Classic Poem

ACT IV. SCENE I .

Decius Brutus Albinus, Marcus Brutus, Caius Cassius.

Dec. Deare cosin, Cassius did acquaint mine eares
With a designe which toss'd my minde a space;
" For, when strange news, a strangers breath first beares,
" One should not straight to rash reports give place. "
I would not then discover what I thought,
Lest he to trap my tongue, a snare had fram'd,
Till first with thee I to conferre was brought,
Whom he for patron of his purpose nam'd.
" One should look well to whom his minde he leaves,
" In dangerous times when tales by walls are told,
" Men make themselves unnecessar'ly slaves,
" Of those to whom their secrets they unfold. "
Brut. As Cassius told thee, griev'd for Romes distresse,
Which to our shame in bondage doth remaine,
We straight intend what ever we professe,
With Caesars bloud to wash away this staine.
Though for this end a few sufficient are,
To whom their vertue courage doth impart,
Yet were we loth to wrong thy worth so farre,
As of such glory to give thee no part.
Since both this cause, yea, and thy name thee binde,
In this adventrous band to be compris'd,
There needs no rhetoricke to raise thy minde,
To do the thing which thou should'st have devis'd.
Dec. I thought no creature should my purpose know,
But he whose int'rest promis'd mutuall cares:
" Of those to whom one would his secret show,
" No greater pledge of trust then to know theirs; "
As when two meet whil'st mask'd (though most deare friends)
With them (as strangers) no respect takes place,
But straight when friend-ship one of them pretends,
The other likewise doth un-cloud the face.
So as thou first, I'le now at last be bold:
My brest with the same birth long bigge hath gone,
But I to others durst it not unfold,
Nor yet attempt to compasse it alone;
But since this course, at which I long did pause,
On such great pillars now so strongly stands,
Whose count'nance may give credit to a cause,
It hath my heart, and it shall have my hands.
Cass. To our designes propitious signes are sent.
So that the gods would give us courage thus:
For, all who ever heard of our intent,
Would willingly engage themselves with us:
Let other men discourse of vertuous rites,
Ours but by action onely should be showne:
" Bare speculation is but for such sprits
" As want of pow'r, or courage keeps unknowne.
" In those who vertue view, when crown'd with deeds,
" Through glories glasse, whose beauties long have shin'd,
" To be embrac'd an high desire she breeds,
" As load-stones iron, so ravishing the minde: "
What though a number now in darknesse lyes,
Who are too weak for matters of such weight?
We who are eminent in all mens eyes,
Let us still hold the height of honour straight.
Brut. Earst (that our faction might be strengthned thus)
I labour'd much to purchase all their pow'rs,
Whom hate to Caesar , love to Rome , or us,
Might make imbarke in those great hopes of ours;
By sicknesse then imprison'd in his bed.
Whil'st I Ligarius spy'd whom paines did pricke,
When I had said with words that anguish bred:
In what a time Ligarius art thou sick?
He answer'd straight as I had physicke brought,
Or that he had imagin'd my designe,
If worthie of thy selfe thou would'st do ought,
Then Brutus I am whole, and wholly thine:
Since he by Caesar was accus'd of late
For taking Pompey's part, yet at this houre
He (though absolv'd) doth still the tyrant hate,
Since once endanger'd by his lawlesse pow'r:
Thus (of great sprits exasperating spites)
Heaven of our course the progresse doth direct,
One inspiration all our soules incites,
Who have advis'dly sworne for one effect.
Dec. So I with Cicero did conferre at length,
Who (I perceive) the present state detests,
And though old age diminish'd hath his strength,
In him a will to free his countrey rests.
Brut. That man whose love still to his countrey shin'd,
Would willingly the common-wealth restore:
Then he (I know) though he conceals his minde,
None Caesar more dislikes, nor likes us more:
Yet to his custody I'le not commit
The secrets of our enterprise so soone:
" Men may themselves be often-times not fit
" To do the things which they would wish were done. "
He still was timorous, and, by age growne worse,
Might chance to lay our honour in the dust;
" All cowards must inconstant be of force,
" With bold designes none fearfull breasts should trust. "
Then, some of ours would hold their hands still pure,
Who (ere they be suspected) for a space,
Amid'st the tumult may remaine secure,
And with the people mediate our peace:
But who then Tullius fitter for that turne,
Whose eloquence is us'd to charme their eares?
His banishment they in black gownes did mourne,
Whom all do honour for his worth and yeares.
Cass. Those studious wits which have through dangers gone,
" Would still be out, ere that they enter in:
" Who muse of many things, resolve of none,
" And (thinking of the end) cannot begin.
" The minde which looks no further then the eye,
" And more to nature trusts, then unto art,
" Such doubtfull fortunes fittest is to try:
" A furious actor for a desp'rat part. "
We have enow, and of the best degree,
Whose hands unto their hearts, hearts t' us are true,
And if that we seek moe, I feare we be
To hide, too many, if disclos'd, too few;
Let us advise with an industrious care
(Now ere the tyrant intercept our mindes)
The time, the place, the manner, when, and where
We should en-trust our treasure to the windes;
And since our states this doth in danger bring,
Let every point be circumspectly weigh'd,
" A circumstance, or an indifferent thing,
" Doth oft marre all, when not with care conveigh'd. "
Brut. As for the time, none could be wish'd more fit,
Then is the present to performe our vow,
Since all the people must allow of it,
By recent anguish mov'd extreamely now.
When represented in his triumph past,
Great Cato's mangled intrails made them weep,
And desp'rat Scipio whil'st he leap't at last
To seek a sanctuary amidst the deep.
Then all those great men whom in severall parts,
Bent for Romes freedome, Caesar did o'rethrow,
Did by their pictures pierce the peoples hearts,
And made a piteous (though a pompous) show;
How could they but conceive a just disdaine
To be upbraided in so strange a sort,
Whil'st he who onely by their losse did gaine,
Of their calamitie did make a sport?
But yet his purpose grieves them most of all,
Since that he strives to be proclaim'd a king:
And not contents himselfe to make us thrall,
But would even all our heires to bondage bring.
Thus whil'st the people are with him displeas'd,
We best may do what to our part belongs:
For, after this they may be best appeas'd,
If, whil'st their wrath doth last, we venge their wrongs;
And (since we nought intend but what is right,
Whil'st from our countrey we remove disgrace)
Let all be acted in the senates sight,
A common cause, and in a common place.
Let those whose guilty thoughts do damne their deeds,
In corners like Minerva's birds abide,
That which our countrey good, us glory breeds,
May by the lights of heaven and earth be try'd.
The senatours by our example mov'd.
Pleas'd with this action which imports them too,
To have the yoke of tyranny remov'd,
May at the least confirme that which we do:
So all the senatours were said of old,
King Romulus in peeces to have torne,
Who then to tyrannize was growne too bold,
And, ere turn'd god, humanitie did scorne.
Dec. Yea, what though Caesar were immortall made,
As Romulus , whose deitie him revives?
I rather as a god adore him dead,
Then as a king obey him whil'st he lives.
Cass. That place indeed, most for our glory makes,
A theater worthy of so great an act,
Where in their sight from whom most pow'r he takes,
We of the tyrant vengeance may exact;
But I must recommend unto your minde,
A course (though strict) of which we must allow,
Lest it o'rethrow all that we have design'd,
Since past recovery, if neglected now:
There is Antonius, Caesars greatest friend,
A man whose nature tyranny affects,
Whom all the souldiers daily do attend,
As one who nought but to command respects;
I feare that he when we have Caesar slaine,
The grieved faction furnish with a head:
So when we end, we must begin againe
With one who lives worse then the other dead;
And in my judgement I would thinke it best,
When sacrific'd the proud usurper lyes,
That this seditious enemy of rest
Should fall with him, with whom he first did rise:
Thus, of our liberty we now may lay
A solid ground, which can be shak't by none:
" Those of their purpose who a part delay,
" Two labours have, who might have had but one. "
Brut. I cannot ( Cassius ) condescend to kill
(Thus from the path of justice to decline)
One faultlesse yet, lest after he prove ill,
So to prevent his guiltinesse by mine;
No, no, that neither honest were, nor just,
Which rigorous forme would but the world affright,
Men by this meane, our meaning might mistrust,
And for a little wrong damne all that's right:
If we do onely kill the common foe,
Our countries zeale must then acquire due praise,
But if (like tyrants) fiercely raging so,
We will be thought that which we raze to raise;
And where we but intend to aide the state,
Though by endangering what we hold most deare,
If slaying him (as arm'd by private hate)
We to the world all partiall will appeare,
Ah, ah! we must but too much murder see,
Who without doing ill cannot do good:
And, would the gods, that Rome could be made free
Without the shedding of one drop of bloud!
Then, there is hope that Anthonie in end,
Whil'st first our vertue doth direct the way,
Will (leagu'd with us) the liberty defend,
And (when brought back) will blush, as once astray
Cass. Well Brutus , I protest against my will,
From this black cloud, what ever tempest fall,
That mercy but most cruelly doth kill,
Which thus saves one, who once may plague us all.
Dec. When Caesar with the senatours sits downe,
In this your judgements generally accord,
That for affecting wrongfully the crowne,
He lawfully may perish by the sword:
No greater harme can for our course be wrought,
Then by protracting the appointed time,
Lest that, which acted would be vertue thought,
Be (if prevented) constru'd as a crime;
Can one thing long in many mindes be pent?
" No, purposes would never be delayd,
" Which judg'd by th' issues fortune doth comment,
" If prosp'ring, reason, treason it betrai'd. "
There may amongst our selves some man remaine,
Whom (if afraid) his pardon to procure,
Or (if too greedy) for the hope of gaine,
Time to disclose his consorts may allure.
Then for our recompence we ruine reape,
If ought our course thus made abortive marre,
For, if discovered once, we cannot scape:
" As tyrants eares heare much, their hands reach farre. "
Cass. The brest in which so deep a secret dwels,
Would not be long charg'd with so weighty cares:
For, I conjecture, as their countnance tels,
That many know our mindes, though we not theirs:
Even but of late one, Casca came to see
Who curious was to have our purpose knowne,
And said to him, that which thou had'st from me,
To me by Brutus hath at length been shown.
Then Laena once came to us in like sort,
And wish'd that our designe might prosper well;
But yet to haste did earnestly exhort,
Since others told what we refus'd to tell.
Whilst strangers rest familiar with our minde,
And ere we them, doe all our purpose spy,
Make forward fast, or we will come behinde:
" Fame (wing'd with breath) doth violently flye. "
Brut. Their words but burst from tales uncertaine forth,
For, whilst considering of their bondage thus,
Of Caesars tyranny and of our worth,
They thinke this should be done, and done by us.
Such conjurations to confirme of old,
Some drinking others blouds, swore on their swords,
And cursing those who did their course unfold,
Vs'd imprecations, execrable words;
And yet, then this, though voluntar'ly vow'd,
Free from all bonds, save that which vertue bindes,
More constantly no course was ere allow'd,
Till that the end must manifest our mindes.
And since so many frankely keep their faith,
What first intended to accomplish bent,
No doubt in spight of fickle fortunes wrath,
A happy successe shall our soules content.
Might some few Thebans from the Spartans pride,
By divers tyrants deaths redeem their towne?
And one Athenian who his vertue try'd,
By thirty tyrants ruine, get renowne?
And to the Greekes are we inferiours growne,
That where they have so many tyrants spoil'd,
There cannot one be by us all o'rethrowne,
Whose state yet staggering may be soon imbroil'd?
I am resolv'd, and with my thoughts decree,
What ever chance to come, or sweet, or sowre,
I shall my soile from tyranny set free,
Or then my selfe free from the tyrants pow'r.
Dec. By Lepidus invited this last night,
Whilst Caesar went to suppe, and I with him,
Of all deaths shapes to talke, we tooke delight,
So at the table to beguile the time:
And whilst our judgements all about were try'd,
Straight Caesar , (as transported) to the rest,
With a most sudden exclamation cry'd:
O! of all deaths, unlook'd for death is best:
It from our selves doth steale our selves so fast,
That even the minde no fearefull forme can see,
Then is the paine ere apprehended past;
" Sowre things ere tasted, would first swallowed be. "
The threatned destiny thus he divin'd:
(It would appeare) divinely then inspir'd;
For, now I hope that he shall shortly finde
That forme of death which he himselfe desir'd.
Cass. Whilst of our band the fury flames most hot,
And that their will to end this worke is such,
Lest Caesars absence disappoint the plot,
Which would of some abate the courage much;
It ( Decius ) were exceedingly well done,
That to his lodging you addrest your way,
Him by all meanes to further forward soone,
Lest him some sudden chance may move to stay.
Dec. There, where the senate minds this day to sit,
Stand all prepar'd, not fearing danger more,
And for the sacrifice when all is fit,
I'le bring an offring hallowed of before.

ACT IV. SCENE II.

Caesar, Calphurnia, Decius Brutus.

Caes. Long-lookt-for time that should the glory yeeld,
Which I through Neptunes trustlesse raign have sought;
And through the dust of many a bloudy field,
As by all dangers worthy to be bought.
Thy comming now those lowring shadowes cleares,
My hopes horizon which did long o're-cast;
This day defrayes the toyles of many yeares,
And brings the harvest of my labours past.
The senators a messenger have sent
Most earnestly entreating me to come
And heare my selfe discern'd by their consent
To weare a crowne o're all, excepting Rome;
Thus, they devise conditions at this houre
For him, of whom Mars hath made them the prey,
As subjects limit could their soveraignes pow'r,
Who must have minde of nought but to obey;
But having pacifi'd those present things,
I minde to leade my valorous legions forth
To th' orientall realmes (adoring kings)
Who can afford all that is due to worth.
Then swimme my thoughts in th' ocean of delight,
Whilst on the pillow of soft praise repos'd;
Those eyes to gaze upon my glories light,
Which envy open'd, admiration clos'd.
Cal. Ah, though your fancies great contentment finde,
Whilst thus the world your vertue doth advance;
Yet a prepos'trous terrour stings my minde,
And braggs me with I know not what mischance;
My wavering hopes o're-ballanc'd are with feares,
Which to my soule smistrous signes impart;
And om'nous rumours so assault mine eares,
That they almost make breaches in my heart.
Caes. What? do foil'd Pompeys floting followers strive
To recollect their ruines from the dust?
Dare they who onely by my tollerance live,
More to their strength, then to my favour trust?
Or do'st thou feare his sonnes dejected state,
Who steales infamous flying through those flouds,
Which his great father, Admirall of late,
Did plant with ships, till all their waves seem'd woods;
Or make his brothers death his hopes grow more,
Since (by them straited in a bloudy strife)
I who in all the battels given before,
Did fight for victory, then, fought for life;
Or, whilst to march to Parthia I prepare,
Doth a suspition thus afflict thy sprite:
By Grassus fortune mov'd, who perish'd there,
The scorned prey of the barbarians spight?
To those with Cassius who from thence retir'd,
Amongst my bands a place I will allow,
Whose foes shall finde (bad fate at last expir'd,)
Though the same sheep, another sheep-heard now;
Doe not imagine matters to bemone,
For, whilst there stands a world, can Caesar fall?
Though thousand thousands were conjur'd in one,
I, and my fortune might confound them all.
Cal. No, none of those my minde doth miscontent,
Who undisguis'd still like themselves remaine:
Vnlook't-for harmes are hardest to prevent:
There is no guard against conceal'd disdaine;
But, in whom further can your trust repose,
Whom danger now o're all by all attends?
" Where private men but onely feare their foes,
" Oft kings have greatest cause to feare their friends;
" For, since most trusted, fittest to betray,
" Those unto whom ones favour force affords,
" Most dangerous ambushes with ease may lay,
" Whilst falsest hearts are hid with fairest words. "
And some report (though privately) yet plaine,
That Dolabella and Antonius now,
By your destruction doe intend to gaine
That which you keep by making all men bow.
Caes. No corpulent sanguinians make me feare,
Who with more paine their beards then th' en'mies strike,
And doe themselves like th' Epicurians beare
To Bacchus, Mars , and Venus borne alike;
Their hearts doe alwaies in their mouthes remaine,
As streames whose murmuring showes their course not deep,
Then still they love to sport, though grosse, and plaine,
And never dreame of ought but when they sleep:
But those high sprites who hold their bodies downe,
Whose visage leane their restlesse thoughts records:
Whilst they their cares depth in their bosomes drown,
I feare their silence more then th' others words.
Thus Cassius now and Brutus seeme to hold
Some great thing in their minde, whose fire oft smoaks;
What Brutus would, he vehemently would;
Thinke what they list, I like not their pale lookes:
Yet with their worth this cannot well agree,
In whom bright vertue seemes so much to shine:
Can those who have receiv'd their lives from me,
Prove so ingrate, that they doe thirst for mine?
Dare Cassius (match'd with me) new hopes conceive
At th' Hellespont , who fortune durst not try,
And (like a dastard) did his gallies leave,
In all (save courage) though more strong than I?
Shall I suspect that Brutus seekes my bloud,
Whose safety still I tendred with such care,
Who when the heavens from mortals me seclude,
Is onely worthy to be Caesars heire?
Cal. " The corners of the heart are hard to know; "
Though of those two the world the best doth deeme,
Yet doe not trust too much to th' outward show,
For, men may differ much from what they seeme.
" None oft more fierce then those who look most milde,
" Imprety sometime appeares devout, "
And (that the world the more may be beguil'd)
" Even vice can cloath it selfe with vertues cote. "
Though it would seem (all hatred now laid downe)
They on your favour onely should depend,
Yet no respect can counterpoise a crowne:
" Ambition hath no bounds, nor greed no end. "
Mov'd by vindictive hate, or emulous pride,
Since some your person, some your place pursue;
All threatned dangers to prevent provide,
And use for safety, what to state is due.
Caes. No armour is that can hold treason out.
Cal. To fright your foes with bands be back'd about.
Caes. So dastard tyrants strive themselves to beare.
Cal. It better is to give, then to take feare.
Caes. No guard more strong then is the peoples love.
Cat. But nought in th' earth doth more inconstant prove.
Caes. Guards (shewing feare) to charge me men might tempt.
Cal. Guards would put them from hope, you from contempt.
Caes. My brest from terrour hath been alwaies cleare.
Cal. When one least feares, oft danger lurks most neare.
Caes. I rather dye then feare: at last life goes.
Cal. Yet, death must grieve, when forc'd by vaunting foes.
Caes. I will not crosse my present pleasures so,
By apprehending what may chance to come,
This world affords but too much cause for woe;
And sorrowes still must harbour'd be by some.
By joyes in time we must embrace reliefe,
That when they end, we in some measure may
By their remembrance mitigate the griefe
Which still attends all those on th' earth that stay.
I thinke the senate is assembled now,
And for my comming doth begin to gaze,
Let me condignely once adorne my brow,
And feast mine eares by drinking in due praise.
Cal. Stay, stay (deare lord) retire thy steps againe,
And spare a space to prorogate whole yeares;
Let not this ominous day begin thy raigne,
Which fatall and unfortunate appeares.
An astrologian through the world renown'd,
Thy horoscopes just calculation layes,
And doth affirme (as he by signes hath found)
That Marches Ides doe bragge to bound thy dayes;
Walke not abroad where harmes may be receiv'd
(By great necessity since no way forc'd)
For (though his judgement may be farre deceiv'd)
" In things that touch thy life, suspect the worst.
Caes. Whilst I reform'd the calendar by fits,
Which did confound the order of the yeare;
I waded through the depths of all their wits,
Who of the starres the mysteries would cleare.
Those pregnant sprites who walke betwixt the poles,
And lodge at all the zodiackes severall signes,
Doe reade strange wonders wrapt in th' azure scroules,
Of which our deeds are words, our lives are lines.
By speculation of superiour pow'rs,
Some natures secrets curious are to know,
As how celestiall bodies rule o're ours,
And what their influence doth worke below.
Yea, they sometime may brave conjectures make
Of those whose parts they by their birth doe prove,
Since naturally all inclination take
From planets then predominant above;
And yet no certainty can so be had,
Some vertuously against their starres have striv'd,
As Socrates , who grew (though borne but bad)
The most accomplish'd man that ever liv'd.
But of the houre ordain'd to close our lights,
No earth-clog'd soule can to the knowledge come;
For, O! the destinies farre from our sights,
In clouds of darknesse have involv'd our doome!
And some but onely guesse at great mens falls,
By bearded comets, and prodigious starres,
Whose sight-distracting shape the world appalls,
As still denouncing terrour, death, or warres.
The time uncertaine is of certaine death,
And that fantasticke man farre past his bounds:
" With doubt and reverence they should manage breath,
" Who will divine upon conjectur'd grounds. "
Cal. But this all day hath prey'd upon my heart,
And from the same of cares a tribute claim'd;
Doe not despise that which I must impart,
Though but a dreame, and by a woman dream'd.
I thought (alas) the thought yet wounds my breast,
Then whilst we both (as those whom Morpheus weds)
Lay softly buried (with a pleasant rest)
I in thy bosome, thou within the beds:
Then from my soule strange terrours did with-draw
Th' expected peace by apprehended harmes;
For, I imagin'd, no, no doubt I saw,
And did embrace thee bloudy in mine armes.
Thus whilst my soule by sorrowes was surcharg'd,
Of which huge weight it yet some burden beares,
I big with griefe, two elements enlarg'd,
Th' ayre with my sighes, the water with my teares.
Caes. That which I heard, with thy report accords,
Whilst thou all seem'd dissolved in griefe at once,
A heavy murmuring made with mangled words,
Was interrupted oft by tragicke grones.
The memory, but not the judgement frames
Those raving fancies which disturbe the braine,
Whilst night dissolves all dayes designes in dreames,
" The senses sleeping, soules would stirre in vaine. "
From superstitious feares this care proceeds,
Which still would watch o're that which thou dost love,
And in thy minde thus melancholy breeds,
Which doth those strange imaginations move.
Cal. Ah, in so light account leave off to hold
Those fatall warnings, which our mindes should leade
To search darke matters, till we may unfold
What dangers huge doe hang above thy head.
With sacred garlands he who things divines,
By th' intrails of the consecrated beast,
Doth in the offring see simstrous signes,
And I entreat thee doe not hence make haste.
Caes. When I in Spaine against yong Pompey went,
Thus, the diviner threatned me before,
Yet did I prosecute my first intent,
Which with new lawrels did my browes decore.
Cal. And yet you hardly there (as I doe heare)
From danger (farre engag'd) redeem'd your life;
But tokens now more monstrous doe appeare,
And I suspect farre worse then open strife.
Caes. Lest I too much seeme wedded to my will,
(As others counsels scorning to allow)
With jealous eyes I'le search about me still,
And even mistrust my selfe to trust thee now;
Yet if I stay, the senators deceiv'd,
May my beginning straight begin to hate;
So might I perish, seeking to be sav'd:
" By flying it, some fall upon their fate. "
But here one comes who can resolve me much,
With whom I use to weigh affaires of weight;
Whence com'st thou Decius , that thy haste is such?
Is ought occurr'd that craves our knowledge straight?
Dec. I come to tell you how the senate stayes,
Till that your presence blesse their longing sight,
And to conclude what is propos'd, delayes,
Since your applause can onely make it right:
They your contentment to procure intend,
And all their thoughts seeme at one object bent,
Save that amongst themselves they doe contend,
Who you to please, shall rarest wayes invent.
Caes. Then that no treasure to my soule more deare,
Which to enjoy from hence I long to part,
But yet I know not what arrests me here,
And makes my feet rebellious to my heart;
From thee (deare friend) I never doe conceale
The weightiest secrets that concerne me most;
And at this time I likewise must reveale,
How heavens by signes me with destruction boast:
To superstition though not earst inclin'd,
My wife by dreames doth now presage my fall,
It a sooth-sayer likewise hath divin'd:
The sacrifice prodigious seemes to all,
So that till this disastrous day be gone,
All company I purpose to disuse,
And to the senators will send some one,
To paint my absence with a faire excuse.
Dec. Doe not repose on superstitious signes,
You to suspect the people thus to bring,
Whilst soveraigne-like you limit their designes,
Seeme not a tyrant, seeking to be king:
How can we satisfie the worlds conceit,
Whose tongue still in all eares your praise proclaimes?
Or shall we bid them leave to deale in state,
Till that Calphurnia first have better dreames?
If that this day you private would remaine,
The senate to dissolve your selfe must goe,
And then incontinent come backe againe,
When you have showne to it some reverence so.
Caes. With thy advise (as pow'rfull) I agree,
The senatours shall have no cause to grudge:
A little space, all part a space from me,
And I'le be shortly ready to dislodge.

Caesar alone.

Whence comes this huge and admirable change,
That in my brest hath uncouth thoughts infus'd,
Doth th' earth then earst yeeld terrors now more strange,
Or but my minde lesse courage then it us'd?
What spightfull fate against my state contends,
That I must now to fancied plagues give place,
By foes not mov'd, afraid amongst my friends,
By warre secure, endanger'd but by peace?
When strongest troopes to fight with me did come,
Then did my heart the highest hopes conceive,
I warr'd with many, many to o'recome;
The greatest battels, greatest glory gave.
As th' enemies numbers, still my courage grew;
Through depths of dangers oft times have I past,
Yet never did those boundlesse labours rue,
To have none greater first, none equall last:
When bragging Gauls mov'd by their neighbours fals,
Had from the fields, no, from my fury fled;
And hid themselves with armes, their armes with walles,
Whilst I my troupes before Alexia led;
Then, though there swarm'd forth from the bounds about,
Huge hosts to compasse me enflam'd with wrath,
That the besiegers (all besieg'd about,)
Seem'd drawne by danger in the nets of death,
No way I who could with the pride comport,
That those barbarians by vaine vaunts bewray'd,
Did re-assault th' assaulters in such sort,
That words by wounds, wounds were by death re-pay'd.
Of those within the towne (to ease their toyles)
Till quite o'recom'd, their comming was not knowne,
Who straight (upbraided by the barb'rous spoiles)
Did yeeld themselves, as if with them o'rethrowne,
By liquid legions whilst with tumid boasts
The trident-bearer striv'd my spoiles to beare;
Though threatned thrise amid'st his humid hosts,
Still courage scorn'd to thinke of abject feare.
I us'd those pyrats who had me deceiv'd,
Still as my servants (thundring threatnings forth)
And gave them money more then they had crav'd,
Whose ignorance too meanely priz'd my worth:
Yet gathering ships, I stay'd not long a shore,
But trac'd their steps, though they not pav'd the way,
And taking them (as I had vow'd before)
By nought but death their ransome would defray;
Then when (without th' advice of others mindes)
Through hoary waves I past alone by night,
Whilst in a little barke against great windes,
That even the pilot look't not for the light;
The waves themselves asunder seem'd to teare,
That in their gravell I might chuse a grave,
And crystall arches did above me reare,
That I a tombe fit for my state might have.
Whilst dangers seem'd to merit Caesars death,
As Neptune rais'd his head, I rais'd my heart;
And shewing what I was with constant breath,
To weake Amiclas courage did impart.
Was I not once amid'st large Nilus flote,
Whilst me to wound, a wood of darts did flye,
Yet swim'd so carelesse of my enemies shot,
That in my hand I held some papers dry?
With open dangers thus in every place,
I (whilst oft compass'd both by sea and land,)
Did undismay'd looke horrour in the face,
As borne for nought, but onely to command.
But since a world of victories have filled
With trophees temples, theaters with my praise,
That bath'd with balme which glories bayes had still'd,
With friends in peace, I look'd to spend my dayes;
The chambers musicke now afrights me more,
Then trumpets sounds when marching in the field,
And gowns (though signes of peace) worse then before
The pompous splendour of a flaming shield.
Those thoughts of late which had disdain'd to doubt,
Though I alone had march'd amongst my foes,
Loe, whilst amongst my friends well back'd about,
They, then the eyes more danger now disclose.
If any chance, to meet a number brings,
I insurrections feare from common wrath,
Yea, if two talke a part of private things,
Straight I suspect that they conspire my death;
When sudden rumours rise from vulgar smoake;
(Whilst th' inward motions roule my restlesse eyes,)
I at each corner for an ambush looke,
And start astonish'd, lest some tumult rise.
When light (first lightning) doth encourage toyles,
I still despaire to re-enjoy the night,
And when mine eyes th' umbragious darkenesse spoils,
I never looke to grace them with the light;
For, when the light with shadowes makes a change,
To flatter mortals with a dreame of rest,
What ugly gorgons, what chimera's strange
Doe bragge the little world within my brest?
The time which should appease impetuous cares,
Doth double mine, who view most when quite blinde;
I apprehend huge horrours and despaires,
Whilst th' outward objects not distract my minde:
Now of my conquests what delight remaines?
Where is the peace pursu'd by many a strife?
Have I but taken paine to purchase paines?
And sought by dangers for a dangerous life?
Is this the period of aspiring pow'rs,
In promis'd calmes to be most plagu'd by stormes?
Lurke poys'nous serpents under fairest flow'rs,
And hellish furies under heavenly formes?
It will not grieve my ghost below to goe,
If circumvented in the warres I end,
As bold Marcellus by Romes greatest foe,
Who gave his ashes honour as a friend;
Or like t' Epaminondas in his death,
O! would the gods I had amidst alarmes,
When charg'd with recent spoiles, been spoil'd of breath,
Whilst I to Pluto might have march'd in armes;
Yet, life to end, which nought but toyles affords,
I'le pay to death the tribute that it owes;
Straight with my bloud, let some come dye their swords,
Whose naked brest encounter shall their blowes:
But ah! how have the furies seaz'd my brest,
And poyson'd thus my sprite with desp'rate rage?
By horrid serpents whilst quite barr'd from rest,
No kinde of comfort can my cares asswage;
No, Atropos , yet spare my threed a space,
That to the stygian streames ere walking downe,
I may of honour have the highest place,
And if I fall, yet fall beneath a crowne.
Whilst eares are bended to applauding shouts,
My thoughts divided are within my brest,
And my toss'd soule doth flote between two doubts,
Yet knowes not on what ground to build her rest.
The senators, they have this day design'd,
To shew the world how they esteeme my worth;
Yet doe portentuous signes perturbe my minde,
By which the heavens would point my danger forth:
The gods from me with indignation gone,
In every thing charact'red have my death:
And must both heaven and earth conspire in one,
To quench a little sparke of smoaking breath?
My safety would that I should stay within
Till this disastrous day gave darkenesse place,
But daring honour would have me begin
To reape the glory of my painefull race,
And I'le advance in spight of threatned broyles,
For, though the fates accomplish what we dreame,
When onely death hath triumph'd of my spoyles,
I then (though breathlesse) still shall breathe with fame.

Chorus .

What fury thus doth fill the brest
With a prodigious rash desire,
Which banishing their soules from rest,
Doth make them live who high aspire,
(Whilst it within their bosome boyles)
As salamanders in the fire;
Or like to serpents changing spoyles,
Their wither'd beauties to renew?
Like vipers with unnaturall toyles,
Of such the thoughts themselves pursue,
Who for all lines their lives doe square,
Whilst like camelions changing hue,
They onely feed on empty ayre:
" To passe ambition greatest matters brings,
" And (save contentment) can attaine all things. "
This active passion doth disdaine
To match with any vulgar minde,
As in base breasts where terrours raigne,
Too great a guest to be confin'd;
It doth but lofty thoughts frequent,
Where it a spatious field may finde,
It selfe with honour to content,
Where reverenc'd fame doth lowdest sound;
Those for great things by courage bent,
(Farre lifted from this lumpish round)
Would in the sphere of glory move,
Whilst lofty thoughts which nought can binde,
All rivals live in vertues love;
" On abject preyes as th' eagles never light,
" Ambition poysons but the greatest sprite, "
And of this restlesse vultures brood,
(If not become too great a flame)
A little sparke doth sometime good,
Which makes great mindes (affecting fame)
To suffer still all kinde of paine:
Their fortune at the bloudy game,
Who hazard would for hope of gaine,
Vnlesse first burn'd by thirst of praise?
The learned to a higher straine,
Their wits by emulation raise,
As those who hold applauses deare;
And what great minde at which men gaze,
It selfe can of ambition cleare,
Which is when valu'd at the highest price,
A generous errour, an heroicke vice?
But when this frenzie flaming bright,
Doth so the soules of some surprise,
That they can taste of no delight,
But what from soveraignty doth rise,
Then, huge affliction it affords;
Such must (themselves so to disguise)
Prove prodigall of courteous words,
Give much to some, and promise all,
Then humble seeme to be made lords,
Yea, being thus to many thrall,
Must words impart, if not support;
To those who crush'd by fortune fall;
And grieve themselves to please each sort:
" Are not those wretch'd, who o're a dangerous snare,
" Do hang by hopes, whilst ballanc'd in the ayre; "
Then when they have the port attain'd,
Which was through seas of dangers fought,
They (loe) at last but losse have gain'd,
And by great trouble, trouble bought:
Their mindes are married still with feares,
To bring forth many a jealous thought;
With searching eyes, and watching eares,
To learne that which it grieves to know,
The brest that such a burden beares,
What huge afflictions doe o'rethrow?
Thus each prince is (as all perceive)
No more exalted then brought low,
" Of many lord, of many, slave;
" That idoll greatnesse which th' earth doth adore,
" Is gotten with great paine, and kept with more: "
He who to this imagin'd good,
Did through his countries bowels tend,
Neglecting friendship, duty, bloud,
And all on which trust can depend,
Or by which love could be conceiv'd,
Doth finde of what he did attend,
His expectations farre deceiv'd;
For, since suspecting secret snares,
His soule hath still of rest beene reav'd,
Whilst squadrons of tumultuous cares,
Forth from his brest extort deep grones:
Thus Caesar now of life despaires,
Whose lot his hope exceeded once;
And who can long well keep an ill wonne state?
" Those perish must by some whom all men hate. "