University of Virginia Library

Act. 5.

Scene 1.

Aristotle,
Phocion.
Log have I us'd that light which cleares my minde,
On Natures labours curiously to look,
And (of all creatures finding out the kinde)
Have read strange wonders in the worlds great book:
I mark her course by contraries maintain'd,
Whose harmony doth most subsist by strife,
And of all creatures in the same contain'd,
How various is the mystery of life?
But as all things are subject unto change,
Which partners are of th'elementall pow'rs,
So (roll'd about with revolutions strange)
“The state of man rests constant scarce for houres.
“Loe, what doth fame more frequently report,
“Then sudden risings, and more sudden falls?
“I thinke the world is but a Tenis-court,
“Where Fortune doth play States, tosse men for Balls.

Pho.
And never any age show'd more then this,
The wavering state of soule-ennobled wights,
Who soare too high to catch an aiery blisse,
Whil'st lowest falls attend the highest flights.
That matchlesse Monarch who was borne (it seem'd)
To shew how high mortality attaines,
Hath not from death th'adored flesh redeem'd;
But paine hath made an end of all his paines.
And those brave bands which furnish'd Fame with breath,
Whil'st all the world their valorous deeds did spie,
Rest now (confounded since their Soveraignes death)
Like Polyphemus having lost his eye.
And they are like that teeth-ingendred brood,
Which took their life out of a Monster dead,
Whil'st each of them would drinke the others bloud,
Since that great Dragons death who was their head.

Ar.
“So change all things which subject are to sight:
“Disorder order breeds, and order, it:
“Next light comes darknesse, and next darknesse light,
“This never-changing change transcends our wit.
“Thus health and sicknesse, poverty and state,
“Dishonour, honour, life and death, with doubt,
“Still inter-changing (what a true deceit!)
“All link'd together, slide by turnes about;
“To worldly states the heavens a height appoint,
“Where, when they once arrive, they must descend,
“And all perfections have a fatall point,
“At which Excellency it selfe must end.
“But as all those who walke on th'earth, are cross'd
“With alterations, happ'ning oft, and strange,
“The greatest States with greatest stormes are toss'd,
“And (sought of many) must make many a change.
Nor speake I this by speculation mov'd,
(As gathering credit out of ancient scroules)
“No, I have liv'd at Court, and oft have prov'd
“Nothing below more vex'd, then great mens Soules;
“The Tyrant honours thralls, while as they mone,
“Their plaints to vulgar eares loath to impart,
“They all the weight of woes must beare alone,
“Where others of their griefe lend friends apart.
“Their verie rising o're us to the height,
“Which seemes their best is worst, for, being Lords;
“They never know the truth that comes to light,
“When franke society speakes naked words.
“Whilst sadnesse oft seemes Majestie, Time tels
“How deare they buy their pompe with losse of rest:
“Some but three furies faine in all the hels;
“There are three thousand in one great mans brest.

Phoc.
I thinke all Monarchies are like the Moone,
Which now eclips'd, now under cloud, now cleare,
Growes by degrees, and is (when full) undone:
Yet Æson-like renew'd doth re-appeare:
For, loe they first, but small beginne to shine,
And when they once their Spherick forme obtaine,
Doe coldly languish, and (till chang'd) decline,
Yet (falne) in other realmes doe rise againe.
Assyria once made many nations bow,
Then next, all power was in the Persians hand,
And Macedonians last (grown Monarchs now)
Amongst themselves divided cannot stand.

Ar.
“A secret fate (alternatly) all things
“Doth in this circle circularly leade:
“Still generation from corruption springs,
“That some may live, of force some must be dead;
“Each Element anothers strength devours;
“Th'aire to the fire succumbes, the fire to raine,
“The waters strive to drowne the Earth with showres,
“Which it by vapours vomits out againe;
“Thus (with a Gordian knot together bound)
“All things are made, un-made, and made againe:
“Whilst ruine founds, perfection doth confound:
“Free from some change no State can long remaine;
“But what in th'earth more dangerously stands
“Then Soveraignty (though rated at such worth)
“Which like the stormy Gods tumultuous bands,
“Doth flie from th'East to West, from South to North?

Phoc.
A long experience now makes this not strange,
That mighty States whose reines one only leades,
Be oft distracted, and constrain'd to change,
As too great bodies for so little heads,
Since every common-wealth (where all mens wits
Doe joyne in one to breed the publike ease)
Hath many fevers and pestiferous fits,
Which physick oft, oft poison must appease:
For (ah) the multitude more rash then wise,
A Hydra-headed beast which humor blindes;
Doth passionately praise, or else despise,
As some prepost'rous fancies move their minds;
“From vice and vertue oft like danger flowes;
“Whilst th'one breeds envie, and the other hate:
“As jealousie, or emulation growes,
“Those oft are crush'd who doe support a state.

Ar.
“Whilst some their betters, others equals scorne;
“The popular authority decayes,
“And when it dies the Monarchie is borne,
“Whose violence disorders fury staies;
“The raines of state it with most ease doth swaie,
“Of power (as joyn'd in one) the strongest kind:
“Still whilst it (humbly high) doth hold a way
“Twixt tyrannie and too remisse a minde;
“But though States rul'd by one, may flourish long;
“Whilst one can well command, and all obey,
“Whilst guerdon goodnesse, vengeance followes wrong,
“That (vertue cherish'd) vice is made decay:
“Yet (if nought else) Time doth great States orecome:
“And all are bounded by some fatall houre;
“What mis-adventures many wayes may come
“To dissipate the most united pow'r?
“O! huge mishaps a Monarchie may marre,
“When prosp'rous Times doe (forc'd by fates) expire,
“To further which oft strangers must make warre,
“And mut'nous subjects som-time may conspire?
“As jealous feare (when brav'd by danger) moves,
“All princes would suppresse aspirers still:
“And then a subjects course most dangerous proves,
“When either feare, or hope transports his will.
“But though that first to rise, last to descend,
“Great States are guided by a secret fate:
“Yet, still the cause which doth forgoe their end,
“Springs from contempt, or is enforc'd by hate;
“The first in kings the lack of courage breeds,
“Encouraging Ambition to rebell;
“The other doth attend tyrannicke deeds,
“That violence may violence repell.

Phoc.
“Yet never did so many Monarchs fall
“By forraine battells, nor by civill broiles,
“As by themselves who (seeming free) were thrall,
“Whilst smooth-tongu'd Minions gloried of their spoils.
“Those who have raign'd by choice, by birth, or worth,
“Or did encroach on Crownes by chance, or crime,
“Oft suffer vices to burst freely forth,
“Which vertues colours guilded till that time.
“Men clearely show what harbours in their brest,
“Whilst (Envies object) free from any feare:
“That which is eminent is marked best,
“And highest fortunes hardest are to beare.
“Low States to censure Criticks doe despise,
“Whilst oft grosse faults for vertues fame esteemes,
“The stupid, patient, and the fearefull wise,
“Will, constancie, and softnesse goodnesse seemes.
“But on the Stage of State when one must stand
“A publike Actor plac'd in all mens sight;
“And (swaying pow'r) with an imperious hand.
“Doth hold the ballance both of wrong and right,
“Then, he for every action that is his
“The censure of a thousand tongues must have,
“Not onely damn'd for doing things amisse,
“But for not doing all that all men crave;
“That Prince but undermines the Soveraigne seate,
“Who cares not who be weak so he be strong,
“More studious for himselfe then for the state,
“Or (if for it) that he may hold it long:
“For, where Iove him for all mens good ordaines,
“He thinkes both them, and theirs, made him to please,
“As if a charge of weight, a place of paines
“Were but a bed of rest, a Heaven of ease.
“The worlds great weight which Atlas shoulders beare,
“Is not so weighty all to weigh one downe,
“As that which on his head a king doth weare:
“No burdens charge more heavie then a crowne.
“Th'ægean waves Time may more soone appease,
“Then restlesse thoughts whose course for state prepares:
“Can they have rest who toile for all mens ease?
“The purple ever must be lin'd with cares.

Ar.
“Good kings are like the fire which (flaming bright)
“Doth waste it selfe to serve anothers turne:
“And soveraignty is like fires glancing light,
“Which (if but view'd) delights, if touch'd, doth burne;
“I like for warmenesse to stand Vulcan by,
“But not to burne amid'st the Lemnian flame:
“In Cedars shadowes men more safely lie,
“Then on their tops, the roaring deities game:
“All th'eie-attracting pompe and glorious showes,
“Do merit scorne, though they amazement breed:
“The world them pittie more then Envie owes,
“Who to seeme happy wretched are indeed.
“What alterations strange attend a Throne,
“As if the spheare of fortune were a crowne?
“The great still toss'd like Sysiphus his stone,
“When rais'd most high, rest ready to fall downe.
Of this what greater proofe can fame afford
Then mighty Philips memorable fall,
Who daunted had the Grecians by the sword,
Though till that time by strangers not made thrall?
He, he, then whilst he solemniz'd with state,
His daughters marriage, suddenly was lost:
It seem'd when Heaven that Monarchs daies would date,
That Hymens torch gave light to Pluto's post.
When strong regards had grav'd within my heart,
The miseries that proper were to Court,
I thought them happie who (retir'd apart)
Could never know such things, but by report.
I might have liv'd with Alexander still,
To vertuous men, whose favours were not scarce:
Yet rather choos'd (though having both at will)
To serve with Pallas, then command with Mars.
And whilst he toil'd of others Lord to be,
I of my selfe did labour to be Lord;
Yet made as great a conquest too as he;
My pen shall be as famous as his Sword.

Phoc.
And had I willingly engag'd my rest,
The way to trace which to vaine glory tends,
I might have liv'd (respected with the best)
A speciall one of Alexanders friends.
Though I of him did never merit ought,
He entertain'd my friendship till his death,
And when he once our Citties o'rethrow sought,
At my request did pacifie his wrath.
Then once to me a masse of gold he sent,
And offred too a stately Asian Towne,
Which I refus'd, more pleas'd with my poore rent,
Then he with all the treasures of a Crowne:
I told, that such a summe but serv'd to make
Him a corrupter, me corrupted thought,
And foule for him to give, for me to take,
If us'd, sham'd both, unus'd, did serve for nought;
But all those baites I never daign'd to touch,
Least I (who all my life had liv'd so free)
Might be possess'd too much, possessing much,
If taking Riches, it had taken me.
No, I would rather learne to live with lesse,
Then for superfluous furniture to strive:
“Who seekes out substance but to nurse excesse,
“To use it lives, not it that he may live.
“My fortune doth afford sufficient meanes,
“That may preserve all natures pow'rs in force;
“And he who on a golden Scepter leanes,
“Can not have more, but may well use it worse.
“Then since aboundance, but abuses brings,
“Why seeke men more then how to be well eas'd?
“And (ah!) why toile they for so many things,
“Since with a little nature can be pleas'd?

Ar.
Loe! how the Heavens, whose love to man exceeds,
Have made his body strong, his minde divine,
And have made th'earth to furnish all his needs,
Least curbing Cares might make his thoughts decline:
So that he hath a meanes to raise his flight
(If wing'd with vertue) and may (mounting hie)
By time approach to the celestiall light,
And deifie himselfe before he die,
Yet doth he straight forgoe that glorious way,
To toile for things which th'earth not forc'd affords,
The which his wants first fram'd were to defray,
But by himselfe are of his life made Lords.
“O! how unworthie of the worth of man,
“Are many labours which delight him most,
“Since that corruption boldly first beganne
“To make men nurse vile vice at vertues cost.
And now what hath great Alexander gain'd
By endlesse travell, and excessive cares?
(Of whom (loe) now, they onely say he raign'd)
But death vnto himselfe, worse to his heires.
And for the guiltlesse blood which he hath spill'd,
His conquests partners (loe) doe now beginne
To die even by the swords by which they kill'd,
And all his off-spring expiates his sinne.

Phoc.
“Strange revolutions sway all worldly things:
“The wheele of fortune still must slipperie prove,
“And chiefely then when charg'd it is with kings,
“Whose states (as weighty) quickly make it move.
Yet Alexander I must say was blest,
Who (still a victor) from distresse estrang'd
The worlds chiefe Monarch when his state was best,
Did die in time before his fortune chang'd:
And for his favour which I oft did try,
Whom earnestly he labour'd to advance;
It grieves me that himselfe so soone did die,
And that his off-spring hath so hard a chance.
His Successors have set all Greece on fire,
Of which I feare to perish by some sparke;
For, Polypercon doth my death conspire,
“And who can scape when made a great mans marke?
Yet for my Countries cause I'le give my blood,
“Whilst safely prais'd all follow vertue can,
“But (when by danger bragg'd) then, to doe good,
“O! that is worthie of a worthie man.
Nor doe I tender so this puffe of breath,
But I can yeeld that Nature it expell:
“A minde that is resolv'd, triumphes o're death,
“He hath liv'd long enough who hath liv'd well.

Exeunt

Scene 2.

Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolomie, Seleucus.

No doubt (great Heroes) whom the Heavens have lov'd,
(What ever count'nance duty doth pretend)
Your minds are glad, since those (by me remov'd)
Who might have made you end, have made an end.
Loath not the meanes if pleas'd with the effect,
For though by this I have a realme obtain'd,
It yeelds you more, whose course none can suspect:
I onely guilty am, ye all have gain'd.
Yet to pursue my life they first began,
For my defence this refuge last I prov'd:
“What then himselfe can be more neere to man?
“When bragg'd by danger who would not be mov'd?
And if Olympias had not di'd in time
By offring up her blood to worke my peace,
Then mine had beene the harme, and hers the crime,
I but prevented her a little space;
And if her off-spring had surviv'd her death,
Whose rising could not but procure our fall,
Yee, now who nought but soveraignty doe breath,
Had breath'd obedience, or not breath'd at all.

Lysim.
You from a dangerous yaoke have us releev'd,
Which (I suspect) we should have tri'd too soone:
“And why then should we labour to seeme griev'd
“At that thing done, which we wish not undone?
No, no, since all for soveraignty do strive,
And have once tasted what it is to raigne,
Each one of vs would rather die, then live
To beare a subjects servile yoke againe.
And though perchance with Alexanders Sonne;
(If heire to him in worth, as of his state)
We might have most respected places wonne,
As speciall pillars of the Princes seate.
“Though greater then the rest, as of before,
“It would have vex'd us, lesse then one to fall:
“The fall from first to second grieves one more,
“Then from the second to the last of all;
Our envi'd glory had destruction brought,
And would have made us odious to remaine:
“It dangerous is for subiects to be thought
“Such as desire, or yet deserve to raigne.
When any Tempest threatned had his Throne,
He would have sought for surety at our cost:
“When Iealousie (mindes worme) hath seaz'd on one,
“The greatest vertues are suspected most.
“Yea, though we could to quite our state consent,
“Us from suspition nought but death could purge:
“Still greatnesse must turmoile, or then torment,
“If borne a burthen, if layd downe a scourge.

Ptol.
But when we have within our bosome weigh'd
The ruine of all Alexanders race,
Whom without blushing we might have obey'd,
By right succeeding in our Soveraignes place.
How can our soules but highly be asham'd,
If one below them farre emboldned thus,
Doth seeke by wrong that which by right they claim'd,
And by their o'rethrow would insult o're us?
Nor neede I more as in suspense remaine,
To maske my meaning with ambiguous wordes,
No, no, our words may as his deeds be plaine,
Which fame (and that not whis'pring) now records.
Ye heare how that Antigonus of late,
(Whose thoughts (wing'd with good succes) soare too high
Doth strive above the rest to raise his State,
And by all meanes doth fortune frankely ply.
Since to his hands Eumenes was betrai'd,
Loe quite transported by præpost'rous pride,
(As if in nought adebted to our ayde)
To yeeld our due he cannot now abide.

Lysim.
“Thus time the truth of all things doth proclame:
“Man is a crafty Creature, hard to know,
“Who can a face for every fortune frame:
“No trust in mortalls, no; nor faith below,
“As our particulars doe sometime move,
“We, what we wish for most, seeme to mislike,
“And oft of others doe the course disprove,
“Whilst we want only meanes to doe the like.
Then whilst Perdiccas did attempt before
To make the rest who were his equalls thrall,
Who, then Antigonus detested more
The foolish pride of one that would have all?
But since Perdiccas and his faction fell,
Whom he (as Traitours to the State) pursu'd,
He, in his place succeeding to rebell,
Hath what he seem'd to end, againe renew'd;
And yet I many times have mus'd of this,
How from the world he did Eumenes send.

Sel.
How? but by Treason as his custome is,
False at the first, and cruell in the end.

Lysim.
I know, that after many doubtfull fights,
He hath o'rethrowne Eumenes at the last:
But by what Stratagems, or treach'rous slights,
I would be glad to heare how all hath past.

Sel.
Antigonus was at the first afrai'd,
To match Eumenes by plaine force in fight,
And therefore all that feare affords assai'd,
For valour franke, still using warie slight.
Amongst Eumenes troupes (their mindes to prove)
He scattred letters with allurements stor'd,
By promis'd treasures, and protested love,
Some to corrupt who might betray their Lord;
But he (still wise) his Troupes in time advis'd
To cleare their vertue by their enemies vice,
And gave them thankes, who would not be entis'd
To sell their faith at such a bloodie price;
Then said, that he himselfe those scroules procur'd,
That when they spy'd such practises againe,
They still might thinke them (by this meanes allur'd)
Their Captaines triall, not their Enemies traine.
Thus by the course which should have him entrap'd,
His adversarie did deluded stay:
Whilst both he from that present danger scap'd,
And to prevent the like, prepar'd a way.
Then when he saw this policy had fail'd,
And that there had some doubtfull conflicts past,
Antigonus who had at one prevail'd
(As having had some vantage at the last)
Did with Eumenes straight procure to speake,
And (as t'one vanquish'd) offred him good-will,
But he (whose minde could not be brought to breake)
Would onely talke as to his equall still:
For, when a band (betweene them made) did beare,
He to Antigonus should helpe impart,
That forme reform'd he first of all would sweare,
With Alexanders off-spring to take part.
Thus where they his submission did attend,
Imperiously conditions he impos'd:
So that thereafter to procure his end,
The other by all meanes his minde dispos'd;
And shortly of his bands a vaine debate,
For his confusion fit occasion brought;
“Still as by concord small things doe grow great,
“By discord great things are reduc'd to nought;
While-as Eumenes fortunately liv'd,
The Agiraspides to him gave place,
Till that for state two of their Captaines striv'd,
And his authoritie would not embrace.
Such was that spite of theirs to have him spoil'd,
That though of valour he rare wonders prov'd,
And oft by force Antigonus had foil'd,
Yet from their mind it could not be remov'd
For (by their meanes allur'd) the other bands,
To get some baggage which they lost againe,
Did take their Captaine, with outragious hands,
Their glory darkning by that odious stayne:
And though Eumenes trusting to new hopes,
By flying labour'd succour to have found,
He was prevented by his Trait'rous Troupes,
And (like to some base fugitive) was bound.
Scarce could his stormy stomack bent to breake,
Daigne to entreat those who had him betrai'd,
Yet, hauing hardly purchas'd leave to speake,
He stretch'd them forth his fettred hands, and sayd:
Loe, what apparell now your Generall weares,
Since with your faith his libertie was lost;
Yet he those bands not given by th'enemie beares;
No, but by you in whom he trusted most:
And must he thus be led, who should you lead?
Is this the triumph which I should receave
For all my victories, thus to be made
Of Captaine, Captive; of a Conquerour, slave.
How oft (my Souldiers) have yee all of late
To me by solemne oathes sworne to be true?
“But it becomes none in a captives state
“With loftie words his keepers to pursue;
Nor crave I further favour at this houre,
Then that ye bath your weapons in my brest;
Let not my life be in mine enemies pow'r,
Loe all that your Commander doth request.
I know Antigonus doth take no care
Who get my bodie, so he get my head;
And he regards not, neither when, nor where,
Nor in what sort I die, so I be dead.
But if through horrour of so vile a deed
Your eyes looke downe, your haire erected stands,
Which in your mindes this much remorse doth breed,
That as your hearts ye will not staine your hands;
Then as your Captaine, since not force I may,
I (as your friend) entreate, that now in time
I may but have a Sword my selfe to slay,
You to excuse, whilst partner of your crime.
But when he saw that words could not asswage
Their barb'rous thoughts which nothing could controule,
Then having turn'd his Courage all in rage,
He thus flam'd forth the fury of his soule:
O damned rascalls who have lost all faith,
Whom neither duty, nor yet merit bindes!
How oft was Alexander mov'd to wrath
By those your mut'nous and malitious mindes.
And, O! what could I at those hands attend,
Which yet were smoaking with Perdiccas blood?
Of those who by like Treason did intend
With old Antipaters to be imbru'd.
Heaven thunder on you from th'ætheriall Rounds,
And make you live (abominable band)
Base vagabonds, barr'd from your native bounds,
Then die detested in a barb'rous Land;
And as ye have the world with murder fill'd,
So may your blood by the same Swords be shed,
By which you have moe of your Captaines kill'd
Then of your foes, from whom (like beasts) ye fled.
But neither courteous, nor outragious words
Could change his souldiers from their first intent;
Who forward led their Captaine chain'd with cords,
(A scorned Captive) to his Rivals Tent,
Where to the end that he might quickly end,
He ask'd, what stay'd Antigonus to goe
By setting of him free to gaine a friend,
Or by his death to rid him of a foe;
And soone Antigonus did hast his fall,
By this great magnanimity not mov'd;
And th' Agiraspides (dispers'd o're all)
As murderers, murder from the world remov'd.
“Thus oft have Traitours beene dispatch'd in time,
“By those whom their upbraiding lookes dismay:
“That loath'd remembrance of the Authors crime
“The actors death can onely wipe away.
Now claimes Antigonus when fame doth feast,
Above his Soveraignes selfe in ranke to sit;
For Alexander but subdu'd the East,
And he hath conquer'd them who conquer'd it.

Cass.
No doubt, but he will doe the best he can,
And hath within himselfe high things design'd:
“For whilst prosperity transports a man,
“Nought seemes difficult to a loftie minde.

Sel.
Of those in whom he did suspect a sprite,
Whose courage serv'd his courses to resist,
He hath himselfe by diverse meanes made quite:
In others wreakes his safety doth consist;
Thus martiall Pithon who no danger spar'd,
(Whom Alexander held in high account)
Did at the last receave a hard reward,
For helping him Eumenes to surmount.
His sprite to tempt, and power fit to performe
Made jealousie Antigonus torment;
And yet he fain'd to love him for the forme,
Till he his Court did move him to frequent,
Where whilst he did (mistrusting nought) abide,
He publikely in all the peoples sight
(Though seeming justly) damn'd unjustly di'd:
“No wrong more vile then wrong that lookes like right.
Thus divers Governours within short space,
Their Government, or then their life have lost,
And others are preferr'd unto their place,
Who did depend upon his favour most;
Oft likewise me he labour'd to surprise,
By policy whom he would have o'rethrowne:
But I, whom Pythons danger had made wise,
Learn'd by his ruine to prevent mine owne;
To save my life abandon'd is my state,
And I have fled with danger as you see:
That you may know, how that man doth grow great,
Whose pride may plague you all, as well as me.

Cass.
Then let us see what course we should intend,
Least (out of time made wise) we rue too late.

Lysim.
“I rather first pursue, then last defend.

Ptol.
“A fire would still be quench'd ere it grow great.

Cass.
Then let us from Antigonus in haste
Demand our share of what he did attaine;
Since in this warre we did our Treasure waste,
We should be likewise partners of the gaine:
But if against our suite his eares he barre,
And doe with scornefull words contemne our claime,
Then may our messenger denounce the warre,
And we shall shortly prosecute the same.

Ptol.
A mutuall band must made amongst us be,
To make one fortune common to us all,
And from hence-forth we must all foure agree
To stand together, or together fall.
And since the Princely buds for which we car'd,
(How ever dead) are dead, what ere we doe,
So to procure from men the more regard,
We with the state must take the title too.
And we must both be crown'd, and knowne for kings,
“The diadem of Greatnesse is the Tower:
“All vulgar judgements leane on th'outward things,
“And reverence State, where they obey but pow'r.

Exeunt.
Nuntius,
Philastrus, Chorus.
Is there a Heaven? and are there Heavenly Pow'rs
To whose decree terrestriall things are thrall?
Or would the Tyrant that begets the houres,
(Eternity not spar'd) extinguish all?
Loe, Nature travels now, as big with change,
Since mortals all humanity have lost,
And in th'old Chaos, or some masse more strange
To leave their essence all things earthly boast.
Can reasonable soules (from reason barr'd)
Even strive which most in cruelty exceeds?
What eye hath seene? or yet what eare hath heard
Such monstrous chances, and prodigious deedes?
Th'Arabian Robbers, nor the Scythians wild,
With savage beasts, which doe (as barbarous) haunt
With such foule facts have not themselves defil'd,
As those who of civility doe vaunt.
Since Greekes (growne barbarous) basely are inclin'd,
All vertue vanish'd is, all good forgot.
O carelesse Heavens! wretch'd Earth!

Cho.
what loads thy minde?

Nun.
A multitude of murders.

Cho.
what?

Nun.
what not?

Cho.
We know that since our Soveraigne lost his breath,
Th'earth hath beene bath'd with many a crimson flood;
Perdiccas did procure Meleagers death,
And his owne Souldiers drown'd his breath with blood,
Th'Athenians prey Leonatus did remaine,
And (by Eumenes subtiltie dismai'd)
Neoptolemus and Craterus were slaine,
Then by his owne Eumenes was betrai'd.

Phil.
“Man with his skill against his knowledge strives,
“Where death his way attends, that way he tends,
“And t' Atropos the fatall razor gives,
“To cut the threed on which his life depends.
“When Asia's victor after all his warres,
Great Babylon to view had bent his mind,
Both I, and others, studious of the Starres,
Did shew that there his ruine was design'd;
And to his successors we oft have showne
The meanes by which their fate might be controul'd,
Yet was our skill contemn'd, and they o'rethrowne,
As we fore-told, and as they now have told.

Nun.
They have told much, and yet I must tell more,
Their newes were evill, yet were they not the worst.

Cho.
And have the Heaven reserv'd more plagues in store?
As if we yet were not enough accurst.

Nun.
“As th'earth in pride, the Heavens in plagues abounds;
Our highest hopes have perish'd but of late.

Cho.
Then wound our eares by hearing others wounds,
That pittie now may tread the steps of hate.

Nun.
Our Queene Olympias (raging with revenge)
All Macedonie did with murders fill,
Which from her part the people did estrange,
Whilst rigor onely limited her will.
So that when fierce Cassander sought her wreake,
She did mistrust the Macedonians mindes,
And for the time the nearest strength did take,
There, till the storme was past, to waite faire winds.
But soone Cassander did the Towne enclose,
And as she held him out, did hold her in,
That (like a Captive guarded by her foes)
She knew not by what way a way to winne,
And when lives scant provision did decay,
Then did bare walles but small refuge afford:
“She Scylla scap'd to be Charybdis prey,
“Who fell on famine flying from the sword.
Straight like pale Ghosts, faint Souldiers did remaine,
Whose bowels hunger like a Harpie teares,
And with couragious words, the Queene in vaine
Did raise their sprite (the belly hath no eares)
All languishing did then begin to fade,
As if too weake to beare themselves about.
Legges fail'd the body, and the necke the head,
Then whilst the flesh fell in, bones bursted out;
And when that meates which common are were spent,
Then Horses, Dogs, Cats, Rats, all serv'd for food,
Of which, no horrour th'eaters did torment,
For what not poyson was, all then seem'd good:
Some mouthes accustom'd once with dainty meates,
Wish'd what they oft had loath'd, vile crums, foule flouds,
And Ladies which had liv'd in pompous states,
Fed, as brought up with wolves amidst the woods.
Yea, nurst by those whom they themselves had nurst,
Oft by the off-springs death the Parent liv'd:
And which was worst, whilst brests were like to burst,
None could give comfort, all themselves were griev'd.
Such was their state, no friend bewail'd his friend,
No wife her husband, no, nor Syre his sonne;
For apprehending their approaching end,
All with compassion of themselves were wonne.
The dead mens smell empoyson'd them who liv'd,
Whilst first made faint by a defrauded wombe;
Heapes were of breath and buriall both depriv'd,
That all the towne in end was but a tombe.

Cho.
Life is the subject of distresse and griefe,
“That still affords us matter to bemone;
“And we by death can onely have reliefe:
“To live, and to be wretch'd, are both but one.
“Yet foolish worldlings toss'd with endlesse care,
“(Though at too deare a rate) would still buy breath,
“And following feathers wavering through the ayre,
“Love life (though wretch'd) more then a happy death.

Nun.
When thus the world Olympias plagu'd did spy,
All sought Cassander though for severall ends.

Cho.
All as a pest them who are wretch'd doe slye:
“Ecclipsed fortune threatens losse of friends.

Nun.
And she considering that she could not long
Hold out the siege, since victuals were grown scant,
Did send (as weake) for peace unto the strong.

Cho.
“Thus time and travell all things once may daunt.

Nun.
Then did Cassander know that need constraind
Her so to bow, as every way diseas'd:
And, though he her request not quite disdain'd,
Yet the appointment was such as he pleas'd:
For, all the favour that she could procure,
Was leave to live a private person still;
And yet of that she could not be made sure,
Which did depend upon the Victors will.
Then whilst Cassander sought his enemies ends,
Huge numbers with him alwaies did abide.

Cho.
Yet might have many followers, and few friends:
“Friends by the touch-stone of distresse are try'd.

Nun.
But though the Queen was rendred in this sort,
A promise given that life should be preserv'd,
The tyrant with her sprite could not comport,
But from his faith, for her confusion swerv'd:
The Macedonians were together brought,
There to consult what did concerne their Queene:
Of whom when as a number deepely thought,
Both what she was, and what she once had beene;
Even as Cassander had suborn'd them all,
Their parents came whom she had damn'd to death,
And did her rigour to remembrance call,
By which the multitude was mov'd to wrath.
Whilst from their brests all pitty quite was barr'd,
They did conclude, their Queene behov'd to dye.

Cho.
Durst Subjects damne their Soveraign? and not heard?
So still may clouds obscure the worlds bright eye.

Nun.
Yet did Cassander put (false every way)
A maske of pitty on a cruell minde,
And offred her a ship to flye away,
As if to death against his will assign'd;
Nor was this course for her delivery fram'd,
But onely as by chance that she might drowne:
So for her death that he might not be blam'd,
But onely Neptune who had drunke her downe:
Yet she (a Princesse of a mighty spright,)
Whose lofty courage nothing could o're-come,
Said, ere she scap'd by such a shamefull flight,
That she would heare the Macedonians doome.
But when Cassanders counsell was contemn'd,
Lest that the multitude had chang'd their minde,
When they remembred whom they had condemn'd,
And did the fulnesse of his purpose finde,
To rid her soone from paine, and him from feare,
He sent some bands from pitty most estrang'd:
Yet she 'gainst fortune did a banner beare,
And not her heart, no, not her count'nance chang'd.
She constant still, though mon'd, would never mone,
Whose stately gesture brav'd their bold attempt,
And did unite her vertues all in one,
To grace disgrace, and glorifie contempt.
She on two Ladies shoulders lean'd her armes,
And with a Majestie did march to death,
Like Alexander once amid'st th' alarmes,
As if in triumph to abandon breath.
“The height of vertue admiration brings,
At this great magnanimity amaz'd:
As at the image of their antient Kings;
Or then some Goddesse all the Souldiers gaz'd:
But (ah) some (forced by the tyrant) striv'd
To spoile (unnaturall) Natures fairest frame,
And twixt th' Alabaster Balles, they driv'd
Th'unwilling swords that straight grew red for shame.
Then, she in worth who did all else excell,
Would neither word, nor teare, nor sigh forth send,
But spread her garments o're her, whilst she fell,
As of her honour jealous to the end.

Cho.
O strange barbarity, most monstrous deed!
Could men a woman, Subjects kill their Queene:
And could her fortune past no pitty breed?
Who ever gave the wound, hath not her seene.
The ugly Author of those odious evils,
(Of punishment afraid) must still be sad,
His brest a hell, his thoughts all turn'd to divels,
(Through horrour of himselfe) must make him mad.

Nun.
And yet the plague of these detested times,
Doth by more mischiefe aggravate our grones.

Cho.
“No end in sinne, crimes are maintain'd by crimes,
“Who fall in depths, must touch the bottome once:
“The path of honour hath but narrow bounds,
“On which who step, attentive must remaine:
“Since rais'd so high above the vulgar grounds,
“That who thence fall can never rise againe.

Nun.
Thus now Cassander (since he cannot winne
True reputation, but lives tainted still)
Imbark'd in mischiefe, sailes the depths of sinne,
So if not lov'd as good, yet fear'd as ill.
Though (by his meanes) his ruthlesse eyes have seene
Fates (as it were from fortunes bosome) take,
His King by poyson, by the sword his Queene,
Even yet himselfe more guilty still to make,
He (prosp'ring in impiety) grew proud,
And murdred both his Masters Sonne and Wife;
Thus he, who all the world by birth-right ow'd,
Could have no part of it, no, not his life.
Yet could Roxanaes death not ease his minde,
Nor her yong sonne, too soone made Plutoes guest:
But to undoe all Alexanders kinde,
That to revenge the rest, there might none rest.
By treason he (as all his deeds are done)
Caus'd Hercules his brothers steppes to trace,
Who was great Alexanders bastard sonne,
And th' onely remnant of that great mans race,
Loe, thus Cassander, enemy to all good,
Whose soule so much for Macedonie longs:
Hath to the Scepter swim'd through Seas of bloud,
Yet, O weake right, since builded but on wrongs!

Cho.
O, how ambition doth abuse the great!
Who with enough not pleas'd, still strive for more:
Loe, how our Soveraigne seem'd to raise his state,
Yet made it but to fall whilst starv'd with store.
And since his Trophees rear'd in severall fields,
Both him and his have to confusion brought,
“Then, what is all the good that greatnesse yeelds,
“Which makes it selfe seem much to be made nought?
“Thus, though the mountaines make a mighty show,
“They are but barren heapes borne up aloft,
“Where Plains are pleasant still, though they lye low,
“And are most fertile too, though trod on oft.
“Greatnesse is like a cloud in th'ayrie bounds,
“Which some base vapours have congeal'd above:
“It brawles with Vulcan, thundring forth huge sounds,
“Yet melts and falles there whence it first did move.

Phil.
Since that worlds conqu'ror then whilst farre from feare,
(By too much power press'd) so soone was dead:
Why doe his Captaines strive who now should beare
The Diadem that crush'd so strong a head?
O! when my minde is ravish'd through the starres,
To search the secret secrets of the fates:
What treasons, murthers, mutinies and warres,
Are threatning to o'rethrow usurped seates?
That false Cassander who betraid his Lord,
And spoil'd the princely race, in mischiefe chiefe,
(A traitour both of heaven and earth abhorr'd)
Shall live but with disgrace, and dye with griefe.
His sonnes (in wickednesse himselfe t' exceed)
Shall make the woman dye who made them live;
Then both (when drunke with bloud) to death shall bleed,
And none of theirs their funerals shall survive:
When rash ambition should be cool'd by age,
Lysimachus shall by Seleucus dye;
Nor shall Seleucus long enjoy the Stage,
But by like violence shall breathlesse lye;
And subtile Ptolomies degener'd race,
(Long onely famous for infamous things)
Shall end and to the pride of foes give place,
Whilst a lascivious Queene confusion brings;
Antigonus shall be in battell kill'd,
His Sonne a captive perish with disgrace
And after that it Greece with bloud hath fill'd,
In th' end, destruction doth attend that race;
The last in pow'r (though of their line not bred)
A niggard, and a dastard, beaten downe,
Shall (through a strangers towne, a Captive led)
Of Macedonie bound the old renowne.

Chorus.
“VVhat damned furies thus tosse mortals mindes,
“With such a violent desire to raigne?
“That neither honour, friendship, duty, bloud,
“Nor yet no band so sacred is as bindes
“Ambitious thoughts which would a kingdome gaine:
“But all is buried in blacke Lethes floud,
“That may the course of Soveraignty restraine,
“Which from the brest doth all respects repell,
“And like a torrent cannot be gaine-stood:
“Yea many would, a Scepter to obtaine,
“In spite of all the world, and Ioves owne wrath,
“March through the lowest dungeons of the hels,
“And from a Diademe would breath with pow'r,
“Though all deaths engines brag'd them every houre,
Yet, though such restlesse mindes attaine in th'end
The height to which their haughty hearts aspir'd,
They never can embrace that dreamed blisse,
Which their deluded thoughts did apprehend;
Though by the multitude they be admir'd,
That still to pow'r doth shew it selfe submisse;
Yet by the soule still further is requir'd,
Which should seale up th' accomplishment of joy;
“Thus partiall judgements blindely ayme amisse,
“At things which stand without our reach retir'd,
“Which whilst not ours, as treasures we define,
“But not the same whilst we the same enjoy;
“Some things a farre doe like the Glow-worme shine,
“Which look't too neere, have of that light no signe.
“No charge on th'earth more weighty to discharge,
“Then that which of a kingdome doth dispose:
“O! those who manage must the reynes of state,
“Till their pale Ghost imbarke in Charons Barge,
“They never need t'attend a true repose:
“How hard is it to please each mans conceit,
“When gaining one, they must another lose?
“Thus, hardly Kings themselves can evenly beare,
“Whom if severe (as cruell) subjects hate;
“Contempt dare to the milde it selfe oppose;
“Who spare in time, as niggards are despis'd,
“Men from too franke a minde, exactions feare,
“Though in all shapes (as Proteus us'd) disguis'd,
“Kings by some scandall alwaies are surpris'd.
Yet one might well with every thing comport,
Which on opinion onely doth depend,
If further danger follow'd not by deeds,
But every Monarch (Loe) in many a sort
Death (laid in ambush) alwaies doth attend;
Of some by mut'nous swords the life forth bleeds;
By unsuspected poyson others end,
Which whilst they alwaies labour to prevent,
A thousand deaths within their breasts life breeds;
Loe, this is all for which the great contend,
Who, (whilst their pride themselves and others spoiles)
With their dominions doe their cares augment:
“And O vaine man who toylest to double toyles,
“Though still the victory the Victor foiles:
Thus Alexander could not be appeas'd,
Whilst he to raise his state did wayes prepare,
Which when made most, diminish'd most remain'd,
Where (with his fathers bounds had he beene pleas'd)
He might have left our Crowne sure to his heire,
Who by his conquest nought but death hath gayn'd;
Yet for no paines a number now doth spare,
To worke for that by which his wreake was wrought,
Which (though from it they rage to be restrain'd)
Would (if possest) their pleasures but impaire;
Yet they by harme of others seeke the thing
Which by their harme of others will be sought:
“To him and his, each of them death would bring,
“That it might once be said he was a King.
“We may securely sitting on the shore,
“Whilst great men doe (as toss'd on th' Ocean) grone,
“Taught by their toyles, esteeme much of our rest:
“For this doth thousands with affliction store,
“VVhich of the world as most unhappy moane,
“If they but chance to view some few more blest,
“VVhere if they would but marke, how many a one
“More wretch'd then they in misery doth live,
“It straight would calme the most unquiet brest;
“The Cottage oft is happier then the Throne;
“To thinke our owne state good, and others ill:
“It could not but a great contentment give:
“There much consists in the conceit and will:
“To us all things are as we thinke them still.