Hercules Furens

LuciiAnnei ſenecae Tragedia prima quae inſcribitur Hercules furensnuper recognita, & ab omnibus mendis, quibus antea ſcatebatſedulo purgata, & in ſtudioſae inuentutis vtilitatē, inAnglicum metrum tanta fide conuerſa, vt carmen pro carmine quoadAnglica lingua patiatur pene redditum videas.

Perlaſperum Heywodum Oxonienſem.

The firſt Tragedie of LuciusAnneus ſeneca, intituled Hercules furens, newly pervſed and of allfaultes whereof it did before abound diligently corrected,and for the profit of young ſchollers ſofaithfully tranſlated into Engliſh metre, that ye may ſe verſefor verſe tourned as farre as the phraſe of the engliſhpermitteth

ByIaſper Heywood ſtudient in Oxford.

TO THE RIGHTEhonorable Syr William Harbert of the honorableorder of the garter knight, Lorde Harbert of Cardyffe,Earle of Penbrocke & one of the Queenesmaieſties moſt honorable Pryuie councell his daylye Oratour IaſpperHeywood wiſſheth proſperous health with encreaſe of honourand vertue.

Themoſt excellent and famous learned clearke Eraſmus of Roterodāamong ſo many learned volumes whiche he in hys lyfe tyme wrote, withſuch excellency, that they yet do and euer ſhalpreſerue the name and renowne of ſo worthye aman, euen for that onlye thyng woon not the leaſt praiſeamong learned mē, nor deſerued leaſt thanke of poſteritie,that he ſo well and truelye tranſlated oute of Greekeinto latin twoo tragedies of Euripides, whereof the oneis named Hecuba,& the other Iphiginia.For as all men that can iudge of that work, muſtneedes highly commend him that hathe ſo lernedly done it ſomuſte all ſtudientes of the Greeke tongueneedes render him great thākes, that hath opened thē ſucha gate therto Whē I therfore (moſt honorable Earle) conſideredwyth my ſelfe that ſuchea man of whome the worlde yet after his dethreſowndes, diſdaind not ſometyme to leaueeuen the ſtudye of the diuine ſcripturesto turn his pen a while to the profite andfurtherāce of youth, I thought it not repugnātto my duty if I ſhold alſo for a time ſet a ſide y^e bokesof old Philoſophers, Ariſtotle and Plato, and once endeuour toſhew my ſelfe ſo louing to my countreye, as to helpe for the ſmalltalēt that god hath geuē me, to conduct by ſom meanes to furthervnderſtādīg the vnripened ſchollers of thisrealm, to whom I thought it ſhoulde be no leſſe thankfulfor me to enterprete ſom latyn work into this our owne tongue, thenfor Erafmus in Latyn to expounde the Greeke, to them thatare already good and perfite latiniſtes. Neither coulde I ſatiſfiemy ſelf, til I had through oute thys whole tragedye of ſenecaa graue and wiſe writer ſo trauailed that I had in englyſh geuenverſe for verſe, (as far as the englyſh tongue permitts) andword for word wyth the latyn: whereby I might both makeſome tryal of my ſelf, and as it weretech the little children to goe that yet canne but creepe.Whiche thing when I had broughte to paſſe, & fully finiſhedthys little worke, I thought with my ſelf how gretly it mighteauail me, to haue the authoritie of ſom noblemā, my ſhield againſt the ſting of euiltōgs. wherfore when I conſidered that your honor ſo gretlyfauoured lernīg, that ye vouchſafed to ſēd vnto the vniuerſitie of oxford, of which I am a mēbre, yourdereſt & eldeſt ſon my lord Henry whom I haue there wellknowen, and ſo to trade him in time of tēder yeres, thathyſriper age, might bothe geue your honor cauſe to ioy ī him &vs to thāk your honor for him, I haue preſumed vpōhope of pardō for mi boldneſſe, y^e ratherfor his ſake to dedicate this ſimple worke vnto your honour, aswell to ſignifie the poore good wyll of aſcholler, as alſo to render to your honor moſt hūble thākes,that it hath pleſed ſo honorable an Erle to honor ourvniuerſitie of Oxforde, with the preſēce of ſucha yōg lord ſo worthye a Gentlemā. The whiche myattempt I truſte your honour wil for this the rather pardō,that although this ſimple woorke, which I here offer be farrevnworthy to be of your honor receiued, yet is it ameete gift for me to preſent: who as I am a ſcholler, ſo cā Igeue nothing but a ſchollers gifte, namelye the practiſe of mypen, the which beſeching your honour none otherwiſe toaccept thē Chriſt accepted the two miteswhiche the poore womā offred in the tēple, Iend with praier to hym, for the proſperous continuance andencreaſe of your lordſhippes honorable eſtate and dignitie.

FINIS.

The Argument of thisTragedy.

Iuno the wifeand ſiſter of Iupiter, hatyng his baſtarde broode,cometh down from heauen, complaining of all his iniuries done toher, deuiſing alſo by what deſpite ſhe maye vexe his baſeſonne Hercules. And hauyng by experience proued, no toiles tobe too hard for him, findeth the meanes to make his ownehand his owne vengeance. Hercules therfore returning now from hell(from whens he was enioyned to fet Cerberus.) And findyngethat the tyrant Lycus had inuaded his countrey,deſtroieth the tyrant. For the which victorie ashe ſacrificeth to his goddes, wrathefull Iuno ſtrikes him into aſodain franſy: wher with he beynge ſore vexed, thynkyng toſlea the children and wife of Lycus, inſtede of them, killeth his owne wife and children in hismadneſſe. This doone he ſleapeth. Iuno reſtoreth to hymagayne his wittes. He beyng wakte, ſeing his wife and children ſlainby his owne hande, at laſte alſo woulde kyll hymſelfe.

The ſpeakers.

Iuno

Chorus

Megara

Lycus

Hercules

Theſeus

Amphitryon.

THE FYRSTE ACTE.

Iunoalone.

ISyſter of the thunderer, (for nowe that name alone

remaynesto me) Ioue euermore as though deuorſte and gone,
And templesof the hygheſt ayre as wydowe ſhunned haue,
Andbeaten out of ſkyes aboue the place to harlotsgaue.
I muite goe dwell beneathe on grounde, for hooresdoo holde the ſkye.
From hens the beare inparte aboue of yeye poale full hye,
A haughtyſtarre the greekyſh ſhypps by ſeas dothe guydeabout.
Frō this way, whēs at ſpryng tyme warme the daysis loaſed out,
Europaes bearer through the wauesof Tyria ſhynes full bright.
From thens, their ſtormyfearefull flocke to ſhypps, and ſeas affright,
The wandryngdaughters here and there of Atlas vpwarde ſwaye.
Withſtaryng buſhe of heare from hens Orion godsdothe fraye:
And Perſeus eke his glyttryng ſtarresof golden gloſſe hathe heere.
From hens the twynnsof Tyndars ſtocks doe ſhyne, a ſygne full clere:
And atwhoſe byrth fyrſt ſtoode the grounde thaterſte went too and fro.
Nor onely Bacchus nowe hymſelfe, orBacchus mother lo,
Haue clymbde to gods: leaſt any parteſhoulde from rebuke be free,
The ſkyes the Gnoſſianſtrumpets crounes doe beare in ſpight of mee.
ButI of ollde contempts complayne: me, one dire, fierce, andſhrewde
Thebana lande, with wicked broode of Iouesbaſe daughters ſtrewde,
Howe ofte hath it a ſtepdamemade? though vp to heauen ſhoulde riſe,
The conqueryngdrabbe Alcmena nowe, and holde my place in ſkies,
And eke herſonne to promyſde ſtarres obtayne the woorthye waye,
Atbyrthe of whome the ſtaying worlde ſo longdeferrde the daye,
And Phoebus ſlowe from mornyng ſeabegoon to glyſter bryght,
Commaunded long in th’ocean wauesto hyde his drowned lyght:
Yet ſhall my hates not leaue themſo. a wrathfull kyndlyng rage
His mynde in madneſſe ſhallſtyrre vp, and yre that maye not ſwage
Shall euermore(all peace layde downe) wage warres eternally.
What warrs?what euer hydous thyng the earthe his ennemy
Begetts,or what ſoeuer ſea, or ayre hath brought to ſyght
Bothedredfull, dire, and peſtplent, of cruell fierceſtmyght,
Tis tierde, and taemde: he paſſeth all, and nameby ylls dothe rayſe,
And all my wrathehe dothe enioye: and to his greatter prayſe
He turnesmy hates: whyle tedyous toyles to muche I hym beeheſt,
Heproues what father hym begot. bothe thene, where lyghtoppreſt
Hath ſea, and where it ſhowde agayne, whereTitan daye dothe trayne,
And with his brandeapprochyng neere dothe dye thoſe Aethiops twayne,
Hisſtrengthe vntamde is honoured: and god eche where is he
Nowecalde in world. and nowe more ſtore of monſters want tome,
And labour leſſe to Hercles is t’accomplyſhe all mywyll,
Then me to bydde: at eaſe he doothe myneimperies fulfyll.
What cruell heſtes of tyraunt nowe ſofierce a yong man maye
Preuayle to hurte? for loe he beares forweapons nowe awaye
What once he fearde, and put to flyght: hearmed comes at ſyde
With lyon fierce, and Hydra bothe: norlande ſuffiſeth wyde,
But broake he hath the threſholdelo of that infernall Ioue,
And ſpoyles withhym of conquerde kyng be drawes to godds aboue.
Butthats but lyght, broke is the league of ſprightesthat there doo dwell.
I ſawe my ſelfe, I ſawe hymloe (the nyght nowe gone of hell,
And Ditistaemde) throwe out abroade before his fathers ſyght
Hisbrothers ſpoyles. Why drawes he not oppreſte and bounde bymyght
Hymſelfe in chaynes that equall thynges to Ioue bylotte dooth holde?
And beare the rule of captyuehell, and waye to ſtyx vnfolde?
Up opened is from loweſtghoſts the backewarde waye to ſhye,
And ſacred ſecretsof dire deathe in open ſyght doo lye.
But he(the dredfull denne of ſprights breake vp) fullfiercs and ſtout
Euen euer me doothe triumphe lo, andwith prowde hande about
The foule black dogge by Grekiſhetownes he leades from hell awaye.
When ſeene was vgly CerberusI ſawe the fadyng daye,
And fearefull ſoon: euen melykewyſe a tremblyng dreade oppreſte,
And lookyngon the fylthy necks of conquerde monſtrous beaſte,
Ifeared muche myne owne beheſts. but lyght thyngs I complayne,
Forheauen I maye be frayde, leaſt he may get the hygheſtrayne,
That loweſt woon. the ſceptors from hisfather wyll he take,
Nor he to ſtarrs (as Bacchus dyd) his wayewyll gently make:
The waye with ruyne wyll he ſeeke, andbe in empty ſkyes
Wyll reygne alone. with force diſplayde hishaughtye harte doothe ryſe,
And he, thatheauen it ſelfe, by force of his myght gottenbee,
It bearyng learnde: quight vndernethe the worldehis headſette he,
Nor ones his ſhouldersbowde, the payſe of ſuche a myghty mas:
Andmydſt of heauen on Hercles necke alone lo ſettledwas.
His necke vnwryde the ſtarrs aboue and ſkiesdyd onelye ſtaye:
And me lykewyſe oppreſſyng hym, toGods he ſeekes the waye.
Goe Ire, goe on, and beate hymdowne that greate thynges doothe inuent,
Matche thou withhym, and with thy hands nowe thou thy ſelfe hym rent.
Suchehates why dooſte thou meditate? Lette all wylde beaſtesnowe go:
And weary Euryſtheus nowe be free from geeuyng chargesme.
The Titans daryng once of Ioue tobreake the imperye
Sende out: lette loaſe the denneabroade of mounte of ſicilye.

The Dorickelande that with the turne of gyant quakesafrayde,
Let it bryng foorthe the dredefullneckes of monſter vnderlayde.
Let yet the haughtymoone aboue ſome other beaſtes beeget.
But theſe he ouercame.ſeekſt thou a matchet’ Alcides yet?
Thers none, excepthymſelfe: let hym agaynſt hym ſelfe rebell.
Let preſent beefrom bottome deepe vprayſde of loweſt hell
Th’Eumenides,let flamyng lockes of theyrs the fyres out flyng,
Andfurious handes beeſtowe about the ſtroakes of vypersſtyng.
Goe nowe full prowde, and ſkale the ſkyes toſeates of godds make waye.
Nowe muſt thy battels wagedbe, full cleere loe ſhynes the daye.
Deſpiſe māsworks: thinkſt y^e fiercewight that hell and ſoules alowe
Thou haſte eſcapte? nayehere I wyll an other hell the ſhowe.
In deepe myſtehyd I wyll call vp frome bottome lowe of hell
Beyonde the wayesof gylty ghoſtes debatefull goddeſſe fell.
where asthe roaryng dredfull denne reſoundes with cries about,
Fromdeepeſt bonde of Ditis raigne beneathe I will fetteout,
what ſo is lefte. Let hatefull hurte nowe come in angerwoode,
And fierce imptetie embrewe hym ſelfe with his ownebloode,
And errour eke, and fury armde agaynſte it ſelfeto foght.
This meane, this meane, let wrath of mynenowe vſe to ſhewe my myght.
Begyn ye ſeruantesnowe of hell: the feruent burnyng tree
Of pyneſhake vp: and ſette with ſnakes her dredfull flocke to ſee
Lettenowe Megaera bryng to ſyght: and with her mournefull hande
forburnyng roage bryng out of hell a huge and direfullbrande.
Doo this, require you vengeance due, and paynesof hell his ſpoyle,
Stryke through his breaſte: letfiercer flame within his boſome boyle,
Then whiche in Aetnafornace beates ſo furiouſely to ſee.
That madde of myndeand witles may Alcides dryuen bee
With fury great throughpearced quight, my ſelfe muſt fyrſt of all
Bemadde. Wherfore dothe Iuno yet not in to ragyng fall?
Mee,met, ye Furies, ſyſters three throwne quight out of mywyt
Toſſe fyrſt, yf any thyng to doo I doo endeuouryet
For ſtepdame meete: let now my hates be turnde an otherway.
Let hym (returnde) his babes beholde in ſafetie, I youpraye,
And ſtrong of hande come home: I haue nowefound the day at length,
In whiche may greatly meauayle the hated Hercles ſtrengthe.
Bothe me, and ekehym ſelfe let hym ſubdue, and wyſhe to dye
Returnde fromhell. yea let it here be my commoditye,
Thathe of Ious begotten is: here preſent wyll I ſtande,
Andthat his ſhafts goe ſtreight from bowe, I wyll directe hishande:
The mad mans weapons wyll I guyde, Euen Herclesfyghtyng lo
Atlength Ile ayde. This gylt once doone then leefull is thatſo
His father may admytte to ſkyes thoſe gyltie handesof his.

Chorus.

The fadīgſtars now ſhine but ſeeld in ſight

inſtipye ſkye, night ouercome with day,
Plucks ī her fires,while ſprōg again is light

y^t daiſtar draws y^t clereſō beams their way.
The ycye ſygne of haughtypeale agayne,

withſeuē ſtarrs markt y^t bearesof Arcady,
Do call the light with ouerturnedwayne.

withmarble hors now drawn his way to hy
Doth Titan toppe of Dethaouerſpred. 

the buſhesbright that now with beries bee
Of Thebes ſtrewd, byday do bluſh full red.

andto returne dothe Phoebus ſyſter flee.
Now labor hardbegyns, and euery kynde 

of caresit ſtirrs, the ſhepeherd doth vnfolde
Hisflockſ vnpēd, do graſe their fode to finde

&nipps y^t graſſe,with hoary froſt ful colde.
At will dothe play inopen medowe fayre,

y^t calfe,whoſe brow did dam yet neuer teare
The emptykyne their vdders doo repayre.

&light with courſe vncertayn, here & there,
In graſſe fullſoft the wanton kid he flyngs.

intop of bow doth ſit with chauntyng ſong,
Andto the ſon new roſe to ſprede her wyngs

beſtirrsherſelf, her mournfull neſts amōg
The nightingale: &doth with birdes about

confuſereſound, with murmure myxed rife
To witnes day, his ſailes towynds ſette out 

the ſhipmandoth cōmit in doute of lyfe,
While gale of wīdy^t ſlackſails fils ful ſtrait

heleanyng ouer hollowe rocks dothe lye,
And eyther hisbeegiled hookes dothe bayte,

orels beholds and feeles the pray from hye

withpayſed hande.
The trēblyng fiſhe he feeles with lyneextēt.

thishope to them to whom of hurtleſſe life,
Is quietreſt, and with his owne content,

andlytle, houſe, ſuche hope in fieldes is rife.
The troublushopes w^t rollīgwhirlwīd gret

&dredful feares, their waies in cities kepe.
He proude repaire toprince in regall ſeate,

&harde court gates without the reſt of ſlepe
Eſteemes,and endles happynes to holde

dothgather goods, for treſure gaping more,
And is full poore amydhis heaped golde. 

the peoplesfauour him (aſtonied ſore)
And cōmons more vnconſtantthen the ſea,

withblaſt of vain renoun lifts vp ful proud.
He ſellyngat the braulyng barre his plea,

fullwicked, ſetts his yres & ſcolldyng lowde
And woords toſale a fewe hath known of al 

the carelesreſt, who mindful howdoth flitte
Swyft age away, the tymethat neuer ſhall

returneagain do hold. while fates permitte.
At quietlyue: the life ful quickly glides

withhaſtned courſe, & with the winged day
The wheleis turnd of yere y^t hedlōgſlides, 

the ſiſtershard performe their taſks alway,
Nor mai again vntwiſt theirthreds ons ſpō

yetmankynde lo vnſure what waye to take
To mete the greedydeſtenies dothe ron,

andwillyngly we ſeeke the ſtygian lake.
To mucheAlcides thou with ſtomack ſtout 

the ſoryſprights of hell dooſte haſte to ſee.

withcourſe prefixt the fates ar broght about

tonone once warnd to come, may reſpyte be
To none to paſſetheir once appointed day. 

the tombe all peoplecalde by death doth hide
Let glory him by many landes away

diſplay,& ſame throughout all cities wide
Full bablyngpraiſe, & euē with ſkye to ſtād

auaunce,& ſtarrs: let hym in chariot bright
Full haughty goe: letme my natiue land

inſafe & ſecret houſe kepe cloſe frō ſight.
To reſtfulmen hoare age by cours doth fal,

andlowe in place, yet ſafe, & ſure doth lye
The pooreand baſe eſtate of cottage ſmall: 

the prowderpōpe of mynd doth fall frō hye.
But ſad herecomes with loſed locks of hear

loeMegara, with lyttle cumpanye,
And ſlow by age draws Herclesfather nere

THE SECONDEACTE.

Megara.

OGuyder great of heauen, and of the worlde oiudge full hye,
Yet now at length apoynt a means of carefullmyſerye,
And ende of our calamitie. to me yet neuerdaye
Hath careleſſe ſhynde, the ende of oneaffliction paſte awaye
Begynnyng of an other is: another ennemye
Is foorthwith fownde, before that he hisioyfull famylye
Retourne vnto, an other fyght he taketh bybeheſt:
Nor any reſpite gyuen ys to hym nor quiet reſt,
Butwhyle that he commaunded is: ſtrayght hym purſuethſhee
The hatefull Iuno. Was yet once from toyle and labourfree
His infantes age? the monſters lo he vanquyſhthathe and ſlayne,
Before he knew what monſtersment. The ſkaled ſerpents twayne
Theyr double neckesdrew on toward hym, agaynſt the whyche to ryſe,
The infantcrepte to meete with them, the ſerpentes glyttryngeyeſ
Lyke fyre, with quiet careleſſe breſt he lookyng faſtvppon,
With coūtnance cleere, hard wreſted knots of themhe caught anon:
And ſtranglyng then the ſwellyngthroates of them with tender hande,
To Hydrapreludemade, the beaſte ſo ſwyfte of Maenalelande,
That with muche golde bare vp full bryght his beautifiedheade,
Is caught in courſe. of Nemey woodelykewyſe the greateſt dreade
The lyon preſtwith Hercles armes hath rearde with dreadfull crye.
What ſhouldeI ſpeake of ſtables dyre of ſteedesof Byſtonye?
Or kyng caſte out hym ſelfe for foode hishorſes fierce to fyll?
And brittled beaſt in thicke toppswoont of Crymanthus hyll,
The boare of Maenalye, the wooddsof Arcady to ſhake.
And bull that dyd no lyttledreads to hundred peoples make?
Among the flocksof Heſper lande that hens farre diſtantbee,
The ſhepherde of Carteſian coaſt of trypleſhape to ſee
Is ſlayne, and dryuen is the praye fromfartheſt parte of weaſte,
Cithaeron quakte when byhym paſt to ſea the well knowne beaſt.
He beeyngbyd to make by coaſtes of ſommer ſonne his waye,
Andparched landes whche ſore with heate dooth boyle the myddelldaye,
The mountayns brake on eyther ſyde and ramptersall vndoon,
Euen vnto ſwyfte and ragyng ſea hathe made awaye to roon.
Then entryng in of plenteouswood the pleaſant gardeyns gaye,
The wakyngdragons golden ſpoyles with hym he brought awaye.
The Lernamonſters numerous yll what neede to tell haue I?
Hath he nothym with fyre at lengthe ſubdewde, and taught to dye?
And whichwere woont with wyngs abrode to hyde the daye fromſyght,
Euen from the cloudes he ſought anddraue the Stymphale byrdes to flyght.
Not hym ſubdewdewho euer lyes in bedde vnmatcht at nyght
The wyddowequeene of them that toke to Thermodont their flyght.
Norhandes that well durſt enterpriſe his noble trauaylesall
The fylthy labour made to ſhrynke of fouleAugias hall.
What vayle all theſe? he wantsthe worlde whyche ofte defended he.
And th’erthe wellknowes the woorker of his quietnes to be
Awayfrom earthe: the proſperous gylt that beareth happyſwaye,
Is vertue callde, and now the good towycked doo obaye.
The ryght doth ſtande inmyght of armes, feare treadeth downe the lawe.
Before myface with cruell hande euen preſently I ſawe
Reuengersof theyr fathers reygne the ſonnes with ſwoordedowne caſt,
And of the noble Cadmus ekehymſelfe the ofſpryng laſt
Then ſlayne: I ſawehis regall crowne at once from hym awaye
With head byreft. WhoThebes alas enough bewayle nowe maye?
The fertilelande of godds, what lorde nowe quakes it for toknowe?
Out of the fieldes of whiche ſomtyme,and fruitefull boſome lowe.
The youth vpſprong withſworde in hand preparde to battell ſtoode:
And walls of whicheAmphion one of myghty Ioue his broode,
Hath buylt withſowndyng melody in drawyng to the ſtones:
Totowne of whome the parent cheefe of Goddsnot onely oneſ
Heauen beyng left hath come, this lande thatgodds aboue alway
Receyude, & whiche hath made them godds,and (leefull beete to ſay)
Perhapps ſhall make, with lothſomeyoake of bondage is preſte downe.
O Cadmus ſtocke,and citezens of olde Amphions towne,
Wherto are ye nowefallne? dreade ye a cowardly exul thus,
His coaſtes to dwell inlachyng, and to ours iniurious?
Who through the worldepurſues the gyllts and wrong by ſea and lande,
And cruellſceptors broken hath with iuſte and ryghtfull hande,
Noweabſent ſerues, and what he eaſde in other doothe ſuſtayns:
Andnowe doth vannyſhr Lycus holde of Hercles Thebesthe rayne.
Yet ſhall he not: he ſhall come home, And hymwith vengeaunte quight,
And ſodayne ryfe to ſtarrs: he wyllſoone fynde the waye to lyght,
Or make it ells.returne thou ſafe, repayre to thyne in haſte:
And conquerourto conquerde houſe yet come agayne at laſte.
Ryſe vp myſpouſe, and darkneſſe deepe repellde of hellyſhade
Breake vp with hande, yf no way may for thee kept backebee made,
And paſſage be ſhette vp, returne with worldevprent by myght.
And what ſoeuer lythe poſſeſt byneathe indarkeſt nyght,
ſende out with thee. as when the toppsof haughty hylles vndoon
A hedlong paſſage makyng throughfor haſty floude to roon
Thou ſomtyme ſtoodſt, whāw^t greatmight of thyne aſunder broake
The Tempye woodswyde open laye: and beaten with thy ſtroake
Of¹ morerenowns. MEG. what wretches do moſte chiefly wyſhe of all,
Theyſoone beleue. AM Nay what thei feare to muche leaſt it mayfall,
They thynke it neuer may bee ſhoonde, nor ryddeby remedy.

MEG.Beleefe is ready ſtyll to dreade the woorſermyſerye.
Depe drownde, & whelimde, & farthermorewith all the worlde full lowe
Oppreſſed downe,what ways hath he to lyght agayne to goe?

AM.What way I pray you had he then when through the burnyngcoſte,
Aud tumblyng after maner of the troubledſea vp toſte
He went by ſands: and freate that twyſe withebbe away doothe ſlyppe,
And twyſe vpflowe: and whenalone with his forſaken ſhyppe,
Faſt caught he ſtucke inſhallowe foordes of ſhelfye Syrtes ſande.
And (nowe hisſhyppe on grounde) dyd paſſe through ſeas a foote tolande?

MEG.Iniurious fortune vertue moſt of men moſte ſtoute andſtrong
Doothe ſeldome ſpare: no man alyue Hymſelfe inſafetie long²

Ilegyue the ſecret ſacrifyce: to thee with muche faythloe
Long fyre brandes at Eleuſis towne full ſylent wyll Ithroe.
Then to my brethern ſhall I thynke to bee reſtoardeagayne
Theyr ſowles, and eke hymſelfe alyue and guydyng of hisrayne
My father for to flouryſhe yet. yf any greater myght
Deokepe thee ſhette, we followe thee: with thy returne to ſyght
Defendevs all, or els to hell drawe downe vs all to thee.
Thouſhalt vs drawe, no god ſhall rayſe vs vp that broken bee.

AMPHITRYON.

MEGARA.

OFaythfull fellowe of our bloude, with chaſte truefaythfulneſ
The bridebed keeping, and the ſonnsof haughty Hercules,
Conceyue in mynde ſome betterthyngs, and take good harte to thee:
He wyll come home, asafter all his labours woonteth hee,
The³ mownt,now here, now ther fel downe and rampier rente of ſtaye,
The ragyngbrooke of Theſſaly dyd roon a newe fowndewaye.
Thy parentes ſo, thy ſoons, thy lande repayryng home toſee,
Breake out, and loweſt bonde of thyngs outbryngyng thens with thee,
And what ſoeuer greedy agein all theſe long yeares race
Hath hyd, ſhewefoorth, & ghoſts that haue forgotte theyr former caſe,
Andpeople vp before thee dryue that fearefullare of lyght.
Unworthy ſpoyles for thee they are, yfthou but bryng to ſyght
What bydden is. great things, but farreto muche I ſpeake for me,
Unwotyng of myne owneeſtate. when ſhall I happe to ſee,
The day when thee,and thy ryght hande, I maye embrace agayne,
And ſlowe returnes,nor yet of me once myndefull, may complayne?
To theefor this O guyde of godds, vntamed bulls ſhall bryng
Theyrhundred neckes: to thee O queene of frutes on earthe thatſpryng
Toperyls great and daungers may ſo often tymes out caſte.
Whomechaunce doothe often ouerſlippe, the ſame ytfyndes at laſte.
But cruell loe, and greeuous threats euenbearyng in his face,
And ſuche as he of ſtomackeys, doothe come euen ſuche of pace,
ProwdeLycus who the ſceptors ſhakes in bande of otherkyng,
The plentuous places of the towne of Thebesgouernyng,
And euery thyng aboute the whyche withfertyle ſoyle dooth goe
Sloape Phocis, and whateuer doothe Iſmenus ouerfloe,
What euer thyngCitheron ſeethe with haughty toppe and hye,
And ſlenderIſthmos yle, the whyche betweene two ſeas dooth lye.

Lycus,Megara,

Amphitryon.

NOtI of natiue countrey bowres Poſſeſſe the auncientryght
Unworthy heyre nor yet to me are noblemen of myght,
The grandfathers, nor ſtockerenownde with titles hys of name,
But noble vertue:who ſo boaſtes of kynred whence he came,
Of othersvertue makes his vs wnte. but gotte with fearefull hande
Myſceptors are obtaynde: in ſwoorde dothe all myſafety ſtande.
What thee thou wottſtagaynſt the wyll of cyteſyns to get,
The bryghtdrawne ſworde muſt it defende. in forayne counttey ſet
Noſtable kyngdome is. But one my pompe and princely myght
Mayratifye, once ioynde to me with regall torche full bryght,
Andchambers Megara: of ſtocke of ſuchenobilitee
Let vpſtarte ſtate of myne take ſhape.I doo not thynke that ſhee
Refuſe it wyll,or in the bedde with me deſpyſe to lye.
But yf withproude vnbrydled mynde thee ſtubberne doo denye,
Thenquyght I purpoſe to deſtroye the houſe of Hercules.
The hate of menwyll then my pryde, and peoples ſpeache oppres.

Chieſeknacke of kyngdome is to beare Thy ſubiects hares echeone.
Lets proue her then, chaunce gyuen hath To vs a placealone.
For ſhe her head in folde of daple full ſaddeand wofully
Enwrapt, the gods that are her guydes forſuccour ſtands faſte by,
And at the ſyde of her doothe leaneAlcides father trewe.

MEG.What thyng dothe this deſtroier of our ſtocke,agayne a newe
Prepare? what proueth he? LY. O queene Thatname renowned hye
And title takſte of regall ſtocke,full gentle and eaſyly
A lyttle while receyue and beare mywoords with pacient eare.
If alwayes men eternall hates ſhouldeone to th’other beare,
And rage beegaon, out of the harteſhoulde neuer fall awaye,
But th’happy ſtill ſhoulde armourholde th’unhappye ſtyll obaye,
Then ſhall the battaylesnothyng leaue: with wyde fieldes then the lands
Shalllye vntyllde, with vnderlayde to houſen fyrybrande
Then aſhesdeepe ſhall ouer whelme the buried people all.
Expedientis to conquerour to wyſhe that peace befall:
To conquerdeneedefull, partener of the kyngdome come to me:
Lettsioyn our mynds, take here this pledge of faythe and trutheto thee:
My ryght hand touche. Why whiſhteſt thou with cruellface and moode?

MEG.Shoulde I abyde, that I the hande ſprinkte with my fathersbloode,
ſhoulde touche and double death enbrewde of bothemy bretherne? naye
Fyrſt ſhall ſonne ryſe extinguiſhequyght, And weſte ſhall bryng the daye:
Fyrſt faithfullpeace betweene the ſnowes and fyres there ſhall beetryde,
And ſcylla ſhall t’Auſonius fyrſte ioyne hisſicilyan ſyde,
And fyrſt, the fleeyng floudethat with ſwyfte turnes of courſe deothe flowe
Euripus,with Euboik waue ſhall ſtand full ſtyll and ſlowe.
My fatherth’empire, brethern, howſe, Thou haſte me cleare berefte
Mycountrey to: what may bee more? one thyng to me is lefte,
Thenbrother, father, kyngdome, houſe, that deerer is tome
The hate of thee: the whyche to mewith people for to bee
In commune, woe I am: howe greate ys myneallonely parte?
Rule on full proude, beare vp full hye thyſprights and haughty harte:
Yet god the prowdebehynde theyr backes dothe followe them to wreake.
Iknowe the Thebane kyngdomes. What ſhoulde I the mothersſpeake,
Bothe ſuffryng, and aduentryng gylts? what doublemyſchefe donne?
And myxed name of ſpouſe atonce, of father and of ſonne?
Whatbretherns double tents? or what as many roages alſo?
The motherprowde of Tantalls broode congealde in mournyng lo,
Andſory ſtone yet flowes with teares in Phrygian ſipylye.
Hymſelfelyke wyſe erectyng vp his ſkaled head awrye,
Euen Cadmusmeaſuryng throughout th’Illyrian landes in flyght,
Behyndehym lefte of body drawne long ſlyniye marks inſyght.
All theſe examples wayte for thee: rule thou aslykes thy wyll,
Whyle thee our kyngdoms woonted fates doo calland ofte hapte yll.

LY.Goe to, theſe fierce and furious woords thou woman madderefrayne:
And imperies of princes learne of Herclesto ſuſtayne.
Though I the ſceptors gottenby the force of warre doo beare
Inconquryng hande, and all doo rule without the lawehis feare
Whiche armes ſubdue, a fewe words yet to thee noweſpeake I ſhall
For this my cauſe: thy father dyd inblouddy battayle fall:
Thy bretherne fell: the weaponskeepe no meaſurable ſtaye.
For neyther eaſyly tempred bee,nor yet repreſſed maye
The drawne ſwoordesyre: the battels doth the bloude delyght outſhed.
But he yet for his kyngdome fought, we all togytherled
With wycked luſte: yet th’ende of warre ys nowecomplayned loe,
And not the cawſe. but no welet all remembrance therof goe:
When conquerour hathweapons left, the conquerds parte ſhoulde bee
Toleaue his hates. Not I that thou with lowly bended knee
Meraignyng worſhyp ſhouldſt, require: Euen this dooth medelight,
That thou thy myſeries dooſt beare with mynde ſoſtoute vpright.
Thou for a kyng a ſpauſe arte meete, lettsioyne our bedde anone.

MEG.A trēblng cold doth run throughout my bloudleſſe lyms echeone.
What heinous thing comes to myne eares? I fearde not thenat all,
When (all peacebroake) the noyſe of warre dyd by the citiewall
Reſounde about, I bare all that vnfeare fully toſee,
I feare the weddyng chambers: nowe I captyueſeeme to mee.
Let heauy chaynes my body greeue, and eke withhunger long
Let lyngryng death be ſlowly brought, yet ſhall noforce full ſtrong
My truthe ſubdue: for euen thyne owneAlcides wyll I dye.

LY.Doth then thy huſband drownd in hell geue thee this ſtomackehye?
MEG. Thehells alowe he toucht, that he The heyghtagayne myght get.

LY.The heauy payſe oppreſſeth hym Of all the earthefull great.

MEG.He with no burdeyn ſhall be preſt, that heauen it ſelfeſuſtaynde.

LY.Thou ſhalt be forſt. ME. He wots not how to dye, that isconſtraynde.

LY.Speake, what may rather I prepare then weddyng newe forthee
More royall gyft? MEG. Thyne owne death els, or ellsthe death of mee.

LY.Then ſhalt mad woman dye. MEG I ſhal then to my huſbande go.

LY.More then my ſceptors is to thee a ſeruant loued ſo?

MEG.Howe many hath this ſeruant ſlayne of kyngs with handyeſtroake?

LY.Why dothe he yet a kyng then ſerus, and ſtyll ſuſtayne hisyoake?

MEG.Take once away the harde beheſts, whats vertue then atlaſte?

LY.Dooſte thou it vertue counte, to bee to beaſts, andmonſters caſte?

MEG.Tis vertues part, to tame the thyngs, that all menquake to knowe.

LY.Hym great thyngs braggyng, darknes deepe of tartare preſſe fulllowe.
ME. There neuer may frō grownd to ſtars an eaſyepaſſage be.

LY.Of whom be got, the houſen then of goddsthrough pearceth he?

AM.O wretched wyfe of Hercles great, thy woords a whyle nowſpare.
My parte it is, the father of Alcidesto declare,
And his true ſtocke. yet after all of manſo ſtoute as thiſ
ſo famous deedes, and after all Appeaſdewith hande of hiſ
What euer Titan ryſenvp, Doothe ſee, orels at fall,
And after all theſemonſters taemde, and Phlegrey ſprynkled all
With wyckedbloude, and after godds defended all on hye,
Is nothis father yet well knowne? Or Ioue doo webeelye?
Beleeue it yet by Iunoes hate. LY. why dooſtethou ſclawnder Ioue?
No mortall kynred euer maye bee myxte withheauen aboue.

AM.To many of the godds in ſkyes is this a common trade.

LY.But were they euer ſeruantes yet, before they godds weremade?
AM. Of Delos yle the ſhepherde losthe flocks of Pherey fed.

LY.But through all coaſts he wandred not abroade as banyſhed.

AM.Whome ſtraying mother fyrſt brought foorth in wandrynglande to ſyght.

LY.Yet Phoebus dyd no monſters feare, or beaſts of cruellmyght.

AM.Firſt dragon with his blood embrewde the ſhaftsof Phoebus loe.
Howe greeuous ylls euen yet full yong hebare, doo yow not knoe?
Frō mothers wombe the babeout throwne with lyghtnyng flame from hye,
Euen next hislyghtnyng father ſtoode foorthwith aboue in ſkye.
What? he hymſelfe that guydes the ſtarrs, and ſhakes the cloudes atwyll,
Dyd not that infant lurke in denne of hollowecaued hyll?
The byrthes ſo great full troublous price tohaue loe allways ought:
And euer to be borne a God, with coſtefull greate is bought.

LY.Whome thou a myſer ſeeſte, thou mayſt Knowe hym a man to bee.

AM.Amyſer hym denye ye maye, whome ſtoute of harte yeſee.
Ly. Call we hym ſtoute, from ſhouldershye of whom the lyon throwne
A gyfte formayden made, and eke his clubbe from hande fell downe,
Andpaynted ſyde with purple weede dyd ſhyne thathe dyd weare?
Or may we hym call ſtoute of harte,whoſe ſtaryng lockes of heare
With ointmēt flowde? whohāds renownde and knowne by prayſes hye
To ſownde vnmeetefor any man of tymber dyd applye,
Withbarbarous mytar cloaſyng in his forhed rownde about?

AMThe tender Bacchus dyd not bluſhe abroade to haue laydeout
His brayded heares, nor yet with hande fullſofte the Thyrſus lyght
For to haue ſhooke, whattyme that he with pace vnſtoute in ſyght
His long trayndebarbarous garmēt drew with golde full fayre to ſee.
Styllvertue after many woorkes is woont releaſte to bee.

LY.Of this the houſe of Curitusdeſtroyde doothe wytneſſe beare,
And virginsflockes that brutyſhly by hym oppreſſed weare.
NoIuno dyd commawnde hym this, Nor none Euryſtheus loe.
Buttheſe in deede his owne woorks are. AM.Yet all ye doo notknoe.
His woorke it is with weapons of his ownehande vanquyſhed
Bothe Eryx, and to Eryx ioynde Anteus Lybianded:
And aultars whiche with ſlaughter of the ſtraungersflowyng faſt,
Buſyris well deſerued bloode lykewyſe hauedroonke at laſt.
His deede it is, that he thatmet the wownde, and ſwoorde is flayne
Conſtraynde toſuffre deathe before thoſe other Geryons twayne.
Norone allonely Geryon dothe with one hande conquerdelye.
Thow ſhalt among theſe he: whych yet with noneadulterye
Haue wedlocke hurte. LY. What is to Ione to kyng isleefull thyng:
To Ioue thou gaufts a wyfe, thou ſhalt nowe geueone to a kyng.
And euen of thee ſhee ſhall it learneto bee a thyng not newe,
Her huſband euenapprouyng it the better man t’enſewe.
But yfſhe ſtubberne to be matcht with me denye it ſtyll,
Theneuen by force a noble chylde Of her beget I wyll.

MEG.O Creons ghoſts, and all ye goddsof th’howſe of Labdacus,
And weddyng torchesblaſyng bryght, of wycked Oedipus,
To this my weddynggeue ye nowe our woonted deſtenies.
Now, now ye bloodydaughters all of Egyptes kyng lykewyſe,
Bee herewhoſe hands deſyled are with ſo muche bloude out ſpylt:
Onedaughter lacks of Danaus, I wyll fyll by the gylt.

Ly.Becauſe that ſtubburnely thou dooeſt refuſe my weddyngſo,
And fearſte a kyng, thou ſhalt know what the ſceptorsnowe maye do.
Enbrace thyne aultars, yet no god ſhall euertake away
Thee from my handes: no not although with worldevpturned, may
Alcides victor yet agayne to gods abouereturne.
The wodos on he apes togyther caſt, let all theirtemples burnſ
Euen throwne vpon theyr heds: his wyfe,and all his flocke at laſte
With vnderlayed fyre, letone wood pyle conſume and waſte.

AM.This only bowne I father of Alcides aſke of thee,
Whichewell may me beſeeme to craue, that I fyrſt ſlayne maybee.

LY.Who all appoynts with preſent deathe to haue theyrpunyſhment,
He tyrant wotts not how to bee: more ſundrygreeues inuent.
Reſtrayne the wretched man fromdeath, commaunde that th’happy dye.
I, whyle with beamespreparde to burne the pyle encreaſeth hye,
Wyll hymwith vowyng ſacrifyce that rules the ſeas entreate.

AM.Oh chiefeſt powre of godde, and oh of heauenlythyngs ſo great
The guyde, and parent eke, with whoſethrowne thunderboltes doo ſhake
All thyngs humanethroughout the worlde, of kyng ſo cruellſlake
The wycked hande: but why doo I to goddsin vayne thus crye?
Where euer thou be heare me ſoon. whyſtarte ſo ſodaynlye
The temples thus with mouyng ſhakteWhy roareth out the grownde?
The noyſe of hellfrom bottome deepe byneathe hath made a ſownde:
We herde are,loe it is the ſownde of Hercules his pace.

Chorus.

Ofortune hatyng men of ſtouteſt breſt,

howeyll rewards doſt thou to good deuyde?
Euryſtheus raynesat home in eaſye reſt,
Alcinenaes ſonne in euery battayletryde,
To mūſters turns his hand y^t ſkiesdid ſtay:

andcruell neckes cuts of of hydous ſnake,
And applesbryngs frō ſyſters mokt away,

whēerce to ſlepe his watcheful eies betake,
Did dragon ſetryche fruite to ouerſee.

hepaſt theScythiā bowres y^t ſtrayabroade,
And thoſe that in their coūtreis ſtrangers be

andhardened top of frolen freat he croade,
And ſylentſea with banks ful dūme about. 

the watershard with ther their floods to flo.
And where before y^t ſhipsfull ſails ſpred out

isworne a pathe for Sarmates wyld to go.
The ſea doth ſtandto moue in courſe again,

nowapt to beare the ſhip, now horſmen bold
The queney^t theredoth ouer wydows rayn,

y^t girdsher wōbe w^t girth of glittrynggold,
Her noble ſpoile from body drawne hath ſhe

&ſhield, & bands of breſt as white asſnowe,
Acknowlegyng the conquerour with knee.

w^t whathope drawne to hedlēg hell alowe,
So bolde topaſſe the vnreturned wayes

ſawſtthou Proſerpines rayne of Sicylye?
With ſouthernwid, or weſtern ther no ſe as

aryſewith waue and ſwellyng ſurges hye.
Not there of Tyndarsſtocke y^t doublebrood

twoſtarrs the feareful ſhips do aide & guide.

withgulph ful blak doth ſtād y^t ſlothfulflood

andwhē pale deth with gredyteeth ſo wide
Unnūbred natiōshath ſet down to ſprights

withone boate man all ouer feryed bee.
God graūt thoumaiſt of hl ſubdue y^t tights
Andvnreueked webs of ſyſters three,
There kyng of manypeople raigneth hee,

whowhe thou didſt w^t NeſtorsPylos fight,
Peſtiferous hāds applide to matche w^e thee

&weapon bare with triple mace of might:
And prickt withlitle wound he fled awaye,

andlorde of death hymſelfe did feare to dye.
Breakefate by force: & let the ſyght of daye

toſory ſprights of hell apparentlye,

andporche vnpaſt ſhew way to gods aboue. 

the cruellords of ſprights with pleſant ſong
And hūble bown fulwel could Orphe⁹moue

whilehe Eurydicen them craues among.
The art y^t drewwoods, birds, & ſtones at wſt

whichmade delay to flouds of flitting flight
Atſoūd wherof the ſauage beaſts ſtood ſtyll

withtunes vnwōt doth ghoſts of hel delight
Andcleerer dothe reſounde in darker place:

&wepe with teares did gods of cruell breſt:
And theywhich fautes with to ſeuere a face 

do ſeeke,& former gylt of ghoſts out wreſt:
The Thraciandaughters wails Eurydicē.

forher the iudges weeping ſitte alſo.
We cōquerd ar,chief kyng of death ſaid thē 

togodds (but vnder this cōdition) goe,
Behynd thy huſbands backkepe y^t thyway,

lookethou not backe thy wyfe before to ſee,
Thā the toſight of gods hath brought y^t day

andgate of ſpartane Taenare preſent bee.
Loue hatesdelay, nor coulde abyde ſo long.

hisgyfte, he loſte, while he deſires the ſyght.
The placey^t couldebe thus ſubdewd w^e ſong

thatplace may ſoone be ouercom by myght.

THE THYRDEACTE.

Hercules.

OComfortable guyde of lyght, and honour of the ſkye,
Thatcōpaſſyng both hemyſpheres with flamyng charyot hye
Thyradiant head to ioyfull landes about the worlde doſte bryng,
ThouPhoebus pardon geue to me, yf any vnlawfull thyng
Thyne eyeshaue ſeene: (commanded) I haue here to lyght out fette
The ſecretesof the worlde: and thow of heauen o guydergrette,
And parent eke, in flaſhe out throwne of lyghtnynghyde thy ſyght.
And thou that gouerneſt the ſeaswith ſeconde ſceptors myght,
To bottome ſynke of deepeſtwaues: who ſo from hye dothe ſee,
And dreadyng yetwith cowntnance newe the erthe defylde to bee,
Lethym from hens turne backe his ſyght, and face to heauenvpholde,
Theſe mōſtrous ſyghts to ſhoon: let twain thismiſchiefe great beholde,
He who it brought, and ſhethat badde. for paynefull toyles to me,
And labours long,not all the earthe thowght wyde ynough may be
ForIunoes hate: thyngs vncome to of all menI dyd ſee,
Unknowne to ſonne, and ſpaces wyde thatdarke and ſhadeſull bee
Whiche woorſer poale geeues dyrerIoue to raigne and rule theryn.
And yet yf thyrde place pleaſydmore for me to enter yn,
I there coulde raigne. the Chaosof eternall nyght of hell,
And woorſe thennyght, the dolefull godds I haue that there dood nell,
Andfates ſubdude, the deathe contemnde I am returnde tolyght.
What yet remaynes? I ſawe and ſhowde the ſpryghtsof hell to ſyght:
Appoynte, yf ought be more, doſte thoumy hands ſo long permyt
Iuno to ceaſſe? what thyng bydſtthou to be ſubdued yet?
But why doo cruell ſowldyarsholde the holy temples wyde?
And dreade of armourſacred porche beſet on euery ſyde?

Amphitryon, Hercules,

Theſeus.

DOo eytherells my great deſyres delude and mocke myne eyes?
Orhath the tamer of the worlde and greekesrenowne lykewyſe,
For ſooke the ſilent howſe,beſette with cloude full ſadde to ſee?
Is this my ſoone? mymembres loe for ioy amaſed bee.
Oh ſonne, the ſure,and ſauegarde late of Thebes in myſery,
ſee I thybodye true in deede? or els deceyude am I
Moent with thyſpright? art thou the ſame? theſe brawnes of armesI knowe,
And ſhoulders, and thy noble handes From body hye thatgrowe.

HER.Whens (father) happs this vglynes, And why in mournyng cladde
Isthus my wyfe? howe happs it that with fylthe ſo fowlebeſtadde
My chyldren are? what myſerye doothe thusmy howſe oppreſſe?

AM.Thy father in lawe is ſlayne: the kyngdome Lycusdoothe poſſeſſe.
Thy ſonnes, thy parent, and thy wyfeto deathe purſueth he.

HER.Ungratefull land, dothe no man come that will an ayderbe
Of Hercles howſe? and this behelde ſo greate andheynous wrong
Hath th’ ayded worlds? but why weare I the dayein playnt ſo long?
Let th’enmy dye: and this renowne letſtrengthe obtayne in haſte,
And of Alcides enmyesall let Lycus be the laſte.
I dryuen am to goeto ſhedde the blood of enmye out.
WatcheTheſeu, that no ſodayne ſtrength beeſet vs heere about.
Mewarres requyre. enbracyng yet deferre O father deare,
And wyfedeferre them: Lycus ſhall to hell this meſſage beare
That Iam nowe returnde. THE. Shake of O queene out of thyneeyeſ
This weepyng face, and thou ſens that thy ſonne is ſafelykewyſe
Thy droppyng teares refrayne: yf yet I Hercles euerknewe,
Then Lycus ſhall for Creon paye the paynes tohym full dewe.
Tis lyght, he ſhall: he doothe: and thatsto lyght, he hathe it doone.

AM.Now god that can them bring to paſſe, ſpeede well our wyſhesſoone,
And come to helpe our weary woes. O noble hartedmate
Of my ſtoute ſonne, of his renowne declarevs all the rate:
Howe long a waye doothe leadeto place where ſory ſprights doo dwell,
Andhowe the harde and heauy bonds the dogge hatheborne of hell.

THE.The deedes y^u dooſt conſtrayneto tell, that euen to mynde ſecure
Are dredfull yet andhorryble, ſcant yet the truſte is ſure
Of vitallayre, ſore blunted is the ſharpneſſe of myſyght,
And dulled eyes doo ſcant ſuſtayne to ſeeth’vnwoonted lyght.

AM.Yet Theſeus throwghly ouercome what euer feare remayneſ
Inboſome deepe, nor doo thou not of beſtfrute of thy payneſ
Beguylde thy ſelfe. What thynghath once to ſuffre beene a care,
To haue remembred it isſweete. thoſe dredfull happe declare.

THE.All ryght of worlde, and thee lykewiſe I pray thatbearſte the rayne
In kyngdome wyde, and thee, forwhome All rownde about in dayne
Thy mother throughoutAetna ſowght, that ſecret thyngs alowe
And hydde ingrownde, it freely may bee lawfull for toſhowe.
The Spartane lande a noble toppe of hylladuaunceth hye,
Where Taenarus with woodes full thycksthe ſea doothe ouerlye.
The houſe of hatefullDitis here his mowthe doothe open ſette,
And rocksof hyll about doothe gape, and with a denne fullgrette
A huge and gapyng clefte of grownde with iawesfull wyde doothe lye,
And way full broade topeople all dothe ſpredde to paſſe therby.
Notſtraight with darkenes dothe begynne The way thatblyndes the ſyght.
A lyttle lyngryng bryghtnes lobehynde of late lefte lyght,
And dubtfull glyttryngyet of ſonne afflicted falles alowe,
And mocksthe ſyght: ſuche lyght is woont vndoubtedly toſhowe
The dawne of day, or twylyght els atedge of euenyng tyde.
From hens to hollowe placesvoyde Are loaſte the ſpaces wyde,
To whiche needesperyſhe muſt all kynde of men that once arethrowne.
Nor it a labour is to goe, the waye it ſelfeleades downe.
As ofte the ſhypps agaynſt theyrwylles do the toſſe the ſwellyng ſurge,
Sodowne warde dothe that hedlong way, and greedy Chaosvrge:
And backe agayne to drawe thy pace theeneuer doo permytte
The ſprights who what theycatch hold faſt. alowe within doothe flytte
Inchanell wyde with ſylent foorde the quietlake of lethe,
And cares dothe rydde: and thattheremay to ſcape agayne from deathe
No meane be made, withmany turnes and wyndyngs euery waye
Foldes in his floode. inſuche ſorte as with waue vnſure doothe play
Maeanderwandryng vp and downe, And yeldes hymſelfe vnto,
And dowbtfullſtands, yf he toward banke, or backe to ſpryng may go.
The ſouleand fylthy peole to ſee of ſlowe Cocytus lyes.
Onth’one the grype, on th’other ſyde the mournefullhowlet cryes,
And ſadde lucke of th’unhappy ſtrixlykewyſe reſoundeth there.
Full vglyelye in ſhady bowesblacke lockes of lethſome heare,
Where Taxustree dothe ouer leane, whiche holdeth ſlouthfullſleepe,
And hunger ſadde with famyſht lawe that lyes hisplace to keepe,
And ſhame to late doth hyde his face thatknowes what crimes it hathe,
Bothe feare, and quakyng,funerall, and frettyng ragyng wrathe,
And mournyngdyre dothe followe on, and tremblyng pale diſeaſe,
Andboyſtrous battailes ſet with ſwoorde: and hyddebeyonde all theaſe
Dothe ſlouthfull age hislyngryng pace healpe foorth with ſtaffe in hande.

AM.Of corne and wyne in hell alowe is any fertile lande?

THENo ioyful meades do there bring foorth with face ſo greene andfayre,
Nor yet with gentyll Zephyrus wagges ripened corne inth’ayre.
Nor any tree hath there ſuche bowes as doe bryngapples out.
The barrayne compaſſe of deepeſoyle full fylthye lyes about,
And withred with eternalldrought the lothſome lande dothe waite
Andbonde full ſadde of thyngs, and of the worllde the placeslaſte:
The ayre vnmoued ſtands, and nyght ſytts therefull darke to ſee
In ſlouthfull worlde, all thyngesby dreade full horrible there bee.
And euen farre worſe thendeathe it ſelfe, is place where deathe doothe byde.

AM.What? he that doth thoſe places darke with regallſceptor gwyde,
Inwhat ſeate ſette, dothe he diſpoſe and rule thoſepeoples light?

THE.A place there is in turne obſcure of Tartarus fromſyght,
Which myſt full thicke with feareful ſhade doothe holdeand ouergoe.
From hens a double parted ſtreame from onewellſpryng doothe floe:
The tone, muche lyke aſtandyng poole (by this the goddsdoo ſweare)
The whiche the ſacred ſtygianlake with ſilent floude doothe beare:
The totherfierce with tumulte great is drawen hys courſe to goe,
AndArcheron with ragyng floode the ſtones dryues to andfroe
Unſaylable. with double foorde is rounoe aboutbeſette
Agaynſt it Ditis palayce dyre, and manſponhowſe full grette
In ſhadefull woode is couered: from widedenne here the poſts
And threſholds of the tyranthang, this is the walke of ghoſts:
This of hiskyngdome is the gate: a felde about it goes,
Whereſyttyng with a countnaunce proude abroadehe doothe diſpoſe
Newe ſowles, a cruellmaieſtie is in the god to knowe:
A frownyng forhead,whyche yet of his brethren beares the ſhowe,
Andſo great ſtocks: there is in hym of Ioue the veryface,
But when he lyghtens: and great parte of cruellkyngdomes place,
Is he hymſelfe the lordetherof: the ſyght of whome dothe feare,
Whateuer thyng is fearde. AM. Is fame in this poynt trewe, thatthere
Suche rygours are, and gyltie ghoſts of men thatthere remayne
Forgetfull of theyr former faute,haue their deſerued payne?
Who is the rectorthere of ryght, and iudge of equitye?

THE.Not onely one extorter out of fautes in ſeate ſette hye

The iudgementslate to tremblyng ſowles doothe there by lotte awarde:
Inone appointed iudgement place is Gnoſſian Minos harde,
And inan other Radamanthe: This cryme doothe Aeac beare.
Whateche man ones hath doone, he feeles: and guylt to th’authortheare
Returnes, and th’hurtfull with their owns examplepunnytht bee.
The bluddy cruell captaynes I in pryſonſhette dyd ſee,
And backe of tyrantimpotent euen with hys peoples hande
All torne and cutte.what man of myght with fauour leades his lande,
And of hisowne lyfe lorde reſerues his hurtleſſe handes to good,
Andgently doothe his empyre guydewithout the thyrſt of blood,
And ſpareshis ſowle, he hauyng long ledde foorthe the lyngryngdayeſ
Of happy age, at lengthe to heauen doathe eytherfynde the wayes,
Or ioyfull happy places ells of fayreElyſius woode.
Thou then that here muſte be a iudge abſtaynefrom man his bloode,
Who ſo thou bee that raygneſt kyng: ourgyltes are there acquytte
In greater wyſe. AM. Doothe anyplace preſcript of lymite ſh/th ytte
The gyltieghoſts, and as the fame reportes, dothe cruellpayne
The wycked men make tame that in eternall bondesremayne?

THE.Ixion rollde on whyrlyng wheele is toſt and turnedhye:
Uppon the necke of Siſyphus the myghtyſtone dooth lye.
Amyd the lake with thyrſtyiawes ollde Tantalus theryn
Purſues the waues, the waterſtreams doothe wette and waſhe his chyn,
And when tohym nowe otte deceyude it doothe yet promyſemake,
Straight fytts the ſtood: the trute atmowth his famyne doothe forſake.
Eternall foode tofleeyng fowle doothe Tityus harte geue ſtyll:
AndDanaus daughters doo in vayne theyr water veſſells fyll.
The wyckedCadmus daughters all go ragyng euery waye:
Andthere doothe greedy rauenyng byrde the Phineytables fraye.
AM. Nowe of my ſonne declare tome the noble woorthy fyght.
Bryngs he his wyllyngvnkles gyfts, or Plutoes ſpoyles to ſyght?

THE.A dyre and dredfull ſtone there ys the ſlouthfull foordes faſtbye,
Where ſluggyſh freate with waue aſtoond full dull andflowe doothe lye:
This lake a dredfull fellowe keepesbothe of attyre and ſyght,
And quakyng ghoſtsdoothe ouer beare An aged vgly wyght:
His bearde vnkempt,his hoſome fowle deformde in fylthy wyſe
A knotte byndes in,full lotheſome ſtande in head his hollows eyes:
He feryman doothe ſteare aboute his beate with his long ore.
Hedryuyng nowe his lyghtned ſhippe of burdentowarde the ſhore,
Repaires to waues: and then hisway Alcides doothe requyre.
The flocke of ghoſtsall geuyng place: Alowde cries Charon dyre,
What wayattempteſt thou ſo bolde? thy haſtenyng pace here ſtaye.
Butnatheles Alcmenaes ſonne abydyng no delaye,
Euen with his ownepoale bette he doothe full tame the ſhypmanmake,
And clymes the ſhippe: the barke thatcould full many peoples take,
Dyd yelde to one: heſatte, the boate more heauy lyke to breake
Withſhyueryng ioyntes on eytherſyde the letheyfloode doothe leake.
Then tremble all the monſtershuge, the Centaures fierce of myght,
AndLapythes, kyndled with muche wyne to warres and blouddyfyght.
The loweſt chanelles ſeekyng out of ſtygianpoole a downe,
His lerney labour ſore affright his ſertyleheddes doothe drowne.
Of greedy Ditis after thisdoothe then the houſe appere.
The fierceand cruell ſtygian dogge doothe fraye the ſpiritesthere,
The whiche with great and roaryng ſounds his heddsvpſhakyng three,
The kyngdome keepes: his ugly head withfylthe full fowle to ſee
The ſerpentes lycke: his hearesbe fowle with vypers ſette among,
And at his crooked wreſtedtayle doothe hyſſe & dragon longe:
Like yre toſhape. when hym he wyſt his pace that way to take,
His briſtleheares he lyſteth vp with fierce vp bended ſnake:
And ſowndeſent out he ſoone perceyues in his applyed eare,
Whoeuen the ſprights is woontto ſent. as ſoone as ſtoodemore neare
The ſonne of Ioue, the doubtfulldogge ſtrayte couched downe in denne,
Andeche of them dyd feare. beholde with dolefullbarkyng then
The places dumme he makes adred, the threatnyng ſerpentſtoute
Through all the fieldesaboute dooth hyſſe: the bawlyng noyſe ſentout
Of dredfull voyce from triple mouthe, euen ſpryghtsthat happy bee
Dothe make afrayde. from lefte ſyde thenſtrayte way vndoeth hee
The cruell tawes, and lyons headonce ſlayne in Cleon fielde
Agaynſt hym ſetts, andcouer doothe hymſelfe with myghty ſhielde.
Andbearyng in his conqueryng hands a ſturdy clubbe of oke,
Nowehere, nowe there he rolleth hym about with often ſtrekt:
Hisſtrypes he doubles: he ſubdewde his threatesaſſwaged all,
And all his heds the weerydogge at once full lowe lette fall,
And quight out of the dennehe fledde. full greatly feared (ſet
In regall throne) both,kyng and queene, and badde hym to bee fet.
And me lykewyſe theygaue for gyft to Hercles crauing mee.
The monſters heauyneckes with hande then ſtroaking downe all three,
In lynkedchayne he byndeth faste forgettyng then hisſtrenghte
The dogge the watchefull keeperat the kyngdome darke, at lengthe
Laythe downe hiseares full ſore affrayde: and ſuffryng to be lende,
And ekeacknowledging his lorde, folowyng with lowly hedde,
With taylethat ſnakes theron doothe beare he bothe his ſydesdoethe ſmyght.
But after that to Taenate mouthe we came,and clearenes bryght
Had ſtroake his eyes of lyghtvnknowne, good ſtomacke yet agayne
He takes althowgh onſeouercome, and now the heauye chayne
He ragyng ſhakes:he had almoſt his leader pluckt from place,
And hedlongbackwarde drawne to hell, and moued from his pace.
And euen tomy handes Hercles then his eies dyd backewarde caſte,
Webothe with double ioyned ſtrengthe the dogge out drawne atlaſte
For anger woode, and battells yet attemptyng all invayne,
Brought vp to worlde. as ſoone as he the cleereayre ſawe agayne,
And ſpaces pure of bryght fayrepoale had once behelde with eye,
The nyght aroſe: hisſyght to grownde he turned by and by,
Caſte downe his eyes,and hatefull daye foorthwith he put to flyght,
And backewardeturnde away his looke, And ſtreyght with all hys myght
Toth’erthe he falles: and vnderneathe the ſhade of Herclesthen
He hyd his head. therwith there came a greatreſorte of men
With clamour gladde, that dyd the bayabout theyr forhedds bryng:
And of the noble Herculesdeſerued prayſes ſyng.

Chorus.

EUryſthe⁹born w^t ſwiftnedbirth in haſt, 

did bidto bottom of the worlde to go:
This onelylackte of labours all at laſt,

toſpoyle the kyng of thyrde eſtatealſo.
The dongeons darke to enter ventred he,

wheras y^t wayto ſprights far of doth bryng
Full ſadde, &woode ſo blacke & feard to be:

butfull with flock full great him followyng.
As great a preaſe asflocke in cities ſtreetes,

toſee the playes of Theatre newe wrought:
Asgreat as at Eléus thundrer meetes,

whēſomer fift y^t ſacredgame hath brought:
As gret as whē comes houre of lōgernight,

andwillyng quiet ſleepes to bee extent,
Holds equal Libra Phoebuschariots light,

aſorte the ſecrete Ceres doo frequent,
And frōtheyr howſen left doo haſt to cum, 

the Attickeprieſtes the nyght to celebrate:
ſuch heape is chaſtbeneth by fields ſo dum,

withage ful ſlow ſom taking forth their gate
Full ſad, and fylldwith life ſo long now led:

ſomeyet do runne the race of betteryeares,
The virgins yet vnieynde to ſpowſes bed,

/yonglings eke on whō grow yet no heares
And infāt latelytaught his mothers name.
To theſe alone, (that thet y^e lesmight feare)
Is graūted night to eaſe w^t foreborneflame. 

the reſtfull ſad by darke doo wander theare:
As is our mynde,when ones away is fled 

the lyght,when eche man ſory feeles to bee
Depe ouerwhelmdwith all the erth his hed.

thyckChaos ſtands, & darknes fowle to ſee,
And colouryll of nyght and ſlouthfull ſtate 

of ſilentworld, and diuers clowdes abowt.
Let hoary age vs thyther bryngfull late.

nomā comes late to that, whence neuer out,
Whē once he iscome, turne agayn he may.

tohaſt the hard and heuy fate what vayles?
Thiswādring beape in wide lāds far away,

ſhallgo to ghoſts: & al ſhall geue their ſayles
To ſloweCocytus. all is to thee enclynde,

bothwhat the fall, and riſe of ſonne dothſee:
Spare vs that cum, to the we deth ar ſignde:

thoughthou be ſlow, our ſelfs yet haſt do we.
Fyrſt houre,y^e gaue the lyfe, it loaſtagaine.

TOThebes is come the ioyfull daye,

youraulters touche ye humbyllye,
The fatte fayre ſacrficesſlaye.

maydesmyxte with men in cumpanye
Let them in ſole mine flocks goeroyle:

andnowe with yoake layde downe let ceaſe
The tyllersof the fertyle ſoyle.
made is with hande of Herclespeace

betweene the morneand Heſpers glade,
And where ſonne holdyng myddle ſeate, 

dothe make the bodyescaſte no ſhade.
What euer grownde is ouerweate

withcompaſſe long of ſeas abowght,
Alcides labourraemde full well.

heouer foordes of Tartare browght
Returnde appeaſed beeynghell.

thereis remaynyng nowe no feare,
Nought lyes beyonde the hellto ſee.
O preeſt thy ſtaryng lockes of heare

wrappein with loued poplar tree.

The fourtheActe.

Hercules,Theſeus, Amphitryon, Megara,

WIthmy reuēgyng right hand ſlayn nowe Lycus loe the grownde

withgroueling face hath ſmit: thē who ſoeuer fellowfownde
Of tyrant was, partaker of his paynesdyd alſo lye.
Nowe to my father ſacryfyce and goddsvictor wyll I,
And aulters that deſerue it, with ſtayneoffryngs reuerence.
Thee, thee O mate of all mytoyles I praye and my defence
O warrefull Pallas, in whoſelefte hande thy cleare ſhielde Aegis ſhakes
Fierce thretes,w^t headthat eche thyng ſtone that lookes vpon it makes.
Lettamer of Lycurgus nowe, and of redde ſea beheare,
That poynte of ſpeare with yuye greene inhande doothe couerde beare:
And two godds powre, bothePhoebus, and his ſyſter too I praye,
The ſyſter meeterfor her ſhaftes, but he on th’harpe to playe:
And what ſoeuerbrother ells of myne doothe dwell in ſkye,
Not of myſtepdame brother. bryng ye hyther by and by
Your plentuousflockes, what euer haue all th’ Indians frutes browghtowt,
And what ſweete odours th’ Arabickes doo gette intrees abowt,
To th’aultars bryng: lette vapour fatte and fumeſmoke vp full hye,
Let rownde abowt the poplar treemy heares nowe bewtifye.
Let th’olyue bowe thee hyde withbraunche accuſtomde in our lande
Theſcu: for foorthwithreuerence the thundrer, ſhall my hande.
THE. O goddsthe buylders of the towne, and whiche of dragonfell,
The wylde woods denns, and noble waueslykewyſe of Dirces well,
And Tyrian houſe enhabiteeke of ſtraunger wandryng kyng.

HER.Caſte into fyres the trankencenſe. AM.ſonne fyrſte thyhandes flowyng

withblouddy ſlaughter, and the deathe of enmyepuryfye.
HER. Would god the blood of hatefullhee Euen vnto godds on hye
I myght out ſhedde, for lycour loemore acceptable none
Myght th’aulters ſtayne: nor ſacrificemore ample any one
Nor yet more plentyfull may bee To Ioue abouedowne caſte,
Then kyng vniuſt. AM. Deſyre that nowe thyfather ende at laſte
Thy labours all: lette quyetneſſe Atlengthe yet gyuen bee,
And reſt to weery folke. HER. Iwyll the prayers make, for mee
And Ioue full meete. ynhis due place Lette ſtands the haughty ſkye,
And lande,and ayre, and lette the ſtarres dryue foortheeternallye
Their courſe vnſtayde: let reſtfull peace keepenations quietlye,
Let labour of the hurtleſſelande all yron nowe occupye,
And ſooprdes lye hydde:let tempeſt none full vyolent and dyre
Diſturbe the ſea:let from the ſkyes no flaſhe of lyghtnyngfyre
Fall downe whyle Ioue full angry is: nor yet with wynterſnowe
Encreaſed floode the grownde vpturnde andfieldes quight ouerthrowe.
Let poyſons ceaſe: and fromhenſfoorth let vp from grownde aryſe
No greeuous herbe withhurtfull ſappe: nor fierce and fell lykewyſe
Let tyrantesraygne: but yf to ſyght ſome other miſchiefe bryng
The growndeyet ſhall, let it make haſte: and any monſtrousthyng
If it prepare, let yt bee myne. but what meanesthis? myd daye
The darknes haue encloaſde abowt, loPhoebus gothe his wayſ
With face obſcure withowt a clowde. whodryues the daye to flyght,
And turnes to eaſt? from whencedoth now his duſky had the nyght
Unknown bryng forth?whēce fyl the poale ſo many rownde about
Of daytymeſtarres? lo here beholde my labour fyrſt full ſtoute
Notin the loweſt parte of heauen the lyonſhyneth bryght,
And feruently dothe rage with yre,And byttes prepares to fyght.
Euen now loe he ſome ſtarre wyltake with mouthe full wyde to ſee
He thretnyng ſtands, andfyres out blowes and mane vp ruſtleth he
Shakyng withnecke. the harueſt ſadde of ſhape, what euer thyng,
Andwhat ſoeuer wynter callde in froſen tyme doothe bryng,
Hewith one rage wyll ouerpaſſe, of ſpryng tyme bull hewyll
Bothe ſeeke, and breake the neckes at once. AM.Whatis this ſodayne yll?
Thy cruell cowntnance whetherſonne Doſte thou caſte here and there?
And ſeeſtewith troubled daſelde ſyght falſe ſhape of heauenappere?

HER.The land is taemde, the ſwellyng ſeas theyr ſurgesdyd aſſwage,
The kyngdomes lowe of helllykewyſe haue felte and knowne my rage,
Yet heauen is free, alabour meete for Hercules to proue.
To ſpaces hygh I wyllhee borne of hawghtye ſkyes about:
Let th’ayre beſkaelde, my father dooth me promyſe ſtarrst’obtayne.
What yf he it denyde? all th’earthecan Hercles not contayne,
And geeues at length to godds me callsof owne accorde beholde
The wholeaſſembly of the godds, and dooth theyrgates vnfolde,
Whyle one for bydds receyuſte thou me, andopeneſt thou the ſkye,
Or els the gate of ſtubborneheauen drawe after me doo I?
Do I yet doubte? Ieven the bondes from ſaturne wyll vndoe,
And euenagaynſt the kyngdome prowde of wycked fatherloe,
My grandſyre loaſe. let Titans nowe prepare agayne theyrfyght
With me theyr captayne ragyng: ſtones with woodes I wylldowne ſmyght,
And hye hylles topps with Centaures full in ryghthande wyll I take.
With double mountayne nowe I wyll a ſtayreto godds vp make.
Let Chiron vnder Oſſa ſee his Pelionmowntayne grette:
Olympus vp to heauen aboue in thyrde degreethen ſette
ſhall come it ſelfe, or ells bee caſte.AM. Put farre awaye from thee
The thowghts that owght notto be ſpoake: of mynde vnſownde to ſee,
But yetfull great, the furyows rage aſſwage and laye awaye.

HER.What meaneth this? the gyantes dee peſtiferous armesaſſaye,
And Tityus from the ſprights is fledde, andbearyng torne to ſee
And empty boſome, lo howe neere toheauen it ſelfe ſtoode hee?
Cythaeronfalles, the mountayne hye Pallene ſhakes for feare,
Andtorne are Tempe. he the toppes of Pindus cawght hathehere,
And Oethen he, ſome dredfull thyng threatnyng doothe rageabowt
Crinnys bryngyng flames: with ſtrypes ſhe ſoundes noweſhaken out,
And burned brandes in funeralls, loe yet more neareand neare
Throwes in my face: fearce Tiſyphone with head andvgly heare
With ſerpents ſette, nowe after doggs fet owt withHercles hande,
That emptye gate ſhe hathe ſhette vp, withbolte of fyry brande.
But lee the ſtocke of enmiowskyng doothe hydden yet remayne,
The wycked Lycusſeede: but to your hatefull father ſlayne
Euen nowe this ryghthande ſhall you ſende let nowe his arrowes lyght
My bowe owtſhoote: it ſeemes the ſhaftes to goe with ſuche aflyght
Of Hercles. AM. Whether doothe the rageand fury blynde yet goe?
His myghty bowe he drewe with hornestogyther dryuen loe,
And quyuer loaſte: great noyeſe makeswith byolence ſente owt
The ſhafte, and quyght the weaponflewe his myddle necke torowghowt,
The wownd yet left HER.His other broods I ouerthrowe wyll quyght,
And corners all. Whatſtay I yet? to me a greater fyght
Remaynes then all Mycenesloe, that rockye ſtones ſhoulde all
Of Cyclopsbeeyng ouerturnde with hande of myne, downe fall.
Letſhake bothe here: and there the houſe, with all ſtayesouerthrowne,
Let breake the poaſts: and quight letſhrinke the ſhaken pyller downe:
Let all the palaycefall at once. I here yet hydden ſee
The ſonne of wyckedfather. AM. Loe his flattryng handes to thee
Applyeng to thyknees doothe craue his lyfe with pyteous mone.
O wyckedgylte, full ſadde, and eke abhorde to looke vppone,
His humbleryght hande caught he hath, and ragyng rownde abowt
Him rolledtwyſe, or thryſe hath caſt. his head reſoundethowt,
The ſprynkled howſes with the brayne of hymthrowne owt are wet.
But ſhee poore wretche her lyttle ſonnein boſome hydyng yet
Loe Megara, lyke one inrage doothe from the corners flee.

HER.Thowgh runnagate in boſome of the thundrer hydde thoubee,
This ryght hande ſhall from euery where Thee ſeeke, andbryng to ſyght.

AM.wher goeſt thow wretch? what lurkyng denns, ſeekſte thou to take,or flyght?
No place of ſauegarde ys yf once beeHercles ſtyrde with yre:
But doo thou rather hymenbrace, and with thy meeke deſyre
Aſſaye t’ aſſwage hym.MEG. Huſbande ſpare vs I beſeeche thee nowe,
And knowe thyMegara, this ſonne thy cowntenaunce doothe ſhowe,
Andbodyes pytche: beholdſt thow how his hands vp lyfteth hee?

HER.I holde my ſtepdame: followe on dewe penawnce paye to mee,
Andbownden Ione from fylthy bonde delyuer free awaye:
ButI before the mother wyll this lyttell monſter ſlaye.

MEG.Thou mad man whither goeſt thow? wylte thou thyne owne bloodeſheade?

AM.Th’infant with fathers fyry face aſtonnyde all fordreade,
Dyed euen before the wownde: his fearehath tooke away his lyfe.
And nowe lykewyſe his heauy clubbe isſhaken towarde his wyfe:
He broaken hath the bones,her head from blocklyke bodye gone
Is quight, nor anywhere it ſtayes. darſte thow this looke vppone
Tolong lyude age? yf mournyng doo thee greue, thou haſt thenloe
The deathe preparde. Doo thou thy breaſtvppon his weapons throe,
Or ells this clubbe with ſlaughterſtaynde of monſters ſlayne that bee,
Nowe hytherturne. thy parent falſe, vnfytte for name of thee
Kydhens away, leaſt he ſhoulde be to thy renowne a let.

THE.Which waie y^e fathertoward thy death dooſte thow thy ſelfe caſte yet?
Or whythergoeſt thou madde man? flee, and lye thow cloaſely hyd,
And yetfrom handes of Hercules this onely myſchiefe ryd.

HER.Tis well, the howſe of ſhameful kyng ys nowequyght ouerthrowne.
To thee O ſpowſe of greatteſtIoue I haue loe beaten downe
This offred flocke: I gladly hauefulfyllde my wyſhes all
Full meete for thee, and Argos nowegeeue other offryngs ſhall.

AM.Thow haſt not ſonne yet al performde, fyll vp the ſacrifyſe.
Loethoffryng doothe at th’aultars ſtande, it waytesthy hande lykewyſe
With necke full prone: I gyue my ſelfe, Iroon, I followe loe.
Mee ſacrifyce. what meaneth this? his eyesrolle to and froe,
And heauyneſſe doothe dull hisſyght. ſee I of Hercules
The tremblyng hands?down falles his face to ſleepe and quietnes,
And weery neckewith bowed head full faſte doothe downewarde ſhryuke,
Withbended knee: nowe all at once he downe togrownde doothe ſynke,
As in the woodeswylde aſſhe cut downe, or bulwarke for to make
A hauen inſeas. Lyuſte thow? or els to deathe doothe theebetake
The ſelfe ſame rage, that hath ſent all thyfamylye to deathe?
It is but ſleepe, for to andfroe doothe goe and come his breathe.
Let tyme beehad of quietneſſe, that thus by ſleepe and reſte
Greateforce of his diſeaſe ſubdewde, may eaſe his greeuedbreſte.
Remous his weapons ſeruantes, leaſt he madde gettethem agayne.

CHORVS.

LEtth’ayre cōplain, & eke y^t parentgreat 

of haughtyſky, & fertile lad throughout,
And wādryng waue of euermouing freate.
And thow before thē all, whichlands about
And train of ſea thy beamsabroad doſt throe

withglyttryng face, & makſt y^t nightto flee,
O feruent Titan: bothe thy ſettyngs loe

andryſyng, hath Alcides ſeene with thee:

&known likewiſe he hath thy howſē twayn.

fromſo great yls releaſe ye nowe his breſt,
O godds releaſe: tobetter turne agayne

hisryghter mynde. and thow O tamer beſt
Oſleepe of toyles, the quietneſſe of mynde, 

of all the lyfe of man the betterparte,
O of thy mother aſtrey wynged kynde, 

of hardand pinyng death that brother arte,
With truthmingling the falſe, of after ſtate
The ſure,but eke the worſte foreteller yet:
Ofather of all thynges, of lyfe the gate,
Of light the reſt, of nyghtand felowe fytte,

thatcomſt to kyng, and ſeruant equallye,
And gentlye cheryſſheſtwho weerye bee,
All mankynde loe that dredfull is to dye,

thou dooſt cōſtrainlōg deth to learn by thee.

keepehim faſt bound w^t heauyſlepe oppreſt,
Let ſlōber deps his limmes vntamedbynde,
Nor ſooner leaue his vnryght ragyng breſt,
Thē formermīd his courſe again may fynd.
Lo layd on groūd w^t fullfierce hart yet ſtyll
His cruell ſleepes he turnes: and notyet iſ
The plague ſubdewde of ſo great ragingyll:
And on great clubbe the weery head of hiſ
Hewoont to lay, dothe ſeeke y^t ſtaffeto fynde
With empty hand, his armes owt caſtīg yet

withmouing vayn: nor yet all rage of mynde

hehath laid down: but, as w^t ſouthwind gret
The waue once vext, yet after kepeth ſtyll

hisragyng long, & though the wind now be
Aſſwaged,ſwells. ſhake of theſe madde & yll

toſſyngsof mynde, returne let pietee,
And vertue to the man,ells let be ſo

hismynd with mouing mad toſt euery way:
Let errour blynde,where it begoon hath, go.

fornowght els now but only madnes may
Thee gyltleſſe make: innext eſtate it ſtands

tohurtles hands, thy miſchief not to knowe.
Now ſtrooken letwith Hercules his hands

thyboſoms ſoūd: thyne armes y^e worldalow

werwōt to bear, let greuo⁹{uſ}ſtrips now ſmite

withcōquryng hād: & loude cōplainīg cries
Let th’airenow here: let of dark pole & night 

the quenethem heare, & who ful fierſely lyes
That bears his necks inmighty chains faſt

boūd,low lurking Cerberus in depeſt caue.
Let Chaos all withclamour ſad reſound,

and of broadeſea wide open waſting waue.
And th’ ayre that felt thyweapōs better yet,
But felt them thowgh.
The breſteswith ſo greate yls as theſe beſet,

withlitle ſtroake they muſt not beaten be.
Let kyngdoms threeſoūd w^t oneplaīt & cry,

andthow neckes honowr, & defence to ſe,
His arrowe ſtronglong hanged vp on hye,

&quiuers light, y^e cruelſtrypes now ſmyght

onhis firce back, his ſhoulders ſtrōg & ſtowt

letoken clubbe now ſtryke, & poaſte of might

w^t knotsfull harde his breſts loade al about.

leteuen his weapōs ſo greate woes cōplain.
Not you poore babesmates of your fathers

w^t cruelwoūd reuēging kings agaī: (praiſe,

notyou your lims in argos barriars plaies,
Are taught to turnw^t wepōſtrōg to ſmight,

&ſtrōg of hād: yet euē now daring loe 

the weapon of the ſcythianquiuer light
With ſteady hand to paiſe ſēt out frō bowe,

andſtags to perſe y^t ſaue thē ſeluesby flyght,

andbackes not yet full maend of cruel beaſt.
To Stygiāhauens goe ye of ſhade & night,

goehurtles ſouls, whō miſchief hath oppreſt
Euenin firſt porche of lyfe but lately hadde,
Andfathers furye. goe vnhappy kynde
O little chyldren, by the wayfull ſadde
Of tourneye knowne.
Goe, ſee the angryekyngs.

The fyftheActe.

Hercules,Amphitryon, Theſeus.

WHatplace is this? what region? or of the worlde whatcoaſte?
Where am I? vnder ryſe of ſonne, or bondeels vttermoſte
Of th’ycy beare? or elsdoothe here of ſea of Heſperye
The fardeſtgrownde appoynte a bonde for th’ocean ſea to lye?
What ayredrawe we? to weery wyght what grownde is vnderſette?
Of truthewe are returnde from bell. whence in my howſe downe bette
ſeeI theſe bloudy bodyes? hath not yet my mynde of caſt
Thinfernallſhapes? but after yet returne from hell at laſt
Yetwander dooth that helly heape before myne eyes toſee?
I am aſhamde to grawnte, I quake, I knowe not what tomee,
I can not tell what greuous yll mymynde before dooth knowe.
Where is my parent?where is ſhee with goodly chyldrens ſhowe
My noble hartyeſtomakt ſpowſe? why dothe my lefte ſyde lacke
The lyonsſpoyle? whiche waye is gone the couer of mybacke?
And ſelfe ſame bed full ſofte for ſleepe of Herculesalſo?
Where are my ſhaftes? where ys my bowe? Them from melyuing who
Cowlde plucke awaye? who taken hathe the ſpoylesſo greate as thes?
And who was he that fearyd not euenſleepe of Hercules?
To ſee my conquerour me lykes,yt lykes me hym to knowe:
Ryſe victor vp, what newe ſonnehath my father gotten nowe
Heauen beeynge left? atbyrthe of whome myght euer ſtayed bee
A longer nyght,then was in myne? what myſchiefe do I ſee?
Mychyldren loe do lye on grownde with bloodie ſlawghterſtayne:
My wyfe is kyllde: what Lycus dothe the kyngedomeyet obtayne?
Who durſt ſo heynous gyltes as theſe At Thebestake in hande
When Hercles is returnde? who ſo Iſmenus waterslande,
Who ſo Acteons fieldes, or who with dowble ſeasbeſet
The ſhaken Pelops kyngdomes doſte of Dardandwell on yet,
Healpe me: of cruell ſlawghter ſhowewho may the author bee.
Let rage my yre on all:my foe he ys, who ſo to mee
ſhowes not my foe. doſte thouyet hydd Alcides victour lye?
Come foorthe, euen whether thowreuenge the cruell chariots hys
Of bloudyThracian kyng, or yf thow Geryons catell quyght,
Or lordesof Libya, no delaye there ys with thee to fyght.
Beholde Inaked ſtande, althowgh euen with wy weapons loe
Thow me vnarmedſette vppon. wherfore fleeth Theſeus ſoe
And eke my fatherfrom my ſyght? theyr faces why hyde they?
Deferre yourweepyngs, and who dyd my wyfe and chyldren ſley
Thusall at ones, me tell. Wherfore O father dooſt thowwhuſhte?
But tell thow Theſeu, but Theſeu with thyaccuſtonide truſte.
Eche of them ſylent hydes awayetheir baſhefull cowntnawnces,
And pryuelye they ſhedde theirteares. In ſo greate yls as thes,
Of what owghte weaſhamde to bee? dothe ruler yet of myght
Of Argostowne, or hatefull bande Of ſowldyars apte tofyght
Of Lycus dyinge, vs oppreſſe with ſuchcalamytee?
By prayſe of all my noble actesI do deſyre of thee
O father, and of thygreat name approude to me alwaye
The proſperous powre,declare to me, who dyd my hou ſholde ſlaye?
Whoſepraye laye I? A. Let thus thyue yls in ſylence ouerpas.

HE.That I ſhoulde vnreuenged bee? AM. Reuenge ofte hurtfull was.

HE.Dyd euer man ſo greuows ylles without reuenge ſuſtayne?

A.Whoſ’euer greater feard. H. Then theſe, O father yet agayne
Mayany greater thing, or els More greuows feared bee?

AM.How greate a parte is it thow woeſt, Of thycalamitee?
HER. Take mercy father, lo I lyfte to thee my humblehandes.
What meaneth this? my hand fleeth backe, ſome priuyegylte here ſtandes.
Whēce coms this blood? or what doth meanflowyng with deathe of chyllde
The ſhafte,enbrewde with ſlawghter once of Lerney monſter kyllde?
Iſee my weapons nowe, the hande I ſeeke no more towyt.
Whoſe hand could bend this bow but myne? or what ryghtarme but yt
Coulde ſtryng the bowe, that vnto me Euenſcantely doothe obaye?
To you I tourne: O fatherdeere, is thys my gylte I praye?
They healde theyr peace: it ismyne owne. AM. Thy greeuous woe is there,
The cryme thyſtepdames: this myſchawnce no fawte of thyne hathhere.

HER.From euery part now father throwe in wrathe thy thundersmyght,
And of thy ſonne forgetfull nowe, with cruellhande requyght
At leaſt thy nephewes: let the worldethat beares the ſtarres ſownde owt,
And let bothe th’oneand th’other poale, flyng downe thy flames abowt:
Andlet the bankes of Caſpian ſea my bownden bodyeteare,
And greedye fowle. Wherefore doe of Promethenslacke heare
The rockes? with huge and hawtye toppe let nowprepared bee,
Bothe feedyng beaſtes andfowles, the ſyde Of Cawcas torne to ſee,
Andbare of woods, the yle that brydge Of Scythethat thereby ſtandes
Symple gas ioynes, bothe here and thereLet it my bounden handeſ
Stretch out abroade: andwhen with courſe returnde accuſtomdlye
They ſhall togytherdryue, and ſhall the rockes toſſe vp to ſkye
Withbankes togyther beyng thruſte, and eke the myddleſeaye,
Let me betwene the mountaynes lye vnquietreſtleſſe ſtaye.
But buyldynge vp with woode throwen on aheaped pyle on hye,
My body thus with wycked bloude beſprynkt,why burne not I?
So, ſo yt muſt bee doone: to hell IHercles wyll reſtore.

AM.Not yet his harte aſtonyde lackes his ragyng tumulte ſore,
Butwraths hath turnde: and which of rage ys propertie andyre
Agaynſt him ſellfe he rageth now. HER. The furiesplaces dyre
And donge on deepe of ſprights yn helland place of tormentrrye
To gylty ghoſts, andbaniſhment yf any yet doo lye
Beyonde Erebus, yetvnknowen to Cerberus and mee,
There hyde me grownde: to fartheſtbonde of Tartarus to ſee
To tarye there Ile goe. Obreſte of myne to fierce and abowte:
Who yow mychyldren thus diſperſte through all my houſeabowte,
Maye worthyly enowghe bewayle? in all myeuylls yet
This countnaunce harde, can neuer wepe. a ſwoordenowe hyther ſet,
My ſhafces reatche hyther, hyther reatche mymyghty clubbe alſo:
To thee my weapons breake I will, to theemy ſonne, atwo
Ile knappe my bowes, and eke my clubbe thisblocke of heauye wayght,
Shall to thy ſpryghts beeburned loe: this ſelfe ſame quyuer frayght
With Lerneyſhaftes, to funerall of thyne ſhall likewiſego.
Let all my weapons penawnce paye, and yow vnhappyeto
Euen with my weapons burne I wil, O ſtepdames handesof myne.

Th.who euer yet to Ignoraunce hath geuen name of cryme?

HerFull oftentymes dyd errour greate the place of gyltobtayne.

Th.Cys neede to be a Hercles nowe, this heape of ill ſuſtayne.

Her.Not ſo hath ſhame yet geuen place with furye drowned quight:
Butpeoples all I rather ſhoulde dryue from my wycked ſight.
Myweapons, weapons Theſeus, I quickly craue to mee
withdrawen tobe reſtoard agayne: if ſownde my mynde now bee,
Reſtore to memy weapons: if yet laſt my rage of mynde,
Then fatherflee: for I the waye to death my ſelfe ſhall fynde.

Am.By ſacred hollye kynreds rights, by force and duetie all
Of bothemy names, yf eyther mee thy brynger vp thou call,
Or parentells, and (whiche of good men reuerenced are)
By theſeboare heates, I thee beſeche my deſert age yet ſpare,
Audwerye yeares: of howſe falne downe the onealonely ſtaye,
One onely lyght to me, with ylles afflictedeuery waye
Reſerue thy lelfe: yet neuer hath there hapnedonce of thee
Frute of thy toyles: ſtylleyther I the dowtfull ſeae to ſee
Or monſtersfrarde: who euer yet bathe bene a cruell kyng
In all the worlde,to ghoſts alowe, and aulters both hurtyng,
Of meysfearde: the father of thee abſent ſtyll, tohaue
The frute, the towching,and the ſight, of thee atlength I craue.

He.wherfore I longer ſhoulde ſuſtaine my lyfe yet in this lyght,
Andlynger here no cauſe there is: all good loſt haue Iquight,
My mynde, my weapons, my renowne, my wyfe, my ſonnes,my handes,
And furye to. no man may heale and loaſe from gyltyebandes
My mynde defyellde: needes muſt with deth, be healde ſoheinous yll.

Th.wilt thou thy father ſlay? He. Leaſt I ſhould doe it dyeI will.

Th.Before thy rathers face? He. I taught hym miſchiefe for to ſe.

Th.Thy deedes markyng rather that ſhould of all remembredbe,
Of this one onely cryme I doe a pardon of theecraue.

Her.Shall he geue pardon to hym ſelfe, that to none els it gaue?
Ibeeyng bidden prayſe deſerud, this deede mineowne dothe proue,
Helpe father now, if eyther els thypietye thee moue,
Or els my heauy fate, or els the honourand renowne
Of ſtained ſtrength: my weapons bryng, letfortune be throwen downe
With my right hande. Th. The praierswhich thy father makes to thee
Are ſtronge enough, but yetlikewiſe with wepyng loe of me
Be moued yet: aryſethou vp, and with thy wonted myght
Subdue thyne yle: now ſuchea mynde vnmeete to beare vpright
No euyll hap, receyue agayne:loe now with manhode gret
Thou muſt preuayle, eueri Herculesſorbyd with yre to fret.

HE.Alyue, I hurte: but yf I dye, I take the gylt alſo.
Ihaſt to rydde the worllde of cryme, euennow before me ſo
A wycked monſter, cruell, andvntamed, fierce, and ſtoute
Do the wander: now withthy ryght hande begyn to goe aboute
A greate affayre, yea morethen all thy twiſe ſyx labours long.
Yet ſtayſtethou wretche, that late agaynſte the children waſte ſoſtrong,
And fearefull mother? now excepte reſtoarde my weaponsbe,
Of Thracian Pindus eyther I wyll teare downe euerytree,
and Bacchus hollye woods, and toppes of mountCythaeron hye
Burne with my ſelfe. and all at oncewith all their houſen I
And with the Lordesthere of the roofes, with goddes of Thebesall
The Thebane temples euen vppon my bodye will lettefall:
And wyll be hyd in towne vpturnde: if to my ſhouldersmight
The walles themſelues all caſt thereon ſhallfall a burden lyght,
And couerde with ſeuen gates I ſhall notbe enough oppreſt,
Then all the wayghtwhereon the worlde in middle parte doth reſt,
Andpartes the Gods, vpon my hed Ile turne and ouerthroe.
Myweapons geeue. Am. This word is mete for Hercles father loe.
Withthis ſame arrowe ſlayne beholde thy ſonne is tombled downe,
Thisweapon cruell Iuno lo from handes of thyne hath throwne,
Thisſame will I now vſe. loe ſee how leapes with feare affright
Mywretched hart, and how it doth my carefull bodyſmight.
The ſhafte is ſet there to, thou ſhalt amiſchiefe loe do now
Both willing it, andwotting: tell, what thing commaundeſt thou?
I nothing craue, mydolour loe in ſafetie ſtandeth now.
To kepe my ſonne aliue tome that onely do canſt thou
o Theſeu, yet I haue notſeapte, greatſt feare that happen can.
Thou canſt me not amyler make, thou maiſt a happy man.
So order euery thyng thoudooſte, as all thy cauſe in hande,
And fame thou mayſtwell know in ſtraygh and doutfull caſe to ſtande:
Thou liuſt,or dyeſt: thys ſlender ſowle that lyght is henſe to flee,
weryedwith age, and no leſſe bet with greuous yle to ſee,
In moutheI holoe. ſo ſlowlye to a father with ſuche ſtaye
Dothe anyman geue lyfe? I wyll no longer byde delaye,
The dedlyeſworde throughout my breſt to ſtryke I will applye,
Here,here the gylt of Hercules euen ſownde of myndeſhall lye.

Her.Forbeare O father now, forbeare, withdrawe thy hande agayne.
Mymanhode yeelde, thy fathers wyll, and Imperye ſuſtayne.
ToHercles labours now lykewyſe, let this one labour goe,
Let meyet lyue lyfte vp from grounde thafflicted lymmes with woe,
oTheſeu of my parent: for from godly touche doth fle
Mywicked hande. Am. I gladly doe this hande embrace to me.
By thisI beeyng ſtayed will goe, this mouing to my breſt
Ile ſlakemy woes. Her. what place ſhal I ſecke roonagate for reſt?
Whereſhall I hyde my ſelfe? or in what lande my ſelfe engraue?
WhatTanais, or what Nilus els, or with his perſyan waue
what Tigrisviolent of ſtreame, or what fierce Rhenus flood,
OrTagus troubleſome that flowes with I bere treaſures good
Maymy right hande now waſh from gylt? although Maeotis collde
The wauesof all the Northen ſeae on me ſhed out nowwollde,
And al the water thereof ſhoolde now paſſeby my two handes,
Yet will the miſchiefe deeperemayne. Alas into what landes
wilt thou o wicked man reſorte?to Eaſt, or weſterne coſte?
Eche where well knowen, all placeI haue of baniſhmente quight loſte

Frōme the worlde doth flee a backe, the ſtarresthat ſpdelyng roon
Do backwarde dryue their turned courſe,euen Cerberus the ſoone
muchbetter countnaunce did b. holde. o faythfull frende I ſaye
oTheſeu, ſecke ſome lurkyng place, farce hence, out of the waye.
Othou awarder of mens gyltes what euer iudge thou be
Thathurtefull men doeſt loue, repaye a worthy thanke tome:
And my deſertes. I thee beſeeche, to ghoſtes of hellagayne
ſende me that ones eſcaped them: and ſubiect to thyrayne
Reſtore me yet to thoſe thy bandes. that place ſhall mewell hyde:
And yet euen that place knowes me well. Th. Our landefor thee doth dyde.
There Mars, his hand acquit agayne and madefrom ſlaughter free
Reſtoarde to armour: loe that lande(Alcides) calles for thee,
which wontes to quight the gods,and proue them Innocent to be.

FINIS.

IMPRINTEDAT London by Henrye Sutton dwelling in pater noſter roweat the ſigne of the blacke Boy.

ANNODOMINI. M. D. LXI.