en 
 
 ON 
 
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tTbe tlubor jfacstmfle tTeyts 
 
 by Samuel Brandon 
 
 Date of only known edition 1598 
 
 {Dyce Collection, S. Kensington.) 
 Reproduced in Facsimile igi2 
 
Under the Supervision and Editorship of 
 JOHN S. FARMER 
 
 by Samuel Brandon 
 
 1598 
 
 Issued for Subscribers by the Editor of 
 
 THE TUDOR FACSIMILE TEXTS 
 MCMXII 
 

 W^t HirtuBtts d^ctabia 
 
 By S. Brandon 
 
 1598 
 
 This facsimile is from a copy of the original and only known early edition 
 in the T)yce collection at S. Kensington. Other copies are in the Bodleian and at 
 Chat^orth. 
 
 For biographical details the student is referred to " The T)ictionary of 
 National Biography y 
 
 The special presentment here made, of the verso and recto pages side by 
 side, is due, as in the case of ^^ Tom Tiler and his Wife^' (4- v.)) ^^ the ob')>ious 
 desirability of introducing no neyp sizes into this series — these typo plays, one a 
 i6mo. and the other a i2mo., standing alone in this respect. 
 
 The reproduction is good and in every way satisfactory. 
 
 JOHN S. FARMER. 
 
 258478 
 
\\ 
 
u 
 
 
 THETRA- 
 
 qjCO MOEVI 
 
 o^ the vcrtuous 
 
 Doncby Samvel Bk-a^don. 
 I 5 5^ 8. 
 
 "~~ "1 ^ 
 
 Cdrmert Amatfejiufquis carmine at^nagerit* 
 
 LONDON 
 
 Printed for 7N/iIIiam Fonfonbye, 
 and are to be fouldc at hjs fhop 
 in S.Paules Church- 
 yaide. 
 
 h <'-> f 
 
 / 
 
 '»^' 
 
 J':!^m''.r':'^'^.::miJmm:.lM^- ^ 
 
To the right honorable, 
 and truly vertuous Ladie, the 
 
 Ladie Lvcia Aydelay: 
 
 healthjhonor, happincffe 
 
 and hcaucn. 
 
 R^re Phcm'ix, vfhichjour life Jtficrifcf, 
 In ^ertutiflame, tofircL- <« life dtuine : 
 Rich trea/ureryofleaueM hji rreafuries. 
 In whom vtorth tpiftiome henor ^er/ttes f}jtne. 
 Sdaine net, the fe artlejje hnmbte lines t3 C/Vfl', 
 With honors e^es let ifertuespUsnts be jean d^ 
 That fbe whoje 'vertues douUed are in you, 
 Sjyot* maj (cape from Lybitinab l-a/ui. 
 Htr dyinifatne, by you maj he prefer tud, 
 Whiles time, a.id men, and memory endure: 
 I cur liuing name by htrs mnught he referued, 
 Didnot theft Una, too much htr worth ebjcure. 
 ThefeUnet, wherein ^fought be free fnm biamcy 
 leitr nable Genius tAH^ ht my Ptn the fame, 
 
 A ii. Air 
 
Airautorc. 
 
 Cr' ^*Thracian Poet, thtu rtuh/J hit wtfi, 
 J- Brttdmg infurfes, fittj,a»delel$f;ht j 
 
 Whofefame doeth yet Jurmut hit frcrtutd life ^ 
 ^f*Jl hsmrjteUf vfh*i thou doofl indite, 
 Tor he,who cftcntimei by Mujkkei force, 
 Didftrfents charme,ftreameifiay,Aad trtet remoues 
 In womens mindei^ouldneuer mooue remorfe, 
 ^shi$ ^nhxpfy end doth ^Utnly prooue. 
 Whereftre moftpraili he thyprdift worthy mufi. 
 Which farrefurmounts the might of antique avet 
 Wttmin^ that fexes grace, which dtdrefmfi 
 By heating Orpheus/ o relent their rage. 
 
 Becaufe no muftckwith their minie aecordett 
 But that whish 9ertuej harmonieajfordes, 
 Mia. 
 
 Profopopcia al libro. 
 
 WHen harkingtnuiefiw thy btrth, 
 itfiraight eomtemnd the fame: 
 And arm' d hit tangueytogiueacbArget 
 thy weakeneffe to dtffame. 
 But feeing honort golden hook;* 
 
 fobnckttovertuetlyne: 
 
 Hefltiavay at half* afraid, 
 
 set ceaft not to repine. 
 
 Btttfeare net iAomvs,mal^returne, 
 
 and haphfor thyfaine 
 Thou mai/t Anxomas ccm/lort ie^rt 
 when he reuiues againe, 
 S. B. 
 
 Aiii 
 
 J 
 
 ^s&fl ■;• •>'5»ff-vy'.f af^-s 
 
a 
 
 The Argument. 
 
 j Ftcr tihe 4ath of/Hitttt C^fir , & 
 ihc oucfthrow of Br.nius and 
 Qifsttss ihc chicfc con/pirators: 
 the gouetnmcnt ofthc Romain 
 Empire , remained vnto OtUums Cdjar^ 
 Marke Antony , and ( at that time ) Sextm 
 Tompeius. Marine Antony yto confirm can 
 inuiolable league ofamitie,betwcenc Cdfir 
 jindhimfdfc: tookctowifc O^JJf^ww, the 
 filter of (^y^r. Arftony and Cafar falling ac 
 deba:e,mctat Tarentitm with theit armies, 
 and had bin the caufe of much bloudilicd} 
 biitthat they were appcafcd, bythcwif* 
 dome ofOSiauia , Not long after^ Antony 
 going to make warre with the Parthiofis, 
 andcomming into Syria: the place renew- 
 ed the incnTOry , and the memory reuiued 
 
 the 
 
 The Argvment. 
 
 the long mtermittcd loue,hc once bare to 
 Cleof*trA the Qucene ofty£?ipt : nc there- 
 fore wholy fubieainghimrelle to the defire 
 of this CU0pAtr4 : forfakcth his vertuous 
 wife 0£?rf«w.Wberevpon,hir brother Cafar 
 difdaining that flie (hould fuflfer fo great an 
 indignitie ; maketh warre vpon Canton) ^ 
 and ouercoracth him,firft at AiiiHm , and 
 then 9XPelufuw%, to the vttcr ruinc and dc 
 ftrui^ion,both o( Antony and Cleopatra, 
 
 Ocfta. 
 
 
 I 
 
Ocflauiae tra^icomoedia. 
 
 Thejlagefrpf ojed Rome, 
 ThcAdors. 
 
 Oflauius Cdftr who vfzs afterwards called 
 
 OciautA the fifter ofCaJar & wife o^ylvtony, 
 MtctnAS. 7 Two of rhe nobles o^Oihimtst 
 
 •f^'^^'-lRomainc Ladies, 
 luUa, J 
 
 ^Antonies children. 
 Syluia, a liceDtious woman. 
 
 GtmitiHt a Captaiuc. 
 'My/iiiis nuntius. 
 Chorus, Romofioi 
 
 (tABusprimus. 
 
 Otiama. Camtlli, Iiiha. 
 
 CjimilU, now methinkcsthisgo!d.c:i time, 
 Inuite<; our mindcs to bathe in ftrcamcs of icy : 
 See how the earth doth flourilh in liis prime. 
 Whole liucry fticwcs the abfencc of annoyc. 
 Thcfc woodsjhow they bcdeckt with natures pride, 
 Shewinwardctouchc of new ecmcciucd myrthc . 
 The pretty byrde?,th at i n ihcir coucrts hide, 
 (Free Citti2cns,eucn happy tix)m ihcir birthc ) 
 How they rdcyce! and cuery iirncclefie thing, 
 luen fmiles with ioy : the earth perfumes tlw ayre, , 
 The ayrc,fwccte Ncftar to the earth doth bring. 
 And both with ioye,be2etthcfc children fayre. 
 How richly nature dooth her wealth enrobe : 
 Gluing each thing his bcautie/orme and grace. 
 Eye-plea(ing gTCcne,circlc of this our globe, 
 Great myirour of -<(^^//«youthfiili face. 
 Coulor of Ufe,youthcs liuaiCjhow delight 
 Dwels ftiUwiththee,whilcs wc,whom reafon named 
 (Butfalfly namdeandif I iudgcaright) 
 Princes of all the reft diat nature framed : 
 Still fubicdl arc to (bnrowes tjTanny ; 
 31aucs U) mifchancCfVanab of fortruties power ; 
 
 Bearing 
 
The Tragicomcedie 
 
 Bearing the yoakc of endleffe mifoic : 
 Fairc baites of time which dooth vs all dcuoiirc. 
 Now raifde aloft ivi honors highcft icate. 
 Yet in that height farrc fluort of fwcctc content, 
 Now.thrownedowne headlong, be we ncrcfo great. 
 In gulfc of grcefc,which we may not prcuent. 
 Oar plcafarcsjrpofting guefts,)makc butfmall (lay. 
 And ncucr once looke backe when they arc gone 
 ■WhCTCgrccfcs bide long,a:id leaue fuch fcores to payj 
 As make vs banckcrout ere we thinkc thrreon. . 
 let this (imz earth with new-borne beauties grac'd. 
 Doth fty me thinkes in h is dumbc eloquence i 
 Thus (hall you fpring,mongft hcaucnly angels plac'd» 
 Whe deaths cold winter once hath fnatcht you hcocc 
 Thcfe flowcTSjdo bid vs in their language, read 
 In beauties bookcSjhow bcautic is molt frailc ; 
 Wboftyouthfull pridc,th*vntimcly ftcpsdoditrod^ 
 To deaths black kingdome,darkc obliuions vaUc. 
 Thefe natures quirifters,do plaincly fay, 
 Waftc thus your tirae.in fetting forth his^raifc 
 ^Who fcedcsjwhoclothesjwhofils our harts with ioyc 
 And from this dead earth,dooth our bodies raifc. 
 Thus all their mitthc,arc accents of our raoane : 
 Their blif full ftate,of our vnhapoinefle, 
 A perfeft map,svl;erc ondy wc alone, 
 . May fire our good,but neuer it pofRflc. 
 
 Cam. Madam,as nature morcthen perft^ is. 
 And farrc more faire,thcn that wc iaircft call : 
 SoyouasheyreappaianttohirblUTct . 
 
 Chicfit 
 
 of the vertuom OFiauii* 
 
 Chicfctrcafurcrofhirperfcaionsalli 
 
 Will nicw your felfe moft wifcand mofl diuinc. 
 
 In curious fcarch of her raoft hidden will; 
 
 And foUowin?, but hir footcftcps,yct refine: 
 
 ThcvniuCTfalffcactsofhir skill. 
 
 Yet 1 admire, your Eaglc-fightcd eye. 
 
 Which hath truthes fun-bnght cjtcIc fo wcll^iowne 
 
 In others wortVicdifccrnes each Attomic, 
 
 Foractfiillmoft.of what is moft yourowne. 
 
 Thcfe other acaturcs,hauc theii pro^iCTtics, 
 
 Which fliew.thcir Syre no niggard of his ftorc, 
 
 But fuch great guiftcsout mindes immortalize. 
 
 As proudc ambitions felfr,can wifli no more. 
 
 And yod,greatLadic,whofc high honorflycs. 
 
 With vertucs wingcs,in admirations ayre : 
 Towring,an Eagles pychic,aboue the fkies. 
 Where vuls^ar thoughrs.arc fctlcd in dcTpairC; 
 You,wholcdcfignes,haueputoutcnui«eycs, 
 Whofe lampeof vcttuc giues the pureft light } 
 You.thatcnfotte weakcfametoroyallizc. 
 Such hich reuolues,as farrc furpaflc her might, 
 f ou.whofclargepraife.makc8 naked vatue lowrc. 
 And tyres rcport,in painting out youtftoric 5 
 You,in whofe lappe doth ftjcame the golden raovver. 
 Of all good fortunc,sraciDg higheft gloric 
 Ohowcanyou,oncecntcrtainc a thought, ^ 
 That thcfe high layes fliould ftoupc to forrowcs iurcf 
 Or how can true fclicitie be brought. 
 The faullcft touchc of paffion to endure !" ^^^ 
 
 r.-SSSK!»5Sfe»ff«Sa»«« - 
 
TheTragicomadie 
 
 Let thofc complaincjwhich fuck mifibrtuncs pap» : 
 Who kuow nought els of vatuc but the name. 
 Who Iccming wile,are fnar'd in foil yes traps, 
 Whofe rafli attcnipts,brccd fwift enfuing fliame. 
 But you hcauens d^<ftarre, piller of our blifle, 
 
 want you cua,cloudcs of dtfcoment : 
 You arc our ioy,we all ioyes^all fhould mUC^ 
 Did not your mnne-bcaines guild our f1r^1amal^ 
 
 0<?. Did not thy true louc Icalc this prcfidcnt, 
 
 1 flwuld fufpcft a fcrpcnt mongrt the flowers : 
 And hardly iudge fiaire wordcs from falfc intent. 
 Pore n^gard truthjrich flattry.powresdown fliO\m. 
 But loyatl Ladics,doo you thinke in faith, 
 
 That highefthonor.ioyesmoftfwcct content?* 
 Cam, It doth no doubt,fcr high, and heauenly £uth 
 The prouabc olde,to which I giuc content. 
 
 0<?.Thc hcare me (pcakc,wnat I fhal lay by proofed 
 And what experience printed in my hart : 
 Perhaps a ftory for your owne bchoofc, 
 Whael my ft:lfc,hauc played anafton part. 
 In yonthe,! thou?;ht' though falfly thougnt) that bcft 
 Which faireft (ecmde,and my afp^'ring mindc 
 Difdaind (though not with pride)that there fliouldrctt 
 Amean borne thought,witlun my thoughts confin'd. 
 Treading this path, I was at lad dedred. 
 By Lord MdrcellutSox his fpoufc,and wife, 
 M/trcelltu,\yc whofc worthic fame afpyrcd, 
 Toth'highcft toppeof honoryjuringlife. 
 ]fwcalth;(nurrcotdeiight)nxoughtbrccd content: 
 
 Ihaci 
 
 tfthe'VtrtHoHtOBAui^' 
 
 1 had no want of ftore to make mc glad: 
 
 My greatneflcdid ambitious thoughts preuent. 
 
 Such high fucccfle MArcel/ue honours had. 
 Proi,dcLr%cknoNves,hisyouthfuUrworddidpay 
 
 Lar"c tribute of their foulcs to ftyS'^^" ^^'^ 
 His middleagc.the ftoutcft G^^^'''^'^.^^^'. 
 Af^r«/ii«namemadetheirhuge armiesquake. 
 
 Hisancient ycaresttiadc aaftie H^'^'jfU 
 Admire the proues,and vallour of his toe: 
 Thrice bitter name,that ciufcd CanmbM, 
 Bybloudieircafon.madc himbfcforgoc. 
 F.ue times this cittie grac'd mv worthy Lord, 
 Orratha he them grac-d.with CotfHU name . 
 What tbcy to others fuites would fcarcc aftorde, 
 They ioyde to fee my Lord accept tlic fame. 
 Now Ladies to forget my prcfcnt ftate, 
 Didioythinkeyouthi5W^tleorecharsemymmde? 
 
 lio^delmuftconfeffe.tofcehovyfatc 
 Withbounde$onionor,hadmylifcconfmde. 
 But when 1 foun.d,how monftcr cnuie.tecdes 
 On hieheft honor.as his daintieft pray: 
 How brighteft ficr.grcat ftore of fuell needcs. 
 To kcepc hblight,and bcautic Irotn decay. 
 When that I found thcmuGcke of tnymmde, 
 
 Tundetotheconcorde,ofAf«rfe//«iblinc: 
 And fawe.tmevaUour had hislifc affignde, 
 Tohaughtie M-*ri,whofecourfemoft dangerous «. 
 lliu'din him^hefpcnthUroyalldayes, 
 labloudicboCwneof lifcfconyng watT«s ; ^^^^ 
 
t!S^*^ Vi *S t'Ti^ y':.'. 
 
 >~aaaBBrtrast3H'!»!^«s 
 
 The Tra^ieomoedie 
 
 Safctie may brcede ciclight,not nourifb praifcj 
 Hardc is the way,from th'earth vnto the ftarrcs. 
 Whiles thus our ftate,dcpcndcd on his (wordc, 
 And thoufand thoiiiands fought his finallend: 
 Could my true louc,in all this timcaffbrdc 
 One quiet thought in pcrfeft mirthc to fpcnd? 
 So many jktiIs as on earth arc found. 
 So niany dangers as on raging fcas. 
 So many tcrrours ail my ioycs confound. 
 For ttuc loue paffions arc no wcakc difcalc. 
 But is this a!l f no jmorc it more may be, 
 Tis greater care, to kcepc,then gct,a crownc 
 Wtuc dooth raifc by unall degrees we Ice ; 
 Wherein a moracntFortunecaltsvsdownc. 
 And furely thofc thatUue in grcatcft place, 
 Wuft take great care.to be fuch as they (ceme: 
 They are not princcs,whom fcle tytlcs grace. 
 Our princclic vcrtues,wc fhould moft cftecme. 
 Thclandcs on A'*pf»«fj{horcs,and beamy ftarrcs. 
 Do not cxcecdc the number of thoft cares 
 Which in our mindes,dopirrevp ciuill warroj 
 And CTofle delights accountcs,at vnawarcs. 
 La thisfiifficcthetcmpcftfoondl tcarcs 
 The highcft towcrs,and who will mount alofte, 
 1 he more he dimes, the more his footing f cares: 
 Often he flideSjbut fildomc falicth fbfte. ' 
 What words,can paint the infinite of woo? 
 What tonguccan nalfcthofcmiferics relate ? 
 Which thiuidring fortunc^tlircatncd to impofe 
 
 Vpon 
 
 if the vertHom O^aniA* 
 
 Vpon my head,at Tar c»;,but of late. 
 
 When as mine eyes mought lee(though loth to fee) 
 
 The l'.,nnes,with whofc cclipfc,my fortune changed: 
 
 Mincownc dearc Lord.and brothajboth to be 
 
 In mortall armes.againft each other ranged. 
 
 Which tempeft calm'd.thc ftorme begins againc. 
 
 On raifchtetcsmaincjfull faylesmifliapdoth bcarc: 
 
 I know not now what doth my Lord dctainc. 
 
 But for 1 know not,I know caufc to f care. 
 
 To vifu him.atlart 1 was contented , 
 
 And in thofc forraine coaftcsto make appealer 
 
 Butmy acccflcjat Athem he preuented, 
 
 Which makes me thinlcc,more then I will reucalc. 
 
 And can I then with fonx)wes waight oppretlcd, 
 
 Thinkc to cnamcU my conceit with ioy i 
 
 Can I,that am with fortunes wrackc diftrdfed, 
 
 Hope to eicapc the Ocean of annoy ? 
 
 Why,thisisioj'C,to tafte no fcencc of death. 
 
 Till 'dying hov/cr,hauc ftopt our vitall breath. 
 
 iulu. Ti'i true delight, to know no caufc of grccfe. 
 Although the outward fignes of ioyc be fmall : 
 Who moft rcioycing.fcclcs that inward thccfe, 
 A ftayned conkience findes no ioy at all. 
 
 Cam. Indccdcl thinke^true ioy,a thing Icucrc , 
 SOTini;ing tironi fountainc of a \'6 tuous mindc; 
 Fri)iiff potlelle faith,and condicncc pure and dcarc, 
 7hechiefcftgood,thcheaucnshauovsafl)gndc. 
 For as fomcweepe.that are not palling fad: ^' 
 
 So many laugh that arc not rightly gkd. 
 
 Gemi' 
 
Ctmlmm, Ti/im. 
 Say worthic T//««',what rare accident. 
 In fo fliort ume,<ljd bring to happic end, 
 Tbc aucU'warres jwhidi C«^rjdif content, 
 Gainft Lord yiMtoum, htcly did intend; 
 How could ft) many weapons thirfling bloud, 
 Bcfatilficd with vnexpefted peace i 
 What powcifull ftarrcs importun'd vi fuch good^ 
 And did their angere tyrranny (urprcfle f 
 
 Tin. That will I doo, nay good tricnd Gtmimit, 
 And much the fooncr.for that you may know, 
 NoforcCjOrweapons.hath procured vs, 
 The happy triKe.whcrein we glory now. 
 It waitnctime,when the dccliningfunnc 
 Wade grcatcft (hew of Icaft performed light .• 
 And by his fwift departure had begun. 
 To yeelde his intercft,to th'eiKtoching night. 
 When asthe fcas,eucn burtliencd wuh our waigh^ 
 lidiuered vs vntc the pet(<d view 
 Of dreadful! rrf«»/' where fw rs did waight, 
 jtmtentm 9€«c,with all their n^artiali crew. 
 There did our drowned anchors m;ike vs ftay. 
 Within the iawes of dangers tyranny : 
 Theie,we difcouacd by the flying day^ 
 The agents of our tlwcamed mjfery. 
 Who can expreflc tbc horror of that nigh t. 
 When darkcoefic lent hir robes to monller fearc? 
 And hcauens black mantle banilhing tbc light. 
 
 Made 
 
 efthe vtrtUQUs OEiauU, 
 
 Made atcrj* thinp, in ougly forme appeare. ' 
 
 VntiU y<*r6rrf,wuh fairc purple flowres, 
 tike Icuing fpou(c,had Ih-.i tvcd Jyt^myvsyc : 
 Whofc glorious bcames.bcgan to gmldctllttowres. 
 As ioyfuU poft/jf plcalure-brinj^mg day . 
 Then did loude Martiall mulickc ch.irmea flcepe. 
 Each languifhing conccipt,in doubtfull brdt: 
 And new borne coinfart.now began to crccpc. 
 In cuer)' minde,with cauiclctlc fearc oppreft. 
 Thon,pridc of honor,madc vs Icorne our foes : 
 And courage added wingcs to our defire. 
 To prcfent tight,we all our fclucs dilpolc: 
 With bloudic fliowcrs.to quenche iucenfed ire. 
 But ere our artnies,had their charge fulfild. 
 Ere weapoas.hitd our inward rage cxptcft; 
 Loe where OiittH$ r,comes into the field, 
 Twixibothcxn'armies,fhe hirfeifcaddreft. 
 WhcTe witfi the Nedtar of hir eloquence. 
 With wordstlut mought relent irKluratefiroi!: 
 With maiefhe,and beauties influence, 
 She Hayes our Capaine$,and afironts each hoafl. 
 O how I fee that wondct-brecding facel 
 O how I hearcthofc hart-cnchaininr^ wordes • 
 O face I o wordes I that mentc highcit grace \ 
 Immortallfurefbafe earth none fuch affords, 
 Ko womans weapon biindes her princely eye j 
 No womaiis weakcnefTc^hir tongues pailagc ftaycs: 
 . Like one, that did both death.and fate defie, 
 Mntertt4-\i)t&QM. Aands^ond thus flic (ayes. 
 
 B Hcffc 
 
Tht Tragicomcedie 
 
 Hcere will 1 bidc.and this ftmc brcft oppo(c 
 To .ill your wcapons,aHd whole Wkkcci hand. 
 Shall tirft bcginnc t'aflailc or ftrikc his ft)cs. 
 Shall ftrikethis hart,and brenkc this vital) band. 
 No bbudic dccd,Ot?.ii«<<« cj-cs fliall game, 
 A wjcncficof your loathed crudtie : 
 But through this body fliall the firft bcflainc, 
 Tiiat in this battle.iscoirpcli'J tudyc. 
 It honor,vertuc,woithc,or pictie. 
 Liue in your mindcs,whieh bcuc (uch loftie name* 
 Rcturnc your weapons,and hcrrc quietly, 
 With rca(on,qucnch the k)r».c,ot angry names. 
 £ls,lcr lome bloudic executioner, 
 Firft robbe this iealious toiiibcjofioathcd life : 
 And ihen,no longer nccdeyou to dcferre, 
 The iirne,of your more then hum tall ftrifc 
 Much more f he faid^which none but Hie can fay. 
 And with herfugacd fpeo.h.fbmuth preuaild. 
 That like MedufatJ marbled creature ihcy 
 Amazed ftood.fo was their furie quaild . 
 Lookc how that trydtnt (cepter bearing king. 
 His ofie rebelling fubic£h,dootli fupprellc. 
 And with a fbdainc becke in order bring. 
 Their dilproponioHjWith a quiet peace ;l 
 When that the pride,of fomc truce-wanting ftormc. 
 Doth (iimmon vp their treafbn-working powcrj 
 Now gracing twror.with huge mountaines forme. 
 Now with fteepe whii lepoolc/ccking to deuourc: 
 So ftood the Emperors, witli idr wordcs amazed, 
 
 Hir 
 
 of the vertuom OBauia* 
 
 Hir words .which feemde the myrrour of hir dccdci 
 
 As men inchanted ^o on hir the)- gazed, 
 
 And in hii face.new Icftures gannc to recdc. 
 
 But when flic faw,hir words did take eflcft, 
 
 ' Then powrdc flie forth the quinteirence of witte r 
 
 And ncuer did hir cnterpricc negleft , 
 
 Till both the Empaours bewitcht with it j 
 
 Not oncly, did forget all former hate. 
 
 But eucn there, before OliauUei face, 
 
 A league of firicndOiip they did confumatr, 
 
 And louingly each other did imbrace. 
 
 O what a ioyfull fight, 'twas to behouldc 
 
 A dangerous fight, turnd to a daintiefeaft. 
 
 To (ee Ijdw friends (alutc each other could, 
 
 That but aten now.each other did deteft. 
 
 There did both armies fport in great delight, 
 
 And cntcrchangeablythcitloucsexprcf^c • 
 
 As captiues/oild without bloud.wound or fi gh?. 
 
 They praife die conqueft,and the viftor bleflc. 
 
 Then did Antoniut^az Oilauiaes fake, 
 
 Giuc vnto Ct.(4r twentic Brygantines : 
 
 which Ctfar did in courteous maner take. 
 
 And in requitall of his kinde defignes. 
 
 Did tyice fiuc hundred armed foldiers, giuc 
 
 To Anthony : and quickly one mought nnde, 
 
 The fparkes of emulation made them ftriue, 
 
 Who mought doc moft, to ple3fciO^-««/'<« minde. 
 
 Gem. O noble decd,de'cruing higheft praife. 
 Well wortliyc to out- liue all memoiye : 
 
 B ii. I-i^c- 
 
 I 
 

 s. 
 
 I 
 
The Tragtcomoeite 
 
 Lift £iuing Emprcflcihow thy wifdome ftairs, 
 Eucn fwarircs onbuIes,from Plutoet tyranny. 
 But why did not AMtomns^n like (brtc 
 Rcrurnc to Roome^to pay ddight Hct due 
 
 T/*.Hc prpftndy to'ards P*rth'ta6iA rcfort, 
 Againft their King'thc warrcs for to renuc. 
 And recommending all his owne affaires. 
 His wife.his chi!drcn,and what els was deare. 
 To CAftrs bcft difpofing : he rep.iyrcs, 
 To 5jfr/,«, and entends to winter there. (enclud<. 
 Gem, Jteeme thou that kecpft, the pearletluf doth 
 Hcaucns dcareft treafiirc^in earths fineft &ame» 
 Be nouer fb vngratefull.to obtrude 
 Wght-blackc obliuion,to her noble lume. 
 
 CamilU,, Geminttt. 
 Come Gemimti^jkni vnto me relate. 
 What made the EmpreflTcjiilter her cntenfr: 
 What did your voyage thus abbrcuiate. 
 And all your expectations praient. 
 Fam< (bad concealer of our dofe entents) 
 Saidjthat the Empreflc would to S-jna goc : 
 To fee ^ateniusyv/ho htmfclfc abiccntcs. 
 But your retuniCjdoth flicw it was not fo. 
 
 c;«»». Madame, when JEo/ttj had onceconuai^ 
 Our moouing houfejvnto that fame place. 
 Where noble Cecro/>j,the foundations lay'd. 
 Which are the Grecian confines chiefeft grace: 
 There, long before wc could approach thcgato 
 
 Of 
 
 efthevertmus OEiauia^ 
 
 O fth.it faire Cit?y,wc encounrer'd were. 
 
 With people of all agc<,and eftates, 
 
 Who in their handcs,did boiighcsof Lswrellbcare. 
 
 Some on their knees, with ioy.and wonder fil'd. 
 
 Salute the Emprcfle: fome rich giftcsprelcnt. 
 
 Some ftraw'd the way with flowcrs,and fomc diftil'd 
 
 Their fwect pcrf umcs,along the fields wc went. 
 
 Thus to the Cilty were we guarded ftraight. 
 
 Where for our comming,an the ftates awaitc. 
 
 There were our cycs.inixitcd to bcholde 
 
 Moft fumptuous flicwes^with many pleafing fights t 
 
 There did wc heare, their learned tongues vnfoldc. 
 
 The mules skill, with rauifhing dcligntcs. 
 
 Their lowdappIaufe,which parc'd the very skies, 
 
 Extoldc OiiAutit pafi the reach of fame : 
 
 And filent £ffA«, wakened with their cries. 
 
 Taught all the neighbour hy!les,to bleflc her naitte. 
 
 Thus frankly did two dales themfcluesbeftow, 
 
 To gratifie our cntertainement there ; 
 
 Whiles >#«/#»/>, who as it fecm'd did know 
 
 Of our approach,and thereof ftood in fearc : 
 
 Sent N/£et\yuto Mheitj,wixh all fpeed. 
 
 Who to O^MM letters did conuay : 
 
 Requiring her no further to proccede. 
 
 But for iiis coroming'in that place to flay. 
 
 For thither meant he f hordy to repajre, 
 
 And thcrcftwe would not,fiic fljould vndcrtake 
 
 So long a iorney,''which mought much impayrc 
 
 Her hcaltb^and quictybootlcfle for his fake. 
 
 B3 Sbc 
 
i 
 
 The Tragtcowadie 
 
 Shc,halfc ''ufpc£ling(as there was good caufc i 
 That this w js but a pradifc of delay : 
 Although vn\villing,yct flic made a patifc, 
 A* one that knew not how to difobay. 
 Inu finding all his word? to want eftcd. 
 And Icaiig notiiing moiight his mindc- recall; 
 5uch thin" (,nic doth viito him ftraight dircd. 
 As flic had broughtjto pleafurc hi n withalL 
 Which wastwo thouiand cholen men at armcs : 
 Great ftorc of horlcj,wonte to winne their price ; 
 Aiuch armoufjto defend theinfclucsfrom harmcs, 
 A richciy wrought,as cunning tou!d dcuize ; 
 Guiftcjjto reward his bcft-deleruing friends j 
 A fimime of money for his IbuldiCTs paye j 
 And briefly all hir c.:r<,and ftudie bends, 
 To iauc his wayning honor,('roni decaye. 
 But whe Hie (aw^ouglit mought his thoughts rccbne 
 Vnkinde.faith flic.fencclcflc of thine owiwfliamc * 
 lie be my felfc,finc€ thou wilt not be mim.J 
 Thus flie condudedyind away wc came 
 
 Cam O peerclefic paragon ! O natures pride I 
 FairaCabinet.where wifdomes trcalure lies, 
 EanhsgIory,3ndt_hcheaucusbcloued bride, . 
 Rich fcatc of honor ,vertues paradise. . , 
 Moft noble F.mpre»Ie,praifcof wonaimiinde, 
 Whofe faith endures toe lagq of fortunes flame: 
 Whoft conliant truthc.and truly vcrtuous minde, 
 Scornes fmallcll touche of iuft-defcrucd blame 
 How naturall,aa4 vndcuidcd^arc. 
 
 The 
 
 of the vertHoHS OCiauidf 
 
 The fparkcs of honor, in a noble hartc : 
 Ho'.v induftrie, and \vit,may not compare. 
 With that true touche,ouk b^irthright doth impartt 
 Liue vcrtuous Emprcllc,myrrourof our age. 
 Though chance didharge whole vollycs oTrcptoacfa ; 
 With fortitude withftand proud fortunes rage. 
 Let not deTpairc.ncarc thy fweetc tlioughts cnaoachet 
 Timcmuft needs turne thy mouroingvntoioye, . 
 For true delight from hence his fpring doth take:   
 When we with patience luffcr fharpc annoyc. 
 Mot for our merits^ but for vcrtues uke. 
 
 Chorus, 
 
 HEdutnt, hunrtf—re e^ttb eempUiM, 
 H9Wwee,ye$trfr«wms0U*htsrt: 
 fVhemdMth$HfteUrmyctt 
 loyefcemes w$th in todmtlt, 
 ^hJ redftmfilfeedmttit, , 
 
 EdchmtrtheMfcetterimg^titet 
 ^Jptret our iftigii^ e^re. 
 Hew dilthingt elt vant ftimt t 
 SceHct-folUvfingert*tmttt kg^n* 
 KicMiJt,wlrftoUmentt 
 /nth«m,remtrpfd$othfqfkit ^ 
 Ktftettesofiltfcomtent, 
 
 iVe (ee^dmd ^mw,htt wdrnte mr ilifi: 
 F'iWffedtnit$/r€e4tt{<th/hu, 
 
 B 4. r** 
 
Contriuerof 6urfdltt 
 
 ttgins OUT Itfe with ttdte)^ 
 
 Jlndendi thefamt With tne. 
 , Cve€fe(f>leafmeimoriAUfoe) 
 
 CenfoMnAs our hoj^e rfitbftatts : 
 
 And fowen ourfmtete mithgaU, 
 
 Thk Tyrttnt of the mihi* : 
 
 By re A fatty -ant, or li^ 
 
 CdM fteufr he withftoed: 
 
 Thefi tt^grauste ottriUi   
 
 ByjheivtHg what nnugicd, 
 
 jind wjttte of that tormsnts^i mofi i 
 Whofe wort he afpear^t m ^tng Ufi, 
 
 iVtre H4tnrefai/fiy nmm'd 
 
 AftefdatnetomAttktiiAtt 
 
 Thdtfext, which prtdectiiftt 
 
 VnferfeU ,wtak«,<*»d frasle. 
 
 Could itot in worthe ^euaiie t 
 
 Andtnettfofarrefurmtmtii, 
 
 Wt fhould Odtxaaaifiiule, 
 
 Jh fame forte to be houm'd,' 
 
 She mtmet imtttortui/f^tfi*, . 
 
 Whiitt he whofheuldexcell f ' 
 
 J>iPtonour*d h.tth httti^ufr, . ' 
 
 liudtj his weak^fjfefell, , . .iv 
 
 ferdotdik/hiuiu hedotthmfene^t 
 Jtyho ttin^^ttide imhfotmjifw^ttn^ 
 
 
 4>id 
 
 of the vertuous Ottnuia, 
 
 And Lorde Antonius, thou 
 
 Thri(e woman €09 juered man: 
 
 Shall Htt thy hart rfpine^ 
 
 Their trtutrtfhi to adorne f 
 
 Oftauiacs 'iertueififi ti:. 
 
 That wanton lift of thine : 
 
 AndClco^zUican, 
 
 Coitimaundthyihofleuen new, 
 
 jindfditte weuldlrefraine, 
 
 Trem Fuluiacs /?<«<?/)' name •• 
 
 Which iooth thy mAnhoedflaine, 
 
 jtnd makes thee bluP) for fliame. 
 
 In thit one thtn^.jet happie maifl thou hee : 
 Thej Princeffe are, that trtumfh ener thte» 
 
 timllinffmet Buing breath, 
 
 T'etemitierefignde, 
 
 Jeefaire Mori lonquering wights: 
 
 \Andfeare not Ixthk floud, 
 
 Totar ^ertuet alwayet bud. 
 
 Tour fiori*, honour wrighti, 
 
 jtndPheenix-bl^youfnde, 
 
 Anew hfeinjour death. 
 
 Jrme but your Angel- foules, 
 
 H^ithperfea ^ertuei jbitld ^ 
 
 That Thanatos controulet, 
 
 AndmaketYx^raixiyeelde, 
 
 Then (hall the heauentjeur wntthedefaje I 
 £4rth,fmsJ^rfratfe,aiidfe wtUh 
 
 hOm 
 
TheTv'Xalcomoi'.die 
 
 JQusftxHndus. 
 
 OSaui^. BjUitu, 
 
 OThricc,and fourc times, happicmcflcngcr. 
 Haft thou from Parthta made rcturnc ot late ? 
 Canft thou declare the ill jc of the watrc. 
 And make mc knovvc.^«/<»w/«« happic ttatc ? , 
 What caufd my LqxAcxnfiyri* make (uch ftaycb 
 Since he s^ainft I'/trthi.t did his forces bendc f 
 When doth he mcanc.to'ards Rcome to take hiswayf 
 And to thofc warrcs.impofc a finall irnd? 
 Vnkindc he is : not fo,but diftant farre, 
 And his great troublc,mnch my good impayrcs : 
 Els would he not mine cares fo long time baric, 
 JrommuchexpcacdncwesofhisaHayres. 
 
 Byl. Madame,thcfe eyes haue fecne what hath bia 
 In SyrtA,Parthia, and each other place ; (done 
 
 I prefent was.when Lord Anton$m,v!0\\nc 
 Eightccnt great battle? ,»n a little fpace. 
 I often (awe.whcn milchiefc.in the fieldc 
 Had all hit force a(>ainft my Lordc brought forthc 
 How he with vallor.nudc cuen fortune yceldc> 
 Andchancc,awaight on well approivcd worthc. 
 1 was in Media,w[\cn PhrMrtes{[\xf: 
 Great r«i// <»««»,fighting fotmy Lordc : 
 Iftwewhcnhcoiucrigmsfromvsdrcw, • 
 
 of the vertHotts O^auii. 
 
 An^pjUt ten thourmd Rom^inej,to the fwoord. 
 I was in prcfcucejWhen a fodninefeare. 
 In blacked: horrour of the darkeft night , 
 So much aftuniflit all that pre(cnt wcie. 
 With fliriking cries that moughteucn ftones afTright- 
 'J'h.it Antony , with fcare oftreafon inooued. 
 Made Ramnm hutnbly ftvcarc vpon his knee. 
 To ftrikethatheadjthat head l"o much beloucd, 
 l-'rom of his fjioulders^ when he once ihould (cc , 
 Vncuitable danger, to lav holde, 
 Vpon himfelfc; yet could not all ihis,quaik: 
 His haughty courage,but as vncontroulde, 
 He ftill procccdes.his ftoutcft foes t'aflailc. 
 And lulling now, (um'J with the Parthian blood, 
 Thelargeft (cores,of wrongs we did (uftainc. 
 Thence to rttyrc, he now hath thought it good : 
 And for a time at Bltac^eurg to rcmainc. 
 B/ancf^iourf a Citty neere to SyJon plac'd, 
 Vnto the which our whole Campe did rclbrtc. 
 There he entends to ftay,and not in haftc 
 To vifite Rconte,3s moft of them report. 
 Oif.O whatfliould moue my Lord thus long to ftay / 
 £yi. An others tu ng mought better y bewray. (Gid? 
 0//rf. Whatdoll thou know more the thou haft yet 
 By/. Madam* no morcOi^.Why the am I difiruidc? 
 Why doc I (ec thy (brrow»clowdcd brow, 
 Seemc to conceafe I know not what annoy? 
 Say Bytlim whence thofc troubled lookes may grow? 
 b mv Antoatui lafc ? doth he auoy 
 
   That 
 
The Tr4igicomadte 
 
 That body free from burt,wouncl or difcaft? 
 Doth hcyctliue and draw his vitall breath? 
 Spcjkc, quickly lpcakc,truth cannot me difpleaft. 
 Where now (ufpition wounds as dccpe as death. 
 
 Bji. It cannot be but that y our grace doth know* 
 For what can be conccal'd from Princes care? 
 And further fpecch mought fcedcs of difcord fow, 
 Betweene your highcft and my Lord I (tare, 
 
 OdA.O how delay torments a doubtfull mindc. 
 1 know,no,he procures I may not hearc 
 Of any thing from thcncc,v/hcreby I finde, 
 Ahhough vnknowne yet double caufe of fcare. 
 Then banidi doubt,and fee thou plaincly tell, 
 Wlwt fttange occafion doth enfovxc his (by? 
 What can Antotuu* princely minde compell. 
 In forraine coaftcs to make fo long delay ; 
 
 5v/.Madamc,ihc caufc that made him to rcmaiiK 
 In SyrM ,fo long time when as we went 
 To'ards /'rf»-fA/4,is the fime that doth dctainc. 
 His highneflc now and thus your grace prcuent. 
 
 O Ar.Am 1 an Empreflc ftill thus difobay'd? 
 And doft thou dare to dally with me ftill? 
 1 firft enauir'djwlut him in Syrit ftaidc. 
 Why doft thou feare to tell the worft of ill. 
 
 SyL\h\\K Ukcwifc be hidden from your grace. 
 In humble fort a pardon I bcfcech ; 
 That high difpleafurc gainft mc take not place, 
 Tor what fliall be difdofed by my fpecch. 
 
 0<7<< J pardon aU«ro long as all be true. 
 
 efthevertuom Oclauia, 
 Bjf. Who doth delude let fiiarp dcadi be his due. 
 Then if you lift the truth to vnderftand, 
 The truth is thisahat fond Rgipttart Queene, 
 Quccnt CUopatra doth your will withftand. 
 And him dctaincs.who els had prefent been. 
 
 oaa.^yiotctiByl.O no.worlds could not him con. 
 To ftay this long in any place br force : (ftrainc 
 
 But his aScftion is the louing chayne, 
 That from your highneflc dooth his mindc diuorcc. 
 
 oaa. What KhilUng fearr doth ftreame along theft 
 What frozen ten or makes me ihui to quake? (vains/ 
 What monflTous greefe.what honor.thiisconftxains 
 JMy ftiuing hart,his lodging to forfake i 
 Tell me,from what conceipt may this be gucft J 
 
 Sjt. They liue togethcr.who knowes not the reft, 
 
 Ofla. 1 n\uft belceue it fore againft my will   
 
 JPj/. Hardly we credit what im ports our ill. 
 
 oaa. But flow beleefc from wifdome doth proceed. 
 
 £;/.But mortall wounds of prefcnt cure haue need. 
 
 oa. Some fond report liath made thee felfly dcemc. 
 
 Byl. I fliunnc rcport,and lightly i^efteeme. 
 But this I fa we, when wc to S^yr$a came, 
 ^ntonitti ftraighttoC/M^rf/rrtlent, 
 A mellcngCT f ©«/««« was his name i 
   Whofe fwiftncs did euen baft it fclfe preucnt. 
 More.then wc knew not,but within fliort (pace 
 Came C/«^i*^r<« royally attended. 
 And met dircftly at th'appointed place. 
 
 Which fat their ilay the>' had before pretended. 
 
 . . Thac 
 
 
 i^- 
 
The Tragkomcedie 
 
 There did ilicy fporte a time in great exccffc 
 
 Of all delights which "any eye hath (cenc, 
 
 And there Antof^im his great louc t'exprefle 
 
 Did Irankely giuc to this itgj'ptian cjuccnc^ 
 
 rhan/as .cyprut and Cylicia, 
 
 Vxcxoi -irdhm where thole people dwell 
 
 Cald iV./i4/ft«4m,part <^f S>r/<» : 
 
 And finding that (liccould prruailefowcll 
 
 With jiutony, flic further did proceed. 
 
 And bejrd 'i^art ot that land we letpry call. 
 
 From whence mought be tranfportcd at hirneedc. 
 
 True balmc.hM to prelerue hir gr.icc withall. 
 
 This d<)nc,my Lord.to'ards P*rthtX cookehisway. 
 
 Which we with Her and fworiir did wafteaod biuo^ 
 
 But in thole confines did not long time (lay, 
 
 Bui ftcke againe to Sanc^ourgt we returoe. 
 
 From w l^nce, a poftc was fpeedily addreft. 
 
 For to crnduft this CieiifMfa thither : 
 
 She kindly crtndilcends to his rcqueft. 
 
 Thus there they m«,and there they Hue tocither, 
 
 Ofl'./.O what hart-piercing grccfe doth thf torm£r| 
 That are thus countercheckt with riiulles louc i 
 What worlds of horror do themfelues prefcnt, 
 Vnto their niindcs that do like paflions proue? 
 O ic!oiifie,whcn truthe once takes thy part, 
 Wh Jt uiCTcj'-wanting tyrant fo fcucrc t 
 V/lwt Syif4,vi\\3iX. Lharibditfvn impart 
 But hafic thofe horrors which in thee appeared 
 I'ooi .' Pluto jfih^ do wc diy rigour dtead } 
 
 ' " Att 
 
 of the vertuous OH.mht, 
 
 All torments arc containde within my breft : 
 ^W/fi doth whole troupes of furier Icadc 
 Within my (bule,with endlcircgreelcopprcft. 
 O dcfats,nowyou defats arc indeed : 
 Your common-wcalthsarc coutht witliin my hart, 
 Within my hart.allrauenir.gbennsdofccdc: 
 And with mad ftirie,ftill encreatcmvfirwrt. 
 
 grcefc.l tcclc the worft that thou canft doc. 
 
 1 tafle the powcrfuU force of mifchicfes pride. 
 \ proue the worft that chance can put mc to. 
 Thedecpeft wound of fortune I abide. 
 
 But ftavc OSmha, if this be a lye: 
 If thy dcare Lord do conftant yet remaine , 
 Whom dooft thou wrong.is it not Amit»y \ 
 O fault too ercat.rccall it back ac;aine. 
 Canft thou be lo vnkinde,nay fo vniuft, 
 Tocenfme^udgCjCondemne without a caufc? 
 Shall flying talcs make thee fo much miftruft, 
 Him bound to thee by Gods,and natures lawcs f 
 O traytor palTloa.it thou could ft fubduc 
 Thy loueraigncreafbn, what ill tTsigedies 
 Wouldft thou foone.icle.but leloulic adiat. 
 My Lord i8Conftant,and ihcfc arc but lyes. 
 Did not he (wearc on that our nuptiall nay. 
 By all the facred rights we holy decme, 
 By thole immortafl powers which weobayc. 
 By all things els which dearly wc cftccmc . 
 By his right hand.by this our wedding ring. 
 By all that mought a perfcft truthe ciucnd^ 
 
 I 
 
 One 
 
 1   
 
 i 
 
The Tragkomoedie 
 
 One timCjOnc day.onc hourcjfhould furcly bring, 
 Hi$lire,and loucvnto a finall end. 
 Did not he fay.tlicftarrcs from Iicaucn fliouldfall, 
 Thcfiflics (hould vpon the mountaincs range. 
 And Tyber fliould his flowing ftrcamcs'tccail : 
 Before his loucfhoiildeucrthinkc CM change 
 But what of this ? thcfc arc but oncly words. 
 And fo arc thofc which do his faith impcache; 
 
 poore Odauia,how thy flate affbrdcs, 
 Nought but defp.iirc to fland within thy rcache. 
 The fc.itc of truthe is in our fecrct harts. 
 
 Not in the tongue, which faKchood oft imparts. 
 
 Haft back then Tyber to thy fountaincshead, 
 
 Defcend ye ftarrcs,and this bafc eaith adornc, 
 
 Let Ntpiunti pcoplcon thefc hillcs be fed, 
 
 For Antotn is flcdifalfc,and forf\Vornc, 
 
 Buttis nof fo.my Jntcny is true: 
 
 His honor will not let him bafcly fall . 
 
 OfldHtes name will faithful! loue renew • 
 
 His Innate vcrtuc will his minde recall. 
 
 'Asfcareot torment houlds the wicked in: 
 
 So vtTtucs louc makes good men loath their finne. 
 
 By I. Madam, I cannot force you to beleeuc 
 That which I fpeake.but that I Ipeakc is true, ' 
 
 1 knew too well it would your highncflc grccuc, . 
 And would be lothe your fbrro wcs to renew j 
 But would to God that all my words were lyes. 
 
 So my difgrace moiight workeyour fvveetc contcnti 
 Would this my fbulc mought be the facriiicc. 
 
 To 
 
 efthevertHomOBaitia, 
 
 To reconcile his louc thus fondly bent. 
 O vcrtue, thou that didft my good afriirr, 
 Arrhenowmy fouleagainli proud? fortunes might: 
 Withoutthy fuccourl may not endure, 
 But tins ftrong tempeft will dcffroy me quite, 
 
 facred lampc,pure vcrtucs lining flame, 
 That neuer failes fwect comfort to impart : 
 
 1 fcelc thy power and dory in t he fame, 
 I heare thee fay in dollet ofmy heart, 
 05rf«w,liue,and fhew thy felfe a Queenc, 
 Tread thou my path .make confl.incy ihy guide; 
 Let no bafc fearc within thy minde be feene, 
 Let thine ownc footeinto no errour Aide; 
 
 Make thine ownc thoughts no witncs of thy mifTe; 
 Let thine owncconfcience know no caufe ot blames 
 A bulwarkefVrongc abrazen wall this is. 
 That will rerii>,both forrow.griefc and fliame. 
 Antomm fill.his ownc dilgracc procures, 
 His is the fliult.and on his head Oiall fall. 
 The ftormeof mifchicfcsdcep-reuenging fliown":: 
 When thine own vvorth.inbcaucn fiial theecnIlalU 
 Hisis the faultjbut what'minci'! the wrongs. 
 The errour his, but I endure the fmartj 
 O vertue, if thou be fo pafllng ftronge. 
 Yet once againe rcmooue this from my heart,. 
 Why,vci tuc gricucs but at his ownc difgrace, 
 Ahdmindes difheft.with patience doth rclieuc: 
 With wifedomes light, it ftil dircfts his pace. 
 And cannot fall and therefore cannot grieuc. 
 
 C WcH 
 
The Tragicontoedie 
 
 Well gricfcjl fcdc that thou ait gricfc indeed > 
 but patience is a prince and muft not yccld: 
 
 (acrod vcrtuc help me at my ncedj 
 llcpulfc my foes wish thy all maftcring Hiicid. 
 But what, I mu!t not hccre (land and lament. 
 Thy deeds 0^7</M/,f .miilVapproouc thy worth : 
 'i"is \vi(edome,mul\ thcfc iniuries prcuent, 
 
 1 will no more excufc thy wrongs hcncefoorth. 
 I L- fcekc by .ill mcanes tlicc to reconcile, 
 
 A nd in my ihouchts rouenge fliall itnde no place. 
 
 But if thou needed wilt workea thing fb vile. 
 
 To (cekcmyruineand thine owne difgracc, 
 
 I( nothing can preuailc,IIc make it (cene. 
 
 Thou wrought an Emprene,and a Rtmji»e queenc. 
 
 lu'i.t. Cdmilli. SyUi.4, 
 O denre C.«»»/Z''4, what a wofull fight, 
 T\\ to beholde the Emptcllc doleful! ftate/ 
 Though others burthens in our eyes (ccmc liglic 
 Death in my heart Jiergriefe doth intimate . 
 O what exceeding pitty t'is to fee. 
 Such noble vertues nurd in wifedomcs breftj 
 Snar'd in the trap of humaine mifciy. 
 By others bafenes thus to bediOrclt. 
 
 Cum. Madame,the cafe is pittifutl indeed. 
 And filch as niay relent a flinty heart: 
 A patient mipde ,muf\ftand her grace indeed, 
 TJi time and wifcdoraejmay his louccoiiuert. 
 
 /«/.3ut who dares tcU a Prince he goes afide^ 
 
 Cam. 
 
 m OEiania, 
 
 Owf.Htsconfciencebeftjifwifdome were hi* guide. 
 
 /«/.Biu they are great and may do what thej' will, 
 
 C^»».Greatif much good: not gre.itif thcydo ill. 
 
 /«/.But we muft yedd to what the Prince will haue. 
 
 Cam.Ht is no Prince,that is afTecJions flaue. 
 
 /*'.Be what he will his power is ouer-ftronge. 
 
 C/<».Hcauens will not fiifFer. fin to florifh long. 
 And furc who lift but to beholde the end. 
 Shall (cc^nteniuj dearcly buy his luft: 
 They ncucr profpcr long that leawdly ipend 
 Their granted time,forGodisnotvniuft. 
 
 ^y.VVcU.let them talke of venue,thofe that lift, 
 OfpatiencCjiufticeandofconftancie ; 
 For me,I thinke the Emprefic fure hath mift. 
 The onely way to cure this maladie. 
 Buy liuiijg fame that 1 i ft, with pinching paine. 
 And ftarue themfclues with feeding fond conceipt: 
 Were 1 Odfjtwa I would entcrtainc 
 His double dealing, with as fine a fleight. 
 I would nor wecp,nor waile, but foone returnc 
 Vpon his head the wrongs he doth pretend : 
 
 I would compel him (pitc of him to learnc, 
 
 I I were no left a woman to offend. 
 
 He fceles not now the griefe that makes her fmart : 
 But I know what would touch him to the heart. 
 
 /«/.\Vhai force.what wit,can Antany corapell. 
 Now to forgoc his late ill-placed louc? , 
 
 5jr/.Onenayle you fee another will cxpd. 
 When nothing els can force the famc-co moour. 
 
 C ii. Should 
 
 f 
 
Tht Trdgicomoedie 
 Should lie that fwims in flrcamcs of fwcct content 
 Make his delight the agent of my painc? 
 Nq,no,hc rjthcr were a prcfidcnt. 
 How' to requite him with the like againe. 
 Had I bin toucht with fcence of inward greefc. 
 When fitch like chances had be- fallen me. 
 Or at ihcir leifiirc hoped for relicfe. 
 When I my Icite mooght bcft myfclfe let free: 
 I h;;d bin dead for many yeares agoe, 
 OrmuO haueliued in endlefle milexy. 
 But I tak-j order not to pcrifli fo, 
 Kc /hall care littie.thr.t cares lefle then I , 
 
 Cdr/> .But doth not Syluia blufli to difanull, 
 Hir ovvne good name,hir faith,and couftancic: 
 r>rth not (lie feare,the wrath of heaucn to pull 
 Vpon liir head for luch impictic / (juft, 
 
 .•»i /. The wrath of hcaiien,why no, the heaiMiu are 
 And I«(Hccyec!dc$ a man his due dcfcrt : 
 ThenfithcIdi->noiniuric,l truft 
 Not !,but he, for both our faults fliall fmarf. 
 A nd tor my faithc and ccnftande . no doubt 
 lie dea!e for that as well as others fhall : 
 But tis mod flrange to fee you go about. 
 To praise the thing that workes all womens foil 
 Why conftancie is that which marrcth all. 
 A vycakeconceipt which cannot wrongs refift, 
 A chalnc it i^ which bindes our lelucs in thrall, 
 AiiJgiiies men fcope to vfcvsa' they lift. * 
 Fox when tlicy know that you willconftaHt bide, 
 
 Sim!! 
 
 •fthe vertHOMs OClauU , 
 
 StnaW is their care,how often they do Aide. 
 
 Oifyou would but marke the little mappc 
 
 Of my poorc world,how in times fwift careere 
 
 1 manaoe fortune,and with wit entrap 
 
 A thouland (iich as hould thefc courfcs deare ; 
 
 Then would you (ay you want the arte of lode. 
 
 For I fearc nothing Icllc then fuch relaps, 
 
 The frowardncflc which I in men approouc, 
 
 Moft troubles me for feare ofaftcr claps. 
 
 And Lord,you cannot gouemcone alone. 
 
 When 1 haue many fubied to my beck : 
 
 1 alwayes plea&nt, you ftiU making monc, 
 
 Yon full of fcarc.they dread my frowning check. 
 
 Nor do I maruaile,for this vnion breedcs 
 
 A loathing rure,by nature vnto things   
 
 And confiancie the minde with quiet feedcs. 
 
 And fctlcd quiet fbone corruption brings. 
 
 Thus ftrft we loathe.and then we flraignt waics hate. 
 
 When to one obieft we cntend our mmdc : 
 
 But I with choice do flill renew the ftate. 
 
 Of fainting loue.and ftill new p!cafur« findc. 
 
 Looke how a Bee amongft the verdant fields. 
 
 From diuers flowers cxtrafts the pleafant thyme. 
 
 Which well compounded, one fwect matter ycclds; 
 
 So do I fpend my plfcafure-tafting time, 
 
 I fcekenotgtaincsof eould in barramc ground. 
 
 Nor hope for fruite.when harueft is once paft: 
 
 I like not where afTeclion is not found. 
 
 If any fall, I flyc from him as faft. 
 
 C I And 
 
The Tragicomoedie 
 
   And furcly whowilltaftcthcfwcctoflouc, 
 Muil not bctycd vntoonc poorcconccipt; 
 One cannot workc or halfc his praiftifc proouc, 
 V'pon one minde which will be dulled ftraight. 
 But there muft be an emulation piac'.j, 
 Alongft fauouritc»as fpur of fwift dcfire: 
 By letting one ftill (cc another grac'd. 
 As though the on's defcrts did lb require. 
 Two at a time 1 fcldomeentcrtaine. 
 Nor one alone.butalwaies if 1 might, 
 \yhilesany onetocourtme I dctaine. 
 Some other of the crew fhould be in fight i 
 ■Who'njonghtbehold,howfranl;ly 1 bcftow. 
 Both finilcs; and (auours.whac it pleafcd luej 
 Thc}' thinking this from hisdcfcrts to grow. 
 Will rtriuc for to dcierue as well as he, 
 Ihus 1 abound with ftore of proferrcd loue. 
 With vowed faith.wlth prcfents and what not : 
 
 A Vlien in the end one fortune all muft proouc, 
 And all thclifauoursmuft bcclcanc forgot. 
 C.tm. But will not nil thjr feruantsthce forfakc, 
 
 To fee a tj'uall fuch high fauonr gained 
 VV7/. U any ienlious foole a (in fete take, 
 
 Tlicn thus with arte I bring him on amaine. 
 
 Somccxtraordinat)' taiiour tallcs 
 
 On lum vnwaresjwhich mny new fire his minJe: 
 
 Orclsfbmotrully agent him rccallcs, 
 
 I n Iccrct manner thereunto affign'dj 
 
 _Who tcls him'^A! offricndfliip) I admire 
 
 His 
 
 ofthevertuoHs OShaiiia. 
 
 His di{contcnt,3nd my vnkindncflc blamej 
 
 How I doc oftentimes of him enquire, 
 
 And ftill a figh awaites vpon his name. 
 
 This way 1 fcldon faile.tillatthe laft, 
 
 In follies lap affcdion hath him lull'd . 
 
 From whence with freflt defire heflyes as fad. 
 
 As if (poore foole) his wings had nere been pull'd. 
 
 /«/.But fith thy mindc can ncuer be fb free. 
 But that afi*e£lion will on thee lay holde: 
 That being partiall,mc thinkes fliould be 
 A cauL*,that others loue would (bone waxe cold. 
 
 A)r/.Afreftion,no,I know not fuch a thought. 
 That were a way to make my (ilfea flaue: 
 I hate fubiedtion and will neie be brought, 
 Whnt now I piuc,at others hands to aaue. 
 
 y«/,But yet 1 know fomc one abouc the red 
 Is mod bclou'djbut that you lift to ieft, 
 
 Syl.\ louconc moft?I fauourjoue^nd grace, 
 >ioil euery oncwhilcs he in prcfcncc is: 
 Butbcing gone,looke who comes next in place, 
 He's next iny hcart,mycourreis alwaiesthis. 
 And if that any chance to fall away. 
 Shall lode of him thus vexc me at the heart? 
 No griefe.I ncuer mcane to be thy pray. 
 My care and he together fliall depart. 
 
 C««i.Of ftraying, falling, and I wot not what. 
 So many words hatb5y/«/«« fpcnt in vainc: 
 That timc.and truth^jnd purpoft arc forgot. 
 To Aneortf let vs rcturac againc. 
 
 I 
 
 \Vc 
 
Wcfpeakc not of thy firtor$,wc complaine 
 Of his vntriuh, that (ccond vnto none. 
 In faitlilclncs : 9f ducty flwuld remaine, 
 For eucr contlant Vnto one alone. 
 Of his vnlriith,\yho hath his honor jftaiu'd. 
 By bafe dcHluig oi hts mariage bed : 
 Who being vowed^hd by oath dctain'd, 
 Is fahcfoc (wofnc/cduc'd and fondly fled. 
 
 A)/. Why allisone.no wedlockecancompell, 
 Ni> Iaw,nofcarc, noreafbn canconftraine 
 Our iDjnde5,whil«s we in natures cailcls dwell; 
 The pleafing conrfe of nature to rctraine. 
 Mature it fclfc dooth tnoA delight in (hange, 
 T4ie heauens.by motjon do their muluke niakc : 
 The ir lights by diuers waies and courfes raimge; 
 And fome qt tl>em new formes doc aiwaies take. 
 Their workinjj power \i neiier alwaie« onCj, 
 And time it (e!fc leaft.conllant is of all r 
 This earth '.vc fr? and all tliat liues thereon. 
 Without new change, into dcftru^ion fall. 
 Nay what is niQTe,me life of aU thcfe things. 
 Their e(rencc,and pcrfetlion,doth confift 
 In this fame charige, which to -all creature brings 
 That plcafurejwhich in life may not bemift. 
 Sith then alkrearuics are (b highly bleft, • 
 To tartf the fweet of life in often change; 
 If we which aie the prini.cs of the rell, 
 
 Should want thcfair.e,nic thinks t'wcrc \ay Hiange. 
 For proof*c hcercof, I need not to vnfold i 
 
 ^.i Such 
 
 0fthe vertuoHs Offauht* 
 
 Such ftrre fctrfit fccret8,(ccnce will make it plaine. 
 What pleafure hadi the eye, when you bcholdc 
 One onely obiect i is't not rather painc? 
 What fweet delight doth charme ihe liflnw^ care^   
 When onely one tune it doth apprehend ? 
 In tafteand rmeII,likeloathmg doth appeare> 
 Whole euidence.no wit can r^rchend. 
 Since natiue then hath framed for the eye. 
 Such fundric coulors to delight the famcj 
 And for the care fuch firange variety. 
 Of fweeteft njncs,which doe our munckeframC} 
 Such diuers nneates, to pleafc the dainty taftc; 
 So many fauours to deiigh t that fencS) 
 Each other part .with diuers pleafures gt'ac'd; 
 Leaft want of change mought haply breed offence, 
 What,flull the heart the mafler of the rcfV, 
 Be more riflrain'd then any faungebeafl? 
 Shall not the heart.on whom all thoic depend, 
 Haue greater (cope then any of them all. 
 To tafte the piealure of each pleafing friend? 
 Faith mine hath had,and fo it euer fliall . 
 C,i»»f.Peacc wicked woman,nayfouiemonfler peace 
 Whofe very fleps defile the guihiefle earth: 
 Staine of thy (exe,thy poifoned fpcech forceafe. 
 That hath from (inne,and wickcdnes, his birth. 
 Is't not too much to glorj' in thy finne, 
 Ixawd creature,th« hafl ouer-liu'd all fliame f 
 1 mbouldning others to perfifl therein, 
 When thou thy fclfe flioaldfl (liun and fly the famc; 
 
 But 
 
The Tragicomoidie 
 
 6u muft make the he;iuens a prcfidenf, 
 For thy mit'dccdcs, which on thy hcid will power, 
 Etcriiall vcrjge.incv',vi)lelTc thou rcpeit. 
 And ftay the force of mifchicfcs drcad/ull fliowcr. 
 Thefc moouing tlijiigcs are conflam in their kinde 
 Vnto the end for wiiich thc\' were ordiin'd: 
 Not mut;ible like thy vngodly minde, 
 Whofc very thoiiglits with wickedoesarc ftain'd , 
 Our icenccs their peculiar obiedls Siauc, 
 "Whole ftorc,and number, doth vnto vs fltcw. 
 How rcucrcntly we fliould our fclucs bchauo, 
 To'ards him whofe boun ty did ihc fame bcfl ow. 
 O Chaib'.y bnglit vertucs faacd fiame. 
 Be iicucr woman bi'.ely wanting thee, 
 Ik ncucr woman wrong'd adorn'd with thee. 
 Bealldilgrac'dthat mait notthy natnc. 
 Come Juli4,\Nz haue taried hcerc too long, 
 Sj'uia adicw in faith I wilh thee well. 
 No honcll minde I thinke will dt)e ithee wrong, 
 T'u punilluncni: enough to hang in helU 
 
 Chorus, 
 
 GFe.itfM/Je tfthisptmef^oUiufi^ime^ 
 IVhch Jdiet Awd timis dietuJet(n 
 U-^hcfe beauiy emer ts thefsme, 
 ^nd sltvatet one ttbideth. 
 Why hafl rhote(mch d man/ier mdit. 
 which aiwaici thni ie!;eli«th: 
 
 And 
 
 ofthevertuoHS OSimia. 
 
 And with nn» torments doth inuadcy 
 The hexrt vhertm it dx»elUth. 
 
 Affeilian ti thefduage be/^f, 
 kVhich aiwtttet^} Annayeth: 
 
 Andnentr left 9/ tttte in reff^ 
 But fttUtmrgaoddeflrojefh. 
 
 AffeSiani fawer mho canfitpf>reJlf« 
 
 AndmAJler when itjinneth: 
 Ofwerthyprdtfe defernts no lefft. 
 
 Then he that l^ingdomes wiw.t/h, 
 ^f^r* Antony 4 Pr/nce /ndeede. 
 
 That (dfe4^e/H»n framed: 
 Him to iemane we fhan/dnot need, 
 
 IVtth ^iticus life de farmed. 
 Smt thitfrdnctng ^ertnesfoe. 
 
 In whom allpleafnre fhiKeth: 
 T)ath dllour fcenettanerthrcw, 
 
 sndreafan ^nJernaineth . 
 
 JVha doth not iey ,v>henfrom his necl^- 
 
 Theyaa^ of tonda^ejlideth. 
 Andwtfh to line without the eliecl^. 
 
 Of him that athertgmdtth? 
 Yet what mere hard, then to ohfermtt 
 
 In fitch Itcentiom f)e.*fnrt : 
 Thejfotde* meant, vfh:ch doth notfw.tmt, 
 
 Tremfaered^ertues meafure: 
 Who l(HOV,dndfecjhe wtj effinne 
 
 Befit 
 
TheTragicomcedit 
 
 Befet With d.mj>eri mJmy: 
 JetJliUftrJifi 4ndt»4ll(e thcrtm, 
 AiMegligentaidnj, 
 
 Ttit min-'e with det^ft tpifeJrmeftMgktt 
 
 That nu(chiej'e» handtfckeweth: 
 Andemitet craft dtth irm( /• riMtghf, 
 
 Afftdnnsftrce fttidttefh. 
 The hdughtj heart with etm'agt ^'It^t. 
 
 That death} ^ale fare deffiftth: 
 The Prtnct which fnrwet t7 hec§m/rtiiUi 
 
 yljffdions HtPtrfttrpntftb^ 
 Anu haniHf made ttfelfta kP'S* 
 
 Our minie vtith e> nmr fatdtth: 
 Till tpe eMrfetmi fffeft the thimg, 
 
 tVhicb iurdtjIiitSun hvttdtth* 
 
 The *dth oferremr,ii fig'dc'd, 
 
 IVith (wenet? fecming^teafitnii 
 At i(dtltght had therein fldf'd, 
 
 Ttie (tore hnufe tf her trtajurtt. 
 But who to firoout i he fame are htmt, 
 
 infinfMlima^jtenclMde^l: 
 Im yaine at lafl wiUfure remits 
 
 ipith IhimefMil end deluded, 
 fVhfre ^ertuei lit lie te^ tern w^ytl, 
 
 Vfith diHtrs trouUtiCumlred: 
 Direfi OHrfle;i >»/« true i. yes, 
 
 Amongfithe AngeU numkied. 
 
 A3ut 
 
 mm OSlania* 
 
 O^duid. Ctfar. 
 
 A^Fcarce defirc,thc Tpring of figh« an<i teares, 
 Rdfcu'd With \vant,inipoucrinitwithftorc, 
 Nurrt with vainc hopcs.and (rd with doubtful feares, 
 Whofc force withftood.encrcalcth mnre and more. 
 How doth thy pride thus torture my po^re heart, 
 Wiulcs I for li»odi« fnadowoscntcrtamc: 
 And in the h jruoft of ny ft hi^h dcfirrt, 
 D<» reap; no^i te,bttt(corftcaM dd (?rpdirJaitt^ 
 NoTcirce ffjrcuman iWfl doth'ix>rte(Ie, 
 So wiidc a rjfTf.nor no L4ian coaftc. 
 Hath cuer knowne a ^rec'^y !-yoncfle, 
 Rob'd of the pray which (lie afFe£^ed moft, . 
 So beyond ineafurefullof furto.is Ire, 
 A$ is the intndc rob'd o^ hij chiefe dcfirc. 
 
 deftinit>, that draw the golden twine, 
 Which d ii\\ conduft the neuer-tyrcd pofle. 
 Why haue you le t vridos'd thcleeyes of mine , 
 To fee the field ot all mine honor lofti 
 
 In vainc I (ought a whyle,to cure tlic wound 
 With balme of hopc.drawne from a con(Unt tninde. 
 But now the truth b manyfe(tly found; 
 
 1 heare.I fee,l know.l fede,! finde. 
 
 The fliamcfiiU wronec, the fcojne and high difdaine 
 
 Which 
 
 ;;i!>'«^s>;>~/«a!»»?i!»3r»^-;^ -t-'-.-^.w?^' 
 
. The TragicopfotMe 
 
 Which falthlcfle he moft falfly dooth prctcna. 
 To power on mc whiles from dilpaire in vainc, 
 Wim conftanr hope,m)- wcakncUc I defend, 
 OtormcBt.wbrfc then deaths moA bitter gall: 
 Worfc then is fo\ind in that infcrnall placcj 
 . To fee another glory in my fall j 
 To fte another proud with my difgracc. 
 Why dooft thw ftay.diflreft 0<7^*/« dye. 
 Dead to all ioycs let d eat h thy torments end. 
 Who gauc tl)cc lifCjthe fame doth now deny : 
 AndtoanothCThisafFcAionbentj. , 
 Another dooth thy intereft e nioy : 
 And yet thou liueft,and yet thpu,dooft delay^ . 
 To calmc with death the tempcift pf annoye j 
 When to difgracc thy4ifc dopth thee betray, r 
 Dye dead Oti*mtA, What i aodbafcly dye ? , !, 
 Shall I fit downc and yecld my iclfc to fliame ? 
 Siiall 1 content my fclfe with wrongesj.not I, , ' 
 Reucngc 6llama,Qx thou art too Uam^. 
 Dycncuervnreucng'd of fuchawrongf - 
 My power is fuch that I may well preuaile. 
 And rather then I will endur? hlong, 
 With fier and (word I will you both aflailc. 
 My nature doth abhorre to be tl)us vfcd. 
 My heart dothfcorncfucb monftrousiniurip 
 My birth,niy ftatCjoifdainc to beabufcd. 
 And I will deeply (core thy pcriurie. 
 
 _jrhenorccfe^ie place a whiie vnto di(d ainc,. 
 
 ^^^dcpitdc^makc thc cwinge an d flyc awa yi , 
 
 And 
 
 ofthevtrUiiHsOBAuVn, 
 
 And dcath.withdrawthy haftiehand againc. 
 Whiles with aduantagc I their debts repay. 
 How now Oi3rf«>.«,whither wilt thou Ave /, 
 Not what thou maift, but do thou what is iuft: 
 Shall thele fame hands attempt impictic/ 
 J may.I can.I will.I ought,! muflr, 
 Reuenge this high difgracc,this Ctftr will, 
 Byrthe, nature,rearon^al I require the fame. 
 YavcrtuewiUnotbauemctodoilJ., ' " 
 
 Teeld,aIlthingsyceld,toi;'ertues(aCTedname.   : 
 How thcn?euen thus;with paticnccmake thcejfil-ong, 
 The heauens areiuft,let them rtucngc thy wrong. 
 Crucll to mCjfcKt-wronging ^»/oi»)i, 
 ThyToUie (hall not make Oddw^t (inne 
 He be as true m vcrtuous conftancie. 
 As thou art falfe and infamous therein. 
 He be as famous for a vertuous wife. 
 As thou notorious foi fo Icawd a life. 
 
 Cdftr. As is a fweet pearlc dropping (Ilucr fiiowre. 
 Which fomc milde cloud down (rom the (hadie skte 
 Vpon thcparchcd fliowric fields dooth power : 
 Such is 0S4uiaei fight to CAfsrs cj'es. 
 Hath /<^«im»uailcgaind the gouldcn fleece, 
 Oi: hath 0£iduU faild of hir entent ? 
 Is ^»re«ji within the bounds of Cr«*tf*, 
 Or dooth he ftay at B/anetf^our^ njalccootciit } 
 
 0<7. CdjArfhow my now difbatlcd minde 
 Vnites it (elfc to render worthy thanks: 
 Butwoeisme,aoway,nomeanesltu)de, .i 
 
 No 
 
 « 
 
The TragteontaMe 
 
 No hope to hide ^nromui lufttul prankcf. 
 
 I him bcfought.by all that words might C\y, 
 
 By this fame ring that knit the Oirdi.in knot: 
 
 By all the rights part on our wcddini* day. 
 
 But all in v.unc,tor all is now forg* >t" 
 
 Lookc how (bine proude hard narted mighty rocke. 
 
 Which makes the Tea a mirroiir for his face*, 
 
 Rcpcll's the waters with a churlifli ftroake. 
 
 Which milddy ftriuc his body to imbrace : 
 
 So his indiir-ttc tninde reiefb my Words 
 
 And rudely makes mc and my hopes forlorne , 
 
 His flinty heart naught but rcpulle afibords, 
 
 And my de(erts retumc me naught but fcornc. 
 
 C^tf.ir.Wetc not O/ttiMi.i precious in my fighr, 
 Whoft will withftood what I did moft dei^r<'- 
 The bloudy lynes had not been now to wrighie» 
 Of luch raiengeos his lea wd derds require. 
 But worthy branch of braue Od/tuiMi lyne. 
 In C*f.iri thoughtsliue and ptcdominate: 
 Yours is my kingdome and what els is mine. 
 My (elfe,my (ceptcrand my royal ftate. 
 Then fith I euer graunted your rcqiieft, 
 And let you prooue al meancs his loueto winne ; 
 Since you and we in vainc bane done our bell. 
 To ftay his looteoutof the finckcof finncj 
 Now for my fjke.if I mav ought preiiaile. 
 For dead Odjmut neuer (bined worth : 
 fox deare .<* hariaet lour and your aua le. 
 Ejccufc no more his faithlcfncHc henccfoonh, 
 
 Tceld 
 
 of the verttioui OFlnnia, 
 
 Ycdd but to thisjiue hccrcand banifli care, 
 Forget his name that tray tor-likc i«: fled : 
 Line like a Qiu:ene,rcmcmber who you arc. 
 And let me roufc him from his Lcmmnni bed. 
 I.caucyou this houfc of his,an \ what is his. 
 Stand of ycur fcllc fince he cr.tends your fall: 
 Diflioncr not yAur name with others mifle. 
 If loue caqnot recall him terror fliall. 
 
 O/?. Diihonornot my name! O CxfUr no. 
 My nuil-ric is not of th it d. grec : 
 VVrouglit by my follic op foix'd bv n^y fee. 
 Which niought attribute that diQraa- to me. 
 Tis painc,nn;i gicrre.to bearc and fuTor wrorc;, 
 Butflia'-noap.dljiincto liim that dooth the fame: 
 True patiincc can ;TiiM!y fiiffpr long, 
 Where rajjc and furic do our Hue? defame. 
 Tis'fqrtitii Jc which fcornes the f orce of wrong . 
 And tcmpf IT ncc not to be moou'd withall : 
 Tis conOande makes vs cor}t^mu5jtronj». 
 And wi Idom s'\vork(no free outf chjcTTrom thrali. 
 "IfutTHm wrong'Jvou u)',and tisbaK: fcarc. 
 Without rciiengc to fuflirr miuric : 
 If; cowardizc vnworthy wrongs to beare. 
 And madiief^c to giue way to trecheric, 
 Well thcn,rencnge,but what? Ofiauidfs wrong. 
 Ofwhom ? o^A-ttony. And who is he ? 
 Ah my dec re Lord, that will retumc ere long. 
 And hate his fall, and be mort true to mc. 
 If not, lie then rcucn^e^but how ? with death ? 
 
, The TragicontcedU ^ 
 
 He is my fclfc,his grccfe procures my paine. 
 With fpoilc and lortc I O no that were notgOO^« 
 Ey ccrtaine lofTc to hope for doubtful! gainc 
 How then f be fallc as he is moft vntruc. 
 One wound doth notan others balmc procure. 
 Flame is oo t q uc nght m\h (iaine ,h\it both tcanC 
 A double force not cane to end urc. 
 Whence fprings rcucngc?from malice atid difdaioa 
 Then fpcakc notof it^iar itfs^vainc. 
 Earth open firftthiCcmd^idcdlavrei, • 
 
 And fwallow mc in thine .infernall wombci 
 Eare willingly Ifwarue from vcrtucs lawes, 
 Trathc my loucs childbed was^truthe be his tombc. 
 
 (J.tf. Were ytntonj as i oyall in his louc. 
 As he is falfc.forrwome,and fondly beot: 
 Then would I thinkc it rcafon to approouc. 
 And highly prrii(c your vcttuouscntcnt, . 
 Buffith he wiliiuelv doth j-ou fbrfakc , 
 And wilfully pci/irtes to do vi wronc : 
 High honor ciooth require our iivoras to take, 
 Moft iiift rcuengc.which we may not prolongs 
 
 0<7.His falfhood dooth not malice raife in mCi 
 But rather (Iiewcs how frailc nuns nature is: 
 An argument which bids me carefull be, 
 Leaft I my fclfc (liould Iikewifc do amilTe. 
 
 C«/. Can my pafwafions then no whit prcuaile ? 
 Can my requcft no thought of ycelding findc ? 
 Can you eftcemcof him whofe truth dooth faile? 
 pThocarc few women of 0<74iH/<<«iatad«* 
 
 of the verthoHs UuMUa, 
 
 Vcfa.Tao few I grant,and therefore am I fach. 
 And though alone, yet will pcrfciicr ftilJ: 
 We imitate the multitude too much, 
 Moft do.as do the moft ,and moft do ill. 
 Thcjjumbcr of the vmucnisji/pjmall , 
 Tfiatlcw dcligRt to tread that lo^ncly waj[ : 
 But wifdomes hclrcis arc iealious of their fall- 
 And thinke it fhamefull all fliould goc aftray. 
 A vcrwouj aft (cemes ftrange in fome mens fight, 
 Becaufe they fcldome faw the like before. 
 But noble inindes are carefull of the right. 
 And others errors make them fearcthe more. 
 How fencelcfly we flcepc in follies bcddCj. 
 How few there are indeed ,Trow all would Cectac 
 Wife,honeft,iuft,how fondly arc wc led. 
 To vfc that leaft which we do moft cftccmc? 
 Then ought a prince to fearc much more then any: 
 Leaft hi<; fault oe a prefident to many. 
 
 Cdf. And is it vertue then to be mifuied ? 
 
 Ofld, To giue no caufc why wc (hould be abufed. 
 
 C^. Do but conient,Ileaftandbearethe blame. 
 
 0£l^. To giue confcnt to finne, is finne & (hame. 
 
 C4^. Aod is it finne to punidi leawdneflc thcnJ 
 
 0//rf.Sinne to cxultc vpon repentant men . 
 
 C^ut he pcrfifts in hatcfull trccherie. 
 
 Off, True lone may fpring from pardoned inlurie. 
 C/.How may they louc, w ho worlds of diftancc part? 
 
 Oiha He is not far thats lodg'd within the heart. 
 
 C.f .But timcj^d ab(ence,will confumc all loue. - 
 
rl'J^ 
 
 Tht Tragic omceMe 
 
 0<i'.Soi\CT the hart,wlilch doth thofc paflions prouc 
 
 O/.Not fo,no mortall Hartc ncarcloucis found. 
 
 Oi^.But wc arc mortall which endure the wound. 
 
 Uf.Yct Icauc this houfc.jf not his loue deny. 
 
 Orf. Firft let this foulc out of his lodeing flyc. 
 
 C*/. Can nature then no priuilcdgc obuinc I 
 Arc his ddctts in fuch aboundant ilore i 
 Muft iill 1 do be fruitleflc and in vaine f 
 ^nfo»i$4« be your guide,! fay no more. 
 
 Or7.1f that my words fo much offend your xnindc, 
 O filent df a Jijthou my befl refuge art: 
 
 brcakc my heart,for C*f4r is vnkinde, 
 
 1 n fiknt grccfe, O brcakc my wounded heart. 
 
 • Cxf. What in a trauncc?0 fiftcr/iflcr dcarc^ 
 Light of my life^dcarc model! of my foute: 
 Hurt noryour fclfe,0 banifli needleflc fearc, 
 Woc,vvoc,to me,th3t.did you thus controulc; 
 
 dcarc Oi!fauij,l (pake but to proouc. 
 
 How farrc your thoughts were bent with iralouficj 
 To fee if malice had exilde your loue, 
 Toiinde how you eflcemd oijntenj, 
 
 03, Cjtfar more bclou'd then thefc (amc eyes. 
 More then the light which glads my tired life: 
 Do not my truly iouing minde dcfpife, 
 Kill not my heart with this yourfaftious ftrife. 
 Alaffe tis not his houfc that I rcfpcft. 
 His wealth, or trypartitc high regiment : 
 
 1 would the worlds great trcafuric neglcft, 
 JRathcr then hazard C</«<»v difcontcnt. 
 
 Tit 
 
 efthevertuoHiOl^auU. 
 
 Tis not affcftion that encjiaines my minde,' 
 Or partiall loue that makes my faitli I'o ftrong: 
 Toowcllalaflcmyfelfeabufiiei ^nde. 
 And this my hart too (enfible of wrong. 
 And what is worle,this wrong fo fiill of (cornc. 
 As moughtincenfe the mildeft minde aliuc: 
 ! To fee my Lord a gracelcfic Queenc fubornej 
 And my diflionour carelefly contriue. 
 Nay worfe then that,if worlc then that may be, 
 Ko aeatyre euer felt the like di^racc : 
 Each wronged wight may hope Tor remcdic. 
 My flianictuljftoric nothing may deface. 
 For if my Lord would cure this wound againc 
 Yet woe is,me,thc fcarre will ftill remainc. 
 In thefe refpccts,perhaps I could be brought, 
 ToftrikerQUcngcasdcepcas any could: 
 I want no meanes whereby it mought be wrought. 
 For many thoufands wifli it if I would. 
 And what ismorc,my felfecan (carcely let : 
 But Csfars fwordc for mc would pay the debt. 
 13ut when I findc in clofet of my heart. 
 How I hauc paun'd my faith to Antony, 
 How I hauc vow'd that nought but death fliould 
 From hini my louc,and my fidditie. , (part 
 
 When that I fte the vulgar peoples eyes, 
 . Make my dcfigncs the pattcrne of their deeds : 
 ; How with my thoughts they (triue to fimpathize, 
 i And how my miffc their certainc crrour brcedes. 
   When that I findc how my dcpartutc were, 
 
 D J The 
 
The Tfdtgicomosdie 
 
 The opening of a gate to ciuill warres : 
 jrhcn .^//^like I a m conftr.un ^d to bcarc, ' 
 A]iatc^Jb.q]lfliVu2|riptthtih^ ftarrcs. 
 lie rather dye.tKen witncflc with thefo eyes. 
 In mottatl wounds and bloiidic lines enrowled. 
 The argument of my calamities. 
 Whom proud mifchance'.vniuQly thus controwlcd. 
 Shall ncuer two fuch noble Empcrcurs , 
 Their dcarcft iiu'js aducnture (or my f ikc» 
 Shall neuer for my fake Inch mightie powers. 
 The doubtfull chaunce of battle vndertake. 
 S'i:Jl ncuor tongue recount Ot'lautAei criour. 
 An inftance of his faithlefle pcriurie 
 lie rathuT dye the worlds vnlpottcd myrrour. 
 And witi J my faith lurmount his iniurie . 
 
 a/: Well fifter.thcn I fee thatconltancic 
 Is fomclimes (cated in a womaus brell : 
 Your Urangcdciignes cucn from your infancic. 
 Can neuef without wonder be cxprcft. 
 
 OiiX know not whnt you thinkc of woman kindc, 
 Tliat they arc faithlcfle and vnconftant euct : 
 For me,l thinkc all women ftriuc to findc 
 The petfcft good,and therein to pcrfeucr . 
 Eiico as a TorchCjOr Snlphure poudercd light. 
 Whiles any nourilliment maintaincs his fl.aiic, 
 l-'aylcs not t6 burnc.and burning Ihincth bright, 
 Tillrsttc ob!"curc,oV force put out the fame : 
 Such is the minde in womans l>rcft contained, 
 "WuliiJKttU6Zcalcofvatu«louccnfl:uw'd, 
 
 • Wc 
 
 ofthevertHOHs OBaitia, 
 
 Wc maybe dcad,but liuing ncuer ftainci, 
 Wc may be wrongd,but ncuer rightly blam'J . 
 
 C4/rWcl,for your fclfc proceed as you thinkc befl:: 
 Time and the hcauais,muft fee thcfc wrongs rcdrcft. 
 
 Cxftr. T'tt'im. PUnc$ti. 
 Great pecrcs that ftriuc with wifdoms laacd £une, 
 Tooucr-liucall humaine memory: 
 Shew mc,for what ctitcnt you hither came. 
 What caufdc you to raiouJt from Anttnj i 
 
 Tit, By our accellc wc nothing dfc entcnd. 
 But humbly to befccch your maieftic : 
 Vndcr your gracious f luour to defend. 
 Our wrongcd*fclucs from hatcfull iniurie. 
 Proud C/tffl/.j/r.ijiEgypts aaftie Qaecne, 
 Rules ^»/«»7,and wrongs (he carci not where : • 
 So infblcnt hir late attempts hauc been. 
 As no pride-fcorning Romame heart can bcare', 
 S!ie is become our Quccncand goueinour. 
 And we whoft courage fcares the force of no man: 
 By feuilc bafcnclTc of our Empcrour, 
 Mud be content to ftoope vnto a woman. 
 
 Cj/TWhat Angel QuKn rules thofc Nj!eUh coafls, 
 Whofe bcautic can fo ou<r-rule mens mindes : 
 What goddeflc can command the man that boafls 
 To cquall /«//w,in his high defi^ncs. 
 
 PLin. I fin thofc guiftSjby nature wc cnioy, 
 Vnto Oii.tu$Aet facred maieftic, 
 Shcw be but comparable any way: 
 
 I>4 ' Be 
 
The Tragicon7(gdie 
 
 Ec ncuer Rcmiflnes fb diigrac'd as wc. 
 
 Kut for hir artificiall ornaments. 
 
 For pompcfor pridc/or fupafluitic. 
 
 For nil excdFe that folly reprefcnt5: 
 
 She dotivcxcecd the height of vanitic. 
 
 Kir runne- burnt bcamic cannot plcafc his fight. 
 
 That hath a minde with any icafon fraught ; 
 
 But'tis hir Syren tongue that dooth delight, 
 
 Hir craftie Cyces wit which hath him caught. 
 
 As when from Athens, Niger madcreturiic. 
 
 And d;d relate th- Emperehe cntcnr. 
 
 Which hb ofpurpofe had in charge to learAc; 
 
 And bA hir princely guifts to him prefcnt. 
 
 And further did with truth difcoucring wordcj 
 
 Odar:/acs well defcrued prailes frame : 
 
 An argiinaent which to that Quccne affords, 
 
 A furious b'aft to raiic a Icalioub flame. 
 
 Then did flic nothing vnattcmpted leaue, 
 
 Thit art mouglit fra^ne, or wit mought wtll dcuiz." 
 
 Which aiought his niinde.ofrcafon quite bcreaue : 
 
 Andthus fli^; firaighl began to 5;rt»i^. 
 
 Sheepine; hir body with the want of food, 
 
 Th«t fhc mough: fecmc to languifli for his fake : 
 
 And by hir "elturcs would be vnderiiood, 
 
 Eowfrom hisabfcnce fire hir death fliould take. 
 
 Hir aecpc lamenting lockcs fixt in his face. 
 
 In filent tcrrnes prefeiit r.n carncft fiitc : 
 
 As who fhould lay.O pitty my hard ca(c. 
 
 Whom violence of pafuoii nul^cth rajitc 
 
 Hien 
 
 oftheverttiousOciama. 
 
 Tlien would flie fland ofpurpofe in his waj'. 
 In any plac*: where he f]iould palfage make; 
 And there as though vn willing to bcwrav. 
 What bitter gricfe fhe inwardly did take; 
 Downe from hercj'csdil^iisa Chriflall tyde. 
 Which at his commmg fhc would dry a^ainc. 
 And fodainly would turnc her head a flde^ 
 As though vnwillingto rcucale her painc. 
 Thus in his prefence raniflied with loy. 
 She fmiles . and f]aewes,w!iat miith flic can deuizc: 
 But in his abftnce drowned with annoy. 
 She feeines to take her life from thotc his eya , 
 Then Mcercmaid -like his fccnces fhe inuadcs. 
 With fwceteft ne£tarof afugcred tongue; 
 Vnto her wi!l,fhc cuer him perlwadcs, 
 The force of her words witch-craft is fo ftrong. 
 Then came the kcnell of her flattering crew. 
 Who largely paint the Pcorv of herd^ath. 
 Like feede Atturneys they her flite renne. 
 And hunt 4»fmiui fpirits out of breath. 
 Wherewith' aflayl'd, he likca man enchiunted. 
 To make her know flic need not to niifdoubt him : 
 Or like, to one with fome m.td fury haunted, 
 Affembleth all the people round about him. 
 In that fayrc Citty roy^lliz'd by fame. 
 By that great Macedonian mo:urke builded: 
 Of whoin it tooke beginnirijj,birth and name- 
 Where on a high TnhutAl' leate which yielded, 
 A large profpc^,wcre plac'd toochayics of goUc; 
 
 One 
 
W^!^- 
 
 wm 
 
 ^m^^fw 
 
 The Tragicomoedie 
 
 One for himfelfe,anothcr for her grace. 
 
 And humbler fcates which mought her cluldr e hold. 
 
 Of fuch like mcttall,in the (clfc fame place. 
 
 There he eftablifht C/eopatr^,Qwxne 
 
 C^&gipt, Cyfirus,znd of LiJJa: 
 
 And that his bounty mought the more befca\e. 
 
 He ioyn'd thereto the lower Syri4. 
 
 C<tfarion ,heyre apparant to her grace 
 
 Was conftituted King of thofc (arae lands. 
 
 Hisowne two fonnes by her were there in place. 
 
 Attended with great troopcs of martial] hands. 
 
 Thcfetwo.the mighty Kings ofKingsht called. 
 
 And to the eidcft gauc Armenia, 
 
 The country Af«(i/««,and forthwith enflallcd 
 
 Hitn regent of the Kingdome PArthta, 
 
 To Ptolemy he gaue Phanic$.i, 
 
 And ail the terrytorics there adiovning: 
 
 The vpper5^rw^ndC;//f/,<, '^ 
 
 Vntothem both peculiar guards afligning. 
 
 A Mtdtaa gowne the clda of them ware. 
 
 And all th'Armeman fbuldiers fo inftrufted: - 
 
 Accomplifliing the charge they had before. 
 
 About nim came and thence they him conduced. 
 
 In Macedoniattioha the other itands. 
 
 In diftance from his brother little fpacc: 
 
 About him came the Maeedcn'fdn bands. 
 
 And guarded lafe his perfon from the place. 
 
 Thcfc things proclairft'd, the trumpets lowdeft voice, 
 
 Vnto all peoples cares f oorthw ith imparted, 
 
 Wherat 
 
 ofthevertuoHs OEiauin, 
 
 Whereat (bttic frowne,{bmc murmure,fbmcrcioycc^ 
 "Whiles he, with his immortallquecne departed. 
 
 CA».Iramortall?why you faid (lie was not fuch . 
 
 P/rf.Not fiic,but her attyre did claime thus much. 
 
 C<e.Was her attyre fo admirable then? 
 
 P /^.Scorning the bafencs of vs mortall men. 
 Clad like the Goddeflc Ijis flie did goe: 
 Then what hard heart wold not haue thought ha fb 
 
 C^/. When that Appollodorut on his backc, 
 A flockbed did to luitut C*f4r bring: 
 With thongs of leather truft vp like a Ttckc j 
 As though thffe had been need of fuch a thing. 
 Where was the Goddcffe when this came to palft? 
 
 i'/rf.Shee, noble fhe, was ryding on her Af fc. 
 
 C<«/.When Antony about the (trreres doth runnt^ 
 Liftning at each man", window in the night : 
 To hcare what in the iKjufe is fvd or done, 
 And with ftraingc no)'Tes paficngcrs affright. 
 Where is this Goddeflc then fo highly bleflf 
 
 P/*<.Shc ambles after to laugh at the ieft. 
 C-e And fhalour flatc mainuine their hateful pridcJ 
 Shall bleeding Roome procure their wanton peace? 
 Tis time we ftould a remedy prouide. 
 And their ambition fpccdily fupprcflc. 
 
 Chorw, 
 
t. TheTragicomoedie 
 
 of the vertuous Quanta, 
 
 
 i. 
 
 Which 9ertuet pr/tife vottld ^titne . 
 
 
 Chorus, 
 
 }Vhofe force ^nUjfe ipefojle,n>e IJtour all 
 Th'exampies of the moff. 
 
 in 9aiaf, 
 
 T .T 7 Hat gmlJedhditei efjfnae^ 
 Y Y^ Doelfdl procure our mijfe : 
 
 Whichmoft doe take le.tfl care. 
 
 
 Toanchoreonthecoajie, 
 
 
 Andfeeke our fattiest o tVMtie, 
 
 Where f.icred^ertuet are. 
 
 
 Irom theyr'entendedkijfef 
 
 Swiete Syrerry:^m£ tOTiguet, 
 
 
 Eum naturiifetfe doth draVt 
 
 l» flattery mofl expert: 
 
 
 And force yijliU to fitdt: 
 
 Whsft tllperfwadingfongeii 
 
 
 And Violate the Ux», 
 
 Ourfcences doeperuert. 
 
 
 Whfch le.ifiu mal^s our^utde. 
 
 Andrntminturiottsdeedt^ 
 
 
 Ofpleafuresive aloive. 
 
 Doecaufe^itodigrtjfe: 
 
 
 Which die our thraldom hrmg: 
 
 Our errour furj breedes^ 
 
 
 W hen ft aruelinji \>grtue »iw. 
 
 When m-priges our mindes opprejfe. 
 
 (dfffrefi. 
 
 Jifiarcely iudpda thta^- 
 
 Theft! treafoH wtrJ^ng mafet, fttUvftrke-oi^r great 
 
 The one apoore coaceipt^thi otherprooit'da I\i>m» 
 
 Ex.tmplei make 0/ bolJe, 
 
 
 iftktt h befofheete, 
 
 To tread the doubt full way g 
 
 
 To tre.tdthepath ofjinne: 
 
 Which toe before were tolde. 
 
 
 Androexceedinj^ meete^ 
 
 Wotldlead^t^uiteaftray.   
 
 
 ^ We (hiuld not u'iilke therein ; 
 w. Ottatursr/ioft^fslfjndet 
 
 Perfh^attons kindly mooue, 
 
 
 And winners te dot tU: 
 
 
 That prooHfsvfeakerexfons foCi 
 
 Whofe poyfon when we promt , 
 
 
   O reafon too 1 00 hlmdc , 
 
 Wtpoyfinedyloue itftitl. 
 
 
 Thatcrojftth ndture \o. 
 
 But iniury moreftrong. 
 
 
 Tht ce ma I- ft ductn^foes^ 
 
 Doth fiercely 9i incite: 
 
 
 CouJuil falfe errours tratne: 
 
 Bjfujfring to doe wronge^ 
 
 
 Mtjleading mofl ofthofe, 
 
 Which 
 
 lotgetfuUof the right, 
 
 -.± '- - - 
 
 jut 
 
The Tragicomosdte 
 
 Ml theft thrice ^trtuous ^eene,aJfMe thee with 
 
 (their mi^ht, 
 Wht can ^ule deeJes Jtfpifi, 
 jtnd flattering ttnrHes ntcleil: 
 Jl '$:h m.tlice temfori^e, 
 ^s telle At yjie dot h Aire/l. 
 Giu'- hi»i theLtwrellcTcwne, 
 Ttirmphitmt 'i'l^tri vfeare: 
 The tytlci ofrenowne. 
 Which Kurtuis menarl^J hedte, 
 yirnlthoM mo^ glorious qutcnt^ 
 Thtfe tr Ay tor foes rcpell: 
 That ^ertue may befeene, 
 in that your fexe to dwtll. 
 AndhraMly ^aunt thj worthvhert he moji hafehffet^ 
 
 Oiljtuta, Meeeends. jtgrij,fa, C*f4r, 
 
 YOii Iiaiiglity Lor Js,th.it bury doathjund fate. 
 In liuins: momiments of loUy tame: 
 \Vlto(c wortliv praiff Jotli clninic the boundlcs 
 wherewith ctCTiiity joth Ma/c her iiiinic. (date, 
 
 Cianll whom riiit- y u thdc torcc^ in (i:fh halk? 
 Ciinrt wl^otn lead you this d:uip,cr thrc.tningpowcr? 
 X)oth hatciull i:,tnTiitali)0\}x contiiv.s vvaftc? 
 
 Cr 
 
 ofthevertHOHs Otl attic. 
 
 Or Brennut fword yourliues fcekc to dcuourcr 
 No no my t,orJs, this your concca'ld dcfionc, 
 Ilcfbundiog Echoes c;f moft Ikangc debate: 
 With traqikc tydin]2;cs HIl 'd thcfe cars of mine, 
 1 hat powr'd on mc the fturme of all yotir liate. 
 Neuci- fince princclie handc ofSy'.uias fbnnc, 
 l.niiic the foundations of thcfc fuitely towers: 
 I'Jid Hiarjic mifchauncc ^o nitich cdyps the funnc, 
 ()l our !»ood fbrtunCjWidi f.ich fitall lowers. 
 Bur iUh;it wiftdonic cuer found a place, 
 Within your fculcs.whichbc.iuiifiLS your praifl*: 
 Now flicw the (I inic,and Hiuc from high difgracc, 
 Our bleeding lionor.and dcatti breathing ioyes. 
 You know liow bloud maintaincs the life of warrcs, 
 As doubttull as dcarc bou?ht the vidory : 
 Mans defliny is ckiiii'd by vnknowne ftarr es. 
 To happy ioyes or mournfull mifery, 
 Ifyou trniniph.you conquer notyour foes, 
 lUitncighbois,kin(ciolkcs and your dcarert friendes } 
 W'hofe wounds bleed lhamc,and deep hart-pcircing 
 I nflccd ofconqucil this isyouramendcs. (woes, 
 But ifmy Lord obiaine t!ie 1 iwrell wreath. 
 And formncfmile on \i\\w with like fiiccclle: . 
 What fatall tempelh.l luioiis rago will breath. 
 From his iicarts caue,your felucb may eafily giicflc. 
 You know when touch of honor win£;<; his mindc. 
 What lyon thoiigl its tyre on his haughty fliulc . 
 \\ here wronged valour raignes tis hard to Hade, 
 Siiclipittyas mav honors pride coutroulc. 
 
 Th.c:i 
 
 ■:^M:^%^iiA'^f!^!^i- 
 
The Tragicomoedie 
 
 Then fithyour courfc to looJe vour (clues is bent. 
 
 To loofe your lines or purchafe lining iliarre: 
 
 Let \vifedonies eyes,blinde crrours faults preucnt. 
 
 With ca(<»a rparke,\vith painc is quenchta flame. 
 
 Be aduocatcs for me to Cxfkrs grace , 
 
 And ftop in time the current of his hate^ 
 
 Let gendc pittic in your mindes finde place, 
 
 Whcu fwoi ds haue pleaded,wbrds wi! come too late 
 
 You know my fortune eucr hath been fuch, 
 
 Asd.izeled Eauies eies with honors fliinc: 
 
 But fince ^ittcniHs hvith augmented much. 
 
 This (bueraigntv'.nnd great cftarcof mincj 
 
 Since nnture,fbrtunc,birth and maiefty. 
 
 In fields of glory ftirrevpciuill vvarres. 
 
 Which of them moll fhould niifc my dignity. 
 
 And lift mine honor neereft to the ftarresj 
 
 Since thefc two Emperours whole princely hands, 
 
 I)oc i'w.t^ the fccpter oit\vtRomdint ftate: 
 
 The que my brotiicr,Iinkt in natures b.mds, 
 
 Theother is my fpoufe and louing mate; 
 
 Since heauensthemfeluesdi'^ in my lifeprouidc, 
 
 To flicw the map of their fchcit^'cs: 
 
 This noot/'f my 1 ords and.all the world befide, ' "i 
 
 JMake me the obicd of their wondring eyes. 
 
 Thus I that was more happy then the reft. 
 
 And did excell in glory and renoune: , 
 
 With more then moft difgrace fliall be fuppreft, 
 
 No fall like his that fallcth from a aowne. 
 
 And that which nature grantcs the mcancft wj'ght, ^ 
 
 of the vertHOHt OBama, 
 
 They cannot loofc which haue the conqucfl wonne: 
 
 Yet with this flrangc T)ylemi7:4 workcs my (pight. 
 
 Who i'euer winne O ^Auii is vndon e. 
 
 Great Empri:fTe,this brigiitfunne can witnes wall. 
 
 So can thcfe heauens before whofc powers I ftand: 
 
 That gainft our mindes C<tOr doth vscompell. 
 
 This cnterprize you fee,to take in hnnd. 
 
 But for my rclfe,and ifthc cafe be fuch. 
 
 That bCJt report is au£\or of this iarret 
 
 If Cy^rj honor may be free from louch 
 
 Of any (b!ne,relinquiniing the warrc. 
 
 lie doe iry beft,and what 1 m.iy perfvvadc. 
 
 To lay downe Jtrmes, wherein if I prcuailet 
 
 A perfe£^ league of friendfliip fiiall be made. 
 
 That may the fury of this tcmpeft quailc. 
 
 And pardon mc(deate foueraigne)though my (pccch 
 
 Include exceptions in this doubtfiill wife: 
 
 1 may not Ctfar mooue.nor him beftecb, 
 
 what mav his maieftic difroyallize. 
 
 This(aid,fc»chold my hand, my fword.my fbule, 
 
 Hcere humbly proftratc at your princely fette : 
 
 What yon.commaund let none dare to conrrf)ule. 
 
 This Ctf/rfr will and this we thinke moft me«e. 
 
 ^r/.Madam,yourrpeech I thinke doth not extend. 
 To the difparapement of your rwne blond: 
 And (boner Hiall my life haue finall end. 
 Then Irefu^etodocycurhighncigood. ' 
 Though laft my fpfcch ,yct (ccond vnto iiOnc 
 Is my ieGre^t'cflcfhiaic your \N'ill; 
 
 E But 
 
 \ ' 
 
 ftiiifi»i^.^x»!waasm 
 
 .^^MfiS^ 
 
The Tragicomadit 
 
 Butlocwli^re C,</lf/' comes himfclfc alone, (slc3. 
 A rine we our tongues with words,our words with 
 
 Ca/yiya ifiuc of rcnoun'd 0<!l4Muj race* 
 My (fcoiid [c\ie, RoemtJ ^ionous Emprcflc! 
 B<;ho!tl vs all afl'cmbled hccrc in place. 
 To woikcyour Ihfetj' and your wrongs rcdrcflc. 
 Your Lord xf«/e/»/«j(as wchcarc;dotn threatc. 
 To power {lurpc ftormes of deep rcucnging Ire, 
 Vpon our hcadi : and make di' impCTiall fcatc 
 Kis (olc poflcfllon,crc he hence retjTC. 
 But let him know,though Hncly he pretend. 
 To ouilcle stviunicc with a Prit cesnanic: 
 Thoui^h he triumph in words,yet ere I end. 
 What he bcgiiij,he may repent the fame, 
 
 0<? My gracious Lord.hsgh words doc but encrcafe 
 The flame of vallour in incciiftd mindcs: 
 Lcauc nrmes my Lord.and let vs trcate of peace: 
 "Who beft doth fpecd in war.fmal fafet)' findes, 
 Ful wci the world your noble worth hath knownc, 
 I.ctnotnew dangers nccdleflctrophciesraifc. 
 Let not th'eSccl of hateful deeds be fliowne, 
 Againft my Lord who may defcrue your praife> 
 
 C«/.Shal he be prais'd that is become our foe, 
 Stainc of our name,foi!e of the Ramaint ftatc- 
 A rerujle man, conuiuer of our wor. 
 And from all honor doth degenerate? 
 Nay what is mote,tis faid hcooth pretend. 
 To workc our ruine.and our fatal end . 
 
 OJ^.Can foulciufpition thco^and fai{c report. 
 
 In 
 
 of the vertnoits OSl^uta, 
 
 In wifcdomcs confines holde fo large a place : 
 
 That it can foylc our reafon in fuch fort. 
 
 To fly the good,and worke his ownc difgracc? 
 
 The auncicnt Romamei wont to draw thar fwordcs, 
 
 To purchafe honor, of their ftouteft foes: 
 
 But you whofe groundes are vaine furmized words. 
 
 By fccking honor,fliall your honors loofe. 
 
 Fame hath r^o wings.thc one'of falfe report : 
 
 The othet hath fome plumes of vcritie j 
 
 Why then fliould doubtful rumour,rairea forte 
 
 Ot mortall hate.againft my Lord and me. 
 
 Suppofchcr^isdasyou hauedone,a power: 
 
 Hj to defend, not to offend his triend, 
 
 The heaucns forbid that any fatall hower, 
 
 Should your proceedings turne t'vnhDppy end. 
 
 Vnhappy no,he ncucr talk? amiffc. 
 
 That foilcs his foe before his final ende: 
 
 High honar.noi long life, the treafuic is. 
 
 Which uoble min.ies without refpcft defend. 
 
 OZ/.The prize of honor is not alwaies bloud. 
 
 Crf.Tis honor all whofe end imports o\ir good. 
 
 0//.0 wretched llate where men make hallc to dye. 
 
 C.«.True valour fecles nor gricfc nor mifcry. 
 
 Oil. Vic is your brother, be not then vnkindc. 
 
 C<e. luO.ice, not pitty.fits a Princes mindc. 
 
 OdMi hath done nothing,fparean innocent. 
 
 Ce.Hcdothtoomuchthatbearcsa fnlfe entcnt. 
 
 O.'/.You both arc flronge and both will buy it doare, 
 
 Cx I arm'd wiU» Juascc,know not how to fcarc . 
 
5^^ 
 
 J. Thf Tragkomoedie 
 
 OcT.O Cfyir flul! my hcnrt bcmadcaftaoe. 
 For you to play a bloudie tragedie? 
 Shall fearrc uiisfortunc.breatiung fpitcfuU rage, 
 Make me vicegerent oFall mifcry? 
 If both of you milled in <iroursmazc. 
 Doc (cckcreticngc otmilconcciucd wrongs. 
 For your ownc fakes out of your fimcici naze. 
 The Ipots of mallicc grafted wit h )-our tcogucs. 
 But if mifcliasice haue offered difgrace, 
 Toc)ther party t () let twc entreat e, 
 That for mv fakc,kinde pardon may deface, 
 A fault fo {(Tiall,with breath of words made great. 
 
 C*; Bright lamp of vertuc,honors liuing flame, 
 Whofocutt wJiiae,you «nn nolofle fiilhujc: 
 \yhom partiall fortune lift toerownewidifamc, 
 Hisbe the day,thc triumph and the game. 
 Ths victor m\\[\ be cythcr your owne Lord, 
 Or els your biother,who will both confcnt. 
 To trie tlicir fortunes with the dintc of fwordy 
 But (]ii()4d you as the worlds chicfe ornament. 
 Jf both wcfall,(which hap the hcauen? forbid) 
 All that furuiue,are fubiedl to your wUl. 
 Your birth, your flate.your vcrtuesare not hid.- 
 But knownc.and iou'd,and will beho;iored flill, 
 no ear fb deaf which haxh not heard your name(m ire 
 Whofc earcs hauc heard,their raindcs your worth ad- 
 Whofc minds admire.ihcir harts loue doth enflame. 
 And winncs them fubica to your owne deflre. 
 No perils tlitcatai you, you need not fcarc. 
 
 0&,t. 
 
 oftke vertmus O^auut . 
 
 Ot7.i But many you.and 1 their burthen bcare. 
 
 Cif/.Tisreafoii I, none els my gricfe lulfairic. 
 
 0^?««. Where nature forccth, reafcn is but vainc. 
 And therefore C/if^r hcae I thee bci'sech. 
 By thcfe lame fccpta-bcaring hands of mine: 
 By thefc fame tcarcsjtnie witncs of my fpecch ; 
 By that fame princely portand grace of thincj 
 Hy all the loue thou bear' fl to Acctaet ghoi>. 
 By all the rightes tltat louing mindes hold dcarcj 
 Lay amies afidc difmiilc tliis puifant hoafl. 
 Let friendly trucerdcafc my miude of feare. 
 If not.ilc drownc my hfcin thefc fametearcs. 
 And tyie with plaints the Pandimian birdes ; 
 Tyre iWHaleionei^'i^ gricft tfiat beara 
 To high a flraiiie,for higkefi ctyraing words, 
 lie make the funtw forpitty doath his ftecdcs 
 In fbrrows Uucij'jand djfdaine your fight; 
 Force niggard Piuto with my wofuU deeds. 
 To entcrtainc my fijules difgra:ed flight. 
 Fife will I flie and llirowde my t'acc from fharoe. 
 Where /'^W*^/ hides his head amongflthe ftarrcs: 
 Or where ambitious 0/Aw,wanting flame 
 Of heauenly lamps,thc cloudcs rwiltiriotion battel. 
 Ought will I doe,bcfore thcfCjCies behold 
 Death's vifTage painted in tfiat pdncclicface: 
 , Before ile fee captiuitiejay holdc 
 On thofe faire lims.vvhich merit higheft grace. 
 Before ilc fee their bloudic weapons drinkc, 
 Th e n e ilar of thy lifc,ot luovic flain'd, 
 
 Ei* Witli 
 
 i 
 
 ►•s-«S'i 'iiBK** was* i 
 
%':.. 
 F, 
 
 The Tragic m cedie 
 
 Wkh vgly gore : O let mc ncuct thinkc. 
 
 Or hope uU then, to hauc this life rriaintain'tl. , 
 
 Bcforcthat timc,dcath is a welcome gucft 
 
 To my hues lodging : and O lifters dcarc. 
 
 If cucr pitty dwelt in dyrefull breft. 
 
 Draw not my threed till that ncwcs'pcirce ntinc earc. 
 
 How oft when fkcp inuitcs my drowfie ej'e, 
 
 With natures cur<aine to repcll the light: 
 
 And hide my minde frora ibrrows tyranny, 
 
 Vnder thcdarkncs.of the filent night/ 
 
 Shklthy pale ghoff dcfil'd with deaths foulc hand. 
 
 Stand in my right,as in thcciecreft day : 
 
 And fury-like arm'd with blackc fiery biandj 
 
 A ffrioht my minde and chafe dead fleep, awa y ? 
 
 Which being gone,ficrce (brrows cruell ciawcs, 
 
 Seaze on my waking thoughts like tygcrs fell: 
 
 And gripe my heart with fharpe tormenting pawcs. 
 
 That thouiand times deaths rygout dothcxcell.   
 
 C«/0 perfe(fi vertue gracing woman kmde, 
 Inumcible 05<j»/<4 ccalc to plame; 
 O had -i»/ow/«/ halfe fb good a minde. 
 No difcord tould betwixt vs two remaipc. 
 My Lords what thinke you.how may vvc proceed? 
 High honor cries reuenge vpon our foes: 
 And yet Oilauia croffing this our deed, 
 Cannot refolue which of vs file would loofc. 
 
 AgrX thinke it is a braue and Princejy thing. 
 With fire and fword to ruinate our foes: 
 But greater glory is it for a King, 
 
 .'. ; To 
 
 cfthevntuoMs OBauia. 
 
 To fauc his fubicfts from wars common woes. 
 
 Tis wifedomc noble 6"<f/4tr, jnuft aduancc 
 
 Our ftate beyond the reach of fortunes arme; 
 
 Not fierce reu^nae which workcs cfFedcs by chan*^, ' 
 
 And glories moft when mbft it worketli harme. 
 
 And valour,{lich as doth contcmne all fearc. 
 
 And guild our ades with honor and renew ne: 
 
 With gentle clemcncie,oUr deeds ehdeare, (downc. ^ 
 
 And mount widi vertue where chance throwes vs 
 
 Meccp.Thc rareft thing a Princes fame to raifc. 
 Is to ex cell thofc that are excellent: 
 All other to (utcnount in vermes praife. 
 And be his kingdomes chief eft ornament. 
 Make quiet peace within hiscoaftcs remaine. 
 And faccour thofc that liuc in great diftrcflc: 
 From bloudy flaughter cucr to rcfrainc , 
 Wxth tinoe,3nd wifedome,pa(Iions rage fiippreflc. 
 Thefc arc thb wings dircftingvertues flight. 
 This is the fucU feeding honors flame. 
 Thl<! is the path that leadcsto heauen aright, 
 and fun-bright beamesthat guild braue C^Ptrs name. 
 
 C<tf. Pitty my Lords js often like a maske. 
 That hides out eyes from feein* what is iufc 
 Inuiting any t'vndertakc the taske, 
 To workc our woes and execute their luft , 
 For to neclcft the courfe we haue begun. 
 Were to betray our {clues vnto our foes: 
 Where keeping fiiongc though no exploite be doae, - 
 Yet gaining aothing.nothing (hall wc ioofe. 
 
 Why 
 
TheTragictmoedk 
 
 \\1iy ypu'arc ill inforrt'd oiAmtttty, 
 And his attempts exceed your kssovfkdge farre; 
 I tcarc mc when you know as much as i. 
 You'll pleade as faft to profccutc the warrc 
 But flea flranger ha0$ into our (ight, 
 With further n^cf, and ijf I iudge a righr, 
 
 ^^idThricc noble C^/^fihither atn 1 fent, 
 Hauing in charge lirom great M^rl(_yi>itenjf: 
 "Th'^rribafragc of his plcafure to prcfeot. 
 Before p<?rfji*/4 and thy niaicrty. 
 Fir{{ lie commavinds Q&Mtia to depan. 
 Out of his houfcjand kauc all that is his: 
 The reafbn vyhy, he lift nqt to impart, 
 Itmuftfufficc ♦hatfuchhi^pleafura is. 
 He likcvvifc wili,thy hiahncfTc kn o^v ledge takCj 
 How much lie fcorncsthou ftouldft his \Vil withftdd; 
 And thereof meancs with fire and f\votd to makej 
 A pcrfeft dcmonftxation out of hand, 
 
 C«/Will Anteny our confines then inuadc, . 
 With Ciuill warres.contriuer of our woe i 
 Great rcafon preparation (liou'd be mndC| 
 For to withftand fo puifwt a Foe. 
 
 5>/.Fiuc hundrcth faile of warlike ftiips he brings," 
 Wherewith the froathing Ocean he (cpures : 
 And in his drmy are eight forraignc Kings, 
 Eight Kings in pcrfbn with their mighty powers* 
 A nuodred thoufand well arm'd foote^arcled 
 Vnder t^niJius their chicfc gencall: 
 I'wcluc thcu/and horfc molt ilrondy fumiHicd, 
 
 Ali 
 
 of the vertuom OHaaia, 
 
 All theft arc knowne,and knowne thcfc are not all. 
 
 C<«/. How new my Lords,is thb thinkc you a ume. 
 To talkc of clemcncie f or oi delay t 
 Is not this mifchiefe in his chiefcfl: prime. 
 Before we could the (peedie (pring bewray? 
 Whatfaith OcJauUto theft tidingsftrange, ' 
 Arcourconiedures vuonfalfliood grounded f 
 Can tiiis fuffice your (ctlcd thoughts to change ? i 
 Are not our Hues with mifchicfes Ocean bounded? 
 
 Odfa. Had I (b many tongues to paintmy woes. 
 As euer flient night had Oiining eyes: 
 Yet could not ail tbcir eloquence di(clo(e, 
 The thrcwes of grccfe which do my minde fiupMSC 
 But would to God.this world of mifcry, 
 Mought preftmiy be trebled vnto me : 
 So that firam imminent; calamiiie, . 
 My dcereft brother C*//«r mought fac free. 
 For me,long fincc I wel difcern'd the {tormc. 
 And fuught by all meanes how I mought preucnt It: 
 But fith no wit ciw Antony reforme, 
 O 'tis not Ijbut he,ihatwl repent it. 
 i fcar'd the ftrokciirforc I felt the wound, 
 Buf now re(blu*d the vvorft of chance to bide : 
 True forntudc doth in ray foule abound. 
 My honor Icomcs the height of formnes pride.. 
 The worft that can befall me is but death : 
 And O how ftvcetcis his liufs facrinze. 
 On vertues altar that exprcs his breath. 
 And in the armcs of innocencic dyes. 
 
[ The Trfigicciradie 
 
 They ondy fcarf,and oncly wretched are. 
 From whofc bad Ikics ftaind with impictic : 
 Their dying fame doth to the world declare, 
 Mort fliamcfull ftories of foule infamic. 
 But thofc that know notjict them leamc in mc •" 
 That vCTtuoiu mindf can nexicr wretched be. 
 
 €df. My Lords, 1 wil yec prcftntly prodaimc 
 Markc Antony, a foe vnto our ftate: 
 That all his foucraigntics yec ftraight rcclaimc. 
 And all his dignities annihillate. 
 We will not (ce the Romame Empires fliinc, 
 Byanyftruileraindctobedefamed : 
 To manage fteelc our nature dooth enclinc. 
 Of womcns wanton toyes we are afliamed. 
 And therefore with fuch ha ft.as maybe-fit, 
 A matter that imports our deareft bloud: 
 Wecle meet ^»/ij»/«*Jf the hcaucns permit, 
 And what we {ay,there will wc make it good. 
 Adicw 0<?.««w,and your felfe prepare 
 To mnne what courfc of fortune I approuct 
 If happicftarws to vs alottcd are, 
 lie neiier be forgctfull of your iouc. ' 
 
 Off. Honour attend thy ftcps.andtill I fee; 
 The period of my worlds declining ftate: 
 l!e neucr to my fclfe s traytor bee , 
 But (ecke thcmcancs to flay your mortallhate. 
 
 Chtrtu. 
 
 oj the vert uoHi OtimU. 
 
 ChoTMU 
 
 T^ Jrth-ruli»g Iteauenly power Sj 
 
 *-^ Great hueitmmortail mattt : 
 
 Th^t fromy$ur Chryfla'J. ieanrj, 
 
 Dyrefi all mtrtalljlMei , 
 ^nd '^s U^ Aftors io difpofe: 
 Te fU-yi xfh.tt fartijoH Itfi i'tmpofi. 
 
 Mufl wgfpocre we, confine 
 
 jTo call you tner lufl i 
 
 Though you eur harts tarmertt^ 
 
 Ettert aft try OH r evitc lu^ ? 
 
 jtndforeachdr3pofhof>*dioy .• 
 Powre (L>w/te whole tentfe^s ofdttnoy, 
 
 jtnithat which ft much more, 
 
 Loo.^e what ive beft do deeme ; 
 
 Djth ^ex our mindet more forty 
 
 Then that wee leajf efietme. 
 
 And that which nature faith U bejl : 
 By trjiillyeelds -vsfnalkfl reji. 
 
 Who dooth not wi(h, to weave 
 
 The terrour breeding cfowne .• 
 
 And direfuU fcepter beare. 
 
 At badge of high renof*fie? 
 
 Tetwho ntort tufily da cempLt'ine^ 
 That they the brttnt ofw«eifitfiaine. 
 
 SiAni 
 
■^''^ 
 
 Tlye Tragicomoedie 
 
 Sundvfhtfe ftflfcrme. 
 
 In highefififftne fUce : 
 
 Though grea: their Jiioriel>e, 
 
 Tet greater then dil^race. 
 
 Amlxoho(o(ulit«d te mifehance : 
 As thffe whom fortune doth ddi*4»ce. 
 
 rhefe iafc earth-creepi/tg mates, 
 
 P, oudemtte neuerjpjet : 
 
 When at the greate/i ^atet, 
 
 HfrpojfMedjM'tferflyes. 
 
 Each tempen doth twmoyle tht feas : 
 Tf'hen little lakes hane qu/et eafe. 
 
 2^?t t!iofe that are hedight, 
 
 IVith b:4rn!fljt g'lfleringgould, 
 
 JVhcfepompe dcthj7eal« ourjigkt, 
 
 JViH) n'onder to behoulde : 
 
 T.tfi fma'left fweet ivirhout mne^j^aule: 
 Norfttdi truetcyei wsthmthsii call. 
 
 ThtsdidtLe heaueni imfyfife, 
 
 NottljattU^ are ^n'tujl : 
 
 But for to piimjhth3\e. 
 
 Who glory t» tht'sr lufl. 
 
 jl»d our mifdeeds prccure<is (rill: 
 To feekeeur good amongji much til. 
 
 JLmonffer honour is, 
 Whoft eyet are '^--ertues flam^: 
 HUfice contempt of this. 
 
 of the Virtuous OSlawa. 
 
 lyhich we pale defith do name. 
 
 Hit Lyon heart n;ught elfe doothfeare: 
 But a owing ccc^ offhame t6 heart. 
 
 hit xemgi are high deftres, 
 
 Hisftete of luji ice frame : 
 
 l3od dangerom afprrei^ 
 
 Htffeate immort til fame. 
 
 Onely thetraine of Enuses plumet , 
 With others groTothe it felfe confumet. 
 
 fFhieh 
 
 JBhs Otiintus. 
 
 > lulsa, Geminnf. Camilla, 
 
 rj Ath Gemmw beheld rh'/^igyptian Qucfne, 
 ■*- ■'The audor ofthctroi^jlcd worlds diitrcdci' 
 Haft thou hir guifts and rare pcrfciTiions fccnc. 
 That makes /*«tr>M/M# fcciices thus digrcflc i 
 Tell vSjis fhc ici admirable faire. 
 That Italy hath none which may coine nigh hir? 
 Doth flic all beauties elfe ^o much impaire. 
 Or els indeed, dooth onrnall fame be lye hir \ 
 Hauethofchiicj'es fo rare an influence, 
 To liouldc and captiuate men; llncesfb. 
 That foyling wit,3pj reafons heft defence. 
 They raiiifliedjmufl: needs thernfthiei forge* ? 
 
 Ge>n.\ know not what may fecm faire in yoiu fight^ 
 Bccaiifc fomc like vviiat others di fcommcnd : 
 
 Buc 
 
The TragicomceMc 
 
 But for my felfr^and if I iudge aright. 
 Speaking o£Clec^atra as a trend. 
 The fdirell thing that in herin.iybc fccnc: 
 Isjthat flic is a Ladic and a Qucene. 
 Madame, that fun-burnt coart, ycelds not a face 
 Which with the Ramatn beauties may compare : 
 There mought be found a thoufand in this place j 
 Whofc naturallperfe£tions arc more rare. 
 
 /«/.How parting fttange it fccmes that Jntmy, 
 Should leaue the paragon of natures pride : 
 And follow hir whofc fliamcfull laxutic, 
 Dooth make the world his folly to deride. 
 Whence (lionld ii fprir.g.thatluch athing fltould be?. 
 Is this his folly,or the hcaucns decree ? . > 
 
 Cam. His fault no doubt, & croflcth natures lawcs. 
 
 lul. And I thinkc nptjfor nature is the caufe. 
 By n?.turc W/c arc moou*d,nay forft tolouc : 
 And being forft,can wc refill the f ime ? 
 The powcrtull hand of heaucn wc wretches proouc: 
 Wiio ftrike the flroke,und poore wc,beare the blame. 
 
 C^w.Louc fure.fro nature tooke his birth by right. 
 But loue of what ? lul. Of bcautic loues delight. 
 CamAni what is bcautic? /w/.fitrt fay what is loue? 
 Cam. I^uc'sa defire of what doth liking moue . 
 , y«r.t>cfircdoth fpring, fro what we wifii, and want, 
 Dooth loofc himfclfc in winning of his taint : 
 fenioying dooth that humor quite fuppiant. 
 And therefore cannot this loucs nature paint. 
 If loiic were a defuc, as you do guclTc, 
 
 Sitk 
 
 cfthevertuont OBaUia. 
 Sith none defires that which he doth enioy, 
 Wc could not loue the thing we do poflcfle: 
 For why,enioying,would our louedeflroy. 
 But this IS falfe.and you haue iudg'd ami(T<:. 
 Cam.Svesk you the trutli.whofc iudgmcnt better ij. 
 /«/. I thinkc this loue a deepe affection fure. 
 Wrought by th'inftinft of natures hidden mi^ht. 
 Which in our hearts an vnion doth procure. 
 With that which perfed ftcracs vntoour fiohr. 
 Such is thatlouc which in vsdoth arifc. 
 When fu<h a bcautic we do chauncc to fee- 
 As with our nature bcfl doth fimpathize. 
 Which nature.faultie is, and not poore wc. 
 Crf»7.Wel,what is beauty/ /».that whic'i likcth be'}. 
 C^/w. Which Lketh vyho? /«/.Some oneabouc^ refl. 
 Cam. Why? fomedo like what others^ifalowc. 
 Some loue,what others hate : and few there arc 
 In whom a like affeftion doth growe, 
 Ofaiiy onething, though thefame be rare. 
 Were bcautic then fuch as you hcere do name. 
 One thing fhould be,and not be beautifull. 
 One thing fliould bc.and yet not be the fame: 
 And that me thinkes were lirangc and wonderfull, ' 
 I rather thinkethcfc outward beauties growe. 
 From iufl proportion and right fj'inmctrie: 
 Of thcfc fame guifts which nature doth bcflow, ] 
 Vpon vs all in our natiuitie. 
 
 W. Indeed we fee a mixture farrc more fine 
 In fomc,tlien others, vj^rought by natures frame ; 
 
 To 
 
!f^: "13CK«:f.?l- 
 
 'y'fS^Ksi-ff" 
 
 ^^^;^:.^!^aMji:^ 
 
 T^f Tragiccnfcedie 
 
 To whom the praifc of bcautie wc a(cribc. 
 
 Yet do not all alike afTcft the Cimc. 
 
 Now.if this were the obicft of our loue, 
 
 \Vc all Ihould like feme one that were moft faire: 
 
 Who (liould alone moft decpc affeftion moouc, 
 
 Whil's vulgar minds mought drown in deep defpairc. 
 
 But as no woman eafily can endure, 
 
 To be dcpriu'd of beauties loucly prnirc ; 
 
 So is there none (b much deformed furc. 
 
 That in (b:nc minds, affcdion doth not rai(c. 
 
 Thei's none (b fairc whofc bcautie all rcfpecl, 
 
 Akliough we were cnforrt it fliould be fo : 
 
 S.->mc nothing fairc, whom we mud needs afTctl, 
 
 Though rcA(on,wit,and ail the world fay no. 
 
 C<*w. And what Ihould be the cauil" of all this fame? 
 
 tu(. I thinly; bccanfc wc lodge ir. natures frame. 
 Look how the Loadftone draws nought els but ftccl?, 
 Though matals far more pretioii< arc about it: 
 Yet this as his fit fubiect fcemrs to tcclc 
 His power attractiue,and mooucs not without it. 
 Or as in diuerfc ^fti uments we (I'e. 
 When any one doth rtrike atuncd firing : 
 'iTie reft which with the fame in coiwrord be. 
 Will fhew a motion to that fcncclefl'c- thing j 
 When all theotha neither ftiire nor playe^ 
 Airhough perliaps more miificill then they : 
 So .ire our minds .in (i^ght of reafons nav, 
 Straiii'd with the licnt of natnres (yrr pnihi;? : 
 Whofc powafull force, no witj no arte^can ftay. 
 
 And 
 
 of the veftuoKi OElauia, 
 
 And ifyouaskc a farther reafonwhyt 
 In thcfe two thing«,but fhew the caufc of both : 
 A nd then ilc tell you why we Ioue,and loathe. 
 Now.if the power of nature befo ftrong 
 That ctien Icnccleffe things yceld thcrcvnto i 
 
 why flioidd wc endure Co great a wrong. 
 To bcarc the blame of that which othersdoc. 
 What lining man can ccaftc himfelfe to be. 
 And yet as poHlblc as to rcfraine. 
 
 From that whereto our nature dooth agree : 
 And fpight of vs, doth v$ thereto conftrame. 
 Who can be angrj' with the fcencclcftc ftcelc, 
 For dcauJng vnto this hard-hatted thing.' 
 Or blame tHat which can neither hcarc,nor fccltf. 
 For nioouing to the other (bunditjg ftiing.' 
 
 1 f thcle may be excufd by natures lawes : 
 
 O how mu.fi more fliould we be free from blame^ 
 Within whofc tender hearts aftcdion drawes. 
 Such da'pe ca radars leading to the fame. 
 CWw. I s bcautie then, folc obicft of our louc? 
 Jj»/. That which fcems fb,doth our artedion mouc. 
 Cam. I cucf thought that vertuc had been bcft. 
 /«/.We praifc that moft,butyctcftcemeJt leaft. 
 C-«.M'hydifeftemd, whofc worth is fo wcl knownc. 
 /«/. To flirw that vice the world hath oucrgrownc. 
 Ca. The name isoften hard in each mahs mouth. 
 /«/ The thing more mre then E.ngles in the foutli. 
 C/iT he thing contcmnd can we the name cfteemc? 
 /«/, Yes al! t! lat arc not Inch as all would fccmc. 
 
 F Rut 
 
The TragkomotdSe 
 
 Butfiihthisistjicbcauticofthemincte, 
 And nothing iiisournaturalldifcourfc; 
 let \s cxcuios for Antom:ts finde, 
 And to our former purpofc hauc rccourfe . 
 
 Cdrn. No [ttlt.i^ no,your harueft is too ibiv, 
 For fuch a fiinplc croppc as you rccciue : 
 lou may not tlius pcriill thctruth to wron^,   
 And witli your vvit.thc world fcckc to dccciue. 
 But Lord how willing arc wc to inucnt. 
 And findc out coucrts to obfcure our finnc : 
 As though to hide the fanic^and not repent, 
 Could vs prcfcruc from bein^ drownd therein. 
 Tistrue,tliat nature did the(c buildings frame. 
 Andtrue^that they to natures power are thrall. 
 Andtruc.thatimperfedions foylcthefame. 
 And true.that we by n;jturcs weaknelTc fall. 
 And this is mie.that Gcxiynnatured all'. 
 And g.iuo vs wildomc to (^jpprclTeour will : 
 lie gaue vs pcrfeft rcafon to recall, 
 Affe!i\icns /coutes from followin;v what Is ill. 
 Why wc are men : and this <ame fparke diuine, 
 Our trouping thoughts fiiould marfliall in fuch wife. 
 That no atfed from rcafon fliould decline. 
 Nor rcbell pafHon in our heaits arife. 
 Th'inflinft of n3turc,which doth all thinas moue. 
 Bids loue whereas you like without rcgaidc: 
 Butpictie(aith,whcre tis lawluU jouc, 
 prcls hell torments iJiall be your rcwardc. 
 
 »fthe virtHoMs OBaHtd. 
 
 Oilauia. utntoir)eichttdren. 
 And is it true, is Antony vnkindc ? 
 Hath this new loue, of faith and troath bereft him J 
 Can fonde affcftion fb obfcure his minde. 
 That not one fparke ofhonor fhould be left him? 
 Can he fo far forget his ownegood namCj 
 Astodiflionorallthat are about him ? 
 Ah can he not witljout a further blame. 
 Permit them dye thatcaivipt hue without him ? 
 Come poore companions of nay miftry. 
 The ifluc of the faithleft man aliue : 
 Support the burthen of his trccherie. 
 Whole bafc reuou'.t.out ruinc doth comriue. 
 Come poore beholders of yourinothers fa 11, 
 Whofe innocence mought greater pittic moue ; 
 Your impious father doth delj^ifcvs all, 
 ForjT^ken wc,murt other fortunes proue. 
 Come poore attendants of a falling rtate. 
 Whole llieiu fiiduede doth my grccfe rcnue; 
 Yet be you all much more vnlortunatc, 
 ErcanyfccHesoflcawdnelTcrcflinyou. 
 Come U't vs goc.and Icaue this loanly place. 
 Your fullers dying bue bequeaths you hence: 
 C) ll.'c this lioiifc^nsfrom yuurownc difgrace, 
 Tishiscomniaund you fliould b« banilTut henje, 
 V)tA F(ttHiA,\wvf c,\n thy imperious ghoaft 
 E:i dure to fee thine Orph.tnis thus oppi ellcd ? 
 I'et of mine honor though his loue be lol^^ 
 
 F z Wlii!« 
 
Tht Traoicomcedie 
 
 W'liilcs I furuiuc.thcy HijII not be diftrcflci. 
 
 O Jnttny, borne of no gentle Syre, 
 
 Somccrncll CaMcafm did thcc beg«: 
 
 £uen fcencdcflc things thy fcencclcfncflc admire. 
 
 And fccnic to fecic,what thou fccmft to forf»ct. 
 
 Oft hauc \ fccncthefc ftoncs with pitty moued, 
 
 Shfcd dropping tcarcs,l.imc"ritingmy diGiracc; 
 
 When in thy ln."art where moft it nroft bcnoued. 
 
 No kindc remorfc could eiier findc a place. 
 
 More mildc then thee, I linde each cruell beaft. 
 
 For they but giiiea finalc-timclafting death; 
 
 With enukiTc grecfe,jry foulc thou doft molcfl:. 
 
 Which cuer kil!int:,nciier (Icps my breath. 
 
 O failing pillcr oFmy f.illin" ftatc ! 
 
 O fadinn; flower of vertues laireft field ! 
 
 O why flioiildlt thou fo much degenerate, 
 
 Avvi honors byrth-riginto diflwnor yccld. 
 
 Yceld to diOionour qll that deare bought.wealrft. 
 
 Which earthly kings doth in heaucns k'ngdoni p!acc 
 
 I,ct thy mindos treafure fall aw.iy by flealth, 
 
 By ftcaldi contriuc and workc thine ownedi/grace. 
 
 O Erectly that my Lord did know, "" 
 
 As thy fondc boyc fliootes fliafte? of fvyift He lire : 
 
 3o niightic /owe,fharpe thunder-boults doth tlirowe. 
 
 Confounding fuch a5 from his lawes rct)'re. 
 
 He nurft m linne,(ees not Ins ovvne difgrace, 
 
 Angmenting Hill, our (brrow and his f hamc .• 
 
 That grcatnedc hides the diingtr from iiis face. 
 
 But yet my care is doubled with the fame. 
 
 The 
 
 0fthe vertuous OllauU . 
 
 T he grccdic Wolfc,and ctoell raucnmg bcarc, 
 
 Touclit with th'octrcmitic of hungrie painc. 
 
 The guiltlelle catdc furiouily do uarc: 
 
 And being fed,from aucUie reirainc. 
 
 But tyranizing gtccfc piaycs on the heart, 
 
 And doycd wvth fighcs and tcj^fcs doth ftil pcrfcucr. 
 
 His raging Turic nothing may diuerc. 
 
 But ftSjliill fcd.is fatifficd neuet. 
 
 O happie he,a thoufand times and more, 
 
 Whofc quiet thoughts fo mildc a c alme do gainc : 
 
 That neither hope can force from fafaics fliorc. 
 
 Nor deepe dcfpaire can fincke on mifchicfcsmainj:. 
 
 But mai"cl1ie,and honour,for ihcfc too, 
 
 Shalbc the oncly obiccVs of mine eye : 
 
 What vcrtuc faith is iul^that will I doe. 
 
 Thus 1 rcfoluc to hue,thus will 1 dye. 
 
 Cemtnui. Byll'ittt. OSdui/u. 'm:\ 
 
 -And arc you fare that Antony isflaine i 
 May we beiccuc that this report is true? ^ ^ 
 
 Bjl. Why iliould you wifli me to recount agame, j 
 The ftory that d oih double greefe rcnue i 
 O had you but difcoaertd with your eyes. 
 The face of woe in all that prcfeat were: 
 Or heard their dolcfull noyfe and (hriking ctycs. 
 You would hauc caufe to grecue and not to f care. ^ 
 
 0<-7. What tfagick tidings bring thcfc wofuU wigntj. 
 That ring fuch pealcs of honor in mine cares .' ^ 
 Wlxat vnknownccaufcyour martial! hearts affiigt)tt' 
 J 3 What 
 
TheTtagicemoedie ^ 
 
 What filcnt ^^cfc in your fadde lookcs app«rcs ? 
 
 Bjl. Did but our words import the found of woe. 
 To wound your earcs withall were double finnc : 
 But fithe your highncflc will ,it fiiould be fo. 
 And that your Hifctic is contain'd therein j 
 Wc will not from ytjur grace concealc the fame j 
 And though we (hould,yct time will open all. 
 From /Egipts common woes 1 lately came. 
 And did bcwaile Antontm wilfullrall. 
 
 on, IS Antony ore'throwne? 5? /.Yes all is loft. 
 His power and fotrts wholy are deaycd: 
 He is deceiucd by Hit he loucd m'oft. 
 By CleafAtra fhamtftilly betrayed. 
 And flic that taught him firrt to (wim in finnc' 
 Was euen the fjrft that drow-n'd his life therein . 
 
 0//.Ah,by what mcanes did Hie my Lordabnfe? 
 
 BjL By fuch a meancsas leawd offenders vfir. 
 For when the warrcs at firft pretended were. 
 And that AntantM with him would not takehir : 
 Sbec fearing leaft hir fclfe not being there. 
 He &aply mought be moued to fbriake bir« 
 Shec fees CMtmm our cheefe General!, 
 Him to pcrfwadc,t!ut flie mought prefcnt be : 
 He fues,obtaines,and we embarked all. 
 Make ioyfiiU haft our wofull end to ifce. 
 For whiles our powers of cquall forcfifwcre. 
 And neither fidccOiild^Ciduantaffcfpyc: 
 Like one that knew a (cact caufc of fcarcj 
 Outpf the «»rrnic fhc b^gan to flye;. 
 •. ' Loc 
 
 efthevertHoHs OSiauiit. 
 
 EoCjhow no grcatnefle can our confcicncc ftce, ' 
 
 From inward horror of our wicked deeds : 
 
 For that fame better part of vs doth fee, 
 
 A greater powa whbfc luftice terrour breeds. 
 
 But he.wholc thoughts were to hir lookes enchained. 
 
 Although the armie did no loflc fuftaine. 
 
 As though for hir he had the world difdayned : 
 
 Forfakcs them all,and after flyes araainc. 
 
 Whofc caufelclTc feare Co much difinaid the honft, 
 
 who (corn'd to fight for him which runne away : 
 
 That with fmall hurt, the battle there was loft,^ 
 
 And Cxfdr had the honor of the day. 
 
 The Lcgion$,thusdepriued of a guide, 
 
 Thcmfcfues to CxOtrs clemcncie uibmit ; 
 
 jintoHtus bafcneflfc they do al 1 deride. 
 
 And thinkc a chamber were for him more fit. 
 
 But Lyon-h^rtcd Cxfar ftill proceeds. 
 
 His ftrength is d oublcd,weakcned is his foe: 
 
 Vnto Peluji»m haftcly he fpcedes, 
 
 Thcfe fugitiucs may not c(capc him Co. 
 
 There lay Antonim nauic in the rode, 
 
 who yedded when Augufim fleet was fccne: 
 
 And likcwife fliewed how Antony abode. 
 
 At Alex.inir'Uw'v^ this fearfull Quecne, 
 
 Who feeing thus himfclfe dcpriued of ayde, 
 
 Crycs out that CUopMrA hath betrayed him : 
 
 She whether guilticjor perhapsaSraid, 
 
 That fro hir flaughcer nothing could haue ftaid him j 
 
 Flics from his figftt, and falfcly fends him word, 
 
 . F+ That 
 
The Tragicomoedie 
 
 That nie(dro\vnd in dcfpairj] hifjij^.lind Jbinl : 
 Whawiilienr.ig'djhc t^cs?|^j^~^'|i^4». 
 And breathing out thcfc fpcecfaci^ JnfJuDO^ 
 
 Cle:ipr.trtL piincclVc of piy h^art ;.•.-.■ 
 And art th ou d wd <" lo dying I adore thee : 
 
 This more then death, doth now procure my fmart, 
 
 1 hat wanting courage, i went not before thee ; 
 Widri tliat.yet warnie dcath-coulqiufcd inllriunent, 
 III his faire'bicft he did the gate fet ope. 
 
 Which to thecarth, his bloudlcfle liri">s hath fcnt : 
 His dying fbuic vp to t!ie hcaucnsi bop? . 
 And IS he dead ? JJ)/. J hs better part yet liucih. 
 But to his corps a loivbc Iwcct quiet "jucth 
 
 OcKt.O poore /'rtfwt/^/Wjnow IfecIcthy^aijK^. 
 Greercsgrcrdic \ uluirc feedes vpon my heart: 
 Vpon my head a flio>verofmilchicfe raines. 
 And all the heaucns conclude to worke mj fmart. 
 O my Antoniui^ my Lord^my Lord : 
 O that Ocl.tuiu had been Uainc for thee ; 
 O that the hcaucns would vnto me aSfifd, 
 That this my bioqdmpught thy li^^^|i|a^)fomt'fce. 
 Mine was the wound thou gautft tbat1^^j|}j^Jcll, , 
 That purple flrcamc extraAedfrcni.q^ylicart; , 
 In my dtcpc padions is tjiy dd.ul).expr<ilik 
 Thou fcltft the firckc.bi^U- endwdllfcfmarf. 
 And O that grcefcdid not.t^us.flcpjiny bfcadi, 
 A nd all my words dillblii: |ii fhotijiip.of teases, 
 Tlut I mought worthily lamcnt^fapj^ttj; . . 
 And C4M^«<^<t-like,dul! al! mens cires. 
 
 ^'nhnpp* 
 
 cf$hevertUQm OElauiet, 
 
 \ nh^p^y world«dhH|il|nS^e ofpainc. 
 The li'tgr'Vi^f^d'l^^ffi^rancsa dyrcful part : 
 Wfiat haftthtJuha^jWRIt doft thou now containe. 
 Which Wit a thought of fieafurcs mought impart, 
 Noc one care-want m» h^urc my life hath taftcd: 
 Jiut from the very inuant of my birth, 
 Vnccflan t woes my tyred heart haue wafted. 
 And my poore thoughts are ignorant of minh. , 
 Looke how one wjuc^anorhcr ftij! plll^alethJ 
 V\^tnJonTe^reat tempell holds ihcir troups in chafe 
 Or as one houre an others loflc renewcthj 
 Or porting day fupplVcs anothers place -, 
 So do the billows of aiHiftionbeate me. 
 And hand in hand the ftormes of mifchiefcgoc; 
 Succcffiuc cares with vrterruinethreatcmej 
 Gricfc is enchain'd wither iefe,and woe with woe^ 
 Vet muft I beare it with a patient minde: 
 I'or why the heauens haue this to mc alTign'd. 
 
 -. Zijarits. 
 
 That on btth htfk a»d Lv, 
 Tour tejttfiU rt^t (hfWi 
 Con eiim^ »ileftjdtt^ ' . -^ ^ 
 
 tcHrfitHottr mrte m<iy wlnnej 
 

 
 
 f- ■. .■^;?«ses!j';ssiiSr'^«J*[59a«^^ 
 
 TheTugiceweedit 
 
 tf the vert nous O^lauid, 
 
 Ko cU/tf^f orfaHltscmhtit: 
 
 Wht are withpriefe op^efl : 
 
 But needs i»e rrmfi ahtde. 
 
 Butpteves what heautn rejuireth. 
 
 The fUTtiP^ment efprnnty 
 
 How through off itSion great. 
 
 Aniti hofeftr no releafn^ 
 
 Creat troubles and annoy: 
 
 UogtCAtnes may witbftand. 
 
 )*^efnde the doulttfutl way. 
 
 No words Citnfitty motue: 
 
 That leades to 'vertuet fiate: 
 
 But we mujl alliipprooue. 
 
 Which wifidemesfelfedeftreth. 
 
 The yigour efyour hand: 
 
 ' InfaireftchrsftaHfone, 
 
 Crest loMCS decreet exfrefsmg. 
 
 Let men her tropheytjhevf: 
 
 
 That all the world may knew. 
 
 Gredt I ones decreet ^iph'ieh fame. 
 
 Heere iiuethfuch a one. 
 
 I.tte,fcrtu»e^chitnceyHoe name. 
 
 As^ertaet height. ijjpireth. 
 
 Are not indeed the fame. 
 
 
 But heaueni eternalldoome, . 
 
 Shar^e griefe and fwett delight , 
 
 Our tvitlejfe (fe/is dtrtilm*. 
 
 Are Oyanti to .tpprooue: 
 
 Their jpeech excetdes our tl^U, 
 
 - If ought m.ty^srerH9ut^ 
 
 Their words fierce not our eares: 
 
 A»dturne ^sfrom the right. 
 
 But in our life appear es. 
 
 T hen:e double errourfpringelh. 
 
 The legent cf their iviH: 
 
 The weal-efl wrought his fall. 
 
 Our err our J mtjfe correSitsg. 
 Then let the great eft know. 
 
 Whtlet that Oclauia true: 
 
 The other dsdfuhdue. 
 
 Dole on tlterr ruinefeedes: 
 
 Aitdjfurchaft therewithal 
 
 JVhiles they obfcure ^ile deedtJ, 
 
 That f.\>He her homrftngeth. 
 
 FnderagloriouifheWy 
 
 A m i)nument rpofi rure. 
 
 The<ffMtgarfortinft3'nigf 
 
 Of pure Arabiin/flAt-' 
 The higheft v^orth t'^nfeld. 
 
 
 OeiVCATiftilldiftreft, 
 
 Let. trte for her prepare: 
 
 Doth not to ^j declare. 
 
 Who time h tryumpti Wtngetk. 
 
 Hovf they moji mretchsd^re. 
 
 
 Jf'ho Ttme 
 
^'m 
 
 TijeTragicomaedii 
 
 Time ^Ijal! endedre thy n/tme, 
 JVith hoMors bre.tfh m*\efts>eet : 
 Tht garUnd li mofl mettt. 
 Far (itch M n'lnre the fame -y 
 
 Thy ^ettuebefl dcfnTMcd. 
 TVl'iles anyffMke of worth , 
 Doth lid^ein womambref}: 
 Thy^ratfe among the r<y?. 
 Be euermcre hencefoorth. 
 
 In n-.blefi mindet preferut/h 
 OfDi/tmowds mop -pure, 
 ^ teralie let Angels frame: 
 ■^nd there eng raue her name^ 
 
 lor euermort t' endure, 
 
 T eternity teferued. 
 
 T'ajuA mn temo de tetemt «i/ii» 
 
 FII^IS, 
 
 To the honorable, vcr- 
 
 (uoqs, and excellent : Minrclfe 
 Mary Thmne. 
 
 jOrthy ofallthc titles ofho- 
 I Dor ,y naturCjVcnur, wife- 
 dome and worth , may be- 
 llow on their worthycft,&: 
 I mod fauourcd poflcflors: 
 "Jiauing Utc'y cxtrad^ed the 
 memory o^OEiaitia out ofil;e aOics of ob- 
 Jiaion: my thoughts continuing (perhips 
 longer then was fitte )the current of that • 
 ftrcamcjhauc made fome idlcl^oures con- 
 uert themfclucs into the miiliue Epilllcs 
 betwccne the vertuous OHimtn and the li- 
 centious Antony , wherein aUhough my 
 flcnder skill , hath no way bin anfvverablc 
 to the height ofyour noble conceipt , that 
 the fight of them moui'ht breed you the 
 lead content ; yet finccthey arc done (pre- 
 fuming vponyonraccuftomcd Clemency) 
 I humbly fubtnlt them to your fauourablc 
 cenfurc. If you ihctcibrc who ate the mo- 
 ' ihcc 
 
S513S 
 
 The "Dedicat, 
 
 thcr,or (rndcr your corrciflion , to fay bee 
 tcr,thc tnurthcrcr ) if conccaling^ may bcc 
 called a murtlicr, )offu(ih excellent, & vcr- 
 tuousknowledgcs and pcrfedlionsjas arc 
 able to regiftcr a vulgar mindc in the fa-^ 
 mous roulesofneuer-endingctcrnity , will 
 alow the meanc and humble conceiptcs of 
 others : your honor flialbe aduanced to the 
 higheft pitch of their poffibility.IFyou will 
 cftecmcthc fmall portion of judgement in 
 other men ,*thc excellency whereof you 
 will not acknowledge in yourfelfe : theyr 
 induftryfhall ncucr ccafc, to wing your 
 fame,ti!! ithauc towred beyond the reach 
 of death, and obliuion. Accept therefore I 
 bcfcfch you ihc mcmorialsof this vertu« 
 ous Emprcflc : that your worthincs may in- 
 dcarc thcle worthlcfTc lyncsj thcfclynes 
 record her memory , her memory a dusncc 
 your glory ; your glory purchafe all wifhcd 
 fclicitie, and your high felicities, eucr en- 
 crcalctili timcgiue place vmocttrnity. 
 
 Humblyyours, 
 
 The Argument. 
 
 fCtauia/ffwff the lotfgftay of her 
 hHsband Marks Antony with 
 Cleopatra ribtfvEgiptian^wr»^; 
 
 1 Andfiudtng by of an tryalL^ that 
 
 r 1 hwg moHihtfreuMtU to recall his obfiitiart 
 nfinde from her vnU'^fuU hue : ht ended a 
 voyage to vi/fte him herfelff in f erf on. But in 
 in the]H;ay (lie receiued letters from him , re- 
 quiring her not to approach or come neere 
 him^bnt to make herfiay at Athens f V\?here 
 P}f was at that tinff^Jforthat be meant wirh^ 
 out longer delay there to come vnto her . She 
 expiring his promife (as at all ether times ) 
 iff vc.ine : and finding herfelfe frn(irate of all 
 hofeto attaine her d:fire : wrireth vnto him 
 (as it mty hefuffofed) to this effi^. 
 
a '• u i ima ti ytHgmjgffmfm 
 
 ^^^. 
 
 OBauia to Jntonius, 
 
 NOw wlicn thefc lincs(mine ownc dcarc Lord) 
 Shall firft apprbach thy fighr, - 
 (Thefe lines which fbrrow,fcarc and lo«c 
 Compcrd my hand to write) 
 Pirft but behold the writers name. 
 Which doth thine ej'cs awaite, 
 (lier name as full of conftant truth. 
 As thou of falfe dcccipt} 
 And fee if any menior}'.. 
 Of her doe yet remaine, 
 ^fiiot, reicft it from thine eyes. 
 To read it were bt't vainc. 
 From thence(if fliamc will thee pamit) 
 Proceed vnto the reft ; 
 It is not much to view my deed. 
 Tough thou doc mc detcft. 
 AN'hen trucrcIation(woe ismc 
 That I muft call it true) 
 - Of thy moft odious fnithlefiiefic, 
 T"irft came vnto my view •• 
 Euen .^s a man with fodaine ftrcke. 
 Of thunders miahiy force, 
 '\VlMi.h for q tinic both life and fccncc, 
 From body doth diiiorce, 
 liereft of motion, ftpnds amaz'd 
 M'ith terror of the blow; 
 And diough aliue^ jet cannot icil 
 
 ' ^4) ' M^'" ' 
 
 ^^Wi &J.' AKgWby 
 
 ' Where he doc Hue or no rt 
 So flood I fcncclcfly app'aiy. 
 With Iforror of the thingif 
 WhiJh now abfTe^too WfiH Hnd'c, 
 Doth my dcftruition brinjj;. 
 How lame I would not*»Aue'be!ccu*d, • ■' 
 That thou fliouldftfaiihtdlc be. 
 I low fiiine 1 would baud made my fclfc, 
 Alyarfallcfbrthec. •-- 
 But thou art gone,flcd and forfwornc. 
 And nau'^ht may thee recall : 
 Thou liucrt fccure and tAk'ft no care. 
 What may poorc mcb«?fall, 
 Odccpdiilcmbling fa»thknc man, 
 Thatdoft mc thub beguile; 
 S'daincnotofl:crthou.loacdftoncc, ....uc: 
 To hcnre the truth a while. . ■•(nn:<. 
 
 Was it lor this thoulh<:dft iKofc tcard; •'.;;■-:•. b 
 O Crocodile vnkinde, .'. • -- 
 
 When laftljr^ tliou didft p'artftdm me, 
 With{hcwofconrtant)nmdc>- . j^- 
 Bidnocrhofclliowtiipc^siaffure ..::r::. 
 A ncucr changing IpQeJ '. d.. -t" 
 
 Did not that pCTiur*<ajfiop,bx»gue,.,. ;ii-vd: ;i: 
 Their cuidcnce approoue''   ? :.n •nlo Jn . 
 Did notthofcfoukic(i»b-K4»cmbr{«* rw i..v. 
 This body now dcfpis'd> :-~.dt'j;-. 
 
 And that diflcmbltngjifcart relent. 
 With too much loue lurpriz'd? 
 O dtire Offau/4 (didft i(k5u fav) 
 
 Though 
 
i 
 
 OHauial 
 Though Yfe. muft parted ba 
 But for a timc,yct that ftjlill time 
 Secmcs thoufand yecre to mc . 
 When I from thcc flialbc rcmou'd^ 
 From all ioycs 1 fliall part; , 
 I'et fiarthefl when 1 am rcmou'd^ 
 With thcc (hall reft my heart. 
 Then fwcet tike thou no care for mc. 
 But (ighcs and tcares nccle^l: 
 And fliortly if thcheaucn permit, 
 JMy (a(creturnee.\pcd. 
 Hccre would I haue rcplycd fainc. 
 When griefe me tongue did ftay.' 
 And al my words dilolu'd to tcares, 
 Whiles thou didft part awayj, 
 Shall I expcft him that cntcnds, 
 ,To ftc mc neucr, then f' 
 O deep dcceipt I b fraudc! 6 guile ! 
 O fainc dirtcmbling men! 
 What hanor,wonh,or hontfty. 
 In him what pitty were. 
 That being mine without rcmorfe^ 
 Could thcfc abufes hearc i 
 But thou thy felfc,my Loid,to be 
 The agent of my painc : 
 O how can words but make thcc know, 
 Thcgricfc that I fuftaincf 
 The golden pyllers of thj' youths 
 Did promifc vnto me: 
 The ouilding of cnfuing age. 
 
 Shoul« 
 
 Should better furniflit be. 
 
 Hov/ mought 1 but conccitie,«vhaC caufe 
 
 Moiiolit thcc hcercto compclh 
 
 Vnielle my (clfehauc been the fame. 
 
 In louing thee too well. 
 
 What bcauty,pleafurc,w^1th or Wi% 
 
 So rare doth Nsltts breed .■^ , . 
 
 Biu Tyher may rhercwith compaw* 
 
 If not the (aine exceed 
 
 Some fond atl'cftion hith bcwitcht, 
 
 Thv Princely niinde I feare: 
 
 O'that I could my doubtful thoughts^ 
 
 From furh fufpition clcare. 
 
 What is thcrciw morcpowcr»oiforce^ 
 
 In vertucs (acred (hicld; 
 
 But noble mindcs m^ft bafely fell, 
 
 A nd to affcdion yccld ? 
 
 Or was this fwect carcplcafing word. 
 
 But placed on thy tongue i, . 
 
 And neuer planted in tby heart, 
 
 Still nurft with poifon llrongc. 
 
 No fuch inordinate affeftcs, • 
 
 In vertuous mindcs haue pl*ce; 
 
 Tme noble hearts can not iradure. 
 
 So mighty a difgracc, . ,, 
 
 He is no prince that fubicdis, ; ;; , 
 And iubicift vnto hnnc; 
 But flaue-bornc witches *thqr arccalFd, 
 Which do delight therein. 
 Vaine,fooliflilblinde,viipuic, 
 G* 
 
 Cilhonelil; 
 
That t!ioa (b obicA arft 
 
 To fell thy fdfc for ftorc of earth. 
 
 Which can no worth impart. 
 
 The bafcft thought that any tnindc, 
 
 Vpon the earth may hauc 
 
 Is f cruilly to makp it felfe. 
 
 To any thing a n.iue. 
 
 And by how much the thing more vik, 
 
 "Which doth our liking moouc .• 
 
 By Co much morc,morc obiccl he. 
 
 Which therewith is in louc. 
 
 Then bafe earth-CT<epii^mtndc adu<r. 
 
 Since this is thy delight : 
 
 I blame thee not though thou doblufli. 
 
 At noble honors fight. 
 
 Had /«//«/ p^yir Iducd gold. 
 
 More then a noble name:' 
 
 H e ncuer had be^ n royalliz'd. 
 
 By fuch immortal! fame. 
 
 The MaeedenUn mopaikc,whom 
 
 iEtcmity fhall praife: 
 
 Dildain'd that any golden fteps. 
 
 His glorious name Ihould railc. 
 
 But My<iti purchaft enJlefle flume. 
 
 By being as thou art : 
 
 And Creffiit for his ftorc of gold. 
 
 Had ftore of bitter {mart. 
 
 The gods for thjs doe plague vs men, 
 
 We men each other hate: , 
 
 From hoacc.as from a fountain?, {pting> 
 
 Strife. 
 
 OEiaHta* 
 
 Strifc,murthers,and debate. 
 
 O fccncclefle minde of foolifh man. 
 
 Which fees not what it hath: 
 
 But wanting in excediue ftore. 
 
 Continues errourspath. 
 
 Thou flialt not nc«i (uch ftore of wcakh, 
 
 Thv waftage for to pay: 
 
 When thy offending fbule to hell, 
 
 Oldc Charon fliall conuay. 
 
 O (eeke thy wealth in vertues minc9. 
 
 If thou true ioyes wilt findc: 
 
 All other things ruconAant ar^ 
 
 And lighter then the windc. 
 
 But wanton luft procures thy faQ, 
 
 And vvorkes my world of woe: 
 
 An enemy of honcft mindes. 
 
 Rare vertues common foe. 
 
 What plague infemall worfe then this, 
 
 Whofe poyfbned baite doth gainc: 
 
 Both to the body and the Ibule, 
 
 An eucrlafting paine. 
 
 What multitudes of foules arc loft? 
 
 What Citties ouerthrownc > 
 
 What Kingdomes by licentioui luft. 
 
 With mine ouagrowne t 
 
 Let deep lamenting £7r«*f*,declare 
 
 Th'effcaofhatefuUluft-. 
 
 Or that which once was called Trej^ 
 
 How nothing els but duft. 
 
 And had not women had the wit. 
 
 The 
 
The danger to repel! : 
 
 The Srtitnci (words had made vs fecit', 
 
 1 he finnrt tlicrcot too well. 
 
 O let the bleeding mcnicries, 
 
 Of many in like cale. 
 
 Be dreadful! motiiws toiiiy mindc. 
 
 To Icaue this wicked race. 
 
 Jlovvcanfl thou cenfurc others mi fle. 
 
 And yet not fee thine ownc:- 
 
 Can wifcdome ioy at others ioycs. 
 
 And (ce it fLlfe orc'thrownei 
 
 fincc thecaufc of this cftcct. 
 Is (b exceeding ill: 
 
 The horrour of the thing It ftlfc. 
 With tcrrour mou"ht thee fill. 
 Who (oeucrwith the like oHcncc, 
 His body hathdefild: 
 Of'vertucs dcarcft ornaments. 
 His foule was full defpoil'd. 
 Of hinor, worth and forlituJe, . 
 
 1 ic loft the (acred mnic : 
 
 A wA like a coward.did fubieft 
 
 Himfcll'tofinne and Hiamc. 
 
 Hcdar.-s, and nights,iuth wholly (pent 
 
 In dronkennrs and play: 
 
 r.y follv,and by necli;'^ence, 
 
 I lath wrou^^ht his whole decay. . 
 
 Or els thefe V oufin- <;<,Tmainc luincs. 
 
 He haply did connc-l; 
 
 Bale flouthfulncs, and loxujy. 
 
 Which \ 
 
 Which workc the fame effetJl. 
 
 O fly inordinate deltghts, 
 
 tacn pleafurc hath his paine: 
 
 And he that ftaincd is with finnc. 
 
 Cannot be cleaneagaine. 
 
 Let Deniz, torne vntombeJ corps. 
 
 Sufficiently declare. 
 
 How this lame loathfbme vice doth make 
 
 Hir bcfl attendants fare. 
 
 Do ft thou not know, the fagcs teach, 
 
 A man fliould neuer doc : 
 
 The thing that wicked is and vile; 
 
 Nor yet confcnr thereto f 
 
 Though waiely he did forcfee, 
 
 Jt mought cfiapc the light : 
 
 And be moll Iccretly conceald, 
 
 And hid from all mens light? 
 
 How f.«- thou ari:(which |li6iildft cxccll) 
 
 Prom being excellent : 
 
 Do but behold and view thy ftlftf, 
 
 By this their prelidtiit. 
 
 Who pubikly haft fouldthy fclfc 
 
 Vnto ctcrnalHliame : 
 
 And like a fccncelell'c blinded man, 
 
 Perfeuer'ftin the lame. 
 
 Or haue ftjmc other plcaf-ires ftrange, 
 
 Eflrang'd thy mindc from mci 
 
 For (as men fay) in that fame ooun, 
 
 Great ftorc of pleafures be, 
 
 Wc want jiot hcCTc oiu true delights. 
 
 But 
 
OSlania* 
 But if wehad Idle ftore, 
 Oi wanton fports : thou oughtcft no* 
 To flume thy felfe therefore. 
 Our plcafurcs hcerc.may fati{He 
 And plcafe eaqh vertiious minde: 
 A nd he no fpavkc of vcr wc hath, 
 which other feckes to findc. 
 Alluring plcadirc^ftainc onifc. 
 Sower mifchicfs f weetdl roote : 
 By it, nil noble dioughts and deeds, 
 Aretrodenvnder footc, 
 A mindc corrupting monfterviie, 
 A mal-falucingguert, 
 Nurfcof repentance, paine,and grccfc, 
 Depriucrof (\vectercft -, 
 Prince- haunting ficnd,(>\'cetepoy(bned bayte, 
 Falfcthcefeofhappy blilfej 
 Who (ecmes a cuide to hoped ioyes. 
 But leades vs ftill amiflc. 
 Do bu t recount with wisdoms eyes, i 
 Thofe plea furcs which are pad. 
 And (cc whatplearure^proBcjgaine, 
 They yeeld thee now at laft . 
 So when thy ill /pent granted drac; 
 Hiscourfe hath liilly runne : 
 Then fhaltthpu finde thy pleafures fled, 
 Hopes vainc, thy (clfe.vndone. 
 Learne to take pleafure in fuch thingSj 
 Whence true ioyes may arift : 
 Thou canft not do more like a prince. 
 
 Thca 
 
 OclanU* 
 Then vainc tilings to dcfpife. 
 Bring not thy fcife,thy houle, thy queer*, 
 V'ntoeternall flume .• 
 In being much more then thy frlfc. 
 And farre lelTo then thy name. 
 Let no delight.make thee forget. 
 What heft befits thy ft.uc : 
 He is no Prince, which hij affec'>s 
 Cannot predominnte. 
 Who for his pleafijre poyfbn drinke*. 
 Though mixt with things moft fwectc 
 Should haue a name by my confeit. 
 For fuch a man more me«e. 
 Or dooft thou hecre diflike perhaps. 
 That DeltA beares fuch fwaye; 
 And (acred vertues holy rights, 
 Haue made thee fiyeaway. 
 1$ chaftitie foloathfome then 
 Vnto a wanton eare : 
 That bcautie is no beautic, where 
 Such chartedcfiresappearc ? 
 Canlooi'endle, which thcwiljrdifpraife, 
 So pleafca noble minde ; 
 That true nobility contcm'nd, 
 Sole pleafures there they finde f 
 Then niuft I needs difplcafe indeed. 
 And know not what to fay -• . 
 For why the fwine do molt delight. 
 The moft defiled pray. 
 The (Ilucr fifli,by nature doc 
 
 The 
 
 -S^SJ 
 
r 
 
 OEiama^ 
 
 The purc(\ ftreames delight : 
 
 Thcftatcly Faulcon,iiiidft thccloudcs, 
 
 Dircfts hir towring flight. 
 
 The Eagles ff:ldom fit in dalc$, 
 
 But pcarcb on highcft hils j 
 
 And euciy thing delights his like. 
 
 And natures courfc Uilfils. 
 
 But thou leife conflantthcn all theft. 
 
 Though fane more bafe tlicnthey: 
 
 Indeed of ChriAali ftrcames, doft louc 
 
 In puddles vile to play, 
 
 TIk>u borne by nature to aduance 
 
 Thy thoughts to honors height } 
 
 Doft carclcfly ftoopc vnto fhamc. 
 
 And fall with thine ownc waight. 
 
 Then neacr thinkc.I thinkrit (Uaoge 
 
 That thou art fled from mcc t 
 
 The hcauens forbid my lowed thoughts* 
 
 Should fimpathize with the*. 
 
 But heerdn thou art ^vifc indeed. 
 
 To hide thy fclfe away : 
 
 And fuch as neucr haue thee knownc 
 
 By flilfliood to betray. 
 
 For w !iy .afliirc thy <dfe,all tholc 
 
 That do thy bafenefic Ifliow : 
 
 Thyfaithlcfnefie, and periuriej 
 
 Do much deleft thee now. 
 
 The heauciis will fliarply punifii flnne. 
 
 And flye where fo thou can : 
 
 Thongh for a time they do dcferrc. 
 
 Thcyl 
 
 OEiauia, 
 
 They'l plague the periurde man, 
 
 Then view thy fclfc in gJafle of truthc. 
 
 And be not thus abulU : 
 
 Ko honor cuer crowndihc man, 
 
 Thathoncftyrefufd*. 
 
 The nobler is the birth and place, • 
 
 From whence thine honor came; 
 
 The more notorious isthy fault. 
 
 If thou dcbafc the (ame.. 
 
 No, tis hir wit hath tlvw bcwitcht, 
 
 Hir fwcet delighting tongue: 
 
 Which doth enchant thy wbndring mind. 
 
 And makes thee flay this lAig. 
 
 This wit.indeed, were fonotething worth. 
 
 Were wifdome ioyn'd thereto : 
 
 Yet not (b much.that it flk>uld fcrue 
 
 So many to vndoe. 
 
 The earth hath Aota &v&^ (b rare, 
 
 Which wifdomc would not flye : 
 
 Yea rather hate and frW'ch deteft, 
 
 Then purchafe fliame thereby. 
 
 Wno can (bloue a fijortiftg.wic. 
 
 That it procure his fall : 
 
 His kindneflc may4>e iud^d'gteat, 
 
 Butfurehiswit isfmall,-'"^^' 
 
 Then let vs louc bafc (?i«/iw. 
 
 For wit and noble bloud ': 
 
 Nojloathc him rathcr,fiirhi$ wit 
 
 Knew ncuer what was gpod. 
 
 And let \* y^rrt likcwift praife. 
 
   :t5inc- 
 
 For 
 
OSlauid* 
 ForlK wns witty (lire : 
 But wicked too^nd thaefbre Rome 
 Could not his wit endure. 
 The more a man excels in wit. 
 And ill imploj'cs the fame .• 
 The more do all men him dctcft. 
 That loue a vertuous name. 
 Though fiveedy did the Syrem fing, 
 Yet who to them gaue care? 
 Their mcdage to th'/entAa decpes. 
 He prcfently did bcarc. 
 Or is it beauty, that doth fct 
 Thy heart (b much onHu*: 
 A nd captiuate thy feoccs (6, 
 That thou canft not retire i 
 The rareft beauty of the face. 
 Cannot enforce the wife : 
 With painc to purchafe liuing fliatne, 
 And better things dcfpife. 
 Nor are the fayrefl alwaycs found. 
 The befi,(as 1 fuppofc) 
 Some noyfome flowers, do fecme as faiie. 
 As doth the fragrant Rofe. 
 That wonder breeding beauty furc. 
 Which thou doft ib cfteeme: 
 Shall come to nothing at the laft. 
 As firft it was I de erne. 
 The Rofe and Lyllie cannot long 
 Concent and plca{c,thc fights 
 Ko iijouldcn day could cvierfcapc. 
 
 The 
 
 OEloHtii, 
 
 The darkc cnfuing night. 
 
 Proudc time will buric beauties youth, 
 
 In fijrrovves of dccaye : 
 
 Wert thou ten thoufand times a prince. 
 
 Thou canft not force it ftay . 
 
 All thcfe fond plcafures(if fond things 
 
 Dcfcrue fb good a name) 
 
 Should not fcducca noble minde. 
 
 To flainc it felfe with flume. 
 
 The time fhall comc.whcn all thefc fam^ 
 
 Which fccmc fo riche with ioy : 
 
 Like tyrants fliall torment thy minde. 
 
 And vex thee with annoy. 
 
 When all thofc bonyc-tongucd mates. 
 
 Can but weepe and lament •• 
 
 That they by force, muft part from thcc. 
 Whole vitall courfe is (bcnr. 
 When all thy greatnefic muft be left. 
 To fuch as fliall fucceed : 
 When fwceteft pleafures memory, 
 Moll dreadfuU thoughts fliall brccdc j 
 When this lb much defircd Sunn^ 
 Shall but difpleafc thy fight 5 
 And all thio^ clfc fliall kerac to wan^ 
 The uftcoflweete delight. 
 When all the creatures of the earth. 
 Cannot procure thineeafc : 
 And friends.with (howres of vainc-fhcd tcarcs. 
 Cannot thy greefe appeafc. 
 When tyranizingpaine,fhall flop . .-^Lf:/ 
 
 The 
 
OEidtiia. 
 The p.iiTngc of thy breath! 
 A nd thee compcil to I wcarc thy fclfc. 
 Tint feriunt \ nio death . 
 Then flir.ll onevcrtuousdcsiiimpnrc 
 Wore plea!uvc to thy miaac : 
 Then all the treafiiresthaton e.irtli, 
 Amhitious thoughts c.in findc. 
 The well-fpcrit tii-ne of one fliort day^, 
 One ho\ver,one monu-nt then : 
 Sliiill be more fwcct.then all the ioyes 
 Amongft vi morMll men. 
 Tlicn (iialt thou fiiiuc but one refuge, 
 Which comfort cnn rctaine : 
 A guihlcflc confciencc pure and dearc. 
 From touch of finfuU ftaine. 
 Then fliall tliine inward cyes,bchoul Jc 
 The loathfome path of fmnc : 
 And thy proud heart repihc in vainc. 
 That thcu ha^l walkt therein. 
 Then fiial 1 OilauiMs wrongs appearc. 
 Like monlters tp thine eyes ; 
 A nd thou (lialt curfc the rimCjand day, 
 Tiiat tliou didft me defpile. 
 Then fliall my liglies.audteares, cnflamc! 
 A boncfire in thy mindc : 
 And thou thy fcl.'c,thy Idfir flialt loathe, " 
 For being thus vnkinde. 
 At thy right hand,my wronged ghoaft. 
 Shall iuft complaints renue i 
 Arid on thy icf:,that quccne (hall flicw 
 
 What 
 
 What hath been wrought bjybu. 
 
 Aboue thy head .thine tya fiiall fte 
 
 The heauens to iuftice bent : 
 
 Below thy fcete,thcpitofhe'!, 
 
 Ordain'd for punifhmenr. 
 
 Ah poore Anrontpn how wilt thou, 
 
 Abhorre thy wretched Ilatc .• 
 
 And mort entirely thcii repent. 
 
 But then t'will be too late. 
 
 But thou great Emperour doft difclaine 
 
 Such fliarpc rebukes to findc : 
 
 Firpietic.and pirticboth. 
 
 Arc Grangers to thy mindc- 
 
 Thy braue heroick though rsdo rcome 
 
 To ftoopc to thefc conceipts : 
 
 To humble for fuch high reuclues. 
 
 As honors praifc awaighrs. 
 
 Then great Hercufi*ityfCiv!fi<j princCj 
 
 What Trophyes may we raiTc, 
 
 To cquall thefc thy great dcfigncs 
 
 And manifeft thy praifci' 
 
 Who may inough augment thy fiimc. 
 
 To anfwcre thy defcrt : 
 
 Who dooft attempt with perjury. 
 
 To breake a womans heart. 
 
 A glo ry great, a conqucfl fit, 
 
 For fuch 3$ faithleflc be : 
 
 For in thy deeds ,thc world may vicw^ 
 
 The worthe that is in thee. 
 
 More then a man thou wouidft be thought. 
 
 H ' And 
 
And fliouldft indeed be !b : 
 
 But let tby deed s more manly bee. 
 
 Or els that name forgoe. 
 
 That man wluth fconesa man in flicWj 
 
 And is not fuch a one : 
 
 Dcferii-rs another name by right. 
 
 For he by right is none. 
 
 O GO not thii'tke a womans death, 
 
 Cnn nmcb en Jcare thy name : 
 
 But thinkc how this viimanK' deed. 
 
 Will workc thine cndlcrfc riiame. 
 
 What man.that werca man indeed, 
 
 (Muvh kflc a Prince)wouId fee, 
 
 Ms \vifc,and Queene,a (pc£Ucle, 
 
 Of greefe and miterie? 
 
 Would to the pittic of the world. 
 
 And to all wondring eyes. 
 
 My conftant louinc mindc rcicft : 
 
 And cuildcfic me defpife. 
 
 Would fuch vnceflant ftreames ofteam., 
 
 Draw from thefc reftlcfle fprings ; 
 
 And loade my heart with endlcflc g^ccfe. 
 
 Which vttcr ruinc brings. 
 
 But hide thy head and aH is well. 
 
 Thy faults cannot be foied : 
 
 Ko.thou muft know thebcauens arc iuft. 
 
 And muft their fentcncc bide. 
 
 When all thofc powers which diou haft WiOflgd, 
 
 Shall puniniment require : 
 
 How csuift thou WKtch be halfc inough. 
 
 To (atiffic their ird - • ';! •• - . •-•■   ' 
 How canthhoucueifeopctopay . ...p ! 
 
 Thctorfaitofthymifei't-^.. . '.. : J.ntitvr;/ 
 When powerfull hi{li«nflj4lllinp6(<v i' fi^'K^d ' 
 Thciurtre«cngCG*th*if..f ... ■••.: . j.v);-..) 
 Which makes me pitti^naofe-thyilUteifc '..J-n c'r 
 Then grccuc at rau>?;0wne wrongi [ i ;n: i:. ^ '•' 
 To thiiikc how he whooi I htk\*e)o\x'dii <\ i' ;i. '"<"/ 
 Shall plagued be ere lcng.-,v . ' • . "i xh woii .! 1 
 Ycfknow.though 1 detftlUby i^lt* ' -'<" ' ^ f'l 'i'-"'" 
 1 beate thcc no til will: .> ' 
 For if.'/->/o«/«/willretutnp, . ai.:.. 
 
 HelliallbcloucdftiU*. . ,<>!!>< 
 
 •t:;-; 1';; ' 
 
 AntoniuitWtiamAf] 
 
 AMongll the raOwftroMs ftotmc»df woe?,' 
 Whicli do my (oulc (urpnze: • < ' .-   
 Thy d iicfull plairitf. Ui'/rf»/«,Wcto r . : : 
 Prclcntcd xo mincjcycs. '•.!.;• 1 1 
 
 hcauei'.s 1 how erbllji baueyouft^ • . bair^l -• 
 Your rtill repugnant Oaries.f.: ..iidiWi--' 
 Which CroUv.cTplliJiikyiiyKd life,; ; d;;i^KTv-• 
 VVlthmorlallciulll\va^nc»*.i ; ' ....-'•'» 
 
 1 fce.and know,that,toibc ttue. 
 Which thou Ao^ hccre-Qbictt^ 
 1 fecthoufighily callt<l«h4t wrong. 
 
 T» 
 
 Which I may not corre^^. 
 
 H2 
 
 ifiadc 
 
1 fin<!c my ftlfccngulft in grcefif, 
 
 Eatrapt in mifchicfcs power : x 
 
 Yet caonot I a'uoidc the {lorme. 
 
 Though it myiifedcuourc. 
 
 Of force my heart muft condiCent^ 
 
 To what thou doft require ; 
 
 Trt cannot I pcrforme tlie thing. 
 
 Which is thy chicfc defire. 
 - I know the fafc, and octfeCt way. 
 
 Which rcafbn Dith isbcft : 
 
 Yet willingly I follow tlut. 
 
 Which wifdom likcth Icaft. 
 
 What rcafon will,that fame woolctf. 
 
 And wi((lom would Co too : 
 
 But (bme thing greater then n ail. 
 
 Will not confent thereto. 
 
 That timcithat day^thoic Iookes,tho(e vfta^ 
 
 Are yet ftetti in my mindc ; 
 
 When myd^jarture.nnituaDgrecfir, 
 
 Vnto vsbothaiSgn'd. 
 
 Thofe teares, I yet remember wdl^ 
 
 Whiles I did thee imbracc : 
 
 Thofe (etled fdent fpeaking lookesi 
 
 Plac'd in each others face. 
 
 My words which true looc did etiditr. 
 
 And faith confirme the fame : 
 
 ( For conflant truth did at that tunc. 
 
 Secure my thoughts from Uame.) 
 
 My heart was free from tbovght of c}tti)<g^ 
 
 My oiade from falfe entcnt : 
 
 I fconwl 
 
 \ fcornd a falfe difTembltng worde. 
 
 And nought but truthc I meant. 
 
 But fincc mine eyes enricht their fight. 
 
 With CleopatrMi face : 
 
 My thoughts another oblc^k found. 
 
 My heart another pbce. 
 
 Which obiedfo allur'd myminde. 
 
 With rauifliing delight; 
 
 That wanting hir,I thought each day> 
 
 An endleflc tedious night.. 
 
 My ver}' thoughts fram'd allmy wordcs^ 
 
 To C/M^4/r<i«'/ name : 
 
 Yeajwhen moft great affaires withdrew, 
 
 My fancic from the fame i 
 
 Mine eyes were blinde,mine eares were <lcaf&» 
 
 Mymindedid fcencclcfTeproue*: 
 
 But when they faw^hcardjor paceiu'i^ 
 
 Hir face,hir name^hir buc: 
 
 Ko pleafures could my fuKie pleafe^ 
 
 No mirth itfelfc cndcare: ; '• 
 
 Wherein th'ldcaofhirface,,. 
 
 Did not to me appearc. 
 
 What reafons left I vnappi)ou.*)d. 
 
 What counfailcs force i to. braake 
 
 The fweetc captiuing band ot ioue. 
 
 But all 1 found too weake. 
 
 He is deceiuedjthat tliioks to finds, 
 
 A countermine in Ioue : 
 
 And woe is me,tbat (peaking ihii, 
 
 I fpcakc but what I proue. 
 
 H I T|i«s 
 
\AritciVff, 
 
 Thn* T my ftlfc ilic-agen< irrade, ^ 
 
 And traytor of my. blitTe r ; ' 
 Ca!inaic-rJiof)etocdnTradi£t> ' ...:.. 
 Ortocrcou!natiii.<;. ,■ -> . .. ..j. , 
 
 But thougli iny yccidirfcriJMrt iW tbeBi''^' .^"ciii '■ •' ' 
 Thv t'leloucdii^dctaiac;. - ' ''■■''■•■ ' ' 
 
 Tuac d^cd ofmioCiaiir^Ttef pcviVirr; • ' :..   . 
 By lor:-' tcuokcs.igjiiic. •.'.'• vl. :'iu .,> . i';i •' 
 And t»nfc rri^th-lulluopfijgestcach^: ^nhu^v/ ;,,.; i 
 That ciJcry motion fina^lOi I, i >i;t iL-ii-ilblLfn : . , 
 Isbyagre^tcroucrcOBiHf fj"t-.'-»i'<"isu<^f'5 T'-'' ' ' 
 Or hindicd thercvvitiiatl. : ' 'nx.n >'5».iM;<i,v.\'J r, , 
 '^ ■Hcn,thoujrhirca(bn,re.irort hv,] ^^f^f" i'^'! ' 
 ycrnriilitcoiidifcend: ;'»;■ t; : rnoi!3ij,:r.. 
 And yeeld to.thw.^agairtftwhofefdr*'-' '' '■ '. ' - ' 
 It caniiotvs defends" "[-■' ■./('•.■/■ ':i\V>z\y.\u, 
 -And nsucrjvife'kiOwfplyWanie^w ' 'r.tlinsdv/ : 
 Asa(ftorofthis iJJ: '- i:rA,xii.\ ''■   
 
 Tis not ^»/c»*s^,btif ^Iw-fKraviens, - • '""•^C'j!'; ^ . 
 Which do wifhftand thy will".   ' •!   ■•: '■ '■ 
 
 And vvhat the hcaucns do-force «(!«», ••' -•''.■■. 
 We may not difobay : . - !':'• ■-••! * ^ - '^ ^-^^^ 
 When their decrees 'irt'Ott^ccnrouja;' • {"-^"^ '"''''^ 
 O who :my then faytwyif^'J '' ^ • -'^ifii-'J ;:   •' 
 The(c nioiii ng ibns^whtt^W ^l^4 hcWimlif;   .-^''f • ' ■" ' 
 Our mindes do rule and gOicle: • ■' ' ' / '^n-'jui 1 llj. . ' 
 A lid looke what courfc tlief letT* m, ■'"'*'■•"■'" - ' 
 Thrreinnuiftwc abide. • ^ ' ■' •^'"''J'f'' 
 
 Tlii^ fparkc ofreafoftfenotouis, ' • '' '* '" • ; • 
 But lent v$ from abouc. ;.ri:j|x.tii: 
 
 ••- The 
 
 t/fntony-, " 
 The Gods do glue and take the lame. 
 They make vs loathe and lone/ 
 Then dearejVvhyfliouldft thou fovpbraid " 
 And Iharply reprehend : 
 Thy Antony : for fuch a fault 
 As he may not amend. 
 If in my heart I did thccTiatc, 
 Then were I worthy blame: ' 
 But I haue cucr lou'd thcc wdl. 
 Who well dcferuedft the (anie. 
 And though I cannot thee afford, ■' - ' .' 
 
 Thcdcarellofmyhcart: -i '■. 
 
 Yet nccdft thou not thus to cbmplainc, -'' 
 Wlto haft fo large a ^art . . , i;--' "^ ' 
 
 Noday.no night, their porting courfc/ -^ t^'-OViS 
 So fpcedily could frame: . 
 But they behcld,my thoughts,rctum« 
 Due homage to thy name. ' ';'" 
 
 WhenbIou.lyterjor,dangcr,dcath,^ : ^i-r 
 
 Vponmcdidlay houlde: ." ' .,' 
 
 Thy memory reuiu'd my inindii', '_ 
 
 Andmadcmycoura^tf^bilde, ' ' 
 
 No not a thn ufand tierc« affaults, ' ' 
 
 Andperilsmanymoe: •' 
 Could cucr foroc ihy louliig Heart, 
 0<7rf«/4 to forgoc. «*'■• • 
 But tyrant louc.mc from my fclfci, 
 And from my Quccnc doth fteald: • 
 And pardon me though I perhaps. 
 Too great a fault rcucalo. 
 
 " Hi Atti 
 
 
 nSfiomc^ 
 
w. 
 
 And pardon nc;45.lrnMflL<jibtaii^5, \. 
 
 Ifthisfomuchofifcod: . 
 
 For h«i< my lomidid fioft begin, 
 
 And hcerc my 1 i fc mu ft chJ; 
 
 Hccrcwill I dicw, Iwj^pt am 
 
 Vnconftant,nor vnkin'cic .• . 
 
 For C/fo^/f/rd whiles I lii^j. 
 
 Shall me muft conftaiit ^fi^K* 
 
 Why am I call'd an RnKytomy, 
 
 IflflioiUdfubicabc^ "" 
 
 And becompeld tqloa^e^ filing^ 
 
 Which moft dcllghtethrac^, 
 Ko dcarc Od'4«jw^tl)jff<;^flft. 
 
 C^ neuer be fulfild .• 
 Lct Gods be QniMn^i^ll^b^l^ings. 
 For none but cowards yccl^., 
 V Vcre fhe as Jl,fW^VHM«(ft(3 lo4a'd 
 Hirvnknowncgrcatsflgiip^ } 
 Were flio a Lyoq^£^:feer•^JYV^))fe 
 Or fome worte fauadgc bcqjl; j 
 Were file a furic, og-syfeftt (;rj^, 
 VVhoft prcfcncc gradg.|py l^a*K, 
 And to my rauiflit ©ip^u ^|d. 
 Such fwectnc{n;doth impart j 
 I would exccede /?*{«.jfoglfiflP4fel£K>w:iihl, - • 
 And giuc the machine round, v , ■""* r--.-..- 
 And all thcireafurgs»wo»lthiaBi^r^»( 
 Which therein majib^tfpugi 
 I would from parcRis^chi^ipujj&ion^i , 
 My dcarcft thoughts remount , . , • 
 
 htih ' '' Surrcnda 
 
 Suffendcr (ccpter.kingdijmf , crqwnc. 
 
 For to enioy my loue. 
 
 And by my.boiinty.tjuth and zcale. 
 
 The CTring world iliculd (ec: 
 
 No bafc,orlcruiIej{c6rr<ed thought. 
 
 Had euer place in me, 
 
 I would difdaine a ntipiark fheuld. 
 
 But cquall my defire: 
 
 Mvconftant faith (hovjld fvf? p((ecd. 
 
 The height of all afpirc. 
 
 They do but blow the coalc? of hate/ 
 
 Which my defignes improiic: 
 
 Jf euer fouli may pardon gjn, 
 
 pardortfeulty loue. 
 
 1 grant, I were a monftcr vil?, 
 Vnwonhy of my life: 
 
 If I fliould hatCjOrthct difdaine. 
 
 Who waft my fpoufc a^d wife* 
 
 But CUopatraes dearcAfous^ 
 
 In me doth bcare fiich fway: 
 
 That I enuy or malliaepbatr. 
 
 So I may her enioy. 
 
 And fay not, tisa fliamcfijUjthing 
 
 Toloueaftrangerfo: ^' 
 
 For loue I muft,aiul Ippc I wilU 
 
 Though all the world (ay qp. 
 
 The gods 1 hope wiJ Pot be moou'd. 
 
 Such fliarp rcucngc to rake:- 
 
 On thofc which en c,hij^ip.Cuc!i £;ults. 
 
 As they thcmrdue? did ni.ikc. 
 
 Were 
 
Ahteny* 
 Were itdifhonortobekinde. 
 To thole wc bell cfteoTie: 
 Great Im^ himfclfc could not be free. 
 From filch dif<5r4ce(l dcerjc), 
 Th at mc I ( fttr quell in"; f • uculti. 
 Should hauc been called bafc 
 When his Victorious cont\ucrmgarmc. 
 Did Om^hidt imbiace. 
 Ko,l diHaine^thc brjueft minde 
 That drawcs this viull breath. 
 Should thinke me bafc, who hauc coixtemnU 
 The very face of death. 
 Tis rather ba(e, to be connpel'd 
 To that we fancy leart.* 
 
 why am I a Prince,if not 
 To doc aslikcs me befti* 
 Suppose within my (etied minde. 
 There couldbefuchathoughtc 
 That to conftnt to thy ttqdcft, 
 
 1 haply mought be brouglit. 
 Would not the PrinccfiTeof my (bult. 
 My CUapatra ,pay 
 
 The largeft tribute of her life. 
 
 Her Atitonj to ftay^ 
 
 Are not her words, her fighes,hcr tcarcs, 
 
 Moft precious to my heart? 
 
 Doth not her face >hcr tongue; her wit, 
 
 My (bulcs delight impart? 
 
 How then can I (vnhappy man) 
 
 My.felfcfo welldifpofc: 
 
 As 
 
 ■^p 
 
 As mougbt content and pica fe you both,' "1 
 
 Who both your fclues oppofv. 
 
 No Hercitles can thii pcfnr mc, 
 
 No Sfhyint this doubt extludei 
 
 Yet thus I fully am refcilu'd, 
 
 And thus I Aof concludri 
 
 The knot which canu^Hbe^Vrtdont/ 
 
 In (under thus I flrilce- 
 
 Heere will I liue.hecrc will I bidr. 
 
 And loue\*ou both alike. • 
 
 J.ct Ctf/^fr fight. 0<7m/<< AowrfW, 
 
 Letchildrcnwajlc and weep; 
 
 Thus I re(blue,and thuj I vow, 
 
 Whic h vow ile fi rmely kccpi •   
 
 And jf your nwliice, and pcwhaps 
 
 Mv fortune, dpc procure: ' 
 
 That all my^wordj and def^.thc worft 
 
 Coufttutflion mullcndureii- 
 
 My conftant nuth:ftnd i*kin<ie'(i(r(blu'd. 
 
 That worft muft needs abid^t   . 
 
 For why from this wciri»foait^ Iduc, 
 
 My heart niallncual1i(fe/ •• ^^ 
 
 ThoU'aH things trudyfe«ft indeed, ••; 
 
 But ncucr fpycft the wound : 
 
 By which my fweiitafrc?Httg<houghts, 
 
 Their endlcnctliraldomc found. 
 
 By which my prayer (boifhing heart. 
 
 Is brought to condifccnd : 
 
 To which that this my clvicfe defirc^ 
 
 Mpught not too much oficiiiit, 
 
 Ajkc, 
 
AsVe,take.afiuinc all that you lift, 
 
 Pcrformeyourhcarts cieurc.* 
 
 So that you neitha her from mc. 
 
 Nor me from her require. 
 
 While I my Cltiparr.* maVj 
 
 Betwcene thefc armes enfold •• 
 
 I enuy not great Cre/itJ weahh. 
 
 Nor Midit ftore of gold. 
 
 But if vncuitablc fate. 
 
 Her prcfcnce fhould deny: 
 
 Though all the vvorjd were mine bcfidcs. 
 
 With penury I dye. 
 
 Nor let it fceme fo pafling flrangc. 
 
 That I cannot be moueo.- 
 
 By thy entreaty to forgoe. 
 
 The thing fo much baoued. 
 
 Through thine ownc hcatt, do butbcItoU 
 
 And fee how Imall auaiilc; 
 
 Pcrfwation$/cafons,w6rd»,and wit, 
 
 Aflcclions force to quaile. 
 
 If none of thofc can tak« efFoft, 
 
 To winnc thy louc from me.- 
 
 Why fliouldft thou think that fromethisQueene, 
 
 I can diuorccd be? 
 
 Sith wilcdome then car>neucr fliew. 
 
 It felh more wifely fure ; 
 
 Then to forgoe that thing with calc 
 
 Which pajnccnnnot procure. 
 
 Ah finiie not thu$againft the flr^wnc. 
 
 But drj' tiiy tcorcs againe^ 
 
 ror 
 
 jlmonv. 
 For to palwade mc bootclcs it. 
 To force me is more vainc. 
 Though al the world fliouldmc withfbmd 
 1 will not be withheld, 
 A Prince diflikcs co be gaincfaid. 
 But fcomes to be compcl'd. 
 And it maybe (for who can tel. 
 What abfccnce may procure) 
 That faircO/?4«/4neuer could, . 
 So long time chafle endure. 
 Ah,can I thinke in fuch cxcefTe^ 
 Of liberty and ftore, 
 OfCerej,B4cebtii,»nd what els. 
 May be dcflred more. 
 Amongft Co many tedious daies. 
 And nights,of great difport; 
 Amongft fiich braue heroicke Lords, 
 As to that Court refortj 
 That thy vnmoued minde, can be 
 So tyed to yef^Ati rightcs. 
 But that fometimes it will content. 
 To yemtt fwcet delights ? 
 Can that faire&ce, which inallhtaitl 
 Doth high afFcftion mouc; 
 Refift fo many flrong attempts. 
 As will aHault thy loue? 
 No. no,they arc not alwaies true* 
 WhicJi doe moft truely fpcakc.- 
 If it were fo,how then am I, 
 More then a woman wcakc! 
 
 And 
 
Antony^ 
 And yet my conlcicncc doth d[( cut, 
 A-iid plaindy this deny; 
 And yetfulpition doth maintainCj 
 ltcaiin6tb--alye. 
 O Low cjn he be cucr brought. 
 To ihinkc nnot her true- 
 Who chrough the guilt of ! lis ownc mindc, 
 "3 hcoihcrslijc doth view? 
 And ilibuld I then rciurneto Roome, 
 
 Mine honor thus to (oilc? 
 
 No.rathcr let mc Hndtf a ton-.bc. 
 
 In any t'orraignc f bylc. 
 
 And fjncc thou kno%vcfl:(0 too loo wc'.l; 
 
 jt>itf.mus high dilgracc: 
 
 Hemuft jMouidc of at! the world. 
 
 Not tobcholdc ihy fiicc. 
 
 Thy face the Icchirc cl his miffc. 
 
 The mjirour oi his fliamc. 
 
 The cucr wounding rod,and fpur 
 
 Of my cclipfcd fame, 
 
 1"hc difproportion of our thoughts. 
 
 Could neuer well agree; 
 
 Thou ftil! iliouldft hate my faithlcfncffc, 
 
 Ibhifli thy truth to fee, 
 
 A fault doth neuer with rcmorfe, 
 
 Ourmindes fo deeply nioue; 
 
 As when anotlurs guildeilc Iifc> 
 . Our errour doth repioue. 
 
 Eu : bt it.ihat from all thofc doubtcs, 
 
 Icouid my mindc fct free-* 
 
 \Antom', 
 Yet whiles ambitious Cafar Hues, 
 1 may nut come to thee. 
 Let all the world perfwations vfc. 
 And their bcft counfell giuc- 
 For me,I r " .vill be drawne. 
 In dangers month to hue. 
 1 cannot brookc.anothcr fliould, . 
 Bcmighrierthcnl;. 
 An cquallinth'ir.ipCTiallfaite, 
 My heart doth much amy. 
 And who fo limplc,that willlookc 
 For faith or ttuth in tho(c; 
 Whofc fiiithlcfiics may hap to gainc, 
 Whofc truth a crownc muft loofe. 
 There is no truth in luch.whofe hearts. 
 An Empire doc affeil: 
 Competitors may ulkc of tmth. 
 But doc all uuth neclctl. 
 And be it.that we could agree 
 Which hath been feldome knowne.* 
 Yet ftill in time,from priuate grudge. 
 Such quarrels great hauc orownc. 
 Such bloudy dccds,{uch ftrifc,dcbatc. 
 Such outragc,murther,death: 
 Thar words.and oathcs and al,hauc prou d 
 But vainediflcmbling breath. 
 No naturcjreafon.counfell.wit. 
 Ambition can conftrainc. 
 To hold vnutolablc truth: 
 Orconfciencc to dctainc. 
 
 Yci 
 
Pale fcarcnnftruft.vnlook'd for chancf,- 
 
 And fortunes dyrrful frownis.' 
 
 Moft deep fufpcft^nd fwifireucngc. 
 
 Attendant arc on crowtics. y^'**^ 
 
 Not that I dread or fland inftiti,—^ 
 
 What f.x/Irr can procure, 
 
 But that this abfencc better raought, 
 
 Myfafctyafiecure. 
 
 And it may hjtp(for ftcn'if can td) 
 
 In time what may be wrtnight; 
 
 Since vnexpcftcd chauce,my loue 
 
 ToC/eaf/atrahrou^ht. 
 
 So happy tim'e, (6 good an howcr. 
 
 For t hce may hap to fill ; 
 
 Which may my tone and Elh<^',backe 
 
 From her againe recall. 
 
 In hope whereof jO^iftwirf muft 
 
 Her fighes and teares fiippreflt: 
 
 VntiH jintomttj find e the racanes, 
 
 Tfacfc crtours to rcdrcflc. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 Errata, f 
 
 Ad.2.pag.3.IineS,forhigheftrcadhighne$. 
 ~ A£l.3.pag. 22.1ine g. for frowardnes read forwatdinR# 'i 
 
 Aft. 5.pag.4.Iinc i.fbr aftribc rcad^flignc. ; / i -O' 
 ■Epift,i.pag.i.linc i6.for Tough read THou^ ; - ' \ 
 
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