University of Virginia Library

SCEN. Ult.

Enter Isachius, Basilius, Cleobulus, Paleologus, Crato, &c.
Bas.
Thus from the Cell we bring you to the Throne,
You sought not for a Crown, a Crown finds you,
[He shews the Crown unto him.
Desert shines in the dark, will not be hid
May you with all happines inherit it,
Entitled to it, both by birth and merit.

Omnes.
Long live the Emperor Isachius.

Bas.
Constantines greatness founder of this place,
With Jovians goodness, Honorius his success,
Long life of Valens, Manuels quiet death,
Justinians Fame and every good beside,
Singled on them, joyntly betide to you.

Isa.
We thank you for your good desires for us.

Bas.
How heavy is this Crown!
Beautiful burden, it adorns and loads,
And with the Crown a cross is joyn'd together,
Greatness and care are twins:

[He kisses the crosse.
Isa.
This cross I kiss and welcome, not that now
I first accost it, strange to me before,
We were familiar alwaies from our cradle,
This is my spear, my lance, my sword, my shield,

Bas.
This Scepter is to you from the Heavens.
Onely it is our duty to deliver it,
[He puts it into his hands.
In you his Image perfectly doth shine,
He sees our hands upheld, and humble hearts,
[They all bow to Isachius.
With these our bared heads and bended knees.
This and much more from us to him is due,
And him we pay in paying it to you.

Omnes.
Long live the Emperour Isachius!

Bas.
Not to instruct you what you do not know,
But only minde you, what you might forget:
Hear a few words.

Isa.
Speak on Basilius,
Whilst native heat and moysture Radical,
Observe their limits all the body thrives.
Both suffer, if but one exceed his bounds;
And all the body either burns or drowns.
So tis betwixt your power, our property:
They mutually receive and return strength,
One to another, whilst they both agree,
But if they justle once, and strive for conquest,
Even that which gaineth most, doth lose at last,
Not able to subsist when all's destroyed.
And if that Princes should betray their trust,
And justifie the wrong, and wrong the just,
We bow and bear, and sigh, and sob, and suffer,
Armed with prayers and Tears,
But sure our sad complaints will mount up thither,
Where Kings are only called to account,
And in that Court which is above the skies,
Subjects appeal, and Soveraigns censure lyes

Isa.
I cannot steal mens souls thorow their eares,
Charm sturdy hearts with circles of choice words,
Like to the sweet tongue of Andronicus,
All which he promised wee'l strive to perform
We're pleasd to binde our selves unto our Laws,
And count it freedom to be so confin'd:

Omn.
Long live the Emperour Isachius?

Cle.
That shout did wake the Eccho from his Cave,
Tickled with joy, the earth did seem to shake.

Bas.
“Thus Treason for a time may strangely thrive,
“Quickly grow great, but never long survive.
Whilst fools mistake Heavens flouts for smiles, and think,
That Nemesis is dead, which doth but sleep
Till right at last revives out of his swoon
Right which some storms may toss, but cannot drown,

A Chorus consisting of two parts Grecian and Persian, one Gown-men, the other Sword-men.
Gr. Ch.
Vve marvel at your private sadnesse.
Exception from the publick gladnesse.
Why do you sigh, whilst we do sing,
Whilst we ring bells, you hands do wring.
Whilst joy all others cheeks doth Crown,
Your face is clouded with a frown.

Per. Ch.
Alas, our case is most forlorn,
Work we cannot, beg we scorn.
Steal we will not, and do wonder
Setled Laws allow no plunder;
We have not whereunto to trust,
Our hungry swords must eat the rust.

Gr. Ch.
There's a time for every trade,
Merchants first good bargains made.
Next the Lawyer did succeed,
On clyents leane, they fat did feed;
Silenc'd since in doleful dumps,
And the souldier turn'd up trumps.

Per. Ch.
Turn'd up trumps; Alas in vain,
To be soon turn'd down again.
Had we been wise, this War to spin,
To spread it broad, and lay it thin;
When seven Winters had been past,
Well might it more seven Summers last.

Gr. Ch,
Of our state you had the Creame,
And have drain'd our wealthy streame;
Our Coyn, our Plate, our Richest stuff,
Were all devoured by your buff.
And whilst you souldiers were in prime,
Full well you did improve your time.

Per. Ch.
We could not drain your wealth profound,
Whose streams so great.
For it you hide in vaults so deep,
Where Phæbus never dar'd to peep.
O that we might so blessed be,
Your wealth invisible to see.

Gr. Ch.
Our treasure doth not hidden lye,
Under the earth, but o're the sky.

Per. Ch.
See you this sword, tis all our lands,
Our states are fallen into our hands.
The boundaries whereof you may,
Eas'ly in one view survey:
From Hilt to point the length doth reach.
From edge to back the breadth doth stretch,
You see our Lands, and this we vow
Is both our ship, and shop, and plow.

Gr. Ch,
We should be loath that plow should thorow
The Græcian Empire make a furrow.

Per. Ch.
Into forraign Lands wee'l go,
And teach their natives War to sow,
War which may be sown full cheap.
Tho it will prove dear to reap,
It matters not so we have work;
Be't gainst Christian, Jew, or Turk.
Though we travell ner'e so far,
Farewell peace and welcome War.

Gr. Ch.
Go pray transport your martiall arts,
And ship them vnto forreign parts,
Practise them on any other.
So you spare this Land our Mother,
Here alone let discord cease:
Farewell War, and welcome Peace.