University of Virginia Library

Scene 3.

Bessus,
Narbazanes.
Narbazanes , now ere the time be gone,
Let us accomplish that which we intend,
And joyne our wit, our force, and all in one;
(Ere known begun) that it may quickly end:
You see th'occasion (if our course we keepe)
To raise rare fortunes, points us out the way,
Yea, blames our sluggishnesse that as a sleepe,
So great a purpose doe so long delay.
Loe, angry Iove our Princes part disproves:
For, Fortunes worst what ever he attempt
From following him, the peoples minde removes:
“Distresse still is attended by contempt,
A ground for so great hopes who ere did see,
As heavens so happily breed in our mind,
For, since our King confounded is to be,
We by his fall, a meanes to rise may finde.

Nar.
I will most willingly performe my part,
For, I the same exceedingly allow:
Deare wealth and honour, Idols of my heart,
If you I may enjoy, I care not how;
Yet that this course may best be kept obscure,
Our care must seeme all for our Country bent;
“When mask'd with zeale, crimes are reputed pure,
“A shew of good doth vulgar mindes content,
“In dangerous plots where courage joynes with Art,
“Let slow advice, a quicke dispatch be us'd:
“What can (save successe) justifie our part,
“Who must command, or come to be accus'd?

Bes.
To Alexander one was sent of late,
To speake of peace, whose speech was spent in vaine,
So that (thus toss'd) most desp'rate is his state,
Who peace cannot obtaine, nor warre maintaine;
To cleare his thoughts which many doubts doe sway.
He now craves each mans minde who squadrons leads;
This for our purpose must prepare the way:
“Those who would compasse Kings, need crafty heads:
And that to gaine which we so much esteeme,
We can upon no meanes more safe conclude,
Then crooked counsels that doe upright seeme
To maske our selves, and others to delude;
He must (advis'd by some) renounce a space
The shew of pow'r, and from affaires retire,
That for a fashion one may use his place,
Not as usurp'd, but at his owne desire:
So may he try if others can bring backe
That which his fortunes ebbe hath borne away,
Then he againe his Diadem shall take,
And (as before) the regall Scepter sway.

Nar.
Well, then amongst our selves to flye debate,
Which such great actions oft-times under-mines,
I yeeld that you possesse the highest seat,
And will my faction frame for our designes.

Bes.
All that is one, which of us two receive it,
Since every thing doth equally belong us,
I'le take it for the forme, 'tis one who have it,
For we will part his kingdomes all among us.
But if he condescend to this we crave,
To judgements rash, which would at first seeme good,
Let him not thinke us two such fooles to leave,
That which so many else have bought with bloud;
“Who once advanc'd, would willingly goe downe,
“And (prop'd with pow'r,) not love in state to stand?
“This not the custome is to quite a Crowne,
“When one hath knowne how sweet it's to command;
“This name of faith but to get credit fain'd,
“Is (weigh'd with kingdomes) lighter then a Crowne,
“And even in them whose thoughts are most restrain'd,
“A Scepters weight would presse all goodnesse down.

Nar.
Yet of my thoughts some doubt new counsell claimes,
And with huge horrour aggravates disgrace:
The staine of treason still attends our names,
And with our errour burdens all our race;
Our purpose must accomplish'd be with paine,
And we (though pompe a space appease our soules)
Shall finde afflictions to disturbe our raigne,
And be when dead, defam'd by famous scroules,
The sacred title of a Soveraigne King
Doth worke a terrour more then can be thought,
And Majestie to brave my minde doth bring,
Whose count'nance only strange effects hath wrought.

Bes.
To idle sounds and frivolous reports,
Give straight a pasport, for they last not long,
And what thou do'st alledge, not much imports:
“A Crowne may cover any kinde of wrong;
“What hainous thing so odious is by nature,
“Which for a Kingdome not committed is?
“To be a King, let me be call'd a traitour,
“Faith (if for ought) may broken be for this.
“Those are but feeble braines which fancies loade,
“With timorous dreams which bare surmising brings;
“Who feare vaine shadowes, must not walke abroad,
“Too warie wits dare never worke great things.
If our brave project happily succeed,
(As now I doubt not but it shall doe soone)
We straight will numbers finde to praise our deed,
And sooth us up in all that we have done.

Nar.
Now that the time and manner may be sure,
The Bactrian bands shall all attend in Armes,
Yet faine a cause that he may live secure,
And be surpris'd not looking for alarmes.
Then through the campe a rumour must be spread,
That hopelesse Darius hath despair'dly gone,
By violence to dwell amongst the dead,
Which (as much griev'd) we must appeare to mone:
The Persians may with promises be pleas'd,
So to disarme him of his native pow'rs,
Then taking him, our thoughts may all be eas'd,
For whil'st he is his owne, we are not ours;
Till strong with titles, we with pow'r command,
His shadow shrouds, while rights are forc'd, or fain'd,
And his to daunt, or strangers to gaine-stand,
To raise our state, his shew must be maintain'd.
To Alexander after we will send,
And offer him his foe to bondage brought,
Then crave that us his favour may defend,
As those who all things for his good have wrought;
Then if we thus his grace cannot procure,
But that he us with rigour doe pursue,
With Darius death we will our states assure,
Then first our force, and next the warres renue.

Bes.
Let us hence-forth for nothing be dismaid,
But strive our selves couragiously to beare.
This dangerous action would not be delay'd,
Least time make him to doubt, and us to feare.

Exeunt.
Chorus.