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{Transcriber's note:
{SN Sidenotes are indicated like this.} {ILL Illustrations are indicated like this.} {TN Other notes are indicated like this.}
No intentional corrections or changes have been made to the text.}
PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY HORACE HART M.A., AT THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
THE TRAGEDY OF CAESAR'S REVENGE
THE MALONE SOCIETY REPRINTS 1911
This reprint of Caesar's Revenge has been prepared by F. S. Boas with the assistance of the General Editor.
Oct. 1911. W. W. Greg.
Plays on the subject of Caius Julius are so numerous that some difficulty arises in properly distinguishing the titles. In the case of the piece here reprinted the first title, which is also the head title, suggests a play of Chapman's, while the running title is the traditional property of William Shakespeare. It seems, therefore, best that it should become known by the name which appears second on the title-page. And, indeed, there is reason to suppose that it was this title that the piece originally bore, for the entry in the Registers of the Stationers' Company runs as follows:
v^o Iunij [1606]
{SN John Wright and Nathanael ffossbrook} Entred for their Copies vnder the handes of Master Doctor Couell and the wardens A booke called Iulius Caesars reuenge. vj^d [Arber's Transcript, III. 323.]
The edition that followed upon this entry was undated, but probably appeared before the end of the year. It bore Wright's name and address as stationer, and the initials and device of George Eld as printer. It was a quarto printed in roman type of a body similar to modern pica (20 ll. = 83 mm.). Of this original issue copies survive in the Dyce Library at South Kensington and in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire. In other copies the original title-leaf has been cancelled and replaced by a reprint. This, which is dated 1607, bears the names of both stationers, and a different address, which is presumably Fosbrook's. The printer's initials have been omitted, and, more important, his device has made way for the note 'Priuately acted by the Studentes of Trinity Colledge in Oxford'. The original type had already been distributed, and not only the title, but also the list of personae on the verso of the leaf, was reset. Why Fosbrook should have been originally forgotten, as it would seem he was, and his portion of the stock provided with a title-page which is evidently of the nature of an afterthought, there is nothing to show. Copies of this second issue are in the Bodleian Library at Oxford and the British Museum. All the copies mentioned are perfect, and for the purpose of the present reprint those in the British Museum, Bodleian and Dyce libraries have been collated throughout. The two former are in substantial agreement: the Dyce copy has both formes of sheet A in an uncorrected state: there is a curious progressive error at l. 2481.
No record of performance survives to corroborate the information supplied by the second title-page, but from internal evidence it may be supposed to have taken place some years before publication, the style of the play being modelled on those popular in the last decade of the sixteenth century, especially Tamburlaine and the Spanish Tragedie. The complete absence of comic relief, and the exceptional number of recondite classical allusions, are in favour of the academic origin of the play, and this is perhaps further evidenced by the fact that the source, upon which the anonymous author drew, appears to have been, not Plutarch, but Appian's Bellum Civile. Appian alone (book II, chapters 113 and 117) names Bucolianus among Caesar's murderers, though Cicero mentions him twice in his letters to Atticus as Bucilianus. There is also one local reference to connect the play with Oxford, in the lines put into Caesar's mouth.
And Isis wept to see her daughter Thames, Chainge her cleere cristall, to vermilian sad. (ll. 1278-9.)
The text of the play presents a good many difficulties, and in some places there is reason to suspect more or less serious lacunae. The classical names too are often badly corrupted, and the punctuation is the worst conceivable. There is a division into acts and scenes, but it neither follows a consistent principle, nor exhibits a correct numbering. A new division on the ordinarily accepted principles of the English stage has therefore been introduced in the margin. This has necessitated a somewhat minute consideration of exits and entrances, and a special list of necessary stage directions has been added below after the usual list of irregular readings.
A list of personae is given in the original on the verso of the title-leaf. The only omission is that of a Lord who has a part in several scenes.
The thanks of the editor are due to the Rev. H. E. D. Blakiston, President of Trinity College, Oxford, for information to the effect that no references to plays are traceable in the account books of the College, unless a payment of 6s. 6d. for a 'spectaculum in festo Trinitatis' in 1565 can be so interpreted. A similar debt is owing to Mr. J. P. Maine, librarian to the Duke of Devonshire, for information as to the readings of the copy of the original issue of the play preserved at Chatsworth.
LIST OF IRREGULAR AND DOUBTFUL READINGS
The punctuation of the original is so erratic as to make it impossible to record all irregularities. The following are particularly frequent: comma or semi-colon for period, especially at the end of a speech, period or other stop for query-mark, colon or, less frequently, semi-colon where at most a comma is needed. As a rule only those cases have been noticed which would be likely to cause difficulty to a reader who had the above points in mind.
{TN Catchwords are not shown in this transcription. Other possible errors, which have not been corrected, are:
718 how (How) 1181 Phaebus (Phoebus) 1694 (unusual indentation) 1887 (not indented) }
A 1^v Casca. (Casea. 1607) Augur. (Augur: 1607) Senators. (Seuators. 1607) Octauian. (Actauian. 1607) Camber. (both) 11 which (what) 14 her (? his) 20 field 25 Heauens. O (Heauens, O) 31 sig. A2 (B2 Dyce only) 32 Vomit (vomit) ills (? ills:) 34 BE 44 shild 46 greatnesse. (? greatnesse;) 55 praizd (i.e. valued) 59 swaye. (swaye,) 87 When as 98 liuing (liung Dyce only) 108 ouerthrowne, (ou erthrowne, B.M., Devon.) 132 a sleepe 136 a waite 143 bisse. (blisse.) 148 beare. (beare,) 149 Wihch (Which) 163 starrs. (starrs,) 167 remououe 169 haue. (haue—) 171 this, (i.e. thus,) 175 a misse, 182 farwell, then (farwell then,) 182 c.w. Here (183 Heere) 192 woundring 203 T'was 215 babish 216 sound (sound.) 219 Io ioyfull, Io 227 boucher'd 237 stange 247 enternally 252 c.w. Whilst (253 Whil'st) 261 Thee (? Flee) blood (blood.) 262 thirst. (thirst,) 263 goaring 277 Romaine, (Romaine) 288 when as 308 When as 324 Temple (Tempe) 325 waues, (waues.) 335 Scythia 344 freedon, 349 vnderringing 354 fall: 357 blast, 363 dol-full 410 they (thy) 411 Soule. (point doubtful, read Soule,) 412 What (? That) 413 Libians 430 petition. (petition,) 432 permit,. {TN ? superfluous '.'?} 434 Some what 450 turnde, (turnde) 460 with out 468 shue (sue) 474 griefe. (griefe,) c.w. VVhich (475 Which) 494 handmayde, forth (handmayde forth,) 498 hath 508 woundring 513 poastes. (poastes) 514 name, (name.) 515 bring: (bring) 519 pearles. (pearles) 527 beheld (behold) 535 althings sees. (sees) 542 But. (? Ant.) 544 Caesa, 549 thee (the) cut, (cut) 561 weaud (? weand B.M. only) 567 fized (fixed) 568 ouer (? euer) 576 Neptnnus 598 Piramids. (Piramids,) 602 Gnidas (Gnidus) 609 Antho. (Dis.) 617 Iollity. (Iollity,) 620 Setorius (Sertorius) 621 ouerthrowe. (ouerthrowe,) 622 Nepoune 627 waight, blisse. (blisse,) 628 haue. (haue,) 633 night. (night,) 634 plauges 642 SCENA 4. 646 they selfe. (selfe) 652 like wise Ptolomeis gould. (gould,) 655 made. (made,) 670 wordly 699 a vaile 704 soueraignety. (soueraignety,) 708 Men. (Men,) 709 entertaynd, (entertaynd.) 713 Earth. (Earth,) 725 sway (sway.) 734 a non, 751-2 (lacuna ?) 763 letter pattens 784 if, (if) 786 a like, 807 cease. (cease,) 818 graue. (graue,) 826 Alacke (Alike) 828 a like 829 causer which (? causer, mine) 835 perlexed 838 be hould 848 Queene, (Queene.) 851 framd. (framd,) 864 prefest. 874 instruments. (instruments,) 883 Ncmean 885 os (of) 891 Be sides 893 Alcionus: 899 rosall head, (head.) 900 Phoebus 902 respendent 913 Spicery, (?) 914 Nardus 924 Queene, (Queene) 925 ofhirs: 936 speech (speech.) 947 Camber (Cimber) 960 Caes. (Cas.) 969 tale, (tale,) 971 blood, (blood.) 989 Cam. (Cim.) 991 Cum. (990 c.w. Cam.) 996 Cibills verse. (verse) 1003 sepulcher. (sepulcher,) 1012 praise 1014 bespent (? besprent) 1022 Romaine, (Romaines,) 1025 Gic. 1027 borne 1050 learne; (learne,) 1051 althings 1053 blessiings 1059 Counrries 1075 nor (not) 1082 Hilias (Allias) sight: (? fight: B.M. only) 1103 slay (stay) 1108 Countries: (Countries) 1111 Sene. 1118 it (it.) vse, (vse) 1121 vertues (? vertue) brunt's, 1137 me (me?) 1149 Adastria (Adrastia) Queene. (Queene,) 1159 sleepe. (sleepe,) 1161 die, (die.) 1162 paintcd 1182 backes. (backes,) 1196 Lords, (? Lord,) 1198 a fore, 1201 be-hind past. (past,) 1203 triump (trump) 1205 witner (witnes) 1207 it bound it 1208 Phaegiean (Phlegraean) 1209 Tropheus (Trophies) 1213 Pompeous 1218 crowne, (crowne.) 1221 onmy 1222 beare. (beare) 1229 Africans, 1234 starre. (starre) 1237 Gouernesse. (Gouernesse,) 1246 AEmelius, 1258 Romulus. (Romulus,) 1260 Ouer- (? Euer-) 1262 exquies 1263 Ioue. (Ioue,) 1264 fame. (fame,) 1265 Hydasspis, 1270 Whereby (Were by) resistles, (resistles) powers (? power) 1276 Rohdans 1278 Thames. (Thames) 1283 greefe (greefe.) 1318 Afrigted 1321 winde (? minde) 1322 on (i.e. one) 1329 my 1335 one (i.e. on) 1361 the (thee) 1364 receiue (? reuiue) 1389 persumption: 1423 by (ly) 1426 lotheth (? bodeth) 1429 ACT. 2. 1430 Anthony (Anthony,) Lords, (? Lord,) 1431 Pharthia 1432 Caesars (? Crassus) 1438 Armenians Medians 1448 troopes. (troopes,) 1462 victorye. (victorye,) 1467 there by 1468 spur. (spur) 1472 selfe (? selfe's) 1474 will (? well) 1479 euerdaring (? ouerdaring) 1481-2 (lacuna?) 1486 or (are) 1491 fame. (fame) 1494 Pincely 1498 liberty. (liberty,) 1522 Cumber (? Cimber,) 1539 mis boding 1577 quench-les 1582 a peerce 1604 T'was 1613 hap (hap.) 1619 Bec (?) 1623 fore-cast, (fore-cast) 1633-4 (? lacuna) 1637 steeps 1638 threeatning 1643 bale full 1649 bale-full 1650 consort. In (consort, in) 1657 Dre ame which (with) 1662 Pre. (i.e. Praecentor.) 1665 ilde 1666 Thout a non 1670 anon, (anon.) 1673 nigh. (nigh,) 1674 house- (?) {TN appears as 'house.' in the text} 1676 sits, (sits ?) 1677 daunger (daunger,) 1693 (? lacuna) 1700 Aloud 1702 Cum.... Cumber 1704 (not indented) 1718 yout (your) 1719 plauge 1730 geeue 1731 liues. (liues) 1735 ambition, (ambition) 1742 see (see?) 1751 heard 1761 a mong starrs. (starrs) 1763 Caesar, (Caesar) 1771 Anthony. (Anthony) 1774 a laromes, 1793 in great (? ingrate) 1804 more (more,) songs. (songs,) 1809 Hearse Calphurnia (Hearse, Calphurnia,) 1829 deathes, 1836 (not indented) 1846 they (thy) 1855 Commonwealth. (Commonwealth,) 1857 Vntucht. (Vntucht,) 1859 e ndles (e nd les B.M. only) 1864 yeares. (yeares) 1865 vnconquered; (vnconquered,) 1899 Romains (? Romes) 1902 soundes, 1905 hasted 1906 sound, 1909 tombe: (e doubtful) 1924 pytiyng 1925 fore 1929 Syre, 1971 Mirapont. 1972 ACT. 3. SCE. 1. 1979 life. (life) 1981 heauens: (?) 1992 A lcides 1999 Spayne (Spayne,) 2004 auaylesthis 2005 hand. (hand) 2008 Crest. (Crest,) 2019 on (one) 2025 Iiberian 2030 war-faire (warfare) 2038 warre-faire (warre faire) 2039 Stike 2046 for got 2055 Fathers 2063 hate. (hate) 2067 a rise 2068 vnquenced 2071 comsort (? consort) 2078 youth full 2090 vowd', 2093 Dieties 2100 Gradinus (Gradiuus) 2101 ouerburning (euerburning) 2102 Carpeian (Tarpeian) 2114 Stremonia, (? Strymon) 2122 -men (-man) 2136-7 (? lacuna) 2155 Lyeas (Lycus) 2157 Tursos 2164 (And Dolabella [And Dolabella (] spoyles. (spoyles) 2192 Numantia. (Numantia,) 2209 Gradinus (Gradiuus) 2213 liues.) [?] 2221 Strenghen 2232 acts. (acts) 2252 eur 2272 slaine. (slaine) 2274 Behould (Beheld) fiends. (fiends) 2276 vpbraues 2283 In (in) 2291 Comegreesly 2309 earth. (earth,) c.w. wish (Wish) 2313 ire. (ire,) 2318 Caesars (Brutus) 2324 expiate. Altheas come. (? expiate Altheas crime.) 2337 power 2338 extols. (extols,) 2346 c.w. Where (Cass. Where) 2356-7 (? reversed) 2363 Echalarian 2366 Then yet (? alternatives) 2371 cruell (turned n for u) 2375 foyld: 2411 accurs'd (space before d but apostrophe doubtful) 2422 breath? (? breathe,) 2470 come (come,) friend (friend;) 2481 comfort rings. B.M. and Bodl.: comfort gs . Devon.: comfort gs. Dyce: read comfort brings. 2498 bee. (bee,) 2500 life. (life;) 2517 a round 2522 cndlesse vpon. (? vpon,) 2533 The (the) 2552 But (? Nor) 2559 Elysium
ADDITIONAL STAGE DIRECTIONS
37 Exit Discord. 331 Exeunt. 366 Exeunt. 481 Enter Anthony. 606 Exeunt. 641 Exit Discord. 765 Exeunt. 1520 Exeunt. 1684 Exit Caesar. 1692 Exit Cassius. Enter the Senate. 1739 ? Exeunt. 1788 Exit Discord. 1810 Enter Lord. 1971 Exeunt. 2109 ? Exit Ghost. 2125 Exeunt. 2149 Exit Discord. 2269 Exeunt: manet Brutus. 2315 Exit Ghost. 2328 Exit Brutus. 2346 Cato dies. Enter Cassius. 2382 Exit Cassius. 2433 Exit Titinnius. 2471 Cassius stabs himself. 2501 Titinnius stabs himself. 2525 ? Brutus stabs himself. 2570 Exeunt.
It is possible that Cassius should be marked as entering with the others at l. 947 and that the speeches of II. iv marked Cas. belong to him and not to Casca.
* * * * *
The thanks of the Society are due to His Grace the Duke of Devonshire for kind permission to reproduce the title-page of the undated quarto in his possession.
{ILL facsimile of title page, with caption: UNDATED TITLE-PAGE (DEVON.)}
{ILL facsimile of title page, with caption: TITLE-PAGE 1607 (B.M.)}
{ILL facsimile of first page of text, with caption: A2 RECTO (B.M.)}
THE TRAGEDIE OF Caesar and Pompey
OR
CAESARS Reuenge.
AT LONDON Imprinted by G.E. for Iohn Wright, and are to bee sould at his shop at Christ-church Gate.
The names of the Actors.
Discora.
Titinnius. Brutus. Pompey. Caesar. Anthony. Dolobella. Cornelia. Cleopatra. Achillas. Sempronius. Cassius. Cato Sen. Casca. Roman 1. Roman 2. Bonus Genius. Calphurnia. Augur. Praecentor. Senators. Bucolian. Octauian. Caesars Ghost. Cicero. Cato Iun. Camber.
The Tragedie of Caesar and Pompey.
{SN Chor. I}
Sound alarum then flames of fire.
Enter Discord.
Hearke how the Romaine drums sound bloud & death, And Mars high mounted on his Thracian Steede: Runs madding through Pharsalias purple fieldes. The earth that's wont to be a Tombe for Men It's now entomb'd with Carkases of Men. The Heauen appal'd to see such hideous sights, For feare puts out her euer burning lights. The Gods amaz'd (as once in Titans war,) 10 Do doubt and feare, which boades this deadly iar The starrs do tremble, and forsake their course, The Beare doth hide her in forbidden Sea, Feare makes Bootes swiften her slowe pace, Pale is Orion, Atlas gins to quake, And his vnwildy burthen to forsake. Caesars keene Falchion, through the Aduerse rankes, For his sterne Master hewes a passage out, Through troupes & troonkes, & steele, & standing blood: He whose proud Trophies whileom Asia field, 20 And conquered Pontus, singe his lasting praise. Great Pompey; Great, while Fortune did him raise, Nowe vailes the glory of his vanting plumes And to the ground casts of his high hang'd lookes. You gentle Heauens. O execute your wrath On vile mortality, that hath scornd your powers. You night borne Sisters to whose haires are ty'd In Adamantine Chaines both Gods and Men Winde on your webbe of mischiefe and of plagues, And if, O starres you haue an influence: 30 That may confounde this high erected heape Downe powre it; Vomit out your worst of ills Let Rome, growne proud, with her vnconquered strength, Perish and conquered BE with her owne strength: And win all powers to disioyne and breake, Consume, confound, dissolue, and discipate What Lawes, Armes and Pride hath raised vp.
{SN Act I sc. i}
Enter Titinius
Tit. The day is lost our hope and honours lost, The glory of the Romaine name is lost, 40 The liberty and commonweale is lost, The Gods that whileom heard the Romaine state, And Quirinus, whose strong puissant arme, Did shild the tops and turrets of proud Rome, Do now conspire to wracke the gallant Ship, Euen in the harbor of her wished greatnesse. And her gay streamers, and faire wauering sayles, With which the wanton wind was wont to play, To drowne with Billows of orewhelming woes.
Enter Brutus 50
Bru. The Foe preuayles, Brutus, thou striuest in vaine. Many a soule to day is sent to Hell, And many a galant haue I don to death, In Pharsalias bleeding Earth: the world can tell, How litle Brutus praizd this puffe of breath, If losse of that my countries weale might gaine, But Heauens and the immortall Gods decreed: That Rome in highest of her fortunes pich, In top of souerainty and imperiall swaye. By her owne height should worke her owne decay. 60
Enter Pompey
Pom. Where may I fly into some desert place, Some vncouth, vnfrequented craggy rocke, Where as my name and state was neuer heard. I flie the Batle because here I see, My friends lye bleeding in Pharsalias earth. Which do remember me what earst I was, Who brought such troopes of soldiars to the fielde, And of so many thousand had command: My flight a heauy memory doth renew, 70 Which tels me I was wont to stay and winne. But now a souldier of my scatred traine: Offered me seruice and did call me Lord, O then I thought whome rising Sunne saw high, Descending he beheld my misery: Flie to the holow roote of some steepe rocke, And in that flinty habitation hide, Thy wofull face: from face and view of men. Yet that will tell me this, if naught beside: Pompey was neuer wont his head to hide 80 Flie where thou wilt, thou bearst about thee smart, Shame at thy heeles and greefe lies at thy heart. Tit. But see Titinius where two warriers stand, Casting their eyes downe to the cheareles earthe: Alasse to soone I know them for to bee Pompey and Brutus, who like Aiax stand, When as forsooke of Fortune mong'st his foes, Greife stopt his breath nor could he speake his woes, Pom. Accursed Pompey, loe thou art descried. But stay; they are thy friends that thou behouldest, 90 O rather had I now haue met my foes: Whose daggers poynts might straight haue piercd my woes Then thus to haue my friends behold my shame. Reproch is death to him that liu'd in Fame, Bru. Brutus Cast vp thy discontented looke: And see two Princes thy two noble friends, Who though it greeues me that I thus them see, Yet ioy I to bee seene they liuing be. He speakes vnto them. Let not the change of this succesles fight, (O noble Lords,) dismay these daunteles mindes, 100 Which the faire vertue not blind chance doth rule, Caesar not vs subdued hath, but Rome, And in that fight twas best be ouerthrowne. Thinke that the Conqueror hath won but smale, Whose victory is but his Countries fal, Pom. O Noble Brutus, can I liue and see, My Souldiars dead, my friends lie slaine in field, My hopes cast downe, mine Honors ouerthrowne, My Country subiect to a Tirants rule, My foe triumphing and my selfe forlorne. 110 Oh had I perished in that prosperous warre Euen in mine Honors height, that happy day, When Mithridates fall did rayse my fame: Then had I gonne with Honor to my graue. But Pompey was by envious heauens reseru'd, Captiue to followe Caesars Chariot wheeles Riding in triumph to the Capitol: And Rome oft grac'd with Trophies of my fame, Shall now resound the blemish of my name. Bru. Oh what disgrace can taunt this worthinesse, 120 Of which remaine such liuing monuments Ingrauen in the eyes and hearts of men. Although the oppression of distressed Rome And our owne ouerthrow, might well drawe forth, Distilling teares from faynting cowards eyes, Yet should no weake effeminate passion sease Vpon that man, the greatnesse of whose minde And not his Fortune made him term'd the Great. Pom. Oh I did neuer tast mine Honours sweete Nor now can iudge of this my sharpest sowre. 130 Fifty eight yeares in Fortunes sweete soft lap Haue I beene luld a sleepe with pleasant ioyes, Me hath she dandled in her foulding Armes, And fed my hopes with prosperous euentes: Shee Crownd my Cradle with successe and Honour, And shall disgrace a waite my haples Hearse? Was I a youth with Palme and Lawrell girt, And now an ould man shall I waite my fall? Oh when I thinke but on my triumphs past, The Consul-ships and Honours I haue borne; 140 The fame and feare where in great Pompey liu'd, Then doth my grieued Soule informe me this, My fall augmented by my former bisse. Bru. Why do we vse of vertues strength to vant, If euery crosse a Noble mind can daunt, Wee talke of courage, then, is courage knowne, When with mishap our state is ouerthrowne: Neuer let him a Souldiers Title beare. Wihch in the cheefest brunt doth shrinke and feare, Thy former haps did Men thy vertue shew, 150 But now that fayles them which thy vertue knew, Nor thinke this conquest shalbe Pompeys fall: Or that Pharsalia shall thine honour bury, Egipt shalbe vnpeopled for thine ayde. And Cole-black Libians, shall manure the grounde In thy defence with bleeding hearts of men. Pom. O second hope of sad oppressed Rome, In whome the ancient Brutus vertue shines, That purchast first the Romaine liberty, Let me imbrace thee: liue victorious youth, 160 When death and angry fates shall call me hence, To free thy country from a Tyrants yoke. My harder fortune, and more cruell starrs. Enuied to me so great a happines. Do not prolong my life with vaine false hopes, To deepe dispaire and sorrow I am vow'd: Do not remououe me from that setled thought, With hope of friends or ayde of Ptolomey, Egipt and Libia at choyse I haue. But onely which of them Ile make my graue. 170 Tit. Tis but discomfort which misgreeues thee this, Greefe by dispaire seemes greater then it is, Bru. Tis womannish to wayle and mone our greefe, By Industrie do wise men seeke releefe, If that our casting do fall out a misse, Our cunning play must then correct the dice. Pom. Well if it needs must bee then let me goe, Flying for ayde vnto my forrayne friends, And sue and bow, where earst I did command. He that goeth seeking of a Tirant aide, 180 Though free he went, a seruant then is made. Take we our last farwell, then though with paine, Heere three do part that ne're shall meet againe.
Exit Pompey at on dore, Titinius at another. Brutus alone
ACTVS I. SCENA 2.
Enter Caesar
Caes. Follow your chase, and let your light-foote steedes Flying as swift as did that winged horse That with strong fethered Pinions cloue the Ayre, 190 Or'take the coward flight of your base foe. Bru. Do not with-drawe thy mortall woundring blade, But sheath it Caesar in my wounded heart: Let not that heart that did thy Country wound Feare to lay Brutus bleeding on the ground. Thy fatall stroke of death shall more mee glad, Then all thy proud and Pompous victories; My funerall Cypresse, then thy Lawrell Crowne, My mournefull Beere shall winne more Praise and Fame Then thy triumphing Sun-bright Chariot. 200 Heere in these fatall fieldes let Brutus die, And beare so many Romaines company. Caesa. T'was not 'gainst thee this fatall blade was drawne Which can no more pierce Brutus tender sides Then mine owne heart, or ought then heart more deere, For all the wronges thou didst, or strokes thou gau'st Caesar on thee will take no worse reuenge, Then bid thee still commande him and his state: True setled loue can neere bee turn'd to hate. Brut. To what a pitch would this mans vertues sore, 210 Did not ambition clog his mounting fame, Caesar thy sword hath all blisse from me taine And giuest me life where best were to be slaine. O thou hast robd me of my chiefest ioy, And seek'st to please me with a babish toye. Exit Brutus. Caes. Caesar Pharsalia doth thy conquest sound Ioues welcom messenger faire Victory, Hath Crown'd thy temples with victorious bay, And Io ioyfull, Io doth she sing And through the world thy lasting prayses ring. 220 But yet amidst thy gratefull melody I heare a hoarse, and heauy dolfull voyce, Of my deare Country crying, that to day My Glorious triumphs worke her owne decay. In which how many fatall strokes I gaue, So many woundes her tender brest receiu'd. Heere lyeth one that's boucher'd by his Sire And heere the Sonne was his old Fathers death, Both slew vnknowing, both vnknowne are slaine, O that ambition should such mischiefe worke 230 Or meane Men die for great mens proud desire.
ACTVS 1. SCENA 3.
Enter Anthony, Dolobella, Lord and others.
An. From sad Pharsalia blushing al with bloud, From deaths pale triumphes, Pompey ouerthrowne, Romains in forraine soyles, brething their last, Reuenge, stange wars and dreadfull stratagems, Wee come to set the Lawrell on thy head And fill thy eares with triumphs and with ioyes. Dolo. As when that Hector from the Grecian campe 240 With spoiles of slaughtered Argians return'd, The Troyan youths with crownes of conquering palme: The Phrigian Virgins with faire flowry wrethes Welcom'd the hope, and pride of Ilium, So for thy victory and conquering actes Wee bring faire wreths of Honor & renowne, Which shall enternally thy head adorne. Lord. Now hath thy sword made passage for thy selfe, To wade in bloud of them that sought thy death, The ambitious riuall of thine Honors high, 250 Whose mightinesse earst made him to be feard Now flies and is enforc'd to giue thee place. Whil'st thou remainst the conquering Hercules Triumphing in thy spoyles and victories. Caes. When Phoebus left faire Thetis watery couch, And peeping forth from out the goulden gate Of his bright pallace, saw our battle rank'd: Oft did hee seeke to turne his fiery steedes, Oft hid his face, and shund such tragick sights What stranger passest euer by this cost 260 Thee this accursed soyle distainde with blood Not Christall riuers, are to quench thy thirst. For goaring streames, their riuers cleerenesse staines: Heere are no hils wherewith to feede thine eyes, But heaped hils of mangled Carkases, Heere are no birdes to please thee with their notes: But rauenous Vultures, and night Rauens horse. Anto. What meanes great Caesar, droopes our generall, Or melts in womanish compassion: To see Pharsalias fieldes to change their hewe 270 And siluer streames be turn'd to lakes of blood? Why Caesar oft hath sacrific'd in France, Millions of Soules, to Plutoes grisly dames: And made the changed coloured Rhene to blush, To beare his bloody burthen to the sea. And when as thou in mayden Albion shore The Romaine, AEgle brauely didst aduance, No hand payd greater tribute vnto death, No heart with more couragious Noble fire And hope, did burne with glorious great intent. 280 And now shall passion base that Noble minde, And weake euents that courrage ouercome? Let Pompey proud, and Pompeys Complices Die on our swords, that did enuie our liues, Let pale Tysiphone be cloyd with bloud: And snaky furies quench their longing thirst, And Caesar liue to glory in their end. Caes. They say when as the younger Affrican, Beheld the mighty Carthage wofull fall: And sawe her stately Towers to smoke from farre, 290 He wept, and princely teares ran downe his cheekes, Let pity then and true compassion, Moue vs to rue no traterous Carthage fall, No barbarous periurd enemies decay, But Rome our natiue Country, haples Rome, Whose bowels to vngently we haue peerc'd, Faire pride of Europe, Mistresse of the world, Cradle of vertues, nurse of true renowne, Whome Ioue hath plac'd in top of seauen hils: That thou the lower worldes seauen climes mightst rule. 300 Thee the proud Parthian and the cole-black Moore, The sterne Tartarian, borne to manage armes, Doth feare and tremble at thy Maiesty. And yet I bred and fostered in thy lappe, Durst striue to ouerthrowe thy Capitol: And thy high Turrets lay as low as hell. Dolo. O Rome, and haue the powers of Heauen decreed, When as thy fame did reach vnto the Skie, And the wide Ocean was thy Empires boundes, And thou enricht with spoyles of all the world, 310 Was waxen proud with peace and soueraine raigne: That Ciuill warres should loose what Forraine won, And peace his ioyes, be turn'd to luckles broyles. Lord. O Pompey, cursed cause of ciuill warre, Which of those hel-borne sterne Eumenides: Inflam'd thy minde with such ambitious fire, As nought could quench it but thy Countries bloud. Dolo. But this no while thy valour doth destayne, Which found'st vnsought for cause of ciuill broyles, And fatall fuell which this fire enflamd. 320 Anto. Let then his death set period to this strife, Which was begun by his ambitious life. Caes. The flying Pompey to Larissa hastes, And by Thessalian Temple shapes his course: Where faire Peneus tumbles vp his waues, Him weele pursue as fast as he vs flies, Nor he though garded with Numidian horse, Nor ayded with the vnresisted powre: The Meroe, or seauen mouth'd Nile can yeeld: No not all Affrick arm'd in his defence 330 Shall serue to shrowd him from my fatall sworde. Exit.
ACT. I. SC. 4. {SN Act I sc. ii}
Enter Cato.
Ca. O where is banish'd liberty exil'd, To Affrick deserts or to Scythia rockes, Or whereas siluer streaming Tanais is? Happy is India and Arabia blest, And all the bordering regions vpon Nile That neuer knew the name of Liberty, But we that boast of Brutes and Colatins, 340 And glory we expeld proud Tarquins name, Do greeue to loose, that we so long haue held. Why reckon we our yeares by Consuls names: And so long ruld in freedon, now to serue? They lie that say in Heauen there is a powre That for to wracke the sinnes of guilty men, Holds in his hand a fierce three-forked dart. Why would he throw them downe on Oeta mount Or wound the vnderringing Rhodope, And not rayne showers of his dead-doing dartes, 350 Furor in flame, and Sulphures smothering heate Vpon the wicked and accurs'd armes That cruell Romains 'gainst their Country beare. Rome ware thy fall: those prodigies foretould, When angry heauens did powre downe showers of blood And fatall Comets in the heauens did blase, And all the Statues in the Temple blast, Did weepe the losse of Romaine liberty. Then if the Gods haue destined thine end, Yet as a Mother hauing lost her Sonne, 360 Cato shall waite vpon thy tragick hearse, And neuer leaue thy cold and bloodles corse. Ile tune a sad and dol-full funerall song, Still crying on lost liberties sweete name, Thy sacred ashes will I wash with teares, And thus lament my Countries obsequies.
ACT. I. SC. 5. {SN Act I sc. iii}
Enter Pompey and Cornelia.
Cor. O cruel Pompey whether wilt thou flye, And leaue thy poore Cornelia thus forlorne, 370 Is't our bad fortune or thy cruell will That still it seuers in extremity. O let me go with thee, and die with thee, Nothing shall thy Cornelia grieuous thinke That shee endures for her sweete Pompeys sake. Pom. Tis for thy weale and safty of thy life, Whose safty I preferre before the world, Because I loue thee more then all the world, That thou (sweete loue) should'st heere remaine behinde Till proofe assureth Ptolomyes doubted faith. 380 Cor. O deerest, what shall I my safty call, That which is thrust in dangers harmefull mouth? Lookes not the thing so bad with such a name, Call it my death, my bale, my wo, my hell, That which indangers my sweete Pompeys life. Pom. It is no danger (gentle loue) at all, Tis but thy feare that doth it so miscall. Cor. Ift bee no danger let me go with thee, And of thy safty a partaker bee, Alas why would'st thou leaue mee thus alone: 390 Thinkst thou I cannot follow thee by Land That thus haue followed thee ouer raging Seas, Or do I varie in inconstant hopes: O but thinke you my pleasure luckles is And I haue made thee more vnfortunate. Tis I, tis I, haue caus'd this ouerthrow, Tis my accursed starres that boade this ill, And those mis-fortunes to my princely loue, Reuenge thee Pompey, on this wicked brat, And end my woes by ending of my life, 400 Pom. What meanes my loue to aggrauate my griefe, And torture my enough tormented Soule, With greater greuance then Pharsalian losse? Thy rented hayre doth rent my heart in twayne, And these fayr Seas, that raine downe showers of tears, Do melt my soule in liqued streames of sorrow. If that in AEgipt any daunger bee, Then let my death procure thy sweet liues safety, Cor. Can I bee safe and Pompey in distresse, Or may Cornelia suruiue they death, 410 What daunger euer happens to my Soule. What daunger eke shall happen to my life, Nor Libians quick-sands, nor the barking gulfe, Or gaping Scylla shall this Vnion part, But still Ile chayne thee in my twining armes, And if I cannot liue Ile die with thee. Pom. O how thy loue doth ease my greeued minde, Which beares a burthen heauier then the Heauens, Vnder the which steele-shouldred Atlas grones But now thy loue doth hurt thy selfe and me, 420 And thy to ardent strong affection, Hinders my setled resolution. Then by this loue, and by these christall eyes, More bright then are the Lamps of Ioues high house, Let me in this (I feare) my last request. Not to indanger thy beloued life, But in this ship remayne, and here awaite, How Fortune dealeth with our doubtfull State, Cor. Not so perswaded as coniurd sweete loue, By thy commanding meeke petition. 430 I cannot say I yeeld, yet am constraind, This neuer meeting parting to permit, Then go deere loue, yet stay a little while, Some what I am shure, tis more I haue to say, Nay nothing now but Heauens guide thy steps. Yet let me speake, why should we part so soone, Why is my talke tedious? may be tis the last. Do women leaue their husbands in such hast, Pom. More faithfull, then that fayre deflowred dame, That sacrifizde her selfe to Chastety, 440 And far more louing then the Charian Queene, That dranke her Husbands neuer sundred heart. If that I dye, yet will it glad my soule, Which then shall feede on those Elisian ioyes, That in the sacred Temple of thy breast, My liuing memory shall shrined bee. But if that enuious fates should call thee hence, And Death with pale and meager looke vsurpe, Vpon those rosiate lips, and Currall cheekes, Then Ayre be turnde, to poyson to infect me, 450 Earth gape and swallow him that Heauens hate, Consume me Fire with thy deuouring flames, Or Water drowne, who else would melt in teares. But liue, liue happy still, in safety liue, Who safety onely to my life can giue. Exit. Cor. O he is gon, go hie thee after him, My vow forbids, yet still my care is with thee, My cryes shall wake the siluer Moone by night, And with my teares I will salute the Morne. No day shall passe with out my dayly plaints, 460 No houre without my prayers for thy returne. My minde misgiues mee Pompey is betrayd. O AEgypt do not rob me of my loue. Why beareth Ptolomy so sterne a looke? O do not staine thy childish yeares with blood: Whil'st Pompey florished in his Fortunes pride, AEgypt and Ptolomy were faine to serue And shue for grace to my distressed Lord: But little bootes it, to record he was, To be is onely that which Men respect, 470 Go poore Cornelia wander by the shore And see the waters raging Billowes swell, And beate with fury gainst the craggy rockes, To that compare thy strong tempestuous griefe. Which fiercely rageth in thy feeble heart, Sorrow shuts vp the passage of thy breath: And dries the teares that pitty faine would shed, This onely therefore, this will I still crie, Let Pompey liue although Cornelia die. Exit.
ACTVS I. SCENA. 6. {SN Act I sc. iv}
Enter Caesar, Cleopatra, Dolobella, Lord and others
Caes. Thy sad complaints fayre Lady cannot chuse, 482 But mooue a heart though made of Adamant, And draw to yeeld vnto thy powerfull plaint, I will replant thee in the AEgiptian Throne And all thy wrongs shall Caesar's vallor right, Ile pull thy crowne from the vsurpers head, And make the Conquered Ptolomey to stoope, And feare by force to wrong a mayden Queene. Cleo. Looke as the Earth at her great loues approch, 490 When goulden tressed fayre Hipperions Sonne With those life-lending beames salutes his Spouse, Doth then cast of her moorning widdowes weeds, And calleth her handmayde, forth her flowery fayre, To cloth her in the beauty of the spring, And of fayre primroses, and sweet violets, To make gay Garlonds for to crowne her head. So hath your presence, welcome and fayre sight, That glads the world, comforts poore AEgipts Queene, Who begs for succor of that conquering hand, 500 That as Ioues Scepter this our world doth sway. Dolo. Who would refuse to ayde so fayre a Queene. Lord. Base bee the mind, that for so sweet a fayre, Would not aduenture more then Perseus did, When as he freed the faire Andromeda. Caesar. O how those louely Tyranizing eyes, The Graces beautious habitation, Where sweet desire, dartes woundring shafts of loue: Consume my heart with inward burning heate. Not onely AEgipt, but all Africa, 510 Will I subiect to Cleopatras name. Thy rule shall stretch from vnknowne Zanziber, Vnto those Sandes where high erected poastes. Of great Alcides, do vp hold his name, The sunne burnt Indians, from the east shall bring: Their pretious store of pure refined gould, The laboring worme shall weaue the Africke twiste, And to exceed the pompe of Persian Queene, The Sea shall pay the tribute of his pearles. For to adorne thy goulden yellow lockes, 520 Which in their curled knots, my thoughts do hold, Thoughtes captiud to thy beauties conquering power. Anto. I marueyle not at that which fables tell, How rauisht Hellen moued the angry Greeks, To vndertake eleuen yeares tedious seege, To re-obtayne a beauty so diuine, When I beheld thy sweete composed face. O onely worthy for whose matchles sake, Another seege, and new warres should arise, Hector be dragde about the Grecian campe, 530 And Troy againe consumed with Grecian fire. Cleo. Great Prince, what thanks can Cleopatra giue, Nought haue poore Virgins to requite such good: My simple selfe and seruice then vouchsafe, And let the heauens, and he that althings sees. With equall eyes such merits recompence, I doe not seeke ambitiously to rule, And in proud Africa to monarchize. I onely craue that what my father gaue, Who in his last be-hest did dying, will, 540 That I should ioyntly with my brother raigne: But. How sweet those words drop from those hunny lips Which whilst she speakes they still each other kisse. Caesa, Raigne, I, stil raigne in Caesars conquered thoughts, There build thy pallace, and thy sun-bright throne: There sway thy Scepter, and with it beat downe, Those traiterous thoughts (if any dare aryse:) That will not yeeld to thy perfection, To chase thee flying Pompey haue I cut, The great Ionian, and Egean seas: 550 And dredeles past the toyling Hellespont, Famous for amorous Leanders death: And now by gentle Fortunes so am blest, As to behold what mazed thoughtes admire: Heauens wonder, Natures and Earths Ornament, And gaze vpon these firy sun-bright eyes: The Heauenly spheares which Loue and Beauty mooue, These Cheekes where Lillyes and red-roses striue, For soueraignty, yet both do equall raigne: The dangling tresses of thy curled haire, 560 Nets weaud to cach our frayle and wandring thoughts: Thy beauty shining like proud Phoebus face, When Ganges glittereth with his radiant beames He on his goulden trapped Palfreys rides, That from their nostrels do the morning blow, Through Heauens great path-way pau'd with shining starres Thou art the fized pole of my Soules ioy, Bout which my resteles thoughts are ouer turn'd: My Cynthia, whose glory neuer waynes, Guyding the Tide of mine affections: 570 That with the change of thy imperious lookes, Dost make my doubtfull ioyes to eb and flowe. Cleo. Might all the deedes thy hands had ere achiu'd, That make thy farre extolled name to sound: From sun-burnt East vnto the VVestern Iles, VVhich great Neptnnus fouldeth in his armes, It shall not be the least to seat a Maide, And inthronize her in her natiue right. Lord. VVhat neede you stand disputing on your right, Or prouing title to the AEgiptian Crowne: 580 Borne to be Queene and Empresse of the world. An. On thy perfection let me euer gaze, And eyes now learne to treade a louers maze, Heere may you surfet with delicious store, The more you see, desire to looke the more: Vpon her face a garden of delite, Exceeding far Adonis fayned Bowre, Heere staind white Lyllies spread their branches faire, Heere lips send forth sweete Gilly-flowers smell. And Damasck-rose in her faire cheekes do bud, 590 VVhile beds of Violets still come betweene VVith fresh varyety to please the eye, Nor neede these flowers the heate of Phoebus beames, They cherisht are by vertue of her eyes. O that I might but enter in this bowre, Or once attaine the cropping of the flower. Caes. Now wend we Lords to Alexandria, Famous for those wide wondred Piramids. Whose towring tops do seeme to threat the skie, And make it proud by presence of my loue: 600 Then Paphian Temples and Cytherian hils, And sacred Gnidas bonnet vaile to it, A fayrer saint then Venus there shall dwell. Antho. Led with the lode-starre of her lookes, I go As crazed Bark is toss'd in trobled Seas, Vncertaine to ariue in wished port.
ACT. I. FINIS.
{SN Chor. II}
Enter Discord Flashes of fire.
Antho. Now Caesar hath thy flattering Fortune heapt Those golden gifts and promis'd victories, 610 By fatall signes at Rubicon foretould: Then triumph in thy glorious greatest pride, And boast thou cast the lucky Die so well, Now let the Triton that did sound alarme, In his shrill trump resound the victory, That Heauen and Earth may Ecco of thy fame: Yet thinke in this thy Fortunes Iollity. Though Caesar be as great as great may be, Yet Pompey once was euen as great as he, And how he rode clad in Setorius spoyles: 620 And the Sicilian Pirats ouerthrowe. Ruling like Nepoune in the mid-land Seas, Who basely now by Land and Sea doth flie, The heauenly Rectors prosecuting wrath, Yet Sea nor Land can shroud him from this iar, O how it ioyes my discord thirsting thoughts, To see them waight, that whilom flow'd in blisse. To see like Banners, vnlike quarrels haue. And Roman weapons shethd in Roman blood, For this I left the deepe Infernall shades 630 And past the sad Auernus vgly iawes, And in the world came I, being Discord hight, Discord the daughter of the greesly night. To make the world a hell of plauges and woes, Twas I that did the fatal Aple fling, Betwixt the three Idean goddesses, That so much blood of Greekes and Troians spilt, Twas I that caused the deadly Thebans warre, And made the brothers swell with endlesse hate. And now O Rome, woe, woe, to thee I cry 640 Which to the world do bring al misery.
ACTVS 2. SCENA 4. {SN Act II sc. i}
Enter Achillas, and Sempronius.
Ach. Here are we placed, by Ptolomies command, To murther Pompey when he comes on shore, Then braue Sempronius prepare they selfe. To execute the charge thou hast in hand, Sem. I am a Romaine, and haue often serued, Vnder his collours, when in former state, Pompey hath bin the Generall of the field, 650 But cause I see that now the world is changd: And like wise feele some of King Ptolomeis gould. Ile kill him were he twenty Generalls, And send him packing to his longest home. I maruell of what mettell was the French man made. Who when he should haue stabbed Marius, They say he was astonished with his lookes. Marius, had I beene there, thou neere hadst liu'd, To brag thee of thy seauen Consulships. Achil. Brauely resolu'd, Noble Sempronius, 660 The damnedst villaine that ere I heard speake: But great men still must haue such instruments, To bring about their purpose, which once donne, The deede they loue, but do the doer hate: Thou shalt no lesse (stout Romaine) be renown'd, For being Pompeys Deaths-man, then was he, That fir'd the faire AEgiptian Goddesse Church. Sem. Nay that's al one, report say what she list, Tis for no shadowes I aduenture for: Heere are the Crownes, heere are the wordly goods, 670 This betweene Princes doth contention bring: Brothers this sets at ods, turnes loue to hate; It makes the Sonne to wish his Father hang'd That he thereby might reuell with his bagges: And did I knowe that in my Mothers womb, There lurk'd a hidden vaine of Sacred gould, This hand, this sword, should rape and rip it out. Achil. Compassion would that greedinesse restraine. Sem. I that's my fault, I am to compassionate, Why man, art thou a souldier and dost talke 680 Of womanish pity and compassion? Mens eyes must mil-stones drop, when fooles shed teares, But soft heeres Pompey, Ile about my worke.
Enter Pompey.
Pom. Trusting vpon King Ptolomeys promis'd fayth, And hoping succor, I am come to shore: In Egipt heere a while to make aboade. Sem. Fayth longer Pompey then thou dost expect. Pom. See now worlds Monarchs, whom your state makes proud That thinke your Honors to be permanent, 690 Of Fortunes change see heere a president, Who whilom did command, now must intreate And sue for that which to accept of late, Vnto the giuer was thought fortunate. Sem. I pray thee Pompey do not spend thy breath, In reckning vp these rusty titles now, Which thy ambition grac'd thee with before, I must confesse thou wert my Generall, But that cannot a vaile to saue thy life. Talke of thy Fortune while thou list, 700 There is thy fortune Pompey in my fist. Pom. O you that know what hight of honor meanes, What tis for men that lulled in fortunes lap, Haue climd the heighest top of soueraignety. From all that pomp to be cast hed-long downe, You may conceaue what Pompey doth sustayne, I was not wont to walke thus all alone, But to be met with troopes of Horse and Men. With playes and pageants to be entertaynd, A courtly trayne in royall rich aray, 710 With spangled plumes, that daunced in the ayre, Mounted on steeds, with braue Caparisons deckt, That in their gates did seeme to scorne the Earth. Was wont my intertaynment beautiefie, But now thy comming is in meaner sort, They by thy fortune will thy welcom rate. Sem. What dost thou for such entertaynement looke, Pompey how ere thy comming hether bee, I haue prouided for thy going hence. Achi. I will draw neere, and with fayre pleasing shew, 720 Wellcome great Pompey as the Siren doth The wandering shipman with her charming song. Pom. O how it greeues a noble hauty mind, Framed vp in honors vncontrouled schoole, To serue and sue, whoe erst did rule and sway What shall I goe and stoope to Ptolomey, Nought to a noble mind more greefe can bring Then be a begger where thou wert a King, Ach. Wellcome a shore most great and gratious prince Welcome to AEgipt and to Ptolomey. 730 The King my Maister is at hand my Lord, To gratulate your safe ariuall heere. Sem. This is the King, and here is the Gentleman, Which must thy comming gratulate a non, Pom. Thanks worthy Lord vnto your King and you, It ioyes me much that in extremity, I found so sure a friend as Ptolomey, Sem. Now is the date of thy proud life expird, To which my poniard must a full poynt put, Pompey from Ptolomey I come to thee, 740 From whome a presant and a guift I bring, This is the gift and this my message is Stab him Pom. O Villaine thou hast slayne thy Generall, And with thy base hand gor'd my royall heart. Well I haue liued till to that height I came, That all the world did tremble at my name, My greatnesse then by fortune being enuied, Stabd by a murtherous villaynes hand I died. Ach. What is he dead, then straight cut of his head, That whilom mounted with ambitions wings: 750 Caesar no doubt with praise and noble thanks, Regarding well this well deserued deede, Whome weele present with this most pleasing gift, Sem. Loe you my maisters, hee that kills but one, Is straight a Villaine and a murtherer cald, But they that vse to kill men by the great, And thousandes slay through their ambition, They are braue champions, and stout warriors cald, Tis like that he that steales a rotten sheepe That in a dich would else haue cast his hide, 760 He for his labour hath the haltars hier. But Kings and mighty Princes of the world, By letter pattens rob both Sea and Land. Do not then Pompey of thy murther plaine, Since thy ambition halfe the world hath slayne.
ACTVS 2. SCENA. 2. {SN Act II sc. ii}
Enter Cornelia.
Corne. O traterous villaines, hold your murthering hands, Or if that needes they must be washt in blood, Imbrue them heere, heere in Cornelias brest. 770 Ay mee as I stood looking from the Ship (Accursed shippe that did not sinke and drowne: And so haue sau'd me from so loath'd a sight) Thee to behold what did betide my Lord, My Pompey deere (nor Pompey now nor Lord) I sawe those villaines that but now were heere: Bucher my loue and then with violence, To drawe his deare beloued Body hence; What dost thou stand to play the Oratrix, And tell a tale of thy deere husbands death? 780 Doth Pompey, doth thy loue moue thee no more? Go cursed Cornelia rent thy wretched haire, Drowne blobred cheekes in seas of saltest teares. And if, it be true that sorrowes feeling powre, Could turne poore Niobe into a weeping stone O let mee weepe a like, and like stone be, And you poore lights, that sawe this tragick sight, Be blind and punnish'd with eternall night. Vnhappy long to speake, bee neare so bould Since that thou this so heauy tale hast tould. 790 These are but womanish exclamations Light sorrowe makes such lamentations, Pompey no words my true griefe can declare, This for thy loue shalbe my best welfare. Stab her selfe.
ACT. 2. SCE. 3. {SN Act II sc. iii}
Enter Caesar, Cleopatra, Anthony, Dolobella, a Lord,
Caesar. There sterne Achillas and Fortunius lie, Traytorous Sempronius and proud Ptolomey, Go plead your cause fore the angry Rhadamant, 800 And tel him why you basely Pompey slew. And let your guilty blood appease his Ghost, That now sits wandring by the Stygian bankes, Vnworthy sacrifice to quite his worth, For Pompey though thou wert mine enemy, And vayne ambition mou'd vs to this strife; Yet now in death when strife and enuy cease. Thy princely vertues and thy noble minde, Moue me to rue thy vndeserued death, That found a greater daunger then it fled; 810 Vnhapy man to scape so many wars, And to protract thy glorious day so long, Here for to perish in a barbarous soyle, And end liues date stabd by a Bastards hand, But yet with honour shalt thou be Intomb'd, I will enbalme thy body with my teares, And put thy ashes in an Vrne of gold, And build with marble a deserued graue. Whose worth indeede a Temple ought to haue. Dolo. See how compassion drawes foorth Princely teares 820 And Vertue weepes her enemies funerall, So sorrowed the mighty Alexander, When Bessus hand caus'd Darius to die. Ant. These greeued sorrowing Princes do with me, Ioyntly agree in Contrariety, Alacke we mourne, greeued is our mind alike, Our gate is discontented, heauy our lookes, Our sorrowes all a like, but dislike cause. Their foe is their grifes causer which my friend, It is the losse of one that makes them wayle, 830 But I, that one there is a cruell one, Do wayle and greeue and vnregarded mone. Fayre beames cast forth from these dismayfull eyes, Chaine my poore heart, in loue and sorrowes giues, Cleo. Forget sweete Prince these sad perlexed thoughts, Withdraw thy mind in clowdy discontent, And with AEgiptian pleasures feed thine eyes, Wilt thou be hould the Sepulchers of Kings, And Monuments that speake the workemens prayse? Ile bring thee to Great Alexanders Tombe, 840 Where he, whome all the world could not suffice, In bare six foote of Earth, intombed lies, And shew thee all the cost and curious art, Which either Cleops or our Memphis boast: Would you command a banquit in the Court, Ile bring you to a Royall goulden bowre, Fayrer then that wherein great Ioue doth sit, And heaues vp boles of Nectar to his Queene, A stately Pallace, whose fayre doble gates: Are wrought with garnish'd Carued Iuory, 850 And stately pillars of pure bullion framd. With Orient Pearles and Indian stones imbost, With golden Roofes that glister like the Sunne, Shalbe prepard to entertaine my Loue: Or wilt thou see our Academick Schooles, Or heare our Priests to reason of the starres, Hence Plato fecht his deepe Philosophy: And heere in Heauenly knowledg they excell. Antho. More then most faire, another Heauen to me, The starres where on Ile gaze shalbe thy face, 860 Thy morall deedes my sweete Philosophy, Venus the muse whose ayde I must implore: O let me profit in this study best, For Beauties scholler I am now prefest. Lord. See how this faire Egiptian Sorceres, Enchantes these Noble warriars man-like mindes, And melts their hearts in loue and wantones. Caes. Most glorious Queene, whose cheerefull smiling words Expell these cloudes that ouer cast my minde. Caesar will ioy in Cleopatras ioy, 870 And thinke his fame no whit disparaged, To change his armes, and deadly sounding droms, For loues sweete Laies, and Lydian harmony, And now hang vp these Idle instruments. My warlike speare and vncontrouled crest: My mortall wounding sword and siluer shield, And vnder thy sweete banners beare the brunt, Of peacefull warres and amarous Alarmes: Why Mars himselfe his bloudy rage alayd, Dallying in Venus bed hath often playd, 880 And great Alcides, when he did returne: From Iunos taskes, and Nemean victories, From monsters fell, and Ncmean toyles: Reposed himselfe in Deianiras armes. Heere will I pitch the pillars os my fame, Heere the non vltra of my labors write, And with these Cheekes of Roses, lockes of Gold, End my liues date, and trauayles manifould. Dolo. How many lets do hinder vertuous mindes, From the pursuit of honours due reward, 890 Be sides Caribdis, and fell Scyllas spight: More dangerous Circe and Calipsoes cup, Then pleasant gardens of Alcionus: And thousand lets voluptiousnesse doth offer. Caes. I will regard no more these murtherous spoyles, And bloudy triumphs that I lik'd of late: But in loues pleasures spend my wanton dayes, Ile make thee garlondes of sweete smelling flowers, And with faire rosall Chaplets crowne thy head, The purple Hyacinth of Phoebus Land: 900 Fresh Amarinthus that doth neuer die, And faire Narcissus deere respendent shoars, And Violets of Daffadilles so sweete, Shall Beautify the Temples of my Loue, Whil'st I will still gaze on thy beautious eyes, And with Ambrosean kisses bath thy Cheekes. Cleo. Come now faire Prince, and feast thee in our Courts Where liberal Caeres, and Liaeus fat, Shall powre their plenty forth and fruitfull store, The sparkling liquor shall ore-flow his bankes: 910 And Meroe learne to bring forth pleasant wine, Fruitfull Arabia, and the furthest Ind, Shall spend their treasuries of Spicery VVith Nardus Coranets weele guird our heads: And al the while melodious warbling notes, Passing the seauen-fould harmony of Heauen: Shall seeme to rauish our enchanted thoughts, Thus is the feare of vnkinde Ptolomey, Changed by thee to feast in Iolity: Antho. O how mine stares suck vp her heauenly words, 920 The whilst mine eyes do prey vpon her face: Caes. Winde we then Anthony with this Royall Queene, This day weele spend in mirth and banqueting. Antho. Had I Queene, Iunoes heard-mans hundred eies, To gaze vpon these two bright Sunnes ofhirs: Yet would they all be blinded instantly. Caes. VVhat hath some Melancholy discontent, Ore-come thy minde with trobled passions. Ant. Yet being blinded with the Sunny beames, Her beauties pleasing colours would restore, 930 Decayed sight with fresh variety. Lord. Lord Anthony what meanes this trobled minde, Caesar inuites thee to the royall feast, That faire Queene Cleopatra hath prepard. Antho. Pardon me worthy Caesar and you Lords, In not attending your most gratious speech Thoughts of my Country, and returne to Rome, Som-what distempered my busy head. Caes. Let no such thoughts distemper now thy minde, This day to Bacchus will wee consecrate, 940 And in deepe goblets of the purest wine, Drinke healths vnto our seuerall friends at home. Antho. If of my Country or of Rome I thought, Twas that I neuer ment for to come there, But spend my life in this sweete paradise. Exeunt.
ACT. 2. SCE. 4. {SN Act II sc. iv}
Enter Cicero, Brutus, Casca, Camber, Trebonius.
Cice. Most prudent heads, that with your councels wise, The pillars of the mighty Rome sustaine, You see how ciuill broyles haue torne our state: 950 And priuate strife hath wrought a publique wo, Thessalia boasts that she hath seene our fall, And Rome that whilom wont to Tiranize, And in the necks of all the world hath rang'd, Loosing her rule, to serue is now constraynd, Pompey the hope and stay of Common-weale, VVhose vertues promis'd Rome security Now flies distrest, disconsolate, forlorne, Reproch of Fortune, and the victors scorne. Caes. VVhat now is left for wretched Rome to hope, 960 But in laments and bitter future woe, To wey the downefall of her former pride: Againe Porsenna brings in Tarquins names, And Rome againe doth smoke with furious flames. In Pompeys fall wee all are ouerthrowne, And subiect made to conqueror Tirany. Bru. Most Noble Cicero and you Romaine Peeres, Pardon the author of vnhappy newes, And then prepare to heare my tragick tale. VVith that same looke, that great Atrides stood, 970 At cruell alter staind with Daughters blood, When Pompey fled pursuing Caesars sword, And thought to shun his following desteny. And then began to thinke on many a friend, And many a one recalled hee to minde: Who in his Fortunes pride did leaue their liues, And vowed seruice at his princely feete, From out the rest, the yong Egiptian King, VVhose Father of an Exild banish'd man Hee seated had in throne of Maiesty, 980 Him chose, to whome he did commit his life, (But O, who doth remember good-turnes past) The Rising Sunne, not Setting, doth men please, To ill committed was so great a trust, Vnto so base a Fortune fauoring minde. For he the Conquerors fauor to obtaine, By Treason caus'd great Pompey to be slaine: Casca. O damned deede. Cam. O Trayterous Ptolomey. Tre. O most vnworthy and vngratefull fact. 990 Cum. What plages may serue to expiate this act, The rouling stone or euerturning wheele, The quenchles flames of firy Phlegeton, Or endles thirst of which the Poets talke, Are all to gentle for so vilde a deede. Cas. Well did the Cibills vnrespected verse. Bid thee beware of Crocadilish Nile, Ter. And art thou in a barbarous soyle betrayd, Defrawded Pompey of thy funerall rites, There none could weepe vpon thy funerall hearse, 1000 None could thy Consulshipes and triumphs tell, And in thy death set fourth thy liuing praise, None would erect to thee a sepulcher. Or put thine ashes in a pretious vrne, Cice. Peace Lords lament not noble Pompeys death, Nor thinke him wreched, cause he wants a Tombe, Heauen couers him whome Earth denyes a graue: Thinke you a heape of stones could him inclose, Whoe in the Oceans circuite buried is, And euery place where Roman names are heard, 1010 The world is his graue, where liuing fame doth blaze, His funerall praise through his immortall trump, And ore his tombe vertue and honor sits, With rented heare and eyes bespent with teares, And waile and weepe their deere sonne Pompeys death, Bru. But now my Lords for to augment this griefe, Caesar the Senates deadly enimie, Aimes eke to vs, and meanes to tryumph heere, Vpon poore conquered Rome and common wealth, Cas. This was the end at which he alwayes aymd, 1020 Tre. Then end all hope of Romaines liberty, Rise noble Romaine, rise from rotten Tombes, And with your swordes recouer that againe: With your braue prowes won, our basenes lost, Gic. Renowned Lords content your trobled minds. Do not ad Fuell to the conquerors fier. Which once inflamed will borne both Rome and vs. Caesar although of high aspiring thoughtes, And vncontrould ambitious Maiesty, Yet is of nature faire and courteous, 1030 You see hee commeth conqueror of the East: Clad in the spoyles of the Pharsalian fieldes, Then wee vnable to resist such powre: By gentle peace and meeke submission, Must seeke to pacify the victors wrath. Exeunt.
ACT. 2. SCE. 5. {SN Act II sc. v}
Enter Cato Senior, and Cato Iunior.
Cat. Sen. My Sonne thou seest howe all are ouerthrowne, That fought their Countries free-dome to maintaine, Egipt forsakes vs, Pompey found his graue, 1040 VVhere hee most succor did expect to haue: Scipio is ouerthrowne and with his haples fall, Affrick to vs doth former ayde denay, O who will helpe men in aduersity: Yet let vs shewe in our declining state, That strength of minde, that vertues constancy, That erst we did in our felicity, Though Fortune fayles vs lets not fayle our selues, Remember boy thou art a Romaine borne, And Catoes Sonne, of me do vertue learne; 1050 Fortune of others, aboue althings see Thou prize thy Countries loue and liberty, All blessiings Fathers to their Sonnes can wish Heauens powre on thee, and now my sonne with-drawe Thy selfe a while and leaue me to my booke. Cat. Iun. What meanes my Father by this solemne leaue? First he remembred me of my Fortunes change, And then more earnestly did me exhort To Counrries loue, and constancy of minde, Then he was wont: som-whats the cause, 1060 But what I knowe not, O I feare I feare, His to couragious heart that cannot beare The thrall of Rome and triumph of his foe, By his owne hand threats danger to his life, How ere it be at hand I will abide, VVayting the end of this that shal betide. Exit.
Cato Senior with a booke in his hand.
Cato Sen. Plato that promised immortality, Doth make my soule resolue it selfe to mount, Vnto the bowre of those Celestiall ioyes, 1070 VVhere freed from lothed Prison of my soule, In heauenly notes to Phoebus which shall sing: And Pean Io, Pean loudely ring. Then fayle not hand to execute this deede, Nor faint nor heart for to command my hand, VVauer not minde to counsell this resolue, But with a courage and thy liues last act, Now do I giue thee Rome my last farewell. Who cause thou fearest ill do therefore die, O talke not now of Cannas ouerthrowe, 1080 And raze out of thy lasting Kalenders, Those bloudy songes of Hilias dismall sight: And note with black, that black and cursed day, When Caesar conquered in Pharsalia, Yet will not I his conquest glorifie: My ouerthrow shall neere his triumph grace, For by my death to the world Ile make that knowne, No hand could conquer Cato but his owne. stabs himself.
Enter Cato Iunior running to him.
Ca. Iun. O this it was my minde told me before, 1090 VVhat meanes my Father, why with naked blade, Dost thou assault, that faithfull princely hand: And mak'st the base Earth to drinke thy Noble bloud, Bee not more sterne, and cruell 'gainst thy selfe, Then thy most hateful enemies would be, No Parthian, Gaule, Moore, no not Caesars selfe, VVould with such cruelty thy worth repay, O stay thy hand, giue me thy fatall blade: VVhich turnes his edge and waxeth blunt to wound, A brest so fraught with vertue excellent. 1100 Ca. Seni. Why dost thou let me of my firme resolue, Vnkinde boy hinderer of thy Fathers ioy, Why dost thou slay me, or wilt thou betray Thy Fathers life vnto his foe-mens hands, And yet I wrong thy faith, and loue too much, In thy soules kindenesse, tis thou art vnkinde. Cat. Iun. If for your selfe you do this life reiect, Yet you your Sonnes and Countries: sake respect, Rob not my yong yeares of so sweete a stay, Nor take from Rome the Pillor of her strength. 1110 Cat. Sene. Although I die, yet do I leaue behinde, My vertues fauor to bee thy youths guide: But for my Country, could my life it profit, Ile not refuse to liue that died for it, Now doth but one smal snuffe of breath remaine: And that to keepe, should I mine Honor staine? Cat. Iuni. Where you do striue to shew your vertue most, There more you do disgrace it Cowards vse, To shun the woes and trobles of this life: Basely to flie to deaths safe sanctuary, 1120 When constant vertues doth the hottest brunt's, Of griefes assaultes vnto the end endure. Ca. Seni. Thy words preuaile, come lift me vp my Son, And call some help to binde my bleeding wounds. Cat. Iuni. Father I go with a more willing minde, Then did AEneas when from Troyan fire, He bare his Father, and did so restore: The greatest gift hee had receiued before. Exit. Cat. Seni. Now haue I freed mee of that hurtfull Loue, Which interrupted my resolued will, 1130 Which all the world can neuer stay nor change: Caesar whose rule commands both Sea and Land, Is not of powre to hinder this weake hand, And time succeeding shall behold that I Although not liue, yet died courragiously, stab himselfe.
Enter Cato Iunior.
Ca. Iuni. O hast thou thus to thine owne harme deceiu'd me Well I perceiue thy Noble dauntles heart: Because it would not beare the Conquerors insolence, Vsed on it selfe this cruell violence, 1140 I know not whether I should more lament, That by thine owne hand thou thus slaughtred art, Or Ioy that thou so nobly didst depart. Exit.
FINIS. ACTVS 2.
{SN Chor. III}
Enter Discord.
Dis. Now Caesar rides triumphantly through Rome, And deckes the Capitoll with Pompeys spoyle: Ambition now doth vertues seat vsurp, Then thou Reuengfull great Adastria Queene. Awake with horror of thy dubbing Drumm, 1150 And call the snaky furies from below, To dash the Ioy of their triumphing pride, Erinnis kindle now thy Stigian brands, In discontented Brutus boyling brest, Let Caesar die a bleeding sacrifice, Vnto the Soule of thy dead Country Rome. Why sleepest thou Cassius? wake thee from thy dreame: And yet thou naught dost dreame but blood and death. For dreadfull visions do afright thy sleepe. And howling Ghosts with gastly horrors cry, 1160 By Cassius hand must wicked Caesar die, Now Rome cast of thy gaudy paintcd robes And cloth thy selfe in sable colored weedes, Change thy vaine triumphs into funerall pomps, And Caesar cast thy Laurell crowne apart, And bind thy temples with sad Cypres tree. Of warrs thus peace insues, of peace more harmes, Then erst was wrought by tragick wars alarmes, Exit.
ACT. 3. SCE. I. {SN Act III sc. i}
Enter Cassius.
Cas. Harke how Caesarians with resounding shoutes, 1171 Tell heauens of their pompes and victories, Caesar that long in pleasures idle lap, And daliance vayne of his Proud Curtezan, Had luld his sterne and bloody thoughts a sleepe, Now in Rome streets ore Romaines come to triumph, And to the Romains shews those Tropheyes sad, Which from the Romaines he with blood did get: The Tyrant mounted in his goulden chayre, Rides drawne with milke white palferies in like pride, 1180 As Phaebus from his Orientall gate, Mounted vpon the firy Phlegetons backes. Comes prauncing forth, shaking his dewie locks: Caesar thou art in gloryes cheefest pride, Thy sonne is mounted in the highest poynt: Thou placed art in top of fortunes wheele, Her wheele must turne, thy glory must eclipse, Thy Sunne descend and loose his radiant light, And if none be, whose countryes ardent loue, And losse of Roman liberty can moue, 1190 Ile be the man that shall this taske performe. Cassius hath vowed it to dead Pompeys soule, Cassius hath vowed it to afflicted Rome, Cassius hath vowed it, witnes Heauen and Earth, Exit.
ACTVS 3. SCENA 2. {SN Act III sc. ii}
Enter Caesar, Antony, Dolobella, Lords, two Romaines, & others.
Caesar. Now haue I shaked of these womanish linkes, In which my captiud thoughts were chayned a fore, By that fayre charming Circes wounding look, And now like that same ten yeares trauayler, 1200 Leauing be-hind me all my trobles past. I come awayted with attending fame, Who through her shrill triump doth my name resound, And makes proud Tiber and Lygurian Poe, (Yet a sad witner of the Sunne-Gods losse,) Beare my names glory to the Ocean mayne, Which to the worlds end shall it bound it againe, As from Phaegiean fields the King of the Gods, With conquering spoyles and Tropheus proud returnd, When great Typheus fell, by thundering darts, 1210 And rod away with their Caelestiall troops, In greatest pride through Heauens smooth paued way, So shall the Pompeous glory of my traine, Daring to match ould Saturns kingly Sonne, Call downe these goulden lampes from the bright skie, And leaue Heauen blind, my greatnes to admire. This laurell garland in fayre conquest made, Shall stayne the pride of Ariadnes crowne, Clad in the beauty of my glorious lampes, Cassiopea leaue thy starry chayre, 1220 And onmy Sun-bright Chariot wheels attend, Which in triumphing pompe doth Caesar beare. To Earths astonishment, and amaze of Heauen: Now looke proude Rome from thy seuen-fould seate, And see the world thy subiect, at thy feete, And Caesar ruling ouer all the world. Dolo. Now let vs cease to boast of Romulus, First author of high Rome and Romaines name. Nor talke of Scaurus, worthy Africans, The scurge of Libia and of Carthage pride, 1230 Nor of vnconquered Paulus dauntles minde, Since Caesars glory them exceedes as farre As shining Phebe doth the dimmest starre. Ant. Like as the Ship-man that hath lost the starre. By which his doubtful ship he did direct, Wanders in darkenes, and in Cloudy night, So hauing lost my starr, my Gouernesse. Which did direct me, with her Sonne-bright ray, In greefe I wander and in sad dismay: And though of triumphes and of victoryes, 1240 I do the out-ward signes and Trophies beare, Yet see mine inward mind vnder that face, Whose collours to these Triumphes is disgrace, Lord. As when from vanquished Macedonia, Triumphing ore King Persius ouerthrow, Conquering AEmelius, in great glory came. Shewing the worlds spoyles which he had bereft, From the successors or great Alexander, With such high pomp, yea greater victories, Caesar triumphing coms into fayre Rome, 1250 1. Rom. In this one Champion all is comprehended, Which ancient times in seuerall men commended, Alcides strength, Achilles dauntles heart, Great Phillips Sonne by magnanimity. Sterne Pyrhus vallour, and great Hectors might, And all the prowes, that ether Greece or Troy, Brought forth in that same ten years Troians warre. 2. Rom. Faire Rome great monument of Romulus. Thou mighty seate of consuls and of Kings: Ouer-victorious now Earths Conquerer, 1260 Welcome thy valiant sonne that to thee brings, Spoyles of the world, and exquies of Kings. Caesar. The conquering Issue of immortall Ioue. Which in the Persian spoyles first fetch his fame. Then through Hydasspis, and the Caspian waues, Vnto the sea vnknowne his praise did propagate, Must to my glory vayle his conquering crest: The Lybick Sands, and Africk Sirts hee past. Bactrians and Zogdians, knowne but by their names, Whereby his armes resistles, powers subdued, 1270 And Ganges streames congeald with Indian blood, Could not transeport his burthen to the sea. But these nere lerned at Mars his games to play, Nor tost these bloody bals, of dread and death: Arar and proud Saramna speaks my praise, Rohdans shrill Tritons through their brasen trumpes, Ecco my fame against the Gallian Towers, And Isis wept to see her daughter Thames. Chainge her cleere cristall, to vermilian sad, The big bond German and Heluetian stout, 1280 Which well haue learned to tosse a tusked speare, And well can curbe a noble stomackt horse, Can Caesars vallour witnes to their greefe Iuba the mighty Affrick Potentate, That with his cole-black Negroes to the field, Backt with Numidian and Getulian horse, Hath felt the puissance of a Roman sword. I entred Asia with my banners spred, Displayed the AEgle on the Euxin sea: By Iason first, and ventrous Argo cut, 1290 And in the rough Cimerian Bosphorus: A heauy witnesse of Pharnaces flight, And now am come to triumph heere in Rome, VVith greater glory then ere Romaine did. Exeunt.
{SN Act III sc. iii}
Sound drums and Trumpets amaine. Enter Anthony.
Antho. Alas these triumphes mooue not me at all, But only do renew remembrance sad, Of her triumphing and imperious lookes, VVhich is the Saint and Idoll of my thoughtes: 1300 First was I wounded by her percing eye: Next prisoner tane by her captiuing speech, And now shee triumphes ore my conquered heart, In Cupids Chariot ryding in her pride, And leades me captiue bounde in Beauties bondes: Caesars lip-loue, that neuer touched his heart, By present triumph and the absent fire, Is now waxt could; but mine that was more deepe, Ingrauen in the marble of my brest, Nor time nor Fortune ere can raze it out. 1310
Enter Anthonies bonus genius.
Gen. Anthony, base femall Anthony, Thou womans souldiar, fit for nights assaults, Hast thou so soone forgot the discipline, And wilsome taskes thy youth was trayned to, Thy soft downe Pillow, was a helme of steele: The could damp earth, a bed to ease thy toyle, Afrigted slumbers were thy golden sleepes: Hunger and thirst thy sweetest delicates, Sterne horror, gastly woundes, pale greesly death: 1320 Thy winde depressing pleasures and delights, And now so soone hath on enchanted face, These manly labours luld in drowsy sleepe: The Gods (whose messenger I heere do stand) Will not then drowne thy fame in Idlenesse: Yet must Philippi see thy high exploytes, And all the world ring of thy Victories. Antho. Say what thou art, that in this dreadful sort Forbidd'st me of my Cleopatras loue. Gen. I am thy bonus Genius, Anthony, 1330 VVhich to thy dul eares this do prophecy: That fatall face which now doth so bewitch thee, Like to that vaine vnconstant Greekish dame, VVhich made the stately Ilian towres to smoke, Shall thousand bleeding Romains lay one ground: Hymen in sable not in saferon robes, Instead of roundes shall dolefull dirges singe. For nuptiall tapers, shall the furies beare, Blew-burning torches to increase your feare: The bride-grooms scull shal make the bridal bondes: 1340 And hel-borne hags shall dance an Antick round, VVhile Hecate Hymen (heu, heu) Hymen cries, And now methinkes I see the seas blew face: Hidden with shippes, and now the trumpets sound, And weake Canopus with the AEgle striues, Neptune amazed at this dreadfull sight: Cals blew sea Gods for to behold the fight, Glaucus and Panopea, Proteus ould, VVho now for feare changeth his wonted shape, Thus your vaine loue which with delight begunne: 1350 In Idle sport shall end with bloud and shame. Exit. Antho. VVhat wast my Genius that mee threatned thus? They say that from our birth he doth preserue: And on mee will he powre these miseries? VVhat burning torches, what alarums of warre, VVhat shames did he to my loues prophesie? O no hee comes as winged Mercurie, From his great Father Ioue, t'Anchises sonne To warne him leaue the wanton dalliance, And charming pleasures of the Tyrian Court, 1360 Then wake the Anthony from this idle dreame, Cast of these base effeminate passions: Which melt the courrage of thy manlike minde, And with thy sword receiue thy sleeping praise. Exit.
ACT. 3. SC. 3. {SN Act III sc. iv}
Enter Brutus.
Bru. How long in base ignoble patience, Shall I behold my Countries wofull fall, O you braue Romains, and among'st the rest Most Noble Brutus, faire befall your soules: 1370 Let Peace and Fame your Honored graues awaite, Who through such perils, and such tedious warres, Won your great labors prise sweete liberty, But wee that with our life did freedoms take, And did no sooner Men, then free-men, breath: To loose it now continuing so long, And with such lawes, such vowes, such othes confirm'd Can nothing but disgrace and shame expect: But soft what see I written on my seate, O vtinam Brute viueres. 1380 What meaneth this, thy courage dead, But stay, reade forward, Brute mortuus es. I thou art dead indeed, thy courrage dead Thy care and loue thy dearest Country dead, Thy wonted spirit and Noble stomack dead.
Enter Cassius.
Cassi. The times drawe neere by gratious heauens assignd When Philips Sonne must fall in Babilon, In his triumphing proud persumption: But see where melancholy Brutus walkes, 1390 Whose minde is hammering on no meane conceit: Then sound him Cassius, see how hee is inclined, How fares young Brutus in this tottering state. Bru. Euen as an idle gazer, that beholdes, His Countries wrackes and cannot succor bring. Cassi. But wil Brute alwaies in this dreame remaine, And not bee mooued with his Countries mone. Bru. O that I might in Lethes endles sleepe, And neere awaking pleasant rest of death Close vp mine eyes, that I no more might see, 1400 Poore Romes distresse and Countries misery. Casi. No Brutus liue, and wake thy sleepy minde, Stirre vp those dying sparkes of honors fire, VVhich in thy gentle breast weare wont to flame: See how poore Rome opprest with Countries wronges, Implores thine ayde, that bred thee to that end, Thy kins-mans soule from heauen commandes thine aide: That lastly must by thee receiue his end, Then purchas honor by a glorious death, Or liue renown'd by ending Caesars life. 1410 Bru. I can no longer beare the Tirants pride, I cannot heare my Country crie for ayde, And not bee mooued with her pitious mone, Brutus thy soule shall neuer more complaine: That from thy linage and most vertuous stock, A bastard weake degenerat branch is borne, For to distaine the honor of thy house. No more shall now the Romains call me dead, Ile liue againe and rowze my sleepy thoughts: And with the Tirants death begin this life. 1420 Rome now I come to reare thy states decayed, VVhen or this hand shall cure thy fatall wound, Or else this heart by bleeding on the ground. Cas. Now heauen I see applaudes this enterprise, And Rhadamanth into the fatall Vrne, That lotheth death, hath thrust the Tirants name, Caesar the life that thou in bloud hast led: Shall heape a bloudy vengance on thine head. Exeunt.
ACT. 2. SCE. 4. {SN Act III sc. v}
Enter Caesar, Anthony Dolobella, Lords, and others.
Caes. Now servile Pharthia proud in Romaine spoile, 1431 Shall pay her ransome vnto Caesars Ghost: Which vnreuenged roues by the Stygian strond, Exclaming on our sluggish negligence. Leaue to lament braue Romans, loe I come, Like to the God of battell, mad with rage, To die their riuers with vermilion red: Ile fill Armenians playnes and Medians hils, With carkases of bastard Scithian broode, And there proud Princes will I bring to Rome, 1440 Chained in fetters to my charriot wheeles: Desire of fame and hope of sweete reueng, Which in my brest hath kindled such a flame, As nor Euphrates, nor sweet Tybers streame, Can quench or slack this feruent boyling heate: These conquering souldiers that haue followed me, From vanquisht France to sun-burnt Meroe, Matching the best of Alexanders troopes. Shall with their lookes put Parthian foes to flight, And make them twise turne their deceitfull lookes, 1450 Ant. The restlesse mind that harbors sorrowing thoughts, And is with child of noble enterprise, Doth neuer cease from honors toilesome taske, Till it bringes forth Eternall gloryes broode. So you fayre braunch of vertues great discent, Now hauing finish'd Ciuill warres sad broyles, Intend by Parthian triumphes to enlarge, Your contryes limits, and your owne renowne, But cause in Sibilles ciuill writs we finde, None but a King that conquest can atchiue, 1460 Both for to crowne your deedes with due reward, And as auspicious signes of victorye. Wee here present you with this Diadem, Lord. And euen as kings were banish'd Romes high throne Cause their base vice, her honour did destayne, So to your rule doth shee submit her selfe, That her renowne there by might brighter shine, Caesar. Why thinke you Lords that tis ambitions spur. That pricketh Caesar to these high attempts, Or hope of Crownes, or thought of Diadems, 1470 That made me wade through honours perilous deepe, Vertue vnto it selfe a shure reward, My labours all shall haue a pleasing doome, If you but Iudge I will deserue of Rome: Did those old Romaines suffer so much ill? Such tedious seeges, such enduring warrs? Tarquinius hates, and great Porsennas threats, To banish proude imperious tyrants rule? And shall my euerdaring thoughts contend To marre what they haue brought to happy end: 1480 Or thinke you cause my Fortune hath expeld, My friends, come let vs march in iolity, Ile triumph Monarke-like ore conquering Rome, Or end my conquests with my countryes spoyles, Dolo. O noble Princely resolution. These or not victoryes that we so call, That onely blood and murtherous spoyles can vaunt: But this shalbe thy victory braue Prince, That thou hast conquered thy owne climing thoughts, And with thy vertue beat ambition downe, 1490 And this no lesse inblazon shall thy fame. Then those great deeds and chiualrous attempts, That made thee conqueror in Thessalia. Ant. This noble mind and Pincely modesty, Which in contempt of honours brightnes shines, Makes vs to wish the more for such a Prince, Whose vertue not ambition won that praise, Nor shall we thinke it losse of liberty. Or Romaine liberty any way impeached, For to subiect vs to his Princely rule, 1500 Whose thoughts fayre vertue and true honor guides: Vouchsafe then to accept this goulden crowne, A gift not equall to thy dignity. Caes. Content you Lordes for I wilbe no King, An odious name vnto the Romaine eare, Caesar I am, and wilbe Caesar still, No other title shall my Fortunes grace: Which I will make a name of higher state Then Monarch, King or worldes great Potentate. Of Ioue in Heauen, shall ruled bee the skie, 1510 The Earth of Caesar, with like Maiesty. This is the Scepter that my crowne shall beare, And this the golden diadem Ile weare, A farre more rich and royall ornament, Then all the Crownes that the proud Persian gaue: Forward my Lordes let Trumpets sound our march, And drums strike vp Reuenges sad alarms, Parthia we come with like incensed heate, As great Atrides with the angry Greekes, Marching in fury to pale walls of Troy. 1520
ACT. 3. SC. 5. {SN Act III sc. vi}
Enter Cassius, Brutus, Trebonius, Cumber Casca.
Tre. Braue Lords whose forward resolution, Shewes you descended from true Romaine line, See how old Rome in winter of her age, Reioyseth in such Princely budding hopes, No lesse then once she in Decius vertue did, Or great Camillus bringing back of spoyles. On then braue Lords of this attempt begun, The sacred Senate doth commend the deede: 1530 Your Countries loue incites you to the deed, Vertue her selfe makes warrant of the deed, Then Noble Romains as you haue begun: Neuer desist vntill this deede be done. Casi. To thee Reueng doth Cassius kneele him downe. Thou that brings quiet to perplexed soules, And borne in Hel, yet harborest heauens ioyes, Whose fauor slaughter is, and dandling death, Bloud-thirsty pleasures and mis boding blisse: Brought forth of Fury, nurse of cankered Hate, 1540 To drowne in woe the pleasures of the world. Thou shalt no more in duskish Erebus: And dark-some hell obscure thy Deity, Insteede of Ioue thou shalt my Godesse bee, To thee faire Temples Cassius will erect: And on thine alter built of Parian stone Whole Hecatombs will I offer vp. Laugh gentle Godesse on my bould attempt, Yet in thy laughter let pale meager death: Bee wrapt in wrinkels of thy murthering spoyles. 1550 Bru. An other Tarquin is to bee expeld, An other Brutus liues to act the deede: Tis not one nation that this Tarquin wronges, All Rome is stayn'd with his vnrul'd desires, Shee whose imperiall scepter was invr'd: To conquer Kings and to controul the world, Cannot abate the glory of her state, To yeeld or bowe to one mans proud desires: Sweete Country Rome here Brutus vowes to thee, To loose his life or else to set thee free. 1560 Cas. Shame bee his share that doth his life so prize, That to Romes weale it would not sacrifize, My Poniardes point shall pearce his heart as deepe, As earst his sworde Romes bleeding side did goare: And change his garments to the purple die, With which our bloud had staynd sad Thessaly. Cam. Hee doth refuse the title of a King, But wee do see hee doth vsurp the thing. Tre. Our ancient freedome hee empeacheth more, Then euer King or Tyrant did before. 1570 Cas. The Senators by him are quite disgrac'd, Rome, Romans, Citty, Freedome, all defac'd. Cassi. We come not Lords, as vnresolued men, For to shewe causes of the deed decreed, This shall dispute for mee and tell him why, This heart, hand, minde, hath mark'd him out to die: If it be true that furies quench-les thirst, Is pleas'd with quaffing of ambitious bloud, Then all you deuills whet my Poniards point, And I wil broach you a bloud-sucking heart: 1580 Which full of bloud, must bloud store to you yeeld, Were it a peerce to flint or marble stone: Why so it is for Caesars heart's a stone, Els would bee mooued with my Countries mone. They say you furies instigate mens mindes, And push their armes to finnish bloudy deedes: Prick then mine Elbo: goade my bloudy hand, That it may goare Caesars ambitious heart. Exeunt.
ACTVS 3. SCENA 6. {SN Act III sc. vii}
Enter Caesar, Calphurnia.
Caes. Why thinkes my loue to fright me with her dreames? 1591 Shall bug-beares feare Caesars vndaunted heart, Whome Pompeys Fortune neuer could amaze, Nor the French horse, nor Mauritanian boe, And now shall vaine illusions mee affright: Or shadowes daunt, whom substance could not quell? Calphur. O dearest Caesar, hast thou seene thy selfe, (As troubled dreames to me did faine thee seene:) Torne, Wounded, Maymed, Blod-slaughtered, Slaine, O thou thy selfe, wouldst then haue dread thy selfe: 1600 And feard to thrust thy life to dangers mouth. Caes. There you bewray the folly of your dreame, For I am well, aliue, vncaught, vntoucht. Calphur. T'was in the Senate-house I sawe thee so, And yet thou dreadles thither needes will go. Caes. The Senate is a place of peace, not death, But these were but deluding visions. Calphur. O do not set so little by the heauens, Dreames ar diuine, men say they come from Ioue, Beware betimes, and bee not wise to late: 1610 Mens good indeuours change the wills of Fate. Caes. Weepe not faire loue, let not thy wofull teares Bode mee, I knowe what thou wouldest not haue to hap It will distaine mine honor wonne in fight To say a womans dreame could me affright. Cal. O Caesar no dishonour canst thou get, In seeking to preuent vnlucky chance: Foole-hardy men do runne vpon their death, Bec thou in this perswaded by thy wife: No vallour bids thee cast away thy life. 1620 Caes. Tis dastard cowardize and childish feare, To dread those dangers that do not appeare: Cal. Thou must sad chance by fore-cast, wise resist, Or being done say boote-les had I wist. Caes. But for to feare wher's no suspition, Will to my greatnesse be derision. Cal. There lurkes an adder in the greenest grasse, Daungers of purpose alwayes hide their face: Caes. Perswade no more Caesar's resolu'd to go. Cal. The Heauens resolue that hee may safe returne, 1630 For if ought happen to my loue but well: His danger shalbe doubled with my death. Exit.
Enter Augur.
Augur. I, come they are, but yet they are not gon. Caes. What hast thou sacrifiz'd, as custome is, Before wee enter in the Senat-house. Augur. O stay those steeps that leade thee to thy death, The angry heauens with threeatning dire aspect, Boding mischance, and balfull massacers, Menace the ouerthrowe of Caesars powre: 1640 Saturne sits frowning on the God of Warre, VVho in their sad coniunction do conspire, Vniting both their bale full influences, To heape mischance, and danger to thy life: The Sacrificing beast is heart-les found: Sad ghastly sightes, and raysed Ghostes appeare, Which fill the silent woods, with groning cries: The hoarse Night-rauen tunes the chearles voyce, And calls the bale-full Owle, and howling Doge, To make a consort. In whose sad song is this, 1650 Neere is the ouerthrow of Caesars blisse. Exit. Caesar. The world is set to fray mee from my wits, Heers harteles Sacrifice and visions, Howlinge and cryes, and gastly grones of Ghosts, Soft Caesar do not make a mockery, Of these Prodigious signes sent from the Heauens, Calphurnias Dre ame Iumping which Augurs words, Shew (if thou markest it Caesar) cause to feare: This day the Senate there shalbe dissolued, And Ile returne to my Calphurnia home, One giues him a paper. 1660 What hast thou heare that thou presents vs with, Pre. A thing my Lord that doth concerne your life. Which loue to you and hate of such a deed, Makes me reueale vnto your excellence. Caesar laughs. Smilest thou, or think'st thou it some ilde toy, Thout frowne a non to read so many names. That haue conspird and sworne thy bloody death, Exit.
Enter Cassius.
Cassius. Now must I come, and with close subtile girdes, Deceaue the prey that Ile deuoure anon, 1670 My Lord the Sacred Senate doth expect, Your royall presence in Pompeius court: Caesar. Cassius they tell me that some daungers nigh. And death pretended in the Senate house. Cassi. What danger or what wrong can be, Where harmeles grauitie and vertue sits, Tis past all daunger present death it is, Nor is it wrong to render due desert. To feare the Senators without a cause, Will bee a cause why theile be to be feared, 1680 Caesa. The Senate stayes for me in Pompeys court. And Caesars heere, and dares not goe to them, Packe hence all dread of danger and of death, What must be must be; Caesars prest for all, Cassi. Now haue I sent him headlong to his ende, Vengance and death awayting at his heeles, Caesar thy life now hangeth on a twine, Which by my Poniard must bee cut in twaine, Thy chaire of state now turn'd is to thy Beere, Thy Princely robes to make thy winding sheete: 1690 The Senators the Mourners ore the Hearse, And Pompeys Court, thy dreadfull graue shalbe.
{SN Act III sc. viii}
Senators crie all at once.
Omnes. Hold downe the Tyrant stab him to the death: Casi. Now doth the musick play and this the song That Cassius heart hath thirsted for so long: And now my Poniard in this mazing sound, Must strike that touch that must his life confound. Stab on, stab on, thus should your Poniards play, Aloud deepe note vpon this trembling Kay. stab him. 1700 Buco. Bucolian sends thee this. stab him. Cum. And Cumber this. stab him. Cas. Take this fro Casca for to quite Romes wronges. Caes. Why murtherous villaines know you who you strike, Tis Caesar, Caesar, whom your Poniards pierce: Caesar whose name might well afright such slaues: O Heauens that see and hate this haynous guilt, And thou Immortall Ioue that Idle holdest Deluding Thunder in thy faynting hand, Why stay'st thy dreadfull doome, and dost with-hold, 1710 Thy three-fork'd engine to reuenge my death: But if my plaintes the Heauens cannot mooue, Then blackest hell and Pluto bee thou iudge: You greesly daughters of the cheereles night, Whose hearts, nor praier nor pitty, ere could lend, Leaue the black dungeon of your Chaos deepe: Come and with flaming brandes into the world, Reuenge, and death, bringe seated in yout eyes: And plauge these villaynes for their trecheries.
Enter Brutus. 1720
Bru. I haue held Anthony with a vaine discourse, The whilst the deed's in execution, But liues hee still, yet doth the Tyrant breath? Chalinging Heauens with his blasphemies, Heere Brutus maketh a passage for thy Soule, To plead thy cause for them whose ayde thou crauest, Caes. What Brutus to? nay nay, then let me die, Nothing wounds deeper then ingratitude, Bru. I bloody Caesar, Caesar, Brutus too, Doth geeue thee this, and this to quite Romes wrongs, 1730 Cassius. O had the Tyrant had as many liues. As that fell Hydra borne in Lerna lake, That heare I still might stab and stabing kill, Till that more liues might bee extinquished, Then his ambition, Romanes Slaughtered. Tre. How heauens haue iustly on the authors head, Returnd the guiltles blood which he hath shed, And Pompey he who caused thy Tragedy, Here breathles lies before thy Noble Statue,
Enter Anthony. 1740
Anth. What cryes of death resound within my eares, Whome I doe see great Caesar buchered thus? What said I great? I Caesar thou wast great, But O that greatnes was that brought thy death: O vniust Heauens, (if Heauens at all there be,) Since vertues wronges makes question of your powers, How could your starry eyes this shame behold, How could the sunne see this and not eclipze? Fayre bud of fame ill cropt before thy time: What Hyrcan tygar, or wild sauage bore, 1750 (For he more heard then Bore or Tyger was,) Durst do so vile and execrate a deede, Could not those eyes so full of maiesty, Nor priesthood (o not thus to bee prophand) Nor yet the reuerence to this sacred place, Nor flowing eloquence of thy goulden tounge, Nor name made famous through immortall merit, Deter those murtherors from so vild a deed? Sweete friend accept these obsequies of mine, Which heare with teares I doe vnto thy hearse, 1760 And thou being placed a mong the shining starrs. Shalt downe from Heauen behold what deepe reueng, I will inflict vpon the murtherers, Exit with Caesar, in his armes.
FINIS. Act. 3.
{SN Chor. IV}
Enter Discord.
Dis. Brutus thou hast what long desire hath sought, Caesar Lyes weltring in his purple Goare, Thou art the author of Romes liberty, Proud in thy murthering hand and bloody knife. 1770 Yet thinke Octauian and sterne Anthony. Cannot let passe this murther vnreuenged, Thessalia once againe must see your blood, And Romane drommes must strike vp new a laromes, Harke how Bellona shakes her angry lance: And enuie clothed in her crimson weed, Me thinkes I see the fiery shields to clash, Eagle gainst Eagle, Rome gainst Rome to fight, Phillipi, Caesar quittance must thy wronges, Whereas that hand shall stab that trayterous heart. 1780 That durst encourage it to worke thy death, Thus from thine ashes Caesar doth arise As from Medeas haples scatered teeth: New flames of wars, and new outraigous broyles, Now smile AEmathia that euen in thy top, Romes victory and pride shalbe entombd, And those great conquerors of the vanquished earth, Shall with their swords come there to dig their graues.
ACTVS. 4. SCENA. 1. {SN Act IV sc. i}
Enter Octauian.
Octa. Mourne gentle Heauens for you haue lost your ioy. 1791 Mourne greeued earth thy ornament is gon, Mourne Rome in great thy Father is deceased: Mourne thou Octauian, thou it is must mourne, Mourne for thy Vncle who is dead and gon. Mourne for thy Father to vngently slaine, Mourne for thy Friend whome thy mishap hath lost, For Father, Vnkell, Friend, go make thy mone, Who all did liue, who all did die in one. But heere I vow these blacke and sable weeds, 1800 The outward signes of inward heauines, Shall changed be ere long to crimsen hew, And this soft raiment to a coate of steele, Caesar, no more I heare the mornefull songs. The tragick pomp of his sad exequies, And deadly burning torches are at hand, I must accompany the mornefull troope: And sacryfice my teares to the Gods below. Exit.
{SN Act IV sc. ii}
Enter Caesars Hearse Calphurnia Octauian, Anthony, Cicero, Dolobella, two Romaynes, mourners.
Calp. Set downe the hearse and let Calphurnia weepe, Weepe for her Lord and bath his Wounds in teares: 1812 Feare of the world, and onely hope of Rome, Thou whilest thou liuedst was Calphurnias ioye, And being dead my ioyes are dead with thee: Here doth my care and comfort resting lie: Let them accompany thy mournefull hearse. Cice. This is the hearse of vertue and renowne, Here stroe red roses and sweete violets: And lawrell garlands for to crowne his fame, 1820 The Princely weede of mighty conquerors: These worthles obsequies poore Rome bestowes, Vpon thy sacred ashes and deare hearse. 1. Rom. And as a token of thy liuing praise, And fame immortall take this laurell wreath, Which witnesseth thy name shall neuer die: And with this take the Loue and teares of Rome, For on thy tombe shall still engrauen be, Thy losse, her griefe, thy deathes, her pittying thee, Dolo. Vnwilling do I come to pay this debt, 1830 Though not vnwilling for to crowne desert, O how much rather had I this bestowed, On thee returning from foes ouerthrow, When liuing vertue did require such meede, Then for to crowne thy vertue being dead, Lord. Those wreaths that in thy life our conquests crowned And our fayre triumphes beauty glorified, Now in thy death do serue thy hearse to adorne, For Caesars liuing vertues to bee crowned, Not to be wept as buried vnder grownd, 1840 2. Ro. Thou whilest thou liuedst wast faire vertues flowre Crowned with eternall honor and renowne, To thee being dead, Flora both crownes and flowers, (The cheefest vertues of our mother earth,) Doth giue to gratulate thy noble hearse. Let then they soule diuine vouchsafe to take, These worthles obsequies our loue doth make. Calp. All that I am is but despaire and greefe, This all I giue to Celebrate thy death, What funerall pomp of riches and of pelfe, 1850 Do you expect? Calphurnia giues her selfe. Ant. You that to Caesar iustly did decree Honors diuine and sacred reuerence: And oft him grac'd with titles well deserued, Of Countries Father, stay of Commonwealth. And that which neuer any bare before, Inviolate, Holy, Consecrate, Vntucht. Doe see this friend of Rome, this Contryes Father, This Sonne of lasting fame and e ndles praise, And in a mortall trunke, immortall vertue 1860 Slaughtered, profan'd, and bucherd like a beast, By trayterous handes, and damned Paracides: Recounte those deedes and see what he hath don, Subdued those nations which three hundred yeares. Remaynd vnconquered; still afflicting Rome, And recompensed the firy Capitoll, With many Citties vnto ashes burnt: And this reward, these thankes you render him: Here lyes he dead to whome you owe your liues: By you this slaughtered body bleedes againe, 1870 Which oft for you hath bled in fearefull fight. Sweete woundes in which I see distressed Rome, From her pearc'd sides to powre forth streames of bloud, Bee you a witnesse of my sad Soules griefe: And of my teares which wounded heart doth bleede, Not such as vse from womanish eyes proceede. Octa. And were the deede most worthy and vnblamed, Yet you vnworthely did do the same: Who being partakers with his enemies, By Caesar all were saued from death and harme, 1880 And for the punnishment you should haue had, You were prefer'd to Princely dignities: Rulers and Lordes of Prouinces were you made, Thus thanke-les men hee did preferre of nought, That by their hands his murther might be wrought. |
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