Classic Poem

ACT II. SCENE I .

Julius Caesar, Marcus Antonius.

Caes . Now have my hopes attain'd the long'd for heaven,
In spight of partiall envies poysnous blasts:
My fortune with my courage hath prov'd even;
No monument of miscontentment lasts.
Those who corrival'd me, by me o'rethrowne,
Did by their falls give feathers to my flight:
I in some corner rather live unknowne
Then shine in glory, and not shine most bright;
What common is to two, rests no more rare,
In all the world no Phaenix is save one,
That of my deeds none challenge might a share,
Would God that I had acted all alone:
And yet at last I need to mourne no more
For envy of the Macedonians praise,
Since I have equall'd all that went before;
My deeds in number do exceed my dayes.
Some earst (whose deeds rest registred by fame)
Did from their conquests glorious titles bring.
But greatnesse to be great, must have my name,
To be a Caesar is above a king.
Ant . Those warre-like nations, which did nations spoile,
Are by thy legions to our laws made thrall;
" What can brave mindes not do by time and toyle?
" True magnanimity triumphs o're all. "
Caes . Th' out-ragious Gauls who in most monstrous swarmes
Went wasting Asia , thundering downe all things,
And ( Macedony quaking at their armes)
Did insolently make, and un-make kings:
Those Gauls who having the worlds conquerours soil'd,
(As if the world might not have match'd them then)
Would sacrilegiously have Delphos spoil'd,
And warr'd against the gods, contemning men;
Yea, those whose ancestors our city burn'd,
(The onely people whom the Romanes fear'd)
By me ( Romes nursling) match'd, and o'rematch'd mourn'd:
So what they first eclips'd, againe they clear'd.
Then, as to subjects having given degrees,
The Gauls no more presuming of their might,
I (wounding Neptunes bosome with wing'd trees)
Did with the world-divided Britains fight;
The Germans from their birth mur'd to warre,
Whose martiall mindes still haughtie thoughts have bred,
Whil'st neither men, nor walls, my course could barre,
(Mask'd with my banners) saw their Rhene runne red;
The easterne realmes when conqu'ring now of late,
My comming, and o'recomming was but one;
With little paine ear'st Pompey was call'd great,
Who fought soft bands whose glorious dayes were gone:
But what though thousands set ones praises forth,
For fields which shadows, and not swords, obtain'd;
The rate (too easie) vilifies the worth:
" Save by great paines, no glory can be gain'd:
From dangers past, my comfort now proceeds,
Since all who durst gaine-stand I did o'recome:
And, in few words to comprehend my deeds,
Rome conquer'd all the world, and Caesar, Rome .
Ant . Loe those who striv'd your vertue to suppresse,
(As whose great actions made them jealous still)
Whil'st labouring but too much to make you lesse,
Have made you to grow great against your will:
Great Pompeys pompe is past, his glory gone,
And rigorous Cato by himselfe lyes kill'd;
Then dastard Cicero more your honours none,
Thus all your foes are with confusion fill'd.
The senatours who could not be asswag'd,
Long to your prejudice their pow'r abus'd,
Till at their great ingratitude enrag'd,
I swore our swords would grant what they refus'd.
When having scap'd, endanger'd, and despis'd,
Brave Curio and I did to your camp resort,
In old bare gownes (like some base slaves) disguis'd,
All sigh'd to see us wrong'd in such a sort.
Caes . The highest in the heaven who knows all hearts,
Do know my thoughts as pure as are their starres,
And that (constrain'd) I came from forraine parts
To seeme uncivill in the civill warres.
I mov'd that warre which all the world bemoanes,
Whil'st urg'd by force to free my selfe from feares;
Still when my hand gave wounds, my heart gave groanes;
No Romans bloud was shed, but I shed teares:
But how could any elevated spright,
Who had for honour hazarded his blood,
Yeeld willingly (by foes outragious spight)
To be defrauded of th' expected good:
When as a multitude of battels wonne,
Had made Romes empire, and my glory great;
And that the Gauls (oft vanquish'd) had begun,
To beare the yoke which they disdain'd of late.
Then glorious Pompey , my proud sonne-in-law,
And Cato (who still cross'd what I design'd)
From favouring me the people did withdraw,
And had a successour for spight assign'd;
Not that he should succeed in dangerous broils,
But (even through envy) as they had ordain'd,
That he might triumph so of all my toils,
And rob the glory which I dearly gain'd;
With such indignity who could comport,
When prizing honour dearer then the light?
No (whil'st my soule rests soveraigne of this fort)
None shall have pow'r to rob me of my right;
And yet by Iove who all the world commands,
To use such violence I did mislike:
And would have oft abandon'd all my bands,
If that mine enemies would have done the like;
But yet the multitude, which floting still
(As waves with windes) are carried with conceits,
With nought but my disgrace would bound their will,
And I committed all unto the fates.
Yet when at Rubicon I stood perplex'd,
And weigh'd the horrour of my high attempt,
My stormy soule a thousand fancies vex'd,
Which resolution buried in contempt.
Ant . " Nought in a captaine more confounds his foes,
" Then of a ventrous course, the swift effects,
" Since (so quite crush'd) ere they their thoughts dispose,
" All good advice a care confus'd neglects. "
Though when you march'd to Rome , your pow'r was small,
The sudden news so thundred in each eare,
That (as if heaven had falne upon them all)
It bred amazement, and th' amazement feare.
" Some secret destiny (as then was seene),
" Doth guide mens actions, and their judgement bounds:
" Those who by hosts could not have frighted beene,
" A shadow, or a rumour oft confounds:
" All hastie dangers so surprise the minde,
" That feare prevents the resolutions power,
" Or else the fates make curious reason blinde,
" When heavens determin'd have a fatall houre. "
Great Pompey (loe) who was growne ag'd in armes,
And had triumph'd o're all the worlds three parts,
Whil'st (quite discourag'd, by imagin'd harmes)
Fled Rome , though without reach of th' enemies darts.
As to a torrent all gave place to you,
And whom they call'd a rebell made their lord;
Your successour Domitius (forc'd to bow)
Did trust your favour, more then feare your sword.
When in th' Iberian bounds you did arrive,
There, adversaries (who did vainly vaunt)
Had all th' advantage that the ground could give,
Of victuals plenty, which with us were scant.
Yet the celerity that you had us'd,
Did so discourage their disordred band,
That (as Iove in their breasts had feare infus'd)
They had no strength against our strokes to stand.
And when Romes generall with brave legions stor'd,
Seem'd to possesse all that his soule requir'd,
Whil'st us to daunt, both famine and the sword,
The sea, the land, and all in one conspir'd;
Then, for your offices they did contend,
As those who of the victory were sure,
And (where they might th' affaires of state attend)
In Rome for lodgings fondly did procure.
Yet memorable now that day remaines,
When all the world was in two armies rang'd,
Whil'st Mars went raging through th' Æmathian plaines,
And to despaires high expectations chang'd
When Pompeys partie had the battell lost;
(As lyons do their prey) you did pursue
The scattred remnant of that ruin'd host,
On which new heads still (like a Hydra ) grew.
Though victory in Africke fatall seem'd
To any army that a Scipio led,
Yet, you shew'd there (for worth in warre esteem'd)
That Rome a better then a Scipio bred;
And all our enemies were confounded thus,
Who us in number ever did surmount;
But Caesar and his fortune were with us,
Which we did more then many thousands count.
Caes. The sweetest comfort which my conquests gave,
Was that I so might do to many good:
For, every day some Romanes life I save,
Who in the field to fight against me stood,
Thus, may my minde be judg'd by the event,
Who (even when by my greatest foes assail'd)
To winne the battell never was more bent,
Then prompt to pardon when I had prevail'd.
Not covetous of bloud, of spoyls, nor harmes,
I (even when victor) did insult o're none,
But layd aside all hatred with my armes,
A foe in fight, a friend when it was gone:
" Of clemency I like the praise, more then
" Of force, which mortals with affliction lodes;
" Strength oft may prove the worst thing that's in men,
" And pity is the best thing in the gods. "
Sterne Cato (still affecting to be free)
Who either death or life (if given) disdain'd,
Thy death I envy, who didst envy me,
The glory that I (saving thee) had gain'd.
Yet I to rents and dignities restore,
Even those who long my ruine hnd design'd:
And O! it doth delight my minde farre more,
By benefits, then by constraint to binde.
Ant. I would have all my foes brought to their ends,
Caes. I rather have my foes all made my friends.
Ant. Their bloud whom I suspect'd should quench all strife.
Caes. So might one do who lik'd of nought but life.
Ant. Still life would be redeem'd from dangers forth.
Caes. Not with a ransome then it selfe more worth.
Ant. Then life to man, what thing more deare succeeds?
Caes. The great contentment that true glory breeds.
Ant. Men by all meanes this blast of breath prolong,
Caes. Men should strive to live well, not to live long,
And I would spend this momentary breath
To live by fame for ever after death:
For, I aspire in spight of fates to live.
Ant. I feare that some too soone your death contrive.
Caes. Who dare but lodge such thoughts within their mindes?
Ant. Those whom the shadow of your greatnesse blindes.
Caes. The best are bound to me by gifts in store.
Ant. But to their countrey they are bound farre more.
Caes. Then loath they me as th' enemy of the state?
Ant. Who freedome love, you (as usurper) hate.
Caes. I by great battells have enlarg'd their bounds.
Ant. By that they thinke your pow'r too much abounds.
Caes. From doing wrong, yet I refraine my will.
Ant. They feare your pow'r, because it may do ill.
Caes. The present state still miscontentment brings
To factious mindes affecting matters strange,
Which (burdens to themselves) do loath all things,
And so they change, regard not what they change.
In populous townes where many do repaire,
(Who at their meeting what they please do touch)
They further then their bounds extend their care:
" The idle who do nothing, must thinke much. "
Loe, Rome (though wasted all with raging warres)
Whil'st private grudge pretended publike good.
Equality (still rude) engendring jarres,
Did prove too prodigall of Roman bloud.
Though yet now at the last attaining rest,
Whil'st all (obeying one) may banish teares:
It (if constrain'd) even scorns (as bad) the best,
This word necessity so wounds the eares.
The insolent with vile seditious words,
(Who trembled whil'st they heard the trumpets sound)
Stirre now their tongues, as we did then our swords,
And what Mars spar'd, make Mercury confound.
" The people thus in time of peace agree
" To curbe the great men still, even in that forme,
" As in calme dayes they do disbranch the tree,
" Which shrowded them of late against a storme. "
But now I look'd (brave deeds appeasing spight)
That bursted envy should for anguish dye,
Darke shadows (as asham'd) do vanish quite,
When at his height bright Phaebus cleares the skie.
And though their hatred deeply they disguise,
Yet can they not so hide enflam'd desires,
But that their spight rests sparkling through their eyes,
And boasts to burst out straight in open fires.
Ant. Since first (great Caesar ) I discern'd thy worth,
On all thy actions I did still attend;
And what some whisper must speake freely forth:
" Franke admonitions do become a friend. "
The men who do suspect that you aspire.
Of government the present forme to change,
All in their soules your ruine do conspire,
And their affections farre from you estrange.
Since chast Lucretia (by proud Tarquin stain'd)
Wash'd with her bloud the violated bed,
Whil'st by his pow'r Rome basely was constrain'd,
All to obey which his curst braine had bred.
This government which some tyrannicke call,
Doth sound so odious in the peoples eares,
That they as tyrants vile, detest them all,
Whose greatnesse gives them any cause of feares.
Caes. I not affect the title of a king
For love of glory or desire of gaine,
Nor for respect of any private thing,
But that the state may by my travels gaine.
You know Sibylla's books which never faile,
In many mindes have an opinion bred,
That o're the Parthians Rome cannot prevaile,
Till by a prince her valorous bands be led:
" For as confusion is the fruit (we finde)
" Of those affaires which divers thoughts dispose,
" So soveraignty match'd with a gallant minde,
" Breeds reverence in ones owne, feare to his foes. "
And O! it grieves me, that these steps of ours
Have trod so oft on many a millions necks,
Whil'st yet the Parthian villipends our pow'rs,
And all our victories (not vanquish'd) checks;
Ah! should a generall of the Roman race
Be by barbarians kill'd? and not reveng'd?
And should his ensignes, signes of our disgrace,
Rest in the ranke of conquer'd relicts rang'd?
No, no, (wretch'd Crassus ) now thy selfe content,
Ile pacifie thy ghost with Parthians spoyles,
My boyling fancies have beene alwayes bent
To match the matchlesse, daunt th' undaunted soiles.
Ant. With victories quite cloi'd, will you not then
Your safety once, more then new warres respect?
Caes. No, though I have surmounted other men,
My fancies yet do greater things affect:
In emulation of my selfe at last,
I even with envy look on my owne deeds;
And (bent to make the new surpasse things past)
Now to my minde stale praise no pleasure breeds.
Ant. The world hath seene thee (great man) for Romes good,
In danger oft of many a dangerous shelfe,
Whil'st for her glory thou engag'd thy bloud,
Of others carefull, carelesse of thy selfe.
Caes. Though whil'st in th' Aprill of my blooming age,
I from the vulgar rate redeem'd my name,
Some with my deeds did burden youths hot rage,
And an ambitious appetite of fame,
Yet since the coldnesse of declining yeares,
Boasts to congeale the bloud which boil'd of late,
Whil'st loe, my life the sunne of glory cleares,
Who now of all the world am knowne most great;
I cannot covet that thing which I have,
I have all honour that can be requir'd:
And now (as that which wants) would onely crave
To taste the pleasures of a life retyr'd:
But (save to serve the state) for nought I strive,
For, O! (neglecting th' ecchoes of renowne)
I could content my selfe unknowne to live
A private man, with a plebeian gowne:
Since ( Anthonie ) thus for the state I care,
And all delights which nature loves disdaine,
Go, and in time the peoples mindes prepare,
That as the rest, I may the title gaine;
Yet indirectly at the first assay
To what their doubtfull mindes do most incline,
But as without my knowledge, that they may
All marke your minde, and yet not thinke of mine.

ACT II. SCENE II .

Cicero, Decius, Brutus.

Cic. Did I survive th' impetuous Scilla's rage,
And in a torrent of destruction stood,
Whil'st tyrants did make Rome a tragicke stage
Through a voluptuous appetite of bloud?
Scap'd I confusion in a time so bad,
Of liberty and honour once to taste,
That bondage now might make my soule more sad
By the remembrance of my fortunes past?
What though I once (when first by fame made knowne)
From Catilines strange treason did preserve
This towne (when free from foes) thrall'd by her owne,
Since now the world from equity doth swerve?
A sparke of that conspiracy I spie
As yet not quench'd to have our state imbroil'd,
Which Rome to burne makes many flames to flie:
Thus one was spar'd, that we might all be spoil'd.
O worthy Cato , in whose matchlesse minde
Three (rarely match'd) things nature did reveale,
Wit, honesty, and courage, which design'd
A citizen for Plato's common-weale:
Whil'st courteous Pompey did things as a friend,
Thou as a wise-man spoke, and still fore-told
To what all Caesars deeds would turne in th' end,
If that his pride were not in time controld.
And had we him (as wisely thou advis'd)
Given to the Germans whom he had injur'd,
We had not now beene thus like slaves despis'd,
To see Rome's glory, and our owne obscur'd:
But yet I may (disbending former cares)
A space comport with that proud tyrants pow'r;
Age gives assurance by my hoarey haires,
Ere he Romes freedome, death will me devour.
But all whose youth and sprite might have attain'd
Those dignities which Caesar hath undone:
O! ye have lost as much as he hath gain'd,
Whose rising hopes must be retrench'd so soone.
Dec. Though innovations at the first seeme strange,
Yet oft experience approbation brings,
And if with upright thoughts we weigh this change,
From thence the safety of our city springs;
As doth a ship, when toss'd by several windes,
More danger runne whil'st pylots do contest,
So was our city vex'd by differing mindes,
Who did interpret laws as pleas'd them best;
Whil'st for one sicknesse divers drugges are us'd,
Whose pow'rs (repugnant) in digestion jarre;
Th' impatient patients perish, when abus'd,
So did we long whil'st cross'd by civill warre;
But now great Caesar from tempestuous windes,
Romes scattered ruines recollects of late:
A pilot meet to calm tumultuous mindes,
A fit physitian for an aguish state.
Cic. The state from stormes secure by drowning proves,
Now whil'st despaire doth doubtfull feares appease,
He (with the life) the sicknesse quite removes:
Thus is the physick worse then the disease.
This common weale (as all the world did spie)
Was by proud spirits in civill warres involv'd,
Yet like black clouds which would obscure the skie,
These tumid humours suddenly dissolv'd;
And no disgrace unto the state redounds,
But to th' ambitious men that it abus'd,
Who (had their pow'r like Caesars wanted bounds)
Would (whil'st they rul'd) have greater rigour us'd.
All parts (we see) bred people of all kindes,
And as advanc'd some bad men did abide,
In pow'r their equals, and of better mindes,
Some alwayes vertuous were to curb their pride;
But since that sacred liberty was lost,
The publike pow'r to private ends one turnes;
And (as his lawlesse wayes did alwayes boast)
The common-weale by violence o're-turnes.
Dec. Though what you burden Caesar with were true,
Necessity hath purg'd his part from crime,
Who was (foes force to shunne) forc'd to pursue,
And urg'd by danger to attempt in time.
To th' enemies envy more oblig'd he rests,
Then to his wit which no such courses scan'd:
For when quite barr'd from using of requests,
Th' occasion then invited to command.
His thoughts when calme, to storm fond foes did tempt:
" True worth disdaines to suffer open wrong:
" A gallant courage kindled by contempt
" Burns with revenge, whil'st fury makes one strong. "
Cic . O Decius , now a wrong account you cast,
The purpose, not th' event, declares the minde:
Tread backe the steps of all his actions past,
And what he compass'd had beene long design'd.
As by some sprite inspir'd, proud Scilla said,
That there in Caesar many Marians were,
And Rome in time was warn'd to be afraid
Of that evill-girded youth, with smooth-comb'd haire;
Then when (as still to quietnesse a foe)
The memory of Marius he renew'd,
By re-erecting tyrants statues so,
His thoughts all bent to tyranny were view'd.
That people-pleaser might have beene perceiv'd,
By courteous complements below his rank.
Who (lavishing forth gifts) the world deceiv'd,
And to gaine more then his, of his prov'd franke.
Though nought at all indulgent to his wife,
By prostrated pudicity disgrac'd;
Yet did he save th' adultrous Clodius life,
To sooth the multitude, whose steps he trac'd.
Dec . " These be the meanes by which ambition mounts,
" Without most humble, when within most high,
" As if it fled from that thing which it hunts,
" Still wasting most, when it for most doth plie. "
Cic . Then he (still tyranny bent to embrace)
Was thought conjoin'd with Catiline to be,
And, had wise Cato's counsell taken place,
Might with the rest have suffered death by me.
Yet having deeply div'd in some mens soules,
With factious followers being pined oft,
He got the consulship which nought controuls,
And matching pride with pow'r, did look aloft;
To flatter them who now must flatter him,
His pow'r to make unlawfull laws prevail'd,
And those to crosse who scorn'd he so should clime,
He furnish't was with force, where reason fail'd:
But yet because he could not be assur'd,
To rule alone according to his will,
To governe France , he craftily procur'd,
So to be strengthened with an army still.
As Rome first warr'd at home, till being strong,
She thought her power might forraine realmes o'recome,
So Caesar warr'd against strange nations long,
Till that he thought his might might conquer Rome .
Then having all that force or fate assignes,
Of discontentment he did cause pretend,
So to dissemble fore-conceiv'd designes:
" One soone may finde a fault that would offend: "
But when he first in a prodigious dreame,
His mother seem'd incestuously to use,
It might have shown to his eternall shame,
How of his birth the bounds he did abuse.
Dec . And yet I thinke (avoyding threatned harmes)
He by constraint imbark'd in civill broyles:
Did he not covenant to quite his armes,
As not desirous of his countries spoiles?
Cic . Durst he with those who had his charge confin'd,
Stand to capitulate, as if their mate,
Where (as his soveraigne) to obey their minde,
It was his duty, and their due of late.
What? what? durst he whom (bound to keep the law)
The people in authority did put
The sword which they had given, against them draw;
When it was sharpned first their throat to cut?
That had not come which all our anguish breeds,
If he unforc'd when as his charge expir'd;
Till that the senate censur'd had his deeds,
Had from his province peaceably retir'd.
No, he hath but betray'd his native towne,
Those bands, by which she did him first preferre,
T' enlarge her borders, and his owne renowne
Those hath he us'd to tyrannize o're her.
My passions (ah! transported as you see
With an excessive love to my deare soile)
Of my hearts store have made my tongue too free,
By flaming forth what in my brist doth boile.
Dec . That Caesars part might justly be excus'd,
Loe, with the cause alledg'd, his course accords,
Of which that mildenesse which he since hath us'd,
A testimony to the world affords.
Though forc'd to fight, he alwaies had great care
To save our citizens as each man knowes,
And will'd his captaines Romanes still to spare;
Barbarians bodies objects were for blowes,
Of th' adversaries after bloudy strife,
When oft he might have made some captives smart,
Not onely was he liberall of their life,
But pardon'd them, even to take Pompeys part;
At that infortunate Pharsalian field,
When he securely might have us'd the sword,
He both did spare all th' enemies that would yeeld,
And them to rents and dignities restor'd:
Then when th' Egyptians (so to get reliefe)
Brought to his sight pale Pompeys bloudlesse head,
He testifi'd with teares his inward griefe,
And grac'd his statues after he was dead.
Those his proceedings plainely may approve,
That he against his will did make this warre;
And to his country beares a tender love,
Who could comport to reyne his rage so farre.
Cic . Those favours fain'd, by him bestow'd, or due,
(As is ones custome whose high heart aspires,)
Were spent on many that who them did view
Might love his course, so kindling their desires:
But where he thus pleas'd some, he spoil'd whole hosts,
And the barbarians all to Rome not wrought
Such harme as he, who, of his goodnesse boasts,
Yet her best men hath to confusion brought;
That great man, whom earst fortune ne're did fayle,
Who still prevail'd, though warring without right,
Now in a good cause, for the common-weale
With Caesar did infortunately fight.
Whilst fled from Lesbos with his wretched wife,
Three base-borne groomes (can fortune change so soone?)
Stood to consult upon great Pompeys life,
And did what thousands durst not once have done;
Then he whose knees had oft been kiss'd by kings,
(Most highly happy, had he dy'd in time)
By one of his owne slaves, with abject things
His funerals had perform'd; what monstrous crime
Romes greatest captaine to entombe alone?
The Roman who arriv'd with reason said:
The fatall glory was too great for one,
And to have part of that last honour staid;
The teares bestow'd by Caesar on his head,
Forth from a guilty minde, remorse had throwne:
Or else he wept to see his enemie dead
By any others hands then by his owne.
That constant Cato , who even death did scorne,
And for a coward once had Caesar brav'd,
(Who liv'd as if to grace all mortals borne)
Would rather perish then by him be sav'd.
He justly whilst more just, himselfe more strong
Then Caesar thought, who for no justice car'd:
And since discovering what he cloak'd so long,
Said, that the other, and not he was snar'd.
Thus Caesar conquer'd all but Cato's minde,
Who to a tyrant would not owe his breath:
But in such sort his famous course confin'd,
Then Caesars life, more glorious was his death:
Those great men thus brought to disastrous ends,
The author of their death make me despise,
Who to usurpe all pow'r while as he tends,
By treading good men downe, doth strive to rise.
Now made most great by lessening all the great,
He proudly doth triumph in Rome , o're Rome:
And we must seeme to like the present state,
Whose doubtfull breath depends upon his doome.
Yet had I not enlarg'd my griefes so long,
To you whom Caesar doth pretend to love;
Save that (I know) touch'd with the common wrong:
" A just disdaine all generous mindes must move. "
Dec . Had Caesar willingly resign'd his armes,
And rendered Rome her liberty at last,
When as from foes he fear'd no further harmes,
But had repair'd his just displeasures past,
More then for all that could be done for me,
He should have had an altar in my brest,
As worthy (for his vertuous deeds) to be
Fear'd by the bad, and honour'd by the best:
But since (though conqu'ring all the world by might)
He (to himselfe a slave) would make Rome thrall,
His benefits are loathsome in my sight,
And I am griev'd that he deserves to fall;
My fancies move not in so low a sphere,
But I disdaine that one Romes crowne requires;
Yet it is best that with the time we beare,
And with our pow'r proportion our desires.
Though first dissembling, so your minde to try,
I told what fame to Caesars praise relates;
Yet was I pleas'd, that moe were griev'd then I:
" All miscontented men are glad of mates. "
Cic . Since tyranny all liberty exiles,
We must our selves (no more our selves) disguise;
Then, learn to maske a mourning minde with smiles,
And seeme to like that which we most despise.
Yet all our deeds not Caesars humour please,
Who (since mistrusting once) esteemes us still,
When dumb disdainefull, flatterers when we praise,
If plaine, presumptuous, and in all things ill:
Yea, we, whose freedome Caesar now restraines,
As his attenders all his stepes must trace;
And know, yet not acknowledge his disdaines,
But still pretend an interest in his grace:
Though all my thoughts detest him as a foe,
To honour him, a thousand meanes I move,
Yet but to save my selfe, and plague him so:
" No hate more harmes then it that lookes like love. "
His pride is by prepost'rous state growne such,
That by the better sort, he is abhorr'd;
The gods are jealous, and men envy much
To see a mortall man so much ador'd.
Dec . Well, Cicero let all meanes be entertain'd,
That may embarke us in his bosomes deepes,
Till either willingly, or then constrain'd,
He justly quite what he unjustly keepes.

CHORUS .

" This life of ours is like a rose,
" Which whilst rare beauties it array,
" Doth then enjoy the least repose;
" When virgin-like made blush (we see)
" Of every hand it is the prey,
" And by each winde is blowne away;
" Yea, though from violence scap'd free,
" (Thus time triumphs, and leades all thrals)
" Yet doth it languish and decay:
" O! whilst the courage hottest boiles,
" And that our life seemes best to be,
" It is with dangers compast still;
" Whilst it each little change appalles,
" The body, force, without oft foiles,
" It th' owne distemp'rature oft spoiles,
" And even, though none it chance to kill,
" As nature failes, the body falles,
" Of which save death, nought bounds the toyles;
" What is this moving tow'r in which we trust?
" A little winde clos'd in a cloud of dust. "
And yet some sprites though being pent
In this fraile prisons narrow bounds,
(Whilst what might serve, doth not content,)
Doe alwaies bend their thoughts too high,
And ayme at all the peopled grounds;
Then whilst their brests ambition wounds,
They feed as fearing straight to dye,
Yet build as if they still might live,
Whilst famish'd for fames empty sounds:
Of such no end the travell ends,
But a beginning gives, whereby
They may be vex'd worse then before;
For, whilst they still new hopes contrive,
" The hoped good more anguish sends,
" Then the possess'd contentment lends; "
As beasts not taste, but doe devoure,
They swallow much, and for more strive,
Whilst still their hope some change attends:
" And how can such but still themselves annoy,
" Who can acquire, but know not how t' enjoy? "
Since as a ship amidst the deepes,
Or as an eagle through the ayre,
Of which no waye th' impression keepes,
Most swift when seeming least to move:
This breath of which we take such care,
Doth tosse the body every where,
That it may hence with haste remove:
" Life slips and sleepes alwayes away,
" Then hence, and as it came, goes bare, "
Whose steppes behinde no trace do leave;
Why should heaven-banish'd soules thus love,
The cause, and bounds of their exile,
As restlesse strangers where they stray?
And with such paine why should they reave,
That which they have no right to have,
Which with them in a little while,
As summers beauties must decay,
And can give nought except the grave?
" Though all things doe to harme him what they can,
" No greater enemie then himselfe to man;
Whilst oft environ'd with his foes,
Which threatned death on every side,
Great Caesar parted from repose,
(As Atlas holding up the starres)
Did of a world the weight abide;
But since a prey to foolish pride,
More then by all the former warres,
He now by it doth harm'd remaine,
And of his fortune doth diffide:
Made rich by many nations wreake,
He (breaking through the liquid barres)
In Neptunes armes his minion forc'd;
Yet still pursu'd new hopes in vaine:
" Would the ambitious looking backe
" Of their inferiors knowledge take,
" They from huge cares might be divorc'd,
" Whilst viewing few, more pow'r attaine,
" And many more then they to lacke:
" The onely plague from men that rest doth reave,
" Is that they weigh their wants, not what they have. "
Since thus the great themselves involve
In such a labyrinth of cares,
Whence none to scape can well resolve,
But by degrees are forward led,
Through waves of hopes, rockes of despaires:
Let us avoyd ambitions snares,
And farre from stormes by envy bred,
Still seeke (though low) a quiet rest,
With mindes where no proud thought repaires,
That in vaine shadowes doth delight;
Thus may our fancies still be fed
With that which nature freely gives;
Let us iniquity detest,
And hold but what we owe of right;
Th' eyes treasure is th' all-circling light,
Not that vaine pompe for which pride strives,
Whose glory (but a poysnous pest)
To plague the soule, delights the sight:
" Ease comes with ease, where all by paine buy paine,
" Rest we in peace, by warre let others raigne. "