied with diuiner things,
And put Earths care into the hands of Kings.