Pompey :: :: University of Virginia Library

Charmion, Achoreus.
Char.
Yes, whilst the King himself is gone to meet
Cæsar, and lay his Scepter at his Feet.
To her Appartment Cleopatra went,
And there unmov'd expects his Complement.
What words have you to cloath this Humour in?

Acho.
'Tis Noble Pride and worthy of a Queen.
Who with Heroick courage does make good
The Honour of her Rank, and of her Blood.
May I speak to Her?

Char.
No, but she hath sent.
Me to inquire this meetings great event.
How Cæsar on this Gift himself explain'd,
Whether it were acknowledg'd or disdaind.

If he the fierce takes, or the gentler way,
And what he to our Murtherers could say.

Acho.
The head of Pompey hath already cost
More then they will have any cause to boast:
For whether Cæsar be or seem severe,
Yet I for them have ground enough to fear.
If they lov'd Ptolomy, they serv'd him ill,
You saw him part, and I pursu'd him still.
When from the City his well order'd Fleet
Advanc'd a League, that they might Cæsar meet;
He with spread Sails arriv'd, and as in Wars
He still had been the Favourite of Mars:
So Neptune to his Navy was so kind,
His Fortune was not fairer than his wind.
Our Prince was so astonish'd when they met,
As if he did his Crowned Head forget.
Through his false Joy his Terrour he Confess'd,
And all his Actions his low Thoughts express'd.
I my self blush'd as at a shameful Thing,
There to see Ptolomy, but not the King;
Cæsar who saw his Courage thus expire,
In pity flatter'd him to raise it higher.
He with low voice offering his Fatal gift,
“Now Sir, sayes he, you have no Rival left.
“What, in Thessalia, not the Gods could do,
“I give you Pompey and Cornelia too.
“Here's one, and though the other flight did take,
“Six Ships of mine will quickly bring her back.
Achillas then the great Head did expose,
Which still to speak it self seem'd to dispose.
At this new injury some warm Remain
Did in imperfect groans seem to complain.
I thought his open mouth and ghastly look,
Recall'd the Soul which scarce her leave had took;
And his last anger seem'd, with dying Breath,
To Charge the Gods with his Defeat and Death.

Cæsar seem'd Thunder-stricken at this view,
As not resolv'd what to believe or do.
Immoveably on that sad Object ty'd;
He long from us his inward thought did hide,
And I would say, if I durst make a guess,
By what our Nature uses to express:
Some such malignant Pleasure he enjoy'd,
As his offended honour scarce destroy'd.
That the whole World now in his Power lies,
Could not but bring some flattering surprize.
But though a while this Conflict he endur'd,
Yet his great Soul it self soon re-assur'd.
Though he loves Power, yet he Treason hates,
Himself he judges, on himself debates.
Each Joy and Grief at reasons bar appears,
At length resolv'd, he first let fall some Tears.
His Virtues Empire he by force regains,
And Noblest Thoughts by that weak sign explains.
The horrid present from his sight expell'd,
His Eyes and Hands he up to Heaven held.
In a few words their Insolence repress'd,
And after did in Pensive silence rest.
Nor even to his Romans could reply,
But with a heavy sigh and furious Eye.
At last with thirty Cohorts come to Land,
To seize the Gates and Ports he does command.
The Guards he set, and secret Orders sent,
Shew his Distrust, as well as Discontent.
Egypt he speaks of, as a Province won,
And now calls Pompey not a Fos, but Son.
This I observ'd.

Char:
By which the Queen may find
The Just Osiris to her Vows inclin'd:
Whilst with this happy News to her I fly,
Do you preserve her your Fidelity.

Achor.
Ne're doubt it; but here Cæsar comes, go then

Describe the Consternation of our Men:
And whatsoever proves to be their Fate;
Ile first observe, and then to her Relate.