Classic Poem

Act. 3. Scen. I.

Charmion, Achoreus.


CHARMION.

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

ACHOREUS.

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

CHARMION.

No, but she hath sent
Me to enquire this meetings great event.
How Caesar on this Gift himself explain'd,
Whether it were acknowledg'd or disdain'd,
If he the fierce takes, or the gentler way,
And what he to our Murtherers could say.

ACHOREUS.

The head of Pompey hath already cost,
More then they will have any cause to boast:
For whether Caesar be or seem severe,
Yet I for them have ground enough to fear.
If they lov'd Ptolomy , they serv'd him ill,
You saw him part, and I pursu'd him still.
When from the City his well order'd Fleet,
Advanc'd a League, that they might Caesar meet.
He with spread Sails arriv'd, and as in Wars
He still had been the Favourite of Mars :
So Neptune to his Navy was so kind,
His Fortune was not fairer than his wind.
Our Prince was so Astonish'd when they met,
As if he did his Crowned Head forget.
Through his false Joy his Terrour he Confess'd,
And all his Actions his low Thoughts express'd.
I my self blush'd as at a shamefull Thing,
There to see Ptolomy , but not the King;
Caesar who saw his Courage thus expire,
In pitty flatter'd him to raise it higher.
He with low voice offering his Fatal gift,
" Now Sir, sayes he you have no Rival left.
" What in Thessalia , not the Gods could do,
" I give you Pompey and Cornelia too.
" Here's one, and though the other flight did take,
" Six Ships of mine will quickly bring her back.
Achillas then the great Head did expose,
Which still to speak it self seem'd to dispose.
At this new injury some warm Remain
Did in imperfect groans seem to complain.
I thought his open mouth and ghastly look,
Recall'd the Soul which scarce her leave had took;
And his last anger seem'd with dying Breath,
To charge the Gods with his Defeat and Death.
Caesar seem'd Thunder stricken at this view,
As not resolv'd what to believe or do.
Immoveably on that sad Object ty'd;
He long from us his inward thought did hide,
And I would say if I durst make a guess,
By what our Nature uses to express:
Some such malignant Pleasure he enjoy'd,
As his offended honour scarce destroy'd.
That the whole World now in his Power lies,
Could not but bring some flattering surprize.
But though a while this conflict he endur'd,
Yet his great Soul it self soon re-assur'd.
Though he loves Power, yet he Treason hates,
Himself he Judges, on himself debates.
Each Joy and Grief at reasons bar appears,
At length resolv'd, he first let fall some Tears.
His Virtues Empire he by force regains,
And Noblest Thoughts by that weak sign explains.
The horrid present from his sight expell'd,
His Eyes and Hands he up to Heaven held.
In a few words their Insolence repress'd,
And after did in Pensive silence rest.
Nor even to his Romans could reply,
But with a heavy sigh and furious Eye.
At last with Thirty Cohorts come to Land,
To seize the Gates and Ports he does command.
The Guards he set, and secret Orders sent,
Shew his Distrust, as well as Discontent.
Egypt he speaks of, as a Province won,
And now calls Pompey not a Foe, but Son.
This I observ'd.

CHARMION.

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

ACHOREUS.

Ne're doubt it; but here Caesar comes, go then
Describe the Consternation of our Men:
And whatsoever proves to be their Fate;
Ile first observe, and then to her Relate.

Scen. 2.

Caesar, Ptolomy, Lepidus, Photinus, Achoreus,

Roman and Egyptian Souldiers.

PTOLOMY.

Great Sir, ascend the Throne, and govern Us.

CAESAR.

Do you Know Caesar , and speak to him thus?
What worse could envious Fortune offer me?
Who alike hate a Crown, and Infamy.
This to accept, would all my Boast confute,
That Rome did me unjustly Persecute:
Rome , who both scorns, and gives Crowns every where,
And nothing sees in Kings, to love or fear;
Nay, at our Birth, does all our Souls enflame,
To slight the Ranke, and to abhor the Name.
This truth you might have learn'd from Pompey , who
If he such Offers lik'd, could shun them too.
Both Throne and King had honour'd been, t'afford
Service to him who had them both restor'd:
So glorious had been even ill success,
In such a Cause, that Triumphs had been less:
And if your Fortune safety had deny'd,
To have bestow'd it, had been Caesars Pride:
But though you would not own so brave a strife,
What right had you to that Illustrious Life?
Who that rich Blood to wash your hands allow'd,
That to the meanest Roman should have bow'd?
Was it for you, Pharsalia's Field I won;
Wherein so many Nations were undone?
And did I purchase at so high a Rate,
That you should be the Arbiters of Fate?
If I in Pompey that could ne're admit,
Shall you escape, o're him assuming it?
How much is my Success abus'd by you,
Who attempt more then ever I durst do?
What Name, think you, will such a blow become,
Which has usurp'd the Soveraignty of Rome ?
And in one Person did affront her more,
Then could the Asian Massacre before.
Do you imagine I shall e're agree
You would have been more scrupulous for me?
No, had you Pompey here Victorious seen,
My Head to him had such a Present been:
I to my Conquest your Submissions owe,
When all Wrongs had pursu'd my Overthrow.
You do adore the Conquerour, not me;
I but enjoy it by Felicity.
Dangerous Friendship! Kindness to be fear'd!
Which turnes with Fortune, and by her is steer'd.
But speak; this Silence does encrease your Sin.

PTOLOMY.

Never hath my Confusion greater been;
And I believe, Sir, you'l allow it me,
Since I, a King born, now a Master see:
Where at my frown, each Man did trembling stand,
And every Word of mine, was a Command;
I see a New Court, and Another sway,
And I have nothing left, but to obey:
Your very Look abates my Spirits force;
And can it be regain'd by your Discourse?
Judge how I can from such a Trouble cease,
Which my Respects create, and Fears encrease:
And what can an astonisht Prince express,
Who Anger sees in that Majestique Dress?
And whose Amazements do his Soul subdue,
That Pompey's Death should be reveng'd by You.
Yet I must say, whatever he bestow'd,
We owe you more, then ever him we ow'd:
Your Favour was the first to us exprest,
And all he did, was done at your Request;
He did the Senate move for injur'd Kings
And them that Prayer to our Assistance brings
But all that He for Egypt could obtain,
Without your Mony, Sir, had been in vain:
By that his Rebels our late King subdu'd,
And you have Right to all our Gratitude:
We Pompey as your Friend and Son rever'd,
But when he your Competitour appear'd,
When of your Fortune he suspicious grew,
Tyranny sought and dar'd to fight with you —

CAESAR.

Forbear, your hatreds Thirst his Blood supplies,
Touch not his Glory, let his Life suffice;
Say nothing here that. Rome still dares deny,
But plead your Cause without a Calumny.

PTOLOMY.

Then let the Gods be Judges of his Thought;
I only say, That in the Wars last fought,
To which so many Wrongs did you perswade,
Our Vows for your success were only made:
And since he ever sought your Blood to spill,
I thought his Death a necessary Ill.
For as his groundless Hatred daily grew,
He would, by all wayes, the Dispute renew;
Or if at length, he fell into your Hand
We fear'd your Mercy would your Right withstand:
For to that Pitch your sense of Honour flies,
As would to Fame your Safety Sacrifice;
Which made me Judge, in so extream an Ill,
We ought to serve you, Sir, against your Will;
My forward Zeal th'occasion did embrace,
Without your leave, and to my own disgrace:
And this you as a Crime in me disclaim,
But nothing done for you deserves that Name:
I stain'd my Hands, your Danger to remove,
Which Act you may enjoy, and disapprove;
Nay by my Guilt, my Merit higher growes;
Since I my Glory gave for your Repose
And by that greatest Victim have procur'd
Your Glory and your Power to be assur'd.

CAESAR.

You employ, Ptolomy , such Crafty Words,
And weak Excuses as your Cause affords;
Your Zeal was false, if 'twere affraid to see
What all Mankind beg'd of the Gods should be:
And did to you such subtilties Convey,
As stole the Fruit of all my Wars away;
Where Honour me engag'd, and where the end
Was of a Foe subdu'd, to make a Friend;
Where the worst Enemies that I have met,
When they are conquer'd, I as Brother Treat:
And my Ambition only this Design'd,
To Kill their Hate, and force them to be kind;
How blest a Period of the War't had been,
If the glad World had in one Chariot seen
Pompey and Caesar at once to have sate.
Triumphant over all their former Hate!
These were the Dangers you fear'd should befall;
O fear Ridiculous! and Criminal!
You fear'd my Mercy, but that trouble quit,
And wish it rather; you have need of it.
For I am sure strict Justice would consent
I should appease Rome with your punishment.
Not your Respects, nor your Repentance now,
No nor your Ranke, preserves you from that Blow:
Ev'n on your Throne I would revenge your Guilt,
But Cleopatra's Blood must not be spilt:
Wherefore your Flatterers only I condemn;
And must expect you'l do me Right on them:
For what in this I shall observe you do,
Must be the Rule of my Esteem for you:
To the great Pompey Altars now erect,
And to him pay, as to the Gods, Respect.
By Sacrifices your Offense expell,
But have a Care you choose your Victims well.
Go then, and whilst you do for this prepare,
I must stay here about another Care.

Scen. 3.

Caesar, Antonius, Lepidus.

CAESAR.

Antonius , have you this bright Princess seen?

ANTONIUS.

Yes, Sir, I have, and shee's a matchless Queen;
With such proportion Heaven never yet
All Beauties both of Minde and Body knit;
So sweet a Greatness in her Face does shine,
The Noblest Courage must to it resign;
Her Looks and Language with such ease subdue,
If I were Caesar , I should love her too.

CAESAR.

How was the Offer of my Love receiv'd?

ANTONIUS.

As doubted, and yet inwardly believ'd:
She modestly declin'd her highest aims,
And thinks she Merits, what she most disclaims.

CAESAR.

But can I hope her love?

ANTONIUS.

Can she have yours?
As that your Joyes, so this her Crown secures.
To gain that Heart can you believe it hard,
Whose kindness you with Empire can reward?
Then let your Passion all its Doubts disband,
For what can Pompey's Conquerour withstand?
But yet her Fear to her remembrance brings,
How little Rome hath ever valu'd Kings;
And more then that, she dreads Calphurnia's Love;
But both these Rubs your presence will remove,
And your succesfull Hope all Mists will break,
If you vouchsafe but for your Self to speak.

CAESAR.

Let's go then, and these needless scruples quit,
Shewing my Heart to Her that wounded it:
Come let us stay no longer.

ANTONIUS.

But first know,
Cornelia is within your Power now:
Septimius brings her, boasting of his Fault,
And thinks by that, he hath your Favour bought.
But once ashoar your Guards (by Orders taught)
No notice took, but hither both have brought.
Then let her enter: Ah unwelcome News!
Which my Impatience does so roughly use!
O Heaven! and am I not allow'd to pay
My Love this small remainder of one day?

Scen. 4.

Caesar, Cornelia, Antonius, Lepidus, Septimius.

SEPTIMIUS.

Sir. —

CAESAR.

Go Septimius for your Master look,
Caesar a Traytors presence cannot Brook;
A Roman, who to serve a King could be
Content, when he had Pompey serv'd, and me.
[ Exit Septimius .

CORNELIA.

Caesar , that envious Fate which I can brave,
Makes me thy Prisoner, but not thy Slave:
Expect not then my Heart should e're afford
To pay thee Homage, or to call thee Lord:
How rude soever Fortune makes her Blow;
I Crassus Widow once, and Pompey's now;
Great Scipio's Daughter, (and what's higher yet)
A Roman, have a Courage still more great;
And of all Stroaks her Cruelty can give,
Nothing can make me blush, but that I live,
And have not follow'd Pompey , when he dy'd;
For though the Means to do it were deny'd,
And Cruel Pity would not let me have
The quick assistance of a Steel or Wave,
Yet I'm asham'd, that after such a Woe,
Grief had not done as much as they could do:
Death had been glorious, and had set me free
As from my Sorrow then, so now from Thee.
Yet I must thank the Gods, though so severe,
That since I must come hither, Thou art here:
That Caesar reigns here, and not Ptolomy ;
And yet, O Heaven! what Stars do govern me?
That some faint kind of satisfaction 'tis,
To meet here with my greatest Enemies;
And into their Hands that I rather fall,
Then into His that ow'd my Husband all.
But of thy Conquest, Caesar , make no boast,
Which to my single Destiny thou ow'st;
I both my Husbands Fortunes have defac'd,
And twice have caus'd th'whole World to be disgrac'd;
My Nuptial Knot twice ominously ty'd,
Banish'd the Gods from the Uprighter Side;
Happy in misery I had been, if it,
For Romes advantage, had with Thee been Knit;
And on thy House that I could so dispense
All my own Stars malignant influence:
For never think my Hatred can grow less,
Since I the Roman Constancy profess;
And though thy Captive, yet a Heart like mine,
Can never stoop to hope for ought from Thine:
Command, but think not to subject my Will,
Remember this, I am Cornelia still.
O Worthy Widow of a Man so brave!
Whose Courage, Wonder, Fate does pity crave;
Your generous Thoughts do quickly make us know
To whom your Birth, to whom your Love you owe;
And we may find, by your Hearts glorious frame,
Both to, and from what Families you came;
Young Crassus Soul, and noble Pompey's too,
Whose Virtues Fortune cheated of their due;
The Scipio's Blood, who sav'd our Deities,
Speak in your Tongue, and sparkle in your Eyes;
And Rome her self hath not an ancient Stem,
Whose Wife or Daughter, hath more honour'd them:
Would to those Gods your Ancestors once sav'd,
When Hannibal them at their Altars brav'd,
That your dear Hero had declin'd this Port,
And better known a false Barbarians Court;
And had not his uncertain Honour try'd,
But rather on our Ancient love rely'd;
That he had suffered my succesfull Arms,
Only to vanquish his unjust Allarms;
Then he, without destrusting me, had stay'd
Till he had heard what Caesar could have said;
And I, in spight of all our former strife,
Would then have beg'd him to accept of Life;
Forget my Conquest, and that Rival love,
Who fought, but that I might his Equal prove:
Then I, with a content entirely great,
Had Pray'd the Gods to Pardon his Defeat;
And giving me his Friendship to possess,
He had pray'd Rome to Pardon my success.
But since Fate, so Ambitious to destroy,
Hath rob'd the World, and Us, of so much Joy,
Caesar must strive t'acquit himself to you,
Of what was your Illustrious Husbands due:
Enjoy your self then with all freedom here.
Only two dayes my Prisoner appear;
And witness be, how after our Debate,
I shall revere his Name, revenge his Fate;
You this Account to Italy may yield,
What Pride I borrow from Thessalia's Field.
I leave you to your self, and shall Retire;
Lepidus , furnish her to her desire;
As Roman Ladies have respected been,
So Honour her, (that is,) above a Queen.
Madam, command; all shall your Orders wait.

CORNELIA.

O Gods! how many Virtues must I hate!

After the third Act, to Cornelia asleep on a Couch, Pompey's Ghost sings this in Recitative Air.

From lasting and unclouded Day,
From Joys refin'd above Allay,
And from a spring without decay.

I come, by Cynthia's borrow'd Beams
To visit my Cornelia's Dreams ,
And give them yet sublimer Theams.

Behold the Man, thou lov'dst before.
Pure streams have wash'd away his Gore.
And Pompey now shall bleed no more .

By Death my Glory I resume;
For 'twould have been a harsher Doom
T'outlive the Liberty of Rome.

By me her doubtfull fortune try'd,
Falling, bequeaths my Fame this Pride,
I for it liv'd, and with it Dy'd.

Nor shall my Vengeance be withstood
Or unattended with a Flood,
Of Roman and Egyptian Blood.

Caesar himself it shall pursue ,
His dayes shall troubled be, and few,
And he shall fall by Treason too.

He, by severity Divine
Shall be an offering at my Shrine;
As I was his, he must be mine.

Thy stormie Life regret no more,
For Fate shall waft thee soon a shoar,
And to thy Pompey thee restore .

Where past the fears of sad removes
We'l entertain our spotless Loves.
In beauteous, and Immortal Groves.

There none a Guilty Crown shall wear.
Nor Caesar be Dictator there .
Nor shall Cornelia shed a Tear .

After this a Military Dance, as the continuance of her Dream, and then Cornelia starts up, as waken'd in amazement, saying.

What have I seen? and whether is it gone
How great the vision! and how quickly done!
Yet if in Dreams we future things can see,
There's still some Joy, laid up in Fate for me.
Exit .

Act. 3. Scen I.

Charmion, Achoreus

CHARMION.

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

ACHOREUS

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

CHARMION

No, but she hath sent
Me to enquire this meetings great event.
How Caesar on this Gift himself explain'd,
Whether it were acknowledg'd or disdain'd.
If he the fierce takes, or the gentler way,
And what he to our Murtherers could say

ACHOREUS

The head of Pompey hath already cost,
More then they will have any cause to boast:
For whether Caesar be or seem severe,
Yet I for them have ground enough to fear.
If they lov'd Ptolomy , they serv'd him ill,
You saw him part, and I pursu'd him still
When from the City his well order'd Fleet,
Advanc'd a League, that they might Caesar meet
He with spread Sails arriv'd, and as in Wars
He still had been the Favourite of Mars :
So Neptune to his Navy was so kind,
His Fortune was not fairer than his wind.
Our Prince was so Astonish'd when they met,
As if he did his Crowned Head forget
Through his false Joy his Terrour he Confess'd,
And all his Actions his low Thoughts express'd.
I my self blush'd as at a shamefull Thing,
There to see Ptolomy , but not the King;
Caesar who saw his Courage thus expire,
In pitty flatter'd him to raise it higher.
He with low voice offering his Fatal gift,
" Now Sir, sayes he you have no Rival left.
" What in Thessalia , not the Gods could do,
" I give you Pompey and Cornelia too.
" Here's one, and though the other flight did take,
" Six Ships of mine will quickly bring her back
Achillas then the great Head did expose,
Which still to speak it self seem'd to dispose.
At this new injury some warm Remain
Did in imperfect groans seem to complain
I thought his open mouth and ghastly look,
Recall'd the Soul which scarce her leave had took;
And his last anger seem'd with dying Breath,
To charge the Gods with his Defeat and Death.
Caesar seem'd Thunder stricken at this view,
As not resolv'd what to believe or do
Immoveably on that sad Object ty'd;
He long from us his inward thought did hide,
And I would say if I durst make a guess,
By what our Nature uses to express:
Some such malignant Pleasure he enjoy'd,
As his offended honour scarce destroy'd.
That the whole World now in his Power lies,
Could not but bring some flattering surprize
But though a while this conflict he endur'd,
Yet his great Soul it self soon re-assur'd
Though he loves Power, yet he Treason hates,
Himself he Judges, on himself debates
Each Joy and Grief at reasons bar appears,
At length resolv'd, he first let fall some Tears.
His Virtues Empire he by force regains,
And Noblest Thoughts by that weak sign explains.
The horrid present from his sight expell'd,
His Eyes and Hands he up to Heaven held
In a few words their Insolence repress'd,
And after did in Pensive silence rest
Nor even to his Romans could reply,
But with a heavy sigh and furious Eye.
At last with Thirty Cohorts come to Land,
To seize the Gates and Ports he does command.
The Guards he set, and secret Orders sent,
Shew his Distrust, as well as Discontent.
Egypt he speaks of, as a Province won,
And now calls Pompey not a Foe, but Son
This I observ'd

CHARMION

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

ACHOREUS

Ne re doubt it; but here Caesar comes, go then
Describe the Consternation of our Men:
And whatsoever proves to be their Fate;
Ile first observe, and then to her Relate.

Scen 2.

Caesar, Ptolomy, Lepidus, Photinus, Achoreus, Roman and Egyptian Souldiers

PTOLOMY.

Great Sir, ascend the Throne, and govern Us

CAESAR

Do you Know Caesar , and speak to him thus?
What worse could envious Fortune offer me?
Who alike hate a Crown, and Infamy.
This to accept, would all my Boast confute,
That Rome did me unjustly Persecute:
Rome , who both scorns, and gives Crowns every where,
And nothing sees in Kings, to love or fear;
Nay, at our Birth, does all our Souls enflame,
To slight the Ranke, and to abhor the Name
This truth you might have learn'd from Pompey , who
If he such Offers lik'd, could shun them too.
Both Throne and King had honour'd been, t'afford
Service to him who had them both restor'd:
So glorious had been even ill success,
In such a Cause, that Triumphs had been less:
And if your Fortune safety had deny'd,
To have bestow'd it, had been Caesars Pride:
But though you would not own so brave a strife,
What right had you to that Illustrious Life?
Who that rich Blood to wash your hands allow'd,
That to the meanest Roman should have bow'd?
Was it for you, Pharsalia's Field I won;
Wherein so many Nations were undone?
And did I purchase at so high a Rate,
That you should be the Arbiters of Fate?
If I in Pompey that could ne're admit,
Shall you escape, o're him assuming it?
How much is my Success abus'd by you,
Who attempt more then ever I durst do?
What Name, think you, will such a blow become,
Which has usurp'd the Soveraignty of Rome ?
And in one Person did affront her more,
Then could the Asian Massacre before.
Do you imagine I shall e're agree
You would have been more scrupulous for me?
No, had you Pompey here Victorious seen,
My Head to him had such a Present been:
I to my Conquest your Submissions owe,
When all Wrongs had pursu'd my Overthrow.
You do adore the Conquerour, not me;
I but enjoy it by Felicity.
Dangerous Friendship! Kindness to be fear'd!
Which turnes with Fortune, and by her is steer'd.
But speak; this Silence does encrease your Sin

PTOLOMY

Never hath my Confusion greater been;
And I believe, Sir, you I allow it me,
Since I, a King born, now a Master see:
Where at my frown, each Man did trembling stand,
And every Word of mine, was a Command;
I see a New Court, and Another sway,
And I have nothing left, but to obey:
Your very Look abates my Spirits force;
And can it be regain'd by your Discourse?
Judge how I can from such a Trouble cease,
Which my Respects create, and Fears encrease:
And what can an astonisht Prince express,
Who Anger sees in that Majestique Dress?
And whose Amazements do his Soul subdue,
That Pompey's Death should be reveng'd by You.
Yet I must say, whatever he bestow'd,
We owe you more, then ever him we ow'd:
Your Favour was the first to us exprest,
And all he did, was done at your Request;
He did the Senate move for injur'd Kings
And them that Prayer to our Assistance brings
But all that He for Egypt could obtain,
Without your Mony, Sir, had been in vain:
By that his Rebels our late King subdu'd,
And you have Right to all our Gratitude:
We Pompey as your Friend and Son rever'd,
But when he your Competitour appear'd,
When of your Fortune he suspicious grew,
Tyranny sought and dar'd to fight with you —

CAESAR

Forbear, your hatreds Thirst his Blood supplies,
Touch not his Glory, let his Life suffice;
Say nothing here that Rome still dares deny,
But plead your Cause without a Calumny.

PTOLOMY.

Then let the Gods be Judges of his Thought;
I only say, That in the Wars last fought,
To which so many Wrongs did you perswade,
Our Vows for your success were only made:
And since he ever sought your Blood to spill,
I thought his Death a necessary Ill.
For as his groundless Hatred daily grew,
He would, by all wayes, the Dispute renew;
Or if at length, he fell into your Hand
We fear'd your Mercy would your Right withstand:
For to that Pitch your sense of Honour flies,
As would to Fame your Safety Sacrifice;
Which made me Judge, in so extream an Ill,
We ought to serve you, Sir, against your Will;
My forward Zeal th'occasion did embrace,
Without your leave, and to my own disgrace:
And this you as a Crime in me disclaim,
But nothing done for you deserves that Name:
I stain'd my Hands, your Danger to remove,
Which Act you may enjoy, and disapprove;
Nay by my Guilt, my Merit higher growes;
Since I my Glory gave for your Repose
And by that greatest Victim have procur'd
Your Glory and your Power to be assur'd.

CAESAR

You employ, Ptolomy , such Crafty Words,
And weak Excuses as your Cause affords;
Your Zeal was false, if 'twere affraid to see
What all Mankind beg'd of the Gods should be:
And did to you such subtilties Convey,
As stole the Fruit of all my Wars away;
Where Honour me engag'd, and where the end
Was of a Foe subdu'd, to make a Friend;
Where the worst Enemies that I have met,
When they are conquer'd, I as Brother Treat:
And my Ambition only this Design'd,
To Kill their Hate, and force them to be kind;
How blest a Period of the War't had been,
If the glad World had in one Chariot seen
Pompey and Caesar at once to have sate
Triumphant over all their former Hate!
These were the Dangers you fear'd should befall;
O fear Ridiculous! and Criminal!
You fear'd my Mercy, but that trouble quit,
And wish it rather; you have need of it
For I am sure strict Justice would consent
I should appease Rome with your punishment
Not your Respects, nor your Repentance now,
No nor your Ranke, preserves you from that Blow:
Ev'n on your Throne I would revenge your Guilt,
But Cleopatra's Blood must not be spilt:
Wherefore your Flatterers only I condemn;
And must expect you'l do me Right on them:
For what in this I shall observe you do,
Must be the Rule of my Esteem for you:
To the great Pompey Altars now erect,
And to him pay, as to the Gods, Respect.
By Sacrifices your Offense expell,
But have a Care you choose your Victims well
Go then, and whilst you do for this prepare,
I must stay here about another Care.

Scen. 3.

Caesar, Antonius, Lepidus

CAESAR

Antonius , have you this bright Princess seen?

ANTONIUS

Yes, Sir, I have, and shee's a matchless Queen;
With such proportion Heaven never yet
All Beauties both of Minde and Body knit;
So sweet a Greatness in her Face does shine,
The Noblest Courage must to it resign;
Her Looks and Language with such ease subdue,
If I were Caesar , I should love her too

CAESAR.

How was the Offer of my Love receiv'd?

ANTONIUS

As doubted, and yet inwardly believ'd:
She modestly declin'd her highest aims,
And thinks she Merits, what she most disclaims.

CAESAR

But can I hope her love?

ANTONIUS

Can she have yours?
As that your Joyes, so this her Crown secures.
To gain that Heart can you believe it hard,
Whose kindness you with Empire can reward?
Then let your Passion all its Doubts disband,
For what can Pompey's Conquerour withstand?
But yet her Fear to her remembrance brings,
How little Rome hath ever valu'd Kings;
And more then that, she dreads Calphurnia's Love;
But both these Rubs your presence will remove,
And your succesfull Hope all Mists will break,
If you vouchsafe but for your Self to speak

CAESAR

Let's go then, and these needless scruples quit,
Shewing my Heart to Her that wounded it:
Come let us stay no longer

ANTONIUS

But first know,
Cornelia is within your Power now:
Septimius brings her, boasting of his Fault,
And thinks by that, he hath your Favour bought
But once ashoar your Guards (by Orders taught)
No notice took, but hither both have brought.

CAESAR

Then let her enter: Ah unwelcome News!
Which my Impatience does so roughly use!
O Heaven! and am I not allow'd to pay
My Love this small remainder of one day?

Scen. 4.

Caesar, Cornelia, Antonius, Lepidus, Septimius.

SEPTIMIUS

Sir. —

CAESAR

Go Septimius for your Master look,
Caesar a Traytors presence cannot Brook;
A Roman, who to serve a King could be
Content, when he had Pompey serv'd, and me
[ Exit Septimius

CORNELIA

Caesar , that envious Fate which I can brave,
Makes me thy Prisoner, but not thy Slave:
Expect not then my Heart should e're afford
To pay thee Homage, or to call thee Lord:
How rude soever Fortune makes her Blow;
I Crassus Widow once, and Pompey's now;
Great Scipio's Daughter, (and what's higher yet)
A Roman, have a Courage still more great;
And of all Stroaks her Cruelty can give,
Nothing can make me blush, but that I live,
And have not follow'd Pompey , when he dy'd;
For though the Means to do it were deny'd,
And Cruel Pity would not let me have
The quick assistance of a Steel or Wave,
Yet I'm asham'd, that after such a Woe,
Grief had not done as much as they could do:
Death had been glorious, and had set me free
As from my Sorrow then, so now from Thee
Yet I must thank the Gods, though so severe,
That since I must come hither, Thou art here:
That Caesar reigns here, and not Ptolomy ;
And yet, O Heaven! what Stars do govern me?
That some faint kind of satisfaction 'tis,
To meet here with my greatest Enemies;
And into their Hands that I rather fall,
Then into His that ow'd my Husband all
But of thy Conquest, Caesar , make no boast,
Which to my single Destiny thou ow'st;
I both my Husbands Fortunes have defac'd,
And twice have caus'd th'whole World to be disgrac'd;
My Nuptial Knot twice ominously ty'd,
Banish'd the Gods from the Uprighter Side;
Happy in misery I had been, if it,
For Romes advantage, had with Thee been Knit;
And on thy House that I could so dispense
All my own Stars malignant influence:
For never think my Hatred can grow less,
Since I the Roman Constancy profess;
And though thy Captive, yet a Heart like mine,
Can never stoop to hope for ought from Thine:
Command, but think not to subject my Will,
Remember this, I am Cornelia still.

CAESAR

O Worthy Widow of a Man so brave!
Whose Courage, Wonder, Fate does pity crave;
Your generous Thoughts do quickly make us know
To whom your Birth, to whom your Love you owe;
And we may find, by your Hearts glorious frame,
Both to, and from what Families you came;
Young Crassus Soul, and noble Pompey's too,
Whose Virtues Fortune cheated of their due;
The Scipio's Blood, who sav'd our Deities,
Speak in your Tongue, and sparkle in your Eyes;
And Rome her self hath not an ancient Stem,
Whose Wife or Daughter, hath more honour'd them:
Would to those Gods your Ancestors once sav'd,
When Hannibal them at their Altars brav'd,
That your dear Hero had declin'd this Port,
And better known a false Barbarians Court;
And had not his uncertain Honour try'd,
But rather on our Ancient love rely'd;
That he had suffered my succesfull Arms,
Only to vanquish his unjust Allarms;
Then he, without destrusting me, had stay'd
Till he had heard what Caesar could have said;
And I, in spight of all our former strife,
Would then have beg'd him to accept of Life;
Forget my Conquest, and that Rival love,
Who fought, but that I might his Equal prove:
Then I, with a content entirely great,
Had Pray'd the Gods to Pardon his Defeat;
And giving me his Friendship to possess,
He had pray'd Rome to Pardon my success
But since Fate, so Ambitious to destroy,
Hath rob'd the World, and Us, of so much Joy,
Caesar must strive t'acquit himself to you,
Of what was your Illustrious Husbands due:
Enjoy your self then with all freedom here
Only two dayes my Prisoner appear;
And witness be, how after our Debate,
I shall revere his Name, revenge his Fate;
You this Account to Italy may yield,
What Pride I borrow from Thessalia's Field.
I leave you to your self, and shall Retire;
Lepidus , furnish her to her desire;
As Roman Ladies have respected been,
So Honour her, (that is,) above a Queen.
Madam, command; all shall your Orders wait.

CORNELIA

O Gods! how many Virtues must I hate!

After the third Act, to Cornelia asleep on a Couch, Pompey's Ghost sings this in Recitative Air

From lasting and unclouded Day,
From Joys refin'd above Allay,
And from a spring without decay.

I come, by Cynthia's borrow'd Beams
To visit my Cornelia's Dreams ,
And give them yet sublimer Theams

Behold the Man, thou lov'dst before,
Pure streams have wash'd away his Gore,
And Pompey now shall bleed no more

By Death my Glory I resume;
For 'twould have been a harsher Doom
T'outlive the Liberty of Rome.

By me her doubtfull fortune try'd,
Falling, bequeaths my Fame this Pride,
I for it liv'd, and with it Dy'd.

Nor shall my Vengeance be withstood
Or unattended with a Flood,
Of Roman and Egyptian Blood

Caesar himself it shall pursue ,
His dayes shall troubled be, and few,
And he shall fall by Treason too.

He, by severity Divine
Shall be an offering at my Shrine;
As I was his, he must be mine

Thy stormie Life regret no more,
For Fate shall waft thee soon a shoar,
And to thy Pompey thee restore

Where past the fears of sad removes
We'l entertain our spotless Loves,
In beauteous, and Immortal Groves

There none a Guilty Crown shall wear,
Nor Caesar be Dictator there .
Nor shall Cornelia shed a Tear

After this a Military Dance, as the continuance of her Dream, and then Cornelia starts up, as waken'd in amazement, saying.

What have I seen? and whether is it gone
How great the vision and how quickly done!
Yet if in Dreams we future things can see,
There's still some Joy, laid up in Fate for me
Exit