University of Virginia Library


91

Thorder of the seconde dumbe shevve.

Before the beginning of this seconde Acte dyd sound a very doleful noise of flutes, during the which there came in vpon the stage two coffines couered with hearceclothes, & brought in by .viij. in mourning weed, & accōpanied with .viij. other mourners, & after they had caried the coffins about the stage, there opened & appeared a Graue, wherin they buried the coffins & put fire to them, but the flames did seuer & parte in twaine, signifying discord by the history of two brethrē, whose discord in their life was not onely to be wondred at, but being buried both in one Tombe (as some writers affirme) the flames of their funeralls did yet part the one frō the other in like manner, and would in no wise ioyne into one flame. After the Funerals were ended and the fire consumed, the graue was closed vp again, the mourners withdrew thē off the stage, & immediately by ye gates Homoloydes entred Pollinyces accompanied with vj. gentlemen and a page that carried his helmet and Target, he & his men vnarmed sauing their gorgets, for that they were permitted to come into the towne in time of truce, to the end Iocasta might bring the two brethrē to a parle, and Pollinyces after good regard taken round about him, spake as followeth.