University of Virginia Library

The Apology.

The wrong application, and misconceiuing of this Tragedy of Philotas, vrges me worthy Readers, to answere for mine innocency, both in the choice of the subiect, and the motiues that long since induced me to write it, which were first the delight I tooke in the History it selfe as it lay, and then the aptnesse, I saw it had to fall easily into act, without interlacing other inuention, then it properly yeelded in the owne circumstances, we were sufficient for the worke, and a lawfull representing of a Tragedy. Besides aboue eight yeares since, meeting with my deare friend D. Lateware, (whose memory I reuerence) in his Lords Chamber, and mine, I told him the purpose I had for Philotas, who sayd that himselfe had written the same argument, and caused it to be presented in St. Iohns Colledge in Oxford, where as I after heard, it was worthily and with great applause performed. And though, I sayd, he had therein preuented me, yet I would not desist, whensoeuer my Fortunes would giue me

peace, to try what I could doe in the same subiect, where vnto both hee, and who were present, incouraged me as to an example worthy of note. And liuing in the Country, about foure yeares since, and neere halfe a yeare before the late Tragedy of ours, (whereunto this is now most ignorantly resembled) vnfortunately fell out heere in England, I began the same, and wrote three Acts thereof, as many to whom I then shewed it can witnesse, purposing to haue had it presented in Bath by certaine Gentlemens sonnes, as a priuate recreation for the Christmas, before the Shrouetide of that vnhappy disorder. But by reason of some occasion then falling out, and being called vpon by my Printer for a new impression of my workes, with some additions to the ciuill Warres, I intermitted this other subiect. Which now lying by mee, and driuen by necessity to make vse of my pen, and the Stage to bee the mouth of my lines, which before were neuer heared to speake but in silence, I thought the representing so true a History, in the ancient forme of a Tragedy, could not but haue had an vnreproueable passage with the time, and the better sort of men, seeing with what idle fictions, and grosse follies, the Stage at this day abused mens recreations. And withall taking a subiect that lay (as I thought, so farre from the time, and so remote a stranger from the climate of our present courses, I could not imagine that Enuy or ignorance could possibly haue made it, to take any particular acquaintance with vs, but as it hath a generall alliance to the frailty of greatnesse, and the vsuall workings of ambition, the perpetuall subiects of bookes and Tragedies.

And for Philotas, it is plaine, that his fathers greatnesse opened first the way to Alexanders suspition and the enuy of the Nobility, and then his owne vanting with dispising the new title conferred by the Oracle of Ammon. Vpon the King, begat and notion of his dislike of the State; and indeede Alexanders drawing a pedegree from Heauen, with

assuming the Persian magnificence, was the cause that withdrew many, the hearts of the Nobility and people from him; and by Philotas owne confession, was that which gaue a purpose to him and his father to haue subuerted the King, when he had established Asia, and freed them from other feares.

And this concealing of the treason reuealed vnto him, howsoeuer he excused it, shewed how much his heart was alienated from his allegiancy. Which being by Ephestion, and Craterus, two the most graue and worthy Councellors of Alexander prouidently discerned, was prosecuted in that manner, as became their neerenesse, and deerenesse with their Lord and Maister, and fitting the safety of the State, in the case of so great an aspirer: Who, had he not beene preuented (howsoeuer popularly in the Army it might be otherwise deemed) he had no doubt turned the course of the gouernment vpon his father or himselfe, or else imbroyling it, made it monstrous body with many heads, as it afterwards proued vpon the death of Alexander. For though the affection of the multitude (whom he did mignion) and who, as I sayd, lookes still vpon mens fortunes not the cause, discerned not his ends, nor peraduenture himselfe, that knew not how large they might be, nor how much his heart would hold, nor of what capacity would be his ambition, if occasion were offered: Yet some more cleere-sighted, as if raysed by a diuine prouidence to put off that State, till the full period of dissolution, (which after followed was come) saw well, to how hie a staine he had set his hopes by his affected carriage. And Craterus, who so wisely pursued this businesse is deemed to haue beene one of the most honest men that euer followed Alexander in all his actions, and one that was true vnto him euen after his death. And for any resemblance, that thorough the ignorance of the History may be applied to the late Earle of Essex. It can hold in no proportion but only in his weaknesses, which I would wish all that loue his memory

not to reuiue. And for mine owne parts hauing beene perticularly beholding to his bounty, I would to God his errors and disobedience to his Souereigne, might by so deepe buried vnderneath the earth, and in so low a tombe from his other parts, that hee might neuer be remembred among the examples of disloyalty in this Kingdome, or paraleld with Forreine Conspirators.