Chapter I: Part 1

{Transcriber's note:

{SN Sidenotes are indicated like this.} {ILL Illustrations are indicated like this.} {TN Other notes are indicated like this.}

No intentional corrections or changes have been made to the text.}

PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY HORACE HART M.A., AT THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

THE TRAGEDY OF CAESAR'S REVENGE

THE MALONE SOCIETY REPRINTS 1911

This reprint of _Caesar's Revenge_ has been prepared by F. S. Boas with the assistance of the General Editor.

_Oct. 1911._ W. W. Greg.

Plays on the subject of Caius Julius are so numerous that some difficulty arises in properly distinguishing the titles. In the case of the piece here reprinted the first title, which is also the head title, suggests a play of Chapman's, while the running title is the traditional property of William Shakespeare. It seems, therefore, best that it should become known by the name which appears second on the title-page. And, indeed, there is reason to suppose that it was this title that the piece originally bore, for the entry in the Registers of the Stationers' Company runs as follows:

v^o Iunij [1606]

{SN John Wright and Nathanael ffossbrook}
Entred for their Copies vnder the handes of Master Doctor Couell and
the wardens A booke called Iulius Caesars reuenge. vj^d
[Arber's Transcript, III. 323.]

The edition that followed upon this entry was undated, but probably appeared before the end of the year. It bore Wright's name and address as stationer, and the initials and device of George Eld as printer. It was a quarto printed in roman type of a body similar to modern pica (20 ll. = 83 mm.). Of this original issue copies survive in the Dyce Library at South Kensington and in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire. In other copies the original title-leaf has been cancelled and replaced by a reprint. This, which is dated 1607, bears the names of both stationers, and a different address, which is presumably Fosbrook's. The printer's initials have been omitted, and, more important, his device has made way for the note 'Priuately acted by the Studentes of Trinity Colledge in Oxford'. The original type had already been distributed, and not only the title, but also the list of personae on the verso of the leaf, was reset. Why Fosbrook should have been originally forgotten, as it would seem he was, and his portion of the stock provided with a title-page which is evidently of the nature of an afterthought, there is nothing to show. Copies of this second issue are in the Bodleian Library at Oxford and the British Museum. All the copies mentioned are perfect, and for the purpose of the present reprint those in the British Museum, Bodleian and Dyce libraries have been collated throughout. The two former are in substantial agreement: the Dyce copy has both formes of sheet A in an uncorrected state: there is a curious progressive error at l. 2481.

No record of performance survives to corroborate the information supplied by the second title-page, but from internal evidence it may be supposed to have taken place some years before publication, the style of the play being modelled on those popular in the last decade of the sixteenth century, especially _Tamburlaine_ and the _Spanish Tragedie_. The complete absence of comic relief, and the exceptional number of recondite classical allusions, are in favour of the academic origin of the play, and this is perhaps further evidenced by the fact that the source, upon which the anonymous author drew, appears to have been, not Plutarch, but Appian's _Bellum Civile_. Appian alone (book II, chapters 113 and 117) names Bucolianus among Caesar's murderers, though Cicero mentions him twice in his letters to Atticus as Bucilianus. There is also one local reference to connect the play with Oxford, in the lines put into Caesar's mouth.

And _Isis_ wept to see her daughter _Thames_,
Chainge her cleere cristall, to vermilian sad.
(ll. 1278-9.)

The text of the play presents a good many difficulties, and in some places there is reason to suspect more or less serious lacunae. The classical names too are often badly corrupted, and the punctuation is the worst conceivable. There is a division into acts and scenes, but it neither follows a consistent principle, nor exhibits a correct numbering. A new division on the ordinarily accepted principles of the English stage has therefore been introduced in the margin. This has necessitated a somewhat minute consideration of exits and entrances, and a special list of necessary stage directions has been added below after the usual list of irregular readings.

A list of personae is given in the original on the verso of the title-leaf. The only omission is that of a Lord who has a part in several scenes.

The thanks of the editor are due to the Rev. H. E. D. Blakiston, President of Trinity College, Oxford, for information to the effect that no references to plays are traceable in the account books of the College, unless a payment of 6s. 6d. for a 'spectaculum in festo Trinitatis' in 1565 can be so interpreted. A similar debt is owing to Mr. J. P. Maine, librarian to the Duke of Devonshire, for information as to the readings of the copy of the original issue of the play preserved at Chatsworth.

LIST OF IRREGULAR AND DOUBTFUL READINGS

The punctuation of the original is so erratic as to make it impossible to record all irregularities. The following are particularly frequent: comma or semi-colon for period, especially at the end of a speech, period or other stop for query-mark, colon or, less frequently, semi-colon where at most a comma is needed. As a rule only those cases have been noticed which would be likely to cause difficulty to a reader who had the above points in mind.

{TN Catchwords are not shown in this transcription.
Other possible errors, which have not been corrected, are:

718 how (How)
1181 _Phaebus_ (_Phoebus_)
1694 (unusual indentation)
1887 (not indented)
}

A 1^v _Casca._ (_Casea._ 1607)
_Augur._ (_Augur:_ 1607)
_Senators._ (_Seuators._ 1607)
_Octauian._ (_Actauian._ 1607)
_Camber._ (both)
11 which (what)
14 her (? his)
20 field
25 Heauens. O (Heauens, O)
31 sig. A2 (B2 _Dyce only_)
32 Vomit (vomit)
ills (? ills:)
34 BE
44 shild
46 greatnesse. (? greatnesse;)
55 praizd (_i.e._ valued)
59 swaye. (swaye,)
87 When as
98 liuing (liung _Dyce only_)
108 ouerthrowne, (ou erthrowne, _B.M._, _Devon._)
132 a sleepe
136 a waite
143 bisse. (blisse.)
148 beare. (beare,)
149 Wihch (Which)
163 starrs. (starrs,)
167 remououe
169 haue. (haue--)
171 this, (_i.e._ thus,)
175 a misse,
182 farwell, then (farwell then,)
182 c.w. Here (183 Heere)
192 woundring
203 T'was
215 babish
216 sound (sound.)
219 Io ioyfull, Io
227 boucher'd
237 stange
247 enternally
252 c.w. Whilst (253 Whil'st)
261 Thee (? Flee)
blood (blood.)
262 thirst. (thirst,)
263 goaring
277 _Romaine_, (_Romaine_)
288 when as
308 When as
324 Temple (_Tempe_)
325 waues, (waues.)
335 _Scythia_
344 freedon,
349 vnderringing
354 fall:
357 blast,
363 dol-full
410 they (thy)
411 Soule. (_point doubtful, read_ Soule,)
412 What (? That)
413 _Libians_
430 petition. (petition,)
432 permit,. {TN ? superfluous '.'?}
434 Some what
450 turnde, (turnde)
460 with out
468 shue (sue)
474 griefe. (griefe,)
c.w. VVhich (475 Which)
494 handmayde, forth (handmayde forth,)
498 hath
508 woundring
513 poastes. (poastes)
514 name, (name.)
515 bring: (bring)
519 pearles. (pearles)
527 beheld (behold)
535 althings
sees. (sees)
542 _But._ (? _Ant._)
544 _Caesa_,
549 thee (the)
cut, (cut)
561 weaud (? weand _B.M. only_)
567 fized (fixed)
568 ouer (? euer)
576 _Neptnnus_
598 _Piramids_. (_Piramids_,)
602 _Gnidas_ (_Gnidus_)
609 _Antho._ (_Dis._)
617 Iollity. (Iollity,)
620 _Setorius_ (_Sertorius_)
621 ouerthrowe. (ouerthrowe,)
622 _Nepoune_
627 waight,
blisse. (blisse,)
628 haue. (haue,)
633 night. (night,)
634 plauges
642 SCENA 4.
646 they
selfe. (selfe)
652 like wise
_Ptolomeis_
gould. (gould,)
655 made. (made,)
670 wordly
699 a vaile
704 soueraignety. (soueraignety,)
708 Men. (Men,)
709 entertaynd, (entertaynd.)
713 Earth. (Earth,)
725 sway (sway.)
734 a non,
751-2 (_lacuna_ ?)
763 letter pattens
784 if, (if)
786 a like,
807 cease. (cease,)
818 graue. (graue,)
826 Alacke (Alike)
828 a like
829 causer which (? causer, mine)
835 perlexed
838 be hould
848 Queene, (Queene.)
851 framd. (framd,)
864 prefest.
874 instruments. (instruments,)
883 _Ncmean_
885 os (of)
891 Be sides
893 _Alcionus_:
899 rosall
head, (head.)
900 _Phoebus_
902 respendent
913 _Spicery_, (?)
914 _Nardus_
924 Queene, (Queene)
925 ofhirs:
936 speech (speech.)
947 _Camber_ (_Cimber_)
960 _Caes._ (_Cas._)
969 tale, (tale,)
971 blood, (blood.)
989 _Cam._ (_Cim._)
991 _Cum._ (990 c.w. _Cam._)
996 _Cibills_
verse. (verse)
1003 sepulcher. (sepulcher,)
1012 praise
1014 bespent (? besprent)
1022 _Romaine_, (_Romaines_,)
1025 _Gic._
1027 borne
1050 learne; (learne,)
1051 althings
1053 blessiings
1059 Counrries
1075 nor (not)
1082 _Hilias_ (_Allias_)
sight: (? fight: _B.M. only_)
1103 slay (stay)
1108 Countries: (Countries)
1111 _Sene._
1118 it (it.)
vse, (vse)
1121 vertues (? vertue)
brunt's,
1137 me (me?)
1149 _Adastria_ (_Adrastia_)
Queene. (Queene,)
1159 sleepe. (sleepe,)
1161 die, (die.)
1162 paintcd
1182 backes. (backes,)
1196 _Lords_, (? _Lord_,)
1198 a fore,
1201 be-hind
past. (past,)
1203 triump (trump)
1205 witner (witnes)
1207 it bound it
1208 _Phaegiean_ (_Phlegraean_)
1209 _Tropheus_ (Trophies)
1213 Pompeous
1218 crowne, (crowne.)
1221 onmy
1222 beare. (beare)
1229 _Africans_,
1234 starre. (starre)
1237 Gouernesse. (Gouernesse,)
1246 _AEmelius_,
1258 _Romulus_. (_Romulus_,)
1260 Ouer- (? Euer-)
1262 exquies
1263 _Ioue_. (_Ioue_,)
1264 fame. (fame,)
1265 _Hydasspis_,
1270 Whereby (Were by)
resistles, (resistles)
powers (? power)
1276 _Rohdans_
1278 _Thames_. (_Thames_)
1283 greefe (greefe.)
1318 Afrigted
1321 winde (? minde)
1322 on (_i.e._ one)
1329 my
1335 one (_i.e._ on)
1361 the (thee)
1364 receiue (? reuiue)
1389 persumption:
1423 by (ly)
1426 lotheth (? bodeth)
1429 ACT. 2.
1430 _Anthony_ (_Anthony_,)
_Lords_, (? _Lord_,)
1431 _Pharthia_
1432 _Caesars_ (? _Crassus_)
1438 _Armenians_
_Medians_
1448 troopes. (troopes,)
1462 victorye. (victorye,)
1467 there by
1468 spur. (spur)
1472 selfe (? selfe's)
1474 will (? well)
1479 euerdaring (? ouerdaring)
1481-2 (_lacuna_?)
1486 or (are)
1491 fame. (fame)
1494 Pincely
1498 liberty. (liberty,)
1522 _Cumber_ (? _Cimber_,)
1539 mis boding
1577 quench-les
1582 a peerce
1604 T'was
1613 hap (hap.)
1619 Bec (?)
1623 fore-cast, (fore-cast)
1633-4 (? _lacuna_)
1637 steeps
1638 threeatning
1643 bale full
1649 bale-full
1650 consort. In (consort, in)
1657 Dre ame
which (with)
1662 _Pre._ (i.e. _Praecentor._)
1665 ilde
1666 Thout
a non
1670 anon, (anon.)
1673 nigh. (nigh,)
1674 house- (?) {TN appears as 'house.' in the text}
1676 sits, (sits ?)
1677 daunger (daunger,)
1693 (? _lacuna_)
1700 Aloud
1702 _Cum.... Cumber_
1704 (_not indented_)
1718 yout (your)
1719 plauge
1730 geeue
1731 liues. (liues)
1735 ambition, (ambition)
1742 see (see?)
1751 heard
1761 a mong
starrs. (starrs)
1763 _Caesar_, (_Caesar_)
1771 _Anthony_. (_Anthony_)
1774 a laromes,
1793 in great (? ingrate)
1804 more (more,)
songs. (songs,)
1809 _Hearse Calphurnia_ (_Hearse_, _Calphurnia_,)
1829 deathes,
1836 (_not indented_)
1846 they (thy)
1855 Commonwealth. (Commonwealth,)
1857 Vntucht. (Vntucht,)
1859 e ndles (e nd les _B.M. only_)
1864 yeares. (yeares)
1865 vnconquered; (vnconquered,)
1899 _Romains_ (? _Romes_)
1902 soundes,
1905 hasted
1906 sound,
1909 tombe: (e _doubtful_)
1924 pytiyng
1925 fore
1929 _Syre_,
1971 _Mirapont._
1972 ACT. 3. SCE. 1.
1979 life. (life)
1981 heauens: (?)
1992 _A lcides_
1999 _Spayne_ (_Spayne_,)
2004 auaylesthis
2005 hand. (hand)
2008 Crest. (Crest,)
2019 _on_ (_one_)
2025 _Iiberian_
2030 war-faire (warfare)
2038 warre-faire (warre faire)
2039 Stike
2046 for got
2055 Fathers
2063 hate. (hate)
2067 a rise
2068 vnquenced
2071 comsort (? consort)
2078 youth full
2090 vowd',
2093 Dieties
2100 _Gradinus_ (_Gradiuus_)
2101 ouerburning (euerburning)
2102 _Carpeian_ (_Tarpeian_)
2114 _Stremonia_, (? _Strymon_)
2122 -men (-man)
2136-7 (? _lacuna_)
2155 _Lyeas_ (_Lycus_)
2157 _Tursos_
2164 (And _Dolabella_ [And _Dolabella_ (]
spoyles. (spoyles)
2192 _Numantia_. (_Numantia_,)
2209 _Gradinus_ (_Gradiuus_)
2213 liues.) [?]
2221 Strenghen
2232 acts. (acts)
2252 eur
2272 slaine. (slaine)
2274 Behould (Beheld)
fiends. (fiends)
2276 vpbraues
2283 In (in)
2291 Comegreesly
2309 earth. (earth,)
c.w. wish (Wish)
2313 ire. (ire,)
2318 _Caesars_ (_Brutus_)
2324 expiate. _Altheas_ come. (? expiate _Altheas_ crime.)
2337 power
2338 extols. (extols,)
2346 c.w. Where (_Cass._ Where)
2356-7 (? _reversed_)
2363 _Echalarian_
2366 Then yet (? _alternatives_)
2371 cruell (_turned_ n _for_ u)
2375 foyld:
2411 accurs'd (_space before_ d _but apostrophe doubtful_)
2422 breath? (? breathe,)
2470 come (come,)
friend (friend;)
2481 comfort rings. _B.M. and Bodl._: comfort gs .
_Devon._: comfort gs.
_Dyce_: _read_ comfort brings.
2498 bee. (bee,)
2500 life. (life;)
2517 a round
2522 cndlesse
vpon. (? vpon,)
2533 The (the)
2552 But (? Nor)
2559 _Elysium_

ADDITIONAL STAGE DIRECTIONS

37 Exit Discord.
331 Exeunt.
366 Exeunt.
481 Enter Anthony.
606 Exeunt.
641 Exit Discord.
765 Exeunt.
1520 Exeunt.
1684 Exit Caesar.
1692 Exit Cassius.
Enter the Senate.
1739 ? Exeunt.
1788 Exit Discord.
1810 Enter Lord.
1971 Exeunt.
2109 ? Exit Ghost.
2125 Exeunt.
2149 Exit Discord.
2269 Exeunt: manet Brutus.
2315 Exit Ghost.
2328 Exit Brutus.
2346 Cato dies.
Enter Cassius.
2382 Exit Cassius.
2433 Exit Titinnius.
2471 Cassius stabs himself.
2501 Titinnius stabs himself.
2525 ? Brutus stabs himself.
2570 Exeunt.

It is possible that Cassius should be marked as entering with the others at l. 947 and that the speeches of II. iv marked _Cas._ belong to him and not to Casca.

* * * * *

The thanks of the Society are due to His Grace the Duke of Devonshire for kind permission to reproduce the title-page of the undated quarto in his possession.

{ILL facsimile of title page, with caption: UNDATED TITLE-PAGE (DEVON.)}

{ILL facsimile of title page, with caption: TITLE-PAGE 1607 (B.M.)}

{ILL facsimile of first page of text, with caption: A2 RECTO (B.M.)}

THE TRAGEDIE OF Caesar and Pompey

OR

CAESARS Reuenge.

AT LONDON
Imprinted by G.E. for _Iohn Wright_, and are to bee
sould at his shop at Christ-church Gate.

The names of the Actors.

_Discora._

_Titinnius._
_Brutus._
_Pompey._
_Caesar._
_Anthony._
_Dolobella._
_Cornelia._
_Cleopatra._
_Achillas._
_Sempronius._
_Cassius._
_Cato Sen._
_Casca._
_Roman 1._
_Roman 2._
_Bonus Genius._
_Calphurnia._
_Augur._
_Praecentor._
_Senators._
_Bucolian._
_Octauian._
_Caesars Ghost._
_Cicero._
_Cato Iun._
_Camber._

The Tragedie of Caesar and Pompey.

{SN _Chor. I_}

_Sound alarum then flames of fire._

_Enter Discord._

Hearke how the _Romaine_ drums sound bloud & death,
And _Mars_ high mounted on his Thracian Steede:
Runs madding through _Pharsalias_ purple fieldes.
The earth that's wont to be a Tombe for Men
It's now entomb'd with Carkases of Men.
The Heauen appal'd to see such hideous sights,
For feare puts out her euer burning lights.
The Gods amaz'd (as once in _Titans_ war,) 10
Do doubt and feare, which boades this deadly iar
The starrs do tremble, and forsake their course,
The _Beare_ doth hide her in forbidden Sea,
Feare makes _Bootes_ swiften her slowe pace,
Pale is _Orion_, _Atlas_ gins to quake,
And his vnwildy burthen to forsake.
_Caesars_ keene _Falchion_, through the Aduerse rankes,
For his sterne Master hewes a passage out,
Through troupes & troonkes, & steele, & standing blood:
He whose proud Trophies whileom _Asia_ field, 20
And conquered _Pontus_, singe his lasting praise.
Great _Pompey_; Great, while Fortune did him raise,
Nowe vailes the glory of his vanting plumes
And to the ground casts of his high hang'd lookes.
You gentle Heauens. O execute your wrath
On vile mortality, that hath scornd your powers.
You night borne Sisters to whose haires are ty'd
In Adamantine Chaines both Gods and Men
Winde on your webbe of mischiefe and of plagues,
And if, O starres you haue an influence: 30
That may confounde this high erected heape
Downe powre it; Vomit out your worst of ills
Let _Rome_, growne proud, with her vnconquered strength,
Perish and conquered BE with her owne strength:
And win all powers to disioyne and breake,
Consume, confound, dissolue, and discipate
What Lawes, Armes and Pride hath raised vp.

{SN _Act I sc. i_}

_Enter Titinius_

_Tit._ The day is lost our hope and honours lost,
The glory of the _Romaine_ name is lost, 40
The liberty and commonweale is lost,
The Gods that whileom heard the _Romaine_ state,
And _Quirinus_, whose strong puissant arme,
Did shild the tops and turrets of proud _Rome_,
Do now conspire to wracke the gallant Ship,
Euen in the harbor of her wished greatnesse.
And her gay streamers, and faire wauering sayles,
With which the wanton wind was wont to play,
To drowne with Billows of orewhelming woes.

_Enter Brutus_ 50

_Bru._ The Foe preuayles, _Brutus_, thou striuest in vaine.
Many a soule to day is sent to Hell,
And many a galant haue I don to death,
In _Pharsalias_ bleeding Earth: the world can tell,
How litle _Brutus_ praizd this puffe of breath,
If losse of that my countries weale might gaine,
But Heauens and the immortall Gods decreed:
That _Rome_ in highest of her fortunes pich,
In top of souerainty and imperiall swaye.
By her owne height should worke her owne decay. 60

_Enter Pompey_

_Pom._ Where may I fly into some desert place,
Some vncouth, vnfrequented craggy rocke,
Where as my name and state was neuer heard.
I flie the Batle because here I see,
My friends lye bleeding in _Pharsalias_ earth.
Which do remember me what earst I was,
Who brought such troopes of soldiars to the fielde,
And of so many thousand had command:
My flight a heauy memory doth renew, 70
Which tels me I was wont to stay and winne.
But now a souldier of my scatred traine:
Offered me seruice and did call me Lord,
O then I thought whome rising Sunne saw high,
Descending he beheld my misery:
Flie to the holow roote of some steepe rocke,
And in that flinty habitation hide,
Thy wofull face: from face and view of men.
Yet that will tell me this, if naught beside:
_Pompey_ was neuer wont his head to hide 80
Flie where thou wilt, thou bearst about thee smart,
Shame at thy heeles and greefe lies at thy heart.
_Tit._ But see _Titinius_ where two warriers stand,
Casting their eyes downe to the cheareles earthe:
Alasse to soone I know them for to bee
_Pompey_ and _Brutus_, who like _Aiax_ stand,
When as forsooke of Fortune mong'st his foes,
Greife stopt his breath nor could he speake his woes,
_Pom._ Accursed _Pompey_, loe thou art descried.
But stay; they are thy friends that thou behouldest, 90
O rather had I now haue met my foes:
Whose daggers poynts might straight haue piercd my woes
Then thus to haue my friends behold my shame.
Reproch is death to him that liu'd in Fame,
_Bru._ _Brutus_ Cast vp thy discontented looke:
And see two Princes thy two noble friends,
Who though it greeues me that I thus them see,
Yet ioy I to bee seene they liuing be. _He speakes vnto them._
Let not the change of this succesles fight,
(O noble Lords,) dismay these daunteles mindes, 100
Which the faire vertue not blind chance doth rule,
_Caesar_ not vs subdued hath, but _Rome_,
And in that fight twas best be ouerthrowne.
Thinke that the Conqueror hath won but smale,
Whose victory is but his Countries fal,
_Pom._ O Noble _Brutus_, can I liue and see,
My Souldiars dead, my friends lie slaine in field,
My hopes cast downe, mine Honors ouerthrowne,
My Country subiect to a Tirants rule,
My foe triumphing and my selfe forlorne. 110
Oh had I perished in that prosperous warre
Euen in mine Honors height, that happy day,
When _Mithridates_ fall did rayse my fame:
Then had I gonne with Honor to my graue.
But _Pompey_ was by envious heauens reseru'd,
Captiue to followe _Caesars_ Chariot wheeles
Riding in triumph to the Capitol:
And _Rome_ oft grac'd with Trophies of my fame,
Shall now resound the blemish of my name.
_Bru._ Oh what disgrace can taunt this worthinesse, 120
Of which remaine such liuing monuments
Ingrauen in the eyes and hearts of men.
Although the oppression of distressed _Rome_
And our owne ouerthrow, might well drawe forth,
Distilling teares from faynting cowards eyes,
Yet should no weake effeminate passion sease
Vpon that man, the greatnesse of whose minde
And not his Fortune made him term'd the Great.
_Pom._ Oh I did neuer tast mine Honours sweete
Nor now can iudge of this my sharpest sowre. 130
Fifty eight yeares in Fortunes sweete soft lap
Haue I beene luld a sleepe with pleasant ioyes,
Me hath she dandled in her foulding Armes,
And fed my hopes with prosperous euentes:
Shee Crownd my Cradle with successe and Honour,
And shall disgrace a waite my haples Hearse?
Was I a youth with Palme and Lawrell girt,
And now an ould man shall I waite my fall?
Oh when I thinke but on my triumphs past,
The Consul-ships and Honours I haue borne; 140
The fame and feare where in great _Pompey_ liu'd,
Then doth my grieued Soule informe me this,
My fall augmented by my former bisse.
_Bru._ Why do we vse of vertues strength to vant,
If euery crosse a Noble mind can daunt,
Wee talke of courage, then, is courage knowne,
When with mishap our state is ouerthrowne:
Neuer let him a Souldiers Title beare.
Wihch in the cheefest brunt doth shrinke and feare,
Thy former haps did Men thy vertue shew, 150
But now that fayles them which thy vertue knew,
Nor thinke this conquest shalbe _Pompeys_ fall:
Or that _Pharsalia_ shall thine honour bury,
_Egipt_ shalbe vnpeopled for thine ayde.
And Cole-black _Libians_, shall manure the grounde
In thy defence with bleeding hearts of men.
_Pom._ O second hope of sad oppressed _Rome_,
In whome the ancient _Brutus_ vertue shines,
That purchast first the _Romaine_ liberty,
Let me imbrace thee: liue victorious youth, 160
When death and angry fates shall call me hence,
To free thy country from a Tyrants yoke.
My harder fortune, and more cruell starrs.
Enuied to me so great a happines.
Do not prolong my life with vaine false hopes,
To deepe dispaire and sorrow I am vow'd:
Do not remououe me from that setled thought,
With hope of friends or ayde of _Ptolomey_,
_Egipt_ and _Libia_ at choyse I haue.
But onely which of them Ile make my graue. 170
_Tit._ Tis but discomfort which misgreeues thee this,
Greefe by dispaire seemes greater then it is,
_Bru._ Tis womannish to wayle and mone our greefe,
By Industrie do wise men seeke releefe,
If that our casting do fall out a misse,
Our cunning play must then correct the dice.
_Pom._ Well if it needs must bee then let me goe,
Flying for ayde vnto my forrayne friends,
And sue and bow, where earst I did command.
He that goeth seeking of a Tirant aide, 180
Though free he went, a seruant then is made.
Take we our last farwell, then though with paine,
Heere three do part that ne're shall meet againe.

_Exit Pompey at on dore, Titinius at
another. Brutus alone_

ACTVS I. SCENA 2.

_Enter Caesar_

_Caes._ Follow your chase, and let your light-foote steedes
Flying as swift as did that winged horse
That with strong fethered _Pinions_ cloue the Ayre, 190
Or'take the coward flight of your base foe.
_Bru._ Do not with-drawe thy mortall woundring blade,
But sheath it _Caesar_ in my wounded heart:
Let not that heart that did thy Country wound
Feare to lay _Brutus_ bleeding on the ground.
Thy fatall stroke of death shall more mee glad,
Then all thy proud and Pompous victories;
My funerall Cypresse, then thy Lawrell Crowne,
My mournefull Beere shall winne more Praise and Fame
Then thy triumphing Sun-bright Chariot. 200
Heere in these fatall fieldes let _Brutus_ die,
And beare so many Romaines company.
_Caesa._ T'was not 'gainst thee this fatall blade was drawne
Which can no more pierce _Brutus_ tender sides
Then mine owne heart, or ought then heart more deere,
For all the wronges thou didst, or strokes thou gau'st
_Caesar_ on thee will take no worse reuenge,
Then bid thee still commande him and his state:
True setled loue can neere bee turn'd to hate.
_Brut._ To what a pitch would this mans vertues sore, 210
Did not ambition clog his mounting fame,
_Caesar_ thy sword hath all blisse from me taine
And giuest me life where best were to be slaine.
O thou hast robd me of my chiefest ioy,
And seek'st to please me with a babish toye. _Exit Brutus._
_Caes._ _Caesar Pharsalia_ doth thy conquest sound
_Ioues_ welcom messenger faire Victory,
Hath Crown'd thy temples with victorious bay,
And Io ioyfull, Io doth she sing
And through the world thy lasting prayses ring. 220
But yet amidst thy gratefull melody
I heare a hoarse, and heauy dolfull voyce,
Of my deare Country crying, that to day
My Glorious triumphs worke her owne decay.
In which how many fatall strokes I gaue,
So many woundes her tender brest receiu'd.
Heere lyeth one that's boucher'd by his Sire
And heere the Sonne was his old Fathers death,
Both slew vnknowing, both vnknowne are slaine,
O that ambition should such mischiefe worke 230
Or meane Men die for great mens proud desire.

ACTVS 1. SCENA 3.

_Enter Anthony, Dolobella, Lord and others._

_An._ From sad _Pharsalia_ blushing al with bloud,
From deaths pale triumphes, _Pompey_ ouerthrowne,
_Romains_ in forraine soyles, brething their last,
Reuenge, stange wars and dreadfull stratagems,
Wee come to set the Lawrell on thy head
And fill thy eares with triumphs and with ioyes.
_Dolo._ As when that _Hector_ from the _Grecian_ campe 240
With spoiles of slaughtered _Argians_ return'd,
The _Troyan_ youths with crownes of conquering palme:
The _Phrigian_ Virgins with faire flowry wrethes
Welcom'd the hope, and pride of _Ilium_,
So for thy victory and conquering actes
Wee bring faire wreths of Honor & renowne,
Which shall enternally thy head adorne.
_Lord._ Now hath thy sword made passage for thy selfe,
To wade in bloud of them that sought thy death,
The ambitious riuall of thine Honors high, 250
Whose mightinesse earst made him to be feard
Now flies and is enforc'd to giue thee place.
Whil'st thou remainst the conquering _Hercules_
Triumphing in thy spoyles and victories.
_Caes._ When _Phoebus_ left faire _Thetis_ watery couch,
And peeping forth from out the goulden gate
Of his bright pallace, saw our battle rank'd:
Oft did hee seeke to turne his fiery steedes,
Oft hid his face, and shund such tragick sights
What stranger passest euer by this cost 260
Thee this accursed soyle distainde with blood
Not Christall riuers, are to quench thy thirst.
For goaring streames, their riuers cleerenesse staines:
Heere are no hils wherewith to feede thine eyes,
But heaped hils of mangled Carkases,
Heere are no birdes to please thee with their notes:
But rauenous Vultures, and night Rauens horse.
_Anto._ What meanes great _Caesar_, droopes our generall,
Or melts in womanish compassion:
To see _Pharsalias_ fieldes to change their hewe 270
And siluer streames be turn'd to lakes of blood?
Why _Caesar_ oft hath sacrific'd in _France_,
Millions of Soules, to _Plutoes_ grisly dames:
And made the changed coloured _Rhene_ to blush,
To beare his bloody burthen to the sea.
And when as thou in mayden _Albion_ shore
The _Romaine_, AEgle brauely didst aduance,
No hand payd greater tribute vnto death,
No heart with more couragious Noble fire
And hope, did burne with glorious great intent. 280
And now shall passion base that Noble minde,
And weake euents that courrage ouercome?
Let _Pompey_ proud, and _Pompeys_ Complices
Die on our swords, that did enuie our liues,
Let pale _Tysiphone_ be cloyd with bloud:
And snaky furies quench their longing thirst,
And _Caesar_ liue to glory in their end.
_Caes._ They say when as the younger _Affrican_,
Beheld the mighty Carthage wofull fall:
And sawe her stately Towers to smoke from farre, 290
He wept, and princely teares ran downe his cheekes,
Let pity then and true compassion,
Moue vs to rue no traterous _Carthage_ fall,
No barbarous periurd enemies decay,
But _Rome_ our natiue Country, haples _Rome_,
Whose bowels to vngently we haue peerc'd,
Faire pride of _Europe_, Mistresse of the world,
Cradle of vertues, nurse of true renowne,
Whome _Ioue_ hath plac'd in top of seauen hils:
That thou the lower worldes seauen climes mightst rule. 300
Thee the proud _Parthian_ and the cole-black _Moore_,
The sterne _Tartarian_, borne to manage armes,
Doth feare and tremble at thy Maiesty.
And yet I bred and fostered in thy lappe,
Durst striue to ouerthrowe thy Capitol:
And thy high Turrets lay as low as hell.
_Dolo._ O _Rome_, and haue the powers of Heauen decreed,
When as thy fame did reach vnto the Skie,
And the wide _Ocean_ was thy Empires boundes,
And thou enricht with spoyles of all the world, 310
Was waxen proud with peace and soueraine raigne:
That Ciuill warres should loose what Forraine won,
And peace his ioyes, be turn'd to luckles broyles.
_Lord._ O _Pompey_, cursed cause of ciuill warre,
Which of those hel-borne sterne _Eumenides_:
Inflam'd thy minde with such ambitious fire,
As nought could quench it but thy Countries bloud.
_Dolo._ But this no while thy valour doth destayne,
Which found'st vnsought for cause of ciuill broyles,
And fatall fuell which this fire enflamd. 320
_Anto._ Let then his death set period to this strife,
Which was begun by his ambitious life.
_Caes._ The flying _Pompey_ to _Larissa_ hastes,
And by _Thessalian_ Temple shapes his course:
Where faire _Peneus_ tumbles vp his waues,
Him weele pursue as fast as he vs flies,
Nor he though garded with _Numidian_ horse,
Nor ayded with the vnresisted powre:
The _Meroe_, or seauen mouth'd Nile can yeeld:
No not all _Affrick_ arm'd in his defence 330
Shall serue to shrowd him from my fatall sworde. _Exit._

ACT. I. SC. 4. {SN _Act I sc. ii_}

_Enter Cato._

_Ca._ O where is banish'd liberty exil'd,
To _Affrick_ deserts or to _Scythia_ rockes,
Or whereas siluer streaming _Tanais_ is?
Happy is _India_ and _Arabia_ blest,
And all the bordering regions vpon _Nile_
That neuer knew the name of Liberty,
But we that boast of _Brutes_ and _Colatins_, 340
And glory we expeld proud _Tarquins_ name,
Do greeue to loose, that we so long haue held.
Why reckon we our yeares by Consuls names:
And so long ruld in freedon, now to serue?
They lie that say in Heauen there is a powre
That for to wracke the sinnes of guilty men,
Holds in his hand a fierce three-forked dart.
Why would he throw them downe on _Oeta_ mount
Or wound the vnderringing _Rhodope_,
And not rayne showers of his dead-doing dartes, 350
Furor in flame, and Sulphures smothering heate
Vpon the wicked and accurs'd armes
That cruell _Romains_ 'gainst their Country beare.
_Rome_ ware thy fall: those prodigies foretould,
When angry heauens did powre downe showers of blood
And fatall _Comets_ in the heauens did blase,
And all the Statues in the Temple blast,
Did weepe the losse of _Romaine_ liberty.
Then if the Gods haue destined thine end,
Yet as a Mother hauing lost her Sonne, 360
_Cato_ shall waite vpon thy tragick hearse,
And neuer leaue thy cold and bloodles corse.
Ile tune a sad and dol-full funerall song,
Still crying on lost liberties sweete name,
Thy sacred ashes will I wash with teares,
And thus lament my Countries obsequies.

ACT. I. SC. 5. {SN _Act I sc. iii_}

_Enter Pompey and Cornelia._

_Cor._ O cruel _Pompey_ whether wilt thou flye,
And leaue thy poore _Cornelia_ thus forlorne, 370
Is't our bad fortune or thy cruell will
That still it seuers in extremity.
O let me go with thee, and die with thee,
Nothing shall thy _Cornelia_ grieuous thinke
That shee endures for her sweete _Pompeys_ sake.
_Pom._ Tis for thy weale and safty of thy life,
Whose safty I preferre before the world,
Because I loue thee more then all the world,
That thou (sweete loue) should'st heere remaine behinde
Till proofe assureth _Ptolomyes_ doubted faith. 380
_Cor._ O deerest, what shall I my safty call,
That which is thrust in dangers harmefull mouth?
Lookes not the thing so bad with such a name,
Call it my death, my bale, my wo, my hell,
That which indangers my sweete _Pompeys_ life.
_Pom._ It is no danger (gentle loue) at all,
Tis but thy feare that doth it so miscall.
_Cor._ Ift bee no danger let me go with thee,
And of thy safty a partaker bee,
Alas why would'st thou leaue mee thus alone: 390
Thinkst thou I cannot follow thee by Land
That thus haue followed thee ouer raging Seas,
Or do I varie in inconstant hopes:
O but thinke you my pleasure luckles is
And I haue made thee more vnfortunate.
Tis I, tis I, haue caus'd this ouerthrow,
Tis my accursed starres that boade this ill,
And those mis-fortunes to my princely loue,
Reuenge thee _Pompey_, on this wicked brat,
And end my woes by ending of my life, 400
_Pom._ What meanes my loue to aggrauate my griefe,
And torture my enough tormented Soule,
With greater greuance then _Pharsalian_ losse?
Thy rented hayre doth rent my heart in twayne,
And these fayr Seas, that raine downe showers of tears,
Do melt my soule in liqued streames of sorrow.
If that in _AEgipt_ any daunger bee,
Then let my death procure thy sweet liues safety,
_Cor._ Can I bee safe and _Pompey_ in distresse,
Or may _Cornelia_ suruiue they death, 410
What daunger euer happens to my Soule.
What daunger eke shall happen to my life,
Nor _Libians_ quick-sands, nor the barking gulfe,
Or gaping _Scylla_ shall this Vnion part,
But still Ile chayne thee in my twining armes,
And if I cannot liue Ile die with thee.
_Pom._ O how thy loue doth ease my greeued minde,
Which beares a burthen heauier then the Heauens,
Vnder the which steele-shouldred Atlas grones
But now thy loue doth hurt thy selfe and me, 420
And thy to ardent strong affection,
Hinders my setled resolution.
Then by this loue, and by these christall eyes,
More bright then are the Lamps of _Ioues_ high house,
Let me in this (I feare) my last request.
Not to indanger thy beloued life,
But in this ship remayne, and here awaite,
How Fortune dealeth with our doubtfull State,
_Cor._ Not so perswaded as coniurd sweete loue,
By thy commanding meeke petition. 430
I cannot say I yeeld, yet am constraind,
This neuer meeting parting to permit,
Then go deere loue, yet stay a little while,
Some what I am shure, tis more I haue to say,
Nay nothing now but Heauens guide thy steps.
Yet let me speake, why should we part so soone,
Why is my talke tedious? may be tis the last.
Do women leaue their husbands in such hast,
_Pom._ More faithfull, then that fayre deflowred dame,
That sacrifizde her selfe to Chastety, 440
And far more louing then the _Charian_ Queene,
That dranke her Husbands neuer sundred heart.
If that I dye, yet will it glad my soule,
Which then shall feede on those _Elisian_ ioyes,
That in the sacred Temple of thy breast,
My liuing memory shall shrined bee.
But if that enuious fates should call thee hence,
And Death with pale and meager looke vsurpe,
Vpon those rosiate lips, and Currall cheekes,
Then Ayre be turnde, to poyson to infect me, 450
Earth gape and swallow him that Heauens hate,
Consume me Fire with thy deuouring flames,
Or Water drowne, who else would melt in teares.
But liue, liue happy still, in safety liue,
Who safety onely to my life can giue. _Exit._
_Cor._ O he is gon, go hie thee after him,
My vow forbids, yet still my care is with thee,
My cryes shall wake the siluer Moone by night,
And with my teares I will salute the Morne.
No day shall passe with out my dayly plaints, 460
No houre without my prayers for thy returne.
My minde misgiues mee _Pompey_ is betrayd.
O _AEgypt_ do not rob me of my loue.
Why beareth _Ptolomy_ so sterne a looke?
O do not staine thy childish yeares with blood:
Whil'st _Pompey_ florished in his Fortunes pride,
_AEgypt_ and _Ptolomy_ were faine to serue
And shue for grace to my distressed Lord:
But little bootes it, to record he was,
To be is onely that which Men respect, 470
Go poore _Cornelia_ wander by the shore
And see the waters raging Billowes swell,
And beate with fury gainst the craggy rockes,
To that compare thy strong tempestuous griefe.
Which fiercely rageth in thy feeble heart,
Sorrow shuts vp the passage of thy breath:
And dries the teares that pitty faine would shed,
This onely therefore, this will I still crie,
Let _Pompey_ liue although _Cornelia_ die. _Exit._

ACTVS I. SCENA. 6. {SN _Act I sc. iv_}

_Enter Caesar, Cleopatra, Dolobella, Lord and others_

_Caes._ Thy sad complaints fayre Lady cannot chuse, 482
But mooue a heart though made of _Adamant_,
And draw to yeeld vnto thy powerfull plaint,
I will replant thee in the _AEgiptian_ Throne
And all thy wrongs shall _Caesar's_ vallor right,
Ile pull thy crowne from the vsurpers head,
And make the Conquered _Ptolomey_ to stoope,
And feare by force to wrong a mayden Queene.
_Cleo._ Looke as the Earth at her great loues approch, 490
When goulden tressed fayre _Hipperions_ Sonne
With those life-lending beames salutes his Spouse,
Doth then cast of her moorning widdowes weeds,
And calleth her handmayde, forth her flowery fayre,
To cloth her in the beauty of the spring,
And of fayre primroses, and sweet violets,
To make gay Garlonds for to crowne her head.
So hath your presence, welcome and fayre sight,
That glads the world, comforts poore _AEgipts_ Queene,
Who begs for succor of that conquering hand, 500
That as _Ioues_ Scepter this our world doth sway.
_Dolo._ Who would refuse to ayde so fayre a Queene.
_Lord._ Base bee the mind, that for so sweet a fayre,
Would not aduenture more then _Perseus_ did,
When as he freed the faire _Andromeda_.
_Caesar._ O how those louely _Tyranizing_ eyes,
The Graces beautious habitation,
Where sweet desire, dartes woundring shafts of loue:
Consume my heart with inward burning heate.
Not onely _AEgipt_, but all _Africa_, 510
Will I subiect to _Cleopatras_ name.
Thy rule shall stretch from vnknowne _Zanziber_,
Vnto those Sandes where high erected poastes.
Of great _Alcides_, do vp hold his name,
The sunne burnt Indians, from the east shall bring:
Their pretious store of pure refined gould,
The laboring worme shall weaue the _Africke_ twiste,
And to exceed the pompe of _Persian_ Queene,
The Sea shall pay the tribute of his pearles.
For to adorne thy goulden yellow lockes, 520
Which in their curled knots, my thoughts do hold,
Thoughtes captiud to thy beauties conquering power.
_Anto._ I marueyle not at that which fables tell,
How rauisht _Hellen_ moued the angry _Greeks_,
To vndertake eleuen yeares tedious seege,
To re-obtayne a beauty so diuine,
When I beheld thy sweete composed face.
O onely worthy for whose matchles sake,
Another seege, and new warres should arise,
_Hector_ be dragde about the _Grecian_ campe, 530
And _Troy_ againe consumed with _Grecian_ fire.
_Cleo._ Great Prince, what thanks can _Cleopatra_ giue,
Nought haue poore Virgins to requite such good:
My simple selfe and seruice then vouchsafe,
And let the heauens, and he that althings sees.
With equall eyes such merits recompence,
I doe not seeke ambitiously to rule,
And in proud _Africa_ to monarchize.
I onely craue that what my father gaue,
Who in his last be-hest did dying, will, 540
That I should ioyntly with my brother raigne:
_But._ How sweet those words drop from those hunny lips
Which whilst she speakes they still each other kisse.
_Caesa_, Raigne, I, stil raigne in _Caesars_ conquered thoughts,
There build thy pallace, and thy sun-bright throne:
There sway thy Scepter, and with it beat downe,
Those traiterous thoughts (if any dare aryse:)
That will not yeeld to thy perfection,
To chase thee flying _Pompey_ haue I cut,
The great _Ionian_, and _Egean_ seas: 550
And dredeles past the toyling Hellespont,
Famous for amorous _Leanders_ death:
And now by gentle Fortunes so am blest,
As to behold what mazed thoughtes admire:
Heauens wonder, Natures and Earths Ornament,
And gaze vpon these firy sun-bright eyes:
The Heauenly spheares which Loue and Beauty mooue,
These Cheekes where Lillyes and red-roses striue,
For soueraignty, yet both do equall raigne:
The dangling tresses of thy curled haire, 560
Nets weaud to cach our frayle and wandring thoughts:
Thy beauty shining like proud _Phoebus_ face,
When _Ganges_ glittereth with his radiant beames
He on his goulden trapped _Palfreys_ rides,
That from their nostrels do the morning blow,
Through Heauens great path-way pau'd with shining starres
Thou art the fized pole of my Soules ioy,
Bout which my resteles thoughts are ouer turn'd:
My _Cynthia_, whose glory neuer waynes,
Guyding the Tide of mine affections: 570
That with the change of thy imperious lookes,
Dost make my doubtfull ioyes to eb and flowe.
_Cleo._ Might all the deedes thy hands had ere achiu'd,
That make thy farre extolled name to sound:
From sun-burnt East vnto the VVestern Iles,
VVhich great _Neptnnus_ fouldeth in his armes,
It shall not be the least to seat a Maide,
And inthronize her in her natiue right.
_Lord._ VVhat neede you stand disputing on your right,
Or prouing title to the _AEgiptian_ Crowne: 580
Borne to be Queene and Empresse of the world.
_An._ On thy perfection let me euer gaze,
And eyes now learne to treade a louers maze,
Heere may you surfet with delicious store,
The more you see, desire to looke the more:
Vpon her face a garden of delite,
Exceeding far _Adonis_ fayned Bowre,
Heere staind white Lyllies spread their branches faire,
Heere lips send forth sweete Gilly-flowers smell.
And Damasck-rose in her faire cheekes do bud, 590
VVhile beds of Violets still come betweene
VVith fresh varyety to please the eye,
Nor neede these flowers the heate of _Phoebus_ beames,
They cherisht are by vertue of her eyes.
O that I might but enter in this bowre,
Or once attaine the cropping of the flower.
_Caes._ Now wend we Lords to _Alexandria_,
Famous for those wide wondred _Piramids_.
Whose towring tops do seeme to threat the skie,
And make it proud by presence of my loue: 600
Then _Paphian_ Temples and _Cytherian_ hils,
And sacred _Gnidas_ bonnet vaile to it,
A fayrer saint then _Venus_ there shall dwell.
_Antho._ Led with the lode-starre of her lookes, I go
As crazed Bark is toss'd in trobled Seas,
Vncertaine to ariue in wished port.

ACT. I. FINIS.

{SN _Chor. II_}

_Enter Discord Flashes of fire._

_Antho._ Now _Caesar_ hath thy flattering Fortune heapt
Those golden gifts and promis'd victories, 610
By fatall signes at _Rubicon_ foretould:
Then triumph in thy glorious greatest pride,
And boast thou cast the lucky Die so well,
Now let the _Triton_ that did sound alarme,
In his shrill trump resound the victory,
That Heauen and Earth may Ecco of thy fame:
Yet thinke in this thy Fortunes Iollity.
Though _Caesar_ be as great as great may be,
Yet _Pompey_ once was euen as great as he,
And how he rode clad in _Setorius_ spoyles: 620
And the _Sicilian_ Pirats ouerthrowe.
Ruling like _Nepoune_ in the mid-land Seas,
Who basely now by Land and Sea doth flie,
The heauenly _Rectors_ prosecuting wrath,
Yet Sea nor Land can shroud him from this iar,
O how it ioyes my discord thirsting thoughts,
To see them waight, that whilom flow'd in blisse.
To see like _Banners_, vnlike quarrels haue.
And _Roman_ weapons shethd in _Roman_ blood,
For this I left the deepe Infernall shades 630
And past the sad _Auernus_ vgly iawes,
And in the world came I, being Discord hight,
Discord the daughter of the greesly night.
To make the world a hell of plauges and woes,
Twas I that did the fatal Aple fling,
Betwixt the three _Idean_ goddesses,
That so much blood of _Greekes_ and _Troians_ spilt,
Twas I that caused the deadly _Thebans_ warre,
And made the brothers swell with endlesse hate.
And now O _Rome_, woe, woe, to thee I cry 640
Which to the world do bring al misery.

ACTVS 2. SCENA 4. {SN _Act II sc. i_}

_Enter Achillas, and Sempronius._

_Ach._ Here are we placed, by _Ptolomies_ command,
To murther _Pompey_ when he comes on shore,
Then braue _Sempronius_ prepare they selfe.
To execute the charge thou hast in hand,
_Sem._ I am a _Romaine_, and haue often serued,
Vnder his collours, when in former state,
_Pompey_ hath bin the Generall of the field, 650
But cause I see that now the world is changd:
And like wise feele some of King _Ptolomeis_ gould.
Ile kill him were he twenty Generalls,
And send him packing to his longest home.
I maruell of what mettell was the _French_ man made.
Who when he should haue stabbed _Marius_,
They say he was astonished with his lookes.
_Marius_, had I beene there, thou neere hadst liu'd,
To brag thee of thy seauen Consulships.
_Achil._ Brauely resolu'd, Noble _Sempronius_, 660
The damnedst villaine that ere I heard speake:
But great men still must haue such instruments,
To bring about their purpose, which once donne,
The deede they loue, but do the doer hate:
Thou shalt no lesse (stout _Romaine_) be renown'd,
For being _Pompeys_ Deaths-man, then was he,
That fir'd the faire _AEgiptian_ Goddesse Church.
_Sem._ Nay that's al one, report say what she list,
Tis for no shadowes I aduenture for:
Heere are the Crownes, heere are the wordly goods, 670
This betweene Princes doth contention bring:
Brothers this sets at ods, turnes loue to hate;
It makes the Sonne to wish his Father hang'd
That he thereby might reuell with his bagges:
And did I knowe that in my Mothers womb,
There lurk'd a hidden vaine of Sacred gould,
This hand, this sword, should rape and rip it out.
_Achil._ Compassion would that greedinesse restraine.
_Sem._ I that's my fault, I am to compassionate,
Why man, art thou a souldier and dost talke 680
Of womanish pity and compassion?
Mens eyes must mil-stones drop, when fooles shed teares,
But soft heeres _Pompey_, Ile about my worke.

_Enter Pompey._

_Pom._ Trusting vpon King _Ptolomeys_ promis'd fayth,
And hoping succor, I am come to shore:
In _Egipt_ heere a while to make aboade.
_Sem._ Fayth longer _Pompey_ then thou dost expect.
_Pom._ See now worlds Monarchs, whom your state makes proud
That thinke your Honors to be permanent, 690
Of Fortunes change see heere a president,
Who whilom did command, now must intreate
And sue for that which to accept of late,
Vnto the giuer was thought fortunate.
_Sem._ I pray thee _Pompey_ do not spend thy breath,
In reckning vp these rusty titles now,
Which thy ambition grac'd thee with before,
I must confesse thou wert my Generall,
But that cannot a vaile to saue thy life.
Talke of thy Fortune while thou list, 700
There is thy fortune _Pompey_ in my fist.
_Pom._ O you that know what hight of honor meanes,
What tis for men that lulled in fortunes lap,
Haue climd the heighest top of soueraignety.
From all that pomp to be cast hed-long downe,
You may conceaue what _Pompey_ doth sustayne,
I was not wont to walke thus all alone,
But to be met with troopes of Horse and Men.
With playes and pageants to be entertaynd,
A courtly trayne in royall rich aray, 710
With spangled plumes, that daunced in the ayre,
Mounted on steeds, with braue Caparisons deckt,
That in their gates did seeme to scorne the Earth.
Was wont my intertaynment beautiefie,
But now thy comming is in meaner sort,
They by thy fortune will thy welcom rate.
_Sem._ What dost thou for such entertaynement looke,
_Pompey_ how ere thy comming hether bee,
I haue prouided for thy going hence.
_Achi._ I will draw neere, and with fayre pleasing shew, 720
Wellcome great _Pompey_ as the _Siren_ doth
The wandering shipman with her charming song.
_Pom._ O how it greeues a noble hauty mind,
Framed vp in honors vncontrouled schoole,
To serue and sue, whoe erst did rule and sway
What shall I goe and stoope to _Ptolomey_,
Nought to a noble mind more greefe can bring
Then be a begger where thou wert a King,
_Ach._ Wellcome a shore most great and gratious prince
Welcome to _AEgipt_ and to _Ptolomey_. 730
The King my Maister is at hand my Lord,
To gratulate your safe ariuall heere.
_Sem._ This is the King, and here is the Gentleman,
Which must thy comming gratulate a non,
_Pom._ Thanks worthy Lord vnto your King and you,
It ioyes me much that in extremity,
I found so sure a friend as _Ptolomey_,
_Sem._ Now is the date of thy proud life expird,
To which my poniard must a full poynt put,
_Pompey_ from _Ptolomey_ I come to thee, 740
From whome a presant and a guift I bring,
This is the gift and this my message is _Stab him_
_Pom._ O Villaine thou hast slayne thy Generall,
And with thy base hand gor'd my royall heart.
Well I haue liued till to that height I came,
That all the world did tremble at my name,
My greatnesse then by fortune being enuied,
Stabd by a murtherous villaynes hand I died.
_Ach._ What is he dead, then straight cut of his head,
That whilom mounted with ambitions wings: 750
_Caesar_ no doubt with praise and noble thanks,
Regarding well this well deserued deede,
Whome weele present with this most pleasing gift,
_Sem._ Loe you my maisters, hee that kills but one,
Is straight a Villaine and a murtherer cald,
But they that vse to kill men by the great,
And thousandes slay through their ambition,
They are braue champions, and stout warriors cald,
Tis like that he that steales a rotten sheepe
That in a dich would else haue cast his hide, 760
He for his labour hath the haltars hier.
But Kings and mighty Princes of the world,
By letter pattens rob both Sea and Land.
Do not then _Pompey_ of thy murther plaine,
Since thy ambition halfe the world hath slayne.

ACTVS 2. SCENA. 2. {SN _Act II sc. ii_}

_Enter Cornelia._

_Corne._ O traterous villaines, hold your murthering hands,
Or if that needes they must be washt in blood,
Imbrue them heere, heere in _Cornelias_ brest. 770
Ay mee as I stood looking from the Ship
(Accursed shippe that did not sinke and drowne:
And so haue sau'd me from so loath'd a sight)
Thee to behold what did betide my Lord,
My _Pompey_ deere (nor _Pompey_ now nor Lord)
I sawe those villaines that but now were heere:
Bucher my loue and then with violence,
To drawe his deare beloued Body hence;
What dost thou stand to play the Oratrix,
And tell a tale of thy deere husbands death? 780
Doth _Pompey_, doth thy loue moue thee no more?
Go cursed _Cornelia_ rent thy wretched haire,
Drowne blobred cheekes in seas of saltest teares.
And if, it be true that sorrowes feeling powre,
Could turne poore _Niobe_ into a weeping stone
O let mee weepe a like, and like stone be,
And you poore lights, that sawe this tragick sight,
Be blind and punnish'd with eternall night.
Vnhappy long to speake, bee neare so bould
Since that thou this so heauy tale hast tould. 790
These are but womanish exclamations
Light sorrowe makes such lamentations,
_Pompey_ no words my true griefe can declare,
This for thy loue shalbe my best welfare. _Stab her selfe._

ACT. 2. SCE. 3. {SN _Act II sc. iii_}

_Enter Caesar, Cleopatra, Anthony,
Dolobella, a Lord,_