Pompey :: :: University of Virginia Library

To them Achoreus.
Cleop.
But alas.
I read no good presages in his Face;
Speak Achoreus, let us freely hear
What yet deserves my sorow, or my fear.

Achor.
Assoon as Cæsar did the Treason know:—

Cleop.
'Tis not his Conduct I enquire of now,
I know he cut and stopt that secret vault
Which to him should the Murtherers have brought,
That to secure the street his men he sent,
Where Photin did receive his punishment:
Whose sudden fall Achillas so amaz'd,
That on the abandon'd Port he quickly seiz'd;
Whom the King follow'd, and that to the Land
Antonius all his Souldiers did command.
Where Cæsar joyn'd him, and I thence do guess
Achillas punishment, and his success.

Achor.
His usual Fortune to her Assistance gave.

Cleop.
But tell me if he did my Brother save,
And kept his Promise.

Achor.
Yes, with all his Might.

Cleop.
That's all the News I wish'd you to recite.
Madam, You see the Gods my wishes heard.

Cor.
They only have his punishment deferr'd.

Cleop.
You wish'd it now; but they have him secur'd:

Achor.
Or Cæsar had, if he had life endur'd.

Cleop.
What said you last? Or did I rightly hear?
Oh! Quickly your obscure Discourses clear.

Achor.
Neither your cares nor ours could save him, who
Would die in spight of Cæsar and of You:
But Madam, in the noblest way he dy'd
That ever falling Monarch dignify'd.
His restor'd Virtue did his Birth make good,
And to the Romans dearly sold his blood.
He fought Antonius with such noble heat,
That on him He did some advantage get:
But Cæsar's coming alter'd the event;
Achillas there after Photinus went.
But so as him did too much Honour bring:
With Sword in hand he perish'd for his King.
O spare the King, in vain the Conquerour cry'd;
To him no Hope but Terrour it imply'd.
For frighted, he thought Cæsar did intend
But to reserve him to a shameful end.
He charg'd, and broke our Ranks, bravely to shew
What Virtue armed by Despair can do.
By this mistake his vexed soul abus'd
Still sought the Death which still was him refus'd.
Breathless at last, with having fought and bled,
Encompass'd round, and his best Souldiers dead,
Into a Vessel which was near he leaps,
And follow'd was by such tumultuous heaps,
As by their number overprest, the Ship
With all its fraight was swallow'd in the Deep.
This Death recovers all his lost Renown,
Gives Cæsar Fame, and You th'Ægyptian Crown.
You were proclaim'd, and though no Roman sword
Had touch'd the Life so much by you deplor'd.
Cæsar extreamly did concern'd appear;
He sighs, and he complains: but see him here,
Who better can then I his Griefs relate,
For the unhappy Kings resistless Fate.