University of Virginia Library

Act 2.

Scene 1.

Perdiccas, Meleager, Ptolomie, Antigonus, Eumenes.

What eye (not big with teares) can view this host,
Which hath in one (ah, as the end doth prove)
A King, a Captaine, and a brother, lost,
Crown'd, follow'd, try'd, by right, for worth, in love?
I thinke amongst us all, there is not one,
Whom divers favours doe not justly binde
To please that Heroes Ghost (though from us gone)
With all the off'rings of a thankefull minde.
Ah, had the fates beene subject to my will,
So great a losse should not have crost our life;
But we had kept great Alexander still,
And he those kingdomes which procure this strife.
“Yet heavens decrees can never be recall'd,
“And thoughts of harme past helpe, breed double paine,
“Though once to griefe a space, by passions thrall'd,
“The living must embrace the world againe.
As one whose intrest in that Prince was chiefe,
A sorrow singular my soule affects,
But I will not defraud the generall griefe,
To waile a-part particular respects.
Though all the ayre still Ecchoes plaintive sounds
Of widow'd hopes now wedded to despaires,
Yet time must cicatrize our inward wounds,
And to the publike good draw private cares.
Let us give physicke to the sickned state,
Which at this present in great danger stands,
VVhilst grudging Subjects that our greatnesse hate,
By bloud would venge their violated lands.
“Those who by force are thrall'd, to be made free,
“Precipitate themselves in dangers still,
“And this of Nature seemes a rule to be:
“What Realme not scornes to serve a strangers will?
“From forc'd obedience, nought but hate proceeds;
“The more we have subdu'd, the more our foes:
A soveraigne head this States huge body needs,
That might make us securely to repose:
And who more meet to have that great mans place,
Of those whose states he tooke who gain'd the hearts,
Then one descended from that Regall race,
Whose birth both worth and right to raigne imparts?
If heavens enrich Roxane with a Sonne,
That long'd-for birth a lawfull Soveraigne brings,
And till that course of doubtfull hopes be runne,
Let some be nam'd who manage may all things.

Anti.
The Macedonians (swolne with wrath) would scorne,
That to their King a stranger should succeed:
Can men obey a Babe, a Babe not borne?
What fancies strange would this confusion breed?
This could not well become our grave fore-sight,
A doubtfull birth so long t'attend in vaine,
Which may abortive be, and brought to light,
(Through natures errour) made not apt to raigne.
But if affection carry us so farre,
That of that race we must be rul'd by some,
Though neither train'd by time in peace, nor warre,
As those who must indeed by kinde o're-come:
Then have we Hercules the eldest sonne,
To our great Prince by faire Barsines borne,
Who fourteene yeares of age, hath now begun
His Princely birth by vertue to adorne.

Ptol.
To thinke of this, it makes my soule asham'd,
That we should serve a base Barbarians brood,
What? should we beare the yoke that we have fram'd?
To buy disgrace, have we bestow'd our bloud?
Our ancestors whose glory we obscur'd,
Would get some vantage of their off-spring thus:
That peoples bondage they would have procur'd,
And have we warr'd to make them Lords o're us?
Ah, bury this as a most odious thing,
Which may bring danger, and must breed our scorne.
Though (in effect) descended from our King,
They (come of Captives) are but basely borne.
O! brave Leonides, I like thy strife,
Who with so few perform'd so glorious things,
And death preferr'd before th' infamous life,
Which bondage still from a Barbarian brings.
Those (loath to take a stranger for their Lord)
Did with their bloud renowne a forraigne field,
And shall we honour them whom they abhorr'd,
And even (though victors) to the vanquish'd yeeld
To what did tend that eminent attempt,
Which makes the Persians yet abase their brow?
But to our countries scorne (in a contempt)
To take by force that which we offer now.
Was this the scope of all our conquests then,
Of abject Captives to be made the prey?
No, let us still command like valorous men,
And rule our Empire by some other way.
May we not use this policy a space,
Till Time afford, or we a course devise?
Least dangerous discord doe disturbe our peace,
Still when we would of serious things advise;
With Majestie let us assembled be,
A sacred Senate with a chayre of state,
That of the Soveraigne pow'r all signes may see,
Then whilst we compasse that respected seate:
There, those who were in credit with the King,
Whose merits in mens mindes have reverence bred,
Shall (weigh'd by judgement) ballance every thing:
How kingdomes should be rul'd, how armies led;
“And what the greatest part hath once approv'd,
“To that the rest will willingly incline;
By such a harmony the Army mov'd,
Will execute what ever we designe.
This concord would prove happy for us all,
Which each mans state free from all danger renders:
And by this meanes our Macedonie shall
In place of one, have many Alexanders.

Eum.
Though silence (I confesse) becomes me best,
Who, am a stranger, and the lesse beleev'd,
Yet of your toyles since I a partner rest,
I must unfold my minde, a minde much griev'd:
And thinke you that a Babe repaires our losse?
How can good wits so grosly be beguil'd?
This in all Countries hath been thought a crosse:
“Woe to that soile whose Soveraigne is a childe.
Nor would these great men (as is thought) agree,
They be too many bodies for one minde:
Ah (pardon Ptolomie) it cannot be,
This union would disjoyne us all I finde:
Thus would the Army from good order swerve,
“If many might forgive, all would offend,
“As thinking well though they did death deserve:
“No man so bad, but some will him befriend.
And when so many Kings were in one Court,
One Court would then have many humours too,
Which fostring factions for each light report,
Would make them jarre as neighbouring Princes doe;
No, let this strange designe be quite supprest,
“Whilst equall all, all would unequall be,
So that their mindes (by jealousie possest)
From pale suspition never could be free.
But ah! what needs contention at this time,
To cloud a matter that was made so cleare:
And doe you now account it not a crime,
To damne his will, who once was held so deare?
When that great Monarch march'd to match with death,
Whilst all his Captaines were assembled there,
And did demand (whilst he dispos'd of breath)
Whom he himselfe adopted for his heire:
Then (that none might such doubtfull questions breed)
As loving valour more then his owne race:
He (that a brave man, brave men might succeed)
Said: let the worthiest have the worthiest place.
Nor did he speake this in a secret part,
With double words which might more doubt have mov'd.
As breathing thoughts in each ambitious heart,
To have his worth in Vulcans fornace prov'd:
For, whil'st ye hedg'd the fatall bed about,
(With an unpartiall care distracted long)
Then he amongst you all did chuse one out,
Who for so great a charge did seeme most strong.
He to Perdiccas did present the Ring
That us'd to seale the secrets of the State,
By which it seem'd that he design'd him King,
And so would seaze him of the regall seat.
Thus made this worthy man a worthy choice,
That further strife might not the state deforme,
And all the world now justly may rejoyce,
That who rais'd many, did prevent this storme.
For, if he had not thus declar'd his will,
Yee (Mars his Minions) should have liv'd at jarres:
Whil'st emulation amongst equals still,
Had made sterne Trumpets thunder civill warres;
What huge disorders threatned to burst forth,
If that our Soveraigne had no Prince design'd,
Who oft hath beene a witnesse of our worth,
And can weigh vertue in a vertuous minde?
I see consenting signes applaud my speech:
Rise, doe, Perdiccas, that which they decree,
Whil'st modesty doth Majesty impeach,
Though thou crav'st not this Crowne, this Crowne craves thee.

Meleag.
I wonder not though thus Perdiccas shrinke,
To take this place, still brag'd with new alarmes:
The Sunne must make nights ugly bird to winke:
This Scepter weighs, too much for so weake armes.
The Gods will never grant, nor men agree,
That such a one should tyrannize o're us:
Though vulgar mindes might yeeld his thralls to be,
His betters scorne to bow so basely thus.
He would have us Roxanes birth t' attend,
Which though it come to passe as some expect,
He can exchange, or cause be brought to end,
As bent to like all meanes, when one effect.
Thus would he temporize to our great scorne,
Till time might helpe to further his designes:
No Kings Perdiccas likes, but babes unborne;
He labours well in undiscovered Mynes.
I need not now insist to tell at large,
What brave men are amid'st this martiall band,
Who better doe deserve so great a charge,
Both for their skill, and courage to command;
Yet are the best not worthy to succeed,
That man admir'd who never can be match'd,
The thought of whom must make our mindes to bleed,
Whose adversaries this advantage watch'd.
But, if that great man did consent so soone,
That our obedience should be thus abus'd,
Of all that ever yet he would have done,
I thinke this onely ought to be refus'd.
That valorous band, whose worth the world oft prov'd,
Then, whil'st their glory shin'd through silver shields:
By all that Monarchs deeds when no way mov'd,
(As conquer'd) would have left the conquer'd fields.
And when despising such a Princes throne,
To whom his ancestors their Scepter brought.
What reverence would they beare to such a one,
Who all this time was as their equall thought?
“To those who o're their equals raise their state,
“Advancement envy breeds, and envy hate;
“If such with all would rest familiar still,
“This in contempt the Soveraigne title brings:
“And if they second not their Subjects will,
“Men cannot beare with them, as with borne Kings.
Our lofty bands some lofty minde must tame,
Whose Princely birth doth procreate regard;
Whose Country may confound each slandrous clayme,
As one with whom none else can be compar'd.
Loe, Alexanders brother, Philips sonne,
Who alwayes was a partner of our paine:
Can there be any else below the Sunne,
O're Macedonians who deserves to raigne?
And I must wonder what so strange offence
Hath forfeited his title, maym'd his right?
That any now with a disguis'd pretence
Dare wrong him thus, even in his peoples sight.

Ptol.
None needs to wonder much, though we neglect
One whose election might procure our shame:
His mothers basenesse, justice might object,
Whom bastardy secludes from such a claime.
But yet had Nature purg'd the spot she made,
We with his birth the better might comport,
If (like his Syre, fierce squadrons fit to leade)
His parts were such as might the State import;
He falsifies his race, of wit so weake,
That all his inward wants are soone perceiv'd,
All of his judgement in derision speake,
By which great things can hardly be conceiv'd:
And though his body might from paines be spar'd,
Whose constitution is not very strong;
But with infirmities so farre impair'd,
That it alive cannot continue long;
“Yet since in State he never hath beene school'd,
“His ignorance would racke him still with feares:
“Whilst he who rul'd, still needing to be rul'd,
“Spoke but with others tongues, heard with their eares.
“A King inconstant, great confusion makes,
“Whom all mistrust, and most amid'st a Campe:
“Whilst (soft like waxe) he each impression takes,
“A little labour changing still the stampe;
“Ah, should our lives depend upon his breath,
“Who of himselfe cannot discerne a crime:
“But for each rash report damnes men to death,
“Then yeelds a fruitlesse pitty out of time.
“Thus whilst some alwaies must his judgement sway,
“Which still doth harbour in anothers head,
“Of Sycophants this Prince may be the prey,
“Who where they list him (as quite blinde) will leade.
“And since but base, that they may be the best,
“Such still will toyle, that we may be o'rethrowne:
“And to the credulous King may meanes suggest,
“To taint our fame, lest it obscure their owne.
What griefe were this to us, whilst such as those
Might make their vantage of th' all-pow'rfull breath?
And that our actions ballanc'd by our foes,
Were guerdon'd with disdaine, or else with death?

Me.
Since private hopes your judgements doe bewitch,
I'le leave this counsell where no good can please:
Come follow me all those who would be rich:
Few have regard (poore souldiers) to your ease.

Perd.
That shall prove best which first I went about,
Though some would wrest my words from what I thought:
Loe, Meleagers spite doth now burst out,
Like flaming fires which burne themselves to nought.
Thus, naughty mindes which never dreame but ill,
Doe construe all things to a crooked sense:
What I propos'd, reposing on your will,
He would interpret for a great offence.
And (thus puffd up) this parting hence of his,
To many former faults hath added one:
By his seditious words incens'd ere this,
The souldiers are to sacke the treasure gone.

Ant.
With one consent then let us all conclude,
That Alexanders race (when borne) must raigne:
So shall we stablish still that sacred bloud,
Which rais'd our state, and may it best maintaine.
And let us now (before we part) appoint
Who shall command till that the babe be borne:
And circumspectly ponder every point,
That successe so our Councell may adorne.

Eum.
I heare a tumult rais'd amongst the Tents,
And Arideus is proclaimed King:
To which the multitude (soone chang'd) consents,
As bent for all whose course a change may bring,
The foot-men are to indignation mov'd,
In this assembly that they want a seat,
Where our proceedings they might have approv'd,
As knowing all that did concerne the state.
They soone forget their Prince (exspecting spoiles)
That dare revolt from what we all advis'd:
“Thus too much liberty breeds many broiles,
“And makes the giver still to be despis'd.
“The want of discipline all things confounds.
Their deeds want order, and their pride all bounds.

Perd.
And dare they then against that fortresse rise,
Where Alexanders Ensignes are displaid?
Or violate the walles where as he lyes?
May not his shadow make them all afraid?
What? how comes this? and dare they then presume,
To bragge their Captaines, and abuse their Armes?
Armes, armes, just wrath these Rebels must consume,
Our count'nance will them curbe, sound, sound th'alarmes.

Exeunt.

Scene 2.

Lysimachus,
Seleucus.
Loe, here a great and more then sudden change!
All men for mirth were like to have gone mad,
So that of late it would have beene thought strange,
In all this Citie to have scene one sad.
Each wall resounded some melodious song,
To ravish curious eares with rare delight;
Strange Tapestries were stretch'd the streets along,
And stately objects made to charme the sight;
As if our King his conquests so would crowne,
Of all the world a Parliament to hold,
He (plac'd with pompe in this imperiall towne)
Did of magnificence the height unfold.
Here glory (in her richest robes array'd)
Should have shewne all that Greatnesse could expect:
Yet were our hopes even at the height betraid:
To death those Trophees fortune did erect.
A tragicke end this triumph quite confounds,
All our applauses vanish in complaints,
Our Musicke marr'd by melancholy sounds,
Loe, by the Cypresse press'd, the lawrell faints.
To funerall shrikes, our shouts of joy we turne,
(With gorgeous garments, Griefe cannot comport,)
We that so much rejoyc'd, farre more must mourne,
“Dayes spent with woe are long, with pleasure short.
This breeds most anguish, when that one compares
The present time with others that are past,
Whilst wonted hopes are ballanc'd with despaires,
Which all heroicke mindes with woe doe waste.
Betwixt these two, what difference finde we forth,
The rising Sunne, and it that is declin'd?
Where is that Zodiacke (lodging of all worth)
Whence valours beames (still lightning courage) shin'd?
Now desolation spreads it selfe o're all:
A solitary silence, griefe allowes,
Ah, (as quite crush'd by that great Monarchs fall)
How many male-contents cast downe their browes?
A strange suspition hath possess'd the streets,
VVhilst every man his neighbours fall conspires,
Each one who unawares another meets,
(As fearing treason) with distrust retires.
Of rumours strange each eare is greedy growne,
VVhich (though but doubtfull) move the minde to rue,
And (doting still on that which is their own)
VVhat they conjecture, all affirme for true.

Sel.
VVith eyes that flames for rage, our deeds heaven viewes,
And (mov'd for us) a high disdaine doth beare;
Loe, all mens heads are heavy for ill newes,
And though we know not what, yet still we feare:
For, since the widow'd world doth want a head,
Each member now doth labour to be chiefe,
VVhich (whilst they divers wayes the body lead)
May give beginning to some endlesse griefe;
Some (like the foole who thunder fayn'd like Iove)
VVould make their fame like Alexanders sound,
And (all brought low) to be themselves above,
VVould order all, or else would all confound;
Then some vaine wits which onely would seeme wise,
(By flatt'ring mirrours of their shape deceiv'd)
Doe every thing that is not theirs despise,
And perish would, ere them another sav'd.
A number too whom all things doe content,
VVhat each one thinkes, are still resolv'd to doe:
They make a choice, then doe the choice repent,
And straight repent of that repentance too.
The publike good is spoil'd by private hope,
VVhilst many thus high dignities doe claime;
This discord gives to rash ambition scope:
“For, all would fish within a troubled streame.
See how dissention hath dissolv'd so soone,
All kinde of order, and confusion brought:
Our Councell quite his variance hath undone,
“VVhilst one would have done all, all have done nought:
Although Perdiccas (as it would have seem'd)
VVhilst for his masters race he onely stood,
Sought (by that meanes more vertuous to be deem'd)
His Princes honour, and his Countries good;
Yet his companions having in contempt,
He did by subtile meanes himselfe advance:
And so to shadow his disguis'd attempt,
Aym'd at the royall place as but by chance;
He toyles that the unborne none should beguile,
As by the heavens for th' Orphanes good reserv'd:
Yet wanting of a King nought but the stile,
He would not want that when th' occasion serv'd.
And Meleager partially dispos'd,
To hinder others, doth pretend a love
To bastard Philip, by effect disclos'd,
Since he but seekes Perdiccas to disprove;
And if that foe, whom he doth feare, but faile,
He cares not much what Emperour they proclaime:
And his designe with many may prevaile:
“A cloake of right, apparels any claime;
“They whose descent some title doth disclose
“(As by their birth made capable to raigne:)
“Must be preferr'd by reason unto those,
“Who of all right without the bounds remaine.
The furious foot-men (insolently stout)
A title to maintaine, did brave our band,
And (indignation thundring threatnings out)
Would with our bloud have bath'd this barbarous land.
O! what indignity would this have been,
Whilst those whom we subdu'd with such great toiles,
Had in this sort their victors vanquish'd seen,
So of their spoilers purchasing the spoiles
Thus darkening all that we had done before,
(Our swords first stayn'd by ignominious wounds)
We, of our conquests could have kept no more,
But burials base (if those) in th' enemies bounds.
O! what excellency consists in th' one,
(Though oft not mark'd till miss'd) cleare at this houre:
“Some with a word, or look, doe more alone,
“Then thousands joyn'd with policy and pow'r.
When squadrons arm'd with Ensignes full displaid,
As of their Prince all due regard quite lost,
His generous course would (obstinate) have staid,
By them abandon'd, when endanger'd most;
Then of disorder yeelding bitter fruits,
They boldly march'd with bragges before his Tent,
And charg'd their Soveraigne with unlawfull suits,
To innovations violently bent;
Of duty then, they by no band detain'd,
First grudg'd, grew factious next, last rebels plaine,
Like waters for a time (by Art restrain'd)
Their bounds once pass'd, which do all bounds disdain:
But from that patterne of accomplish'd worth,
Whom imitate none may, all must admire,
Through just disdaine when fury spark'led forth,
These troupes (astonish'd) trembling did retire;
His stately count'nance calm'd tumultuous sounds,
And lightned Majesty through clouds of wrath,
That (even as if his words had given them wounds)
They fell, afraid of him, though not of death:
Those lofty bands which were of late so proud,
That they disdain'd to wait their Emperours will:
Then (by his looke all at an instant bow'd)
Did beg but leave that they might serve him still;
And yet what wonder though he gain'd all hearts;
Which to his presence happened to repaire,
With that perfection of all vertuous parts,
As large in him, as in all others rare?
Loe, when we meet to treat, by peace or warres,
How all our conquests may be best secur'd,
The Souldiers doe burst out in publike jarres,
Even by their Captaines no respect procur'd.
And who can call that valorous Prince to minde,
That unto vertue any reverence beares;
But he must be constrain'd, or prove unkinde,
To offer up a tribute of some teares?

Lysi.
His death doth make my soule faint sorrows prey,
Though many thought that I for it had long'd;
For, if by any whom he should obey,
One can be wrong'd, then I indeed was wrong'd.

Sel.
Though fame abroad by divers tongues did bring,
To what huge danger you were once expos'd;
It did not paint out each particular thing,
Which by your selfe I long to heare disclos'd.

Lysim.
When wise Calistenes for no request,
With superstitious customes could comport,
But with franke words all flattery did detest,
He was abus'd, and in a barbarous sort:
“So plaguing him (no doubt) the King did ill,
“Yet to prosperity we must impute
“Those fatall faults which follow fortune still,
“As of great mindes a kinde of bastard fruit;
“We should in Kings, as loth their state to touch,
“Speake sparingly of vice, praise vertue much.
But I whose soule that wise man dearely lov'd,
Whilst his perfections spying thus injur'd,
(To tender passions by compassion mov'd)
Would his reliefe have willingly procur'd.
But when my credit fail'd, all hope quite past,
That I could purchase grace in any sort:
I desp'rate physicke did afford at last,
That if his life was ill, it might be short.
The King enrag'd, that I had thus presum'd
To limit his revenge by giving death,
That by a Lyon I should be consum'd,
Did throw my doome out of the depths of wrath;
But when with rowling eyes the Lyon roar'd,
He, by my strength (as strengthlesse) was o're-thrown,
Which to the King whose minde did then remord,
My constancy and courage both made knowne,
So that incontinent I was set free,
By this rare proofe esteem'd amongst the strong,
And with a minde from inward rancour free,
As he his wrath, so I forgot the wrong:
For, whilst alone he through a Forrest rang'd.
A prey expos'd, yet did no danger dreame,
Some at that time had former wrongs reveng'd,
If but for mischiefe bent to gaine a name;
Yet that which others did attempt in vaine,
And (tyr'd by travell) of a surfet dy'd,
I did performe, and brought him backe againe,
As swiftly running as his horse could ride;
And of that deed my sprite rests well appaid:
For, since that time my Soveraigne held me deare,
Which afterwards he to the world bewraid,
Whilst by this meanes his favour did appeare.
VVhen unawares my brow he chanc'd to wound,
To stay my bloud which striv'd to dye his Launce,
He with his Diadem my Temples crown'd,
A happy signe though comming but by chance;
And O! who knowes but once before I dye,
Some good event may second the presage?

Seleu.
What hinders us but we should fortune try,
And for a Crowne our travels straight engage?
Those bended mindes which ayme at Greatnesse still,
“(Growne popular, of purpose to be prais'd:)
“Doe winde themselves in every mans good will,
And would seeme humble, that they may be rais'd.
“What counterfeited friends seale trustlesse bands,
“VVhilst in the generall cause that wit pretends,
“Though never joyning hearts, all joyne their hands
“And worke one way, yet worke for divers ends?
Yea, those whose mindes move in the sphere of State,
Have purchas'd pow'rs, as purpos'd for the fields,
VVith jealous mindes their rivals to abate,
VVhilst (equals all) none to another yeelds;
Yet with suspended thoughts they doubtfull stand,
And their designes to venture doe forbeare,
Least all the rest joyn'd by a generall band,
Doe him o're-throw, who first gives cause of feare;
But he may speed who for a Crowne doth thirst,
And (free from feare) with courage doth advance:
Some to be second, doubting to be first,
Will make their course depend upon his chance;
And by a battell if that one prevaile,
There will rich hopes at easie rates be sold,
Whil'st those seek help, whose Fortune then doth faile,
As first by hope, last by despaire made bold,
All this to me great cause of feare affords,
Lest that we two protract the time too long;
And wounded be before we draw our swords:
“All at such times must do, or suffer wrong.

Lysi.
No chance of late hath brought me so to bow,
But I have throwne some thoughts at those high hopes:
“Yet in my minde that man do most allow
“Who doth with judgement moderate fancies scopes:
Those Provinces which are to us assign'd,
As calme in minde, we manage must a space:
Till all attempt that which they have design'd,
By enterchanging damage and disgrace:
Then living but like those whose force is small,
From which the world no great thing can expect:
We shall professe a favour to them all,
As who nought else, save publicke peace affect;
Yet then, our thoughts shall not have leave to sleep,
But subtle plots must circumspectly frame,
Those whom we feare at variance still to keep,
So alwayes strengthning us, and weakening them;
If wrongs provoke, or when occasion claimes,
We may make warre with some ere it be long,
Like cunning wrestlers at th'Olympick games,
Who exercise themselves to be more strong;
And when themselves have thus prepar'd the way,
Whil'st that their pompe doth beare a lower sayle.
(For at the last their force must much decay,
Since all must alwayes lose, though one prevaile)
Then prompt to tempt that which we now contrive,
(By ruining the remnant that remaines)
We may possesse the state for which they strive;
Thus they the toils, and we shall get the gaines.

Exeunt.
Chorus.

Exeunt.