University of Virginia Library

Act 5.

Scene I.

Hephestion, Alexander, Polystratus.

What Story or what fable can record
Of such a numb'rous troupe so strangely lost?
I know they quak'd to know it was my lord,
Whose name alone is worth anothers hoste:
It scarse can trusted be in many parts;
“But Traitours feare, though all the world them backe,
They were but bodies destitute of hearts:
Moe prisoners they were then men to take.
Who would believe so few durst strive to meete
So great an Army, and the Army shrinkes?
“But Glories flattery, and fames sounds are sweet:
“True valour dare attempt all that it thinkes.

Alex.
In this encounter to have had the best,
It would content more then a common minde;
But since we want the chiefe, what of the rest?
I must in all a satisfaction finde;
Those Traitours thought to finish thus the warre,
By giving me their Lord whom they have bound,
But I who march with confidence so farre
Doe scorne to build upon so base a ground;
To venge my wrongs dare others then designe?
Since Darius was ordain'd my prey to be,
How durst they but have aim'd at ought of mine?
His o'rethrowes glory did belong to mee.
Whilst in himselfe he onely did confide,
I by all meanes did strive to make him bow,
But since his hard estate abates that pride,
My fury turn'd is to compassion now;
Though he contemn'd me oft, and did me wrong,
Yet am I griev'd that he was thus deceav'd,
If but acknowledg'd once to be more strong,
I not his blood, nor yet his kingdome crav'd;
And if those Traytours have not kill'd him straight,
Yet his delivery shall my name renowne,
I would not lose a Subject of such weight,
By which my clemency might be made knowne.

Po.
Sir, now your comming cannot doe him good.

Alex.
What? all are fled, none have my force withstood?

Po.
Yet can not Darius be redeem'd againe.

Alex.
Why, have they set him free, or is he slaine?

Po.
Now he enjoyes a libertie at last;
But ransom'd is by offering up his breath.

Alex.
Then is all Asia's expectation past?
Tell on at length the manner of his death.

Po.
The boiling ardor of the rising Sunne
(All moisture gone) did breede so great a drouth,
That from the way I had a little runne,
To finde some fountaine to refresh my mouth;
There, by the borders of a rysing brooke,
Which shadow'd was from Titans rysing beames,
From liquid crystalls I atribute tooke,
Which seem'd to murmure, that I forc'd their streames:
When (loe) I saw (a lamentable sight)
Two wounded horses draw a bloody Coach,
Which clad with skinnes, shew horrour at the height;
And it to spie when as I did approach,
One was within, who could not long time scape,
The fatall passage of th'infernall gates;
Yet Majestie triumphing o're mishap,
Hee seem'd to bragge both fortune and the fates.
And to so base a state as first not borne,
Then whilst his bloode aboundantly did fall,
He bursted forth those words in fortunes scorne,
As one whose courage nothing could appall:
You gaze to see (and have good cause wherefore)
A man no man, a king no king: what change?
Now lesse then nought who once was both, and more;
This would seeme wond'rous; but no state is strange;
And yet a midst my evils I must rejoyce,
That this last comfort doth forgoe my end.
I speake to one who can conceave my voice,
And not in vaine my dying speeches spend;
I am, but how? in name, and not in pow'r,
That wretched Darius (which I should suppresse)
Once happie (as was thought) but at this hower,
A lively patterne of extreame distresse.
Then having paus'd (he said) my griefe is great,
Tell Alexander (as the world may spie)
That though of me he never had but hate,
Yet am I forc'd farre in his debt to die:
The favour past extended to my Queene,
And that poore remnant my surviving rest,
(When weighing well what I to him have beene)
I wish continu'd, but can scarse request;
They to his foe belong, and yet he strives
To have them honour'd now, as in times past;
But those who held of me both states, and lives,
Of state and life have me depriv'd at last.
Entreat him too that unreveng'd below
I wander not as haplesse in all things:
Let men his justice, and their treason know;
This (as a common cause) doth touch all kings.
Beside the honour which he shall acquire
In plaguing them who have betrai'd my trust,
His magnanimity men shall admire,
And feare to grieve him whom they finde so just.
“As watrie rounds which rise and reele in raine,
“Do swell, and flote, yet when they breake (though bright)
“Last, leave (when fall'n) no token save a stayne,
Pompe quickly thus both courts and scornes the sight:
And since my glasse is runne, my glory gone,
I dead unto the world, the world to me,
I wish (save his) that th'earth adore no throne:
For, from his raigne what subject would be free?
Then drowping downe, faint, bloodlesse, and halfe dead,
He prai'd me for some water that ranne by,
(A small request by such a monarch made)
Which when that he had got: yet, eare I die
This crosse must come (said he) to kill me quite;
Though Nations once to mee as Soveraigne sought,
I have not now the pow'r but to requite
This little benefit, that thou hast brought:
But Alexander shall reward thee well,
And him the Heavens, still yeelding his desires,
Since that his foes (though envie burst) must tell
That courtesie which all the world admires.
Now none hath pow'r his pleasure to controule,
But if he use them well whom he retaines,
It will procure contentment to my soule,
And make him famous whilst the world remaines.
When breath abandon'd hath this brittle clay,
Then cause some friend defray my funerall cost,
That churlish Charon force me not to stray
Where darkenesse dwells, an unregarded Ghost.
Last, give my corpes to her who brought it forth,
Who may it with my Ancestours entombe,
And since she lov'd me much, though little worth,
May waile this burden which once grac'd her wombe;
And to that Prince whose state I wish to stand,
In signe of love which all my thoughts doe send,
My soule gives him my heart, it thee my hand:
Thus though I liv'd his foe, I die his friend.
I had but held his hand a little space,
When dying like a Torch whose waxe is spent,
In spite of payne, even with a princely grace,
His hands still seem'd directing as he went.

Alex.
Who could refraine from teares to heare declar'd
The huge mishapps, which all at once did light;
Have subiects slaine their Prince, whom strangers spar'd?
Vs hath he fled, that perish thus he might!
I for his fall am wonderfully sorry,
Whom first I forc'd, but last would have maintain'd:
I envie death, because it rob'd the glory
Which I (by giving him his life) had gain'd.

Hep.
Since death hath put a period to his woes,
That favour which to him you would extend,
Let it with furie flame against his foes,
For your designes can have no fairer end:
So shall you both the peoples love obtaine,
Whilst by your meanes reveng'd their Soveraigne rests,
And likewise may the more securely raigne,
The state well purg'd from such contagious pests,
“If but one vertue did adorne a king,
“It would be justice; many great defects
“Are vail'd thereby, whereas each vertuous thing
“In one who is not just, the world suspects.

Alex.
Though this your Counsell, nor yet his request.
Had not the pow'r to penetrate my eare,
A generous stomach could not well digest,
So great a wrong which courage stormes to beare.
My sprite (impatient of repose) disdaines,
That they so long their infamie survive:
But I will punish with most grievous paines
The monstrous Treason that they did contrive.
What? doe they thinke (though back'd with numbrous bands)
That Bactria is a bulwarke for mine Ire?
Flie where they list, they cannot scape my hands,
My wrath shall follow like consuming fire.
Such damned soules the heaven cannot receave,
Ile force Hells dungeons, as Alcides did,
And they on th'earth no bounds but mine can have,
I'le search them out though in the center hid,
And when as threatning now I once may strike,
Betwixt the bending boughs of some strong tree,
To Traitours terrours who intend the like,
They shall by violence dismembred be.

Poll.
Sir, may it please you to extend your care,
That some his funerall offices performe.

Alex.
Goe presently, and every thing prepare,
As best becomes the military forme.

Scene 2.

Sisigambis,
Nuntius, Chorus.
This looke alas, hath charg'd my soule with feares:
Speak, for my life doth on thy lippes depend,
Thy count'nance (ah) a dolefull copie beares
Of some sad summons to denounce my end.
Starve not my eares, which famish for thy words,
Though they when swallow'd may but make me burst.

Nun.
The message (madame) which my soule affords
Must once be knowne, and once knowne still accurst.

Sis.
Be not a niggard of ill newes.

Nun.
And why?

Sis.
Fame will tell all the world.

Nun.
But first to you.

Sis.
Tell soone.

Nun.
Your sonne is dead.

Sis.
Then let me die.

Cho.
Her joyes and pleasures all are perish'd now.

Sis.
Why opens not the Earth straight to devoure
A hopelesse caitive who all good hath lost?
The longer that I live, my griefe growes more,
As but to mischiefe borne, kept to be crost;
Would God this masse where miserie remaines,
A weight of Earth from sight of men might keepe;
Or that the Seas all raging through the plaines
Would make my tombe amid'st their tumid deepe.
O Alexander! hast thou rob'd his life,
Yet entertain'd me still in hope to finde him?
Why did'st thou not first kill this poore old wife,
Who was not worthie to have liv'd behind him?
That I should live till thou my Sonne had'st slaine,
Was all thy kindnesse for this cause imploi'd?

Nun.
You wrong that Prince, for he with hast in vaine
Came him to helpe whom others had destroi'd.

Sis.
What impious thoughts durst dreame so vile a deed,
A monarchs murther, Asia's glories end?

Nun.
Two whom he rais'd did his confusion breed,
He found his friend his foe, his foe a friend.

Sis.
Tell on thy message, messenger of death,
And loade my minde with mountaines of distresse,
That tears may drowne my sight, sighs choake my breath,
Whilst sorrow all my sences doth possesse.

Nun.
When Alexander (who at peace repin'd)
Did (save submission) hold all offers vaine,
Bent of sterne Mars to try the doubtfull minde;
A generall muster Darius did ordaine,
And (in one battell bent to venture all)
He caus'd his will be publikely proclaim'd,
Whilst two vile Traitours did conspire his fall,
Who Bessus and Narbazanes were nam'd;
Those two in councell did discover first
Some portion of the poison of their heart,
Which caus'd the king suspect, but not the worst,
Yet with a sword he sought to make them smart.
But having scap'd what first was fear'd from rage,
They seem'd so much their errour to lament,
His indignation that they did asswage,
(False hypocrits) pretending to repent.
Whilst Artabazus as an honest man
Who judg'd of others by his vpright minde,
(No fraud conceav'd) sought more to scape then scan,
What they with craft to compasse Crownes design'd.

“Cho.
A mind sincere is ever least suspitious:
“These think all faultie, who themselves are vitious.

Nun.
They urg'd him with the king to interceed,
That in his favour he would give them place,
And did protest that by some valorous deed,
They labour would to gaine againe his grace;
Then Artabazus came and told the king,
That in the battell he might try their faith,
And both before his majestie did bring,
Who (when submisse) did quickly calme his wrath.
With hands stretch'd up to Heaven, and humbled knees,
With teares like those which Crocodiles doe shed,
Woe in their face and pitie in their eyes,
Did for compassion (though from rigour) pleade.
The king of nature milde did them receave,
And them (who thus but for the forme complain'd)
Not onely all (relenting) quite forgave;
But wept in earnest too whil'st they but fain'd;
When in his Coach from all suspition free,
With count'nance sad long following on behinde
(As still pretending supplicants to be)
They bow'd to him whom they were bent to binde;
The Grecian Captaine curiously neare
(When mark'd a suter) crav'd what he requir'd,
By pregnant proofes did evidently cleare,
What treason was against his state conspir'd:
He told what way their purpose might be tri'd,
And how the Bactrians were for trouble bent,
Then for his safety pray'd him to provide,
By straight with him retyring to his Tent;
But in the King who did neglect his state,
No kinde of care this friendly offer bred:
So that (it seem'd) he by some pow'rfull fate
Was head-long forward to confusion led:
The Greeke past thence despairing him to save,
Who thus all meanes to help himselfe refus'd;
With subtle words then Bessus there did crave
To purge himselfe, and errours past excus'd;
Old Artabazus happ'ning to approach,
The King to him did Patrons speech report,
Who then perceiv'd what danger did encroach,
And wish'd he would where Greeks were strong resort.
But in his breast this purpose firmly plac'd,
That from his Subjects he would never flie,
With mutuall teares they tenderly embrac'd,
And parted there, like two who went to dye.
Now silent night in pitchie vapours cled,
Had must'red mysts, and march'd out of the West;
(Dayes beauties darkning, shadowie horrours spread)
The Sentinels were set, and all at rest,
When (loe) a terrour did distract the host!
Whose bands to murmure were dispers'd in parts,
With sounds resembling ships in stormes neare lost,
Whil'st each to other cause of feare imparts.
Those who their King appointed were to guard,
From what was due by fraud or feare did stray;
And (to his danger having no regard)
His Fortunes Minions fled with her away.
The desolation then growne wondrous great,
With some few Eunuchs Darius left alone,
(No strength remaining, nor no signe of state)
He thus them spake, who for his fall did mone:
Go, part in peace ere further harme be had,
Lest that my ruine likewise you surprise.
They hearing those sad words (as men gone mad)
Went howling through the host with dolorous cryes;
So that all those who heard what plaints they made,
Thought that they had their Soveraignes death bewail'd;
And (forcing trust) some forg'd reports were spread,
That he had kill'd himselfe, all hope quite fail'd.
The Persians griev'd whil'st these things did occurre,
Did first encourage all their Countrey bands
To help their Prince, but yet they durst not stirre
For feare of falling in the Bactrians hands;
Even in the time when this confusion was,
The Traitors to deferre the fact no more,
Did to their Soveraignes Tent with Squadrons passe,
And took, and bound, him whom they serv'd before;
Who in a golden Coach once proudly rode,
Was throwne in one for common carriage us'd,
And who of late was honour'd like a God,
Two of his owne (as if their slave) abus'd:
Those royall hands to beare a Scepter borne,
Were basely bound, and which the more him griev'd,
“(Thus misery can hardly scape from scorne)
“With bands of gold, which burden'd, not reliev'd.
When Alexander (great with courage) spy'd
Our Armies flie, he (who in hope them chac'd)
To follow us with diligence did ride,
“Base seem'd the Conquest which no danger grac'd;
But when at last at length by some inform'd
How he was made a captive to his owne,
At this indignity he highly storm'd,
As if by it his hopes had beene o're-throwne.
Out of his host he did select a few
Who were best hors'd, and fit for such a fight,
With whom his foes he did so fast pursue,
That e're they could suspect, he came in sight;
The Traitors vex'd when spying him appeare,
Came to the Cart whereas the King did stay,
And call'd to horse in haste, since foes were neare,
Lest that they else might finde him for a prey.
He look'd aloft, and cry'd aloud, I see
That Nemesis is frowning from above;
Should I with Traitors as a captive be?
And flie from him, who but brave warres doth move?
Then those in whom impiety abounds,
Throw'd Darts at him (vile beasts to be abhorr'd)
And hurt the horses with an hundred wounds,
Then men more trusty, dying for their Lord;
As false in hearts, so feeble with their hands,
When Guilt and Danger doubled had despaires,
The Traitors first, then all their trait'rous bands
Fled from a number lesse by halfe then theirs.
But to the bounds of Deaths pale kingdome brought,
The King retyr'd where least by people spy'd,
More wounded with ingratitude then ought,
Did leave the world, whose folly he had tri'd;
The last divorce which lasts, was scarcely made
Twixt soule and body whil'st the eyes grew dim,
When Alexander came and found him dead,
Who labour'd had so long to ruine him,
And (whil'st his teares a generall mourning mov'd)
That stately vesture which himselfe array'd,
(Much fear'd for valour, more for vertue lov'd)
With his owne hand on Darius corps he layd,
Then wailing long as for a brother lost
To have his funerals furnish'd like a Kings,
He bids you use his wealth, and spare no cost;
For, you shall want no necessary things.
He hath his body hither sent by me,
And funerall rites solemnely bent to do,
He thinks that they may best accomplish'd be,
Whil'st who him bred doth see him buried too.

Cho.
Behold how griefe hath her of sense bereft,
Whil'st breath for passage strugling is with grones,
No will, nor pow'r to live, just griefe hath left,
Since what she valued vanish'd is at once.

Sis.
Ah! shall I see (no, let me first be blinde)
That body breathlesse, which I brought to light?
Where would my soule a force sufficient finde
That could encounter with so sad a sight?
O flinty heart! what hinders thee to breake,
Since (crush'd with cares) a stranger to repose?
Why part'st thou not (poore soule) that whil'st I speake
In opening of my lips, mine eyes may close?
This heritage of death, this wither'd stocke
Is but a place appointed for despaires,
A torture to it selfe, a stumbling block,
Whose aged furrows fertile are in cares.
Once for good Fortunes, now for bad design'd,
(To state betray'd) drawne forth from calme repose,
To have beene happie most afflicts my minde,
Who, rais'd to fall, got much, the more to lose.
Ah me! malitious fates have done me wrong,
Who first come to the world, should first depart,
And ah! why should the old o're-live the yong?
This Nature wrongs by a prepost'rous art;
Ah! why should Death so indiscreet be found
To spare a caitive, and to spoyle a Prince?
My halfe-dead body, bending to the ground,
Through griefe is grown ripe for the grave long since.

Chorus.