Thyestes

THESECONDE TRAGEDIE OF Seneca entituled Thyeſtes faithfully Engliſhedby Iaſper Heywood fellowe of Alſolne College in Oxforde.

AT London in fleteſtrete in the hous late Thomas Berthelettes. Anno1560. 26. die Martii.

the right honorable ſyr Iohn Maſon knight one of the QueenesMaieſties priuie counſeile, his daily orator Iaſper Heywoodwyſhethhealth with encreaſe of honour and vertue.

bounden breſt dothe beare the pooreſt wyght,

dutie dothe in tryflyng token ſende,

he that dothe with plenteous preſent quyght,

prouder pryce, and glyttryng golde his frende.

ſo repaythe with moneys mightie maſſe,

good that he at others hands hath founde,

of the benefyte dothe paſſe,

thynks him ſelfe to hym no longer bounde.

poore, whoſe powre may not with pryce repaye,

great good gyfts that he receyude before,

thankfull thought yet gogyn gyfte dothe ſwaye,

the payſe of pearle and golde great ſtore.

puiſaunt prynce at poore mans hande onſe tooke

radiſheroote, and was therwith content,

honor then I pray, this little booke

take in woorthe, that I to you preſent.

though it ſelfe a volume be but ſmall,

greater gyft it geues then weene ye myght,

it a barrayne booke be throughout all

fruteles, yet not faythles ſygne in ſyght

ſhowes of him that for your honour prayes,

deedes of yours of him deſerued haue,)

god aboue prolong your happie dayes,

make the ſkyes your ſeate ſoone after graue.

tranſlatour to the booke.

lytle booke my meſſenger muſt be,

muſt from me to wight of honour goe,

thee humbly, bende to him thy knee,

thee to hym in lowly maner ſhowe.

dooe thou not thy ſelfe to him preſent,

with affayres thou ſhalt him troubled ſee,

ſhalt perhapps, ſo woorthely be ſhent,

with reproofe he thus will ſay to thee.

prowdly thus preſume how dareſt thou,

ſuche a tyme ſo raſhely to appeare?

thyng𝜁of waight thou ſeeſt me burdned nowe,

maie not yet to tryfles geue myne care.

well thy tyme, when thou him ſeeſt alone,

ydle houre for the ſhalbe moſte meete,

ſteppe thou foorth, in ſight of him anone,

as behoues, his honor humbly greete.

now take heede what I to the ſhall tell,

all by roate this leſſon take with thee,

euery thyng thy ſelfe to order well

ſyght of hym, geeue eare and learne of mee.

what or whence thou art if he woulde wyt,

ſee that thou thy tytle to him ſhowe,

hym thy name is in thy forhed wryt,

whiche he ſhall bothe thee and me well knowe.

when he hath once lookte vpon thy name,

yet he ſhall neglect to reade the reſt,

if he chyde and ſay thou arte to blame,

trities ſuche to haue him ſo oppreſt:

him yet therof to pardon thee,

thou arte but thy maſters meſſengere.

thy ſelfe and laie the faute in mee,

whoſe commaundment thus thou romſte in there.

my preſumpcion then accuſe he do,

deede ſo raſſhe of myne he do reproue,

I thee dare attempt to ſend him to,

thou ſpeake nothyng for my behoue.

do thou not excuſe my faute in ought,

rather yet confeſſe to him the ſame,

ſatethere maie a fawte in me be thought,

to excuſe it doubleth but the blame.

with my boldenes him beſeche to beare,

pardon geue to this my enterpryſe,

woorthy thyng in wight of honour weare,

preſent poore to take in thankfull wyſe.

tell him though thou ſlender volume be,

for ſtate of honour gueſt,

dooſte thou ſigne of dutie bringe with the,

pledge thou arte of truly bounden breſt,

thou for him arte come for to confeſſe,

beadman bounde to be for his deſart,

how to him he graunte he owthe no leſſe,

geeues no more, but note of thankfull hare.

all the reſt that he to thee ſhall ſay,

wyt ſhall ſerue an anſwere well to make,

haſt thyne errande, get thee hens away,

gods thee ſpeede, to them I thee betake.

preface.

was the fowre and twentith date of lateſt monthe ſaue one

all the yere. when flowre and frute from fielde and tree were gone,

ſadder ſeaſon ſuche enſewde as dulls the dolefull ſpright𝜁

Muſe of men that woonted were to wander in delight𝜁:

weather ſuche there was, as well became the penſyuepen

ſory ſtyle of woes to wryte and eke of miſchiefe, when

bluſht with ruddie cheekes, to waile the death agayne

Phoebus ſoon: whom thunderbolt of mightie Ioue had ſlayne:

cloudes from highe began to throwe their dreary teares adowne,

Uenus from the ſkyes aboue on fryday fowle to frowne:

(as at booke with maſed Muſe I ſatte and penſiue thought

drownde in dumps of drouſines as chaunge of weather wrought,)

felt howe Morpheus bound my browes and eke my Temples ſtrooke,

downe I ſoonke my heauy head and ſleapt vppon my booke.

dreamde I thus, that by my ſyde me thought I ſawe one ſtande

downe to grounde in ſcarlet gowne was dight, and in his hande

booke he bare: and on his head of Bayes a Garland greene:

graue he was, well ſtept in yeres and comly to be ſeene.

eyes like Chriſtall ſhiende: his breathe full ſweete, his facefull fyne,

ſeemde he had byn lodged long, among the Muſes nyne.

ſyr (m I) I you beſeche (ſince that ye ſeeme to me

your attyre ſome worthie wight) it may your pleaſure be,

tell me what and whene ye are. wherat a whyle he ſtayde

me: anone he ſpake, and thus (me thought) he ſayde.

was (m he) my natiue ſoyle: a man of woorthie fame

I was in former age, and Seneca my name.

name of Seneca when I hearde then ſcantly could I ſpeake:

was ſo gladde that from mine eyes the teares began to breake

ioy: and with what wordes I ſhoulde ſalute him, I ne wyſt.

him enbraſt: his handes, his feete, and face full ofte I kyſt.

as at lengthe my tricklyng teares me thought I might refrayne,

bliſfull daye (m I,) wherin returned is agayne

worthie wight: O happie houre, that liefer is to me

life: wherin it happs me ſo, that I ſhould Senec ſee.

thou the ſame, that whilom dydſt thy Tragedies endight

woondrous wit and regall ſtile? O long deſyred ſight.

lyuſte thou yet (m I) in deede? and arte thou come agayne

talke and dwell as thou wert wont with men? and to remayne

this our age? I lyue (m he) and neuer ſhall I die:

woorks I wrote ſhall ſtill preſerue my name in memorie

age to age: and nowe agayne I will reuiue the ſame,

here I come to ſeeke ſome one that might renewe my name,

make me ſpeake in ſtraunger ſpeeche and ſette my woorks to ſight,

ſkanne my verſe in other tongue then I was woont to wright.

young man well I wotte there is in thyle of Brytannie,

from the reſt of all the worlde aloofe in ſeas doth lie)

once this labour tooke in hande: him wolde I meete full ſayne,

craue that in the reſt of all my woork𝜁he wolde take payne

toyle, as he in Trōas did. is that your wyll (quoth I?)

bluſht, and ſayd the ſame you ſeeke, loe, here I ſtande you by.

thou (m he) be whome I ſeeke, if glorie ought thee moue

myne to come in after age, if Senecas name thou loue

to keepe, I thee beſeeche agayne to take thy pen,

miter of thy mother tongue to geue to ſight of men

other woorks: wherby thou ſhalt deſerue of them and mee,

litle thancks: When they them ſelues my Tragedies ſhall ſee

Engliſhe verſe, that neuer yet coulde latine vnderſtande.

my renowne perhapps thy name ſhall flie throughout this lande,

thoſe that yet thee neuer knewe ſhall thee bothe loue and prayſe,

ſay God graunt this yong man well to lyue full many dayes,

many happy houres to ſee in life: and after graue,

ioy, and bliſſe eternally aboue the ſkies to haue,

ſo tranſlated hath theſe bookes. to him (quoth I) agayne

any be that ſo with thanks accepts a yong mans payne)

wiſhe great good: but well I wotte the hatefull curſed broode

greater is, that are long ſyns ſproong vp of Zoylus bloode.

Red heard, black mouthd, ſquint eyed wretche hath cowched euerywheare,

corner cloſe ſome Impe of his that ſitts to ſee and he are

eche man dothe, and eche man blames. nor onſe we may him ſee

face to face, but we once gone then ſtoutly ſtepps out hee:

all he carpes that there he fyndes ere halfe he reade to ende,

what he vnderſtandes not, blames, though nought he can amende.

were it ſo that ſuche were none, how may theſe youthfull dayes

mine, in thyng ſo hard as this deſerue of other prayſe?

labour long (quoth I) it is that riper age doothe craue:

who ſhall trauaile in thy bookes, more iudgement ought to haue

I: whoſe greener yeares therby no thanks may hope to wynne.

ſeeſt dame Nature yet hath ſette No heares vppon my chynne.

this therfore of grauer age, and men of greater ſkill.

many be that better can, and come perhapps that will.

yf thy will be rather bene, a yong mans witt to proue,

thinkſt that elder lerned men perhaps it ſhall behoue,

woorks of waight to ſpende theyr tyme, goe where Minervaes men,

fineſt witts doe ſwarme: whome ſhe hath taught to paſſe withpen.

Lyncolnes Inne and Temples twayne, Grayes Inne and other mo,

ſhalt them fynde whoſe paynfull pen thy verſe ſhall floriſhe ſo,

Melpomen thou wouldſt well weene had taught them for to wright,

all their woorks with ſtately ſtyle, and goodly grace t'endight.

ſhalt thou ſe the ſelfe ſame Northe, whoſe woorke his wittediſplayes,

Dyall dothe of Princes paynte, and preache abroade his prayſe.

Sackuyldes ſonett𝜁ſweetely ſauſte, and featly fyned bee,

Nortons ditties do delight, there Yeluertons doo flee

pewrde with pen: ſuche yong men three, as weene thou mightſtagayne,

be begotte as Pallas was, of myghtie Ioue his brayne.

heare thou ſhalt a great reporte, of Baldwyns worthie name,

Myrrour dothe of Magiſtrates, proclayme eternall fame.

there the gentle Blunduille is by name and eke by kynde,

whome we learne by Plutarches lore, what frute by Foes to fynde.

Bauande bydes, that turnde his toyle a Common welthe to frame,

greater grace in Englyſhe geues, to woorthy authors name.

Gouge a gratefull gaynes hath gotte, reporte that runneth ryfe,

crooked Compaſſe dothe deſcribe, and Zodiake of lyfe.

yet great nombre more, whoſe names yf I ſhoulde now reſight,

ten tymes greater woorke then thine, I ſhould be forſte to wright.

pryncely place in Parnaſſe hill, for theſe there is preparde,

crowne of glittryng glorie hangs, for them a ryght rewarde.

the lappes of Ladies nyne. ſhall dewly them defende,

haue preparde the Lawrell leafe, about theyr hedd𝜁to bende.

where theyr Penn𝜁ſhall hang full hie, and fame that erſt was hyd,

in Brutus realme ſhall flie, as late theyr volumes dyd.

are the witts that can diſplay thy Tragedies all ten,

with ſugred ſentence ſweete, and practiſe of the pen.

ſelfe, I muſt confeſſe, I haue to muche alreadie doon

my reache, when raſhly once with Trōas I begoon:

more preſumde to take in hand: then well I brought to ende,

litle volume with mo fautes, then lynes abrode to ſende.

of that woorke what men reporte, In faythe I neuer wiſt.

well I wotte, it may be thought ſo yll, that litle lyſt

haue to dooe the like: Wherof though myne be all the blame,

all to me imputed is, that paſſeth in my name:

as of ſome I will confeſſe that I the author was,

fawtes to many made my ſelfe when I that booke lette pas

of my handes: ſo muſt I me excuſe, of other ſome.

when to ſygne of Hande and Starre I chaunced fyrſt to come,

Printers hands I gaue the worke: by whome I had ſuche wrong,

though my ſelfe peruſde their prooues the fyrſt tyme, yet ere long

I was gone, they wolde agayne the print therof renewe,

all: in ſuche a ſorte, that ſcant a ſentence trewe

flythe abroade as I it wrote. which thyng when I had tryde,

fowreſcore greater fautes then myne in fortie leaues eſpyde,

thanks (ᶆ𝖄I) for ſuche a woorke wolde Senec geue to me,

he were yet a lyue, and ſhoulde perhapps it chaunce to ſee.

to the printer thus I ſayde: within theſe doores of thyne,

make a vowe ſhall neuer more come any worke of myne.

frende (ᶆSenec therwithall) no meruayle therof ys:

haue my ſelfe ſo wronged ofte, And many things amys

doon by them in all my woorks, ſuche fautes in euery booke

myne they make, (as well he may it fynde that lyſt to looke,)

ſenſe and latin, verſe and all they violate and breake,

ofte what I yet neuer ment they me enforce to ſpeake.

is the negligence of them, and partly lacke of ſkill

dooth the woorks with paynes well pend full ofte diſgrace and ſpill.

as for that be nought abaſht: the wiſe will well it waye,

learned men ſhall ſoone diſcerne thy fautes from his, and ſaye,

here the Printer dooth him wrong, as eaſy is to trye:

ſlaunder dooth the authors name, and lewdly him belye.

where thy yeares thou ſayſt lacke ſkyll, myſdoute thou not (quothhe.)

wil my ſelfe in theſe affayres, a helper be to thee.

Poets𝜁tale I will expounde and other places harde.

ſhalt (nodoubte) fynde ſome, that will thy labour well regarde.

therwithall, oh lorde he ſayde, now him I thinke vppone,

here but late to litle liude, and now from hens is gone.

vertues rare in age ſo greene bewrayde a worthy wight,

towardneſſe tryde of tender tyme, how louely lampe of light

woulde haue byn, if God had ſpaerde his dayes, tyll ſuche tyme,whan

elder age had abled him, by grouthe to grauer man.

thankfull thyng thinkſt thou (quoth he) woulde this to him hauebeene,

geuen to his name he might a woorke of thine haue ſeene,

duryng life he fauourde ſo? but that may be:

gone he is, (alas the while) thou ſhalt him neuer ſee,

breathyng bodyes dwell agayne: nor neuer ſhalt thou more,

with him of learnyng talke, as thou werte woont before.

wayle no more for him (he ſayde) for he farre better is.

ſeate he hath obtayned nowe, among the ſtarr𝜁in blis.

caſtyng brighter beames about, then Phoebus golden glede,

the ſkies he lyues with Ioue, an other Ganymede:

better place then Aquarie. ſuche grace did God him gyue.

though the ſonne be gone, yet here dothe yet the father lyue.

long might he this lyfe enioye in helthe, and great encreaſe

honour and of vertue bothe, Tyll God his ſoule releaſe

corps to ſkyes: with right rewarde to recompenſe him there,

truthe and truſty ſeruice doon, to prince and contrey here.

goodnes loe thy ſelfe haſt felte (ᶆhe) and that of late,

he thee fayled not to helpe, and fauour thyne eſtate.

him it ſhall beſceme thee well ſome token for to ſhowe,

of thy dutie whiche thou dooſte for his deſerts him owe

myndfull arte, and how thou dooſte thy diligence applie,

thanke as powre may ſerue, and with thy pen to ſygnifie,

gratefull mynde. And though to light ſo litle trifle bee,

geue to him that hath ſo muche alredie doone for thee,

ſyns thou canſt none otherwyſe his honour yet requight,

yet thy yeares doe thee permit more waightie woorkes to wright,

Chriſtmas tyme thou mayſte doe well a peece therof to ende,

many thanks in volume ſmall, as thee becomes to ſende.

tell him how for his eſtate, thou dooſte thy praiers make:

him in dayly vowes of thine, to God aboue betake.

for becauſe the Prynters all haue greatly wronged mee,

eaſe thee of thy paynes therin, ſee what I bryng to thee.

ſayde: and therwithall, began to ope the gylded booke

erſt I tolde he bare in hand and thervpon to looke.

leaues within were fyne to feele, and fayre to looke vppone,

they with ſyluer had byn fleakte, full cleare to ſee they ſhone.

farre the letters did eche one exceede the leaues in ſight,

glorious then the glittryng golde, and in the Iye more bright.

featly framed lynes throughout in meeteſt maner ſtande,

worthy worke it was, then might be made by mortall hande.

me thought a ſauour ſweete I felt, ſo freſſhe that was,

bedds of purple vyolett𝜁,and Roſes farre did pas.

princes perfume like to it, in chamber of eſtate:

wiſte it was ſome thyng diuine, did me ſo recreate.

felt my ſelfe refreſſhed mucke, well quickned were my witt𝜁,

often tymes of pleaſure great I had ſo ioyfull fitt𝜁,

wakyng now I will confeſſe, you may beleeue me well,

hoorde of golde I wolde refuſe in ſuche delights to dwell,

in that dreame I had. anone, me thought I aſked him,

booke it was he bare in hand, that ſhowde and ſmelde ſo trim.

are (ᶆhe) the Tragedies in deede of Seneca,

Muſe her ſelfe them truly writ, that hight Melpomena.

Parnaſe printely palaice highe, ſhe garniſſhed this booke,

Ladies haue of Helicon great ioy theron to looke:

walkyng in theyr aleys ſweete the flowres ſo freſſhe they treade,

in the midſt of them me place, my Tragedies to reade.

leaues that fyne as veluet feele, and parchement like in ſight,

feate fyne Fawnes they are the ſkyns, ſuche as no mortall wight

come vnto: but with the which the muſes woont to playe,

gardens ſtill with graſſe full greene, that garniſht are fullgaye.

foſtred are theſe litle beaſts, and fed with Muſes mylke,

whiteſt hands and feete they lycke, with tongue as ſofte as ſylke.

heare not ſuche as haue the hearde, of other common Deare,

ſilken ſkyns of purple hewe, lyke veluet fyne they weare.

proper featly framed feete, about the arbours greene

trippe and daunce before theſe dames, full ſeemely to be ſeene:

then theyr golden hornes adowre in Ladies lappes they lay,

greate delight thoſe ſyſters nyne, haue with theſe Fawnes toplay.

ſkyns of them this parchment loe that ſhynes ſo fayre they make,

ought they woulde with hande of theyrs, to written booke betake.

gorgeous glyttryng golden Inke, ſo precious thyng to ſee,

eare and wherof made it is, I ſhall declare to thee.

trees amyd theyr Paradiſe, there are of euery kynde,

euery frute that boughe bryngs foorthe, a man may euer fynde.

deynties ſuche as princes wont, with proudeſt price to bie,

plentie therof may be ſeene, hang there on branches hie.

Plumme, the Peare, the Fygge, the Date, Powngarnet wants not theare,

Orynge and the Olyue tree, full plenteouſly doe beare.

there the golden Apples hang, whiche once a thyng muche worthe

ioye the weddyng day of Ioue, the ſoyle it ſelfe brought forthe.

Daphne ſtands tranſformde to tree, that greene is ſtyll to ſight,

was ſometyme the loued Nymphe ſo fayre, of Phoebus bright.

farre from frute ſo rytche, that once did wakyng dragon keepe

the Myrtha ſtande, with wofull teares that yet dothe wayle andweepe.

teares congealed hard to gumme, that ſauour ſweete dothe caſt,

is that makes to leafe ſo fyne, this Inke to cleaue ſo faſt.

with what water is this Inke thus made, now learne (quoth hee)

ſecrets of the ſacred mounte, I wyll declare to thee.

the reſt a Cedre hyghe, of haughtie toppe there growes

bendyng braunches farre abrode, on ſoyle that ſhadowe ſhowes.

toppe wherof do hang full hie, the pennes of poetts olde,

poſyes purtred for theyr prayſe, in letters all of golde.

ſhade wherof a banquet houſe there ſtands of great delight,

Muſes ioyes, the walls are made of marble tuyre/tuyse/ſuyre inſight

ſquare: an Iuery turret ſtands at euery corner hye,

nookes and toppes doth beaten golde, and amell ouerlye.

fulgent ſeate dothe fleeyng fame, there ſyt full hyghe fromgrounde,

prayſe of Pallas poets ſends to ſtarres with trumpetts ſounde.

gate therof ſo ſtrong and ſure, it neede no watche nor warde

woondrous woorke it is to ſee, of Adamant full harde.

nyne ſure locks wherof of one eche ladye kepes the kaye,

none of them may come therin when other are awaye.

floore within with emrawds greene, ys paued fayre and feate,

boorde and benches rownde about, are made of pure blacke geate.

lute, the harpe, the cytheron, the ſhaulme, the ſhagbut eke,

vyall and the vyrginall, no muſyke there to ſeeke.

the walls more woorthy woorke then made by mortall hande,

poetts paynted pyctures all in ſeemely order ſtande:

colours ſuche ſo lyuely layde, that at that ſight I weene,

penſyle woulde beare backe, abaſhed to be ſeene.

Homere, Ouide, Horace eke full featlye purtred bee,

there not in the loweſt place, they haue deſcribed mee.

Uirgyle, Lucane, Palingene, and reſt of poetts all

ſtande, and there from this daie foorthe. full many other ſhall.

now that houſe by manye yardes, enlarged out they haue,

they myght in wyder wall the Images engraue,

paynte the pyctures more at large, of hundreds, englyſſhe men,

geeue theyr tongue a greatter grace, by pure and paynfull pen.

mydſt of all this woorthy woorke, there runns a pleaſant ſpryng,

is of all the paradyſe, the moſt delycious thyng.

rounde about encloaſed is, with wall of Iaſper ſtone:

ladies let no wight therin, but euen them ſelues alone.

water ſhynes lyke golde in ſyght, and ſweteſt is to ſmell,

often tymes they bathe them ſelues, within that blyſfull well.

water thereof they this Inke haue made that wryt this booke,

lycenſt me to bryng it downe, for thee theron to looke.

maiſt beleeue it trewly wrote, and truſt in euery whit

here hathe neuer prynters preſſe made faute, nor neuer yet,

errour here by myſſe of man. in ſacred ſeate on hye,

haue it wryt, in all whoſe woork𝜁,theyr pen can make no lye.

booke ſhall greatly thee auayle, to ſee how Prynters mys,

all my woorkes, and all theyr fautes, thou mayſte correcte by thys.

more then that, this golden ſpryng, with whiche I haue the tolde

ynke ſo bryght thus made to bee, ſuche propertee dothe holde,

who therof the ſauour feeles, his wytt𝜁ſhall quickned bee,

ſpryghts reuyude in woondrous wyſe, as now it happs to thee.

on therfore whyle helpe thou haſte he ſayde, and therwithall

at Thyeſtes chaunced fyrſt, the leaues abrode to fall.

here (ᶆhe) yf it the pleaſe begyn, now take thy pen

dyre debates deſcrybe, of all that euer chaunſt to men.

whiche the godd𝜁abhorde to ſee. The ſumme of all the ſtryfe

harken to. Thyeſtes kepes his brother Atreus wyfe,

ramme with golden fleece: but yet dothe Atreus frendſhip fayne

him, tyll tyme for fathers foode he hathe his children ſlayne,

diſhes dreſt. he ſayde, and then begun to reade the booke:

ſatte attent, and therupon I fyxed faſt my looke.

how the furye draue the ſpryght of Tantalus from hell

ſtyrre the ſtryfe, I harde hym reade, and all expounde full well.

many pleaſant poetts tales that dyd me pleaſe I harde,

euermore to booke ſo fayre, I had a great regarde.

I ſawe how often tymes the Printers dyd him wrong.

Gryphyus, Colineus now, and now and then among

Aldus blamde, with all the reſt that in his woorks do mys

ſence or verſe: and ſtyll my booke, I did correcte by hys.

god of ſleepe had harde all this, when tyme for him it was,

denns of ſlumber whence he came, agayne awaie to pas.

kercher bounde about my browes, dypt all in Lymbo lake,

ſtrayght vnknyt, away he fleeth, and I begoon to wake.

rownde I rollde mine eyes about, and ſawe my ſelfe alone,

vayne I Senec Senec cryde, the Poete now was gone.

woe wherof I gan to weepe, O godds (quoth I) vnkynde,

are to blame with ſhapes ſo vayne our mortall eyes to blynde.

goodly gayne get you therby, ye ſhoulde vs ſo beguyle,

fantſies feede with ioyes, that laſt alas to lyttle whyle?

Morpheus curſt a thouſande tymes, that he had made me ſleepe

all, or ells that he me wolde, in dreame no longer keepe.

neuer were my ioyes ſo greate, in ſleepe ſo ſweete before,

now as greeuous was my woe,alas and ten tymes more,

ſelfe without the poete there, thus lefte alone to ſee,

all delights of former dreame, thus vanyſſhed to bee.

I curſt, ſomtyme I cryde, lyke wight that waxed woode,

Panther of hir pray depryude, or Tygre of her broode.

thouſande tymes my colour goes, and comes as ofte agayne,

I walkte, I might no where, in quyet reſt remayne.

woondrous wyſe I vered was, that neuer man I weene

ſoone, might after late delights, in ſuche a pangue be ſeene.

thou Megaera then I ſayde, if might of thyne it bee,

thou Tantall droauſte from hell, that thus dyſturbeth mee,

my pen: with penſyuenes this Tragedie t'endyght,

as ſo dredfull thyng beſeemes, with dolefull ſtyle to wryght.

ſayde, I felte the furies force enflame me more and more,

ten tymes more now chafte I was, then euer yet before.

he are ſtoode vp, I waxed woode, my ſynewes all dyd ſhake,

as the furye had me vext, my teethe began to ake.

thus enflamde with force of hir, I ſayde it ſhoulde be doon,

downe I ſate with pen in hande, and thus my verſe begoan.

ſpeakers.

Atreus.
Thyeſtes.
Meſſenger.
Megaera.
Seruant.
Philiſtenes.
Chorus.

OF Seneca.

fyrſt Acte.

Megaera.

furye fell enforceth me to flee thunhappie ſeate,

gape and gaſpe w^tgreedy iawe, the fleeyng foode to eate?

god to Tantalus the bowres where breathyng bodies dwell

ſhowe agayne? is ought found worſe then burning thurſt of hell

lakes alowe? or yet worſe plague then hunger is there one,

vayne that euer gapes for foode? ſhall ſiſyphus his ſtone,

ſlypper reſtles rollyng payſe vpon my backe be borne?

ſhall my lymm𝜁with ſwyfter ſwynge of whirlyng wheele be torne?

ſhall my paynes be Tityus pang𝜁thencreaſyng lyuer ſtyll,

growyng gutt𝜁the gnawyng grypes and fylthie foules doe fyll?

ſryll by night repayres the panche that was deuowrde by daie,

wondrows wombe vnwaſted lythe a new prepared praie.

yll am I appoynted for? O cruell iudge of ſprights,

ſo thou be that torments newe among the ſoules delights

to dyſpoſe, adde what thou canſt to all my deadly woe,

keper euen of dungeon darke wolde ſore abhorre to knot,

hell it ſelfe it quake to ſee: for dreade wheroflykewyſe

tremble woulde, that plague ſeeke out: Loe nowe there dothe aryſe

broode, that ſhall in miſchiefe farre the grandſiers gylt out goe,

gyltles make: that fyrſt ſhall dare vnuentred ylls to doe.

euer place remaineth yet of all this wycked lande,

will fyll vp: and neuer once while Pelops houſe dothe ſtande

Minos idle be. Meg. goe foorth thou deteſtable ſpright,

vexe the godd𝜁of wycked houſe with rage of furies might.

them contende with all offence, by turnes and one by one

ſwoordes be drawen: and meane of ire procure there maie be none,

ſhame: let furie blynde enflame their myndes and wrathfull wyll,

yet the parent𝜁rage endure, and longer laſtyng yll,

childerns childern ſpreade: nor yet let any leyſure be

former fawte to hate, but ſtyll more miſchiefe newe to ſee,

one in one: but ere the gylt with vengeante be acquyt,

the cryme: from brethern proude let rule of kyngdome flyt,

runagates: and ſwaruyng ſtate of all vnſtable things,

it by doubtfull dome be toſte, betwene thuncertayne kyngs.

mightie fall to miſerie, and myſer clyme to myght,

chaunce turne thempyre vp ſo downe both geue and take the ryght.

banyſhed for gylt, when god reſtore theyr countrey ſhall,

them to miſchiefe fall a freſhe: as hatefull then to all,

to them ſelues: let Ire thinke nought vnlawfull to be doon.

brother dreade the brothers wrathe, and father feare the ſoon,

eke the ſoon his parent𝜁powre. let babes be murdered yll,

woorſe begotte: her ſpouſe betrapt in treaſons trayne to kyll,

hatefull wyfe awayte. and let them beare through ſeas their warre,

blood ſhed lye the land𝜁about and euery feelde afarre:

ouer conqueryng captaynes greate, of countreys farre to ſee,

luſte tryumphe: in wycked houſe let whoordome counted be

lightſt offenſe: let truſt that in the breaſt𝜁of brethern breedes,

truthe be gone: let not from ſight of your ſo heynous deedes

heauens be hyd, about the poale when ſhyne the ſtarres on hye,

flames with woonted beames of light doe decke the paynted ſkye.

darkeſt night be made, and let the daye the heauens forſake.

the godd𝜁of wycked houſe, hate, ſlaughter, murder make.

vp the houſe of Tantalus with miſchieues and debates.

be the pyllers hyghe, with baye and let the gates

garnyſht greene: and woorthie there for thy returne to ſyght,

kyndled fyre: let myſchiefe doone in Thracia onſe, there lyght

manyfolde. wherfore dothe yet the vncles hande delaie?

yet Tyeſtes not be wayle his childerns fatall daye?

he not fynde them where with heate of fyres that vnder glowe

cawdern boyles? their lymm𝜁eche one a peeces let them goe

let fathers fires, with blood of childern fyled bee:

deynties ſuche be dreſte: it is no myſchiefe newe to thee,

banquet ſo: beholde, this daie we haue to the releaſte,

hunger ſtarued wombe of thyne we ſende to ſuche a feaſte.

fowleſt foode thy famyne fyll, let bloode in wyne be drownde,

droonke in ſyght of thee: loe nowe ſuche dyſhes haue I founde,

thou wouldſt ſhonne. ſtaie whither doſte thou hedlong waie nowetake?

To pooles and flood𝜁of hell agayne, and ſtyll declynyng lake,

flight of tree full fraight with fruite that from the lyppes dotheflee,

dungeon darke of hatefull hell Let leefull be for mee

goe: or if to light be thought the paynes that there I haue,

me from thoſe lakes agayne: in mydſt of worſer waue

Phleghethon to ſtande, in ſeas of fyre beſette to be.

ſo beneath thy poynted paynes by deſtenies decree

ſtyll endure, who ſo thou be that vnderlieſt alowe

hollowe denne, or ruyne who that feares and ouerthrowe

fallyng hyll, or cruell cryes that ſounde in caues of hell

greedy roaryng lyons throates, or flocke of furies fell

quakes to knowe, or who the brand𝜁of fyre, in dyreſt payne

burnte throwes of, harke to the voice of Tantalus: agayne

haſtes to hell. and (whom the truthe hath taught) beleue well mee

well your paynes, they are but ſmall. when ſhall my happe ſo bee

flee the lyght? Meg. diſturbe thou fyrſt this houſe with dyrediſcorde:

and battels bryng with thee, and of th' unhappie ſwoorde

loue to kynges: the cruell breſt ſtryke through and hatefull harte,

tumulte madde. Tan. To ſuffre paynes it ſeemeth well my parte,

woes to woorke: I am ſent foorth lyke vapour dyre to ryſe,

breakes the ground, or poyſon lyke the plague, in wondrowſe wyſe

ſlaughter makes. ſhall I to ſuche deteſted crymes, applye

nephewes hartes? o parent𝜁greate of godd𝜁aboue the ſkye,

myne, (though ſhamde I be to graunte,) although with greatter payne

tounge be vexte, yet this to ſpeake I maie no whit refrayne,

holde my peace: I warne you this, leaſte ſacred hand with bloode

ſlaughter dyre, or franſie fell of frantyke furie woode

aulters ſtayne, I will reſyſte: And garde ſuche gylt awaye.

ſtrypes why dooſte thou me affryght? why threaiſt thou me to fraye

crallyng ſuakes? or famyne fyxt in emptie wombe, wherfore

thou reuyue? nowe fryes within with thyrſt enkyndled ſore

hart: and in the bowels burnte, the boylyng flames doe glowe.

I followe thee: through all this houſe nowe rage and furie throwe.

them be dryuen ſo, and ſo let eyther thyrſt to ſee

others blood. full well hathe felte the cummyng in of thee

houſe: and all with wycked touche of the begun to quake.

it is. repayre agayne to denns and lothſome lake,

floode well knowne. the ſadder ſoyle with heauy foote of thyne

is. ſeeſte thou from ſpryngs howe waters doe decline

inwarde ſynke? or howe the bankes lye voyde by droughtie heate?

whotter blaſt of fyrie wynde the fewer cloudes dothe beate?

treeſe be ſpoyllde, and naked ſtande to ſight in withred woodds,

barayne bowes whoſe frutes are fled: the lande betweene the floodds,

ſurge of ſeas on either ſyde that woonted to reſounde,

neerer foordes to ſeparate ſomtime with leſſer grounde,

broader ſpredde, it heareth howe aloofe the waters ryſe.

Lerna turnes agaynſt the ſtreame, Phoronides lykewyſe,

poares be ſtoppte. with cuſtomde courſe Alphéus driues not ſtill,

hollie waues. the tremblyng topps of highe Cithaeron hill,

ſtande not ſure: from height adowne they ſhake theyr ſyluerſnowe,

noble feeldes of Argos feare, theyr former drought to knowe.

Titan doubtes him ſelfe, to rolle the worlde his woonted waye,

driue by force to former courſe The backwarde drawyng daye.

Argos towne if any God be founde,

Piſey bowres that famous yet remaine,

kyngdomes els to loue of Corinth𝜁grounde,

double hauens, or ſoondred ſeas in twayne,

any loue Taygetus his ſnowes,

winter whiche when they on hill𝜁be caſt,

Boreas blaſts that from ſarmatia blowes,

yerely breathe the ſommer melts as faſt,)

cleere Alphéus roons, with floude ſo colde,

plaies well knowne that there olimpik𝜁hight:

pleaſant powre of his from henſe withholde

turnes of ſtrife, that here they may not light:

nephew woorſe then grandſier ſpryng from vs,

dyrer deedes delight the yonger age.

wicked ſtocke of thyrſtie Tantalus,

lengthe leaue of, and wery be of rage.

is doone, and nought preuailde the iuſt,

wrong: betrayde is Myrtilus and drownde,

did betray his dame: and with lyke truſt

as he bare, himſelfe hath made renounde

changed name the ſea: and better knowne

mariners therof no fable is.

wicked ſwoorde the litle infant throwne,

ran the childe to take his fathers his,

for thaulters offryng fell downe deade:

with thy hand (o Tantalus) was rent,

ſuche a meate for gods thy boordes to ſpreade.

famine for ſuche foode is ſent,

thyrſt: nor for thoſe deyntie meates vnmilde,

meeter payne apoynted euer bee.

emptie throate ſtands Tantalus beguilde,

thy wicked hed there leanes to thee,

Phineys fowles in flight a ſwifter praie.

burdned bowes declinde on euery ſyde,

of his fruites all bent to beare the ſwaie,

tree deludes the gapes of hunger wyde.

he full greedie, feede theron woulde faine,

ofte diſceyude neglects to touche them yet:

turnes his eyes, his iawes he doth refrayne,

famine fiſt in cloſed gumms doth ſhet.

then eche branche his plenteous ritches all,

lower downe: and apples from on hie

lyther leaues they flatter like to fall,

famine ſtyrre: in vayne that bidds to trie

hands: whiche when he hathe rought foorthe anone

be beguilde, in higher ayre agayne

harueſt hangs, and fickle fruite is gone.

thirſt him greeues no leſſe then hungers payne:

when kindled is his boylyng blood

fyre, the wretche the waues to him dothe call,

meete his mouthe: whiche ſtraight the fleeyng flood

and from the dried foorde doth fall:

him forſakes that followes them. He drinkes

duſte ſo deepe of gulphe that from him ſhrinkes.

ſeconde Acte.

Seruant.

Daſtarde, cowrde, o wretche, and (whiche the greateſt yet of all

tyrants checke, I counte that maye in waightie thyngs befall,)

vnreuenged: after gilts ſo greate, and brothers guyle,

truthe trode downe, dooſte thou prouoke with vayne complaynts thewhyle

wrathe? alredie nowe to rage all Argos towne through out

armour ought of thine, and all the double ſeas about

fleete to ryde: nowe all the feeldes with feruent flames of thyne,

townes to flaſſhe it well beſeemde: and euery where to ſhyne,

bright drawne ſworde: all vnder foote of horſe let euerie ſyde

Argos lande reſounde: and let the woods not ſerue to hyde

foes, nor yet in haughtie toppe of hills and mountaynes hie,

builded towres. The people all let them to battayle crie,

cleere forſake Mycenas towne. who ſo his hatefull hed

and defends, with ſlaughter dyre let bloud of him be ſhed.

pryncely Pelops palaice proude and bowres of highe renowne,

me ſo on my brother too, let them be beaten downe.

to, do that whiche neuer ſhall no after age allowe,

none it whiſht: ſome miſchefe greate there muſt be ventred nowe,

fierce and bloudie: ſuche as wolde my brother rather long

haue byn his. Thou neuer dooſte enoughe reuenge the wrong,

thou paſſe. And feercer facte what may be doone ſo dyre,

his exceedes? doothe euer he lay downe his hatefull yre?

euer he the modeſt meane in tyme of welthe regarde?

quiet in aduerſitee? I knowe his nature harde

that broke may be, but neuer will it bende.

whiche ere he prepare him ſelfe, or force to fight entende,

fyrſt on him: leaſt while I reſt he ſhould on me ariſe.

will deſtroy or be deſtroyde, in midſt the miſchiefe lies,

to him that takes it firſt. Ser. Doothe fame of people nought

thee feare? Atre. The greateſt good of kyngdome may be thought,

ſtill the people are conſtraynde theyr princes deedes as well

praiſe, as them to ſuffer all. Ser. Whome feare dothe ſo compell

prayſe, the ſame his foes to be, doothe feare enforce agayne:

who in deede the glory ſeekes of fauour true tobtayne,

rather wolde with harts of eche be prayſde, then tongues of all.

The true prayſe full ofte hathe hapte to meaner men to fall:

falſe but vnto mightie man. what will they, let them wyll.

Let firſt the kyng will honeſt thyngs, and none the ſame darenyll.

Where leefull are to him that rules but honeſt thyngs alone,

raygnes the kyng by others leaue. Ser.Andwhere that ſhame is none,

care of right, faythe, pietie, nor holines none ſtaythe,

kyngdome ſwarues. Atre. Suche holines, ſuche pitie, and faythe,

priuate goods: let kyngs run on in that that likes their will.

Thebrothers hurt a myſchiefe counte, though he be neare ſo ill.

It is but right to doe to him, that wrong to brother were.

heynous hurt hathe his offenſe let paſſe to proue? or where

the gilt? my ſpouſe he ſtale away for lecherie,

raygne by ſtelthe: the auncient note and ſygne of impetie,

fraude he gotte: my houſe by fraude to vexe he neuer ceaſte.

Pelops houſe there foſtred is a noble worthy beaſte,

cloſe kept Ramme: the goodly guide of ritche and fayreſt flockes.

whome through out on euery ſyde depend a downe the lockes

glittryng golde, with fleece of whiche the new kyngs woonted weare

Tantalls flocke their ſceptors guilt and mace of might to beare.

this the owner raigneth he: with him of houſe ſo gret

fortune fleethe: this ſacred Rāme a loofe in ſaftie ſhet,

ſecret meade is wonte to graſe, whiche ſtone on euery ſyde

rockie wall encloſeth rounde the fatall beaſt to hyde.

beaſt (aduentryng miſchiefe great) adioynyng yet for praie

ſpouſed mate, the traytour falſe hathe hens conuayde awaie.

hens the wrongs of mutuall hate, and miſchefe all vp ſprong:

exile wandred he, through out my kyngdomes all a long:

parte of myne remayneth ſafe to me, from traynes of his.

feerce deflourde, and loyaltie of empyre broken is:

houſe all vext, my bloud in doubte, and nought that truſt is in,

brother foe. What ſtaieſt thou yet? at lengthe loe now begin,

hart of Tantalus to thee, to Pelops caſt thine eye:

ſuche examples well beſeemes, I ſhould my hands applye.

thou whiche way were beſt to bryng that cruell hed to deathe.

Through perſte with ſwoorde let him be ſlaine and yelde hishatefull breathe.

Thou ſpeakſt of thende: but I him wolde oppreſſe with greterpayne.

tyrant𝜁vexe with torment more: ſhoulde euer in my rayne

gentle deathe? Ser. Dothe pietie in thee preuaile no whit?

Departe thou hens all pietie, if in this houſe as yet

euer werie: and now let all the flocke of furies dyre,

full of ſtrife Erinnys come, and double brand𝜁of fyre

ſhakyng: for not yet enough with furie greate

rage dothe burne my boylyng breſt: it ought to be repleate,

monſter more. Ser. What miſchefe new dooſte thou in rage prouide?

Not ſuche a one as may the meane of woonted greefe abide.

gilt will I forbeare, nor none may be enoughe deſpight.

What ſworde? Atr. To litle that. Ser. what fire? Atre. And that isyet to light.

What weapon then ſhall ſorow ſuche fynde fit to woorke thy wyll?

Thyeſtes ſelfe. Ser. Then yre it ſelf yet thats a greater yll.

I graunte: a tomblyng tumulte quakes, within my boſomes loe,

rounde it rolles: I moued am and wote not whervnto.

drawen I am: from botome deepe the roryng ſoyle dothe crie

day ſo fayre with thounder ſoundes, and houſe as all from hie

rent, from roofe, and rafters craks: and lares turnde abought

wryde theyr ſyght: ſo beete, ſo beete, let miſchiefe ſuche beſought,

ye O gods wolde feare. Ser. What thyng ſeekſte thou to bryng topas?

note what greater thyng my mynde, and more then woont it was

the reatche that men are woont to woorke, begyns to ſwell:

ſtaythe with ſlouthfull hands. What thyng it is I can not tell:

great it is. Beete ſo, my mynde now in this feate proceede,

Atreus and Thyeſtes bothe, it were a worthy deede.

eche of vs the crime commit. The Thracian houſe did ſe

wicked tables once: I graunte the miſchiefe great to be,

done ere this: ſome greater gilt and miſchiefe more, let yre

out. The ſtomak of thy ſonne o father thou euſpyre,

ſyſter eke, lyke is the cauſe: aſſiſt me with your powre,

dryue my hande: let gredy parents all his babes deuowre,

glad to rent his children be: and on their lyms to feede.

and well it is deuyſde: this pleaſeth me in deede.

meane time where is he? ſo long and innocent wherfore

Atreus walke? before myne eyes alredie more and more

ſhade of ſuche a ſlaughter walkes: the want of children caſt,

fathers iawes. But why my mynde, yet dreadſt thou ſo at laſt,

fayntſt before thou enterpriſe? it muſt be doone, let be.

whiche in all this miſchefe is the greateſt gilt to ſe,

him commit. Ser. but what diſceyte may we for him prepare,

betrapt he may be drawen, to fall into the ſnare?

wotes fall well we are his foes. Atre. He coulde not taken be,

him ſelfe woulde take: but now my kyngdomes hopeth he.

hope of this he wolde not feare to meete the mightie Ioue,

him he thretned to deſtroy, with lightnyng from aboue.

hope of this to paſſe the threat𝜁of waues he will not fayle,

dread no whit by doubteull ſhelues, of Lybike ſeas to ſayle.

hope of this (whiche thyng he dothe the woorſt of all beleeue,)

will his brother ſee. Ser. Who ſhall of peace the promiſe geeue?

wyll he truſt? Atre. His euill hope will ſoone beleue it well.

to my ſons the charge which they ſhall to theyr vnkle tell,

will commit: that home he woulde from exyle come againe,

miſeries for kyngdome chaunge, and ouer Argos raygne

kyng of halfe: and though to harde of hart our prayers all

ſelf deſpiſe, his children yet nought wotyng what may fall,

trauels tierde, and apte to be entyſde from miſerie,

will moue: on thone ſyde his deſyre of Imperie,

thother ſyde his pouertie, and labour harde to ſee,

him ſubdue and make to yelde, although full ſtoute he bee.

His trauells now the time hath made to ſeeme to him but ſmall.

Not ſo: for day by day the greefe of yll encreaſeth all.

light to ſuffer miſeries, but heuy them t’endure.

Yet other meſſengers to ſende, in ſuche affayres procure.

The yonger ſorte the worſe precept𝜁do eaſelie harken to.

What thyng againſt their vnkle now, you them enſtruhte to do,

with you to worke the like, they will not be a dred.

miſchiefe wrought hath ofte returnde vpon the workers hed.

Thoughneuer man to them the wayes of guile and gilt haue taught,

kyngdome will. Fearſt thou they ſhoulde be made by counſellnaught?

are ſo borne. That whiche thou caſte a cruell enterpryſe,

dyrely deemeſt doone to be, and wickedly likewyſe,

is wrought againſt me there. Ser. And ſhall your ſoons of this

be ware that worke you will? no ſecretnes there is

theyr ſo greene and tender yeres: they will your traynes diſcloſe.

A priuie counſell cloaſe to keepe, is learnde with many woes.

And will ye them, by whome ye woulde he ſhoulde beguiled bee,

ſelues beguilde? At. Nay let thē bothe from faute and blame befree.

what ſhall neede in miſchiefes ſuche as I to woorke entende,

myngle them? let all my hate by me alone take ende.

leauſte thy purpoſe yll my minde: yf thou thine owne forbeare,

ſpareſt him. Wherfore of this let Agamemnon heare

miniſter: and client eke of mine for ſuche a deede,

Menelâus preſent be: truthe of thuncertaine ſeede,

ſuche a pracktiſe may be tride: if it refuſe they ſhall,

of debate will bearers be, if they him vnkle call,

is their father: let them goe. but muche the fearfull face

it ſelfe: euen him that faynes the ſecret wayghtie caſe,

ofte betray: let them therfore not know, how greate a guyle

goe about. And thou theſe thyngs in ſecret keepe the whyle.

I neede not warned be, for theſe within my boſome deepe,

faythe, and feare, but chiefely faythe, dothe ſhet and cloſelykeepe.

noble houſe at lengthe of highe renowne,

famous ſtocke of auncient Inathus,

and layde the threats of brethern downe.

now what furie ſtyrrs and diyues you thus,

one to thyrſt the others bloud agayne,

get by gylt the golden mace in hande?

litle wote that ſo deſyre to taygne,

what eſtate or place dothe kyngdome ſtande.

ritches make a kyng or highe renowne,

garniſht weede with purple Tyrian die,

loftie lookes, or head encloſde with crowne,

glitteryng brames with golde and turretts hie.

kynghe is, that feare hath layde aſyde,

all affects that in the breſt are bred:

impotent ambition dothe not guyde,

fickle fauour hache of people led.

all that weſt in metalls mynes hath founde,

thanell cleere of golden Tagus ſhowes,

all the grayne that thraſſhed is on grounde,

with the heate of libyk hatueſt glowes.

whome the flaſſhe of lightnyng flame ſhall beate,

eaſtern wynde that ſmiles vppon the ſeas,

ſwellyng ſurge with rage of wynde repleate,

greedie gulphe of Adria diſpleaſe.

not the pricke of ſouldiers ſharpeſt ſpeare,

poynted pyke in hand hath made to rue,

whome the glympſe of ſwoorde myght cauſe to feare,

bright drawen blade of glyttryng ſteele ſubdue.

in the ſeate of ſaftie ſett𝜁his feete,

all happs how vnder him they lye,

gladlie runs his fatall daie to meete,

ought complaynes or grudgeth for to dye.

preſent were the prynces euery chone,

ſcattered Dakes to chaſe that woonted be,

ſhynyng ſeas beſet with precious ſtone,

red ſea coaſtes doe holde, lyke bloude to ſee:

they which els the Caſpian mountaynes hye,

ſarmats ſtrong with all theyr power withholde:

he that on the floude of Danubye.

froſt a foote to trauayle dare be bolde:

ſeres in what euer place they lye,

with fleece that there of ſylke dothe ſpryng,

neuer myght the truthe hereof denye,

is the mynde that onely makes a kyng.

is no neede of ſturdie ſteedes in warre,

neede with armes or arrowes els to fyght,

Parthus woont𝜁with bowe to fling from farre,

from the feelde he falſely fayneth flight.

yet to ſiege no neede it is to brynge,

goons in cart𝜁to ouerthro we the wall,

from far of the yr battryng pellettes ſlyng.

kyng he is that feareth nought at all.

man him ſelfe this kyngdome geeues at hande.

who ſo lyſt with myghtie mace to raygne,

tyckle toppe of court delyght to ſtande.

me the ſweete and quiet reſt obtayne.

ſette in place obſcure and lowe degree,

pleaſaunt reſt I ſhall the ſweetnes knoe.

lyfe vnknowne to them that noble be,

in the ſteppe of ſecret ſylence goe.

when my daies at length are ouerpaſt,

tyme without all troublous tumulte ſpent,

aged man I ſhall departe at laſt,

meane eſtate, to dye full well content.

greuous is to him the deathe, that when

farre abrode the bruyte of him is blowne,

knowne he is to muche to other men:

yet vnto him ſelfe vnknowne.

thyrde Acte.

Phyliſthenes.

countrey bowres ſo long wyſht for, and Argos rytches all,

good that vnto banyſht men, and myſers maie befall,

touche of ſoyle where borne I was, and godd𝜁of natyus lande,

godd𝜁they be,) and ſacred towres I ſee of Cyclops hande:

repreſent then all mans woorke, a greater maieſtie.

ſtadies to my youth, where noble ſometyme I

not ſo ſeelde as onſe, the palme in fathers charyot woon.

Argos now to meete with me, and people faſt will roon:

Atreus to. yet rather leade in woods agayne thy flight,

buſhes thicke, and hyd among the brutyſhe beaſtes from ſight,

lyfe to theyrs: where ſplendent pompe of court and princely pryde,

not with flattryng fulgent face, allure thine eyes aſyde.

whom the kyngdome geuen is, beholde, and well regarde,

but late with ſuche miſhaps, as all men counte full harde,

ſtoute and ioyfull was: but now agayne thus into feare

am returnde. my mynde myſdontes, and backeward ſeekes to beare

bodye hens: and forthe I drawe my paſe agaynſt my wyll.

Withſlouthfull ſteppe (what meaneth this?) my father ſtandeth ſtill,

turnes his face and holdes him ſelfe, in doute what thyng to do.

What thyng (my mynde) conſyderſt thou? or els ſo long wherte

thou ſo eaſy counſayle wreſt? wylt thou to thynges vnſure

brother and the kyngdome truſt? fearſt thou thoſe ils tendure

ouercome, and mielder made? and trauayls dooſte thou flee

well were plaſte? it the anayles, a myſer now to bee.

hens thy pace while leefull is, and keepe thee from his hande.

What cauſe the dryues (o father deere) thus from thy natiue lande,

ſeene to ſhrynke? what makes thee thus from thyngs ſo good at laſt

thy ſelfe? thy brother comes whoſe ires be ouerpaſt,

halfe the kyngdome geues, and of the houſe Dylacerate,

the partes: and thee reſtores agayne to former ſtate.

The cauſe of feare that I know not, thou dooſte requyre to heare.

ſee nothyng that makes me dread, and yet I greatly feare.

woulde goe on, but yet my lymm𝜁with weary legg𝜁doe ſlacke:

other waie then I woulde paſſe, I am withholden backe.

ofte the ſhippe that driuen is with winde and eke with ore,

ſwellyng ſurge reſiſtyng bothe, beates backe vpon the ſhore.

Yet ouercome what euer ſtayes, and thus doth let your mynde,

ſee what are at your returne, preparde for you to fynde.

may o father raigne. Thy. I maie but then when die I mought.

Cheefe thing is powre. Th. nought worth at all, if thou deſyre itnought.

You ſhall it to your children leaue. Thy. the kyngdome takes nottwayne.

Who maie be happie, rather wolde he myſer yet remayne?

Beleueme well, with titles falſe the greate thyng𝜁vs delight:

heuye happ𝜁in vayne are fearde, while high I ſtoode in ſight,

neuer ſtynted then to quake, and ſelfe ſame ſwoorde to feare,

hanged by myne owne ſyde was, Oh how great good it were,

none to ſtriue, but careles foode to eate and reſt to knowe?

greater gylts they enter not in cotage ſette alowe:

ſafer foode is fed vpon, at narrowe boorde alwaye,

droonke in golde the poyſon is: by proofe well taught I ſaye,

euyll happs before the good to loue it lykes my wyll.

haughtie houſe that ſtands alofte in tickle toppe of hyll,

ſwayes aſyde, the citee lowe neede neuer be affryght:

in the toppe of roofe aboue, there ſhynes no Iuery bright,

watcheman none defendes my ſleepes by night, or gardes my reſt:

flette I fyſhe not, nor the ſeas I haue not backwarde preſt,

turnde to flight with builded wall: nor wicked belly I

taxes of the people fedde: nor parcell none doth ly,

grounde of mine beyonde the Getes: and Parthians farre about:

worſhiped with francauſence I am, nor (Ioue ſhette out)

Aulters decked are: nor none in toppe of houſe doth ſtande

garden treeſe, nor kyndled yet with helpe of eche mans hande,

bathes dooe ſmoke: nor yet are dayes in ſlouthfull ſlumbers led,

nightes paſte foorth in watche and wine, without the reſt of bed.

nothyng feare, the houſe is ſafe without the hydden knyfe,

poore eſtate the ſweetenes feeles, of reſt and quyet lyfe.

kyngdome is to be content, without the ſame to lyue.

Yet ſhoulde it not refuſed be, if god the kyngdome gyue.

Not yet deſyerd it ought to be. Phy. your brother bydd𝜁you rayne.

Bydds he? the more is to be fearde: there lurketh there ſome trayne.

Fromwhens it fell, yet pietie is woonte to turne at lengthe:

loue vnfaynde, repayres agayne his erſte omitted ſtrengthe.

Dothe Atreus then his brother loue? eche Urſa fyrſt on hye,

ſeas ſhall waſhe, and ſwellyng ſurge of ſeas of Sicylye

reſt and all aſſwaged be, and corne to rypenes growe

botome of Ionian ſeas, and darkeſt night ſhall ſhowe

ſpreade the light about the ſoyle: the waters with the fyre,

lyfe with death, the wynde with ſeas, ſhall frendſhyp fyrſtrequyre,

be at league. Phy. of what deceite are you ſo dreadfull here?

Of euery chone: what ende at length myght I prouide of feare?

all he can he hateth me. Phy. to you what hurt can he?

As for my ſelfe I nothyng dread: you lyttle babes make me

of him. Phy.dreadeye to be beguylde when caught ye are?

late it is to ſhoon the trayne in myddle of the ſnare.

goe we on, this (father) is to you my laſt requeſt.

I followe you. I leade you not. Phy.godturne it to the beſt,

well deuyſed is for good, paſſe foorth with cherefull pace.

ſeconde ſceane.

Thyeſtes.

in trayne the beaſt is taught and in the ſnare dothe fall:

him, and eke of haled ſtocke with him the ofſpryng all,

the fathers ſyde I ſee: and now in ſafetie ſtands

ſureſt ground my wrathfull hate: nowe comes into my hands

length Thyeſtes: ye he comes and all at ones to me.

ſcant refrayne my ſelfe, and ſcant may anger brydled be.

when the bloodhounde ſeekes the beaſt, by ſteppe and quycke ofſent

in the leame, and pace by pace to wynde the wayes he went,

noſe to ſoyle dothe hunt, while he the boare aloofe hath founde

of by ſent, he yet refraynes and wanders through the groundſ

ſylent mouth: but when at hand he once perceiues the praye,

al the ſtrength he hath he ſtriues, with voyce and calls awaye

lyngring maiſter, and from him by force out breaketh he.

Ire dothe hope the preſent blood, it may not hydden be.

let it hydden be. beholde, with vglye heare to ſyght

yrkeſomely defourmde with fylthe his fowleſt face is dyght,

lothſome lyes his bearde vnkempt: but let vs frendſhip fayne.

ſee my brother me delight𝜁:geue now to me agayne

long deſyred for: what euer ſtryfe there waſ

this time betwene vs twayne, forget and let it pas:

this daie foorth let brothers loue, let blood, and lawe of kynde

be, let all debate be ſlakte in eythers mynde.

Icoulde excuſe my ſelfe, except thou werte as now thou arte.

Atreus) now I graunte, the faute is myne in euery parte:

I offended haue in all. my cauſe the worſe to bee,

this daies kindnes makes: in deede a gyltie wight is hee,

wolde ſo good a brother hurt as you, in any whyt.

nowe with teares I muſt entreate, and fyrſt I me ſubmit.

hands that at thy feete doe lye, doe thee beſeeche and praye,

yre and hate be layde aſyde, and from thy boſome maye

ſcraped out: and cleere forgot. for pledges take thou theeſe

brother deere, theſe gyltles babes. Atr. thy hands yet from mykneeſe

and rather me to take in armes, vppon me fall.

ye o aydes of elders age, ye lyttle infant𝜁all.

clyppe and colle about the necke: this fowle attyre forſake,

ſpare myne eyes that pitie it, and freſher veſture take

myne to ſee. and you with ioye, the halfe of emperie

brother take: the greater prayſe ſhall come to me therby,

fathers ſeate to yelde to you, and brother to releeue.

haue a kyngdome is but chaunce, but vertue it to geeue.

Aluſt rewarde for ſuche deſert𝜁,the godd𝜁(o brother deare)

to the: but on my hed a regall crowne to weare,

lothſome lyfe denyes: and farre dothe from the ſceptor flee

hande vnhappie: in the mydſt let leefull be for mee

men to lurke Atre. this kindome can with twayne full well agree.

What euer is (o brother) yours, I count it myne to bee.

Who wolde dame fortunes gyfi𝜁refuſe, if ſhe him rayſe to raygne?

The gyfts of hir eche man it wotes, how ſoone they paſſe agayne.

ye me depryu/ of glory greate, except ye th’empyre take.

You haue your prayſe in offryng it,and I it to forſake.

full perſwaded to refuſe the kyngdome, am I ſtill.

Except your part ye will ſuſteine myne owne forſake I will.

I take it then. and beare I will the name thereof alone:

ryghts and armes, as well as myne they ſhall be yours eche one.

Theregall crowne as you beſemes vppon your hed then take:

I thappointed ſacrifice for godds, will now goe make.

any man it weene? that cruell wyght

of mynde ſo impotent to ſee

ſoone aſtonied with his brothers ſyght.

greater force then pietee may be:

kynred is not, laſteth euery threate,

true loue holdes, it holdes eternallye.

wrathe but late with cauſes kyndled greate

fauour brake, and dyd to battayle crye,

horſemen did reſounde on euery ſyde,

ſwoordes eche where, then glyſtred more and more:

ragyng Mars with often ſtroke dyd guyde

freſher bloud to ſhedde yet thyrſtyng ſore.

loue the ſworde agaynſt theyr wills doth ſwage,

them to peace perſwades with hand in hand.

ſodeyne reſt, amyd ſo greate a rage

god hath made? throughout Mycenas lande

harnes clynkt, but late of cyuill ſtryfe:

for theyr babes dyd fearefull mothers quake,

armed ſpouſe to leeſe muche fearde the wyfe.

ſwoorde was made the ſcabberdt to forſake,

now by veſt with ruſt was ouergrowne.

to repayre the walles that dyd decaye,

ſome to ſtrength the towres halfe ouerthrowne,

ſome the gates wyth gyns of yrne to ſtaye

buſie were, and dreadfull watche by nyght

turret highe dyd ouerlooke the towne.

is then warte it ſelfe the feare of fyght.

are the threats of cruell ſwoorde layde downe,

now the rumor whiſte𝜁of battayles ſowne,

noyſe of crooked trumpet ſylent lyes,

quiete peace returnes to loyfull towne.

when the waues of ſwelling ſurge aryſe,

Corus wynde the Brutian ſeas doth ſmight,

ſcylla ſoundes from hollowe caues within,

ſhipmen are with waftyng waues affryght,

caſts that erſt it had droonke in:

Cyclops fierce his father yet dothe dred,

Actna banke that feruent is with heates,

quenched be with waues that ouerſhed

fyre that from eternall fornace beates:

poore Laërtes thinkes his kyngdomes all

drowned be, and Ithaca doth quake:

once the force of wyndes begyn to fall,

ſea lythe downe more myide then ſtandyng lake.

deepe, where ſhipps ſo wyde full dreadfull were

paſſe, with ſayles on eyther ſyde out ſpred

fallne adowne, the leſſer boate dothe beare:

leyſure is to vewe the fyſhes ded

there, where late with tempeſt bette vppone

ſhaken Cyclades were with ſeas agaſt.

ſtate endures, the payne and pleaſure, one

other yeldes, and ioyes be ſoneſt paſt.

howre ſett𝜁vp the thynges that loweſt bee.

that the crownes to prynces dothe deuyde,

people pleaſe with bendyng of the knee,

at whoſe becke theyr battayles laye aſyde

Meades, and Indians eke to Phebus nye,

Dakes that Parthians doe with horſemen threate,

ſelfe yet holdes his ſceptors doutfullye,

men of myght he feares and chaunces greate

eche eſtate may turne) and doutfull howre.

ye, whom lorde of lande and waters wyde,

lyfe and death graunt𝜁here to haue the powre,

ye your proude and lofty lookes aſyde:

your inferiour feares of you amys,

your ſuperiour threats to you agayne.

greater kyng, eche kyng a ſubiect is.

dawne of day hath ſcene in pryde to raygne,

ouer throwne hath ſeene the euenyng late.

none reioyce to muche that good hath got,

none diſpaire of beſt in worſt eſtate.

Clothos myngles all, and ſuffreth not

to ſtande: but fates about dothe dryue.

friendſhip fynde with godd𝜁yet no man might,

he the morowe might be ſure to lyue.

god our thing𝜁all toſt and turned quight

with a whirle wynde.

fourth Acte.

Chorus.

whirlwinde mai me hedlong driue and vp in ayre me flyng,

wrappe in darkeſt cloude, wherby it might ſo heynous thyng,

from mine eyes? ôwicked houſe that euen of Pelops ought

Tantalus abhorred be. Cho. what new thing haſt thou brought?

Whatlande is this? lythe Sparta here, and Arges, that hath bred

wycked brethern? and the grounde of Corinth liyng ſpred

the ſeas? or Iſter ells where woont to take their flight,

people wylde? or that whiche woont𝜁with ſnowe to ſhyne ſo bright

laude? or els do here the wandryng ſrythians dwell?

What monſtrous miſchefe is this place then giltie of? that tell,

this declare to vs at large what euer be the ill.

Ifonce my minde may ſtay itſelf, and quakyng limm𝜁I will.

yet of ſuche a cruell deede before mine eyes the feare

Image walkes: ye ragyng ſtormes now far from hens me beare

to that place me driue, to whiche now driuen is the day

drawen from hens. Ch.Ourmindes ye holde yet ſtill in doubtfull ſtay.

what it is ye ſo abhorte. The author therof ſhowe.

acke not who, but which of them: that quickly let vs knowe.

InPelopp𝜁Turret highe, a parte there is of palaice wyde

to warde the ſouthe erected leanes, of whiche the vtter ſyde

equall toppe to mountayne ſtands, and on the citie iles,

people proude agaynſt theyr prince yf once the traytours riſe

vnderneathe his battryng ſtroke: there ſhines the place in ſight

woont the people to frequent, whoſe golden beames ſo bright

noble ſpotted pillers graye, of marble dooe ſupporte.

this place well knowen to men, where they ſo ofte reſorte,

many other roomes about the noble courte dothe goe.

priuie Palaice vnderlieth in ſecret place aloe,

ditche full deepe that dothe encloſe the woode of priuetee,

hidden partes of kyngdome olde: where neuer grew no tree

cherefull bowes is woont to beare, with knife or lopped be,

Taxe, and Cypreſſe, and with tree of holme full blacke to ſe

becke and bende the woode ſo darkes alofte aboue all theeſe

higher oke dothe ouerlooke, ſurmountyng all the treeſe.

hens with lucke the raygne to take, accuſtomde are the kyngs,

hens in danger ayde to aſke, and doome in doubtfull thyngs.

this affixed are the gifts, the ſoundyng Trumpetts bright,

Chariots broke, and ſpoyles of ſea that now Myrtoon hight,

hang the wheeles once won by crafte of falſet axell tree,

euery other conqueſts note: here leefull is to ſee

Phrygyan tyre of Pelops hed: the ſpoyle of enmies heere,

of Barbarian triumphe lefte, the paynted gorgeous geere.

lotheſome ſpryng ſtands vnder ſhade, and ſlouthfull courſedothe take,

water blacke: euen ſuch as is, of Yrkſome Stygian lake

vgly waue, wherby are woont, to ſweare the goddes on hie.

all the night the griſly ghoſts and gods of death to crie

fame reportes: with clinkyng chaynes reſoundes the woode eche where,

ſprights crie out: and euery thyng that dredfull is to heare,

there be ſeene: of vgly ſhapes from olde ſepulchres ſent

fearfull flocke dothe wander there, and in that place frequent

thyngs then euer yet were knowne: ye all the wood full ofte

flame is woont to flaſſhe, and all the higher trees alofte

a fyre dooe burne: and ofte the wood beſyde all this

triple barkyng roares at once: full ofte the palaice is

with ſhapes, nor light of day may once the terrour quell.

night dothe holde the place, and darknes there of hell

mid day raignes: from hens to them that pray, out of the grounde

certayne anſwers geuen are, what time with dredfull ſounde

ſecret place the fates be tolde, and dongeon roares within

of the God breakes out the voice: wherto when entred in

Atreus was, that did with him his brothers children trayle,

are the aulters: who (alas) may it enoughe bewayle?

the infants back𝜁anone he knyt their noble hands,

eke their heauie heds about he bounde with purple bands:

wanted there no Frankenſence, nor yet the holy wine,

knife to cut the ſacrifice, beſprinkt with leuens fine.

is in all the order due, leaſt ſuche a miſchiefe grette

not be ordred well. Chor.whodothe his hande on ſwoorde then ſette?

Heis him ſelfe the preeſt, and he him ſelfe the dedly verſe

praier dyre from feruent mouthe dothe ſyng and ofte reherſe.

he at thaulters ſtand𝜁him ſelfe, he them aſſygnde to die

handle, and in order ſet, and to the knife applie,

light𝜁the fyres, no rights were lefts of ſacryfice vndone.

woode tken quakte, and all at ones from tremblyng grounde anone

Palaice beckte, in doubte whiche way the payſe therof woulde fall,

ſhakyng as in waues it ſtoode: from thayre and therwithall

blaſyng ſtarre that fouleſt trayne drewe after him dothe goe:

wynes that in the fyres were caſt, with changed licourfloe,

turne to bloud: and twyſe or thryſe that tyre fell from his hed,

Iucrie bright in Temples ſeemde to weepe and teares to ſhed.

ſights amaſde all other men, but ſtedfaſt yet alway

mynde, vnmoued Atreus ſtands, and euen the godds dothe fray

threaten him, and all delay forſaken by and bye

thaulters turnes, and therwithall a ſyde he lookes awrye.

hungrie tygre woonts that dothe in gangey woods remayne

doubtfull pace to range and roame betweene the bullocks twayne,

eyther praye full couetous, and yet vncertayne where

fyrſt may bite, and roryng throate now turnes the tone to teare

then to thother ſtraight returnes, and doubtfull famine holdes:

Atreus dire, betwene the babes dothe ſtand and them beholdes

whome he poyntes to ſlake his yre: fyrſt ſlaughter where to make,

doubtes: or whome he ſhoulde agayne for ſeconde offryng take,

ſkylls it nought, but yet he doubtes, and ſuche a crueltie

him deligths to order well. Chor. Whome take he fyrſt to die?

Firſt place, leaſt in him thinke ye might no piete to remayne

grandſier dedicated is, fyrſt Tantalus is ſlayne.

With what a minde and countnaunce, coulde the boye his deathſuſtayne?

Allcareles of him ſelfe he ſtoode, nor once he woulde in vayne

prayers leeſe. But Atreus fierce the ſwoorde in him at laſt

deepe and deadly wounde dothe hide to hilts, and gripyng faſt

throate in hand, he thruſt him throughe. The ſwoorde then drawneawaye

long the body had vphelde it ſelfe in doubtfull ſtaye,

way to fall, at lengthe vppon the vnkle downe it falles.

then to thaulters cruellie Philiſthenes he tralles,

on his brother throwes: and ſtrayght his necke of cutteth hee.

carcaſe hedlong falles to grounde: a piteous thyng to ſee,

mournyng hed, with murmure yet vncertayne dothe complayne.

What after double deathe dothe he and ſlaughter then of twayne?

he the childe? or gilt on gilt agayne yet heapeth he?

As long maend Lyon feerce amid the wood of Armenie,

droue purſues and conqueſt makes of ſlaughter many one,

now defiled be his iawes with bloude, and hunger gone

ſlaketh not his Irefull rage, with bloud of bulles ſo greate,

ſlouthfull now, with weery toothe the leſſer calues dothe threate:

other wyſe dothe Atreus rage, and ſwels with anger ſtraynde,

holdyng now the ſworde in hande with double ſlaughter ſtaynde,

not where fell his rage, with curſed hand vnmilde

ſtrake it through his body quight: at boſome of the childe

blade gothe in, and at the backe agayne out went the ſame.

falles, and quenchyng with his bloud the aulters ſacred flame,

eyther wounde at lengthe he dieth. Chor. O heynous hatefull acte.

Abhorre ye this? ye heare not yet the ende of all the facte,

followes more. Cho. A fiercer thyng, or worſe then this to ſee

nature beare? Me. why thinke ye this of gilt the ende to bee?

is but parte. Cho. what coulde he more? to cruell beaſts he caſt

their bodies to be torne, and kept from tyres at laſt.

Wouldegod he had: that neuer tombe the deade might ouer hyde,

flames diſſolue, though them for foode to fowles in paſtures wyde

had out throwen, or them for pray to cruell beaſts woulde flyng.

whiche the worſte was wont to be, were heere a wiſſhed thyng,

them theyr father ſawe butombde, but oh more curſed crime

the whiche denie wyll men of after time:

boſomes yet alyue out drawne the tremblyng bowells ſhake,

vaynes yet breathe, the fearefull harte dothe yet bothe pante andquake:

he the ſtryngs dothe turne in hande, and deſtenies beholde,

of the gutts the ſygnes eche one dothe vewe not fully colde.

him the ſacrifice had pleaſde, his diligence he putts

dreſſe his brothers banquet now: and ſtreyght a ſoonder cutts

bodies into quarters all, and by the ſtoompes anone

ſhoulders wide, and brawnes of armes, he ſtrikes of euery rhone.

laies abrode theyr naked lymms, and cutts away the bones:

only heds he keepes, and hands to him comitted ones.

of the gutts are broachte, and in the fyres that burne ful ſloe

droppe: the boylyng liccout ſome dothe tomble to and froe

moornyng cawdern: from the fleſſhe that ouer ſtands alofte

fyre dothe file. and ſcatter out, and into chimney ofte

heapt agayne, and there couſtraynde by force to tary yet

burnes: the lyuet makes great noyſe vppon the ſpit,

eaſely wote I, if the fleſſhe, or flames they be that cry,

crie they doe: the fyre like pitche it fumeth by and by:

yet the ſmoke it ſelfe ſo ſadde, like filthy miſte in ſight

vp as woont it is, nor takes his way vpright,

euen the Goddes and houſe it dothe with filthie fume defyle.

pacient Phoebus though from hence thou backward flee the whyle,

in the midſt of heauen aboue dooſte drowne the broken day,

fleeſte to late: the father eates his children well away,

lymm𝜁to whiche he onſe gaue lyfe, with curſed iawe dothe teare.

ſhynes with oyntment ſhed full ſweete all rounde aboute his heate,

with wyne: and often times ſo curſed hynde of food

mouth hath helde that would not downe but yet this one thyng good

all thy ylls (Thyeſtes) is, that them thou dooſte not knoe.

yet ſhall that not long endure, though Titan backward goe

chariots turne againſt him ſelfe, to meete the waies he went,

heauie night ſo heynous deede to keepe from ſight be ſent,

out of time from eaſt ariſe, ſo foule a facte to hide,

ſhall the whole at lengthe be ſeene: thy ills ſhall all be ſpide.

way O prince of lands and godds on hie,

whoſe vpriſe eftſones of ſhadowde night

bewtie fleethe, which way turnſt thou awrie?

drawſte y^•day in midſt of heauen to flight?

dooſte thou (Phebus) hide from vs thy ſight?

yet the watche that later howre brynge in,

Weſper warne the ſtarrs to kindle light.

yet dothe turne of Heſpers wheele begin

loaſe thy chare his well deſerued way.

Trumpet thirde not yet hath blowen his blaſte

towarde the night begins to yelde the day.

woonder hath of ſodayne ſuppers haſte

Ploweman, yet whoſe oxen are vntierde.

woonted courſe of heauen what drawes thee backe?

cauſes haue from certaine race conſpierde

turne thy horſe? do yet from dongeon blacke

hollowe Hell, the conquerde Gyants proue

freſſhe aſſaute? dothe Tityus yet aſſay

trenched hart and wounded wombe to moue

former yres? or from the hill away

now Typhoeus wounde his ſyde by might?

vp to heauen the way erected hie

phlegrey foes by mountaynes ſet vpright?

now dothe Oſſa Pelion ouerlie?

woonted turnes are gone of day and night.

riſe of ſun, nor fall ſhalbe no more.

dewyſh mother of the light

woonts to ſende the horſes out before,

wonder muche agayne returnde to ſee

dawnyng light: ſhe wott𝜁not how to eaſe

wery wheeles, nor manes that ſmokyng bee

horſe with ſweate, to bathe amyd the ſeas.

ſelfe vnwoonted there to lodge lykewyſe,

ſettyng ſun againe the mornyng ſee,

now commaundes the darknes vp to ryſe,

the night to come prepared bee.

the poale yet glowthe no fyre in ſight:

light of Moone the ſhades dothe comfort yet.

ſo it be, God graunt it be the night.

hart𝜁dooe quake with feare oppreſſed gret,

dredfull are leaſt heauen and erthe and all

fatall ruine ſhaken ſhall decay:

leaſt on gods agayne, and men ſhall fall

Chaos: and the land away

ſeas, and ſyres, and of the glorious ſkiſe

wandryng lampes, leaſt nature yet ſhall hide.

ſhall no more with blaſe of his vpriſe,

lorde of ſtarres that leades the worlde ſo wide,

ſommer bothe and winter gyue the markes.

yet the Moane with Phaebus fames that burnes,

take from vs by night the dredfull carkes,

ſwyfter courſe or paſſe her brothers turnes,

compaſſe leſſe ſhe fetts in crooked race:

Gods on heapes ſhall out of order fall

eche with other myngled be in place.

wried way of holly planetts all,

pathe a ſloape that dothe deuide the Zones,

beares the ſygnes and yeares in courſe dothe bryns,

ſee the ſtarres with him fall downe at ones.

he that fyrſt not yet with gentle ſpryng,

temperate gale dothe geue to ſayles, the Ramme

hedlong fall a downe to ſeas agayne,

whiche he once with fearfull hellen ſwamme.

him the Bulle that dothe with horne ſuſtayne

ſyſters ſeuen, with him ſhall ouerturne

twyns, and armes of crooked cancer all.

Lyon whot, (that woonts the ſoyle to burne)

Hercules, agayne from heauen ſhall fall.

lands once lefte the virgin ſhalbe throwne,

leuelde payſe of balance ſway alowe,

drowe with them the ſtyngyng Scorpion downe.

likewyſe he that holdes in Thaſſale bowe

ſwifte well fethred arrowes Chiron olde,

breake the ſame and eke ſhall leeſs his ſhotte.

Capricorne that brynges the winter colde

ouerturne, and breake thy water potte

ſo thou be: and downe with thee to grounde,

laſt of all the ſignes ſhall Piſces fall.

monſters eke in ſeas yet neuer drounde,

water gulphe ſhall ouer whelme them all.

he whiche dothe betwene eche Urſa glyde,

croaked floode, the ſlipper ſerpent twynde:

leſſer Beate by greater Dragons ſyde,

colde with froſt congealed harde by kynde,

carter dulle that ſlowlie guides his wayne,

ſhall boôtes fall from hie,

are thought meete of all men whom agayne,

hugy heape of Chaos ouer lie,

worlde oppreſſe with ouer turned mas.

lateſt age now falleth vs vppon.

euill happe we are begotte alas,

wretches we haue loſt the ſight of ſon,

him by faught enforced haue to flie.

our complaynts yet goe, and feare be paſt:

greedy is of lyfe, that will not die

all the worlde ſhall ende with him at laſt.

fifth Acte.

alone.

equall with the ſtarr𝜁I goe, beyonde eche other wight,

haughtie hid the heauens about, and higheſt Poale I ſmight.

kyngdome now Eſate I helde, where once my father raynde.

now let goe the godds: for all my will I haue obtaynde.

and well, ye euen enoughe for me I am arquit.

whie enoughe? I will proceede, and fyll the father yet

bloud of his: leaſt any ſhame ſhould me reſtrayne at all,

day is gone: goe to therfore, while thee the heauen dothe call.

he god I coulde agaynſt their wills not holde the gods that flee,

of reuengyng diſſhe, conſtrayne them witneſſes to be:

yet (whiche well enoughe is wrought,) let it the father ſee.

ſpight of all the drowned day, I wyll remoue from thee

darkenes all, in ſhade whereof doe lucke thy myſeries.

gueſt at ſuche a banquet now to long he careles lies,

mery face: now eate and dronke enough he hath: at laſte

beſt him ſelfe ſhoulde know his ylls. ye ſeruaunts all, in haſte

the temple doores: and let the houſe be open all:

wolde I ſee, when looke vppon his childrens heds he ſhall

countenance he then wolde make: or in what woordes breake out

fyrſt his greefe, or how wolde quake his bodie rounde about

ſpright amaſed ſore: of all my woorke the fruite were this.

wolde him not a myſer ſee, but whyle ſo made he is.

the temple opened now, dothe ſhyne with many a lyght:

glytteryng gold and purple ſeats he ſytt𝜁him ſelfe vpryght,

ſtaiyng vp his heauy head with wine, vpon his hande,

belcheth out. now cheefe of godd𝜁,in higheſt place I ſtande,

kyng of kyngs: I haue my wiſe and more then I coulde thynke:

tylled is, he nowe the wyne in ſyluer bull doche drynke.

ſpare it not, there yet remaynes, a woorſer draught for thee

ſproong out of the bodyes late of ſacrifyces three,

wyne ſhall hyde: let therwithall the boordes be taken vp.

father (myngled with the wyne) his childrens blood ſhall ſup,

woulde haue droonke of myne, beholde, he now begyns to ſtrayne

voyce and ſyngs, nor yet for ioye his mynde he may refrayne.

ſeconde ſceane.

alone

beaten boſomes dullde ſo longe with woe,

downe your cares, at length your greues relēt:

ſorowe paſſe, and all your dreade let goe,

fellowe eke of fearefull banyſhment,

pouertie and yll in myſerye

ſhame of cares. more whenſe thy fall thou haſte,

whether, ſkylls. greate happe to him, from hye

falles, it is in ſuretee to be plaſte

and great it is to him agayne

preſt with ſtorme, of euylls feeles the ſmart,

kyngdome loſte the payſes to ſuſtayne

necke vnbowde: nor yet deiect of harte

ouercome, his heauy happs alwayes

beare vpryght. but now of carefull carkes

of the ſhowres, and of thy wretched dayes

with all the myſerable markes.

ioyfull ſtate returne thy cheerefull face.

fro thy myllde the olde Thyeſtes hence.

is the woorſt of wight in wofull caſe,

ſtate of ioy to haue no confydence.

better happs to them returned be,

yet to ioy it yrketh ſore.

calſte thou me abacke, and hyndreſt me

happie daie to celebrate? wherfore

thou me (ſorowe) weepe without a cauſe?

doth me let with flowers ſo freſhe and gaye

decke my heares? it lett𝜁,and me withdrawes.

from my head the roſes fall awaye:

moyſted heate with oyntment ouer all,

ſodeyne maſe ſtands vp in woondrows wyſe.

face that wolde not weepe the ſtreames do fall.

howlyng cryes amyd my woordes aryſe.

ſorowe yet thaccuſtomde teares dothe loue.

wretches ſtyll delight to weepe and crye.

playntes it pleaſeth them to moue:

floryſht faire it lykes with Eyrian dye

robes to rent: to wayle it lykes them ſtyll.

ſorowe, ſends (in ſygne that woes drawe nye)

minde, that wott𝜁before of after yll.

ſturdye ſtormes the ſhipmen ouerlye,

voyde of wynde thaſſwaged ſeas doe reſt.

tumult yet or countenaunce to ſee

thou mad man? at lengthe a truſtfull breſt

brother geeue, what euer now it bee,

or ells to late thou arte a dred.

wretche woulde not ſo feare, but yet me drawes

tremblynge terrour: downe myne eyes do ſhed

ſodeyne teares, and yet I know no cawſe.

it a greefe, or feare? or ells hath teares

ioy it ſelfe?

thyrde ſceane.

Thyeſtes.

vs this daie with one conſent (o brother) celebrate.

day my ſteptors may confyrme and ſtablyſhe my eſtate,

faythfull bonde of peace and loue betwene vs ratyfye.

Enoughwith meate and eke with wyne, now ſatyſfyde am I.

yet of all my ioyes it were a greate encreaſe to mee,

now about my ſyde I might my little children ſee.

Beleuethat here euen in thyne armes thy children preſent bee.

here they are, and ſhalbe here, no parte of them fro thee

be withhelde: theyr loued lookes now geue to the I wyll,

with the heape of all his babes, the father fully fyll.

ſhalt be glutted, feare thou not: they with my boyes as yet

ioyful ſacrifyces make at boorde where children ſit.

ſhalbe callde: the frendly cuppe nowe take of curteſy

wyne vpfylde. Thy. of brothers feaſt I take full wyllyngly

fynall gyfte, ſhed ſome to god𝜁of this our fathers lande,

let the reſt be droonke. what𝜁this? in no wyſe wyll my hande

the payſe increaſeth ſore, and downe myne arme dothe ſwaye.

from my lypps the waftyng wynt it ſelfe dothe flie awaie,

in deceiued mouthe, about my iawes it runneth rounde:

table to, it ſelfe dothe ſhake, and leape from tremblyng grounde.

burnes the fyre: the ayre it ſelfe with heauy chere to ſight

of ſunne amaſed is betwene the daye and night.

meaneth this? yet more and more of backewarde beaten ſkye

compaſſe falles: and thicker myſt the worlde doth ouerlye

blackeſt darkenes, and the night in night it ſelfe dothe hyde.

ſtarrs be fledde: what ſo it bee, my brother god prouyde

ſoons to ſpare: the god𝜁ſo graunte that all this tempeſt fall

this vyle head. but now reſtore to me my children all.

I will, and neuer daye agayne ſhall them from the withdrawe.

Whattumulte tumbleth ſo my gutt𝜁,and dothe my bowells gnawe?

quakes within? with heauy payſe I feele my ſelfe oppreſt,

with an other voyce then myne bewayles my dolefull breſt.

neere my ſoons, for you now dooth th'unhappie father call:

neere, for you once ſeene, this greefe wolde ſoone aſſwage andfall.

murmure they? At.withfathers armes embrace them quickely nowe,

here they are loe come to thee: dooſte thou thy children knowe?

Iknow my brother: ſuche a gylt yet canſt thou ſuffre well

earth to beare? nor yet from hens to ſtygian lake of hell

thou bothe drowne thy ſelfe and vs? nor yet with broken grounde

thou theſe kyngdomes and theyr kyng with Chaos rude confounde?

yet vprentyng from the ſoyle the bowres of wicked lande

thou Mycenas ouerturne? with Tantalus to ſtande,

auncyters of ours, if there in hell be any one,

ought we bothe. now from the frames on eyther ſyde anone

grounde, all here and there rent vp, out of thy boſome deepe

dens and dungeons ſet abrode, and vs encloſed keepe,

botome lowe of Acheront: aboue our hedd𝜁alofte

wander all the gyltie ghoſts, with burnyng frete full ofte

fyry Phlegethon that dryues his ſands bothe to and froe,

our confuſion ouetroon, and vyolently floe.

ſlouthfull ſoyle vnſhaken payſe, vnmoued yet arte thou?

god𝜁are fled. Atr. but take to thee with ioy thy chyldren now,

rather them embrace: at length thy chyldren all, of thee

long wyſht for, (for no delaye there ſtandeth now in mee,)

and kyſſe, embracyng armes deuyde thou vnto three.

Isthis thy league? may this thy lous and fayth of brother bee?

dooſte thou ſo repoſe thy hate? the father dothe not craue

ſoons aliue (whiche might haue bene without the gylt,) to haue:

eke without thy hate, but this dothe brother brother pray:

them he may entoombe, reſtore, whom ſee thou ſhalt ſtraight way

burnt: the father nought requyres, of the that haue he ſhall,

ſoone forgoe. Atr.whateuer parte yet of thy children all

here ſhalt thou haue: and what remayneth not, thou haſte.

Lyethey in feeldes, a foode out floong for fleeyng foules to waſte?

are they kept a praye, for wylde and brutyſhe beaſts to eate?

Thou haſt deuourde thy ſoons, and fylde thy ſelfe with wickedmeate.

Ohthis is it that ſhamde the godd𝜁:and day from hens dyd dryue

backe to eaſte. alas I wretch what waylynges may I gyue?

what complayntes? what wofull woordes may be enough for mee?

heades cute of, and hands of torne, I from their bodies ſee,

wrenched feete from broken thyghes, I here beholde agayne.

this that greedy father coulde not ſuffre to ſuſtayne.

belly rolle my towels rounde, and cloſed cryme ſo gret

a paſſage ſtryues within, and ſeekes awaye to get.

ſwoorde (o brother) lende to me: muche of my blood alaſ

hathe: let vs therwith make way for all my ſoons to pas.

yet the ſwoorde fro me withhelde? thy ſelfe thy boſomes teare.

let thy breſts reſounde with ſtrokes: yet wretche thy handforbeare,

ſpare the deade. who euer ſawe ſuche miſchiefe put in proofe?

rude Heniochus, that dwells by ragged coaſte aloofe,

Caucaſus vnapt for men? or frare to Athens, who

wylde? the father I oppreſſe my children do

am oppreſt, is any means of gylt or miſchiefe yet?

Ameane in myſchiefe ought to be, when gylt thou dooſte commyt,

when thou quytſt: for yet euen this, to lytle ſeemes to me.

blood yet warme euen from the wounde I ſhoulde in ſight of thee

in thy ſawes haue ſhed, that thou the bloud of them mightſt drynke

lyued yet: but whyle to muche to haſte my hate I thynke,

wrathe beguyled is. my ſelfe with ſwoorde the woundes them gaue,

ſtrake them downe, the ſacred fyres with ſlaughter vowde I haue

pleaſde, the carcaſe cuttyng then and lyutles lymms on grounde

haue in little parcelles chopt, and ſome of them I drownde

boylyng cawderns, ſome to ſyres that burnte full ſlowe I putte,

made to droppe: their ſynewes all and lymms atoo I cutte

yet alyue, and on the ſpytte that thruſt was through the ſame

harde the lyuer wayle and crie, and with my hand the flame

ofte kept in: but euery whit the father might of thiſ

better doone, but now my wrathe to lyghtly ended is.

rent his ſoons with wycked gumme, him ſelfe yet wotyng nought,

they therof. Thy.óye, encloaſde with bendyng banks abought

ſeas me heare, and to this gylt ye godds now harken well

euer place ye fledde are to: heare all ye ſprights of hell,

here ye lands, and night ſo bathe, that them dooſte ouerlye

clowde ſo blacke, to my complaynts do thou thy ſelfe applye.

thee now lefte I am, thou dooſte alone me myſer ſee,

thou arte lefte without thy ſtarres: I wyll nut make for mee

yet. nor ought for me requyre, may ought yet bee

me ſhoulde vayle? for you ſhall all my wyſhes now foreſee.

guyder great of ſkies aboue, and prynce of hygheſt myght,

heauenly place, now all with cloudes full hortible to ſyght,

the worlde, and let the wyndes on euery ſyde breake out,

ſende the dredfull thunder clappe, through all the worlde about.

with what hand thou gyltles houſe and vndeſerued wall

leſſer volte arte wonte to beate, but with the whiche did fall

three vpheaped mountaynes once, and whiche to hylls in height

equall vp, the gyant𝜁huge: throweout ſuche weapons ſtreight,

flyng thy fyres, and therwithall reuenge the drowned daye.

flee thy flames, the lyght thus loſt and hyd from heauen awaye,

flaſhes fyll: the cauſe, (leaſt long thou ſhouldſt douts whom tohit,)

eche of vs is yll: if not at leaſt let myne be it,

ſtryke: with tryple edged ſoole thy brande of flamyng fyre

through this breſt: if father I my children do deſyre

lay in tombe, or corpſes caſt to fyre as dothe be houe,

muſt be burnt: if nothyng now the gods to wrath maie moue,

powre from ſkyes with thunder bolte none ſtrykes the wyched men.

yet eternall night remayne, and hyde with darkenes then

worlde about: I (Titan) nought complayne, as now it ſtands,

ſtill thou hyde thee thus awaye. Atr. now prayſe I well my handes,

gotte I haue the palme: I had bene ouercome of thee,

thou ſorowdſt ſo: but now euen children borne to me

counte, and now of brydebed chaſte the fayth I do repeate.

In what offended haue my ſoons? Atr. In that, that thyne they weare.

ſetſt thou the ſoons for fathers foode? Atr. I doe, and (whiche isbeſt)

certayne ſoons. Thy. the gods that guyde a linfantes, I proteſt.

what wedlocke god𝜁?Th. who wolde the gylt with gylt ſo quyght agayne?

I knowe thy greefe preuented now with wrong, thou dooſte complayne:

this thee yrkes, that fedde thou arte with foode of curſed kynde,

that thou hadſt not it preparde: for ſo it was thy mynde,

meates as theſe to ſette before thy brother woryng naught,

by the mothers helpe, to haue lykewyſe my children caught,

them with ſuche lyke deathe to ſlaye: this one thing letted thee,

thoughtſt them thyne. Thy. the gods ſhall all of this reuengersbee:

vnto them for vengeance due, my vowes thee render ſhall.

But vext to be I thee the whyle, geeue to thy children all.

fourth Sceane,

to the Tragedy by the Tranſlatour.

alone.

Kyng of Dytis dungeon darke, and gryſly ghoſts of hell,

in the deepe and dredfull denns, of blackeſt Tartare dwell,

leane and pale diſeaſes lye where feare and famyne are,

diſcorde ſtands with bleedyng browes, where euery kynde of care,

furies fight in bedds of ſteele, and heares of crallyng ſnakes,

Gorgon grymme, where Harpies are, and lothſome Lymbo lakes,

moſt prodigious vglye thynges, the hollowe hell dothe hyde,

yet a monſter more myſchapte then all that there doe byde,

makes his broode his curſed foode, ye all abhorre to ſee,

yet the deepe Auerne it ſelfe, may byde to couer me,

gryſly gates of Plutoes place, yet dare them ſelues to ſpredde,

gapyng grounde to ſwallowe him, whome godds and day haue fledde:

breake ye out from curſed ſeates, and here remayne with me,

neede not now to be affrayde, the ayre and heauen to ſe.

tryple headid Cerberus, thou needſt not be affright,

day vnknowne to thee to ſee, or els the lothſome light.

bothe be fledde: and now dothe dwell none other countnaunce heere,

dothe beneathe the fowleſt face, of hatefull hell appeere.

ſee a meeteſt matche for thee, a more then monſtrous wombe,

is of his vnhappie broode, become a curſed tombe.

here ye fowleſt feendes of hell, and thou O grandſier greate,

ſee the glutted gutts of mine, with ſuche a kynde of meate,

thou didſt once for godds prepare let torments all of hell

fall vppon this hatefull hed, that hathe deſerude them well.

all be plagued wrongfully, your gylts be ſmall, in ſight

myne, and meete it were your pangs on me alone ſhould light.

thou O grandſier giltles arte, and meeter were for me,

fleeyng floud to be beguilde, and frute of fickle tree.

ſlewſt thy ſon, but I my ſons, alas haue made my meate.

coulde thy famyne better beare, my panche is now repleate

foode: and with my children three, my belly is extent.

filthy fowles and gnawyng gripes, that Tityus boſome reut

a fitter pray for you, to fill your ſelues vppone

are the growyng gutts of him: foure wombes enwrapt in one.

panche at ones ſhall fill you all: yf ye abhorre the foode,

may your ſelues abide to bathe, in ſuche a curſed bloode:

lend to me your clinchyng clawes, your pray a while forbeare,

with your tallons ſuffer me, this monſtrous mawe to teare.

whirlyng wheeles, with ſwynge of whiche

ſtill is rolde, Your hookes vppon this glutted gorge, woulde catchea ſurer holde.

filthy floud of Lymba lake, and ſtygian poole ſo dyre,

choaked chanell belche abrode. thou ferfull freate of fyre,

out thy flames O Phlegethon: and ouer ſhed the grounde.

vomite of thy fyrye ſtreame, let me and earth be drownde.

vp thou ſoyle from botome deepe, and geue thou roome to hell,

night, where day, that ghoſts, were gods were woont to raigne, maydwell.

gapſte thou not? Why do you not O gates of hell vnfolde?

do ye thus thynfernall feendes, ſo long from hens withholde?

you likewyſe affrayde to ſee, and knowe ſo wretched wight,

whome the godds haue wryde theyr lookes, and turned are to flight?

hatefull hed, whom heauen and hell, haue ſhoonde and lefte alone,

ſun, the ſtarrs, the light, the day, the Godds, the ghoſts begone.

turne agayne ye ſkyes a whyle, ere quight ye goe fro me,

vengeance fyrſt on him, whoſe faulte enforceth you to flee.

needes ye muſt your flight prepare, and may no lenget byde,

rolle ye muſt with you foorth with, the Goddes and ſun a ſyde,

ſlowly flee: that I at lengthe, may you yet ouertake,

wandryng wayes I after you, and ſpeedy iorney make.

ſeas, by lands, by woods, by rock𝜁,in darke I wander ſhall:

on your wrathe, for right rewarde to due deſerts, wyll call.

ſcape not fro me ſo ye Godds, ſtill after you I goe,

vengeance aſke on wicked wight, your thunder bolte to throe.

AT London in Fleteſtrete, in the houſe late Thomas Berthelettes.

priuilegio adimprimendum ſolum.

M. D. LX.