Seneca His Ten Tragedies

SENECA HIS TENNE TRAGEDIES, TRANSLATED INTO Englyſh.
Mercurij nutrices, horae.
IMPRINTED AT LONDON IN Fleetſtreete neere vnto Saincte Dunſtans church by Thomas Marſh. 1581

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPEVL, SIR THOMAS HENNEAGE KNIGHT, TREASVRER OF HER MAIESTIES CHAMBER: Thomas Newton wiſheth all abundaunce of Felicitie, and Spirituall benedictions in Chriſte.

YOV may think ſir, ſome want of diſcretion in mee, for thus boldly preſuminge to thruſt into your handes theſe Tragedies of SENECA. From whych boldneſſe, the very Conſcience of myne own vnworthynes, might eaſely haue diſſuaded mee, had not certayne learned Gentlemen of good credite and worſhip thereunto perſuaded & animated mee. Aſſuring mee (where of I thought my ſelfe afore aſſured) that your Worſhip (ſuch is your loue to learning, & the generoſity of your Heroicall mynde) would daygne not onely to diſpence with my temerity, but alſo take in worth my affectionate ſimplicity. And yet (all this notwithſtandinge) well durſt I not haue geuen the aduēture to approch your preſence, vpon truſt of any ſingularity, that in this Booke hath vnſkilfully dropped out of myne owne penne, but that I hoped the perfection of others artificiall workmāſhip, that haue trauayled herein aſwell as my ſelfe ſhould ſomewhat couer my nakednèſſe pùrchaſe my pardon. And hard were the dealing, if in payment of a good round gubbe of Gold of full wayght and poyſe, one poore peece ſomewhat clypped and lighter then his fellowes may not be foyſted in amōg the reſt, and paſſe in pay for currant coigne. Theirs I know to be deliuered with ſinguler dexterity: myne, I confeſſe to be an vnflidge neſtling, vnhable to flye: an vnnatural abortion, and an vnperfect Embryon: neyther throughlye laboured at Ariſtophanes and Cleanthes candle, neither yet exactly waighed in Critolaus his preciſe ballaūce. Yet this dare I ſaye, I haue deliuered myne Authors meaning with as much perſpicuity, as ſo meane a ſcholler, out of ſo meane a ſtoare, in ſo ſmal a time, and vpon ſo ſhort a warning was well able to performe. And whereas it is by ſome ſqueymiſh Areopagites ſurmyzed, that the readinge of theſe Tragedies, being enterlarded with many Phraſes and ſentēces, literally tending (at the firſt ſight) ſome time to the prayſe of Ambition, ſometyme to the mayntenaūce of cruelty, now and then to the approbation of incontinencie, and here and there to the ratification of tyranny, can not be digeſted without great daūger of infection: to omit all other reaſons, if it might pleaſe thē with no foreſtalled iudgmēt, to mark and conſider the circumſtaunces, why, where, & by what maner of perſons ſuch ſentences are pronoūced, they cānot in any equity otherwiſe chooſe, but find good cauſe ynough to leade thē to a more fauourable and milde reſolutiō. For it may not at any hād be thought and deemed the direct meaning of SÈNECA himſelfe, whoſe whole wrytinges (penned with a peereleſſe ſublimity and loftineſſe of ſtyle, are ſo farre from còuntenauncing Vice, that I doubt whether there bee any amonge all the Catalogue of Heathen wryters, that with more grauity of Philoſophicall ſentences, more waightynes of ſappy words, or greater authority of ſoūd matter beateth down ſinne, looſe lyfe, diſſolute dealinge, and vnbrydled ſenſuality: or that more ſenſibly, pithily, and bytingly layeth downe the guerdon of filthy luſt, cloaked diſſimulation & odious treachery: which is the dryft, wherunto he leueleth the whole yſſue of ech one of his Tragedies. Howſoeuer & whatſoeuer it be, your Worſhips curteous acceptaūce ſhal eaſily counterpoyſe any of our imperfections. Vnto whoſe learned Cenſure, wee humbly ſubmit theſe the exerciſes of our bluſſhing Muſes. The Lord God in mercy long preſerue you in health and dignity with daily encreaſe of many his gracious gyfts, already rychly abounding in you: to the propagation, and aduauncement of his truth (whereof yee are a zealous Profeſſor, to the honoure of her Maieſtye, to whom you are a moſt loyall ſeruitour, and to the generall benefite of your Countrey, whereof you are a rare and moſt worthy Ornament.

From Butley in Cheſſhyre the 24. of Aprill. 1581.

Your Worſhippes moſt humble, Thomas Newton.

THE NAMES OF THE TRAGEDIEs OF SENECA, AND by whom each of them was tranſlated.

1 Hercules Furens,

2 Thyeſtes,

6 Troas,

By Iaſper Heywood.

1560.

5 Oedipus, By Alex. Neuile.

4 Hippolytus,

7 Medea,

8 Agamemnon,

10 Hercules Oetaeus

By Iohn Studley.

9 Octauia, By T. Nuce.

3 Thebais. By Thomas Newton.

The Argument of this Tragedy.

IVno the Wyfe and ſiſter of Iupiter, hating his baſtard broode, cometh downe from heauen, complayning of all his iniuries done to her, deuiſing alſo by what deſpight ſhe may vexe his baſe ſonne Hercules. And hauing by experience proued, no toyles to be to hard for him, findeth the meanes to make his owne hand his owne vengeance. Hercules therefore returning now from Hell (from whence he was enioyned to fet Cerberus) and finding that the Tyrant Lycus had inuaded his coūtrey, deſtroieth the tyrant. For the which victory as hee ſacrificeth to his Goddeſſe, wrathfull Iuno ſtrikes him into a ſodayne frenſy: Wherewith he beinge ſore vexed, thynking to ſlea the Children and Wyfe of Lycus, in ſteede of them, killeth his owne Wyfe and Children in his madnes. This done hee ſleapeth. Iuno reſtoreth to him agayne his Wits. He being wakt, ſeing his Wyfe and Children ſlayne by his owne hand, at laſt alſo would kill himſelfe.

THE SPEAKERS

Iuno.

Chorus.

Megara.

Amphitrion.

Lycus.

Hercules.

Theſeus.

THE FIRST ACTE.

Iuno alone.

I ſyſter of the Thunderer, (for now that name alone
Remaynes to me) Ioue euermore as though deuorſt and gone,
And temples of the higheſt ayre as wydowe ſhunned haue,
And beaten out of ſkyes aboue the place to Harlots gaue.
I muſt go dwell beneath on ground, for Whoores do hold the ſky.
From hence the Beare in parte aboue of ycy peale full hy,
A haughty ſtarre the greekiſh ſhyps by ſeas doth gurde about:
From this way, whence at ſpring time warme the day is loaſed out,
Europaes bearer through the waues of Tyria ſhyues full bright.
From thence, their ſtormy fearefull flocke to ſhips, and ſeas affright,
The wandring daughters here and there of Atlas vpward ſway.
With ſtaring buſh of hayre from hens Orion Gods doth fray:
And Perſeus eke his glitteryng ſtarres of golden gloſſe hath here.
From hence the twynnes of Tyndars ſtocke do ſhine, a ſigne full clere:
And at whoſe byrth firſt ſtode the grounde that erſt went to and fro.
Nor onely Bacchus now himſelfe, or Bacchus mother lo,
Haue clymd to Gods: leaſt any parte ſhould from rebuke be free,
The ſkies the Gnoſſian ſtrumpets crownes do beare in ſpight of mee.
But I of old cōtemptes complayne: me, one dire, fierce, and ſhrewde
Thebana land with wicked broode of Ioues baſe daughters ſtrewde,
How oft hath it a ſtepdame made? though vp to heauen ſhould ryſe,
The conqueryng drabbe Alcmena now, and hold my place in ſkyes,
And eke her ſonne to promiſd ſtarres obtayne the worthy way,
At byrth of whom the ſtaying worlde ſo long deferd the day,
And Phoebus ſlow frome morning ſea began to gliſter bright,
Commaunded long in th’ Ocean waues to hyde his drowned lyght.
Yet ſhall my hates not leaue them ſo, a wrathful kindled rage
His mynd in madnes ſhall ſtirre vp, and yre that may not ſwage
ſhall euermore (all peace layd downe) wage warres eternally.
What warres? what euer hideous thinge the earth his ennemy
Begets, or what ſoeuer ſea or ayre hath brought to ſyght
Both dredfull, dire, and peſtilent, of cruel fierceſt might,
T’is tierd and tam’d: he paſſeth all, and name by ills doth rayſe,
And all my wrath he doth inioy, and to his greater prayſe
He turnes my hates: whyle tedious toyles to much I him beheſt,
He proues what father him begot: both thence where light oppreſt
Hath ſea, and where it ſhowde agayne, where Titan day doth trayne,
And with his brand approaching nere doth dye thoſe Aethiops twaine,
His ſtrengh vntamde is honoured: and God eche where is hee
Now calde in worlde, and now more ſtore of monſters want to mee,
And laboure leſſe to Hercles is t’acompliſh all my will,
Then me to bydde: at eaſe he doth myne imperies fulfyl.
What cruel heſtes of tyrante now ſo fyerce a yong man may
Preuayle to hurt? for lo he beares for weapons now awaye
What once he fearde, and put to flight: he armed comes at ſyde
With Lyon fyerce and Hydra both: nor land ſuffiſeth wyde,
But broake he hath the threſhold loe of that infernall Ioue.
And ſpoyls with him of conquerd king he drawes to Gods aboue.
But thats but light, broke is the league of ſprites that there do dwell.
I ſaw my ſelfe, I ſaw him lo (the night now gone, of hell
And Ditis tamde) throw out abroade before his fathers ſight
His brothers ſpoyles. Why drawes he not oppreſt and bound by might
Hymſelfe in chaynes that equall thynges to Ioue by lot doth hold?
And beare the rule of captiue hel, and way to ſtyxe vnfolde?
Vp opened is from loweſt ghoſtes the backward way to ſkye,
And ſacred ſecrets of dire death in open ſight do lye.
But he (the dredful den of ſprites brake vp ful fierce and ſtout
Euen ouer mee doth tryumph lo, and with proude hand about
The foule blacke dogge by Grekiſh townes he leades frō hel away.
When ſeene was vgly Cerberus I ſaw the fading day,
And fearefull ſunne: euen me lykewyſe a trembling dread oppreſt,
And looking on the fylthy neckes of conquerd monſtruous beaſt,
I feared much myne owne beheſtes: but light things I complayne,
For heauen I may be frayde, leſt he may get the higheſt rayne,
That loweſt wonne, the ſceptors from his father wil he take,
Nor hee to ſtarres (as Bacchus dyd) his way wil gently make:
The way with ruine will he ſeeke, and hee in empty ſkyes
Wil reygne alone with force diſplayd hys haughty hart doth ryſe,
And he that heauen it ſelfe by force of his might gotted bee,
It bearyng learnd: quite vnderneth the world his head ſet hee.
Nor once his ſhoulders bowde the prayſe of ſuth a mighty mas:
And midſt of heauen on Hercles necke alone (loe) ſetled was.
His necke vnwryde the ſtarres aboue and ſkyes did only ſtay:
And me likewyſe oppreſſyng him, to Gods he ſeekes the way.
Goe ire, goe on, and beate hym downe that great things doth inuent
Match thou with him, and with thy handes now thou thy ſelfe him rent.
ſuch hates why doſt thou meditate? let all wyld beaſtes now go:
And weary Euriſtheus now be free from geeuing charges mo.
The Tytans daryng once of Ioue to breake the impery
ſend out: let loaſe the denne abroade of mount of Sicilye.
The Doricke land that with the turne of gyant quakes afrayd,
Let it bring forth the dredful neckes of monſter vnder layd.
Let yet the haughty moone about ſome other beaſtes beget,
But theſe he ouercame. ſeekes thou a match t’Alcides yet?
Thers none, except hymſelfe: let him agaynſt himſelfe rebell.
Let preſent be from bottome deepe vprayſd of loweſt hell
Th’Eumenides, let flaming lockes of theyrs the fires out flinge,
And furious hands beſtowe aboute the ſtroakes of vipers ſting.
Go now ful prowde, and ſcale the ſkyes to ſeates of gods make waye.
Now muſt thy battels wages be ful cleere loe ſhynes the daye.
Deſpyſe mans workes thinkſt thou fierce wight y^t hell and ſoules alow
Thou haſt eſcapt? nay here I wil another hel thee ſhow.
In deepe miſte hid I wil call vp from bottome low of hell
Beyond the wayes of gylty ghoſtes debateful goddeſſe fell.
Wheras the roaring dreadful den reſoundes with cryes about.
From depeſt bond of Ditis raygne beneath I wil fet out,
What ſo is left. Let hateful hurt now come in anger wood,
And fierce impyety imbrew himſelfe with his owne bloud.
And errour eke, and fury arm’d agaynſt it ſelfe to fight.
This meane, this meane, let wrath of myne now vſe to ſhewe my might.
Beginne ye ſeruantes now of hell: the feruent burning tree
Of Pyne ſhake vp: and ſet with ſnakes her dreadful flocke to ſee.
Let now Megaera bring to ſight, and with her mournful brand.
For burning rage bring out of hell a huge and direful brand.
Do this, require you vengeance due, and paynes of hel his ſpoyle,
Strike through his breaſt, let fyercer flame, within his boſome boyle.
Then which in Aetna fornace beates, ſo ſuriouſly to ſee.
That mad of mind and witles may Alcides driuen bee
With fury great through pearced quight, my ſelfe muſt firſt of all
Be mad. Wherfore doth Iuuo yet not into raging fall?
Mee, me, ye Furyes, ſyſters three throwne quite out of my wit
Toſſe fyrſt, if any thing to do, I do endeuour yet
For ſtepdame meete: let now my hates be turnd another way,
Let him (returnd) his babes behold in ſafety I you pray.
And ſtrong of hand come home, I haue now found the day at length.
In which may greatly mee auayle the hated Hercles ſtrength.
Both mee and eke hym ſelfe let him ſubdue and wiſh to die
Returnd from hel, yea let it here be my commodity,
That he of Ioue begotten is: here preſent wil I ſtand,
And that his ſhaftes goe ſtreyght from how, I wil direct his hand,
The mad mans weapons will I guide, euen Hercles fyghtyng, lo,
At length Ile ayde. This gylt once done then leefull is that ſo
His father may admit to ſaies thoſe gylty haades of his

Chorus.

The fading ſtarres now ſhyne but ſeelde in ſighte
In ſtipye ſkye, night ouercome with day
Plucks in her. fyres, while ſpronge agayne is light.
The day ſtarre drawes the clere ſon beames theire waye.
They ycye ſigne of haughtye poale agayne,
With ſeuen ſtarres markt, the Beares of Arcadye,
Do call the light with ouerturned wayne.
With marble horſe now drawne, hys waye to hye
Doth Titan toppe of Oetha ouer ſpred
The buſhes bright that nowe with berryes bee
Of Thebes ſtrewde, by daye do bluſhe full redde.
And to returne doth Phabus ſyſter flee.
Now labor harde beginnes, and euerye kynde
Of cares it ſtyrres, the ſhepehearde doth vnfolde:
His flockes vnpende, do graſe their foode to fynde,
And nippes the graſſe with hoary froſt full colde.
At will doth play in open medow faire
The Calfe whoſe brow did damme yet neuer teare,
The empty Kyne their vdders doe repayre.
And lyght with courſe vncertayne here and there,
In graſſe full ſoft the wanton kidde hee flynges.
In toppe of boughe doth ſitte with chaunting ſonge,
And to the ſunne newe roſe to ſpreade her wynges,
Beſtirres her ſelfe her mourneful neſtes amonge
The Nightingall. and doth with byrdes aboute
Confuſe reſound mith murmure mixedryfe
To witnes day; his ſayles to wynde ſet out
The ſhypman doth committe in doubt of lyfe.
Whyle gale oſwynde the ſlacke ſayles filles full ſtrayte,
He leaning ouer hollow rocke doth lye,
And either his begiled hookes doth bayte,
Or els beholdes and feeles the pray from hye with paiſed hand.
The trembling fiſh he feeles with line extent.
This hope to them to whom of hurtles lyfe.
Is quiet reſt, and with his owne content,
And lytle, houſe, ſuch hope in fieldes is ryfe
The troblous hopes with rolling whirlewynd great,
And dredful feares their wayes in cityes keepe.
He proude repayre to prince in regall ſeate,
And hard court gates without the reſt of ſleepe
Eſteemes, and endles happynes to hold
Doth gather goods, for treaſure gaping more,
And is ful pore amid his heaped gold.
The peoples fauour him (aſtonied ſore)
And commons more vnconſtant then the ſea,
With blaſt of vayne renoume liftes vp full proude.
He ſelling at the brawling barre his plea,
Full wicked, ſets his yres and ſcoulding loud
And woordes to ſale, a fewe hath knowne of all
The careles reſt, who mindfull how doth flitte
Swift age away, the tyme that neuer ſhall
Returne agayne do holde: while fares permitte,
At quiet liue: the lyfe full quickly glydes
With haſtned courſe, and with the winged day
The wheele is turnde of yere that hedlong ſlides,
The ſiſters hard perfourme their taſkes alway,
Nor may agayne vntwiſt the threede once ſponne.
Yet mankind loe vnſure what way to take
To meete the greedy deſtenyes dothronne
And willingly wee ſeke the ſtigian lake.
To much Alcides thou with ſtomacke ſtoute
The ſory ſprites of hell doſt haſt to ſee.
With courſe prefixt the fares are brought aboute
To none once warnd to come may reſpite bee
To none to paſſe their once appointed day,
The tombe all people calde by death doth hyde
Let glory him by many landes awaye
Diſplay, and fame throughout all cityes wyde
Full babling praiſe, and euen with ſkye to ſtande
Auaunce and ſtarres: let him in chariot bright
Ful haughty goe: let me my natiue land
In ſafe and ſecrete houſe keepe cloſe from ſight.
To reſtful men hoare age by courſe doth fall,
And low in place, yet ſafe and ſure doth lye,
The poore and baſe eſtate of cottage ſmall:
The prowder pompe of minde doth fall from hye.
But ſad here comes with loſed lockes of heare
Loe Megara with litle company,
And ſtowe by age drawes Hercles father neare

THE ſECOND ACTE.

Megara.

O Guider great of heauen, & of the world O Iudge full hie,
Yet now at length apoinct a meane of carefull miſerie.
And ende of our calamitie. To mee yet neuer day
Hath careles ſhin’ de: the ende of one affliction paſt away
Beginning of an other is: an other ennemy
Is forthwith founde, before that hee his ioyfull family
Retourne vnto an other fyght hee taketh by beheſt:
Nor any reſpite giuen is to him nor quiet reſt:
But whyle that he commaunded is: ſtraight him purſueth ſhee
The hatefull Iuno. Was yet once from toyle and labour free
His infants age? the monſters (lo) he venquiſht hath and ſlayne,
Before he knew what monſters ment. The ſkaled ſerpents twayne
Their double neckes drew on toward him, agaynſt the which to ryſe,
The infant crept to meete with them, the ſerpents glittring eyes
Lyke fyre, with quiet careleſſe breſt he looking laſt vpon,
With coūtnance cleere, hard wreſted knots of them he caught anon:
And ſtrangling then the ſwelling throates of them with tender hand,
To Hydra prelude made. the beaſt ſo ſwyfte of Maenale land.
That with much Golde bare vp full bright his beautifled head,
Is caught in courſe. of Nemey wood likewiſe the greateſt dread
The Lyon preſt with Hercles armes hath roarde with dreadfull crie.
What ſhould I ſpeake of ſtables dyre, of ſteedes of Byſtonye?
Or King caſt out himſelfe for foode his horſes fierce to fill?
And briſtled beaſt in thicke tops woont of Erymanthus hill?
The boare of Maenalye, the woods of Arcady to ſhake?
And Bull that did no litle dread to hundred peoples make?
Among the flocks of Heſper lande that hence farre diſtant bee,
The ſheepherde of Carteſian coaſt of triple ſhape to ſee
Is ſlayne, and driuen is the pray from fartheſt parte of weaſt,
Citheton quak’t when by him paſt to ſea the well knowne beaſt.
He being bid to make by coaſtes of ſommer ſunne his way,
And parched landes which ſore with heate doth boyle the middell day,
The mountaynes brake on either ſide and rampiers all vndoon,
Euen vnto ſwyft and raging ſea hath made a way to roon.
Then entring in of plenteaus wood, the pleaſant gardeins gay,
The waking dragons golden ſpoyles with him he brought away.
The Lerna monſters numerous ill what neede to tell haue I?
Hath he not him with fyre at length ſubdewde, and taught to dye?
And which were woont with wings abrode to hyde the day from ſight,
Euen from the cloudes he ſought & braue the ſtimphale birdes to flight.
Not him ſubdewde who euer lyes in bed vnmacht at night
The wyddowe queene of them that tooke to Thermodont their flight.
Nor handes that well durſt euterpriſe his noble trauayles all
The filthy labour mad• to ſhrynke of foule Augias hall.
What vayle all theſe? he wants the world which oft defended he.
And th earth well knowes the worker of his quietnes to be
Away from earthe: the proſperous gilt that beareth happy ſwey.
Is vertue callde, and now the good to wicked doe obay.
The right doth ſtand in might of armes, feare treadeth downe the lawe.
Before my face with cruell hand, euen preſently I ſawe
Reuengers of theyr fathers reygne, the ſonnes with ſworde downe caſt,
And of the noble Cadmus eke himſelfe the ofſpring laſt
Then ſlayne: I lawe his regall crowne at once from him away
With head bereft. Who Thebes alas enough bewayle nowe may?
The fertile land of Gods, what lorde now quakes it for to knowe?
Out of the fieldes of which ſomtime, and fruictfull boſome lowe,
The youth vpſprong with ſwarde in band preparde to battell ſtoode:
And walls of which Amphion one of mighty Ioue his broode,
Hath built with ſounding melody in drawing to the ſtones:
To towne of whom the parent chiefe of Gods not onely ones
Heauen being left hath come. this land that Gods aboue alway
Receiu’de, and which hath made them Gods, and (leefull beete to ſay)
Perhaps ſhall make, with lothſome yoake of bondage is preſt downe.
O Cadmus ſtocke, and citezens of olde Amphions towne,
Whereto are yee nowe fall’ne? dread yee a cowardly exull thus,
His coaſtes to dwell in, lacking, and to ours iniurious?
Who through the worlde purſues the gilts and wrong by ſea and land,
And cruell ſceptors broken hath with iuſt and ryghtfull hand,
Nowe abſent ſerues, and what he eal’de in other doth ſuſtayne:
And now doth bannyſht Lycus holde of Hercles Thebes the rayne.
Yet ſhall he not: he ſhall come home, and him with vengeaunce quight,
And ſodaine riſe to ſtarres: he will ſoone flude the way to light,
Or make it ells. returne thou ſafe, repayre to thine in haſte:
And conquerour to conquer’de houſe yet come agayne at laſte.
Ryſe vp my ſpouſe, and darknes vecye repell’de of helly ſhade
Breake vp with hand, if no way may for thee kept backe bee made,
And paſſage be ſhut vp, returne with world vprent by might.
And whatſoeuer is the poſſeſt byneath in darkeſt night,
ſend dut with thee, as when the tops of haughty hylles vndoon
A headlong paſſage making through for haſty floude to roon
Thou ſomtime ſtoodſt, whā with great might of thyne a ſunder broake
The Tempye woods wyde open lay: and beaten with thy ſtroake
The mount, now here, now there fell downe: and rampier tente of ſtay,
The raging brooke of Theſſaly did roon a newe found way.
Thy parentes ſo, thy ſonnes, thy land repayring home to ſee,
Breake out, and loweſt bonde of things out bringing thence with thee,
And what ſoeuer greedy age in all theſe long yeares race
Hath hid, ſhew forth, & ghoſts that haue forgot theyr former caſe,
And people vp before thee driue that fearefull are of light.
Vnworthy ſpoyles for thee they are, if thou but bring to ſight
What bidden is. great thinges, but farre to much I ſpeake for mee,
Vnwotting of myne owne eſtate. when ſhall I hap to ſee,
The day when thee, and thy right hand, I may embrace agayne,
And ſlowe returnes, nor yet of me once myndefull, may complayne?
To thee for this O guide of Gods, vntamed Bulls ſhall bring
Their hundred necks: to thee O Queene of fruits on earth that ſpring
I’le geue thee ſecret ſacrifice: to thee with much fayth loe
Long fyre brands at Eleuſis towne full ſilent wyll I throe.
Then to my brethren ſhall I thinke to bee reſtort de agayne
Theyr ſoules, and eke himſelfe aliue and guiding of his reyne
My father for to flouryſhe yet. If any greater might
Dor keepe thee ſhet, we followe thee: with thy returne to fight
Defend vs all, or els to hell drawe downe vs all to thee.
Thou ſhalt vs drawe, no God ſhall rayſe, vs vp that broken bee.

AMPHITRYON, MEGARA.

O Faythfull fellowe of our bloud, with chaſte true faythfullnes
The Bridebed keeping, and the ſonne of haughty Hercules,
Conceiue in mynde ſome better thinges, and take good heart to thee:
He will come home, as after all his labours wounteth hee,
Of more renowne ME. What wretches doe moſt chiefly wiſhe of all.
They ſoone beleue. AM. Nay what they feare to much leſt it may fall,
They thinke it neuer may bee ſhoon’de, nor rid by remedy.

ME. Beleefe is ready ſtill to dreade the woorſer myſery.
Deepe drown’de, & whellm’de, & farthermore with all y^e world full lowe
Oppreſſed downe, what way hath he to light agayne to goe?

AM. What way I pray you had he then whē through the burning coſte,
And tumbling after maner of the troubled ſea vp toſte
He went by ſands: and freate that twyſe with ebbe away doth ſlip,
And twyſe vpflowe: and when alone with his forſaken ſhip,
Faſt caught he ſtucke in ſhallowe foordes of ſhelfye ſyrtes ſande,
And (nowe his ſhip on grounde) did paſſe throught ſeas a foote to land?

ME. Iniurious fortune vertue moſt of men moſt ſtout and ſtrong
Doth ſeldome ſpa•e: no man alyue himſelfe in ſafety long,
To perills great and daungers may ſo often times out caſt,
Whom chaunce doth often ouerſlip, the ſame it findes at laſt.
But cruell loe, and greeuous threats euen bearing in his face,
And ſuch as he of ſtomacke is, doth come euen ſuch of pace,
Proude Lycus who the ſceptors ſhakes in hande of other king,
The plentuous places of the towne of Thebes gouerning,
And euery thinge about the whych with fertile ſoyle doth goe
ſloape Phocis, and what euer doth Iſmenus ouerfloe,
What euer thing Cithaeron ſeeth with haughty top and hye,
And ſlender Iſthmos Ile, the which betweene two ſeas doth lye.

Lycus. Megara. Amphitrion.

Not I of natiue countrey howres poſſeſſe the auncient right
Vnworthy heir, nor yet to me are noble men of might
The grandfathers, nor ſtocke renownd with titles hie of name,
But noble vertue: who ſo boafles of kinred whence he come,
Of others vertue makes his vaunt, but got with fearful hand
My ſceptors are obtaynd: in ſword doth all my ſafety ſtand.
What thee thou worſt agaynſt the will of cyteſyns to get,
The bright drawne ſword muſt it defende. in forrayne countrey ſet
No ſtable kingdome is. But one my pompe and princely might
May ratify once ioynd to me with regall forche ful bright,
And chambers Megara: of ſtocke of ſuch nobility
Let vpſtart ſtate of myne take ſhape. I do not thinke that ſhee
Refuſe it will, or in the bed with mee deſpyſe to lye.
But if with proude vnbridled mynde ſhee ſtubburn do denye,
Then quite I purpoſe to deſtroy the houſe of Hercules
The hate of men will then my pryde, and peoples ſpeach oppres.
Chiefe knacke of kingdome is to beare thy ſubiectes hates eche one.
Lets proue her then, chaunce geuen hath to vs a place alone.
For ſhee her head in fold of vayle ful ſad and wofully
Enwrapt the Gods that are her guides for ſuccour ſtandes faſt by,
And at the ſyde of her doth leane Alcides father trewe.

Meg. What thing doth this deſtroyer of our ſtocke agayne anew
Prepare? what proueth he? Ly. O Queene that name renowmed hye
And tytle takſte of regall ſtocke ful gentle and eaſily
A litle whyle receiue and heare my wordes with pacient eare,
If alwayes men eternal hates ſhould one to th’ other beare,
And rage be gone out of the hart ſhould neuer fall away,
But th’happy ſtill ſhould armour holde, th’vnhappy ſtil obay,
Then ſhall the battayles nothing leaue: with wide fieldes then the lande
ſhall lie vntild, with vnderlayd to houſen fiery brand
Then aſhes deepe ſhal ouerwhelme the buried people all.
Expedient is to conquerour to wiſh that peace befall:
To conquerd nedefull partner of the kingdome come to me:
Let’s toyne our myndes, take here this pledge of ſayth and truth to thee.
My right hand touch. Why whiſhteſt thou with cruell face and moode?

Meg. ſhould I abyde, that I the hand ſprinkt with my fathers bloud,
ſhould touch, and double death imbrewd of both my brethren? nay
Firſt ſhall ſunne ryſe extinguiſh quitte, and Weſt ſhal bring the day:
Firſt faythful peace betweene the ſnowes and fiers there ſhalbe tryde,
And ſcilla ſhall t’ Auſonius fyrſt ioyne his ſicilian ſyde:
And fyrſt, the fleetyng floud that with ſwift turnes of courſe doth flowe
Euripus with Euboik waue ſhall ſtand ful ſtil and ſlow.
My father, th’empire, bretherne, houſe, thou. haſt me cleare bereft,
My countrey to: what may be more? one thing to me is left,
Then brother, father, kingdome, houſe, that dearer is to mee
The hate of thee, the which to me with people for to be
In commune woe I am: how great is myne alonly part?
Rule on ful proude, beare vp ful hye thy ſprites and haughty hart:
Yet God the proude behynd theyr backes doth follow them to wreake.
I know the Thebane kingdomes: what ſhould I the mothers ſpeake,
Both ſuffring, and aduentring gyltes? what double miſchiefe done?
And mixed name of ſpouſe at once, of father and of ſonne?
What brether as double tentes? or what as many roages alſo?
The mother proude of Tantals brood congeald in mourning loe,
And ſory ſtone yet flowes with teares in Phrygian ſipylye.
Himſelfe like wyſe erected vp his ſealed heade awrye.
Euen Cadmus meaſuring throughout th’Illyrian landes in flight,
Behynd him left of body drawne long ſlymy markes in ſight.
All theſe examples wayte for thee: rule thou as likes thy will,
Whyle thee our kingdomes wonted fates do call and oft hap yll.

Ly. God to, theſe fierce and furious wordes thou woman mad refraine,
And imperyes of princes learne of Hercles to ſuſtayne.
Though I the ſcepters gotten by the force of war do beare,
In conquering hand & all do rule without the law his feare.
Which armes ſubdue, a few wordes yet to thee now ſpeake I ſhall
For this my cauſe thy father did in bloudy battel fall:
Thy brethren fell, the weapons kepe no meaſurable ſtay.
For neither eaſily tempred be, nor yet repreſſed may
The drawne ſwordes yre, the battels doth the bloud delite out ſhedde.
But he yet for his kingdome fought, wee altogether led
With wicked luſt: yet th’end of war is now complayned, loe,
And not the cauſe, but now let all remembraunce therof goe:
When conquerour hath weapons left, the conquerds part ſhould be
To leaue his hates. Not I that thou with lowly bended knee
Mee raygning worſhip ſhould’ſt, require: euen this doth mee delight.
That thou thy myſeries do’ſt beare with mynde ſo ſtout vpright.
Thou for a king a ſpouſe art meete, let’s ioyne our beds anone.

ME. A trembling colde doth run throughout my bloudles lims ech one.
What hainous thinge comes to myne eares? I fear’de not then at all,
When (all peace broake) the noyſe of warre did by the city wall
Reſounde about, I bare all that vnfearefully to ſee,
I feare the wedding chambers: nowe I captiue ſeeme to mee.
Let heauy chaynes my body greeue, and eke with hunger long
Let lingring death be ſlowly brought, yet ſhall no force full ſtrong
My truthe ſubdue: for euen thine owne Alcides will I dye.

LY. Doth then thy huſband droun’de in hell geue thee this ſtomack hic?

ME. The hells alowe he toucht, that he the height againe might get.

LY. The heauy paiſe oppreſſeth him of all the earth full great.

ME. Hee with no burdein ſhall be preſt, that heauen it ſelfe ſuſtayn’de.

LY. Thou ſhalt be forſt. ME. He wots not how to die, that is cōſtrain’d.

LY. ſpeake, what may rather I prepare then wedding newe for thee.
More royall gyft? ME. Thine owne death els, or els the death of mee.

LY. Thou ſhalt mad woman die. ME. I ſhall then to my huſbande go.

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

ME. How many hath this ſeruant ſlayne of kings with hendy ſtroake?

LY. Why doth he yet a king then ſerue, and ſtill ſuſtayne his yoake?

ME. Take once away the hard beheſts, what’s vertue then at laſt?

LY. Do’ſt thou it vertue counte, to bee to beaſts, and monſters caſt?

ME. T’is vertues part, to tame the things, that all men quake to know.

LY. Him great things braggīg, darknes deepe of tartare preſſe ful low.

ME. There neuer may from ground to ſtars an eaſy paſſage be.

LY. Of whom begot, the houſen then of Gods through pearceth he?

AM. O wretched wife of Hercles great, thy words a whyle now ſpare.
My parte it is, the father of Alcides to declare.
And his true ſtocke, yet after all of man ſo ſtoute as this
ſo famous deebes, and after all appeaſ’de with hand of his
What euer Titan ryſen vp, doth ſee, or els at fall,
And after all theſe monſters tam’de, and Phlegrey ſprinkled all
With wicked bloud, and after Gods defended all on hye,
Is not his father yet well knowne? or Ioue doe we beelye?
Beleeue it yet by Iunoes hate. LY. Why do’ſte thou ſclaunder Ioue?
No mortall kinred euer may be mixt with heauen aboue.

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

LY. But were they euer ſeruauntes yet, before they Gods were made?
AM. Of Delos Ile the ſheepherde loe the flocks of Pherey fed.

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

AM. Whō ſtraying mother firſt brought forth wādring loud to ſight.

LY. Yet Phoebus did no monſters feare, or beaſts of cruell might.

AM. Firſt Dragon with his bloud embrew’d the ſhalts of Phoebus lo.
Howe greeuous ills euen yet full yong he bare, doe you not knoe?
From mothers wombe y^e babe out thrown with lightning flame frō hie,
Euen next his lightning Father ſtoode forthwith aboue in ſkye.
What? he him ſelfe that guides the ſtarres, & ſhakes the clouds at will,
Did not that Infant lurke in Den of hollowe caued hill?
The byrthes ſo great full troublous pryce to haue loe alwayes ought:
And euer to be borne a God, with coſte full great is bought.

LY. Whom thou a miſer ſee’ſt, thou mai’ſt know him a man to bee.

AM. A miſer him deny yee may, whom ſtout of heart yee ſee.

LY. Call we him ſtout, from ſhoulders hye of whom the Lyon throwne
A gift for mayden made, and eke his Club from hand fell downe,
And paynted ſide with purple weede did ſhyne that he did weare?
Or may we him call ſtout of heart, whoſe ſtaring lockes of heare
With ointmēt flowde? who hands renownde & knowne by prayſes hye
To ſound vnmeete for any man of timber did applye,
With barbarous mytar cloaſting in his forhead rounde about?

AM. The tender Bacchus did not bluſhe abroade to haue layde out
His brayded heares, nor yet with hand full ſoft the Thyrſus light
For to haue ſhooke, what time that he with pace vnſtout in ſight
His long train’de batbarous garment drew with golde full fayre to ſee.
Still vertue after many workes is woont releaſt to bee.

LY. Of this the houſe of Euritus deſtroyde doth witneſſe beare,
And virgins flockes that brutiſhly by him oppreſſed weare.
No Iuno did commaunde him this, nor none Euryſtheus loe.
But theſe in deede his owne workes are. AM. Yet all yee doe not knoe,
His worke it is, with weapons of his owne hand vanquiſhed
Both Eryx, and to Eryx ioyn’de Antaeus Lybian ded:
And aulters which with ſlaughter of the ſtraungers flowing faſt,
Buſyris well deſerued bloud likewiſe haue drunke at laſt.
His deede it is, that he that met the wounde, and ſworde is ſlayne
Conſtrain’de to ſuffre death before thoſe other Geryons twayne.
Nor ene all onely Geryon doth with one hand conquer’de lye.
Thou ſhalt among theſe be which yet with none adulterye
Haue wedlocke hurt. LY. What is to Ioue, to king is leefull thyng:
To Ioue thou gau’ſte a wyfe, thou ſhalt nowe geue oue to a kyng.
And euen of thee ſhee ſhall it learne to bee a thing not newe,
Her huſband euen approuing it the better man t’enſewe.
But if ſhee ſtubberne to be matcht with me deny it ſtill,
Then euen by force a noble childe of her beget I will.

Meg. O Creons ghoſts and all yee Gods of th houſe of Labdacus,
And wedding forches blaſing bryght, of wicked Oedipus.
To this my wedding geue yee nowe our wonted deſtenyes.
Now, now yee bloudy daughters all of Aegypts king likewyſe,
Bee here whoſe hands defyled are with ſo much bloud out ſpilt:
One daughter lacks of Dauaus, I wyll fyll vp the gylt.

Ly. Becauſe that ſtubburnely thou do’ſt refuſe my wedding ſo,
And fear’ſte a king, thouſhatt know what the ſcepters now may do.
Embrace thyne aulters, yet no God ſhall euer take away
Thee from my hands: no not although with world vpturned, may
Alcides victor yet agayne to Gods aboue returne.
The woods on heapes together caſt, let all their temples burne
Euen throwne vpon theyr heads: his wyfe, and all his flocke at laſte
With vnderlayed fyre, let one wood pyle conſume and waſte.

AM. This only bowne I father of Alcides aſke of thee,
Which well may me beſeeme to craue, that I fryſt ſlayne may hes.

LY. Who all appoyncts with preſent death to haue their puniſhment,
He tyrunt wats not how to be: more ſundry greeues inuent.
Reſtrayne the wretched man from death, commaunde that th’happy dye.
I, while with beames prepar’de to burne the pyle encreaſeth hye,
Will him with vowing ſacrifyce that rules the ſeas entreate.

AM. Oh chiefeſt powre of Gods, and oh of heauenly things ſo great
The guyde, and parent eke, with whoſe throwne thunderbolts do ſhake
All things humane throughout the world of king ſo cruell ſlake
The wicked hande: but why do I to Gods in vayne thus cry?
Where euer thou be, heare me ſoone. why ſtart ſo ſodaynely
The temples thus with moouing ſhakte? Why roareth out the graūd?
The noyſe of Hell from bottome deepe byueathe hath made a ſound:
Wee herde are, loe it is the ſound of Hercules his pace.

Chorus.

O Fortune hating men of ſtouteſt breſt,
How ill rewards doſt thou to good deuyde?
Euryſtheus raynes at home in eaſy reſt,
Alcmendes ſonne in euery battayle tryde,
To Monſters turnes hys hande that ſkyes dyd ſtay:
And cruell Neckes cuts of, of hydous ſnake,
And Apples brynges from ſyſters mokt away,
When once to ſleepe hys watchefull Eyes beetake,
Dyd Dragon ſet ryche fruicte to ouerſee.
Hee paſt the ſcythian bowres that ſtraye abroade,
And thoſe that in their countreys ſtraung ers bee
And hardned top of froſen freate hee troade,
And ſylent ſea with bankes full dumme about.
The Waters hard want there their floudes to ſloe.
And there before the ſhyps full ſayles ſpred out
Is worne a pathe for ſarmates wylde to goe.
The ſea doth ſtande to mooue in courſe agayne.
Nowe apt to beare the ſhip, nowe horſemen bolde
The Queene that there doth ouer Wydowes rayne,
That gyrds her Wombe wyth gyrth of glittring gold,
Her noble ſpoyle from body drawne hath ſhee
And ſhyelde, and bandes of breaſt as whyte as ſnowe,
Acknowledging the Conquerour with Knee.
Wyth what hope drawne to headlong Hell alowe,
So bolde to paſſe the vnreturned wayes
Saw’ſte thon Proſerpines rayne of ſicylye?
Wyth ſouthern wynde, or Weſtern there no ſeas
Aryſe wyth waue and ſwellinge ſurges hye.
Not there of Tyndars ſtocke the double broode
Two ſtarres the fearefull ſhyps doe ayde and guide.
Wyth gulph full blacke doth ſtande the ſlouthfull floode
And when pale death with greedy teeth ſo wyde.
Vnnumbred Nations hath ſent downe to ſprightes
Wyth one Boateman all ouer feryed bee.
God grauut thou maiſt of Hell ſubdue the rightes
And vnreuoked webs of ſyſters three.
There kyng of many people raygneth hee.
Who when thou did’ſt wyth Neſtors Pylos fight,
Peſtiferous handes applide to matche with thee
And weapon bare with triple mace of might:
And prickt with litle wounde he fled away,
And lorde of death hymſelfe did feare to dye.
Breake Fate by force: and let the ſight of day
To ſorry ſprightes of Hell apparant lye
And porche vnpaſt ſhew way to Gods aboue.
The cruell lordes of ſprightes wyth pleaſaunt ſong
And humble bowne full well could Orpheus moue,
Whyle he Eurydicen them craues among.
The Arte that drew Woods, Byrds, and ſtones at will:
Which made delay to Floudes of flitting flight
At ſound whereof the ſauage Beaſtes ſtoode ſtill
With tunes vnwont doth Ghoſts of hell delight
And clearer doth reſounde in darker place:
And weepe wyth teares did Gods of cruell breſt:
And they which faultes with to ſeuere a face
Doe ſeeke, and former gylt of Ghoſts out wreſt:
The Thracian Daughters wayls Eurydicen.
For her the Iudges weeping ſit alſo.
Wee conquer’de are, chyefe kyng of death ſayd then
To Gods (but vnder this condition) goe,
Behynde thy huſbandes backe keepe thou thy way,
Looke thou not backe thy Wyfe before to ſee.
Than thee to ſight of Gods hath brought the day
And gate of ſpartane Taenare preſent bee.
Loue hates delay, nor coulde abyde ſo long.
His gyft, hee loſt, while hee deſires the ſyght.
The place that coulde be thus ſubdew’de with ſong
That place may ſoone bee ouercome by myght.

THE THYRDE ACTE.

Hercules.

O Comfortable guyde of light, and honour of the ſkye,
That cōpaſting both Hemyſpheres with flaming chariot hye
Thy radiāt head to ioyful lāds about y^• world doſt bring,
Thou Phoebus pardon geue to me, if any vnlawful thing
Thyne eyes haue ſeene: (cōmaūded) I haue here to light out ſet
The ſecretes of the worlde: and thou of heauen to guider gret,
And parent eke, in flaſhe out throwne of lightning hide thy fyght.
And thou that gouerneſt the ſeas with ſeconde ſceptors ſyght.
To bottome ſynke of deepeſt waues: who ſo from hye doth ſee,
And dreading yet with countnaunce newe the earth deſil’de to bee,
Let him from hence turne backe his ſight, and face to heauen vpholde,
Theſe monſtrous ſights to ſhun: let twayn this miſchiefe great behold,
Hee who it brought, and ſhee that bad. for paynefull toyles to mee,
And laboures long, not all the earth thought wide inough may bee
For Iunoes hate: things vncome to all men I did ſee,
Vnknowne to ſoone, and ſpaces wyde that darke and ſhadefull bee
Which woorſer poale geues dyrer Ioue to raygne and rule therein.
And yet if thyrde place pleaſed more for mee to enter in,
I there coulde raygne. the Chaos of eternall nyght of hell,
And woorſe then night, the dolefull Gods I haue that there doe dwell,
And Fates ſubdu’de, the death contemn’de I am return’de to light.
What yet remaynes? I ſawe and ſhow’de the ſpryghts of hell to ſight:
Appoynt, if ought be moe, do’ſte thou my hands ſo long permit
Iuno to ceaſſe? what thing byd’ſt thou to be ſubdued yet?
But why doe cruell ſouldiars holde the holy temples wyde?
And dread of armour ſacred porche beſet on euery ſyde?

Amphitryon, Hercules, Theſeus.

Doo eyther els my great deſyres delude and mocke myne eyes?
Or hath the tamer of the world and Greekes renowme likewyſe,
Forſooke the ſilent howſe, beſette with cloude full ſadde to ſee?
Is this my ſonne? my members loe for ioy amaſed bee.
Oh ſonne, the ſure and ſauegard late of Thebes in miſery,
See I thy body true indeede? or els deceiu’de am I
Mockt with thy ſprite? art thou y^e ſame? theſe brawnes of armes I know
And ſhoulders, and thy noble handes from body hie that grow.

Her. Whens (father) happes this vglines, and why in mourning clad
Is thus my wyfe? how happes it that with filth ſo foule beſtad
My children are? what miſery doth thus my houſe appreſſe?

Am. The father in law is ſlayne: the kingdome Licus doth poſſeſſe.
Thy ſonnes, thy parent and thy wyfe to death purſueth hee.

Her. Vngrateful laud, doth no man come that will an ayder bee.
Of Hercles houſe? and this behelde ſo great and haynous wronge
Hath th’ayded world? but why were, I the day in playnt ſo long?
Let then my dye and this renoume let ſtrength obtayne in haſte,
And of Alcider enmies all let Lycus be the laſt.
I driuen am to goe to ſhedde the bloud of enmye out.
Watch Theſeu that no ſodayne ſtrength beſet vs here aboute:
Me warres require, embracing yet deferre O father deare,
And wyfe deferre them: Lycus ſhall to hell this meſſage beare
That I am now returnd. The, ſhake of O Queene ont of thyne eyes
This weping face, and thou ſynce that thy ſonne is ſafe likewyſe
Thy drupping teares refrayne: yf yet I Hercles euer knew
Then Lycus ſhall for Creon paye the paynes to him ful due.
T’is lyght, he ſhal, he doth and that’s to light he hath it done.

Am. Now God that can them bring to paſſe, ſpede wel our wiſhes ſoone,
And come to helpe our weary woes. O noble harted mate
Of my ſtout ſonne, of his renowne declare vs all the rate:
How long away doth leade to place where ſory ſprites doth dwell,
And how the hard and heauy bondes the dog hath borne of hell.

The. The deedes thou doſt conſtrayne to tell, that euen to mynde ſecure
Are dredful yet and horrible, ſcant yet the truſt is ſure
Of vitall ayre, ſore blunted is the ſharpneſſe of my ſight,
And dulled eyes do ſcant ſuſtayne to ſee th’vnwoonted light.

AM. Yet Theſeus throughly ouercome what euer feare remaynes
In boſome deepe, nor do thou not of beſt fruict of thy paynes
Beguilde thy ſelfe. What thing hath once to ſuffre beene a care,
To haue remembred it is ſweete. thoſe dredfull haps declare.

TH. All ryght of worlde, and thee lykewyſe I praye y^t bearſt the rayns
In kingdome wyde, and thee, for whom all round about in vayne
Thy mother throughout Aetna ſought, that ſecret things alowe
And hid in ground, it freely may bee lawfull for to ſhowe.
The ſpartane land a noble toppe of hyll aduaunceth hye,
Where Taenarus with woods full thick the ſea doth ouerly.
The houſe of hatefull Ditis here his mouth doth open ſet,
And rocke of hyll aboue doth gape, and with a denne full gret
A huge and gaping cleft of ground with Iawes full wyde doth lye,
And way full broade to people all doth ſpred to paſſe thereby.
Not ſtraight with darkenes doth begin the way that blindes the ſight.
A litle lingring brightnes loe behinde of late left light,
And doubtfull glittring yet of ſonne afllicted falles alowe,
And mocks the ſight: ſuch light is wont vndoubtedly to ſhowe
The dawne of day, or twylight els at edge of euening tyde.
From hence to hollowe places voyde are loaſte the ſpaces wyde,
To which needes peryſhe muſt all kinde of men that once are throwne.
Nor it a labour is goe, the way it ſelfe leades downe.
As oft the ſhips agaynſt theyr willes doth toſſe the ſwelling ſurge,
So downward doth that headlong way, and greedy Chaos vrge:
And backe agayne to drawe thy pace thee neuer doe permit
The ſprits who what they catch hold faſt. alowe within doth flit
In chanell wyde with ſilent foorde the quiet lake of lethe.
And cares doth rid: and that there may to ſcape agayne from death
No meane be made, with many turnes and windings euery way
Foldes in his floude. in ſuch ſorte as with waue vnſure doth play
Maeander wandring vp and downe, and yeldes himſelfe vnto,
And doubtfull ſtands, if he toward banke, or backe to ſpryng may goe.
The foule and filthy poole to ſee of ſlowe Cocytus lyes.
On th’one the Grype, on th’other ſide the mournefull Howlet cries,
And ſad lucke of th’unhappy ſtrix likewiſe reſoundeth there.
Full vglily in ſhady bowes blacke Locks of lothſome heare,
Where Taxus tree doth ouer leane, which holdeth ſlouthfull ſleepe,
And hunger ſad with famiſht Iawe that lyes his place to keepe,
And ſhame to late doth hide his face that knowes what crimes it hath,
Both feare, and quaking, funerall, and fretting raging wrath,
And mourning dyre doth follow on, and trembling pale diſeaſe,
And boyſtrous battayles ſet with ſworde: and hid beyond all theaſe
Doth ſlouthfull age his lingring pace help forth with ſtaffe in hand.

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

TH. No ioyfull Meades do there bring forth with face ſo greene & fayre,
Nor yet with gentill Zephyrus wagges ripened corne in th’ayre.
Nor any tree hath there ſuch bowes as doe bryng apples out.
The barrayne compaſſe of deepe ſoyle full filthy lyes about,
And withred with eternall drought the lothſome land doth waſte
And bond full ſad of thinges, and of the worlde the places laſte:
The ayre vnmoued ſtands, and night ſits there full darke to ſee
In ſlouthfull world, all thinges by dread full horrible there bee.
And euen farre worſe then death it ſelfe, is place where death doth bide.

AM. What? he that doth thoſe places darke with regall ſceptor guide,
In what ſeate ſet, doth he diſpoſe and rule thoſe peoples light?

TH. A place there is in turne obſcure of Tartarus from ſight?
Which miſt full thick with fearefull ſhade doth holde and ouergoe.
From hence a double parted ſtreame from one wellſpring doth floe:
The tone, much like a ſtanding poole (by this the gods doe ſweare)
The which the ſacred Stygian lake with ſilent floude doth beare:
The t’other fierce with tumult great is drawen his courſe to goe,
And Acheron with raging floud the ſtones dryues to and froe
Vnſaylable. with double foorde is rounde about beſet
Agaynſt it Ditis pallace dyre, and manſton houſe full gret
In ſhadefull woode is couered: from wide den here the poſts
And threſholds of the tyrant hang, this is the walke of ghoſts:
This of his kingdome is the gate: a fielde about it goes,
Where ſitting with a countnaunce proude abroade he doth diſpoſe
Newe ſoules, a cruell maieſty is in the God to knowe:
A frowning forehead, which yet of his brethren beares the ſhowe,
And ſo great ſtocke: there is in him of Ioue the very face,
But when he lightens: and great part of cruell kingdomes place,
Is he himſelfe the lorde thereof: the ſight of whom doth feare,
What euer thing is fear’de AM. Is fame in this poynet true, y^e there
Such rygours are, and gilty ghoſts of men that there remayne
Forgetfull of theyr former faulte, haue their deſerued payne?
Who is the rector there of ryght, and iudge of equity?

TH. Not onely one extorter out of faultes in ſeate ſet hye
The iudgements late to trembling ſoules doth there by lot awarde:
In one appoyncted iudgement place is Gnoſſian Minos harde,
And in an other Radamanthe: this crime doth Aeac heare.
What eche man once hath done, he feeles: and guilt to th’author the are
Returnes, and th’hurtfull with their owne example puniſht bee.
The bloudy cruell captaynes I in pryſon ſhee did ſee,
And backe of tyrant impotent euen with his peoples hande
All torne and cut. what man of might with fauour leades his lande,
And of his owne lyfe lorde reſerues his hurtleſſe handes to good,
And gently doth his empyre guide without the thyrſt of blood,
And ſpares his ſoule, he hauing long led forth the lingring dayes
Of happy age, at length to heauen doth eyther finde the wayes,
Or ioyfull happy places ells of fayre Elyſius woode.
Thou then that here muſt be a iudge abſtayne from man his bloode,
Who ſo thou be that raygneſt kyng: our gyltes are there acquit
In greater wyſe. AM. Doth any place preſeript of lymite ſhit
The gylty Ghoſts, and as the fame reportes, doth cruell payne
The wicked men make tame that in’eternall bondes remayne?

TH. Ixion roll’de on whyrling wheele is toſt and turned hye:
Vpon the necke of ſiſyphus the mighty ſtone doth lye.
Amyd the lake with thyrſty Iawes olde Tantalus therein
Purſues the waues, the water ſtreame doth wet and waſhe his chin,
And when to him nowe ofte deceyu’de it doth yet promiſe make,
Straight flits the floud: the fruicte at mouth his famyne doth forſake.
Eternall foode to fleeing foule doth Tytius hart geue ſtill:
And Danaus daughters doe in vayne theyr water veſſells fill.
The wicked Cadmus daughters all goe raging euery way:
And there doth greedy rauening byrde the Phiney tables fray.

AM. Nowe of my ſonne declare to me the noble worthy fight.
Brings he his willing vnckles gyft, or Plutocs ſpoyles to ſight?

TH. A dyre and dredfull ſtone there is the ſlouthfull foordes faſt bye,
Where ſluggiſh freat with waue aſton’d full dull and ſlowe doth lye:
This lake a dredfull fellow keepes both of attire and ſight,
And quaking Ghoſts doth ouer beare and aged vgly wyght:
His Bearde vnkempt, his boſome foule deform’de in filthy wyſe
A knot byndes in, full lotheſome ſtand in head his hollowe eyes:
He Feary man doth ſteare about his Boate with his long Ore.
He driuing nowe his lightned ſhip of burden towarde the ſhore,
Repayres to waues: and then his way Alcides doth requyre,
The flocke of Ghoſts all geuing place: alowde cryes Charon dyre,
What way attempteſt thou ſo bolde? thy haſtening pace here ſtay.
But Nathales Alcmenaes ſonne abyding no delay,
Euen with his owne poale bet he dothe full tame the ſhipman make,
And clymes the ſhip: the barke that coulde full many peoples take,
Did yelde to one: he ſat, the boate more heauy like to breake
Whith ſhyuering ioyntes on eyther ſyde the lethey floud doth leake.
Then tremble all the monſters huge, the Centaures fierce of myght,
And Lapithes, kindled with much wyne to warres and bloudy fight.
The loweſt Chanelles ſeeking out of ſtygian poole a downe,
His Lerney labour ſore affright his fertile heads doth drowne.
Of greedy Ditis after this doth then the houſe appere.
The fierce and cruell ſtygian dogge doth fray the ſpirites there,
The which with great and roaring ſounde his heads vpſhaking three,
The kingdome keepes his vgly head with filth full foule to ſee
The ſerpentes licke: his hayres be fowle with vypers ſet among,
And at his crooked wreſted tayle doth hyſſe a Dragon longe:
Lyke yre to ſhape, when him he wyſt his pace that way to take,
His briſtle hayres he lifteth vp with fierce vp bended ſnake:
And ſounde ſent out he ſoone perceyues in his applyed eare,
Who euen the ſprits is wont to ſent as ſoone as ſtoode more neare
The ſonne of loue, the doubtfull dogge ſtrait couched downe in denne,
And eche of them did feare. beholde with dolefull barking then
The places dumme he makes a dred, the threatning ſerpent ſtout
Through all the fieldes about doth hyſſe: the bawling noyſe ſent out
Of dredfull voyce from triple mouth, euen ſprits that happy bee
Doth make afrayde. from left ſide then ſtrayte way vndoeth hee
The cruell Iawes, and Lyons head once ſlayne in Cleon fielde
Agaynſt him ſets, and couer doth himſelfe with mighty ſhielde.
And bearing in his conquering hande a ſturdy club of Oke,
Nowe here, now there he rolleth him about with often ſtroke:
His ſtripes he doubles: he ſubdew’de his threates aſſwaged all,
And all his heads the weary dogge at once full lowe let fall,
And quite out ot the denn he fled, full greatly feared (ſet
In regall throne) both king and queene, and bad him to bee fet.
And me likewyſe they gaue for gyft to Hercles crauing mee.
The monſters heauy neckes with hand then ſtroaking downe all three,
In lynked chayne he byndeth faſte forgetting then his ſtrength
The dogge the watchefull keeper of the kingdome darke at length
Layth downe his eares full ſore affray’de: and ſuffring to be led,
And eke acknowledging his lorde, following wyth lowly hed,
With tayle that ſnakes theron doth beare he both his ſides doth ſmight.
But after that to Taenare mouth we came, and clearenes bright
Had ſtrooke his eyes of light vnoknwne, good ſtomacke yet agayne
He takes although once ouercome, and now the happy chayne
He raging ſhakes: he had almoſt his leader pluckt from place,
And headlong backward drawne to hell, and moued from his pace.
And euen to my handes Hercles then his eyes did backward caſt,
Wee both with double ioyned ſtrength the dogge out drawne at laſt
For anger woode, and battells yet attempting all in vayne,
Brought vp to world, as ſoone as he the cleere ayre ſawe agayne,
And ſpaces pure of bryght fayre poale had once behelde with eye,
The nyght aroſe: his ſight to ground he turned by and by,
Caſt downe his eyes, and hatefull day forthwith he put to flight,
And backward turnd away his looke, and ſtreight with all his might
To th’ earthe he falles: and vnderneath the ſhade of Hercles then
He hyd his head. therewith there came a great reſorte of men
With clamour glad, that did the bay about theyr forheads bryng:
And of the noble Hercules deſerued prayſes ſing.

Chorus.

EVryſtheus borne with ſwiftned birth in haſt,
Did bid to bottome of the Worlde to go:
This onely lackt of labours all at laſt,
To ſpoyle the Kyng of thyrde eſtate alſo.
The dongeons darke to enter ventred hee,
Where as the way to ſprits farre of doth bring
Full ſadde, and woode ſo blacke and fear’de to bee:
But full with flocke full great him following.
As great a preaſſe as flocke in cyties ſtreetes,
To ſee the Playes of Theatre newe wrought:
As great as at Eléus thundrer meetcs,
When ſommer fift the ſacred game hath brought:
As great as when comes houre of longer night,
And willing quiet ſleepes to bee extent,
Holdes equall Libra Phoebus Chariots light,
A ſorte the ſecrete Ceres doe frequent,
And from theyr howſen left doe haſt to comme,
The Atticke prieſtes the nyghte to celebrate:
Such heape is chaſte beneath by fieldes ſo dumme.
With age full ſlowe ſome taking forth their gate
Full ſad, and fillde with life ſo long now led:
Some yet doe runne the race of better yeares,
The virgins yet vnioynde to ſpowſes bed,
And yonglings eke on whom grow yet no heares
And Infant lately taught his mothers name.
To theſe alone, (that they the leſſe might feare)
Is graunted night to eaſe with foreborne flame.
The reſt full ſad by darke doe wander theare:
As is our mynde, when once away is fled
The lyght, when eche man ſorry feeles to bee
Deepe ouer whelmde with all the earth his hed.
Thick Chaos ſtandes, and darkneſſe fowle to ſee,
And colour ill of night, and ſlouthfull ſtate
Of ſilent World, and diuers Cloudes about.
Let hoary age vs thyther bring full late.
No man comes late to that, whence neuer out,
When once hee is come, turne agayne he may.
To haſt the hard and heauy Fate what vayles?
This wandring heape in wyde landes farre away,
Shall goe to Ghoſts: and all ſhall geue their ſayles
To ſlowe Cocytus all is to thee enclinde,
Both what the fall, and riſe of ſonne doth ſee:
Spare vs that comme, to thee wee death are ſignde:
Though thou be ſlow, our ſelues yet haſte doe wee.
Fyrſt houre, that gaue the lyfe, it loaſt agayne.
TO Thebes is come the ioyfull day,
Your Aulters touch yee humbylly,
The fat fayre ſacrifices ſlay.
Maydes myxte with men in cumpany
Let them in ſolempne Flockes goe royle:
And nowe wyth yoake layde downe let ceaſe
The Iillers of the fertile ſoyle.
Made is wyth hande of Hercles peace
Betweene the morne and Heſpers Glade,
And where ſonne holding myddle ſeate,
Doth make the Bodyes caſte no ſhade.
What euer grounde is ouerweate
Wyth compaſſe longe of ſeas abought,
Alcydes laboure taemde full well.
Hee ouer foordes of Tartare brought
Returnde appeaſed beeinge Hell.
There is remayning nowe no feare,
Nought lyes beyonde the Hell to ſee.
O Prieſt thy ſtaring Lockes of heare
Wrappe in wyth loued Poplar tree.

THE FOVRTHE ACTE.

Hercules, Theſeus, Amphitryon, Megara.

With my reuēging right hād ſlayne now Lycus loe the groūd
With groueling face hath ſmit: thē who ſoeuer fellow foūd
Of Tyraunt was, partaker of his paynes did alſo lye.
Nowe to my father ſacrifice and Gods victor will I,
And aulters that deſerue it, with ſlayne offrings reuerence.
Thee, thee O mate of all my toyles I pray and my defence
O warrefull Pallas, in whoſe left hand thy cleare ſhielde Aegis ſhakes
Fierce threats, whead that eche thing ſtone that looke vpon it makes.
Let tamer of Lycurgus nowe, and of red ſea be heare,
That poynct of ſpeare with Iuye greene in hand doth couer’de beare:
And two Gods powre, doth Phoebus, and his ſyſter to I pray
The ſiſter meeter for her ſhaftes, but hee on th’harpe to play:
And what ſoeuer brother ells of myne doth dwell in ſky,
Not of my ſtepdame brother, bring yee hyther by and by
Your plentuous flocks, what euer haue all th’ Indians fruicts brought out,
And what ſweete odours th’ Arabickes doe get in trees about,
To th’ aulters bring: let vapour fat and fume ſmoke vp full hye,
Let rounde about the Poplar tree my hayres now beautifye
Let th’oliue bowe thee hyde with braunche accuſtom’de in our lande
Theſeu: for foorthwith reuerence the thundrer, ſhall my hande,

TH. O Gods the builders of the towne, and which of Dragon fell,
The wilde woods vens, and noble waues likewiſe of Dirces well,
And Tyrian houſe enhabite eke of ſtraunger wandring king.

HE. Caſt into fyres y^e frankencenſe. AM. ſonne fyrſt thy hands flowing
With bloudy ſlaughter, and the death of enmy purify.

HE. Would God the bloud of hatefull head euen vnto Gods on hye
I might out ſhed, for lycour loe more acceptable none
Myght th’ aulters ſtayne: nor ſacrifice more ample any one
Nor yet more plentyfull may bee to Ioue aboue downe caſt,
Then king vniuſt. AM. Deſyre that now thy father ende at laſt
Thy labours all: let quietnes at length yet gieuen bee,
And reſt to weary folke. HE. I will thee prayers make, for mee
And Ioue ful meete in this due place let ſtand the haughty ſkye,
And land, and ayre, and let the ſtarres dryue forth eternally
Their courſe vnſtayde: let reſtful peace kepe nations quietly,
Let labour of the hurtles land all yron now occupye,
And ſwordes lye hyd: let tempeſt none ful vyolent and dyre
Diſturbe the ſea: let from the ſkyes no flaſh of lightning fyre
Fall downe whyle Ioue ful angry is: nor yet with winter ſnowe
Encreaſed flood the ground vpturnde, and field quyte ouerthrowe,
Let poyſons ceaſe: and from henſforth let vp from ground aryſe
No greeuous hearbe with hurtful ſappe: nor fierce and fell lykewyſe
Let tyrantes raygne but if to ſight ſome other miſchiefe bringe
The ground yet ſhall, let it make haſt: and any monſtruous thinge
It it prepare let it be myne, but what meanes this? myd day
The darkenes haue incloaſ’d aboute lo Phoebus goeth his way
With face obſcure without a clowde who dryues the day to flight,
And turnes to eaſt? from whence doth now his duſky hed the night
Vnknowne bring forth? whence fil the poale ſo many rownde about
Of daytyme ſtarres? lo here behold my laboure firſt ful ſtout
Not in the loweſt parte of heauen the Lyon ſhyneth bryght,
And feruently doth rage with yre, and byttes prepares to fyght.
Euen now loe he ſome ſtar wil take, with mouth full wyde to ſee
He threatning ſtandes, and fires out blowes and mane vp ruſtleth he
Shaking with necke the harueſt ſad of ſhape, what euer thinge,
And what ſoeuer winter colde in froſen tyme dothbring,
He with one rage wil ouerpaſſe, or ſpring tyme bull he will
Both ſeeke and breake the neckes at once. Am. what is this ſodayne ylle?
Thy cruel count’naunce whether ſonne doſt thou caſt here and there?
And ſeeſt with troubled daſeld ſyght falſe ſhape of heauen appere

Her. The land is tam’de the ſwelling feas their ſurges did aſſwage,
The kingdomes lowe of hell lykewyſe haue felt and knowne my rage,
Yet heauen is free, a labour meete for Hercules to proue.
To ſpaces high I wil be borne of haughty ſkies aboue
Let th’ ayre be ſkaeld, my father doth me promiſe ſtarres t’obtayne.
What if he it denyde? all th’ earth can Hercles not contayne,
And geeues at length to gods, me calles of one accorde beholde
The whole aſſembly of the gods, and doth their gates vnfolde,
Whyle one forbyddes, receyu’ſt thou mee, and openeſt thou the ſkye,
Or els the gate of ſtubburne heauen draw after me do I?
Do I yet doubt? I euen the bondes from ſaturne wyll vndoe,
And euen agaynſt the kingdome prowde of wicked father loe
My graundſyre loaſe. let Titans now prepare agayne their fight
With me theyr captaine raging: ſtones with woods I will down ſmight
And hye hilles tops with Centaures full in right hande will I take.
With dauble mountayne now I will a ſtayre to Gods vp make.
Let Chyron vnder Oſſa ſee his Pelion mountayne gret:
Olympus vp to heauen aboue in thyrd degree then ſet
Shall come it ſelfe, or ells be caſt. AM. Put farre away frour thee
The thoughts that ought not to be ſpoake: of mynde vnſounde to ſee,
But yet full great, the furious rage aſſwage and lay away.

HE. What meaneth this? the Gyauntes doe peſtiferous armes aſſay,
And Tityus from the ſprights is fled, and bearing torne to ſee
And empty boſome, loe howe neere to heauen it ſelfe ſtoode hee?
Cythaeron falles, the mountayne hie Pallene ſhakes for feare,
And torne are Tempe. he the tops of Pindus caught hath here,
And Octhen he, ſome dredfull thing threatning doth rage about
Erynnis bringing flames: with ſtripes ſhe ſoundes nowe ſharken out,
And burned brandes in funeralles, loe yet more neare and neare
Throwes in my face: fearce Tiſyphone with head and vgly heare
With ſerpentes ſet, nowe after dogge fet out with Hercles hand,
That empty gate ſhee hath ſhut vp, with bolte of fyry brande,
But loe the ſtocke of enmious king doth hidden yet remayne,
The wicked Lycus ſeede: but to your hatefull father ſlayne
Euen now this right hande ſhall you ſende let nowe his arrowes light
My bowe out ſhoote: it ſeemes the ſhaftes to goe with ſuch a flight
Of Hercles. AM. Whether doth the rage and fury blinde yet goe?
His mighty Bowe he drewe with hornes together driuen loe,
And quiuer loaſte: great noyeſe makes with violence ſent out
The ſhaft, and quight the weapon flewe his middle necke throughout,
The wound yet left. HE. His other broode I ouerthrow will quight,
And corners all. What ſtay I yet? to me a greater fyght
Remaynes then all Mycenes loe, that rockye ſtones ſhould all
Of Cyclops being ouerturn’de with hande of myne, downe fall.
Let ſhake both here, and there the houſe, with all ſtayes ouerthrowne,
Let breake the poaſts: and quight let ſhrinke the ſhaken piller downe:
Let all the Pallace fall at once. I here yet hidden ſee
The ſonne of wycked father. AM. Loe his flattring handes to thee
Applying to thy knees dooth craue his lyfe with piteous mone.
O wicked gylt, full ſad, and eke abhorde to looke vpone,
His humble right hand caught he hath, and raging rounde about
Him rolled twyſe, or thryſe hath caſt. his head reſoundeth out,
The ſprinkled houſes with the brayne of him throwne out are wet.
But ſhee poore wretch her little ſonne in voſome hyding yet
Loe Megara, like one in rage doth from the corners flee.

HE. Though runagate in boſome of the thundrer hid thou bee,
This right hand ſhall from euery where thee ſeeke, and bring to ſight.

AM. Wher goeſt thou wretch? what lurking dens, ſeekſt thou to take, or flight?
No place of ſauegarde is if once bee Hercles ſtyrde with yre:
But doe thou rather him embrace, and with thy meeke deſyre
Aſſay t’aſſwage him. ME. Huſband ſpare vs I beſeech thee nowe,
And knowe thy Megara, this ſonne thy countenaunce doth ſhowe,
And bodyes pytche: behould’ſt thou howe his hands vp lyfteth hee?

HE. I holde my ſtepdame: followe on due penaunce paye to mee,
And bounden Ioue from fylthy bonde deliuer free away:
But I before the mother will this litle monſter ſlay.

ME. Thou mad man whither goeſt thou? wylt thou thine owne bloude ſheade?

AM. Th’infant with fathers fyry face aſtonnted all for bread,
Died euen before the wounde: his feare hath tooke away his lyfe.
And now likewiſe his heauy club is ſhaken towarde his wyfe:
He broaken hath the bones, her head from blocklyke body gone
Is quight, nor any where it ſtayes, dar’ſte thou this looke vpone
To long lyu’de age? If mouruing doe the greeue, thou haſt then loe
The death preparde. Doe thou thy breaſt vppon his weapons throe,
Or ells this club with ſlaughter ſtayn’de of monſters ſlayne that bee,
Nowe hyther turne. thy parent falſe, vnfit for name of thee
Ryd hence away, leaſt he ſhould be to thy reuowne a let.

TH. Which way the father toward thy death doſt thou thy ſelfe caſt yet?
Or whyther goeſt thou mad man? flee and lye thou cloaſely hid,
And yet from handes of Hercules this onely myſchiefe rid.

HE. T’is well, the houſe of ſhameful king is now quight ouerthrowne.
To thee O ſpouſe of greatteſt Ioue I haue loe beaten downe
This offred flocke: I gladly haue fulfill’de my wyſhes all
Full meete for thee, and Argos now geue other offrings ſhall.

AM. Thou haſt not ſonne yet all perform’de, fill vp the ſacrifiſe.
Loe th’offring doth at th’aultars ſtande, it waytes thy hand likewyſe
With necke full prone: I geue my ſelfe, I roon, I follow loe.
Mee ſacrifice. what meaneth this? his eyes rolle to and froe,
And heauines doth dull his ſight. ſee I of Hercules
The trembling hands? downe falles his face to ſleepe and quietnes,
And weary necke with bowed head full faſt doth downeward ſhrynke,
With bended knee: nowe all at once he downe to ground doth ſinke,
As in the woods wylde Aſhe cut downe, or Bulwarke for to make
A Hauen in ſeas. Liu’ſte thou? or els to death doth thee betake
The ſelfe ſame rage, that hath ſent all thy famyly to death?
It is but ſleepe, for to and fro doth goe and come his breath.
Let tyme bee had of quietneſſe, that thus by ſleepe and reſt
Great force of his diſeaſe ſubdew’de, may eaſe his greeued breſt.
Remoue his weapons ſeruants, leaſt he mad get them agayne.

Chorus.

LEt th’ayre complayne, and eke the parent great
Of haughty ſky, and fertile land throughout,
And wandring waue of euer mouing freat.
And thou before them all, which lands about
And trayn of ſea thy beames abroade doſt throe
With glittring face, and mak’ſt the night to flee,
O feruent Titan: bothe thy lettinges loe
And ryſing, hath Alcides ſeene wyth thee:
And knowne lykewiſe hee hath thy howſen twayne.
From ſo great ills releaſe yee nowe hys breſt,
O Gods releaſe: to better turne agayne
His ryghter mynde, and thou O tamer beſt
O ſleepe of toyles, the quietneſſe of mynde,
Of all the lyfe of man the better parte,
O of thy mother Aſtrey wynged kynde,
Of hard and pyning death that brother arte,
With truth mingling the falſe, of after ſtate
The ſure, but eke the worſte foreteller yet:
O Father of all thynges, of Lyfe the gate,
Of lyght the reſt, of nyght and fellowe fyt,
That com’ſt to Kyng, and ſeruaunt equally,
And gently cheryſſheſt who weary bee,
All mankynde loe that dreadfull is to dye,
Thou dooſt conſtrayne long death to learne by thee.
Keepe him faſt bounde wyth heauy ſleepe oppreſt,
Let ſlomber deepe his Limmes vntamed bynde,
Nor ſoner leaue his vnright raginge breaſte
Then former mynd his courſe agayne may fynd.
Loe layd on ground with full fieree hart yet ſtill
His cruel ſleepes he turnes: and not yet is
The plague ſubdude of ſo great raging yll
And on great club the weary head of his
He wont to laye, doth ſecke the ſtaffe to fynde
With empty handes his armes out caſting yet
With mouing vayne: nor yet all rage of minde
He hath layd downe, but as with ſowthwind greate
The waue once vext yet after kepeth ſtill
His raging long, and though the wind now bee
Aſſwaged ſwelles, ſhake of theis madde and yll
Toſſinges of mynde, returne let piety,
And vertue to the man, els let be ſo
His mynde with mouing mad toſte euery waye:
Let errour blynd, where it begun hath, go,
For naught elſnow but only madnes maye
Thee gyltles make: in next eſtate it ſtandes
To hurtles handes thy miſchiefe not to know.
Now ſtroken let with Hercules his handes
Thy boſome ſounde: thyne armes the worlde allow
Were wonte to beare, let greuous ſtrypes now ſmyte
With conquering hande, and lowde complaying cryes,
Let th’ayre now heare, let of darke pole and nighte
The Queene them hear, and who fulfyercely lyes
That beares his neckes in mighty chaynes faſt bounde,
Low lurking Cerberus in deepeſt caue.
Let Chaos all with clamour ſad reſound,
And of broad ſea wide open wafting waue.
And th’ayre that felt thy weapons beter yet,
but felt them though.
The breaſtes with ſo great yls as theſe beſet,
With litle ſtroake they mnſt not beaten bee.
Let kingdomes three ſound with one playnt and crye,
And thou neckes honour and defence to ſee,
His arrowe ſtrong longe hanged vp on hye,
And quiuers light the cruell ſtripes now l’myte
On his fierce backe his ſhouldars ſtrong and ſtout
Let oken club now ſtrike and poaſt of might
With knots ful hard his breſtes load all aboute.
Let euen his weapons ſo great woes complayne
Not you pore babes mates of your fathers praiſe,
With cruell wound reuenging kinges agayne:
Not you your lims in Argos barriars playes,
Are taught to turne with weapons ſtrong to ſmie
And ſtrong of hand yet euen now daring loe
The weapons of the ſcithian quiuer light
With ſtedy hand to paiſe ſet out from bow.
And ſtags to perce that ſaue them ſelues by flight
And backes not yet ful maend of cruel beaſt.
To ſtigian hauens goeye of ſhade and night
Goe hurtles ſoules, whom miſchiefe hath oppreſt
Euen in fyrſt porch of lyfe but lately had,
And fathers fury goe vnhappy kind
O litle children, by the way ful ſad
Of iourney knowen.
Goe ſee the angry kynges.

THE FIFTHE ACTE.

Hercules, Amphitry on, Theſeus.

WHat place is this? what region? or of the world what coaſt?
Where am I? vnder ryſe of ſunne or bond els vttermoſt.
Of th’ycy beare or els doth here of ſea of Heſpery
The fardeſt ground appoynt a bond for th’ocean ſea to lye?
What ayre draw we? to weary wight what ground is vnderſet?
Of truth we are returnd from hell whence in my houſe downe bet
See I theſe bloudy bodyes? hath not yet my mynd of caſt
Th’infernall ſhapes? but after yet returnd from hel at laſt
Yet wander doth that belly heape before myne eys to ſee?
I am aſham’de to graunt, I quake, I know not what to me,
I cannot tell what greeuou yll my mynde before doth know.
Where is my parent? where is ſhee with goodly childrens ſhow
My noble harly ſtomackt ſpouſe why doth my left fyde lacke
The lyons ſpoyle? which way is gone the couer of my backe?
And ſelfe ſame bedde ful ſoft for ſlepe of Hercules alſo?
Where are my ſhaftes? where is my bow? then from my liuing who
Could plucke away? who taken hath the ſpoyles ſo great as theſe
And who was he that feared not euen ſleepe of Hercules?
To ſee my conquerour me lykes, yt lykes me hym to know
Ryſe victor vp, what new ſonne hath my father gotten now
Heauen beynge left? at byrth of whom myght euer ſtayd bee
A longer night then, was in myne? what miſchiefe do I ſee?
My children loe do lye on ground with bloudy ſlaughter ſlayne?
My wyfe is kild: what Lycus doth the kingdome yet obtayne?
Who durſt ſo haynous giltes as theſe at Thebes take in hand
When Hercles is returnd? who ſo Iſmenus waters land,
Who ſo Acteons fieldes or who with double ſeas beſet
The ſhaken Pelops kingdomes doſt of Dardan dwell on yet
Helpe me: of cruel ſlaughter ſhow who may the author bee.
Let rage my yre and all: my foe he is who ſo to me
Shewes not my foe doſt thou yet hyde Alcides victorly?
Come forth, euen whether thou reuenge the cruel charyots hye
Of Bloudy Thracian king or yf thou Gerions catell quight
Or lordes of Lybia, no delay there is with thee to fight.
Beholde I naked ſtande, although euen with my weapons loe
Thou me vnarmed ſette vppon. Wherfore fleeth Theſeus ſoe,
And eke my father from my ſyght? theyr faces why hyde they?
Deferre your weepings, and who did my wyfe and children ſley
Thus all at once, me tell. Wherfore O father doſt thou whuſht?
But tell thou Theſeu, but Theſeu with thy accuſtom’d truſte.
Ech of them ſylent hydes away their baſhefull countenaunces,
And priuily they ſhed their teares in ſo great ils as theſe,
Of what ought wee aſham’de to be? doth ruler yet of might
Of Argos towne, or hateful band of ſowldiars apt to fight
Of Lycus dying, vs oppreſſe with ſuch calamity?
By prayſe of all my noble actes I do deſyre of thee
O father, and of thy great name approu’de to me alway
The proſperous powre declare to mee, who did my houſhold flay?
Whoſe pray lay I? A. Let thus thyne ylles in ſylens ouerpas.

He. That I ſhould vnreuenged bee? Am, Reuenge oft hurtful was.

He Did euer man ſo greeuous yls without reuenge ſuſtayne?

A Whos euer greater fearde. H. Then theſe O father yet agayne
May any greater thing, or els more greuous feared be?

Am. How great apart is it thou woeſt of thy calamity?

Her. Take mercy father, lo I lift to thee my humble hands.
What meaneth this? my hand fleeth backe, ſome priuy gylt their ſtandes
Whence comes this bloud? or what doth mean flowing w^t death of child
The ſhaft imbrewd with ſlaughter once of Lerney monſter kilde?
I ſee my weapons now, the hand I ſeeke no more to witte.
Whoſe hand could bend this bow but myne? or what right at me but it

Could ſtring the bow that vnto mee euen ſcantly doth obay?
To you I turne: O father deare, is this my gylt I pray?
They held their peace: it is myne own. Am. Thy greuous woe is there,
The cryme thy ſtepdames: this miſchaunce no falt of thyne hath here.

Her. From euery part now father throw in wrath thy thunders mighte,
And of thy ſonne forgetful now with cruel hand requighte
At leaſt thy nephewes, let the world that beares the ſtarrs ſounde out.
And let both th’one and th’other poale, flyng downe thy flames aboute:
And let the bankes of Caſpyan ſea my bounden body teare,
And gredy foule. Wherfore do of Prometheus lacke heare
The rockes? with huge and haughty top let now prepared be,
Both feeding beaſtes and foules, the ſyde of Caucas turne to ſee,
And bare of woods, the yle that bridge of ſcithe that therby ſtandes
Simplegas ioynes, both here and there let it my bounden handes
Stretch out abroade: and when with courſe return’de accuſtomd’ly
They ſhall togeather dryue, and ſhall the rockes toſſe vp to ſkye
With bankes togeather beyng thruſt, and eke the middle ſeay,
Let me bet weene the mountaynes lye vnquiet reſtleſſe ſtay
But building vp with wood throwne on a heaped plie on hie
My body thus with wicked bloud beſprinct, why burne not I?
So, ſo yt mus be done: to hell I Hercles will reſtore.

Am. Not yet his hart aſtonted lackes his ragyng tumulte ſore,
But wraths hath turnd: and which of rage is property and yre
Agaynſt himſelfe he rageth now Her. The furies places dire
And dungeon depe of ſprites in hell and place of tormentry
To gylty ghoſtes and baniſhment yf any yet do lye
Beyond Erebus, yet vnknowen to Cerberus and mee,
There hyde me ground to fartheſt bond of Tartarus to ſee.
To tary there Ile goe. O breſt of myne to fierce and ſtoute:
Who you my children thus diſperſt through all my houſe about,
May worthely enough bewayle? in all my euils yet
This countnaunce hard can neuer weepe, a ſword now hether ſet:
My ſhaftes reach hether, hyther reach my mighty club alſo:
To thee my weapons breake I will, to thee my ſonne a two
Ile knappe my bowes, and eke my clubbe, this blocke of heauy wayghte
Shal to thy ſprites be burned loe: this ſelfe ſame quiuer frayght
With Lerney ſhaftes to funerall of thyne ſhall like wyſe goe.
Let all my weapons penance pay and you vnhappy to
Euen with my weapons burne I wil, O ſtepdames handes of myne.

Th. Who euer yet to ignoraunce hath geuen name of cryme?

Her. Ful oftentymes did errour greate the place of gylt obtayne.

Th. T’is neede to be a Hercles now, this heape of yll ſuſtayne.

Her. Not ſo, hath ſhame yet geuen place with fury drowned quight:
But peoples all I rather ſhould dryue from my wicked ſight.
My weapons, weapons Theſens. I quickly craue to mee
Withdraw to be reſtoard agayne: if ſound my mynd now bee,
Reſtore to me my weapons: if yet laſt my rage of mynd,
Then father flee: for I the waye to death my ſelfe ſhalfynde.

Am. By ſacred holy kynreds rightes, by force and duty all
Of both my names; if eyther me thy brynger vp thou call.
Or parent els, and (which of good men reuerenced are)
By theſe hoare heates, I the beſech my deſert age yet ſpare,
And wery yeares of houſe ſalne downe the one alonly ſtay,
One onely light to mee, with yls afflicted euery way
Reſerue thy ſelfe: yet neuer hath there happened once of thee
Fruite of thy toyles: ſtill eyther I the doubtful ſea to ſee
Or monſters feard: who euer yet hath bene a cruell king
In all the world to ghoſtes allow, and aulters both hurtinge,
Of me is feard: the father of thee abſent ſtil to haue
The feuite, the touching, and the ſight of thee at length I craue.

He. Wherfore I longer ſhould ſuſtayn my life yet in this light,
And linger here no cauſe there is, all good loſt haue I quighte,
My mynd, my weapons, my renoume, my wife, my ſonnes, my handes,
And fury to no man may heale and loſe from gylty handes
My mynd defyeld: needes muſt with death he heald ſo haynous yll.

Th. Wilt thou thy father IIay? He. Leaſt I ſhoulde do it die I will.

Th. Before thy fathers face? He. I taught him miſchief for to ſee.

Th. Thy deedes marking rather that ſhould of al remembred bee,
Of this one only cryme I do a pardon of thee craue.

Her. ſall he geue pardon to himſelfe, that to none els it gaue?
I beeing bidden prayſe deſeru’d, this deede mine owne doth proue.
Helpe father now, if eyther els thy piety thee moue,
Or els my heauy fate, or els the honour and renowne.
Of ſtained ſtrength, my weapons bringe, let fortune be throwen downe.
with my right hand. Th. The prayers which thy father makes to thee
Are ſtronge enough, but yet likewyſe with weeping loe of me
By moued yet: aryſe thou vp, and with thy wonted myght
Subdue thyne yls: now ſuch a mynde unmeete to beare vpright
No euill hap, receyus againe loe now with manhode gret
Thou muſt preuayle. euen Hercules forbyd with yre to fret.

HE. Alyue, I hurt: but if I dye I take the gylt alſo.
I haſt to ridde the world of cryme euen now before me lo
A wicked monſter cruel, and vntamed fierce and flout
Doth wander: now with thy ryght hand begime to goe aboute
A greate affayre, yea more then all thy twyſe ſixe labours long.
Yet ſtayſt thou wretch, that late agaynſt the children waſt ſo ſtronge,
And fearful mother now except reſtoard my weapons bee,
Of Thracian Pindus eyther I wil feare downe euery tree,
And Bacchus holly woods and tops of mount Cythaeron hye
Burne with myſelfe, and al at once with all their houſen I
And with the Lordes therof the roofes with goddes of Thebes all
The Thebane temples euen vppon my body will let fall:
And wyl be hyd in to wne vpturnd: if to my ſhoulders might
The walles themſelues all caſt thereon ſhall fall a burden light,
And couerd with ſeuen gates I ſhall not be enough oppreſt,
Then all the wayght wheron the worlde in middle part doth reſt,
And partes the Goddes vppon my head Ile turne and ouerthrow
My weapons geue. Am. This word is meete for Hercles father lo
With this ſame arrow ſlaine behold thy ſonne is tombled downe,
This weapōs cruell Iuno lo from handes of thyne hath throwne,
This ſame wil I now vſe, loe ſee how leaps with feare afright
My wretched harte, and how it doth my careful body ſmight.
The ſhaft is ſet therto thou ſhalt a miſchiefe lo do now
Both willing it and wotting: tel, what thing commaundeſt thou?
I nothing craue my doloure let in ſaf’ty ſtandeth now.
To kepe my ſonne alyue to mee that onely do canſt thou
O Theſeu, yet I haue not ſcapte great’ſt feare that happen can
Thou canſt mee not a miſer make, thou mayſt a happy man
So order euery thyng thou doſt, as all thy cauſe in hand,
And fame thou mayſt wel know in ſtrayght and doubtful caſe to ſtande
Thou liu’ſt, or dieſt: this ſlender ſoule that light is hence to flee,
Weried with age and no leſſe bet with greuous ils to ſee,
In mouth I holde ſo ſlowly to a father with ſuch ſlaye
Doth any man geue lyfe? I wilno longer bid delay,
The deadly ſword throughout my breaſt to ſtrike I wil apply,
Here, here the gylt of Hercules euen ſound of mynd ſhall lye.

Her. Forbeare O father now forbeare, with draw thy hand againe.
My manhood yeld thy fathers will, and impery ſuſtaine.
To Hercles labours now like wyſe, let this one labour goe,
Let me yet liue, lift vp from ground th’afflicted lims with woe
O Theſeu of my parent: for from Godly touch doth flee
My wicked hand. Am? I gladly do this hand embrace to mee.
By this I beyng ſlayed will goe, this meuing to my breſt
Ile ſlake my woes, Her. what place ſhall I ſeeke ronnagate for reſt?
Where ſhall I hyde my ſelfe? or in what land my ſelfe engraue?
What Tanais, or what Nilus els, or with his Perſyan waue
What Tygris violent of ſtreame, or what fierce Rhenus flood,
Or Tagus troubleſome that flowes with Ibers treaſures good
May my ryght hand now waſh from gylt? although Maeotis cold
The waues of all the Northen ſea on me ſhed out now wolde,
And al the water ther of ſhoulde now pas by my two handes,
Yet wil the miſchiefe deepe remayne. alas into whet landes
Wilt thou O wicked man reſort? to Eaſt or weſterne coſte?
Ech where wel knowen, all place I haue of baniſhment quight loſte
From me the warlde doth flee a back, the ſtarres that ſydelyng roue
Do back warde dryue their turned courſe, euen Cerberus the ſoue
With better count’naunce did behold O faythfull friend I ſaye,
O Theſeu ſeeke ſame lurking place, farre hence out of the way
O thou a warder of mens gyltes what euer Iudge thou hee
That hurtful men doſt loue, repay a worthy thanke to me:
And my deſertes. I thee beſeech, to ghoſtes of hell againe
Send me that once eſcaped them: & ſubiect to thy raine
Reſtore me yet to thoſe thy bandes, that place ſhal me wel hyde:
And yet euen that place knowes me wel Th. Our land for thee doth bide
There Mars his hande acquite agayne and made from ſlaughter free
Reſtoard to armoure, loe that land (Alcides) calles for thee,
Which wontes to quite the gods, and proue them Innocent to be.

HERE ENDETH THE FIRſT Tragedye of ſeneca, called Hercules furens, tranſlated into Engliſhe by Iaſper Heywood ſtudente in Oxenforde.

THE SECOND TRAGEDIE OF SENECA ENTITVtuled Thyeſtes, faythfully Engliſhed by Iaſper Heywood Felow of Alſolne Colledge in Oxenforde.

The Argument of this Tragedie.

MEGAERA ONE OF THE Helliſh furies raiſing vp Tantalus frō Hell, incited him to ſet mortall hatred betwene his two nephewes Thieſtes, & Atreus being brothers, and raining as Kinges ouer Mycenae by enterchangeable turnes, that is to witte Thieſtes to raine the one yere, and Atreus the other. Now Atreus enraged with furie againſt his brother partly for defiling and deflouring his wife Aerope by pollicie, and partly for taking from him a Ram with a golden fleeſe, practiſed with his ſeruāt how to be reuēged of his brother. This Atreus therfore diſſēblīg a reconciliation & inuiting Thyeſtes to Mycenae ſecretly & vnknowē to him, ſet before hī at a banquet the fleſh of his own childrē to eate. Afterward Atreus hauīg alſo geuē to his ſaid brother y^e bloud of his childrē in a goblet to drinke, did laſtly cōmaūd the heads alſo to be brought in, at the doleful ſight wherof Thieſtes greatly lamēting knowīg y^e he had eatē his owne childrē, was wonderfully anguiſhed. But Atreus for that he had thus reuenged himſelfe, toke therin great pleaſure and delectation.

THIEſTEs OF ſENECA THE FIRST ACTE.

The names of the Speakers

Tantalus.

Megaera.

Atrcus.

Seruant.

Thieſtes.

Philiſtencs.

Meſſenger,

Chorus.

Tantalus Megaera,

What furye fell enforceth mee to fle, th’unhappy ſeat,
That gaye and gaſpe with greedye lawe, the fleeyng food to eate
What GOD to Tantalus the bowres wher breathing bodyes dwel
Doth ſhew agayue? is ought found worſe, then burning thyrſt of hel
In lakes alow? or yet worſe plague then hunger is there one,
In vayne that euer gapes for foode? ſhal ſiſyphus his ſtone,
That ſlipper reſtles rollyng payſe vppon my backe be borne.
Or ſhall my lymmes with ſwifter ſwinge of whirling whele be torne?
Or ſhal my paynes be Tytius panges th’encreaſyng liuer ſtill,
Whoſe growing guttes the gnawing gripes and tylthy foules do fyll?
That ſtyl by nyght repayres the panch that was deuourd by day,
And wondrous wombe vnwaſted lieth a new prepared pray
What ill am I appoynted for? O cruell iudge of ſprites,
Who ſo thou be that tormentes new among the ſowles delytes
Stil to diſpoſe, ad what thou canſt to all my deadly woe,
That keeper euen of dungeon darke would fore abhorre to knowe.
Or hel it ſelfe it quake to ſe: for dread wherof likewyſe
I tremble wold, that plague ſeke out: lo now there doth aryſe
My broode that ſhal in miſchiefe farre the grandſyers gilt out goe,
And gyltles make: that firſt ſhall dare vnuentred ils to do.
What euer place remayneth yet of all this wicked land,
I wil fill vp: and neuer once while Pelops houſe doth ſtand
Shall Minos idle be. Meg. Go forth thou deteſtable ſprite
And vexe the Goddes of wicked houſe with rage of furyes might.
Let them contend with all offence, by turnes and one by one
Let ſwordes be drawne: and meane of ire procure there may be none,
Nor ſhame: let fury blynd enflame theyr myndes and wrathful will,
Let yet the parentes rage endure and longer laſting yll
Through childrens children ſpreade: nor yet let any leyſure be
The former fawts to hate, but ſtill more miſchiefe newe to ſee,
Nor one in one: but ere the gylt with vengeance be acquit,
Encreaſe the cryme: from brethren proud let rule of kingdom flyt
To runnagates: and ſwaruing ſtate of all vnſtable thinges,
Let it by doubtfull dome be toſte, betwene thuncertaine kyngs.
Let mighty fall to miſery, and myſer clime to might,
Let chaunce turne thempyre vpſydowne both geue and take the right.
The banyſhed for gylt, whan god reſtore theyr country ſhall.
Let them to miſchiefe fall a freſh as hatefull then to all,
As to themſelues: let Ire thinke nought vnlawfull to be doon,
Let brother dread the brothers wrath, and father feare the ſoon,
And eke the ſoon his parents powre: let babes be murdered yll,
But worſe begot? her ſpouſe betrapt in treaſons trayne to kyll,
Let hatefull wyfe a wayte, and let them beare through ſeas their warre,
Let bloodſhed lye the lands about and euery field a farre:
And ouer conqueryng captaynes greate, of countreys far to ſee,
Let luſt tryumphe: in wicked houſe let whoredome counted he
The light’ſt offene: let truſt that in the breaſts of brethren breedes,
And truth be gone: let not from ſight of your ſo heynous deedes
The heauens be hyd, about the poale when ſhyne the ſtarres on hye,
And flames with woonted beames of light doe decke the paynted ſkyls.
Let darkeſt night bee made, and let the day the heauens forſake.
Dyſturbe the godds of wicked houſe, hate, ſlaughter, murder make.
Fyll vp the houſe of Tantalus with miſchieues and debates,
Adorned be the pillers hygh with bay, and let the gates
Be garnyſht greene: and worthy there for thy returne to ſight.
Be kyndled fyre: let miſchyefe done in Thracia once, theyr lyght
More many folde, wherefore doth yet the vncles hand delaye?
Doth yet Thyeſtes not bewayle his childrens fatall day?
Shall he not finde them where with heat of fyres that vnder glowe
The cawderne boyles? their limmes eche one a peeces let them go
Diſperſte: let fathers fires, with blood of chyldren fyled bee:
Let deynties ſuch be dreſt: it is no miſchiefe newe to thee,
To banquet ſo: behold this day we haue to thee releaſt,
And hunger ſtarued wombe of thyne we ſend to ſuch a feaſt.
With fowleſt foode thy famyne fyll, let bloud in wyne be drownd,
And dronke in ſight of thee: loe now ſuch diſhes haue I found,
As thou wouldſt ſhonne, ſtay whither doſte thou hedlong way now take

Tan. To pooles and floods of hell agayne and ſtyll declining lake,
And flight of tree ful frayght with fruite that from the lippes doth flee,
To dungeon darke of hateful hell let leeful be for me
To goe: or if to light be thought the paynes that there I haue,
Remoue me from thoſe lakes agayne: in midſt of worſer waue
Of Phlegethon, to ſtand in ſeas of fyre beſet to bee.
Who ſo beneath thy poynted paynes by deſtenyes decree
Doſt ſtil endure who ſoo thou bee that vnderlieſt alow
The hollow denne, or ruyne who that feares and ouerthrow
Of fallyng hyl, or cruel cryes that ſound in caues of hell
Of greedy roaryng Lyons throats or flocke of furyes fell
Who quakes to know or who the brandes of fyre in dyreſt payne
Halfe burnt throwes of harke to the voyce of Tantalus: agayne
That haſtes to hel, and whom the truth hath taught beleeue wel mee
Loue wel your paynes, they are but ſmall when ſhall my hap ſo bee
To flee the light? Meg Diſturbe thou fyrſt thys houſe with dire diſcord
Debates and battels bring with thee, and of th’unhappy ſworde
Ill loue to kinges: the cruel breſt ſtrike through and hateful hart,
With tumult mad. Tan. To ſuffer paynes it ſeemeth wel my part,
Not woes to worke: I am ſent forth lyke vepoure dyre to ryſe,
That breakes the ground or poyſon like the plague in wondrouſe wyſe
That ſlaughter makes, ſhall I to ſuch deteſted crymes, applye
My nephewes hartes? o parentes great of Gods aboue the ſkie
And myne (though ſham’de I be to graunt) although with greater pain
My tounge be vext, yet this to ſpeake I may no whit refrayne
Nor hold my peace: I warne you this leaſt ſacred hand with bloud
Of ſlaughter dyre, or franſie fell of frantike fury wood
The aulters ſtayne, I wll reſiſt: And garde ſuch gylt away.
With ſtrpes why doſt thou me affryght? why threatſt thou me to fraye
Thoſe crallyn g ſnakes? or famine fyxt in empty wombe, wherfore
Doſt thou reuyue? now fries within with thyrſt enkmdled ſore
My harte: and in the bowels burnt the boyling flames do glow.

Meg. I follow thee: through all this houſe now rage and fury throwe
Let them be driuen ſo, and ſo let eyther thirſt to ſee
Each others blood ful well hath felt the comming in of thee
This houſe, and all with wicked touch of the degune to quake.
Enough it is, repayre agayne to dens and loathſome lake,
Of floud well knowen, the ſadder ſoyle with heauy fote of thyne
Agreeued is, ſeeſt thou from ſyringes how waters do declyne
And inward ſinke? or how the bankes lye voyde by drughty heate?
And hoatter blaſt of fyery wynde the fewer cloudes doth beate?
The treeſe be ſpoyld, and naked ſtand to ſight in withred woddes,
The barayne bowes whoſe fruites are fled: the land betwene the floods
With ſurge of ſeas on eyther ſyde that wonted to reſound,
And nearer foordes to ſeperat ſometyme with leſſer ground,
Now broader ſpred, it heareth how aloofe the waters ryſe.
Now Lerna turnes agaynſt the ſtreame Phoronides likewyſe
His poares be ſtopt, with cuſtom’d courſe Alphéus dryues not ſtill,
His hollie waues, the trembling tops of high Cithaeron hill,
They ſtand not ſure: from height adowne they ſhake their ſyluer ſnowe,
And noble fieldes of Argos feare, theyr former drought to know.
Yea Tytan doubtes himſelfe to rolie the worlde his wonted way,
And driue by force to former courſe the backward drawing daye.

Chorus,

This Argos towne if any God be founde,
And Piſey boures that famous yet remayn,
Or kingdomes els to loue of Corinthes ground,
The double hauens, or ſundred ſeas in twayne
If any loue of Taygetus his ſnowes,
(By Winter which when they on hils be caſt:
By Boreas blaſtes that from ſarmatia blowes,
With yerely breath the ſommer meltes as faſt)
Where clere Alphéus runnes with floude ſo cold,
By playes wel knowen that there Olimpiks hight:
Let pleaſaunt powre of his from henſe withholde
Such tunes of ſtryfe that here they may not light:
Not nephew worſe then grandſier ſpring from vs,
Or direr deedes delyght the yonger age.
Let wicked ſtocke of thirſty Tantalus
At length leaue of, and wery be of rage.
Enoughe is done, and naught preuaild the iuſt,
Or wrong: betrayed is Mirtilus and drownde,
That did betray his dame, and with like truſt
Borne as he bare, himſelfe hath made renound
With chaunged name the ſea: and better knowne
To mariners therof no fable is.
On wicked ſword the litle infant throwne
As ran the chide to take his fathers kiſſe.
Vnrype for thaulters offring fell downe deade:
And with thy hand (O Tantalus) was rent,
With ſuch a meate for Gods thy boordes to ſpread.
Eternall famine for ſuch foode is ſent,
And thyrſt: nor for thoſe daynty meats vnmilde,
Might meeter payne appoynted euer bee
Vith empty throate ſtandes Tantalus begylde,
Aboue thy wicked head their leanes to thee,
Then Phineys fowles in flight a ſwifter pray.
With burned bowes declynd on euery ſyde,
And of his fruites all bent to beare the ſway,
The tree deludes the gapes of hunger wyde
Though hee full greedy feede theron would fayne.
So oft deceyu’de neglectes to touch them yet:
He turnes his eyes, his iawes he doth refrayne,
And famine fixt in cloſed gummes doth ſhet.
But then each braunch his plenteous ritches all,
Lets lower downe, and apples from an hie
With lither leaues they flatter like to fall
And famine ſtyrre: in vayne that bids to trye
His handes: which when he hath rought forth anone
To be beguyld, in higher ayre againe
The harueſt hanges and fickle fruite is gone,
Then thirſt him greeues no leſſe then hungers payne:
Wherwith when kindled is his boyling bloud
Lyke fyre, the wretch the waues to him doth call,
That meete his mouth: which ſtraight the fleeyng floud
Withdrawes, and from the dryed foorde doth fall:
And him forſakes that followes them. He drinkes
The duſt ſo deepe of gulfe that from him ſhrinkes.

THE SECONDE ACTE.

Atreus. Seruaunt

O Daſtard, cowrde, O wretche, and (which the greateſt yet of all
To Tyrantes checke I compte that maye in waighty thinges befall)
O vnreuenged: after guyltes ſo great and brothers guyle.
And trewth trode downe doſt thou prouoke with vayne complaynts the whyle
Thy wrath? already now to rage all Argos towne throughout
In armoure ought of thyne, and all the double ſeas about
Thy fleete to ryde: now all the fieldes with feruent flames of thyne,
And townes to flaſh it wel beſeemde: and euery where to ſhyne,
The bright drawne ſword: all vuder foote of horſe let euery ſyde
Of Argos lande reſound: and let the woundes not ſerue to hyde
Our foes, nor yet in haughty top of hilles and mountaynes hye,
The builded towers. The people all let them to battel crye
And clere for ſake Mycenas towne who ſo his hateful head
Hides and defendes, with ſlaughter dire let bloud of him be ſhed.
This princely Pelops palace proude, and bowres of high renowne,
On mee ſo on my brother to let them be beaten downe,
Go to, do that which neuer ſhall no after age allow,
Nor none it whiſht: ſome wiſcheſe greate ther muſt be ventred now,
Both fierce and bloudy: ſuch as woulde my brother rather long
To haue bene his. Thou neuer doſt enough reuenge the wronge.
Exept thou paſſe. And feercer fact what may be done ſo dyre,
That his exceedes? doth euer he lay downe his hateful yre?
Doth euer he the modeſt meane in tyme of wealth regard
Or quiet in aduerſlty? I know his nature harde
Vntractable, that broke may be, but neuer wilit bend.
For which are he prepare himſelfe, or force to fight entend,
Set fyrſt on him, leaſt while I reſt he ſhould on me aryſe.
He wil deſtroy or be deſtroyd in midſt the miſchiefe lyes,
Prepard to him that takes it firſt, Ser. Doth fame of people naught
Aduerſe thee feare? Atre. The greateſt good of kingdom may be thought
That ſtill the people are conſtraynd their princes deedes as well
To prayſe, as them to ſuffer all. Ser. Whom feare doth ſo compell
To prayſe, the ſame his foes to bee, doth feare enforce agoyne:
But who indeede the glory ſeckes of fauour trew t’obtayne
He rather would with hates of each be prayſd, then tounges of all

Atre. The trewer prayſe ful oft hath hapt to meaner men to fall:
The falſe but vnto myghty man what nill they let them will.

Ser. Let firſt the king will honeſt thinges and none the fame dare nill.

Atre. Where leeful are to him that rules but honeſt thinges alone,
There raynes the kyng by others leaue. Ser. And wher y^e ſhame is none,
Nor care of ryght, fayth, piety, nor holines none ſtayeth,
That kingdome ſwarues. Atre. ſuch holines, ſuch piety and fayth.
Are priuate goods: let kinges runne one in that that likes their will.

Ser. The brothers hurt a miſchiefe count though he be nere ſo ill.

Atre. It is but right to do to hym, that wrong to brother were.
What heynous hurt hath his offence let paſſe to proue? or where
Refraynd the gylt, thy ſpouſe he ſtale away for lechery,
And raygne by ſtelth: the auncient note and ſygne of ampery,
By frawde he got: my houſe by fraud to vexe he neuer ceaſt:
In Pelops houſe there foſtred is a noble worthy beaſt
The cloſe kept Ramme: the goodly guyde of rych and fayreſt flockes.
By whom throughout on euery ſyde depend a downe the lockes
Of glittering gold, with fleece of which the new kinges wonted were
Of Tantals ſtocke their ſceptors gylt, and mace of might to beate.
Of this the owner raygneth he, with him of houſe ſo great
The fortune fleeth, this ſacred Ramme aloofe in ſafety ſhet
In ſecret mead is wont to graſe, which ſtone on euery ſyde
With rocky wall incloſethe rounde the fatall beaſt to hyde.
This beaſt (aduentryng miſchiefe greate) adioyning yet for pray
My ſpouſed mate, the traytour falſe hath hence conuayde away
From hence the wrongs of mutuall hate, and miſchiefe all vpſyreng:
In exile wandred he throughout my kingdomes all along:
No part of myne remayneth ſafe to mee, from traynes of hys.
My feere deflourde, and loyalty of empyre broken is:
My houſe all vext, my bloud in doubt, and naught that truſt is in,
But brother foe What ſtayſt thou yet? at length lo now beginne.
Take hart of Tantalus to thee, to Pelops caſt thyne eye:
To ſuch examples well beſeemes, I ſhould my hand applye.
Tell thou which way were beſt to bring that cruell head to death.

Ser. Through perſt w^t ſword let him be ſlayne & yelde his hatefull breath.

Atre. Thou ſpeak’ſt of th’end: but I him would opres w^t greter payne.
Let tyrants vexe with torment more: ſhould euer in my rayne
Be gentle death? Ser. Doth piety in thee preuayle no whit?

Atre. Depart thou hence all piety, if in this houſe as yet
Thou euer wert: and now let all the flocke of furies dyre,
And full of ſtrife Erinnis come, and double brands of fyre
Megaera ſhaking: for not yet enough with fury great
And rage doth burne my boyling breſt: it ought to bee repleate,
With monſter more. Ser. What miſchiefe new do’ſte thou in rage pro-uide?

Atre. Not ſuch a one as may the meane of woonted griefe abide.
No guilt will I forbeare, nor none may be enough deſpight.

Ser. What ſword? Atr. To litle that. Ser. what fire? Atr. And y^• is yet to

Ser. What weapon then ſhall ſorrow ſuch finde fit to worke thy will?

Atr. Thy eſtes ſelfe. Ser. Then yre it ſelfe yet that’s a greater ill.

Atr. I graunt: a tombling tumult quakes, within my boſomes loe,
And rounde it rolles: I moued am and wote not wherevnto.
But drawen I am: from bottome deepe the roryng ſoyle doth cry
The day ſo fayre with thunder ſoundes, and houſe as all from hy
Were rent, from roofe, and rafters crakes: and lares turnde abought
Haue wryde theyr ſight: ſo bee’te, ſo bee’te, let miſchiefe ſuch be ſought,
As yee O Gods would feare. Ser. What thing ſeek’ſt thou to bring to pas
I note what greater thing my mynde, and more then woont it was

Atre. Aboue the reache that men are woont to worke, begins to ſwell:
And ſtayth with ſlouthfull handes. What thinge it is I cannot tell:
But great it is. Bee’te ſo, my mynde now in this feate proceede,
For Atreus and Thyeſtes bothe, it were a worthy deede.
Let eche of vs the crime commit. The Thracian houſe did ſee
Such wicked tables once: I graunt the miſchiefe great to bee,
But done ere this: ſome greater guilt and miſchiefe more, let yre
Fynde out. The ſtomacke of thy ſonne O father thou enſpyre,
And ſyſter eke, like is the cauſe: aſſiſt me with your powre,
And dryue my hand: let greedy parents all his babes deuowre,
And glad to rent his children bee: and on their lyms to feede.
Enough, and well it is deuiſ’de: this pleaſeth me in deede.
In meane time where is he? ſo long and innocent wherefore
Doth Atreus walke? before myne eyes already more and more
The ſhade of ſuch a ſlaughter walkes: the want of children caſt,
In fathers Iawes. But why my mynde, yet dreadſt thou ſo at laſt,
And faiut’ſt before thou enterpriſe? it muſt bee done, let bee,
That which in all this miſchiefe is the greateſt guilt to ſee,
Let him commit. Ser. but what diſceit may wee for him prepare,
Whereby betrapt he may be drawne, to fall into the ſnare?
He wotes full well we are his foes. Atre. He could not taken bee,
Except himſelfe would take: but now my kingdomes hopeth hee.
For hope of this he woulde not feare to meete the mighty Ioue,
Though him he threatned to deiſtroy, with lightning from aboue.
For hope of this to paſſe the threats of waues he will not fayle,
Nor dread no whit by doubtfull ſhelues, of Lybike ſeas to ſayle,
For hope of this (which thing he doth the woorſt of all beleeue,)
He will his brother ſee. Ser. Who ſhall of peace the promiſe geeue?
Whom will he truſt? Atre. His euill hope will ſoone beleue it well.
Yet to my ſonnes the charge which they ſhall to theyr vuckle tell,
We will commit: that whom he would from exile come agayne,
And myſeries for kingdome chaunge, and ouer Argos raygne
A king of halfe: and though to hard of heart our prayers all
Him ſelfe deſpiſe, his children yet nought woting what may fall,
With trauels tier’de, and apte to be entys, de from miſery,
Requeſts will moue: on th’one ſide his deſyre of Imperie,
On th’other ſyde his pouerty, and labour hard to ſee,
Will him ſubdue and make to yeelde, although full ſtoute he bee.

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

Atr. Not ſo: for day by day the griefe of ill encreaſeth all.
T’is light to ſuffer miſeries, but heauy them t’endure.

Ser. Yet other meſſengers to ſend, in ſuch affayres procure,

Atr. The younger ſorte the wroſe precepts do eaſely harken to.

Ser. What thing agaynſt their vnckle now, you them enſtruckt to do,
Perhaps with you to worke the like, they will not be a dread.
Such miſchiefe wrought hath oft return’de vpon the workers head.

Atre. Though neuer man to thē the wayes of guile & guilt haue taught,
Yet kingdome will. Fear’ſt thou they ſhould be made by coūſel naught?
They are ſo borne. That whith thou car, ſte a cruell enterpryſe,
And dyrely deemeſt doone to be, and wickedly likewiſe,
Perhaps is wrought agaynſt me there. Ser. And ſhall your ſons of this
Diſceipt beware that worke you will? no ſecretnes there is
In theyr ſo greene and tender yeares: they will your traynes diſcloſe,

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

Ser. And will yee them, by whom yee woulde he ſhould beguiled bee,
Them ſelnes begull’de? At. May let thē both from fault & blame be free.
For what ſhall neede in miſchiefes ſuch as I to woorke entende,
To mingle them? let all my hate by mee alone take ende.
Thou leau’ſte thy purpoſe ill my mynde: if thou thine owne ſorbeare,
Thou ſpareſt him. Wherefore of this let Agamemnon heare
Be myniſter: and Client eke of myne for ſuch a deede,
Let Menelâus preſent bee: truth of th’uncertayne ſeede,
By ſuch a pracktiſe may be tri’de: if it refuſe they ſhall,
Nor of debate will bearers be, if they him vnckle call,
He is their father: let them goe. But much the fearefull face
Bewrayes it ſelfe: euen him that faynes the ſecret wayghty caſe,
Doth oft betray: let them therefore not know, how great a guyle
They goe about. And thou theſe things in ſecret keepe the whyle.

Ser. I neede not warned bee, for theſe within my boſome deepe,
Both fayth, and feare, but chiefely fayth, doth ſhet and cloſely kepe.

Chorus.

The noble houſe at length of high renowne,
The famous ſtocke of auncient Inachus,
Apeaſd & layd the threats of brethrē down
But nowe what fury ſtyrs & driues you thus
Eche one to thyrſt the others bloud agayne,
Or get by guylt the golden Mace in hande?
Yee litle wote that ſo deſyre to raygne,
In what eſtate or place doth kyngdome ſtande.
Not ritches makes a kyng or high renowne,
Not garniſht weede wyth purple Tyrian die,
Not lofty lookes, or head encloaſde with crowne,
Not glyttring beames with golde and turrets hie.
A Kyng he is that feare hath layde aſide,
And all affects that in the breaſt are bread:
Whom impotent ambition doth not guide,
Nor fickle fauour hath of people led.
Nor all that weſt in mettalls mynes hath founde,
Or chanell cleere of golden Tagus ſhowes,
Nor all the grayne that threſſhed is on grounde,
That with the heate of libyk harueſt glowes.
Nor whom the flaſſhe of lightning flame ſhall be ate,
Nor eaſtern wynde that ſmightes vpon the ſeas,
Nor ſwelling ſurge with rage of wynde repleate,
Or greedy Gulphe of Adria diſpleaſe.
Whom not the pricke of ſouldiers ſharpeſt ſpeare,
Or poyncted pyke in hand hath made to rue,
Nor whom the glympſe of ſwoorde myght cauſe to feare,
Or bright drawen blade of glyttring ſteele ſub due.
Who in the ſeate of ſafty ſets his feete,
Beholdes all haps how vnder him they lye,
And gladly runnes his fat all day to meete,
Nor ought complaynes or grudgeth for to dye.
Though preſent were the Prynces euerychone,
The ſcattered Dakes to chaſe that wonted bee,
That ſhyning ſeas beſet with precious ſtone,
And red ſea coaſtes doe holde, lyke bloud to ſee:
Or they which els the Caſpian mountaynes hye,
From ſarmats ſtrong with all theyr power withholde:
Or hee that on the floude of Danubye,
In froſt a foote to trauayle dare bee bolde:
Or ſeres in what euer place they lye,
Renownde with fleece that there of ſylke doth ſpring,
They neuer might the truth here of denye,
It is the mynde that onely makes a king.
There is no neede of ſturdie ſteedes in warre,
No neede with armes or arrowes ells to fight,
That Parthus woonts with bowe to fling from farre,
Whyle from the fielde hee falſely fayneth flight.
Nor yet to ſiege no neede it is to bringe
Great Guns in Carts to ouerthrowe the wall,
That from farre of theyr battring Pellets ſlyng.
A kyng hee is that feareth nought at all.
Eche man him ſelfe this kyng dome geeues at hand.
Let who ſo lyſt with mighty mace to raygne,
In tyckle toppe of court delight to ſtand
Let mee the ſweete and quiet reſt obtayne.
So ſet in place obſcure and lowe degree,
Of pleaſaunt reſt I ſhall the ſweetneſſe knoe.
My lyfe vnknowne to them that noble bee,
Shall in the ſteppe of ſecret ſylence goe.
Thus when my dayes at length are ouer paſt,
And tyme without all troublous tumult ſpent,
An aged man I ſhall depart at laſt,
In meane eſtate, to dye full well content.
But greeuous is to him the death, that when
ſo farre abroade the bruite of him is blowne,
That knowne hee is to much to other men:
Departeth yet vnto him ſelfe vnknowne.

THE THYRDE ACTE.

Thyeſtes, Phyliſthenes

My countrey bowres ſo long wiſht for, and Argos rytches all,
Cyteſe good that vnto baniſht then, and Myſers may befall,
The touch of ſuyle where born I was, a gods of natiue lād,
(If gods they be,) a ſacred towres I ſee of Cycolps hād:
That repreſeat then all mans woorke, a greater maieſty.
Renowned ſtadys to my youth, where noble ſometime I
Haue not ſo ſeelde as once, the palme in fathers chariot woon.
All Argos now to meete with me, and people faſt will roon:
But Atreus to. yet rather leade in woods agayne thy flight,
And buſhes thicke, and hid among the brutyſhe beaſtes from ſight,
Lyke lyfe to theyrs: where ſplendent pompe of court a princely pryde,
May not with flattring fulgent face, allure thine eyes aſide,
With whom the kingdome geuen is, behold, and well regarde,
Beſet but late with ſuch miſhaps, as all men couate full harde,
I ſtoute and ioyfull was: but now agayne thus int feare
I am returne. my mynde miſdoubtes, and backeward ſeekes to beare
My body hence: and forthe I draw my pace agaynſt my will.

Phy. With ſlouthfull ſtep (what meaneth this?) my father ſtādeth ſtill,
And turnes his face and holdes him ſelfe, in doubt what thing to do.

Thy. What thing (my minde) conſydreſt thou? or els ſo long whereto
Do’ſt thou ſo eaſte counſayle wreſt? wilt thou to thinges vnſure
Thy brother and the kingdome truſt? fearſt thou thoſe ills t’endure
Now ouercome, and mielder made? and trauayls do’ſt thou flee
That well were plaſte? it thee auayls, a myſer now to bee.
Turne hence thy pace while leefull is, and keepe thee from his hande.

Phy. What cauſe thee driues (O father deere) thus rō thy natiue lande,
Now ſeene to ſhrynk? what makes thee thus frō things ſo good at laſt
Withdrawe thy ſelfe? thy brother comes whoſe tres be ouerpaſt,
And halfe the kyngdome geues, and of the houſe Dylacerate,
Repayres the partes: and thee reſtores agayne to former ſtate.

Thy. The cauſe of feare that I know not, thou do’ſt require to heare.
I ſee nothing that makes mee dread, and yet I greatly feare.
I would goe on, hut yet my limmes with weary legges doe ſlacke:
And other way then I would paſſe, I am withholden backe.
So oft the ſhip that driuen is with wynde and eke with Ore,
The ſwelling ſurge reſiſting both beates backe vpon the ſhore.

Phy. Yet ouercome what euer ſtayes, and thus doth let your mynde,
And ſee what are at your returne, prepar’de for you to finde.
You may O father raygne. Thy. I may but then when die I mought.

P. Chiefe thing is powre. T. nought worth at al, if thou deſyre it nought.

P. You ſhall it to your children leaue. T. the kingdome takes not twayne,

Phy. Who may be happy, rather would he myfer yet remayne?

Thy. Beleue me well, with titles falſe the great thinges vs delight:
And heauy haps in vayne are fearde. while high I ſtoode in ſight,
I neuer ſtinted then to quake, and ſelfe ſame ſworde to feare,
That hanged by myne owne ſide was. Oh how great good it were,
With none to ſtriue, but careles foode to cate and reſt to knowe?
The greater gyltes they enter not in cotage ſet alowe.
And ſafer foode is fed vpon, at narrowe boorde alway,
While drunke in golde the poyſon is by proofe well taught I ſay,
That euill haps before the good to loue it likes my will.
Of haughty houſe that ſiandes aloft in tickle top of hyll,
And ſwayes aſyde, the cyty lowe neede neuer be affright:
Nor in the top of roofe aboue, there ſhynes no Iuery bright,
Nor watchman noue defendes my ſleepes by night, or gardes my reſt:
With fleete I fiſhe not, nor the ſees I haue not backwarde preſt,
Nor turn’de to flight with builded wall: nor wicked belly I
With taxes of the people fed: nor parcell none doth lie,
Of ground of myne beyonde the Getes: and Parthians farre about:
Nor worſhiped with frankinſence I am, nor (Ioue ſhet out)
My Aulters decked are: nor none in top of houſe doth ſtande
In garden treeſe, nor kindled yet with helpe of eche mans hande,
The bathes doe ſmoake: nor yet are dayes in ſlouthfull ſiumbers led,
Nor nightes paſt forth in watche and wyne, without the reſt of bed.
Wee nothing feare, the houſe is ſafe without the hidden knyfe,
And poore eſtate the ſweetenes feeles, of teſt and quiet lyfe.
Greate kindome is to be content, without the ſame to lyue.

Phy. Yet ſhould it not refuſed be, if God the kingdome giue.

Thy. Not yet deſierd it ought to be. Phy. your brother byds you rayne.

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

Phy. From whence it fell, yet piety is woont to turne at length:
And loue vnfaynde, repayres agayne his erſt omitted ſtrength.
Thy. Doth Atreus then his brother loue? eche Vrſa fyrſt on hys.
The ſeas ſhall waſhe and ſwelling ſurge of ſeas of ſicylye
Shall reſt and all aſſwaged be: and corne to rypenes growe
In bottawe of Ionian ſeas, and barkeſt night ſhall ſhowe
And ſpreade the light about the ſoyle: the waters with the fyre,
The lyfe with death, the wynde with ſeas, ſhall friendſhip firſt requyre,
And be at league. Phy. of what deceipte are you ſo dreadfull here?

Thy. Of euerychone: what ende at length might I prouide of feare?
In all he can he hateth me. Phy. to you what hurt can he?

Thy. As for my ſelfe I nothing dread you litle Babes make mee
Afrayde of him. Phy. dread, yee to be deguilde when caught yee are:
To late it is to ſhoon the traytie in middle of the ſnare.
But goe we on this (father) is to you my laſt requeſt.

Thy. I follow you. I leade you not. Phy. God turne it to the beſt
That well deuiſed is for good: paſſe farth with cherefull pace.

THE ſECOND ſCENE.

Atreus, Thyeſtes.

Entrapt in trayne the beaſt is caught and in the ſnare doth fall:
Both him, and eke of hated ſtocke with him the ofſpryng all,
About the fathers ſyde I ſee: and nowe in ſaufety ſtands
And ſureſt ground my wrathfull hate: nowe comes into my hands
At length Thyeſtes: yea hee comes and all at once to mee.
I ſcant refrayne my ſelfe, and ſcant may anger brydled bee.
So when the Bloudhound feekes the beaſt, by ſtep and quick of ſent
Drawes in the leame, and pace by pace to wynde the wayes hee went,
With noſe to ſoyle doth hunt, while he the Boare aloofe hath founde
Farre of by ſent, he yet refraynes and wanders through the grounde
With ſilent mouth: but when at hand he once perceiues the pray,
With all the ſtrength he hath he ſtriues, with voyce and calls away
His lingring maiſter, and from him by force out breaketh hee.
When Ire doth hope the preſent bloud, it may not hydden bee.
Yet let it hydden be. beholde with vgly hayre to ſight
How yrkeſomely deform’de with filthe his fowleſt tace is dight,
How lothſome lyes his Brarde vnkempt: but let vs friendſhip fayne.
To ſee my brother me delights: geue now to me agayne
Embracing long deſyred for: what euer ſtryfe there was
Before this time betwene vs twayne, forget and let it pas:
Fro this day forth let brothers loue, let bloud, and lawe of kinde
Regarded be, let all debate be ſlakte in eythers mynde.

Thy. I coulde excuſe my ſelfe, except thou wert as now thou art.
But (Atreus) now I graunt, the faulte was myne in euery part:
And I offended haue in all, my cauſe the worſe to bee,
Your this dayes kindnes makes: in deede a guilty wight is hee,
That would ſo good a brother hurt as you, in any whit.
But now with teares I muſt entreate, and firſt I me ſubmit.
Theſe handes that at thy feete doe lye, doe thee beſeeche and pray,
That yre and hate be layde aſide, and from thy boſome may
Be ſcraped out: and cleere forgot. for pledges take thou theſe
O brother deere, theſe guiltles babes. Atr. thy hands yet from my kneeſe
Remoue, and rather me to take in armes, vpon me fall
And yee O aydes of elders age, yee litle infants all,
Mee clyp and coll about the necke: this fowle attyre forſake,
And ſpare myne eyes that pity it, and freſher veſture take
Lyke myne to ſee. and you with ioy, the halfe of emperie
Deere brother take: the greater prayſe ſhall come to mee thereby,
Our fathers ſeate to yelde to you, and brother to releeue.
To haue a kingdome is but chaunce, but vertue it to geeue.

Thy. A iuſt reward for ſuch deſerts, the Gods (O brother deare)
Repay to thee: but on my head a regall crowne to weare,
My lothſome lyfe denyes: and farre doth from the ſceptor flee
My hand vnhappy: in the mydſt let leefull be for mee
Of men to lurke. Atre. this kingdome can with twayne full well agree.

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

Atr. Who would dame fortunes gifts refuſe, if ſhee him reyſe to raigne?

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

Atr. Yee me depryue of glory great, except yee th’empyre take.

Thy. You haue your prayſe in offring it, and I it to forſake.
And full perſwaded to refuſe the kingdome, am I ſtill.

Atre. Except your part yee will ſuſteine myne owne forſake I will.

Thy. I take it then. and beare I will the name thereof alone:
The ryghts and armes, as well as myne they ſhall be yours eche one.

Atre. The regall crowne as you beſeemes vpon your head then take:
And I th’appoyncted ſacrifice for Gods, will now goe make.

Chorus.

Woulde any man it weene? that cruell wight
Atreus, of mynde ſo impotent to ſee
Was ſoone aſtonied with his brothers ſight,
Mo greater force then pietye may bee:
Where kynred is not, laſteth euery threat,
Whom true loue holdes, it holdes eternally.
The wrath but late with cauſes kyndled great
All fauour brake, and did to battayle cry,
Whan horſemen did reſouude one euery ſyde,
The ſwoordes eche where, then glyſtred more & more:
Which raging Mars with often ſtroke did guide
The freſher bloud to ſhed yet thyrſting ſore.
But loue the ſworde agaynſt theyr wills doth ſwage,
And them to peace perſwads with hand in hand.
So ſodeyne reſt, amid ſo great a rage
What God hath made? throughout Mycenas land
The harneſſe clynkt, but late of cyuill ſtrife:
And for their babes did fearefull mother quake,
Her armed ſpouſe to leeſe much fearde the wyfe,
When ſworde was made the ſcabberde to forſake,
That now by reſt with ruſt was ouergrowne.
Some to repayre the walles that did decay,
And ſome to ſtrength the towres halfe ouerthrowne,
And ſome the gates with gyns of Yrne to ſtay
Full buſie were, and dredfull watch by nyght
From turret high did ouerlooke the towne.
Wocrſe is then warre it ſelfe the feare of fight.
(Nowe are the threats of cruell ſworde layde downe,
And nowe the rumour whiſts of battayles ſowne,
The noyſe of crooked trumpet ſilent lyes,
And quiet peace returnes to ioyfull towne.
So when the waxes of ſwelling ſurge aryſe,
Whyle Corus wynde the Brutian ſeas doth ſmight,
And ſcylla ſoundes from hollowe Caues within,
And ſhipmen are with wafting waues affright,
Charybdis caſts that erſt it had drunke in:
And Cyclpos fierce his father yet doth dred,
In AEtna banke that feruent is with heates,
Leaſt quenched be with waues that ouerſhed
The fire that from eternall Fornace beates:
And poore Laërtes thinkes his kyngdomes all
May drowned be, and Ithaca doth quake:
If once the force of wyndes begin to fall,
The ſea lyth downe more mylde then ſtanding lake.
The deepe, where ſhips ſo wyde full dredfull were
To paſſe, with ſayles on eyther ſyde out ſpred
Now fallne adowne, the leſſer Boate doth beare:
And leyſure is to vewe the fyſhes ded
Euen there, where late with tempeſt bet vpon
The ſhaken Cyclades were with ſeas agaſt.
No ſtate endures the payne and pleaſure, one
To other yeldes, and ioyes be ſooneſt paſt.
One howre ſets vp the thinges that loweſt bee.
Hee that the crownes to prynces doth deuyde,
Whom people pleaſe with bending of the knee.
And at whoſe becke theyr battayles lay aſide
The Meades, and Indians eke to Phebus nye,
And Dakes that Parthyans doe with horſemen threat,
Him ſelfe yet holdes his ſceptors doubtfully.
And men of might he feares and chaunces great
(That eche eſtate may turne) and doubtfull howre.
Oyee, whom lorde of lande and waters wyde,
Of Lyfe and death grauntes here to haue the powre,
Lay yee your proude and lofty lookes aſide:
What your inferiour feares of you amis.
That your ſuperiour threats to you agayne.
To greater kyng, eche kyng a ſubiect is.
Whom dawne of day hath ſeene in pryde to raygne,
Hym ouerthrowne hath ſeene the euening late.
Let none reioyce to much that good hath got,
Let none diſpayre of beſt in worſt eſtate.
For Clotho myngles all, and ſuffreth not
Fortune to ſtande: but Fates about doth driue.
Such friendſhip finde wyth Gods yet no man myght,
That he the morowe might be ſure to lyue.
The God our things all toſt and turned quight
Rolles with a whyrle wynde.

THE FOVRTHE ACTE.

Meſſenger. Chorus.

What whirlwynde may me headlong dryue and vp in ayre mee fling,
And wrap in darkeſt cloude, whereby it might ſo heynous thing,
Take from myne eyes? O wicked houſe that euen of Pelops ought
And Tantalus abhorred bee. Ch. what new thing haſt thou brought?

Me. What lande is this? lythe ſparta here and Argos, that hath bred
So wicked brethern? and the ground of Corinth lying ſpred
Betweene the ſeas? or Iſter elſe where woont to take their flight,
Are people wylde? or that which woonts with ſnowe to ſhyne ſo bright
Hircana lande? or els doe here the wandring ſeythians dwell?

Ch. What monſtrous miſchiefe is this place then guilty of? that tell,
And this declare to vs at large what euer be the ill.

Me. If once my mynde may ſtay it ſelfe, and quaking limmes I will.
But yet of ſuch a cruell deede before myne eyes the feare.
And Image walkes: yee raging ſtormes now far from hence me beare
And to that place me drtue, to which now driuen is the day
Thus drawen from hence. Ch. Our myndes yee holde yet ſtill in doubt: full ſtay.
Tell what it is yee ſo abhorre. The author thereof ſhowe.
I aſke not who, but which of them that quickly let vs know.

Me. In Pelops Turret high, a part there is of Pallece wyde
That towarde the ſouth erected leanes, of which the vtter ſyde
With equall top to mountayne ſtantes, and on the City lies,
And people proude agaynſt theyr prynce if once the traytors riſe
Hath vnderneath his batiring ſtroke: there ſhynes the place in ſight
Where woont the people to frequent, whoſe golden beames ſo bright
The noble ſpotted pillers gray, of marble doe ſupporte,
Within this place well knowen to men, where they ſo oſt reſorte,
To many other roomes about the noble court doth goe.
The priuie Palaice vnderlieth in ſecret place alos,
With ditch ful deepe that doth encloſe the wood of priuiter,
And hidden parts of kyngdome olde: where neuer grew no tree
That chereful bowes is woont to beare, with knife or lopped be,
But Taxe, and Cypreſſe, and with tree of Holme ful blacke to ſee
Doth becke and bende the wood ſo darke: alofte aboue all theeſe
The higher oke doth ouer looke, ſurmounting all the treeſe.
From hens with lucke the raigne to take, accuſtom’d are the kyngs,
From hens in daunger ayd to aſke, and doome in doubtfull things.
To this affixed are the gifts, the ſounding Trumpets bright,
The Chariots broke, and ſpoyles of ſea that now Mirtôon hight,
There hang the wheeles once won by crafte of falſer axel tree,
And euery other conqueſts note, here leefullis to ſee
The Phrygian tyre of Pelops head: the ſpoyle of enmies heere,
And of Barbarian triumphe left, the paynted gorgeous geere.
A lothſome ſpringe ſtands vnder ſhade, and ſlouthfull courſe doth take,
With water blacke: euen ſuch as is: of yrkeſome ſtygian lake
The vgly waue whereby art wont, to ſweare the gods on hye.
Here all the night the griſly ghoſts and gods of death to erie
The fame reportes: with clinkyng chaynes reſoūds the wood ech where
The ſprights cry out and euery thinge that dredfull is to heare,
May there bee ſeene: of vgly ſhapes from olde ſepulchres ſent
A frarefull ſlocke doth wander there, and in that place frequent
Worſe things then euer yet were knowwne: ye all the wood full afce
With flame is woont to flaſh, and all the higher trees alofte
Without a fyre do burne: and ofte the wood beſide all this
With triple barkyng roares at once: ful oft the palaice is
Affright with ſhapes, nor lighte of day may on the terrour quell.
Eternall night doth hold the place, and darknes there of hell
In mid day raignes: from hens to them that pray out of the ground
The certayne anſwers geuen are, what tyme with dredful ſound
From ſecret place the fates be tolde, and dungeon roares within
While of the God breakes out the voyce: whereto when entred in
Fierce Atreus was, that did wyth him his brothers children trayle,
Dekt are the aulters: who (alas) may it enough bewayle?
Behynde the infants backs anone he knyt theyr noble hands,
And eke theyr heauy heads about he bound with purple bands:
There wanted there no Frankenfence, nor yet the holy wine,
Nor knyfe to cut the ſacrifice, beſprinkt with leuens fine,
Kept is in all the order due, Icaſt ſuch a miſchiefe gret
Should not be ordred well. Ch. who doth his hand on ſword then ſet?

Mc. He is him ſelfe the prieſt, and he himſelfe the deadly verſe
With prayer dyre from feruent mouth doth ſyng and oft reherſe.
And he at th’aulters ſtands himſelfe, he them aſſygn’de to dye
Doth handle, and in order ſet, and to the knyfe applye,
He lights the fyres, no rights were left of ſacrifice vndone.
The woode then quakt, and all at once from trembling grounde anone
The Pallace beckt, in doubt which way the payſe thereof woulde fall,
And ſhaking as in waues it ſtoode: from th’ayre and therewithall
A blaſing ſtarre that fouleſt trayne drew after him doth goe:
The wynes that in the fyres were caſt, with chaunged licour floe,
And turne to bloud: and twyſe or thryſe th’attyre ſell from his hed,
The Iuerye bright in Temples ſeem’de to weepe and teares to ſhed.
The ſights amaſ’de all other men, but ſtedfaſt yet alway
Of mynde, vnmoued. Atreus ſtands, and euen the Gods doth fray
That threaten him and all delay forſaken by and by
To th’ aulters turnes, and there withwall a ſyde he lookes awry.
As hungry Tygre wonts that doth in gangey woods remayne
With doubtfull pace to range & roame betweene the bullocks twayne,
Of eyther pray full-couetous and yet vncertayne where
She fyrſt may byte, and roaring throate now turnes the tone to teare
And then to th’other ſtrayght returnes, and doubtfull famyne holdes:
So Atreus dyre, betwene the babes doth ſtand and them beholdes
On whom he poynctes to ſlake his yre: firſt ſtaughter where to make,
Hee doubts: or whom he ſhoulde agayne for ſecond offring take,
Yet ſkills it nought, but yet he doubtes and ſuch a cruelty
It him delightes to order well. Ch. Whom take he ſyrſt to dy?

Me. Firſt place, leaſt in him thinke yee might no piere to remayne
To graundſier dedicated is, fyrſt Tantalus is ſlayne.

Ch. With what a minde & count’nace, could y^e boy his death ſuſtayne?

Me. All careles of him ſelfe he ſtoode, nor once he would in vayne
His prayers leeſe. But Atreus fierce the ſword in him at laſt
In deepe and deadly wound doth hide to hilts, and gryping faſt
His throate in hād, he thruſt him through. The ſword thē drawne away
When long the body had vphelde it ſelfe in doubtfull ſtay.
Which way to fall, at length vpon the vnckle downe it falles.
And then to th’aulters cruelly Philiſthenes he tralles,
And on his brother throwes: and ſtrayght his necke of cutteth hee.
The Carcaſe keadlong falles to ground: a piteous thing to ſee.
The mourning head with murmure yet vucertayne doth complayne.

Chor. What after double death doth he and ſlaughter then of twayne?
Spares he the Child? or gilt on gilt agayne yet heayeth he?

Meſs. As long maynd Lyon ſcerce amid the wood of Armenie,
The droue purſues and conqueſt makes of ſlaughter many one,
Though now defyled be his tawes with bloud and hunger gone
Yet ſlaketh not his yreful rage with bloud of Bulles ſo great,
But ſlouthful now with weary tooth the leſſer Calues doth threat:
None other wyſe doth Atreus rage, and ſwelles with anger ſtraynd,
And holding now the ſword in hand, with double ſlaughter ſtayud,
Regarding not where fell his rage, with curſed hand vnmild
He ſtrake it through his body quite, at boſome of the Child
The blade goeth in, and at the backe agayne out went the ſame,
He falles and quenching with his bloud the aulters ſacred flame,
Of eyther wound at length he dieth. Chor. O’heynous hateful act.

Meſs. Abhorre ye this? ye heare not yet the end of all the fact,
There followes more. Cho. A fiercer thing, or worſe then this to ſee
Could Nature beare? Me. why thinke ye this of gylt the end to be?
It is but part. Cho. what could he wore? to cruel beaſtes he caſt
Perhappes their bodyes to be torne, and kept from fyres at laſt.

Me. Would God he had: that neuer tombe the dead might ouer hyde,
Nor flames diſſolue, though them for food to foules in paſtures wyde
He had out throwen, or them for pray to cruell beaſtes would flinge.
That which the worſt was wont to be, were here a wiſhed thing,
That them their father ſaw vntowbd: but oh more curſed crime
Uncredible, the which denye will men ef after tyme:
From boſomes yet aliue out drawne the trembling bowels ſhake,
The vaynes yet breath, the ſcareful hart doth yet both pant and quakes
But he the ſtringes doth turne in hand, and deſtenies beholde,
And of the guttes the ſygnes each one doth vewe not fully cold.
When him the ſacrifyce had pleaſd, his diligence hē puttes
To dreſſe his brothers banquet now: and ſtreight a fonder cuttes
The bodyes into quarters all, and by the ſtoompes anone
The ſhoulders wyde, and brawnes of armes be ſtrikes of euery thune.
He layes abroad their naked limes, and cuts away the bones:
The onely heads he kepes and handes to him committed once.
Some of the guttes are broacht. and in the fyres that burne full ſloe
They drop, the boyling licour ſome doth tomble to end froe
In moorning cawderne: from the fleſh that ouerſtandes alorft
The fyre doth flye, and ſkatter out and into chimney ofte
Up heat agayne, and there conſtraynd by force to tary yet
Unwilling burnes: the liuer makes great nopſe vpon the ſpit,
Nor eaſely wot I, if the fleſh, or flames they be that bry,
But crye they do: the fyre like pitch it fumeth by an by:
Nor yet the ſmake it ſelfe ſo ſad, like flithy miſte in ſight
Aſcendeth vp as wont it is, nor takes his way vpright,
But euen the Gods and houſe it doth with fylithy turne defiſe.
O pacient Phoebus though from hence thou backeward flee the whyle,
And in the midſt of heauen aboue doſt drowne the broken day,
Thou fleeſt to late: the father eats his children, well away,
And limmes to which he once gaue life, with curſed iaw doth teare.
He ſhynes with oyntment ſhed ful ſweete all round about his heare,
Replete with wyne; and aftentymes ſo curſed kynd of food
His mouth hath held, that would not downe. but yet this one thing good
In all thy yls (Thyeſtes) is that them thou doſt not knoe,
And yet ſhal that not long andure, though Titan backward goe
And chariots turne agaynſt himſelfe, to meete the wayes be went,
And heauy night ſo heynous deede to keepe from ſight be ſent,
And out of tyme from Eaſt aryſe, ſo foule a fact to hyde,
Yet ſhall the whole at length be ſeene: thy ylles ſhall all be ſpide.

Chorus.

Which way O Prince of landes and Gods on hie,
At whoſe vpriſe eftſones of ſhadowd night
All beawty fleeth, which way turnſt thou awrye?
And draweſt the day in midſt of heauen to flight?
Why doſt thou (Phoebus) hide from vs thy ſight?
Not yet the watch that later howre bringes in,
Doth Veſper warne the ſtarres to kindle light.
Not yet doth turne of Heſpers whele begin
To loaſe thy chare his well deſerued way.
The trumpet third not yet hath blowen his blaſt
Whyle toward the night beginnes to yeld the day:
Great wonder hath of ſodayne ſuppers haſt
The Plowman yet whoſe Oxen are vntierd.
From woonted courſe of Heauen what drawes thee backs?
What cauſes haue from certayne race conſpierd
To turne thy horſe? do yet from dongeon black
Of hollow hell, the conquerd Gyantes proue
A freſh aſſaut? doth. Tityus yet aſſay
With trenched hart, and wounded wombe to moue
The former yres? or from the hil away
Hath now Typhoeus wound his ſyde by might?
Is vp to heauen the way erected hie
Of phlegrey foes by mountaynes ſet vpright?
And now doth Oſſa Pelion ouerlye?
The wonted turnes are gone of day and night,
The ryſe of ſunne, nor fall ſhal be no more,
Aurora dowiſh mother of the light
That wontes to ſend the horſes out before,
Doth wonder much agayne returne to ſee.
Her dawning light: ſhe wots not how to caſe
The weary wheeles, nor manes that ſmoaking be
Of horſe with ſweate to bathe amid the ſeas.
Himſelfe vnwonted there to lodge likewiſe,
Doth ſetting ſonne agayne the morning ſee,
And now commaundes the darkenes vp to ryſe.
Before the night to come prepared bee.
About the Poale yet glowth no fyre in ſight.
Nor light Moone the ſhades doth comfort yet
What ſo it be, God graunt it be the night.
Our hartes do quake with feare oppreſſed gret.
And dreadfull are leaſt heauen and earth and all
With fatall ruine ſhaken ſhall decay:
And leaſt on Gods agayne, and men ſhall fall
Diſfigurde Chaos: and the land away
The ſeas, and Fyres, and of the glorious ſkiſe
The wandring lampes, leaſt nature yet ſhal hide.
Now ſhall no more with blaſe of his vpriſe,
The Lord of ſtarres that leades the world ſo wyde,
Of ſommer both and Winter geue the markes.
Nor yet the Moone with Phoebus flames that burnes,
Shall take from vs by night the dreadful carkes,
With ſwifter courſe or paſſe her brothers turnes,
While compaſſe leſſe ſhe fets in croked race:
The Gods on heaps ſhal out of order fall,
And each with other mingled be in place.
The wryed way of holy planets all,
With path a ſlope that doth deuide the Zones.
That beares the ſygnes, and yeares in courſe doth brynge,
Shall ſee the ſtarres with him fall downe at ones.
And he that firſt not yet with gentle ſpring,
The temperate Gale doth geue to ſayles, the Ramme
Shall headlong fall a downe to ſeas agayne,
Through which he once with fearefull Hellen ſwam.
Next him the Bull that doth with horne ſuſtayne
The ſyſters ſeuen with him ſhall ouerturne
The twins and armes of croked Cancer all,
The Lyon hoat that wontes the ſoyle to burne
Of Hercules agayne from heauen ſhall fall.
To landes once left the Virgin ſhall be throwne,
And leueld payſe of balance ſway alow,
And draw with them the ſtinging ſcorpion downe.
So likewyſe he that holdes in Theſſale bowe
His ſwift wel fethred arrowes Chiron old,
Shal breake the ſame and eke ſhal leſe his ſhotte
And Capricorne that bringes the winter cold
Shall ouerturne and breake the water pot
Who ſo thou be: and downe with thee to grounde,
The laſt of all the ſygnes ſhal Piſces fall
And monſters eke in ſeas yet neuer drounde,
The water gulph ſhal ouerwhelme them all.
And he which doth betwene each vrſa glyde,
Lyke croked flood the ſlipper ſerpent twynde:
And leſſer Beare by greater Dragons ſyde,
Full cold with froſt congealed hard by kinde,
And carter dull that ſlowly guides his waine
Vnſtable ſhall Boòtes fall from hye.
We are thought meete of all men whom agayn
Should hugy heape of Chaos ouerly.
And world oppreſſe with ouerturned maſſe
The lateſt age now falleth vs vppon.
With euil hap we are begot alas
If wretches we haue loſt the ſight of ſonne,
Or him by fraught enforced haue to flye
Let our complayntes yet goe and feare be paſts
He greedy is of life, that wil not die
When all the world ſhall end with him at laſt.

THE FIFTE ACTE.

Atreus alone.

Nowe equall with the ſtarres I goe. beyond each other wight,
With haughty heade the heauens aboue, and higheſt Poale I ſmite,
The kingdome nowe, and ſeate I holde, where once my father raynd:
I nowe lette goe the gods: for all my wil I haue obſaynde
Enoughe and well, ye euen enough for me I am acquit
But why enough? I wil procede and fyl the father yet
With bloud of his leaſt any ſhame ſhould me reſtrayne at all,
The day is gone, go to therfore whyle thee the heauen doth call
Would God I could agaynſt their wils yet hold the Goddes that flee
And of reuenging diſh conſtrayne them witneſſes to bee:
But yet (which wel enough is wrought) let it the father ſee.
In ſpighte of al the drowned day I will remoue from thee
The darkneſſe all, in ſhade wherof do lurke thy miſeryes.
And gueſt at ſuch a banquet now to long he careles lyes,
With mery face: now eate and drunke enough he hath at laſt
T’ys beſt him ſelfe ſhould know his ylls ye ſeruauntes, all in haſt
Vndoe the temple dores: and let the houſe bee open all:
Fayne would I ſee, when loke vppon his childrens heads he ſhal
What countenaunce he then would make, or in what woordes break out
Would firſt his griefe, or how would quake his body round about
With ſpright amaſed ſore: of all my worke the fruite were this
I would him not a miſer ſee, but while ſo made he is,
Behold the temple opened now doth ſhyne with many a light:
In glitteryng gold and purple ſeate he ſitees hymſelfe vpright,
And ſtaying vp his heauy head with wyne vppon his hand.
He belcheth out, now chiefe of goddes in higheſt place I ſtand,
And king of kinges: I haue my wiſh, and more then I could thinke.
He filled is, he now the wyne in ſiluer hulle doth drinke
And ſpare it not: there yet remaynes a worſer draught for thee
That ſprong out of the bodyes late of ſacrifyces three,
Which wine ſhall hyde let therwithall the boordes be taken vp.
The father (mingled with the wyne,) his childrens bloud ſhall ſup.
That would haue bronke of myne. Behold he now beginnes to ſtrayne
His voyce, and ſynges, nor yet for ioy his mynde be may refrayne,

THE ſECONDE ſCEANE

Thieſtes alone

O beaten boſomes dullde ſo longe with woe,
Laie down your cares, at length your greues relēt
Let ſorowe paſſe, and all your dread let goe,
And fellow eke of fearefull baniſhment,
Sad pouertye and ill in miſery
The ſhame of cares, more whenſe thy fall thou haſte,
Then whether ſkylles, great hap to him, from hye
That falles, it is in ferety to be plaſt
Beneath, and great it is to him agayne
That preſt with ſtorme, or euylls feeles the ſmart,
Of kyngedome loſte the payſes to ſuſtaine
With necke vnbowde: nor yet detect of heart
Nor ouercome, his heauy haps alwayes
To beare vpright but now of carefull carkes
Shake of the ſhowres, and of thy wretched dayes
Away with all the myſerable markes.
To ioyfull ſtate returne thy chearefull face.
Put fro thy mynde the olde Thyeſtes hence.
It is the woont of wight in wofull caſe,
In ſtate of ioy to haue no confidence.
Though better haps to them returned be,
Thafflicted yet to ioy it yrketh ſore.
Why calſt thou me abacke, and hyndreſt me
This happy day to celebrate? wherefore
Bidſt thou me (ſorrow) wepe without a cauſe.
Who doth me let with flowers ſo freſh and gay,
To deeke my hayres? it lets and me withdrawes.
Downe from my head the roſes fall away:
My moyſted haire with oyntment ouer all,
With ſodayne maſe ſtandes vp in wondrous wyſe,
From face that would not weepe the ſtreames do fall.
And howling cryes amid my wordes aryſe.
My ſorrowe yet thaccuſtomd teares doth loue
And wretches ſtil delyght to weepe and crye.
Vnpleaſant playntes it pleaſeth them to moue:
And floriſht fayre it likes with Tyrian die
Their robes to rent, to waile it likes them ſtill
For ſorrow ſendes (in ſigne that woes draw nic)
The mind that wots before of after yll.
The ſturdy ſtormes the ſhipmen ouer lye.
When voyd of wynd thaſſwaged ſeas do reſt.
What tumult yet or countenaunce to ſee
Makſte thou mad man? at length a truſtful breaſt
To brother gene, what euer now it be,
Cauſeles, or els to late thou art a dred.
I wretch would not ſo feare, but yet me drawes
A trembling terrour: downe myne eyes do ſhed
Their ſodayne teares and yet I know no cauſe,
Is it a greefe, or feare? or els hath teares
great ioy it ſelfe.

THE THIRDE ſCEANE.

Atreus. Thyeſtes.

Lette vs this daye with one conſente (O brother celebrate)
This daye my ſceptors my confyrme, and ſtabliſh my eſtate.
And faythfull bonde of peace and loue betwene vs ratifye.

Thy. Enough with meate and eke with wyne, now ſatiſfyed am I.
But yet of all my ioyes it were a great encreaſe to mee,
If now about my ſyde I might my litle children ſee.

Atr. Beleeue that here euen in thyne armes thy children preſent be.
For here they are; and ſhalbe here, no part of them fro thee
Sal be withheld: their loued lookes now geue to thee I wil,
And with the heape of all his babes, the father fully fyll.
Thou ſhalt be glutted feare thou not: they with my boyes as yet
The ioyful ſacrifyces make at borde where children ſit.
They ſhalbe cald, the frendly cup now take of curteſy
With wyne vpfylde. Thy. of brothers feaſt I take ful willingly
The fynal gyft, ſhed ſome to gods of this our fathers lande,
Then let the reſt be dronke, what’s this? in no wyſe wil my hand
Obeye: the payſe increaſeth ſore, and downe myne arme doth ſway.
And from my lippes the wafting wyne it ſelfe doth flye away,
And in deceiued mouth, about my iawes it rūneth rounde.
The table to, it ſelfe doth ſhake and leape from trembling ground.
Scant burnes the fyre: the ayre it ſelfe with heauy chere to ſlght
Forſooke of ſonne amaſed is betweene the day and night.
What meaneth this? yet more and more of backward beaten ſkye
The compas falles, and thicker myſt the world doth ouerly
Then blackeſt darkenes, and the night in night it ſelfe doth hyde.
All ſtarres be fled, what ſo it bee my brother God prouyde
And ſoones to ſpare: the Gods ſo graunt that all this teſtmpeſt fall
On this vyle head: but now reſtore to me my childreu all,

Atr. I wil, and neuer day agayne ſhal them from thee withdraw,

Thy. What tumult tumbleth ſo my guttes, and doth my bowels gnaw?
What quakes within, with heauy payſe I feele my ſelfe oppreſt,
And with an other voyce then myne bewayſes my doleful breſt:
Come nere my ſonnes, for you now doth thun happy father call:
Come nere, for you once ſeene, this griefe would ſoone aſſwage & fall
Whence murmure they? At. with fathers armes embrace them quickly now
For here they are loe come to thee: doſt thou thy children know?

Th. I know my brother: ſuch a gylt yet canſt thou ſuffet well
O earth to beare? nor yet from hence to ſtygian lake of hell
Doſt thou both drowne thy ſelle and vs? nor yet with broaken ground
Doſt thou theſe kingdomes and their king with Chaos rude confounde?
Nor yet vprenting from the ſoyle the bowres of wicked land.
Doſt thou Micenas ouerturne with Tantalus to ſtand,
And aunciters of ours, if there in hel be any one,
Now ought we both: now from the frames on eyther ſyde anone
Of ground, all here and there rent vp out of thy boſome depe:
Thy dens and dungons ſet abrode, and vs encloſed keepe,
In bottome low of Acheront aboue our heds aloft
Let wander all the gylty ghoſtes, with burning frete ful oft
Let fyry Phlegethon that driues his ſands both to and fro
To our confuſion ouer roon und vyolently flow
O ſlothful ſoyle vnſhaken payſe vnmoued yet art thou?
The Gods are ſled: Atr. but take to thee with ioy thy children now,
And rather them enbrace: at length thy children all of thee
So long wiſht for (for no delay there ſtandeth now in mee)
Enioy and kiſſe embracing armes deuyde thou vnto three.

Thy. Is this thy league? may this thy loue and fayth of brother bee?
And dooſt thou ſo repoſe thy hate? the father doth not craue
His ſonnes aliue (which might haue bene without thy gylt) to haue
And eke without thy hate, but this doth brother brother pray:
That them he may entoom be reſtore, whom ſee thou ſhalt ſtrayght waye,
Be burnt: the father naught requires of thee that haue he ſhall,
But ſoone forgoe Atr. what euer part yet of thy children all
Remaynes, here ſhalt thou haue: and what remayneth not thou hoſt.

Thy. Lye they in fieldes, a food out fleng for fleerug ſowles to waſte?
Or are they kept a pray, for wyld and brutiſh beaſten to eate?

Atr. Thou haſt deaourd thy ſonnes and fyld thy ſelfe with wicked meat.

Thy. Oh this is it that ſham’de the Gods and day from hence did dryue
Turn’d back to eaſt, alas I wretch what waylinges may I geue?
Or what complayntes? what woeful woordes may be enough for mee?
Their heads cut of, and handes of torne, I from their bodres ſee,
And wrenched ſeete from broken thighes I here behold agayn
Tys this that greedy father could not ſuffer to ſuſtayne.
In belly roll my bowels round, and cloaſed cryme ſo great
Without a paſſage ſtryues within and ſeekes away to get.
Thy ſword (O brother) leud to me much of my bloud alas
It hath: let vs therwith make way for all my ſonnes to paſſe.
Is yet the ſword from me withheld? thy ſelfe thy boſomes teare,
And let thy breſtes reſound with ſtroakes: yet wretch thy hand forbeare
And ſpare the deade: who euer ſaw ſuch miſchiefe put in proofe?
What rude Heniochus that dwels by ragged coaſt aloofe,
Of Caucaſus vnapt for men? or feare to Athens,, who
Procuſtes wyld? the father I oppreſſe my children do
And am oppreſt, is any meane of gylt or miſchiefe yet?

Atr. A meane in miſchiefe ought to be when gylt thou doſt commit,
Not when thou quytſt: for yet euen this to litle ſeemes to me.
The blood yet warme euen from the wound I ſhould in ſight of thes
Euen in thy lawes haue ſhed, that thou the bloud of them mightſt drinke
That lyued yet: but whyle to much to haſt my hate I thinke
My wrath beguyled is my ſelfe with ſword the woundes them gaue
I ſtrake them downe, the ſacred fyres with ſlaughter vowde I haue
Wel pleaſd, the carcaſe cutting then, and liueles lymmes on grounde.
I haue in litle parcels chopt, and ſome of them I brounde
In boyling cauderns, ſome to fyres that burnte ful ſlow I put,
And made to droppe: their ſynewes all, and limmes a two I cut
Euen yet alyue and on the ſpitte, that thruſt was through the ſame
I harde the liuer wayle and crye, and with my hand the flame:
I otf kept in: but euery whit the father might of this
Haue better done, but now my wrath to lightly ended is.
He rent his ſonnes with wicked gumme, himſelfe yet wotting naught.
Nor they therof Th. O ye encloaſ’d with bending bankes abought
All ſeas me heare, and to this gylt ye Gods now harken well
What euer place ye fled are to here all ye ſprites of hel,
And here ye landes, and night ſo darke that them doſt ouerly
With clowde ſo blacke to my complayntes do than thy ſelfe apply.
To thee now left I am, thou doſt alone me miſer ſee,
And thou art left without thy ſtarres: I wil not make for me
Peticions yet, nor ought for me require may ought yet bee
That me ſhould vayle? for you ſhal all my wiſhes now foreſee.
Thou guyder great of ſkyes aboue, & prince of higheſt might,
Of heauenly place now all with cloudes ful horrible to ſight,
Enwrap the worlde, and let the wyndes on euery ſyde breake out:
And ſend the dredfull thunder clap through al the world about
Nor with what hand thou gyltes houſe and vndeſerued wall
With leſſer bolt are wonte to beate, but with the which did fall
The three vnheaped mountaynes once and which to hils in height
Stoode equall vp, the gyantes huge: throuw out ſuch weapons ſtreight,
And flyng thy fires: and therwithall reuenge the drowned day.
Let flee they flames, the light thus loſt and hid from heauen away,
With flaſhes fyll: the cauſe (leſt long thou ſhouldſt doubte whom to hit)
Of ech of vs is ill: if not at leaſt let myne be it.
Me ſtrike with tryple edged toole thy brande of flaminge fyre.
Beate through this breaſt: if father I my children to deſyre
To lay in tombe or corpſes caſt to fyre as doth behoue,
I muſt be burnt if nothing now the gods to wrath may moue,
Nor powre from ſkies with thunder bolt none ſtrikes the wicked men
Let yet eternall night remayne, and hyde with darknes then
The world about: I, Titan naught complayne as now it ſtandes
If ſtil thou hyde thee thus away. Atre. now prayſe I well my handes.
Now got I haue the palme. I had bene ouercome of thee,
Except thou ſorrow’dſt ſo but now euen children borne to mee
I compt and now of bridebed chaſt the ſayth I do repayre,

Thy. In what offended haue my ſous: Atr. In that, that thyne they were

Thy. ſetſt thou the ſonnes for fathers foode? Arr. I do & (which is beſt)
The certayne ſonnes, Thy. The gods that guyde all infantes I proteſt.

Atr. What wedlock gods? Th. who would the gilt w^t gylt ſo quite again?

Atr. I know thy greefe preuented now with wrong thou doſt complayne:
Nor this thee yrkes, that ſed thou art with food of curſed kind,
But that thou hadſt not it prepared for ſo it was thy mynd,
Such meates as theſe to ſet before thy brother wotting naught,
And by the mothers helpe to haue, likewyſe my children caught:
And them with ſuch like to ſlay: this one thing letted thee,
Thou thought’ſt them thine. Thy. the gods ſhall al of this reuengers be
And vnto them for vengeance due my vowes thee render ſhall

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

THE FOVRTH SCENE, Added to the Tragedy by the Tranſlatour.

Thyeſtes alone.

O Kyng of Dytis dungeou darke, and gryſly Ghoſts of hell,
That in the deepe and dre adfull Denne, of blackeſt Tarrace dwell.
Where leane and pale dyſeaſes lye where feare and ſamyne are,
Where diſcord ſtands with bleeding browes, where euery kynde of care,
Where furies fight in beds of ſteele, and heares of crauling ſnakes,
Where Gorgon grimme, where Harpyes are, & lothſome Lymbo lakes,
Where moſt prodigious vgly thinges, the hollowe hell doth byde.
If yet a mouſter more myſhapt then all that there doe hyde,
That makes his broode his curſed foode, yee all abhorre to ſee,
Nor yet the deepe Auerne it ſelfe, may byde to couer mee,
Nor griſly gates of Putoes place, yet dare them ſelues to ſpred,
Nor gaying grounde to ſwallowe him, whom Gods and day haue ſled:
Yet breake yee out from curſed ſeates, and heere remayne with mee,
Yee neede not now to be affrayde, the Ayre and Heauen to ſee.
Nor triple headed Cerberus, thou needſt not bee affryght,
The day vnknowne to thee to ſee or els the lothſome lyght.
They both be ſled: and now doth dwell none other count’naunce heere,
Then doth beneath the fowleſt face, of hatefull hell appeete.
Come ſee a meeteſt match for thee, a more then monſtrous wombe,
That is of his vnhappy broode, become a curſed tombe.
Flocke here yee fowleſt flendes of hell, and thou O graundſyre greate,
Come ſee the glutted guts of myne, with ſuch a kinde of meate,
As thou didſt once for Gods prepare. Let torments all of hel
Now fall vppon this hatefull head, that hath deſerude them well.
Yee all be plagued wrongfully, your guiltes be ſmall, in ſight
Of myne, and meete it were your pange on me alone ſhould light.
Now thou O graundſter guiltleſſe arte, and meeter were for mee,
With fleeing floud to be beguilde, and fruite of fickle tree.
Thou ſlewſt thy ſonne, but I my ſonnes, alas, haue made my meate.
I coulde thy famyne better beare, my paūch is now repleate
With foode: and with my children three, my belly is extent.
O filthy fowles and gnawyng gripes, that Tytius be ſome rent
Beholde a fitter pray for you, to fill your ſelues vppone
Then are the growing guts of him: foure wombes enwrapt in one.
This paūche at once ſhall ſtll you all: if yee abhorre the foode,
Nor may your ſelues abide to bathe, in ſuch a curſed bloode:
Yet lend to me your clinching clawes, your pray a while forbeare,
And with your tallons ſuffer mee, this monſtrous mawe to teare.
Or whirling wheeles, with ſwinge of which Ixion ſtill is rolde,
Your bookes vpon this glutten gorge, would catche a ſurer holde.
Thou filthy floud of Lym bo lake, and ſtygian poole ſo dyre,
From chocked chanell belche abrode. Thou fearefull freate of fyre,
Spue out thy flames O Phlegethon: and ouerſhed the grounde.
With vomit of thy fyry ſtreame, let me and earth be drownde,
Breake vp thou ſoyle from bottome deepe, and geue thou roome to hell,
That night, where day, y^• ghoſts, where Gods were woōt to raigne, may dwel.
Why gapſt thou not? Why do you not O gates of hell vnfolde?
Why do yee thus thinfernall ſtendes, ſo long from hence withholde?
Are you likewyſe affrayde to ſee, and knowe ſo wretched wight,
From whom the Gods haue wryde theyr lookes, & turned are to flight?
O hatefull head, whom heauen and hell, haue ſhoonde and left alone,
The ſunne, the ſtarres, the light, the day, the Gods, the ghoſts be goue.
Yet turne agayne yee ſkyes a while, ere quight yee goe fro mee,
Take vengeance fyrſt on him, whoſe faulte enforceth you to flee.
If needes yee muſt your flight prepare, and may no longer bide,
But rolle yee muſt with you forthw^t, the Gods and ſunne a ſyde,
Yet ſlowly flee: that I at length, may you yet ouertake,
While wandring wayes I after you, and ſpeedy iorney make.
By ſeas, by lands, by woods, by rocks, in darke I wander ſhall:
And on your wrath, for right rewarde to due deſerts, will call.
Yee ſcape not fro me, ſo yee Gods, ſtill after you I goe,
And vengeaunce aſke on wicked wight, your thunder bolte to throe.

FINIS.

THE THYRD TRAGEDY OF L. ANNAEVS Seneca: entituled Thebais, tranſlated out of Latin into Engliſhe, by Thomas Newton. 1581.

The Argument.

Laivs King of Thebes, hadde by his Wyfe and Queene IOCASTA, a ſonne named OEDIPVS: Who being yet in his Mothers Wombe, APOLLO his Oracle pronounced, that by the handes of that childe, King LAIVS the father ſhould bee murthered. The feare whereof cauſed the King to commaūd him to be put to death. The Kinges heardman, who had the charge to ſee this done, on thone ſide mooued with compaſſion ouer a tender weakeling: and on the otherſide, afraid to incurre the King his maiſters diſpleaſure, contented himſelfe onely to boare two hoales through the Infants two feete, and with certayne plyable Twigges beinge thruſt through the ſame, hong him vp on a tree by the Heeles: ſuppoſing that heereby hee ſhould cōmit a leſſe crime in ſuffring the childe to periſhe by famine, then in playing the Butcher himſefe. It fortuned, that one PHORBAS heardman to POLYBIVS King of Corynth, paſſing by that way & hearing a yong Childe cyre, went and cut him downe, and caryinge him to Corynth, it ſo fell out that at length hee was giuen for a preſent or gyft to MEROPE, Wyfe to the ſaid King POLYBVS. This OEDIPVS afterward going to Thebes, in a certayne ſedicious hurly burly in the countrey there, vnawares and vnwitting ſlewe King LAIVS his Father. About which tyme the City of Thebes, and Countrey there about was meruelouſly infeſted with a monſter called ſphinx: who propounding a certaine Riddle, or obſcure queſtion to ſuch as paſſed that way, and deuouringe as many, as coulde not aſſoyle the ſame. To him that coulde aſſoile it and ſo rid the Countrey from that ſo vgly and daūgerous a monſter, the mariage of Queene IOCASTA, and the kingdome of Thebes was promyſed as a recompence: OEDIPVS after many others, taking the matter in hand, aſſoyled the Ryddle, & ſlew the mōſter. Whereupō marying the Queene, not knowing her to bee his owne Mother, had by her foure Chyldren: ETHEOCLES, POLYNICES, ANTIGONE, & ISMENE. In the end, hauing knowledg, how firſt hee had kylled his Father, and then inceſtuouſly maryed his Mother, hee forſooke his kingdome being continually infeſted wyth the plague, & (as one aſhamed to loke any man in theface) pulled out his own Eyes, and hid himſelfe in corners and ſolitary places. His ſonnes ETHEOCLES & POLYNICES agreed to raigne enterchaungeably, that is to wit, ETHEOCLES, one yeare, and POLYNICES the other. ETHEOCLES hauing raigned his yeare, refuſed according to the articles of agrement, to reſigne the Crowne to his brother for the next yeare. Whereupō they fel to mortal warres, and in the end meaning by combat to ende the matter, they mutually ſlew one the other. And note that this Tragedy, was left by the Authour vnperfect, becauſe it neyther hath in it, Chorus, ne yet the fifth Acte.

The names of the Speakers.

OEdipus.

Nuntius.

Antigone.

Iocaſta.

THE FIRTE ACTE.

Oedipus. Antigone.

Deare Daughter, vnto Father blynde a ſtaffe of ſteady ſtay,
To weary ſyre, a comfort greate, and Guide in all his way:
And whom to haue begotten, I may glad and ioyfull bee:
Yet leaue me now, thy hapleſſe ſyre, thus plungde in miſery.
Why ſeekſt thou meanes, ſtill to direct my ſtalking ſteppes aright?
Let mee I pray thee headlong ſlyde in breaknecke tumbling plight.
I better ſhall and ſooner fynde a way my ſelfe alone
To rid mee out of all the thrall wherein I now am throwne.
Whereby both heauen ſhall eaſed bee, and earth ſhall want the ſight
Of mee vile wretch, whom, guilt hath made a moſt abhorred wight.
Alas, what litle triffling tricke hath hitherto bene wrought
By theſe my hands? what feate of worth or maiſtry haue I ſought?
In deede, they haue me helpt to pull myne eyes out of my head:
So that ne ſunne, ne Moone I ſee, but life in darkneſſe lead.
And though that I can nothing ſee, yet is my guilt and cryme
Both ſeene and knowne, & poyneted at, (woe worth the curſed tyme.)
Leaue of thy hold, let loſe thy hand, good daughter, let mee goe:
Let foultring foote light where it will, let it (this once) be ſo.
Ile trudge, and runne, Ile ſkudde, and raunge, Ile haſten to the hill
Of craggy ſtiepe Cytheron, there I hope to worke my will.
Where earſt Actaeon loſt his lyfe by ſtraunge, and vncouth death,
Whom vawling Dogges, and hunting Hounds bereft of vitall breath:
Where once Agaue (bedlemlike) raungd vp and downe the woode
With ſyſters hers, enſpired all with Bacchus raging moode.
And pleaſing well her ſelfe in that her fact and miſchiefe donne,
Pitcht on a Poale the griſly head of him that was her ſonne.
Where Zethus with his ruffling Crew of Gallantes young and ſtoute
Dragd, hald, and puld, the hateful corps of Dirce, all aboute.
Where buſhie bloudied brambles ſhow which way the Bull her drew:
Nere where dame Ino from a Rocke her ſelfe in ſea downe threw.
So that poore mother though ſhe ment t’auoyde one fault by flight:
Yet ſhe therby a worſe procur’d, while like a ſeely wight
She bother ſelfe and eke her ſonne from ſcyron hurled downe
Entending both her ſelfe and him in foaming ſea to drowne.
Oh happy, yea thryſe happy they, that had ſo good an bap:
And whom ſuch mothers pitiful carſt daudled in theyr lap.
Yea yet there is in theſe ſame woods an other place to mee
Thats due by right, and rightly may me challenge as his fee.
Where I am Infant out was layed, al Fortunes to abide:
I thyther wil direct my courſe of try what may betyde.
Ile neither ſtop ne ſtay til that I be arryued there,
For guyde I recke not, neyther force for ſtumbling any where.
Why ſtay I thus like daſtard drudge to haſten vnto it?
Sith wel I know it lotted is to be my graue and Pit?
Let me myne owne Cytheron mount enioy in quiet ſtate,
It is myne old and auncient bower, appoynted me by fate.
I pray thee be not diſcontent that I ſhould (aged) die,
Euen there, where life I ſhould haue loſt in pueling infancy.
I yeild me heere with willing hart vnto thoſe tortures all
That earſt to me were due, and which to others haue befall:
To thee I ſpeake O bloudy mount, fierce, cruel, ſtyepe and fell,
As well in that thou ſpareſt ſome, as that thou ſome doſt quell.
This carton corps, this ſinful ſoule, this carcaſſe here of myne
Long tyme agone by right good Law and propertye is thine.
Now yet at length perfourme the heſt that earſt enioyned was
To thee by thoſe my parentes both, now bring their doome to paſſe.
My hart euen longeth till I may ſo fully ſatiſfy
By this my death that their decree, that glad I am to die.
Ah Daughter, Daughter, why wouldſt thou thus keepe mee gaynſt my mynd?
In this ſo vile inceſtuous loue? thou art but now to kind.
Oh ſtay me not I thee deſire, behold, behold, I heare
My Fathers ghoſt to bidde me come apace, and not to feare.
O Father myne I come, I come, now father ceaſſe thy rage:
I know (alas) how I abus’d my Fathers hoary age:
Who had to name King Laius: how hee doth fret and frye
To ſee ſuch lewd diſparagement: and none to blame but I.
Wherby the Crowne vſurped is, and he by murther ſlayne.
And Baſtardly inceſtuous broode in Kingly throne remayne.
And loe, doſt thou not playnly ſee, how he my panting Ghoſt
With raking pawes doth hale and pull, which grieues my conſcience moſt?
Doſt thou not ſee how he my face beſcratcheth tyrant wyſe?
Tel mee (my Daughter) haſt thou ſeene Ghoſtes in ſuch griefly guyſe?
Antig I ſee & marke each thing ful well. Good father leaue this mind.
And take a better if you can: from this your ſelfe vnwynd.

Oed. O what a beaſtly cowardiſe is in this breaſt of myne?
Was I ſo ſtout and venturous in pulling out myne Eyen?
And ſhall all courage be employd agaynſt one onely part
Of Body, and from other partes ſhall valour wholly ſtart?
Let none of all theſe puling trickes nor any faint excuſe
Thus daunt thy ſprites, let no delay to baſenes thee enduce:
Diſpatch at once, why lingre I, as one thats loth to dye?
Why liue I? iſt becauſe I can no longer miſchieues trye?
Yes that I can, wretch though I be: and therfore tel I thee,
Deare Daughter, that the ſooner thou mightſt hence depart from mee.
Depart a mayd and Virgin hence, for feare of after claps:
Since villany to Mother ſhewde, its good to doubt miſhaps.

Anti. No force, no power, no violence, ſhall make me to withdraw
My duty vnto thee my ſyre, to whom I vow myne awe.
I will not be diſſeuered, ne pulled from thy ſyde.
I will aſſiſt thee, whyle that breath ſhal in this Breaſt abyde.
My Brothers twayne let them contend, and fight for Princelye ſwaye
Of wealthy Thebes: where whilom raignd King Labdacke many a day.
The greateſt ſhare and portion that I do loke to haue
Out of my Fathers Kingdome, is my Fathers lyfe to ſaue.
Him neither ſhall Etheocles my elder brother take
Away from mee, who now by force the Thebane realme doth rake.
Ne Polynices, who as now is Muſtring men apace.
From Argos Land: with ful entent his brother to diſplace.
No, though y^e world went all on wheeles: though Ioue ſhould frō aboue
Hurle flaſhing flakes vpon the Earth, all ſhall not quayle my loue.
No, though his thumping thunderbolt (when wee togeather ſtand)
Should light betweene vs, where as we are plighted hand in hand)
Yet wil I neuer thee forſake, but held my handfaſt ſtill:
Therefore its boateles father deare, to countermaund my will
In this my full reſolued mynd. Forbid me if you pleaſe.
But ſurely I will be your guide in weale, woe, dole, & caſe.
And maugre al your ſharpe reprofes (though much againſt your mind)
I wil direct your ſteppes and gate, that you your way may fynd:
Through thick & thinne, through rough and ſmoth I wil be at an ynch
In hill and dale, in wood & groue, Ile ſerue at eu’ry pinch.
If that you goe where daunger lies, and ſeeke your owne annoy,
You ſhall wel proue, that I to leade the daunce wil not be coy.
Aduyſe your ſelfe therfore, of twayne to which I guyde ſhall be:
My count is caſt, I am ful bent with you to liue and die.
Without me periſh can you not: but with me, wel you may,
It booteth not, in other ſort to moue me ought to ſaye.
Here is an huyge Promontory that elboes into ſea
Let vs from thence throw downe our ſelues, and worke our laſt decay,
If that ye wil. Here alſo is a flinty Rocke beſyde,
Which if you pleaſe ſhal ſerue our turnes: Heere beaten with the tyde
Bee craggy Cliffes, let’s goe to them: Here runnes a gulphy ſtreame
With force afore it dryuing ſtones as bigge as mountaine beame.
What ſay you? ſhall wee drench our ſelues within this fomy Flood?
Goe where you wil, take which you liſt, do as you deeme it good.
Conditionally that I may firſt receyue the wound of death:
I recke no whit, I ready ſtand to yeld vp vitall breath.
I neyther draw you to nor froe: but euen as beſt you thinke
So doe, ſo deale. Would you ſo fayne Deathes bitter cup to drinke?
My lord and Father, take you death ſo greate a boone to bee?
If that you dye (this I aſſure) die firſt you ſhall me ſee.
If life in ſhew more pleaſaunt ſeme, if ſo you rather chuſe,
I am to wayte vpon you ſtill and neuer will refuſe.
But chaunge this mynde wherein you reſt, take hart a grace, and ſhow
The noble magnanimity that earſt in you did flow:
Reſiſt theſe panges, ſubdue theſe dumpes by valour of the mynd,
Let manly courage qualify theſe your affections blynd.
Tis great diſhonor thus to yeeld your ſelfe to dolor thrall,
No ſtorme of aduerſe hap thus ought a Princes hart t’appall.

Oedip. This geare ſurmounteth far the reach of my capacity:
I am aſtonn’d, I feele my ſelfe rapt with an extaſie,
Is this not wonder of ſo lewd, and of ſo curſt a tree
Such fruite to grow? of graceles ſyre ſo good a child to ſee?
Is it not ſtraunge that in a houſe diſtaynd in villany
Such noble ſhew of towardnes and vertuous gyftes ſhould lye?
Let me ſome ſpeach to thee direct, dame Fortune: how haps this
That here my daughter ſo vnlike to wretched father is?
Degenerating from his ſteps, and with ſuch vertue fraught,
As in her Fathers curſed houſe ſhe neuer yet was taught?
Is it (I pray thee) credible, that out of me ſhould ſpring
Such yſſue, as ſhould geuen be to any honeſt thinge?
No truely, no: it cannot bee (my fates ful well I know)
None ſuch, (vnleſſe to doe me ſcart and miſchiefe) would be ſo.
T’encreaſe the heape of myne annoy no ſtraunge effect ſhall want.
Dame Nature in her Creatures wil new affectes emplant.
The Ryuer ſhall returne his courſe to Fountayne backe agayne,
Dan Phoebus Lamp ſhall bring the Night, and Night ſhal day remain,
So that my grieuous miſeryes with ſurpluſage may grow.
But be as tis: I for a whyle wil play my part alſo,
And ſhew ſome ſparke of piety, my fault to counteruayle:
With murtdroue knife, my woeful dayes to end I wil not fayle.
The onely helpe for Oedipus, the onely ſafety is
To ridde himſelfe, and ſo redeeme that Helliſh fact of his.
Let mee take vengeance on my ſelfe for wronges to father donne,
Whoſe Death is yet vnexplate, by mee his curſed ſonne.
Why doſt thou ſhake and tremble thus thou hand, not good for ought?
Why flaggreſt thou to ſtabbe him in, who ſyre to ſpoyle hath brought?
That puniſhment which hetherto by pulling out myne eyes
Thou haſt inflicted on me, is but as a ſacrifyce,
Or guerdon due for villany which I committed haue
With mother myne. Now Daughter ſloute, leaue of pretences braue,
Alledge no gloſes: but with ſpeede let goe thy Fathers hand:
Thou mak’ſt me die a lingring death within this loathed land.
Thou thinkſt I am aliue, but I am dead long while agoe:
To this my hateful Corps at length the rytes of Buriall ſhow.
Thou meaneſt well, (I know) but yet therin thou doſt offend:
Though colour for thy piety I ſee thou doſt pretend.
But piety it canot be, to dragge thus vp and downe
Thy Fathrs Corpes vnburied through City, Field, and Towne.
For bee that doth enforce a man agaynſt his will to dye:
And he that ſtayeth him that would fayne dye, moſt willingly,
Are both alike in equall fault, and ſtand in egall plight.
To hinder one that would be dead is men bring honour right.
Yet not ſo great as thother is. I would be more content
To haue my death commaunded me, then from me to be bent.
Deſiſt from this thy purpoſe (Mayd) my lyfe and death both are
To diſpoſe at my liberty, with choyſe to ſpill or ſpare,
I willingly reſignd the Crowne of Thebane ſoyle: yet I
Do ſtill retaine vpon my ſelfe the entyre ſoueraygntye.
If I may make accompt of thee as of a truſty feare,
And true compagnion at aſſayes: deliuer euen heere
Into thy Fathers hand a ſweard: but tell me, doſt thou reach
The ſword embrewd in fathers bloud, wherewith my ſonnes empeach
The courſe of Law, poſſeſſing it and kingdome all by force?
Where ſo it is doubt is there none, but cleane without remorſe
There bee the Floudgates opned wyde, to al licencious luſt.
And thriftleſſe trades: I al my clayme therein do rake in duſt,
And cleane forſake. Let both my ſonnes by Legacy enioy
The ſame, wherewith they ſurely ſhall contriue non ſmal annoy.
For mee pyle rather vp a ſtacke of wood ſet all on fyre,
That I therein may thruſt my ſelfe: that is my chiefe deſyre:
And make an end at once of all this carrion Tarkaſſe vyle.
Where is the ſurging waues ſea? why ſtay I all this whyle?
Bring mee to ſome ſtiepe breaknecke fall: bring me where Iſmene flood
With ſwift and horned courſe doth runne, bring me wheras my blood.
With goaryng puſh of ſauage beaſtes may out be let at once.
To ſome Gulfe bring me, where the fall and tide may cruſh my Bones.
If needes thou wilt my guyde remayne, as oft thou doſt me tell)
Bring me that am diſpoſ’d to dye, where ſphiox that Monſter fell
With double ſhape appoſed them that paſſed by the way,
Propounding Riddles intricate, and after did them ſlay.
There would I bee, that place I ſeeke: thy Father thyther bring
Into that Monſters Cabin dire thy Monſtrous Father fling.
That though that Monſter be diſpatcht, the place may bee ſupplyde
With one as badde or worſe then bee: there wil I farre and wyde
In tearmes obſcure report and tell my heauy luckleſſe lot.
The miſteries whereof the bearers, vnderſtandeth not.
Geue eare to that which I ſhal ſpeake, marke thou Aſſyrian borne,
Conſider this thou Thebane, where Duke Cadmus men were torne
And ſlayne in wood by ſerpentes rage: where Dirce ſeely trull
In humble ſort at Aulter lies: aduert my tale at full
Thou, that in Lacedaemon dwelles, and honorſt Caſtors grace,
And Pollux eake, two brethren twynnes. Fynd out this doubtful caſe.
Or thou that dwelſt in Elis towne or by Parnaſſus hill,
Or thou that till’ſt Baeotia ground, there reaping gayne at wil.
Hearke, liſten well, and flatly ſay, if euer heretofore
That murdrous monſter ſphinx of Thebes that men in peeces tore,
In all his riddles aſkt the like, or of ſo ſtraunge a ſort?
Or whether ſo inſolubly his termes he cold report?
The ſonne in Law to Graundfather, the Riual of his ſyre:
The Brother of his litle Babes: to Brethren, father dire:
The Graundmother at euery byrth to Huſband (graceles Elfe)
Brought forth a ſonne or Daughter, which was Nephew to her ſelfe.
How ſay you ſyrs, in Ryddle darke, who hath ſo good inſight,
That able is the ſenſe hereof t’vnfold and tell aryght?
As for my ſelfe, although the ſphinx I whylome put to foyle:
Yet myne owne heauy deſtenie I ſcarcely can aſſoyle.
Why doſt thou (Daughter) labour looſe in vſyng further ſpeech?
To alter this my ſtony hart why doſt thou mee beſeech?
I tel thee playne. I fully meane this bloud of mynt to ſpill.
That long with Death hath ſtruggling kept: and thereupon I will
Deſcend to darke infernall Lake: for this ſame darknes blynd
Of both myne eyes is nothing ſuch, as fact of myne ſhould fynd.
It were my Bliſſe to bee in Hell in deepeſt dungeon faſt:
Now that which ſhould long ſince haue bene, I wil perfourme at laſt.
I cannot be debard from Death: wilt thou deny me glaue
Or ſword, or knife? wilt thou no toole for miſchiefe let me haue?
Wilt thou both watch and ward each way, where daūger lies in wayte?
Shall ſuch a ſinful Caytife wretch as I, be kepe ſo ſtraite?
Wilt thou not ſuffer me with Coard to breake my hatefull Necke?
Canſt thou kepe mee from poyſonous herbes? haſt thou them al at beck?
What ſhall it thee preuayle to take for mee ſuch earneſt care?
Death ech where is: and wayes to death in thouſand corners are.
Herein hath God good order tane, that euery felie Foe,
May take away an others life, but Death hee cannot ſo.
I ſeeke not anye toole to haue: this deſprate mynd of myne
Can vſe the ſeruice of my hand, my threede of lyfe t’vntwine.
Now hand, thy maiſter at a pinch aſſiſt to worke his feate,
Helpe him with all thy power and ſtrength, t’exployt his purpoſe great.
I poynt thee not in this my Corps vnto one place alone:
Alas, each part of me with guilt is plaunch and ouergrowne.
In which ſoeuer part thou wilt, thy Maſſacre beginne,
And ſeeke to bring me to my death which way thou mayſt it winne.
In pieces cruſh this body all, this hart that harbors ſinne
Pluck out, out all my entrailes pull, proceede, and neuer linne
To gaſh and cut my wezand pype. My vaynes aſender ſcratch,
And make the Bloud come ſpowting out, or vſe that other match,
Which heretofore thou vſed haſte: digge where myne eyes earſt ſtood:
And let theſe woundes guſh out apace much mattry filth and blood.
Hale ont of mee this loathed ſoule that is ſo hard and ſtout:
And thou deare father Laius ſtand vp and looke about:
Behold where euer that thou ſtandſt: I Vmpyre doe the make,
And eyed Iudge of all my plagues that iuſtly heere I take.
My Fact ſo lewde, ſo horrible, ſo loathſome to bee tolde
I neuer thought with any pryce or tormentes manifolde
Could haue full expiation: ne thought I it inough
To die this death: or in one part to be beſlaſſhed through.
By piecemeale I am well content to ſuffer tormentes all
And euen by piecemeale for to die: for plagues to plague mee call.
Exact the puniſhment that’s due: I heere moſt ready ſtand
To ſatiſfie with any death that law and righte hath ſcand.
My former ſmartes, when as mine eyes I raked out with pawes,
Were but as taſtes of ſacrifice, ſomewhat to helpe my cauſe.
Come therefore (Father) neare to mee, and thruſt this hand of myne
More nearer into euery wound. It ſweru’de and did decline
For feare, when firſt it tooke th’aſſay mine eyes to ranſacke out.
I beare it ſtill in memory, my eyes then ſtar’de about
And ſeemed to diſſwade the hand from doing of the charge
Whereto it was enioyned tho, and had Commiſſion large.
Thou ſhalt well thinke that OEdipus diſſembleth not a whit
But what his word hath warranted, his deede hath firmely quit.
Thy ſtoutnes then, was not ſo great when eyes thou pulledſt out
As was thy man aoode, when thou threwſt them from thee round about.
Now, by thoſe Gyeholes thruſt thy hand into the very braine:
That part where death attempted was, let death be ſought againe.

AN. Vndaunted Prynce, muſt noble ſyre, with humble mynde. I ſue
That I your Daughter may be bolde to vſe ſome ſpeech to you:
And that you would with patience digeſt my poore aduiſe:
My ſuite is not to draw your minde to thinges, that earſt in price
You highly hero, me to the view of glittring Pallace olde.
Ne brauery of your noble Realme, ſcarce able to hee tolde:
But that you would theſe yrefull fittes, by trace of time now quaild,
With patient minde ſuſtayne and beare: this vertue neuer faylde
In any Prynce of ſuch a ſpright as in your noble Grace
Appeareth bryght: it ſtreth not that ſuch ſhould once abaſe
Themſelues as thralles to ſorrowes checke monce the conqueſt yeelde
To aduerſe hap or courage //// lyke or ////// the ///lde
It is no prayſe, ſyr, though perhappes you ſo your reckening caſt
To make of lyfe ſo ſmall accoumpt, and thus to bee agaſt
At euery wagging of a leafe, and comberſome myſchaunce:
No, no, tis vertue in ſuch caſe high courage to aduaunce.
And when thinges are at worſt, to ſhew true magnanimitie:
Not lyke a Meycocke, cowardly at eche alarme to flee.
Hee that hath tride all fortunes ſpight and worldly wealth deſpiſde,
And conſtantly hath borne all bruntes that are to be deuiſde,
Mee thinks no cauſe hath, why he needes to ende his breething dayes
Or wiſh himſelfe in graue: for why, ſtarcke crauens vſe ſuch wayes.
But as for him, thats drencht in dole and wrapt in carking care,
Whoſe penſius plight can be no worſe, nor taſt of ſowrer fare,
That man hath cauſe well pleaſde to be: ſith hee in ſafety ſtandes,
And pykes hath paſt, and now is free from feare of further bandes.
Put caſe the Gods would wraue the webbe of further woe to thee,
What more can any of them doe thy grieues to amplifie?
Nay, thou thy ſelfe, (although thou wouldſt) canſt adde thereto no more,
Vnleſſe thou thinke thy ſelfe, to haue deſerued death therefore.
And yet, thou arte not worthy death: my reaſon is, becauſe
Through ignoraunce thou didſt a fact contrary to the lawes.
And therefore Father thinke your ſelfe moſt guiltleſſe in the caſe,
And (maugre Gods) ſtand on your guarde, my counſell ſound embrace:
For doubtleſſe you an innocent are deem’de and thought to bee,
And are in deede: what makes you thus in dumpes and dolefull glee?
What cauſe ſo great ſhould ſo enchaunt your conſcience, and your wits,
To ſeeke your owne decay and ſpoyle? what meane faint hearted fits?
That thus in haſt you would ſo faine abandon this your lyfe
And goe to hell, where torment dwelles and griſly ghoſtes be ryfe.
You would not ſee ſun, Moone, ne ſtarre: no more you can: your eyes
Are blynd: you faine would leaue your Court, and Countries miſeries.
Why ſo you may, and ſo you doe. Theſe all are put to ſacke,
That now alyue, aſwell as dead you feele of theſe the lacke.
You flee from Mother, Wyfe, and Chylde, you ſee no man alyue:
What more can death diſpatch away but life doth now depriue?
your lords, your knights, your courtly traine, your kingly ſtate & crowne
Your graund Affaires, your waighty charge is gone & brought abowne.
From whom, frō what, do you thus flee. Oedi. Frō none but frō my ſelfe
Who haue a breaſt full fraught with guilte: who, wretched caitiffe Elte
Haue all embrude my hands with bloud. From theſe apace I flee
And from the heauens and Gods therein: and from that villanie
Which I moſt wicked wretch haue wrought. ſhall I treade on thys ground?
Or am I worthy ſo to doe, in whom ſuch trickes abound?
Am I to haue the benefite of any Element?
Of Ayre for breath, of water moyſt, or Earth for nouriſhment?
O ſlaue forlorne, O beaſtly wretch, O Inceſtmonger vyle,
O Varlet moſt deteſtable, O Peyſaunte full of guile.
Why doe I with polluted Fyſt, and bloudy pawes preſume
To touch thy chaſt and comely hand? I foame, I fret, I fume
In hearing any ſpeake to mee. Ought I heare any tell
Or once of ſonne or Father ſpeake, ſyth I did Father quell?
Would God it were within my power my ſenſes all to ſtop,
Would God I could theſe Eares of myne, euen by the ſtumps to crop.
If that might bee, then (daughter) I ſhould not haue heard thy voyce.
I, I thy ſyre, that thee be got by moſt inceſtuous choiſe.
Beegetting of thee, makes my crymes moe then they were before:
Remorſe thereof both gnaw and grype my conſcience more and more.
Ofttymes that which myne Eyes not ſee, with Eares that doe I heare,
And of my Facts afore time done the inward wound I beare.
Why is there ſtay made of my doome? Why am I ſpard ſo long?
Why is not this blind head of myne throwne damned ghoſts among?
Why reſt I on the Earth, and not among infernall ſprightes?
Why peſter I the company of any mortall Wightes?
What myſchiefe is there more behind? to aggrauate my care?
My Kingdome, Parents, Children, Wit and Vertue quayled are
By ſturdy ſtormes of froward Fate: nothing remaynde but teares,
And they bee dryde, and Eyes be gon: my hardned heart forbeares
Such ſignes of grace: leaue of therefore, and make no more adde:
A minde ſo mated with diſpayre no ſuytes will ſlowpe vnto.
I practize ſome ſtraunge puniſhments agreeing to my deede:
But what proportion can bee found of plagues vnto my meede?
Whoſe Fortune euer was ſo bad? I was in ſooner borne,
But ſeely Infant Iudgde I was in peeces to be torne.
My mother in whoſe wombe I lay, forth had not mee yet brought
And yet euen then I feared was: and ſtraight my death was ſought.
Some Babes ſoone after they bee borne, by ſtroke of death depart:
But I poore ſoule, before my byrth adiudged was to dart
Of death: ſome yet in Mothers wombe, ere any light they ſee
Doe taſte the dint of haſty Fate, while Innocents they bee.
Apollo by his Oracle pronounced ſentence dyre
Vpon mee being yet vnborne, that I vnto my ſyre
Should breaſtly parricide commit: and therevpon was I
Condemned ſtraight by Fathers doome. My Feete were by and by
Launcde through, & through with yrō Pins: hangde was I by y^e Heeles
Vpon a Tree: my ſwelling plants the printe thereof yet feeles:
As pray to Beaſtes, caſt out alſo, to cramme theyr greedy Iawes
In Mount Cythaeron, and to fill the griping Vulturs Mawes.
Such ſauce to taſt full lyke was I, was others heeretofore
Deſcended of the royall ſangue, with ſmart (perforce) haue bore.
But ſee the chaunce: I thus condemn’de by Dan Apollos heſt
And caſt to beaſts by Fathers doome, and euery way diſtreſt,
Could finde no death: no death on mee durſt ſeyze his lordly Pawe,
But fled from mee, as though I had not beene within his Lawe.
I verified the Oracle, with wicked hand I kilde
Myne owne deere Father, and vnwares his guiltleſſe bloud I ſpilde.
Shall any ſatiſfaction redeeme ſo vile an Acte?
May any kinde of Piety purge ſuch a ſhamefull fact?
I reſted not contented thus. For Father beeing ſlayne,
I fell in linkes of lawleſſe Loue with Mother: Oh what payne
And grudge of minde ſuſtaynde I there? in thinking on the ſame,
To tell our wicked wedlocke Yoake, I loath, I bluſh, I ſhame.
I may not well this geare conceale, Ile tell it: out it ſhall:
Though to my ſhame it much redound, it may augment my thrall.
I will diſplay ſtraunge villanies, and them in number many,
Moſt beaſtlike parts, moſt lewde attempts, to bee abhorr’de of any.
So filthy, and ſo monſtruous, that (ſure I thinke) no Age
Will them belieue to haue bene done: ſo cruell was my rage,
That euen ech cutthroate Partrcide thereat may be aſhamde
To heare it nam’de: and with diſdaine ſtraight wayes will be enflamde.
My handes in Fathers blud embrude to Fathers Bed I brought.
And haue with Mother myne, his Wife, inceſtuous practyſe ſought.
To myſchiefe adding miſchiefe more: I wis my fault to ſire,
Is ſlender in compariſon: my graceleſſe fond deſire
Could not bee ſtaide, till ſolemnely the mariage Knot was knit
Twixt mee and Mother myne, alas for want of grace and wit.
How plungde am I in myſchiefe ſtill? how is the meaſure full
Of horrours vile, which doe my minde and heart aſunder pull?
And leaſt the heape of theſe my woes might ſeeme to bee too ſkant,
My Mother (ſhe my Wyfe that is) yong iſſue doth not want.
Can any crime in all the World more haynous be ſurmiſde?
If any may: by wicked Impes the ſame I haue deuiſde.
My Realme and Crowne I haue reſignde, which I receiued as hyre
For murdring moſt vunaturally the king, my Lord, and ſyre,
Which Crowne now ſince, twixt both my ſonnes hath kindled mortall war.
And all the countrey by the ears remains at deadly iarre.
I know ful wel what deſtenies to this ſame Crowne belonges.
None without Bloud the ſame ſhall weare, and moſt accurſed wrongs.
This mynd of myne (who Father am) preſageth many ills:
And gloomy dayes of ſlaughter dyre: the plot that murther willes.
Already is conertu’d and caſt: all truth of word and deede
Is quight exild, al promiſe broke of pactes afore decreed.
Etheocles, thone of my ſonnes who now in princely throne
Beates all the ſway, meanes ſtil to keepe the Diademe alone.
Poore Polynices th’o other ſonne, thus beyng diſpeſſeſt,
And kept by force from Kingly rule his humble ſute addreſt
Vnto the Gods this wrong to wreake, this breach of league and oth
T’auenge and plague: he Argos ſoyle end Greekiſh Cttyes both
Perſwades t’aſſiſt him in this warie, this quarel to mayntayne:
That he in Thebes (as promiſe was) might haue his turne to raygne.
The ruyne that to wearied Thebes ſhall greeuouſly befall
And bring the pompous ſtate therof adowne, ſhal not be ſmall.
Fire, ſword, glaue, woūds, & thwackīg thūps, ſhal light vnto their ſhare,
And that ere long: and miſchieues worſe (it any worſe there are)
And this ſhall hap, that all the worlde may know it is the race.
And yſſue of a curied ſyre that darraygnes ſuch a caſe.
Though other cauſes none there were to moue you (ſic) to liue,
Yet is this one ſufficient, that you by awe may dryue
Your ſonnes my Brethren tarring thus to vnity and peace:
For you their Father only may theyr furies cauſe to teaſe.
You and none els may turne away thoccaſſons of this warre:
Theſe branſicke youthes from further rage you onely may dibarre.
By this your meanes the countrey ſhall their quiet peace enioy
And Brethren ioyntly reconcild ſhal worke no more ennoy.
If you therefore this mortall life thus to your ſelfe deny:
You many thouſandes ſhal vndge, whoſe ſtates on you relye.

Oed. What? canſt thou make me to beleue, that any ſparke of grece
Or loue to ſyre, or honeſty in them hath any place,
Which thirſt for one on others bloud, which after kingdomes gape,
Whoſe whole delight is villany, werre, wurther, guile and rape?
Such hateful ympes on miſchiefe ſet, ſuch wicked Termagoſites,
As to be ſonnes of ſuch a ſyre with ſhame may wake their vauntes.
At one bare woord to tel thee all: thy brethren two are bent
Vppon all miſchiefe, wayghing not what looſenes they frequent.
When flingbrayne rage enſots their heades, they care not they a ruſh
Vpon what Deueliſh vile attemptes they geue the deſprat puſh.
And as they are conceau’d and borne in moſt abhorred ſort,
So ſtill deuoyde of Grace they thincke all villany but ſport.
Theyr Fathers ſhame and wretched ſtate moues them no whit at all,
To Countrey they no reckning make what maſſacre befall.
Their myndes are rauiſht with deſyre ambitiouſly to raygne.
I know their driftes, and what they hope at length by ſhiftes to gayne.
And therfore ſith the caſe ſo ſtandes I leyſer had to die
With poaſting ſpeede whyle in my houſe there is none worſe then I.
Ahlas, deare Daughter what adoe doſt thou about me make?
Why lieſt thou proſtrate at my knees? why doſt thou trauaile take,
To conquere my reſolued mynd with this thy ſpiced phraze
Of fayre entreatie? theſe thy wordes my flynty hart amaze.
Dame Fortune hath none other bayte to bryng me to her lure
Then this alone: til now I ſtill vnbanquiſht did endure.
No Creatures words but thyne alone could pearce this hart of myne,
Ne from a purpoſe reſolute my ſetled mynd butwyne.
Thou conquere canſt thaffections fond that in my breaſt do boyle,
Thou teacheſt grace to fathers houſe, and zeale to natiue ſoyle.
Each thing to me delightful is which iumpeth with thy wil:
Commaund me (Daughter) I thy heſtes am ready to fufill.
Old Oedipus if thou enioyne, wil paſſe th’ Aegaean ſea:
And flaſhing flakes of Aetna Mount, with mouth he dare aſſay.
He boldly dare obiect himſelfe to raumping Dragons claw
Which rag’d, & ſweld and venime ſpit apace, when as he ſaw
Dan Hercules away to ſteale his golden Aples all
In Gardens of Heſperides. At thy commaund, he ſhall
His Entrails offer vnto iobbe of greedy Vulturs Byll:
At thy commaund, content he is in life to linger ſtill.

THE SECONDE ACTE.

Nuntius. OEdipus. Antigone. Iocaſta.

Renowmed Prynce, of royall Race and Noble lygne yſpronge:
The Thebans dreading much the drife of this your childrens thronge,
And warlicke garboyle now in hand, moſt humbly pray your Grace
For Countreys ſafety, downe to ſet ſome order in the caſe.
They bee not threates and menacies that thus their mindes affright:
The miſchiefe is more neere then ſo: the Enmy is in ſight.
For Polynices he that is your younger ſonne of twayne,
Doth clayme the crowne, and in his turne in Thebes requires to raigne
According vnto couenaunts made: which quarrell to decite
Hee purpoſeth the dene of ſword, and marttall force t’abide.
With him he brings a mighty Troupe from eu’ry part of Greece,
Sir, ſeuen Dukce, heſieging Thebes are minded it to fleeſe.
Helpe noble King, els are wee lyke to periſhe man and chylde,
Theſe bloudy broyles of ciuill warre from vs protect and ſhyelde.

Oedi. Am I one like to ſtop the rage of any wicked act?
Am I one like to cauſe theſe Youthes to leaue their bloudy fact?
Am I a maiſter like to teach what lawes of loue do meane?
Should I not then from former quiſe digreſſe in nature eleane?
They treade their Fathers ſteps aright, they play my lawleſſe prankes:
Like ſyre, like ſonnes, like Tree, like fruite: I con thē harty thanks:
By this I know them for my ſonnes, and praiſe their towardneſſe:
I would they ſhould by peeuiſh partes, whoſe ſonnes they be, expreſſe.
Shew forth you noble Gallante ympes, what metled minds you beare,
Shew forth by deedes your valor great, let lofty ſprights appeare.
Surmount and dimme my prayſes all, Eclypſe my glory quight:
Attempt ſome enterpriſe in which your ſyre may haue delight
To haue till now remaynd in life: hereof I haue no doubt:
For well I know your practiſe is ſtraunge feates to bring about.
Your byrth and ligne from whence you ſpronge, aſſures me of no leſſe
Such noble Bloudes muſt needes atchiue ſome doughty worthineſſe.
Your Weapons and Artillery for warre bring out with ſpeede,
Conſume with flame your natiue ſoyle, and deſolation breede
In eu’ry houſe wirhin the Land: a hurly burly make
Confuſedly of eu’ry thinge. Make all the Realme to quake,
And in exile theyr dayes let end make leuell with the ground
Eche fenced Fort and walled Towne: The Gods and all confound,
And throw their Temples on their heads: Their Images deface,
And melt them all: turne vps to downe eche houſe in eu’ry place.
Burne, ſpoyle, make hauocke, leaue no iote of City free from fyre,
And let the flame begin his rage within my Chamber dyre.

AN. ſyr, baniſh theſe vnpatient panges, let plagues of Cōmon wealth
Entreate your Grace, ſith vpon you ſtayth all their hope and health.
Procure your ſonnes to reconcile themſelues, as brothers ought,
Eſtabliſhe peace betwene them both, let meanes of loue be ſought.

Oed. Oh daughter, ſee and well beholde howe I to peace am bent?
And how to end theſe garboyles all I ſeeme full well content?
My minde (I tell thee) ſwelles with yre: within my entralles boyles
Abundaunt ſtoare of Choller fell: ſuch reſtleſſe rage turmoyles
My inward ſoule, that I muſt yet ſome greater matter brew:
Which may the Realme enwrap in bale, and cauſe them all to rue.
That which my raſhe and heady ſonnes haue hitherto begon
Is nothing in reſpect of that wich muſt by me be don.
This ciuill warre is nothing like to that which I deuiſe:
Theſe trifling broyles for ſuch a ſea of harmes cannot ſuffice.
Let brother cut the brothers throate with murthrous knife in hand:
Yet is not this ynough to purge the miſchieues of this lend.
Some haynous Fact, vnheard of yet, ſome deteſtable deede
Muſt practiſde hee: as is to mee. and myne by Fates decreed.
Such cuſtome haunts our curſed race: ſuch guiſe our houſe hath caught:
My viſe inceſtuous Bed requires, ſuch pageaunts to be wraught.
To me your Father Weapons reach, my ſelfe heere let me ſhrowde
In couert of theſe queachy wooddes: and let me be allowde
To lurke behinde this Craggy Rocke, or els my ſelfe to hyde
On backſide of ſome thickſet hedge: where lying vneſpide,
I hearken may what marketfolkes in paſſing to and froe
Do talke: and what the countrey Clownes ſpeake, as by way they goe.
There (ſyth with eyes, I cannot ſee) with ear do yet may I beare
How cruelly my ſonnes by warre do one the other teare.

IOC. A fortunate and happy Dame Agaue may be thought,
Who (though with bloudy hands) her ſonne to fatell death ſhe brought,
And from the ſhoulders chopt his head, and bore the ſame about
In bloudy hand, at Bacchus feaſt withau th’inſpired rout
Of ſacrificers, quartering poore Pentheus mangled lymmes:
Though this her cruell facte, ſomewhat her commendation dymmes:
Yet euen in theſe her phrantick fits ſhee ſtayde her ſelfe in time
From further harme, not adding more to aggrauate her crime.
My guilt were light, if I had not ſome others guilty made:
And yet is this but matter light: I tooke a biler trade.
For, Mother I am vnto thoſe that in all vice excell,
And who in moſt abhorred ſinnes condignely beare the bell.
To all my woes and myſeries there wanted onely this,
That I ſhould loue my Countreyes foe, who Polynices is.
Three ſnowy Wynters paſſed are, and ſommers three be gone,
Synce be an exilde wretch abroade hath lead his lyfe in moane:
And ſought his bread among the fremmd: till now compell’de perforce.
Hee craues reliefe of Greekiſh Kings, on him to haue remorſe.
Hee maried hath the Daughter of Adraſtus, who at becke
Rules Argiue people, ſwaying them with awe of Princely checke:
And he t’ aduaunce his ſonne in law to his moſt lawfull right
Hath with him brought from ſeuen Realmes a warlike Crue to fight.
What doome I ſhould in this caſe geue, which ſyde I wiſh to winne,
I cannot tell: my minde amazde, yet doubtfull reſts therein.
Th’one of my ſonnes (as right it is) requyres the Crowne as due:
I knowe it ſo accorded was: his cauſe is good and true.
But in ſuch ſort, by force of Armes to relie maunde the ſame,
Is ill and moſt vnnaturall, herein he is to blame.
What ſhall I doe, what may I ſay? I mother am to both:
And thus my ſonnes at deadly fewde to ſee I am full loth.
Without the breach of mother zeale I can no way deuiſe:
For what good had I wiſhe to th’one, thence th’others harme doth riſe.
But though I loue them both alyke, yet ſure my heart enclynes
To him that hath the better cauſe: though wronged thus, he pynes:
As one by frowning fortune thrilde from piller vnto poſt:
His Credite, Countrey, friendes, and wealth, and treaſure being loſt.
The weaker ſide I will ſupport, and further al I can,
Moſt mercy alwayes ſhould vt ſhewde vnto th’oppreſſed man.

NV. While (Madame) you waymēting here your heauy plaints declare
And waſte the time, my Lords your ſonnes in taunged battayle are:
Eche Captains bright in Armour ſtandes, the Trumpet ſounds amain,
And ſtandard is aduanc’de, amid the thronge of eyther traine.
In marſhall ray full preſt to fight ſtand ſeuen worthy Kynges:
And eche of them a warlicke troupe of valiaunt ſouldiers bringes.
With courage not behynd the beſt, the Thebanes marche apace:
And like right ympes of Cadmus brood, do ſlaſh at Enmies face.
The ſouldiers force and willingnes on eyther ſide to fyght,
Appeares: in that they nothing leſſe pretend them ſhameful flight.
See how their trampling to and froe, the duſt to ſkies doth reare,
And what a Cloud of ſmoke in Campe the horſes make t’appeare.
And if my feare diſmay me not: It all be true I ſee:
Me thinkes I view their glittering glaues begoard with bloud to bee.
Me thinkes I ſee the Voward thrill and ſhake their Pikes in hand:
Me thinkes I ſee the Gydons gay, and ſtreamers where they ſtand:
Wherein is wrought by curtous ſkill, in Letters all of Gold
The ſcotchion, Poeſte, Name and Armes of euery captayne bold.
Make haſt, be gone, diſpatch. (Madame) Cauſe Brethren to agree:
Betwyxt them ſtay this quarell, leaſt a ſlaughter great ye ſee.
So ſhall you to your Children loue, to each ſyde peace reſtoare:
The mothers mediation may heale vp all the ſoare.

THE THIRDE ACTE.

Antigone. Iocaſta. Nuntius.

Poaſt, poaſt, be gone, and trudge for life: Queene mother make no ſtay:
That twixt my Brothers, perfect league and truce continue may.
You that be Mother to them both, vſe your auctority:
Out of their handes their weapons wreſt, and make them warres defye.
Your bared Breaſtes which once they ſuckt, hold out amid their ſwordes:
Beare of the brunt of all their blowes, or end this warre with wordes.

Ioc. Thy talke I like, I wil be gone: Ile goe with might and mayne:
This head of myne I ieoperd wil, betwene them to be ſlayne.
In thickeſt thronge of all the Troupes I purpoſd am to ſtand,
And try what grace, or curteſy rimaynes in eyther Bonde.
If Brothers beare malicious myndes each other to ſubdue,
Let them firſt onſet geue on wee, and me to death purſue.
If eyther of them be endude with any ſparke of grace,
Or Natures lawes or Filiall awe doth any whit embrace,
Let him at mothers ſuite lay downe his Pikes and glaues of warre,
And weapons of haſtility let him abandon farre.
And he that cancard ſtomacke beares his Brother there to quell,
Forgetting Nature, let him firſt with me his Mother mell.
Theſe headdy youthes from further rage I ſeely Trot wil ſtaye:
I wittingly will not behold ſuch miſchiefe cary ſway.
Or if I liue to ſee the ſame, it ſhal not bee alone.

Ant. The ſtandardes are diſplayd in field, the Ennemyes are prone
To fall to fight: the claſhing noyſe of weapons heare you may.
Much murther, death, and dreadfull dule, cannot be far away.
Their ſtony hartes goe mollify, with ſugred termes perſwade
Their wilful myndes O Oueene, before they furiouſly inuade
The one the other: yonder ſee how they in armour bright
Beſtirre themſelues from place to place: (O dire and diſmall ſight.)
My trickling teares, my blubbring Eyes, may put you out of doubt
That all is true which I haue ſayd: looke, looke, how al the route
Of eyther part doth ſlowly march as loth (belike) to trye
By dent of ſwerd ſo ſtraunge a caſe: But both my brothers hie
Apace, to grapple force to force, and ioyne with handy blowes:
This day wil breeede the bitter ſmart of euer during woes.

Ioc. What whirlewynd ſwift might I procure to beare me through the ayre?
What monſtruous flying ſphinx wil helpe, that I were quickly there?
Of all the Byrdes ſtimphalides (with winges ſo huge and large
That Phoe bur rayes they ſhadowed quight) wil any take the charge
To cary mee to yonder place? what rauenous Harpye Burd
With vgly talantes all with flith, and dirty dung befurde,
(Which hungreſtarud King Phineus, that had put out the Eyes
Of children his) wil at this pinch a meane for me deuyſe,
That I aloft may hoyſed bee, and with al ſpede be ſet,
Where yonder cruel armies two in open field be met?

Nune. ſhee runnes apace, like one of wit and ſenſes all diſtract:
No Arrow ſwifter out of Bow: no ſhip with ſayle ful thwackt
With wynd at will more way can make with motion ſuch ſhee flyes
As glyding ſtar whoſe leames do drawe a Furrow longe in ſkyes.
As much agaſt ſhe trottes apace: and now in Campe ſhe ſtandes:
Her preſence and arriuall there hath parted both the Bandes.
At mothers great entreaty made, the bloudy broyle is huſht:
And where before with goring Glaue the one at thother puſht,
With ful entent to kill and ſlay, appeaſ’d is now their yre
And they well pleaſd to bend to peace, as ſhe doth them require.
The ſword agayne in ſheath is put, that lately out was drawne
To paſh out Braynes of Brothers ſcull: ſhe ceaſſeth not to fawne
Vpon them both, their ſtrife to ſtint: her gray and hoary haires,
Her ſnow whyte lockes with tears beſprent in ruthful ſort ſhe •eates.
She Motherlike ſeekes how to linke their hartes in one aſſent,
With bryniſh teares ſhe wettes the cheekes of him thats malcontent.
That Child that ſtaggryng longe doth ſtand, with mother to diſpute,
May ſeeme vnwilling mynd to beare to yeeld to Mothers ſute.

THE FOVRTH ACTE.

Iocaſta. Polynices.

Agaynſte mee onely turne the force of wreckful ſword and Fyre:
Let all the Youthes with one accord repay to me that hyre,
That earnde I haue by due deſerte: let both the gallant Band
Of them that come from Argos ſoyle, and them of Thebane Land
Come runne vpon me all at once: let neither freend ne foe
Refrayne a whit his bloudy blade at this my wombe to throw.
This wombe, this wombe, wherein I bare theſe wilful Brethren here
Beget by hym that was my ſonne, and eke my wedded fere.
Diſmembre this my Body vyle: caſt all my lymmes abrode:
I am their mother: child wyfe throwes for them I once abode.
You two, my ſonnes, neede I to ſpeake, to wil you leaue your yre?
Iſt not your partes, in ſuch a caſe t’accompliſh my deſyre?
Wil you not plight the faythful league of true and perfect loue?
Wil you not royntly quarrels all at Mothers ſute remoue?
That this ſhalbe as I requeſt, come, geue me both, your handes
Whyle yet they vndyſtayned be, and cleane from murther ſtandes.
What cryme you heretofore haue done, agaynſt your wil it was.
And al that ſpot which ſtaynes your ſame, by Fortune came to paſſe.
This haynons Act, this franticke coyle you can no wiſe excuſe.
But wittingly and willingly ſound counſell yee refuſe.
It reſteth free within your choyſe: of theſe take which yee liſt:
If peace delight for mothers ſake this brabling broyle vntwiſt.
If ſuch a lewde outrage as this more pleaſaunt ſeeme to bee:
Behold, the ſame and greater too yee may commit on mee.
Who beeing mother, heere oppoſe my ſelfe betwene you twayne:
Ere you do one an other kill, I needes muſt firſt be ſlayne.
Take either therefore quight away this ſtraunge vngodly iarre.
Or if you will not: mee diſpatch, who ſtay your wiſhed warre?
Ahlas in this my penſiue plight to whom ſhould I dyrect
My piteous plaint, and earneſt ſuyte? to whom might I detect
Myne inward griefe and throubed heart? which of them were I beſt
T’encounter firſt and faſt embrace, to breede my ſureſt reſt?
I loue them both euen equally, affection like I beare
To either party: mother fond and parciall els I weare.
The one of them theſe three yeares ſpace bath liu’de in baniſhment.
But it all couenaunts may be kept, as at the firſt was ment,
The other now as turne doth fall, muſt trudge an otherwhile,
And learne to know what tis to liue ſo long in like exile.
Wae worth this hapieſſe heauy hap: ſhall I not liue the day,
To ſee my ſonnes together once in one ſelfe place to ſtay?
Shall neuer I behold them both to better concord bent?
Is all affection naturall within them both ſo ſpent?
Then, Polynices, come thou fyrſt, embrace thy Mother deare?
Thou that haſt trauaild many amyle, and languiſht many a yeare.
That many a ſtorme abidden haſte, and many a brunt ſuſtainde,
And wearied long with ſharpe exile, from Mothers ſight bene wainde:
Come vnto mee, and neerer ſtand, put vp thy ſword againe
Into thy ſhrath: thy ſhyuering ſpeare (that out of hand ſo faine
Would be diſchargd at Brothers throate) within this groūd ſticke faſt.
This ſhielde of thine lay alſo downe. It makes mee ſore agaſt.
It is ſo bigge, it will not let this louing breaſt of myne.
To ioyne and debonairely meete with that ſweete heart of thine:
Take of thy helmet from thine head, the Thonge thereof vuty.
That I thy Vifuge may behold, and all thy face deſcry.
Why doſt thou backward turne thy head? and glaunceſt ſtill thine Eye,
And takèſt keepe of brothers hand for feare of villany?
Thy body all with theſe myne Armes I will defend and hyde?
If hee attempt thy brood to ſpill, his murthrdus blade ſhall glyde
Firſt through theſe tender ſydes of myne: why ſtandſt thou ſo amazd?
Doſt thou diſtruſt thy Mothers loue? thinkſt thou her kindnes razd?
Poly. I feare in deede, diſtruſting ſore, ſyre, Damme & all my kinne:
And thinke that truthles treachery in hartes of all hath bin.
Dame Natures lewes are flung at heele, and naught eſteemed be:
No fayth in kinred planted is, ne true ſyncerity.
Synce I by proofe haue ſeene and felt what hurly burly growes
Betwixt vs Brethren: and from thence what ſea of miſchiefe flowes:
I may ſuſpect no faſter fayth in Mother to remayne:
Its not vnlike, but ſhee likewyſe wil prankes as bad mayntaine.

Ioc. Thy ſword in hand faſt claſped keepe: On heade thy Baſnet tye:
On Left Atme holde thy Targat ſure, and on thy Gard relye.
At all poyntes armd prepared ſtand: all future doubtes preuent:
Be ſure to ſee thy Brother firſt t’vnarme himſelfe content.
And now to thee Etheocles ſome ſpeech I am to vſe:
Thou firſt waſt cauſe of all this warre, doe not therfore refuſe
Downe firſt to lay thy brawling Blade, and yeld to Reaſons lore:
If name of peace ſo hateful be, if that thou any more
Entendſt this warre to proſecute, in this ſo ſauage ſort,
Let mother yet this curteſy from thee (her ſonne) extort
That ſome ſmall tyme of truſty truce thou wilt with willing mynd
Conſent vnto: til I my ſonne thy Brother moſt vnkind
May after flight goe kiſſe end oel, now firſt or laſt of all.
Whyle I for peace entreaty make, you men vnarmd I call
To liſten vnto that I ſay: thy Brother feareth thee:
And thou fearſt him: and I feare both. But this my feare you ſee
Is nothing for my ſelfe at all, but for th’auayle of both.
Why ſeemeſt thou thy naked ſword to put in ſheath ſo loth?
Be glad to take the benefyte of any litle ſtay:
In matters lewde tis wyſedome good to ſtand vpon delay.
You enter into ſuch a warre, wherein he ſpeedeth beſt
That vanquiſht is: both of you feare to be by fraud diſtreſt
Through practiſd meanes and ſubtil plois of Brothers ſpitefull drift,
Or ouerteacht by pollicy of ſome deuyſed ſhift.
But if deceiue or be deceyu’d by him that is our Frend
Wee needes muſt be: in ſuch a caſe wee ſhall the leſſe offend
In ſuffring wrong then doyng harme: But feare thou not a whit,
You both from ambuſht treacheryes your Mother wil acquit.
What ſay you ſonnes: ſhall this requeſt of myne with you preuayle.
Or ſhall I curſe my luckeleſſe faie, and on my Fortune rayle.
And iudge your ſire an happy man, in that he liueth blinde
And cannot ſee the thing which I beholde with penſiue minde?
In comming vnto you, did I bring with mee this intent,
To ende theſe broyles? or did I come to ſee ſome dyre euent?
Etheocles, ſome what appeaſde, hath pitcht his ſpeare in ground,
And not a weapon bloud to ſheed, in hand of his is found.
Now Polynices, vnto thee my former ſuite I bring,
Regard thy Mothers mournefull plight, and yeelde vnto the thing
That ſhee with teares entreates to haue. O ſonne, at length I ſee,
I hold with hands, I kiſſe with mouth, I touch with ioyfull glee
This Face of thyne, the ſight whereof I wanted haue ſo longe:
And haue more often wiſhed for, then can bee tolde with tonge.
Thou haſt from natiue ſoyle bene chaſde to Coaſte of forraigne king,
And croſſed bene with trouncing force of frowning Fortunes ſting.
Thou many a ſtorme, and many a brunt in many a foming ſea,
In Wandring ſort and baniſht guiſe, didſt oftentimes aſſay.
Thy Mother at thy ſpouſall feaſt was abſent farre away,
And could not doe ſuch nuptiall Rytes as tell for ſuch a day.
Into thy wedding Chamber ſhee brought thee, ne yet thy Bryde,
Ne yet in ſolemne ſorte the houſe with herbes and odours plide:
Ne yet did with a Ryband white the wedding Torches tye,
As vſe and cuſtome willes to bee at ſuch ſolemynitie.
Adraſtus, Father to thy Wife, and father in lawe to thee,
With Daughter his, hath not defraide much ſtore of golde or Fee.
No Dower hath he beſtowde on her, her wealth was very ſmall,
Of Citties, Landes, and Reuenewes hee gaue her none at all.
Warre, Warre: is it thou onely hadſt, by taking her to Wyfe:
In lew of other gyfts, hee helpes to kindle all this ſtryfe.
Thou ſonne in lawe arte vnto him, that is our Countreyes Foe:
Thy Natiue ſoyle thou leaueſt, and to forraigne Courts doſt goe.
Thou feedeſt now at ſtraungers boarde, and makeſt more accoumpt
Of new acquaintaunce got abroade; as though it did ſurmount
The friendſhip of thy countrey heere: thou art a baniſht wight,
And liu’ſt in exile, for no fault, but through thy brothers ſpight.
In thee appeares reſemblaunce playne of all thy Fathers Fate,
In which there lacketh not ſo much as thoyſe of wedded Mate.
Whom with as ill miſchaunce and hap as euer Fathers was,
Thou haſte in luckleſſe houre and time of mariage brought to paſſe.
O ſonne, thy mothers onely hope, for whom ſuch care I take:
Whoſe ſight, now after many yeares, doth mee moſt ſoyfull make.
For whom I haue full many a time to Gods deuoutly praide:
Whereas in deede, thy new retourne to mee, may well bee ſaide
To take away as great a ioye, and bring as great a griefe,
As it to theſe myne aged yeares is comfort and reliefe.
I proſtrate at the Oracle, beſought Apollos Grace
To tell mee, when I ſhould not neede to further feare thy caſe.
Who flowting this my fond demaund, anone did flatly tell,
And ſpake theſe words, which yet (I trow) I doe remember well.
Thou fearſt thy ſon, leaſt harme he take, as is a mothers guiſe:
But thou I ſay more cauſe ſhalt haue, to feare him otherwiſe.
For if this warre vnraiſde had bene I ſhould thy preſence lacke:
And if thou wert not, Thebane Land might free remayne from ſacke.
The ſight of the doth coſt vs all a hard and nipping price,
Yet doth it like thy mother well: ſo that her ſound aduice
In this one thing thou follow will. Diſpatch theſe Armies hence:
Euen preſently, whyle yet of bloud there hath not bene expence.
So foule a Fact to bee ſo neere, is haynous out of doubt:
I ſhake, I quake to thinke thereon, in euery Ioynt throughout.
My hayre ſtands vpright euen for feare, two brethren thus to ſee
Aloofe, and ready one to chop at th’other, cruelly.
Howneere was I (poore Mother theirs, a bloudier act t’haue ſeene.)
Then father blind yet euer ſaw, or euer yet would weene?
And though my feare be ouerpaſt and th’act vnbrought to paſſe:
My ſelfe yet doe I wretched thincke, that done ſo neere it was.
By all the throwes for tenne months ſpace, in wombe whē I thee bare,
And for thy ſiſters ſake both twaine, which ſhine in verie rare:
And by thoſe Eyehoales of thy ſyre for which with wrekefull Pawe
Hee pulld his Eyes, becauſe (vnwares) hee ſtained Natures lawe,
I thee beſeech from Thebane Walles ſent backe theſe armed Bandes,
Which threatning all our throates to cut, againſt our Countrey ſtands:
Yea though you preſently depart: yet are you much to blame,
And there is due vnto you both, a lot of during ſhame:
Becauſe this Countrey round about hath peſtred bene with powre,
And troupes of ſouldiours ſtout and braue, it ready to deuowre.
With penſiue hearts a mourning minds, theſe Eyes of ours haue ſeene
Your praūcing couriers w^t their Feete, ſpoile Theban Medowes greene.
Wee oft haue ſeene your houlty Peeres in warlike Chariot ride:
And oft our houſes to haue brunt with wildfier haue bene ſpide.
And laſt of all An act wee ſawe (which euen to Thebes is ſtraung.)
Two Brethren warring mortally, all Natures bondes to chaung.
Ech one in th’Army ſawe this ſight, the people witneſſe bee.
Your ſyſters two, and Mother I this all did plainly ſee.
Your Father, hee may thanke himſelfe: that he did not behold
This lamentable ſpectacle and hauockes manifold.
Call now to thy remembraunce heere, thy Father OEdipus,
Whoſe doome, did Facts (by errour done) euen plague, & puniſhe thus.
With Fyre, & ſword ſubuert not cleane (good ſonne) thy coūtrey deare,
And Thebes whereof thou wouldſt be king) ſurceaſe with force to teare.
What Bedlem pang enchaunts thy mind? what might thy meaning bee?
Thou claymſt a Realme, which to ſubuert thou geeueſt lycence free.
In ſeeking thus a countryes rule: a countrey thou deſtroyeſt:
Which thou thine own would make, thou marr’ſt, & (as twere none) annoyeſto.
Heereby thou hindreſt much thy ſelfe, in y^t thou makeſt ſpoyle,
And burneſt vp doth Corne and Graſſe, and keep’ſt a ſhamefull coyle,
In chaſting men out of their homes: (O deſprate witleſſe parte)
What man aliue, to waſte his owne, can thus find in his harte?
Theſe thinges that thou cōmaundeſt thus by rage of ſword & flame
To bee conſum’de: an other man thou thinkſt doth owe the ſame.
If thus for princely Chayre you twayne by th’Eares your title try:
The ſtate of Realme and Commonwealth will totter ſoone awry.
Seeke it, while yet your Countrey ſtandes vnblemiſht by decay:
It ſo t’enioy, and ſo to raigne, I coumpt the better way.
Ah, canſt thou finde in heart to burne, and ſpoyle theſe houſes braue?
The lyke whereof in all the worlde beſides, thou canſt not haue:
Canſt thou deſtroy and ruinate the noble Thebane wall,
To whoſe firſt building ſtones apace at Dan Amphions call
Came dauncing of their owne accord, through tunes of warbling harpe:
And toucht themſelues in order right vpon the Turrets ſharpe,
Without all helpe of worckmans hand, or Pully vp to draw
Such pieces as moſt waighty were? Wilt thou by lawleſſe law
Throw downe theſe worthy Monuments? wilt thou from hence conuay
And cary with thee all theſe ſpoyles? wilt thou ſuch pageaunts play?
Thy Fathers old acquainted mates, wilt thou by force ſurpryze
And leade as captiue where thou goeſt in proude triumphing wiſe?
Shall theſe thy cutthroate ſouldiers dragge and ſele the mothers old?
Shal they, graūd Matrons ried in chaines, frō ////// armes vnfold?
Shall Thebane Maydes, & Damſelles chaſte of freſhe and luſty Age,
Bee mingled with the raſkal rout, and hamperd bee in Cage?
Shall they as preſents, forced bee in dabbling dirt to toyle
Vnto the mynſing Miſtreſſes, and Trulles of Argoa ſoyle?
Shall I thy ſeely Mother trudge with Pinyond hands behinde?
Shall I this triumph of my Chiled to furniſh bee aſſignde?
Canſt thou with grudgeleſſe minde, behold thy Countreyfolkes arow,
Slayne, mangled, ſpoylde, in peeces hewen, thus to their deathes to got?
Canſt thou bring in a deadly Foe, thy Countrey to ſubdue?
Shall ſtreates of Thebes runne all with bloud? ſhall all y^e Coūtrey rue
Thy comming home with flame and fyre? haſt thou an heart ſo hard?
A breaſt ſo tipt with flint? a mynde to rage ſo well preparde?
If thus thou fare, and ſwell with yre whiles yet thou art no King:
What wilt thou bee in Princely throne, if thou ſhouldſt win the Ring?
Surceaſſe therefore and qualifie this outrage of thy mynde:
In thee let all thy Countrey, grace and Princely myldnes finde.

POL. Would you me haue, my ſelfe ſo much to loyall duties yeeld,
As that I ſhould a Pylgrims life like wandring Beaſt in field
Skud vp and downe from place to place, without both houſe & home,
And fleeing natiue ſoyle, bee forſt in forraigne Landes to roame?
What other plagues, could you award in iuſtice vnto mee,
If I my fayth or ſacred Oath had broken caytifly?
Shall I beare all the puniſhment for that vile villains guile?
And ſhall hee falſe deceiptfull wretch at my miſfortunes ſmyle?
Shall hee in wealth ſtill flaunt it out, and keepe this iolly coyle?
Shall hee for ſinnes rewarded bee? and I ſtill put to foyle?
Well, well, goe to, bee as bee may: you bid mee wander hence:
I am content: your hard decree t’obay is my pretence.
But tell mee whyther ſhall I goe? Aſſigne mee to ſome place:
Bylike, you would that brother myne ſhould ſtill with ſhameleſſe face
Poſſeſſe my ſtately Pallaces, and reuell in his ruffe,
And I thereat to holde my peace, and not a whit to ſnuffe,
But like a Countrey Mome to dwell in ſome poore thatched Cot:
Allow mee poore Exyle ſuch one: I reſt content, God wot.
You know, ſuch Noddyes as I am, are woont to make exchaung
Of Kingdomes, for poore thatched Cots, bee like this is not ſtraung.
Yea more: I, matcht now to a Wyfe of noble ligne and race
Shall like a ſeely Dottipoll liue there in ſeruile caſe,
At becke and checke of queenely Wyfe, and like a kitchin drudge
Shall at Adraſtus lordly heeles, (my Wyues owne Father) trudge.
From Princely Port to tumble downe into poore ſeruile ſtate,
Is greateſt griefe that may betyde by doome of frouncing fate.

IOC. If that thou gape ſo greedely a Kingly Crowne to weare:
And that thou canſt not reſt content, till thou a ſcepter beare:
Behold ech quarter of the world affoordeth Kingdomes ſtore.
No doubt thou mayſt winne ſome of them, if that thou ſeke therfore.
On one ſyde here, lies Tmolus mount, a ſoyle bethwact with Vines:
There runnes Pactolos noble ſtreame with golden ſend and mynes.
On that ſyde crookt Maeander glydes through midſt of Phrygia fieldes:
On this ſyde Hebrus ſwift of courſe much fruict to Thracia yeldes.
Nere thereunto lies Gargarus, renoumd each where for Corne,
And Troian Xanthus ſwelling floud, that pricke and price hath borne.
There Seſtos and Abidus ſtand in mouth of Ionian ſea,
Which now is called Helleſpont: and here an other waye
Are countreys, which more Eaſtward lye. There Lycia full of Creekes
And Hauens ſtrong is ſituate: theſe kingdomes, he that ſeekes,
Is like to winne: theſe would I haue thee conquere with thy ſword:
Theſe, theſe to winne let King Adraſt to thee his ayd affoorde.
In ſome of theſe, let him thee make a King: in Thebes as yit,
Suppoſe thy father Oedipus in ſeat of King to ſit.
Thy baniſhment much better is to thee, then this returne,
Sith all thy drift is cruelly to waſt, to ſpoyle, and burne.
Thy baniſhment reputed is to grow through others crime:
This thy retourne, in ſuch a ſort to Kingly ſtate to clyme,
Is ill and faulty euery way: with this thy warlicke crue
Thou ſhalt do better Realms to ſeeke, where bloudy guilt ne grue.
Yea, this thy Brother, whom thou doſt purſue with deadly hate
Whoſe life, whoſe health, whoſe houſe thou doſt with curſes dire rahate
Wil ayde thee with all powre he canne: himſelfe will alſo goe
And ſerue in field for thyne auayle, gaynſt him that is thy foe.
Aduaunce thy powre, march boldly forth to take this warre in hand.
Wherein thy parentes wiſh thee good, and wil thy helpers ſtand.
A Kingdome got miſchieuouſly, and ſnatcht with grudge of mynd,
More greeuous is then exiles al, of what ſoeuer kind.
Of warre, the doubtful hazardes all ſet downe before thy ſyght,
And throughly waigh thuncertayne chaūce, that longes to martial ſight.
Though al the power of Grece thou bring thy quarel to mayntayne,
And though great armed multitudes of ſouldiours thou retayne:
Yet chaunce of warre ſtil doubtful hanges, and hard it is to know,
Who cary ſhal the victory, thou or thy vowed foe.
Mars to no party tyed in: what he decrees, ſhal be,
As chaunce allots, ſo falles it out: this dome abydeth free.
Sword, hope and feare makes equall thoſe, betw ene whom otherwyſe
Great oddes there is: blynd Fortunes lot the caſe betweene them tryes.
Thy raſh attempt with cryme begonne, gropes after doubtful gayne:
And fond deuyſes enterpriſd oft reape deſerued payne.
Admit that all the God s in heauen did further thy requeſt,
And to promote thy hoat deſyre both willing were, and preſt:
Yet al thy frendes are fled away, and al recoyled backe,
And ſouldiours here and there in Fieldes are come to deadly wracke.
Although thou ioy hereat receyue, although the ſpoyles thou take
Of vanquiſht Brother, yet the palme of victory muſt ſlake,
And not to thee be geuen whole. What kind of warre (alas)
Is this, thinkſt thou? iſt not more ſtraunge then euer any was?
Wherin if he that victor is, ioy therein any whyt,
Moſt execrable wickednes he (doubtles) doth commit.
This Brother thyne, whō now ſo faine thou wouldſt bereaue of breath,
I wis, if he were once diſpatcht, thou wouldſt bewale his death.
And therfore make no more adoe, but ceaſſe from wicked bral,
Ridde countrey out of trembling feare, and parentes dole foreſtal.

Poly. What, ſhal my Brother for this vyle and ſhamefull breach of pacie
Goe ſkotfree thus? ſhal he receyue no guerdon for his fact?

Ioc. Feare not my ſonne, he ſhall be payd, and payd agayne, I trow:
He ſhalbe King and raygne in Thebes, his payne ſhal euen be ſo.
A payne in grayne I warrant him. And if thou doubtful be,
Let Graundſyre Laius and thy ſyre examples be to thee.
Sir Cadmus wil the ſame diſplay, and Cadmus ofſpring all
Can witnes be that none in Thebes yet raygnd without a fall.
None yet the Theban ſcepter ſwayd, that hath not felt the whippe.
And promiſe breach made moſt of them from regall Crowne to ſkippe.
Now if thou wilte, thou mayſt inſert within this bedroll heere
Thy Brother. POLY. Mary, that I wil, in ſhame hath he no peere.
And vnto mee it ſeemes a world of bliſſe to bee a king
And dye with Kings. POC. Thy caſe doth thee in rank of exiles bring.
Raygne Kinge, but yet a loathed wight vnto thy ſubiectes all.

POLY. For that I neyther recke ne care what ſhall to me befall.
That Prince that feares diſdaynful hate, vnwilling ſeemes to raynge.
The God that ſwayes the Golden Globe, together hath theſe twayne
Conioynd and coupled Hate and Rule: and him do I ſuppoſe
To be a noble King indeede, that can ſupplant his foes,
And ſubiectes cancred hate ſuppreſſe. A King is often ſtayed
From doyng many thinges he would, when ſubiectes loue is wayed.
But vnto them that do repyne to ſe him ſit aloft,
He may more rigour boldly ſhew, and pare their pates more oft.
He that will loue of ſubiectes winne, with Elemency muſt raygne:
A King that’s hated, cannot long in Kingly ſeate remayne.
For Kingdomes Kinges can beſt deſcribe, what preceptes needfull are.
Mell thou in caſes of Exile: for Kingdomes take no care.

Pol. To be a King, I would engage to force of flaming Fire,
Both Countrey, houſe, land, Wyfe, and Chyld, to compaſſe my deſyre.
No Fee, to purchaſe Princely ſeate, ne labour coumpt I loſt:
A Kingly Crowne is neuer deare, what euer price it coſt.

Thomas Newtonus, Ceſtreſhyrius.

FINIS.

THE FOVRTH, AND MOST RVTHFVL TRAGEDY OF L. ANNAEVS SENECA, ENtituled HIPPOLYTVS; tranſlated into Engliſhe, by Ihon Studley.

The Argument.

HIPPOLYTVS, the ſonne of THESEVS & ANTIOPA Quene of the Amazons, renouncing al Worldly pleaſures, and carnall delightes, lyued a Batcheler, forbearing all Womens company, and amorous allurements: and only vowed himſelfe to the ſeruice of chaſte DIANA, purſuing the Gentlemanly paſtime of hunting. In the abſence of THEſEVs his Father, it chaunced that his ſtepmother PHAEDRA ardently enamored with his beawty and luſty age, enueigled him by all meanes ſhee coulde, to commit wyth her filthy, and monſtruous adultry. Whych her beaſtly, vnchaſte, and vndutifull practiſe, hee dutifully loathinge, ſhee turned hir former loue into extreame hatred, and told her huſband THESEVS at his returne home, that his ſonne HIPPOLYTVS woulde haue vnlawfully layne with her. THESEVS belieuing his Wyues moſt vntrue accuſation, meant to haue put his ſonne to death. HIPPOLYTVS vnderſtāding thereof, got vp into his Chariot and fled. THESEVS being therewith tickeled, and after ſome purſuite, not ouertaking him, went to his Father AEGAEVS beeing a God of the ſea, deſiring him to graunt him three Wiſhes: the laſt whereof was, the deſtruction and Death of HIPPOLYTVS: wherevpon AEGAEVS ſent out certaine great ſea-monſters, or Whirlepooles, which affrighting the Horſes in HIPPOLYTVS Charyot, made them to ouerturne the Charyot, and to runne through thick and thinne till they had diſmēbred true HIPPOLYTVS in pieces. The remorſe of which villany ſo ſtrake PHAEDRA in Conſcience, that with a ſword ſhee ſtabbed herſelfe into the Entrailes, & died vpon the body of HIPPOLYTVS.

The Speakers names.

Hippolytus.

Phaedra.

Nuntius.

Chorus,

Theſeus.

Nutrix.

THE FIRSTE ACTE.

HIPPOLYTVS.

Goe raunge about the ſhady Woods, beſet on euery ſide
With Nets, with Hounds, & toyles, & rūning out at randon ride
About, about, the craggy creſts of high Cecropes hill,
With ſpeedy foote about the Rockes, with courſing wander ſtill.
That vnder Carpanetus ſoyle, in Dale below doth lurke,
Whereas the Riuers running ſwift, their flapping waues doe worke,
And daſhe againſt the beaten Banks of Thrias valley low,
And clamber vp the ſlimy cliues, beſmeard with hory ſnow,
(That falleth, when y^t Weſterne winde frō Riphes Moūts doth blow.)
Heere, heere away, let other wend, whereas with lofty head,
The Elme diſplayes his braunched armes, the wood to ouerſpread.
Whereas the Meadowes greene doe lye, where Zephyrus moſt milde
Out brayes his baumy breath ſo ſweete, to gerniſh vp the field
With luſty ſpringtide flowers freſh whereas Elyſus ſlow
Doth fleete vpon the Yſte flakes, and on the Paſtures low.
Maeander ſheds his ſtragling ſtreame, and ſheares the fruitleſſe ſand
With wrackfull waue: yee whom the path on Marathons left hand,
Doth lead vnto the leauened launds, whereas the heirde of beaſt
For Euening forrage goe to graze, and ſtalke vnto their reſt.
The raſcall Deare trip after faſt, you thither take your way,
Where clottered hard Acarnan forſt warme ſoutherne windes t’obay
Doth ſlake the chilling colde, vnto Hymetus Yſie cliue
To Alphids litle Villages, now let ſome other dilue:
That plot where Sunion ſurges high doe beate the ſandy bankes,
Whereas the marble ſea doth fleete with crooked compaſt crankes,
Vnhaunted lies too long, withoutten race of any wight.
Who ſet agog with hunting braue, in woods doth take delyght,
Philippis him allures: her hauntes a fomy briſtled Bore
That doth annoy with gaſtly dread the huſbandmen full ſore:
We know him wel: for he it is foyld with ſo many woundes,
But ere they do begin to ope, let ſlip, let ſlip your Houndes.
But in your leaſhes ſyrs keepe vp your eiger Maſtifs yet,
Keepe on their Collers ſtill; that doe their galled neekes yfret:
The ſpartayne Dogges eiget of pray and of couragious kynd,
That ſone can ſingle out their game, wherto they be aſſygnd,
Tye ſhorter vp within your leaſh: to paſſe tyme ſhall it bring,
That with the youlping noyſe of houndes the hollow rockes ſhal ring.
Now let the Houndes goe fynd of it with Noſthrell good of ſent,
And trace vnto the vglye demere dawning day be ſpent.
Whyle in the dewiſh ſtabby ground the pricke of cleaze doth ſlicke.
One bear the toyle on cumbred necke, and ſome with nettes ful thicke
Make ſpeede: ſome with the arming coard by penſell paynted red
By ſleight, and ſubtill guyleful feare ſhall make the Beaſtes adred:
Loke thou to pitch thy thirling orre, and thou to trye thy might,
Shalt cope him with broad Boareſpeare with hand both lefte & right.
Thou ſtanding at receipt ſhalt chaſe the routes beaſtes awayne.
With hallowing: thou with limere ſharpe vndee him beyng ſlayne.
Graunt good ſucceſſe vnto thy mate, Virago, thou Diuyne,
That ſecret deſartes choſen haſt for noble Empire thyne:
Whoſe thirled Dartes with leauel right do gore the Beaſt with Bloud
That lappes the lukewarme licour of roxis fleeting Floud.
And eke the Beaſt that ſportes it ſelfe on froſen Iſters ſtraud.
The ramping Lyons eake of Geate are chaſed by thy hand.
And eke the wyndy heeled Hart in Catidie thou doſt chaſe.
Now with more gentle launce thou ſtrikſt the Dor that trippes apace.
To thee the Tygar fierce his diuers ſpotted breaſt doth yield,
The rough ſhaghairy Bugle turnes on thee his backe in field.
Eke ſaluage Buffes with braunche & hornes: all thinges thy quarelles feare,
That to the needy Garamas in Affricke doth appeare.
Or eis the wyld Arabian enriched by his wood,
Or what the Brutiſh roches of Pyrene vnderſtood,
Or elſe what other Beaſtes do lurcke in wyld Hyrcanus groue,
Or elſe among ſarmatians in deſert fieldes that roue:
It that the Ploughman come to field, that ſtandeth in thy grace,
Into his nearee the rouſed beaſt full ſure he is to chaſe.
No feete in ſunder breake the coorties and home he bringes the Bore
In iotting wayne, when as the houndes with gubs of clottered gore,
Beſmeared haue their geymed ſpouiſs and then the Countrey rout
To Cottages repayre in rankes, with triumph all about.
Lo, Goddeſſe graunt vs grace: the hounds already opened haue,
I follow muſt the Chaſe: this gainer way my paynes to ſaue,
I take into the woods.

THE SECOND SCEANE

PHAEDRA. NVTRIX.

O Countrey Crete that beares the ſway, vpon the ſeas ſo vaſt.
Whoſe ſhips ſo thicke in euery ſhore, the ſeas doe ouercaſt,
What euer coaſt as farre as is Aſſyria lande doth lye,
Where Nereus doth the piked ſtemme to cut his courſe deny,
Why force ye mee that yeelded am, a pledge to thoſe I hate?
And gieuen in Bridall bed to bee my enmies ſpouſall mate,
To languiſh out my time in teares, in woe to leade my lyfe?
My huſband lo, & runnagate is gon from mee his Wyfea,
Yet Theſeus ſtill performes his O the alike vnto his ſpouſe.
As earſt to Ariadne, when hee falſifide his Vowes:
Hee champion ſtoute dare enterpriſe the darkeneſſe deepe to paſſe
Of lothſome Lake, whence yet found out, no way returning was.
A ſouldier of the Wooer bolde Proſerpin home to bring,
Out pullde perforce from griſly throne of Dire infernall King.
Accompanide with fury fierce hee marcheth forward ſtill,
Whō neither dread nor ſhame could force forbeare his wicked will.
With lawleſſe wedlocks rauiſhments Hippolytus his ſire
Doth in the boyling bottom deepe of Acheron require,
But yet another greater griefe ſwayes on my penſiue breſt,
No ſilent night, nor ſlumber deepe can ſet my heart at reſt.
My ſorrow ſtill is nouriſhed, and ſtill entreaſeth it,
And rankleſſe in my boyling breaſt, as out of Aetnaes pit.
The ſtifling vapour vpward ſties and Pallas Web, it ſtandes
At reſt, my dropping diſtaffe downe doth drop betweene my handes.
My luſkiſh minde it hath no luſt my vowed gifts to pay
Vnto the Temples of the Gods that liue my Theſeus may:
Nor rigging with Th’athenian Dames among the aulters proude
To toſſe the fiery brands, vnto the ſacrifice aloude,
Nor yet deuoutly praying at the Aares with godly guiſe
To Pallas preſident in earth to offer ſacrifice:
It doth delight me to purſue the chaſed beaſts in flight,
And toſſe my flaſhing Faucon fierce with nimble hand full light.
What ayles thou minde this mad to take conceypte in freight and fell?
My wretched mothers fatall vice a breeding now I ſmell:
To cloake our crime, our luſt doth knowe, woods are the fitteſt place,
Alas good Mother, I lament the heauy luckleſſe caſe:
Thou raſhe attaint with lothſome luſt enamored is thy breaſt.
Euen with the cruell head of al the herd of ſaluage beaſt,
That churliſh angry roaring Bull no yoake can bee ſuſtayne.
And hee among the wilde, and eke vntamed Neat doth raygne.
Yet was enclinde to loue: what God can graunt mee my deſire?
Or Dedalus with curious craft can eaſe my flaming fire?
Not if hee might returne, whom Ariadne hath iuſtruct
From crooked compaſt Laberinth by thred that out hee pluckt
Among the lurcking corners cloſe, and wily winding way,
To grope his footing backe agayne, and did depriue of day
Our monſtrous Minotaur encloſde in Maze and Dungeon blinde:
Although hee promiſe to our ſore, no ſalue yet can hee finde:
Through mee Apollos Progeny doth Venus quite agayne,
The filthy ſhame that ſhee and Mars together did ſuſtayne.
Whom Phoebus taking at their taſke all naked in the ſkie,
Hung vp in Nets, a laughing ſtocke to euery gaſing Eye:
For this all Phoebus ſtocke, with vile and foule reproche ſhe ſtaynes,
In ſome of Minos family ſtill lothſome luſting raygnes:
One miſchiefe brings another in. NV. O Theſeus wyfe, and Chylde
Of Ioue, let vyce be ſoone out of thine honeſt breaſt exilde:
And quench the raging heat: to dire diſpayre doe not vp yeeld,
Who at the firſt repulſeth loue, is ſafe and winnes the field,
Who doth by flattring fancy fonde feede on his vitious vayne,
To late doth grudge agaynſt the yoake which earſt hee did ſuſtayne:
Nor yet doe I forget how hard, and voyde of reaſon cleane:
A Princes ſtately ſtomacke yeeldes vnto the golden meane:

PH. That ende I will accept, whereto by Fortune I can leade
The neighbors weale great comfort brings vnto the horie heade.

NV. The firſt redreſſe is to withſtand, not willingly to ſlide,
The ſecond is to haue the fault by meane and meaſure tride:
O wicked wretch what wilt thou doe? why doſt thou burden more
The ſtayned ſtocke and doſt excell thy mothers fault afore?
More haynous is thy guilt than yet thy mothers Monſter was:
For monſters mayſt thou thinke are brought by deſtiny to paſſe:
But let the cauſe of ſinne, to blame of maners lewde redounde:
And if bicauſe thy huſband doth, not breath aboue the grounde.
Thou thinkſt thou mayſt defend thy fault, and make thy matter good
And free from feare? thou arte beguilde, yet thinke the Stygian flood
In grieſly gaping gulfe for aye hath drenched Theſeus deepe,
But yet thy ſyre, whoſe kingdomes large the ſeas at will do keepe:
Whoſe dredfull doome pronounceth panges, and due deſerued payne,
Two hundreth wayling ſoules at once. Will he thinkſt thou maintayne
So haynous crime to couche? the care of tender Parents breaſt
Full wiſe, and wary is to bring their children to the beſt.
Yet ſhall we thinke by ſubtill meane by craft and diueliſh guile,
In hugger mugger cloſe to keepe our trechery ſo vile.
What ſhall thy mothers father Phoebe, whoſe beames ſo blaſing bright,
With fiery gleede ou euery thing, doth ſhed his golden light?
Or Ioue the Grandſire great of Gods that all the world doth ſhake,
And brandiſheth with flaming Fiſt, his fiery lightnings flake:
That Vulcane doth in Fornace hoate, of duſky Aetna make
Thinkſt thou thys may be brought to paſſe, ſo haynous crime to hide?
Among thy Grandſire all that haue eche priuy thing eſpide?
But though the fauor of the Gods conceale the ſecond time
Thy lothſome luſt (vnworthy name) and to thy baudy crime,
Sure faythfulneſſe annexed be, that euer barred was.
Ech great offence, what will this worke? a preſent plague, alas
Suſpicionleſt the guilty night bewray thy deede vniuſt:
And conſcience burdned ſore with ſinne that doth it ſelfe miſtruſt.
Some haue commit offence full ſafe from any bitter blame,
But none without the ſtinging pricks of conſcience did the ſame:
Aſſwage the boyling flames of this thy lewde vngratious loue,
Such monſtrous miſchiefe horrible from modeſt minde remoue.
Which neuer did Barbarian commit vnto this day.
No not the Gadding Gothes that vp and downe the fyeldes do ſtray:
Nor craggy creſted Taurus mount whoſe hoary and froſty face
With rumming cold abandons all inhabitors the place.
Nor yet the ſcattered ſcithian, thy mother haue in mynd,
And feare this forrayne venery, ſo ſtraunge agaynſt thy kind:
The Fathers wedlocke with the ſonnes thou ſeckſt to be defylde,
And to conceiue in wicked womb a Baſtard Mungrell Child:
Go too, and turne thy Nature to the flame of burning breaſt.
Why yet do Monſters ceaſe? why is thy Brothers caue in reaſt.
That Mynotaurus hideous hole and vgly couching den
Without an other greedy fyend to mounch vp fleſh of men?
Miſhapen, lothly monſters borne ſo oft the world ſhall beare,
So oft rebels agaynſt her ſelfe confuſed Nature deare,
As loue entangles Nimphes of Crere. Ph. I know the truth ye teach
O Nurce, but fury forceth mee at worſer thinges to reach:
My mynd euen wittingly to vyce falles forward prone and bent
To boleſome counſell backe agayne in vayne it doth relente:
As when the Norman tugges and toyles to bring the freighted Barke
Agaynſt the ſtriuing ſtreame, in vayne he loſeth al his carke
And downe the ſhallow ſtreame perforce the ſhyp doth hedlong yeeld,
Where reaſon preaſeth forth, there fighting fury winnes the field,
And beares the ſwinging ſway, and cranke Cupidoes puiſſant might
Tryumpheth ouer all my breaſt this flighty winged wight
And puiſſant poteſtate throughout the world doth heare the ſtroke,
And with vnquenched flames doth force Ioues kindled breaſt to ſmoake,
The Battelbeaten Mars hath felt theſe bitter burning brandes,
And eke the God hath taſted theſe whoſe feruent fierye handes,
The thumping thunder bouncing boltes three forked wyſe doth frame,
And he that euer buſted is about the furious flame,
In ſmoltring Fornace raging hoat on duſky top ſo hie
Of foggye Aetna mount: and with ſuch ſlender heat doth frie,
And Phoebe himſelfe that weldes his dart vpon his twanging ſtring,
With aymed ſhaft directlie driuen the wimpled Ladde doth ſting.
With powre he ſcoures along the Earth and Marble ſkye awayne.
Luſt fauoring folly filthtly did falſely forge and faune
Loue for a God: and that he might hys freedome more tayne.
Aſcribes the name of fayned God to ſhittel bed lame rage.
Erycina about the world doth ſend her rouing page,
Who glyding through the Azure ſkies with ſlender ioynted arme
His perlous weapons weildes at will, and working griec uous harme.
Of bones and ſtature beyng leaſt great might he doth diſplay
Vpon the Gods, compelling them to crouch and him obay.
Some Brainſicke head did attribute theſe thinges vnto himſelfe,
And Venus Godhead with the bow of Cupid litle elfe.
Who cockred is, tryumphing much in fauking fortunes lap.
And flotes in welth, or ſeekes and ſues for thinges that ſeldome hap,
Luſt (mighty fortunes miſcheous mate) aſſaulteth ſtraight his breaſt,
His tooth contempneth wonted fare and victuals homly dreſt.
Nor hanſome houſes pleaſeth him, why doth this plague refuſe.
The ſimple ſort, and to annoy doth ſtately bowers chuſe?
How haps it matrimony pure to byde in Cottage baſe?
And honeſt loue in middle ſort of men doth purchaſe place?
And thinges that be of meane eſtate themſelues reſtraine ful well,
But they that wallow in their luſte whoſe ſtately ſtomackes ſwell,
Puft vp and boiſtred bigge with truſt of Kingly ſcepter proude
Do greater matters enterpriſe then may be well alowde.
Hee that is able much to do, of powre wil alſo bee
To do theſe thinges he cannot doe. Now Lady doſt thou ſee
What thinges do thee beſeeme thus ſtaid on ſtately throne on hie?
Miſtruſt the ſcepter of thy ſpouſe returning by and by.

Ph. In me I beare a violent and mighty payſe of loue,
And no mans comming home againe to terrour may me moue.
He neuer ſtepped backe agayne, the welkin ſkie to touch,
That ſwallowed once and ſunke in gulfe and glummy caue did couch
Shut vp in ſhimering ſhade for ay. Nu. Yet do not thou ſuppoſe,
Though dreadful Ditis lock with barres, and bolt his dongeon cloſe:
And though the hideous hellicke hounde do watch the grieſly gates.
Not Theſeus alone ſhal haue his paſſages ſtopt by fates,

Ph. Perhaps he pardon wil the cryme of loues procuring heate

Nu. Nay churliſhly hee would of old his honeſt wyfe entreate.
Antiope his bobbing buffets felt and heauy cuffe:
Suppoſe, yet thou can qualifye thy huſbandes raging ruffe:
Yet who can mone Hippolytus moſt ſtony ſtubborne mynd?
He wil abhorre the very name deteſting woman kind,
And faring frantickly, wil gyue himſelfe to ſingle life,
And ſhunne the hated ſpouſall bedde of euery marride wife,
Then ſhal ye playnly vnderſtand his brutiſh ſcithian blood

Ph. To follow him euen through the hilles, the Forreſt thycke & wood,
That keepes among the clottred cliues beſmeard with ſiluer ſnow,
Whoſe nimble heeles on craggy rockes are friſking to and froe:
I wyſh. Nu. He wil reſiſt and not be dalyed with nor coyd,
Nor chaunge his chaſt eſtate, for lyfe of chaſtity deuoyd,
And turne perhaps his cankred hate to light on thee alone,
That now he beares to all. Ph. wil not he moued be with mone?

Nu. ſtark wilde he is, Ph. and I haue learnd wilde thinges by loue to tame

Nu Hee’le runne away. Ph. if by the ſeas heftie, I on the ſame
Will follow him. Nu. Remember then thy father may thee take.

Ph. I may remember myne offence, my mother eake wil ſlake.

Nu. Deteſting womankinde, he driues and courſeth them away.

Ph. No ſtrūpets baſhful feare agaynſt my breaſt doth hold at bay:

Nu. Thy huſband wil be here. Ph. I wis he comes I warrant him
Pyrothous companion in hellicke dungeon dimme.

Nu Thy Father alſo he wil come, Ph. A gentle hearted ſyre
Forgeuing Ariadnes fault, when ſhe did him require.

Nu For theſe my ſiluer ſhining lockes of horie drouping age,
And breaſt beduld with cloying cares reſtrayne thy furious rage.
I humbly thee beſeech euen by theſe tender tears of myne,
Succor thy ſelfe, much health it is, if will to health encline.

Ph. Not euery iote at honeſty exiled is my breaſt,
I yeeld me Nurſe, loue that denies thus vnder rule to reſt
In quietnes, let him, let him perforce be battered downe.
I wil not let my fleeting fame and glorious bright renoume
With ſtayne to be diſhonoured, this onely is the gap,
To ſhunne the perlous path that leades to vices trayning trap.
My ſpouſe let mee enſue with death this ſtriue I ſhall ſubuert.

Nu. Deare daughter ſlake the ramping rage of thy unruly heart.
Plucke downe thy ſtomacke ſtout, for this I iudge thee worthy breath,
In that thou doſt confeſſe thy ſelfe to haue deſerued death.

Ph. Condemde I am to die, what kind of death now would I know,
As eyther ſtrangled with a rope ſhal I my life forgoe?
Or runne vppon a bloudy blade, with gory wound to dye?
Or topſte turuy headlong hurld downe Pallas turret hie,
In quarrel iuſt of Chaſtity. Nu. Now ſtrengthen we our hand,
Alas ſhal not my feble age thy deſpret death withſtand,
Forbeare the ſway of furye fierce. Ph. No reaſon can reſtrayne
Him that deſtreth death, when death he hath determind playne
And ought to die, Nu. ſweete Lady myne (thou comfort of my age
And feeble yeares) if in thy breaſt preuayles ſuch mighty rage
Haue not regard what ſounding blaſt in trompe of fame be blowne
Whereby thy name in ſtayned ſtock of blacke reproch be ſowne,
Or graft in ſpotleſſe honeſty: for fame doth fauour ſmall
The moſt vpright, to better worſe, to worſe ſhee’s beſt of al,
Let vs aſſay the froward mynd of yonder ſtubborne Child
It is my part to ſet vppon the clubbiſh youngman wilde
And to compell the ſturdy lad with ſtony hart to yeeld.

Chorus.

O Goddeſſe great that art the wondrous ſeede
Of frothie ſurge in ſtormy raging ſeas
Whō flamy Cupid armd with ſcorching gleed,
And ſhaftes, to call his Mother it doth pleaſe:
This wanton Elfe forth putting ſappy might
From ſtedfaſt Bowe how ſurely doth he throwe
His venimd ſhaftes, through all thy marrow right
The foyſtring fyre doth rankle in and glowe
The ſecret flame that boyleth in each vayne
The ſtrype layd on ſhewes not in open marke:
But inward marrow he ſucketh out amayne,
This boy to ſound of peace doth neuer harke.
His ſcattered ſhaftes ful nimble euery where
He dartes aboute, the Eaſt that doth behold
The dawning ſunne himſelfe aloft to reare,
From purple bed, and whether late he rold.
With ruddy lamp, in Weſterne wade doth glyde:
If any coaſtlye vnder ſcorching clawes
Of burning Crab, or people do abyde,
Beneath the clyme of Iſy froſen pawes,
Of ougly gargle faced bigger Beare,
That wandring ſtill from place to place doth goe
The feruent Fumes, and ſtouing heate eche where
That iſſues out from CVPIDs burning bow,
The flaſhing flames of Yongmens burning breſt,
Hee ſtirreth vp, enkindling new the heate
Of quenched coales, that wonted was to reſt
In drouping age: and virgins hearts doe beate
Wyth ſtraunge vntaſted brandes: and doth compell
The Gods deſcending downe from ſtarry ſky,
Wyth counterfeited Vyſages, todwell,
Vpon the Earth to blinde the Louers Eye.
Sir PHOEBVs whilome forſt in Theſſail Land
To ſheepeherds ſtate ADMETVs Heirdes did driue,
His mourning Harp depriude of heauenly Hand
With ordred Pipe his Bullockes did reuiue.
Euen hee that trayles the duſky riding rack,
And wieldes the ſwaying Poles with ſwinging ſwift
How oft did hee faynde fourmes put on his back
And heauenly Face with baſer countenaunce ſhift.
Sometime a Byrde with ſiluer ſhining wings,
He fluttering fluſht, and languiſhing the death
With ſweete melodious tuned voyce hee ſings,
When ſilly Cygnus gaue vp gaſping breath.
Sometime alſo wyth curled for head grim
A dallying Bull, he bent his ſtouping backe
To maydens ſport, through deepeſt ſeas to ſwim
Whyle horny houe made ſhift like Ore ſlacke
Through waters wyld his brothers perlous coſt
Wyth forward glauncing breaſt the ſtream he brake,
And leaſt he ſhould his tender pray haue loſt,
Her troublus thought did cauſe his heart to quake
DIANA bright that ſwayes in circle murke,
Of darkened ſky, with frying fits did burne,
And leauing of the Euening watch her worke
Her fulgent Chariot bright, eke did ſhee turne.
To PHOEBVS charge, to weelde it otherwiſe
Her Euening Wayne APOLLO learnde to guide,
And take his turne in leſſer compaſt ſiſe:
The dāpiſh nights watcht not their wonted tyde
And late it was ere that AVRORA fayre
Set forth the morning ſunne with golde aray,
Whyle that the Marble axell tree in th’ayre
The ſhogging Carte made crake with ſwagging ſway,
ALCMENAS boyſtrous Impe did lay aſide
His clattering ſhafts, and alſo did refuſe
To weare the ramping Lyons hairy Hyde
And Emraudes for his fingers did hee chuſe,
And brayded kept his rufled ſtaring Locks,
Ware Garters wrought on knee with ſeames of Golde
And on his feete his durty dabled ſocks,
And with the hand where whilome hee did holde
His Clubbiſh bat, a thred hee nimbly ſpun:
Both Perſia and fertile Lidia knew
(Where golden ſanded Pactolus doth run)
ALCYDES bid the Lyons caſe adew
And thunder propping brawny ſhoulderd ſier
That heaued and bolſtred vp the Welkin throne,
In ſlender Kirtell wrought by Web of Tyre
Did iet about to pleaſe his Loue alone.
This flame (beleue the heart that feeles the wound)
Enſpirde with holines excels in might,
Whereas the Land by ſeas embraced round,
Where twinkling ſtarres doe ſtart in Welkin bright
This peeuiſh Elfe the Conntreyes all doth keepe,
Whoſe quarrels ſting the Marble faced rout
Of water Nimphes, that with the Waters deepe
The brand that burnes in breaſt cannot quench out,
The flying fowle doth feele the foyſtring flames.
What cruell ſkirmiſh doe the Heyffers make?
rickt vp by luſt that nice Dame VENVS frames.
In furious ſorte for all the Cattels ſake?
If fearefull Hearts their Hindes doe once miſtruſt,
In loue diſloyall then gladly dare they fight,
And bellowings out, they bray to witneſſe iuſt
Their angry moode, conceyu’de in irefull ſpright.
The paynted coaſt of India then doth hate
The ſpotty Hyded Tygar, then the Bore
Doth whet his Tuſkes to combat for his mate,
And fomes at mouth: the ramping Lyons rore
And ſhake their Manes, when CVPIDs corſies moue
Wyth grunts and grones the howling frythes doe murn
The Dolphin of the raging ſea doth loue:
The Elephants by CVPIDs blaze doe burn:
Dame nature all doth challeng as her owne,
And nothing is that can eſcape her lawes:
The rage of wrath is quencht and ouerthrowne,
When as it pleaſeth Loue to bid them pawes:
Blacke hate that ruſting frets in cankred breaſt,
And all olde grudge is daſht by burning loue.
What ſhall I make diſcourſe more of the reſt
Stout ſtepdames doth this gripe to mercy moue.

THE SECOND ACTE.

PHAEDRA. NVTRIX. HIPPOLYTVS.

Declare what tidings bringſt thou Nurce, where is Hippolitus?

NV. To cure this puiſſant breach of illes no hope there is in vs:
Nor yet to quench his flaſhing flame: his furies fretting ire,
Doth fry in ſecret boyling breaſt, and though the ſmothrering fire
Be couerte cloſe, yet burſting forth in welked face it fryes:
The ſparkling flakes doe glowing flaſh from bloudred rowling eyes
She hanging downe her pouched groyne, abhors the lothſome light,
Her ſkittiſh wits and wayward minde can fancy nothing right:
Her faltring legs doe fayle her now, downe ſquatting on the ground
With ſprauling lims her ſhittell griefe doth caſt her in aſwound:
Now ſcant ſhee on her lithy necke holdes vp her giddy hed,
Nor can commit her ſelfe to couche in reſt vpon her bed.
Nor harbring quietnes in heart wyth drery dewle and plaint
She languiſheth through out the night, and now her body faynt
She biddes them vp to lift: and now her downe agayne to lay,
And now hir criſpen locks vndone abroade ſhee biddes diſplay:
And ſtrayt to wrap them vp agayne. Thus fickle fanſe ſtill
Doth fleete, nor is contented with his wayward wandring will.
No care ſhe caſteth on her health nor eates one crum of breade,
With feeble fumbling foote vpon the floore eke doth ſhe treade,
Her ſtrength alas is quight conſumde, her fauor ſweete doth faynt:
Nor ruddy ſanguine purple deye her cherry checkes doth paynt:
Wyth greedy gripes of gnawing griefe her pinched limmes doe pyne:
Her foltring legs doe ſtagger now: the gloſſe of beauty lyne
In body Alabaſter bright is ſhronke away and waſt
Thoſe Criſtall Eyes that wonted were reſemblance cleare to caſt
Of radiant Phoebus gold arayes, now nothing gentry ſhyne:
Nor beare a ſparke of Phoebus bright her fathers beams deuyne:
The trickling teares tril down her chekes, dew dampiſh dropping ſtill,
Doth wet her warrye plantes, as on the toppe of Taurus hill
The warry ſnowes with lukewarme ſhoures to moiſture turnd do drop
But lo the Princes pallace is ſet open in the top:
She lying downe vpon her golden bed of high eſtate
Hurles of hir wonted royal robes which wounded hart doth hate:

Ph. Maydes, haue our purple garmentes hence, & veſtures wrought w^t gold,
Theſe crimſō robes of ſcarlet red let not myne eyes behold.
And damaſke weedes, wheron the ſeres embraudet braunches braue,
Whoſe ſilken ſubſtaunce gatherd of their trees aloofe they haue,
My boſome ſhalbe ſwadled in with cuttied gaberdine,
No golden coller on my necke nor Indian iewels fyne.
The precious pearles ſo whyte ſhal hang no more now at myne eares,
Nor ſweete perfumes of ſiria ſhal poulder more my heares.
My flaryng ruffled lockes ſhal dagling hang my necke aboute
And ſhoulder poyntes: then then apace t/// attring in and out.
Let wyndes euen blow it where it liſt, in left hand wil I take
A quiuer of ſhaftes, and in my right a Booreſpere wil I ſhake,
To cruell child Hippolitus ſuch one his mother was,
As fleeting from the froſen ſeas thoſe countrey coſtes did paſſe,
And draue her hierdes that bet with trampling feete Th’ Athenian ſoyle
Or like the trull of Tauais, Or like her wil I toyle,
Of Meotis that on a knot wounde vp her criſpen lockes,
Thus wil I trot with moone like targe among the wodes and rockes.

Nu. Leaue of thy bitter languiſhing vnto the ſitte ſort
(That walter thus in waues of woe) griefe giues not teſting port
Is any meaſure to be found in thy tormenting fire.
Some grace at wyld Dianae, hand with ſacrifyce require.
O Goddeſſe greate of Woods, in hilles that onely ſetſt thy throne,
And Goddes that of the craggy clyues at worſhipped alone,
Thy wrathful threatninges on vs all now turne to better plight
O Goddeſſe that in forreſtes wyld and groues obtayneſt might,
O ſhyning lampe of heauen, and thou the Diamon of the Night,
O threefold ſhapen Heccate that on the world his face
Doſt render light with torch by turnes, vouchſafe to graūt thy grace
To further this our enterpriſe and helpe our piteous caſe,
O mollify Hippolytus his ſtubborne hardued hart,
And let him learne the pangues of loue and taſt like bitter ſmart:
And yeeld his light allured eares: entreate his brutiſh breaſt,
And chaunge his mynd, in Venus boundes compel him once to reſt.
So froward and vntoward now ſo crabbed curſt and mad:
So ſhalt thou be with blandiſhing and ſmyling countnaunce clad.
Thy ſhimering clowde cleane fading hence then brightly ſhalt thou bear
And gliſteryng hornes, then whyle by night vpon the whirling ſphere,
Thy cloudy heeled ſteedes thou guydes, the raging witches charme
Of Theſſal, ſhal not draw thee from the heauens nor do thy harme
No ſhepherd purchaſe ſhal renoume. Thou comſt at our requeſt:
Now fauour doſt thou graunt vnto the prayers of our Breaſt:
I do eſpye him worſhipping the ſolemne ſacrifyce,
Both place and tyme conuenient by Fortune doth ariſe:
We muſt go craftely to worke for feare we quaking ſtand,
Ful hard it is the buyſy charge of guylt to take in hand:
But who of Princes ſtandes in awe, let him defye all right,
Caſt of the care of honeſty from mind exiled quight,
A man vnfit is for the heſt of King a baſhful wight.

Hip. O Nurſe, how chaūce thy limping limmes do crepe into this place?
With blubbred Cheekes, & leaden lookes with ſad and mourning face?
Doth yet my Father Theſeus with health enioy his life?
Doth Phaedra yet enioy her health my ſtepdam and his wyfe.

Nu. Forgoe theſe feares, and gently come thy bleſſed hap to take,
For care conſtrayneth me to mourne with ſorrow for thy ſake,
That hurtfully thou looudes thy ſelfe with pangues of plūging payne:
Let him rubbe on in miſery whom deſtny doth conſtrayne:
But if that any yeld himſelfe to waues of wilful woe,
And doth torment himſelfe, deſerues his weale for to forgoe
The which he knowes not how to vſe: tuſh, be not ſo demure,
Conſideryng how thy yeares do runne, take part of ſport and play,
Let mirry Bacchus cauſe thee caſt theſe clogging cares away,
And reape the frutte of ſweete delyght belonging to thy yeares,
For luſty youth with ſpeedy foote ful faſt away it weares.
Earſt tender loue, earſt Venus feedes the young mannes appetite,
Be blyth my Boy, why Widow like lieſt thou alone by night?
Shake of thy ſollem ſadneſſe man that harty youth doth ſpill:
Huff, royſt it out couragiouſly, take bridle at thy will
Let not the flowre of plooming yeares all fruitles fade away.
God poynteth euery tyme his taſke, and leades in dus aray
Each age by order luſt, as mirth the ſappy youthfull yeares,
A forehed frayte with grauity becommeth hoary hayres.
Why duſt thou bridle thus thy ſelfe, and dulles thy pregnant wit?
The corne that did but lately ſproute aboue the ground, if it
Be rancke of roote, yet in the luſke, with entereſt at large
Vnto the hoping huſbandman ſhall trauel all diſcharge.
With braunched bough aboue the Wood the tree ſhall raiſe his top,
Whom ruſty hand of canckred hate, did neuer ſpill nor lop.
The pregnant Wittes are euermore more prone to purchaſe prayſe,
If noble heartes by freedome franckt be nouriſht from decayes.
Thou churliſh countrey Clowne Hodgelike not knowing Courtly life,
Delight in drouſy doting youth without a louing wyfe.
Doſt thou ſuppoſe that to this end Dame Nature did vs frame,
To ſuffer hardnes in this world and to abyde the ſame?
With courſes and kerereyes fet the prauncing ſteedes to tame?
Or bicker els with battails fierce, and broyls of bloudy warre?
That ſoueraygne ſyre of heauen and earth, when fates do vs detarre,
With ſignes and plagues prognoſticate prouided hath with heede,
For to repayre the damage done with new begotten ſeede.
Go to, let bedding in the world be vſed once no more
(That ſtil mankind from age to age vpholdes and doth reſtore)
The filthy world deformd would lie in yrkſome vgly ſtay,
No floting ſhips on wambling ſeas ſhould hoyſted ſayles diſplay.
No Foule ſhould ſkoare in azur ſkie, ne Beaſt to woods repayre,
And onely whiſking windes ſhould whirle amid the empty ayre.
What diuers dreery deathes driue one mankind to dumpiſh graue?
The ſeas, the ſword and trayterous traynes whole countries waſted have:
Yet for to limit forth our league there is no deſtny thincke,
So downe to blackefaſt ſtigian dampes we of our ſelues do ſincke.
Let youth that neuer felt the ioyes, in Venus lap which lie,
Alow the ſolitary life, what euer thou eſpye,
An hut liburly ſhall become for tearme of one mans life.
And worke it one deſtruction by mutuall hate and ſtrife.
Now therfore follow natures courſe, of life the ſoueraygne guyde,
Reſort vnto the towne: with men delight thee to abyde.

Hip. No life is more deuoyd of ſinne, and free from grieuous thralles,
And keeping faſhions old, then that which leauing Towniſh walles,
Doth take delight in pleaſant Woods, he is not ſet on fyre,
Enraged ſore with burning Byle of couetous deſyre.
Who hath addict himſelfe among the mountaynes wilde to liue,
Not prickt with pratling peoples bruite, no credit doth he geue.
Toth Vulgar ſort diſloyall ſtill, vnto the better part
Nor cankred rancour pale doth gnaw his blacke and fretting hart.
Nor fickle fauour forceth he, he bound doth not obay
The payſe of ſcepter proude: but weildes the maſſy ſcepter ſway,
At ebbing honours gapes he not, nor moyles for fleeting mucke,
Remoued farre from houering hope and dread of backward lucke,
Not bitter gnawing Enuy rancke teares him with tooth vnkind,
Not quaynted with the miſchiefe that in Cittyes and in mynd
Of people preſſeth thicke: nor quakes at euery blaſt that flies
With guilty conſcience to himſelfe, nor frames himſelfe to lies.
Nor couets rich with thouſand pillers cloſe his head to ſhroude,
Nor guildes his beams with gliſteryng gold for fancy fond and proude
Nor guſhing ſtreames of bloud vpon his innocent Alters flow.
Nor Bullockets bright their hundred heads as whyte as flakie ſnow,
Do yeeld to Axe, whyle ſcattered is on thaulter ſacred grayne,
But al the quiet countrey round at wil he doth obtayne.
And harmles walketh too and froe amid the open ayre,
And onely for the brutiſh Beaſt contriues a trapping ſnare.
Another whyle vppon the ſwift Alpheus banckes he walkes
Now vp and downe the breary Brakes of buſhy woods he ſtalkes
Where luke warme Lernas chriſtall floud with water cleare doth ſhine,
And chaunging courſe his Channell out another way doth twyne:
And heare the piteous plaining Birds with chirping charmes do chide.
And Braunches trembling ſhake whereon ſoft windye puffes do glyde,
And ſpreading Beches old do ſtand, to faſt and ſhake my ſhankes:
To ſtampe and daunce it doth me good on running Riuers bankes:
Or els vpon a withred clod to ſteale a nap of ſleepe,
Whereas the fountayne flowes amayne with guſhing waters deepe.
Or els among the baulmy flowres out braying ſauours ſweete,
Wheras with pleaſant humming noiſe the bubbling brooke doth fleete.
The Apples beaten of the tree do rauening hunger ſtaunch,
And ſtrawberyes gathered of the buſh ſoone fill with hungry paunch.
He ſhoons aſſaultes, that doth himſelfe from regall royall hold.
Eſtates do quaffe theyr dreadful drinke in Bolles of maſſye Golde:
How trimme it is water to lap in palme of naked hand:
The ſooner drowſye Morpheus byndes thy Browes with ſleepy bande:
The careleſſe corpes doth reſt at eaſe vpon the hardeſt Couch:
The Cabin baſe hauntes not by Nookes, to prig and filch a pouch:
In houſe of many corners blynd his head he doth not hyde,
He loues to come abroade and in the light to be eſpyde:
The Heauens beare witneſſe of his life, they liued in this wiſe.
I thinke, that ſcattred did of Gods in older time ariſe.
No doting couetous blinde deſtre of Golde in them was found:
No ſtones nor ſtoakes ſet vp in field did ſtint the parted ground:
The ſayling ſhip with brazen ſteue cut not the waltring waue,
But euery man doth know his coaſt and how much he ſhould haue.
No hugy Raypiers tayſed wire, nor Ditches delued deepe,
Nor countermured Caſtie ſtrong the walled Townes to keepe.
The ſouldier was not buſied his blunted Tooles to whet,
Nor rapping Pellets, Cannon ſhot the barred Gates downe bet,
Nor ſoyle with yoaked Oxe was ſtrainde to beate the eueting ſhare,
The field euen ſet of it ſelfe did feede the World with fare,
The plentifull aboundant Woods great wealth by nature gaue:
A houſe of nature take they had a dimme and darkſome Caue:
The couetous minde to ſcrape vp wealth, and deſpret furious ire,
And greedy Luſt (that riggeth on the minde all ſet on fire.)
Firſt brake the bands, and eger thirſt of bearing ſway ſtept in,
To be the ſtrongers rauening pray the weaker did begin,
And might went for oppreſſed right: the naked Fiſt found out
To ſcratch and cuffe, to box and bum, with dealing blowes about.
The knarrie Logs, and ſnaggie fittie were framed weapons ſtrong,
The gauen Tree vngrayned was with Pikes of Yron long.
No nor the ruſty Fawchou then did hang along the ſide,
Nor Helmet creſt vpon the head ſtood pending vp for priue,
Pale ſpightfull griefe imuneed Tooles, and wi/liek Mars his braine
Contriu’de new ſleights a thouſand kinde of beathes he did ordaine:
By meanes hereof eche Land is fild with clotired gore yſhed,
With ſtreames of bloud the ſeas are dyde to hue of ſanguine red,
Then Miſchiefe wouing meaſure gan through euery houſe to paſſe,
No kinde of vitious villany that praenſe wanted was.
By Brother, Brother reft of Breath, and cake the Fathers Life
By hand of Childe, take murthred was the huſband of his Wyfe.
And Mother lewde on miſchiefe ſet deſtroyde their bodies ſeede,
I ouerpaſſe the ſtepdame with her guilt and haynous deede,
And no where pitty planted is, as in the brutiſh beaſt:
But womankinde in miſchiefe is ringleader of the reaſt,
The inſrument of wickedneſſe enkindling firſt deſire,
Whoſe vile vnceſteous whoredome ſee ſo many Townes on fire.
So many Nations fall to warre, take Kingdomes ouerthrowne,
And rayſed from the ground, to cruſhe ſo many people downe.
Let other paſſe: by Iaſons Wyfe Medea may wee finde
By her alone, that Women are a plaguy crabbed kinde.

NV. Why, for one womans fault of blame ſhall euery one haue part?

HIP. I hate, deteſt, abhore, I loth, I curſe them from my heart.
Bee’t reaſon, right, or Natures law, or vengeance fury fell,
It likes me to abhorre them ſtill: the burning fire ſhall dwell,
And bide with quenching water firſt, the daungerous quick ſand
Shall promiſſe ſhips with ſafetineſſe vpon the ſhold to land,
And Weſtern Thetis ſoonke aloofe and brencht in deepeſt nooke,
Shall force the ruddy Morning ſunne from ſcarlet ſkies to looke,
The Woolfe ſhall yeelde his fleering Chaps to ſuck the Tet of Do
Ere woon by womans loue, to her I crouch and ſtoupe alow.

NV. Loue bridles oft with ſnaffling bits the ſtubborne wayward heart,
Beholde thy Mothers natiue land in ſcythia euery part,
The ſaluage women feele the force of Venus yoaking band.
Thou onely Childe thy Mother had doſt this welt vnderſtand.

HIP. This onely comfort of my Mother muſt I keepe behinde,
That leefull vnto me it is to hate all Womankinde.

NV. Euen as the ſtiffe and ſturdy Rocks haue waltring waues wythſtoode,
And daſheth backe from ſhore aloofe the fomy flapping floode:
So lightly be contemnes my talke: but Phaedra runneth mad
Becauſe of this my long delay with cruſhing cares y•lad:
What will ſhe doe? Aye me alas how ſhall ſhe now be ſpead?
Her breathleſſe body to the ground drops ſodenly downe dead.
A ſallow hue like gaſtly death ouerſtrikes her frenzy Face,
Looke vp and ſpeake beholde thy deare ſweete heart doth thee embrace.

PHAEDRA. NVTRIX. HIPPOLYTVS.

ALas to flote in Waues of woe who mee reuines agayne?
To pinch my minde with pining pangues and bitter drunts of nayne.
What eaſe to mee it was, when as I lay in traunce at reſt?
Why doſt thou thus the pleaſure of renued lyfe deteſt:
O heart be bolde, aſſay and ſeeke thy purpoſe to attayne,
Be not abaſht, nor faced out with churliſh wordes agayne.
Who faintly craueth any boone, giues courage to deny:
The greateſt portion of my crime diſpacht ere now haue I:
Shame ſeekes to late to purchaſe place within our baſhfull brow,
Sith that in foule and lothſome loue wee haue delight ere now,
If I obtayne my will, then ſhall our wedlocke cloake the crime:
Succeſſe corrupteth honeſty with wickedneſſe ſometime:

HIP. Behold this ſecret place is voyde from any witneſſe bye.

PH. My faltring tong doth in my mouth my tale begun denye.
Great force conſtrayneth mee to ſpeake, but greater holde my peace,
O heauenly Ghoſtes I you proteſt, tis this that doth me pleaſe.

HIP. Cannot the minde that couers talke in wordes at will out braſt?

PH. Light cares haue words at will. but great doe make vs ſore agaſt.

HIP. Mother the griefe y^t galles your heart come whiſper in mine eare.

PH. The name of Mother is to proude a name for me to beare,
Importing puiſſant power too much: the fancy of my minde
It doth debothe, a baſer name of leſſe renowne to finde.
Mee (if thou pleaſe) Hippolytus thy Louing ſiſter call.
Or wayting Maide, and rather ſo: no drudgry ſpare I ſhall,
If thou through thicke and thin in ſnowes to trauaile me deſire,
Or elſe commaunde mee for to runne through Coales of flaming fire,
Or ſet my foote on Piodus froſen Rocks, it yrkes mee not.
Or if thou will me raſhly runne thorow ſcorching fire hot,
Or rauening routes of ſaluage beaſtes I will not ſlowly reſt,
With gory Launce of naked blade my bowels to vnbreſt.
Theſe Kingdomes left to mee in charge weild thou of them the ſway,
And take mee as thy humble Mate, it fits mee to phay,
And thee to giue commaundement, it is no womans ſeate,
To claime her Title to the Crowne, to raigne in Parents ſeate.
Thou flouriſhing amid the pryde of luſty youthfull race
Supply a valiant Prynees roome with Fathers golden Mace,
Protect thy humble ſuppliant, defend thy lowly Maide
Embraſt in mercies boſome, at thy Feete ſo meekelylayde.
Take pitty on a ſtely Widdowes wo, and wretched plight.

HIP. The God that raignes aloft, forbid ſuch luckleſſe lot to light.
My Father Theſeus ſafe in health will ſtraight returne againe.

PH. The lowring Lord that deepe in ſtrōg infernall Gaile doe raigne,
And damned vp alwayes to paſſe from ſtygian Puddle glum,
Whereby to breathing bodies left alone the ground to cum,
Shall he let ſcape the Cloyner of his ioyes from ſpouſall bed,
Vnleſſe that Plutos fancy fond by doting loue be led:

HIP. The righteous Gods will make for him a right retourning way.
But while through feare our wauering wils in houering Baliāce ſway,
Vpon my brethren will I caſt a due and earneſt care,
And thee defend: beleue not that in Widdowes plight yee are:
And I my ſelfe will vnto the ſupply my Fathers place,

PH. O Loue (alas) of credit light, O Loue of flickring Face,
Is this inough that hee hath ſayd? entreatance will I try,
Deare chylde rue on my wretched woe, doe not my ſuite deny,
That lurcking cloſe doth couch in ſecret mourning breaſt of mee,
Faine would I ſpeake: yet loth I am. HIP. What miſchiefe may this bee?

P. ſuch miſchief as ye would not think, could light in Mothers minde.

H. With mūbling voyce perplext yee waſte your words againſt y^• winde.

PH. A vapor hoate, and Loue doe glow within my bedlem breſt:
It raging ranke no inwarde iuyce vndried leaues in reſt:
The ſer ſonk in ſkalded guts through euery vayne doth frie,
And ſmothering cloſe in ſeething bloud as flaſhing flame doth flie,
With egar ſweeping ſway along vp burning beames on hie.

HIP. Enamorde thus with Loue entiere of Theſeus doſt thou rage?

PH. Euen ſo it is: the louely lookes of Theſeus former age
Which hee a ſweete welfauorde Boy did beare with comly grace,
When prety dapper cutted Beard on cleare complexionde Face
Gan ſproute, on naked Chin, when hee the kennels clottred bloode
Beheld of mongrell Minotaur, and crooking Maze withſtoode
By groping long vntwined thredes the beames of beawty bright
That ſhone thou he his Face, his criſpen lockes with labels bight,
Smooth ſtroked lay, his ſcarlet Cheekes by nature paincted bright
Pouldred with ſpots of golden gloſſe, and ſharpe aſſaults of Loue
Preuayled in his fleſhly armes: what grace doth ſhine aboue
In the Dianaes Face, or fiery creſted Phoebus myne,
Or elſe in comely count’naunce of this louely face of thine,
Such Theſeus had when Ariadnaes Eye he did delight:
Thus portly pacing did he biare his noble head vpright.
It is no counterfeyted gloſſe that ſhineth in thy Face,
In thee appeares thy manly Fathers ſterue and lowring Grace.
Thy Mothers crabbed count’naunce cake reſembled in ſome part
Puts in full well a ſeemelyneſſe, to pleaſe the Lookers hart.
The Scythian awfull Maieſty with Greekiſh fauour ſweete
Appeares: if thou had with thy ſyre attempt the ſeas of Creete,
(One of thoſe ſeauen from Athens ſent elect by luckleſſe lot
To pay ſuch bloudy tribute, which King Minos of them got.
The rauening and bloudthirſty Minotaurus fowle to feede)
My ſiſter Ariadne would, for thee haue ſpunne the threede.
Therewith in crafty compaſt Maze to leade thee to and fro,
In vgly Laberynthus long returning from thy Fo.
Thee, thee O ſiſter deare whereſo in all the Heauen thou are,
And ſhineſt bright with blaſing beames tranſform’de into a ſtarre,
I thee beſeech come ſuccour mee with like diſtreſſe now cloyde:
Alas vs ſtely ſiſters twaine one kinred hath deſroyde.
The ſire thy ſmart, the ſonne hath brewd the bane that me doth lees.
Beholde an Impe of royall race layde humbly at thy Knees,
Yet neuer ſtaynde, and vndefilde, an harmeleſſe innocent,
To thee alone of all the Worlde my crowching Knees are bent,
And for the nones my hawty heart, and Princely courage ſtout
I did abate, that humbly thee with teares entreate I mought.

HIP. O ſoueraygne ſire of Gods, doſt thou abide ſo long to heare
This vile abhomination? ſo long doſt thou forbeare
To ſee this haynous villany? if now the ſkies be cleare,
Wilt thou henceforth at any time with furious raging hand
Dart out thy cracking thunder dint, and dreadfull lightnings brand?
Now battred downe w^t bouncing bolts the rumbling ſkies let fall
That foggy Cloudes with duſky drouping day may couer all,
And force the backward ſtarring ſtartes to ſlide a ſlope wythall
Thou ſtarry creſted crowne, and Titan prankt with beamy blaſe
Come out, with ſtaring buſh vpon thy kindreds guilt to gaſe.
Daſh out and drowne thy leaming lampe ecliſde in glummy ſkyes,
To ſhrink in ſhimmering ſhape: why doth thy right hand not aryſe
O guide of Gods and men? how haps the worlde yet doth not burne,
Enkindled with three forked brand? on me thy thunder turne,
Daſh out on mee thy bobbing bolt, and let thy fiery flake
Whirlde out with force, burnt Cinders of my waſted Carcaſſe make:
For guilty (Ioue) I guilty am, deſerued death I haue,
My ſtepdames Fancy I haue fed: ſhall I moſt ſinfull ſlaue,
Be worthy thought to blot my Fathers honorable Bed?
Canſt thou for miſchiefe ſuch through mee alone be lightly ſped?
O Caitiue thou of womankinde for guilt that heares the bell,
Whoſe enterpriſed hainous euill doth paſſingly excell,
Thy Monſter breeding Mothers fault with whoredome ſhee alone
Defende her ſelfe, when ſtorming ſighes with ſorrow gan ſhee grone,
Through beaſtly luſt of Bull: till it the Minotaurus ſter
In act of generation, had quencht her ſoule deſier:
And yet the time concealed long, the grim twiſhaped ſeede
At length bewrayd with Bullike browes, thy Mothers naughty deede,
The doubted Infant did diſcloſe: that wicked wombe ſhee bare.
With thriſe, yea, foure times bleſſed Fate of lyfe depriu’de yee are,
Whom ſwolne of waltring ſeas haue ſonck, me cankred hate of breath
Diſpoyled both, and traytrous traynes haue quelde by daunting death.
With ſtepdames banes and ſorcery O Father, Father myne,
I rue thy lot, not to be ſlayne of milder ſtepdame thyne.
This miſchiefe greater, greater faire the wickedneſſe doth paſſe
That by Medea deſpret Dame of Colchis practiſde was.

PH. And I doe know, what vncouth luck vpon our ſtock hath light,
The thing that we ſhould ſhun, we ſeeke, it is not in my might
To rule my ſelfe: through burning fire eunne after thee I ſhall,
Through raging ſeas, & craggy Rocks, through fleeting Ryuers all,
Which boyling waters ruffling rayſe, what way ſo goe thou will,
I bedlem Wight with frantick fits will follow, follow ſtill.
O ſtately Lorde before thy feete yet fall I once agayne.

HIP. Doe not with ſhameleſſe fawning Pawes my ſpotleſſe body ſtaine.
What meaneth this? with hawſing mee t’imbrace ſhe doth begin:
Draw, draw my ſword, with ſtripes deſeru’de Ile pay her on the ſkin:
Her hayre about my left hand wound, her head I backward wride,
No bloud Diana better ſpent thine Aulter yet hath dyde.
PH. Hippolytus, now doſt thou graunt to mee mine owne deſire,
Thou cooles my ramping rage, this is much more than I require,
That ſauing thus mine honeſty I may be geuen to death,
By bloudy ſtroake receiued of thy band to looſe my breath.

HIP. Auaunt, auaunt, preſerue thy lyfe, at my hand nothing craue,
This field ſword that thou haſt toucht no longer will I haue.
What bathing lukewarme Tanais may I defilde obtaine,
Whoſe clenſing watry Channell pure may waſhe mee cleane againe?
Or what Meotis muddy meare, with rough Barbarian waue
That boardes on Pontus roring ſea? not Neptune graundſire graue
With all his Ocean foulding floud can purge and waſh away
This dunghill foule of ſinne: O woode, O ſaluage beaſt I ſay:

NVT. Thy crime detected is: O ſoule, why droupes thou all agaſt?
Let vs appeach Hippolytus with fault vpon him caſt:
And let vs lay vnto his charge, how he by might vniuſt
Deflowre would his Fathers Wyfe with miſchiefe, miſchiefe muſt
Concealed bee: the beſt it is, thy foe firſt to inuade,
Sith that the crime is yet vnknowne who can be witneſſe made,
That either firſt wee enterpriſde, or ſuffred of him then?
Come, come, in haſt Athenians, O troupes of truſty men
Help, help, Hippolytus doth come, hee comes, that Villaine vile,
That Rauiſher, and Lecher foule, perforce woulde vs defile.
Hee threatens vs denouncing death, and glittering Blade doth ſhake,
At her who chaſtly doth withſtand, and doth for terrour quake:
Lo headlong hence for life and death hee tooke him to his flight,
And leaues his ſword in running raſh, with gaſtly feare afright:
A token of his enterpriſe deteſtable wee keepe,
Sirs cheariſh her, that ſtorming ſighes with penſiue breaſt doth weepe.
Her ruffled hayre, and ſhattred Locks ſtill let them daggle downe,
This witneſſe of his villany ſo beare into the Towne.
(O Lady mine be of good cheare. Plucke vp your ſprights againe,)
Why doſt thou tearing thus thy ſelfe abhorre all peoples ſight?
Not blinde Miſchaunce but fancy wont to make aſhameleſſe Wight.

Chorus.

HIPPOLYTVS euen as the rageing ſtorme away doth fly,
More ſwift than whirling Weſtern wynde vptumbling cloudes in ſky,
More ſwift then flaſhing flames, that catch their courſe with ſweeping ſway,
When ſtars ytoſt with whiſking windes long fiery Drakes diſplay.
Fame (wondring at of aldertime our Aunceſtours renowne)
Fare well with thee, and beare away olde worſhip from our Towne.
So much thy beauty brighter ſhines, as much more cleare and fayre,
The golden Moone with glorious Globe full furniſht in the Ayre
Doth ſhine, when as her fiery tips of wayning hornes doe cloſe,
When lifting vp her fulgent face in ambling Waine ſhe goes,
Vpon her nightwatch to attend, the ſtarres of leſſer light
Their darckned Faces hide, as hee the Meſſenger of night
That watchword geues of th’euening tide and Heſperus hee hight,
That glading earſt was bath’de in ſeas, and hee the ſame agayne
When ſhedes be ſhrunck. doth then the name of Lucifer obtayne.
Thou Bacchus bleſſed barne of Ioue in warlicke India borne,
Thou Lad that euermore doſt weare thy hayry buſh vnſhorne,
Whoſe Iaueling tuft with Iuy bunch, the Tygres makes adred,
And doſt with labelde Myter vſe to pranck thy horny hed,
Hippolytus his ſtaring Locks thou Bacchus ſhalt not ſtayne,
To woonder at thy louing lookes too much doe thou refrayne,
Whom (as the people doe report) the Ariadne bright,
For beauties name preferde before Bacchus that Bromius hight.
A brittle Iewell beauty is on mortall men employde,
Thou gift that for a ſeaſon ſhort of Mankinde arte enioyde,
How ſoone alas with feathered foote hence doſt thou fading ſlide?
The partching ſommers vapour hoate in Vers moſt pleaſaūte pride
So withers not the Meadowes greene, (when as the ſcorching ſūne)
In Tropick ligue of burning Crab full hoate at Noone doth runne,
And on her ſhorter clowdy Wheeles vnhorſeth ſoone the night.
With wanny Leaues downe hang the heads of withred Lillies whight
The balmy bloomes and ſprouting floure do leaue the naked hed
As beauty bright whoſe radiant beams in corauld Cheekes is ſpred,
Is daſhed in the twincke of Eye: no day as yet did paſſe,
In which not of his beauty reft ſome pearles perſon was.
For Fauour is a fleetyng thing: what wight of any wit
Wil vnto frayle and fickle ioy his confidence commit?
Take pleaſure of it whyle thou mayſt, for Tyme with ſtealing ſteps
Wil vnder mint, on howre paſt ſtrayght in a worſer leps:
Why flyeſt thou to the wildernes, to ſeeke thy ſuccour there?
Thy beauty bydes not ſafer in the wayleſſe woods then here.
If Tytan hoyſt his totteryng Cart on poynt of ful midday,
Thee ſhrowded cloſe among the brakes the Naids wil aſſay,
A gadding troupe that beautys Boyes do locke in fountaynes fayre.
To frame their ſeate then vnto thee in ſenſeles ſleepe repayre,
Shal wanton Fayries, Nymphes of Frithes, y^t on the Hilles do walke,
Which Dryade mountayne Goblins haunt, that vſe on hilles to ſtalke:
Or when from high ſtarbearing poale Diana downe did looke
On thee that next old Arcades in heauen thy ſeate haſt tooke,
Shee could not weilde her weltring wayne, and yet no foggy cloude.
Eclipſt her gleaming Globe, but we with tincking Pans aloude,
Gan make a noyſe, agriſed at her dead and glowing light
We deemd hir charmd with Magicke verſe of Theſſant witches ſpright
But thou didſt cauſe hir buſines, and madeſt her in a maze,
Whyle at thy pleaſant louely lookes the Goddeſſe ſtoode in gaze,
That rules the rayne of cloudy night ſhe ſtopt her running race,
God graunt that ſeldome byting froſt may pinch this comely face.
Let ſeldome ſcorching ſunny beams thy Cheekes with freckles die:
The Marble blue in quarry pittes of Parius that doth lie,
Beares not ſo braue a glimſyng gloſſe as pleaſant ſeemes thy face
Whoſe browes with manly maieſty ſupport an awful grace.
And forehead fraught with grauity of Fathers countnaunce old:
His Iuory colourd necke although compare to Phoebe ye would,
His lockes (that neuer lacking knew) it ſelfe diſplaying wyde
On ſhoulder poyntes doth ſet them out, and alſo doth them hyde.
Thy curled forhead ſeemes thee well, and eake thy notted hayre,
That crumpled lies vndight in thee a manly grace doth beare.
Thou Gods (though fierce and valiant) perforce doſt chaſe, and farre
Doſt ouermatch in length of limmes, though yet but young thou arre.
Thou heares as big & boyſtrous brawnes as Hercules: thy breaſt,
Then Champion Mars more bourly bolſtred out with broader cheſt:
On back of horntehoofed ſteedes if vawting thou do ryde,
With Bridle in thyne arriue hand more handſome canſt thou guyde.
The trampling Cyllar horſe of ſpart, then Princely Caſtor could,
Thy Letherne loope amid thy dart with former fingers hould,
And driue thy launce with all thy pith, the actiue men of Creete,
That with their pitched dartes afarre do learne the marke to bit.
They ſhall not hurle a ſlender Reede, but after Parthian guyſe
To ſhoote an arrow if they liſt into the open ſkies,
Vnſped without ſome Bird attaynt it ſhal not light on ground,
Vnbath’d with lukewarme bloud of guttes in gory ſmoking wound,
And from amid the lofty Cloudes downe ſhalt thou fetch thy pray:
Few men (marke wel the tyme) haue borne beauty vnplagude away.
God ſend thee better lucke, and graunt thy noble perſonage
May paſſe vnto the happy ſteps and ſtretch to dumpiſh age.
What miſchiefe vnattempt eſcapes a Womans witleſſe rage?
Moſt haynous crymes ſhee meanes to lay to guiltles youngmās charge
And thinkes to make her matter good with hayre thus rent at large,
ſhe towſeth eake the pranking of her head with watred plantes,
Her ſlye deuyſe no crafty kind of womans fetches wantes.
But who is this that in his face ſuch princely port doth beare?
Whoſe lofty lookes with ſtately pace hie vauntſt his head doth reare?
Lyke luſty young Pyrithous, he looketh in the face,
But that a faynting fallow pale his bleakiſh Cheekes diſgrace,
And filthy baggage hangeth on his haſh hayre rayſde vpright,
Lo Theſeus, it is agayne reſtoard to earthly light:

THE THIRDE ACTE.

Theſeus, Nutrix,

AT length I ſcapt the glowinge glades of grim eternall Night,
And eake the vnderpropping poale, that each infernall ſpright
Doth muffie in, ſhut vp in ſhades loe how my dazelled eyes
Can ſcant abyde the long deſſred light of Marble ſkies.
Eleuſis now fowre offringes of Triptolemus deuydes,
And counterpayſed Day with Night now foure tymes Libra hydes.
I earneſt in my Parlous toyle in doubt what lucke to haue
Twixt dread of gaſtly Death, and hope my feeble life to ſaue,
Some ſparke of life ſtil in my breahles limmes abyding was,
When as embarkt on erkeſome ſtix Alcides downe did paſſe,
To ſuccour me in dire diſtreſſe, who when the hellicke hound
From Tartares grieſly gates in Chaynes he dragd aboue the ground,
And alſo me he caryed vp into the World agayne
My tyred limmes doth fappy pith of former ſtrength reſtrayne,
My feble faltring legges do quake, what lugging toyle it was
From bottom deepe of Phlegethon to world aloofe to paſſe?
What dreary dole & mourning noyſe is this that beates myne eares?
Let ſome declare it vnto mee: who blubbred ſo with teares
Lamenting loud and languiſhing within our gates appeares?
This entertaynment ſit is for a gueſt that comes from Hell.

Nu. A ſtubburne heart and obſtinate in Phaedras breaſt doth dwell,
With deſpret mind to ſlay her ſelfe our teares ſhe doth deſpyſe,
And giuing vp the gaſping Ghoaſt, alas my Lady dyes.

Th. Why ſhould ſhe kill herſelfe? why die, hir ſpouſe being come againe

Nu For this (my Lord) with haſty death ſhe would her ſelfe haue ſlame.

Th. Theſe troblous wordes ſome perlous thing I wot not what to tell
Speake plain: what lumpe of glutting griefe her laded heart doth quei
She doth complayne her caſe to none, but penſluely and ſad
She keepes it ſecrete to hir ſelfe, determind thus ſhee had,
To beare aboute with her the bane, wherewith ſhe meanes to die.
Hie, hie thee faſt, I pray thee now, now haue wee neede to hye.
Our Pallace lockt with ſtately ſtoulpes ſet open by and by.

Theſeus, Phaedra.

O Madame Mate of ſpouſall bedde thus doſt thou entertayne
The comming of thy louing ſpouſe? and welcom home agayne
Thy long deſyred Hoſbandes face? why takes thou not away
My ſword out of my hand, and doſt not cheare my ſprites (I ſaye)
Nor ſheweſt me what doth the breath out of the body chaſe?

Ph. Alas my valiant Theſeus euen for thy royall mace,
Wherwith thy Kingdome thou doſt weild, and by the noble raygne
Of thy belo’ud poſterity, and comming home agayne,
And for the worſhip that is due vnto my fatall graue,
O let me die and ſuffer me, deſerued death to haue.

Th. What cauſe compelleth thee to die? Ph. If I the cauſe of death
Diſcloſe, then ſhall I not obtayne the looſyng of my breath:

Th. No worldly wight (ſaue I my ſelfe alone) the ſame ſhall heare,
Art thou affrayd to tel it in thy huſbandes baſhful eare?
Speake out, thy ſecretes ſhrowd I ſhall within my faythful breſt.

Ph. What thou would other to conceale, kepe thou it firſt in reſt.

Th. Thou ſhalt not ſuffred be to die: Ph. From him that wiſheth Death,
Death neuer can be ſeperate. Th. The crime that loſſe of breath
Ought to reuenge, ſhew it to me. Ph. Forſooth becauſe I liue.

Th. Alas do not my trilling teares thy ſtony ſtomacke grieue?

Ph. It is the ſweeteſt death, when one doth lothſome life forſake,
Bereft of ſuch as ſhould for him moſt woful weeping make.

Th. ſtil ſtandes ſhe mum? y^e croked, old, ilfauord, hoblinge Trotte,
Hir Nurſe for ſtripes and clogging bandes ſhall vtter euery iotte,
That ſhee forbid her hath to tell: in yron chaynes her bynd,
Let tawing whips wring out perforce the ſecrets of her mynd:
PH. Now I my ſelfe wil ſpeak: ſtay yet. TH. Why doſt thou turne aſide
From me thy weeping Countenance? thy teares why doſt thou hide
That guſhing ſodaine frō thine eyes ſtreame downe thy cheekes apace &
Why hideſt thou thy flowing floudes with Coate before thy Face?

PH. Thee, thee, Creator of the Neauens to witneſſe I doe call,
And thee O glittering fiery glede of Chriſtall ſky with all,
And Phoebus thou from whom at firſt our royall Race hath roon.
With fawning face & flattring words in ſuite I was not woon.
For naked ſword, & thundring threes, appauled was I not:
My bruſed bones abode the blowe, and ſtripes when ſore he ſmote:
This blemiſh black of foule defame my bloud ſhall purge agayne.

TH Declare what villaine is he y^t our honour ſo doth ſlayne?

PH. Whom leaſt yee would miſtruſt. TH. To know who tis, ful ſore I long.

PH. This ſword wil tel, which ſore afright when people thick in thrōg
Reſorted faſt, the Leacher vile for haſt did leaue behinde,
Becauſe the people preaſing faſt he dreeded in his minde:

TH. Ah out alas, O woe is mee, what villany ſee I?
Alas what vncouth Monſter fowle of miſchiefe I eſpy?
Beholde the royall Iuory engrau’de and purired fine,
Emboaſt with golden ſtuddes, vpon th’enameld Haſt doth ſhine,
(The Iewell of Actea lande) but whyther fled is hee?

PH. With light Heele running ſore diſmaide theſe ſruants did him ſee?

TH. O ſacred holineſſe, O Ioue betweene whoſe mighty hands
The Marble Poale with weltring ſway in courſe directed ſtands,
And thou that ſecond ſcepter weilds in fomy fighting waue,
Why doth this curſed broode with ſuch this wicked vengeance raue?
Hath he bene foſtred vp in Greece? or craggy Taurus wilde
Among hard rugged Rocks, and Caues, ſome ſauage ſcythian Childe?
Or elſe in brutiſh Colchis Ile by Deſart Phaſis flood?
Cat after kinde hee is, and will th’unkindly Baſtard blood
Returne vnto his kinreds courſe, whence firſt his ligne hee clames.
This frantick fury vp and downe comes of the warlicke Dames,
To hate the loyall leagues of loue, and ſhunning long the vſe
Of Cupids campe, with tag, and rag, her body to abuſe,
Become as good as euer twangd: O deteſtable kinde,
No better ſoyle by any meanes can chaunge thy filthy minde.
The brutiſh beaſts themſelues doe Ioath th’abuſe which Venus drawes,
And ſimple ſhamefaſtneſſe it ſelfe obſerueth Natures lawes:
Where is the brag of Maieſty, and fayned portly grace
Of manly minde, that hateth new, and olde things doth embrace?
O double dealing life, thou clokes deceiptful thoughtes in breſt,
And ſetteſtout a forhead fayre where frounced mynd doth reſt:
The ſaucie Iacke with baſhful brow doth malipiertnes hide:
The raſhnes of the deſpret Dicke by ſtilneſſe is vnſpide.
With ſhow of right religion knaues villany mayntayne,
And guileful mealemouthd Gentlemen do hold with ſpeaking playne:
The daynty wanton Carpet Knights of hardnes boaſt and prate,
That Woodraunger, that brainſicke beaſt who liu’d in chaſt eſtate
An vndefyled Bachiler thou rude and homely clowne,
Thus doſt thou watch thy tyme, to breede this blot in my renowne?
To make me Cuckold firſt of all did it delyght thy mynd,
Firſt falling to thy ſpouſall ſport with miſchiefe moſt vnkind,
Now, now, to thee ſupernal Ioue moſt hearty thankes I yeeld,
That with my firſt Antiope to dreary death I quelde,
That gone to dampiſh ſtygian Dennes I left thee not behynd
Thy Mother: go, go Vagabond rawnge, rawnge, about to finde
Straunge forraine ſoyles, and outcaſt landes aloofe at world his end,
And Iles encloſd with th’Ocean floud to hell thy ſoule ſhall ſend:
Beneath among th’Antipodes thy ſelfe of harbring ſped,
Though in the vtmoſt lurking nooke, thou ſhroude thy miching heade,
Aboue the griſly Pallaces thou climbe of lofty Poale,
Or maiſt aboue the clottring ſnow aduaunce thy curſed ſoule,
Beyond the brunt of Winter flawes and threatning rigour paſſe
And ſtormy wrath with rumbling rough of yſſe Boreas,
With pengeance, vengeance violent faſt hurling after thee,
With daunting plagues and peſtilence thy ſinnes ſhal ſcourged bee.
For life and death, about the world in euery lurking hoale.
O fugitiue I ſhal not ceaſe ſtil to purſue thy ſoule.
But ſeeke and ſearch for thee I ſhall in landes that lye a farre,
Al corners blynd and caues ſhut vp, Dennes lockt with bolt and barre,
A thouſand wayes vnpaſſable no place ſhal me withſtand.
My curſinges blacke ſhal light on thee there where reuenging hande
With weapon cā not worke y^e harme: thou knoweſt that Neptuue great
My ſyre who flotes on floudes, & waues, with forked Mace doth beat
Geue licence freely vnto me three boones to chuſe and craue,
Which willingly the God hath graunt, and ſworne I ſhal it haue
Proteſting vgſome ſtygian Lake, and hallowed hath his vow:
O breaker of the wraſtling waues, auouch thy promiſe now.
Let neuer more Hippolitus behold th’eclipſed light,
And for the Fathers wrathful rage the curſed child downe ſmight,
To waſte among the gaſtly ſprites o Father bend thy might,
To giue (alas) this lothſome ayde vnto thy needy ſonne,
I of thy Maieſty deuyne exact not to be donne.
This chiefeſt bone, til puiſſant payſe of ylles do vs oppreſſe:
In bottom deepe of boylyng Tartar pit, and ſore diſtreſs,
In griſly Lymbo Iawes nigh garglefaced Ditis dimme,
Amid the crumpled threatning browes of Hellick Pluto grim,
To claime thy promiſe made to mee, as then I didde refrayne,
Now ſyre thy fayth by promiſe due perfourme to me agayne.
Yet doſt thou ſtaye why rumble not the waltring waues yet buſht,
Through foggy cloude in duſky ſkits with ſtormy blaſtes outruſht.
Vnfold the mantel blacke of Night, and roll away the ſkies,
Enforce the fighting floods braſt out with mounting waues to ryſe.
And coniure vp the water hagges that in the Rockes do keepe,
The Ocean ſurges ſwellyng hie caſt vp from bottom deepe.

Chorus.

O Nature Grandame greate of Heauenly ſprites,
Eake Ioue that guides Olimpus mighty ſway,
That rakes the race of twinckling heauēly lightes
On ſpinning ſpheare and order doſt for aye
The ſtragling courſe of roaming planets hie,
And weildes about the whirling Axeltree
The weltring Poales, th’eternal courſe of ſkie
To keepe in frame, what workes ſuch care in thee
That earſt the cold which hoary winter makes
Vnclothes the naked wood, and now agayne
Theſh ades returne vnto the breary brakes
Now doth the ſtarre of ſommer Lion raygne,
Whoſe ſcalded necke with boyling heate doth frie,
Perbraking flames from fiery foming iawes:
With ſcorching heate the parched corne do drie:
Ech ſeaſon ſo his kindly courſe in drawes.
But thou that weildes theſe thinges of maſſy might,
By whom the hugy world with egal payſe
Euen Ballanced doth keepe in compaſſe right,
Each ſpheare by meaſurd weight that iuſtly ſwaiſe,
Alas why doſt thou beare a retc les breaſt
Toward mankind? not caſting any care
That wicked men with miſchiefe be oppreſt,
And eake to ſee that goodmen wel do fare
Dame Fortune topſieturuy turnes at wil
The world, and deales her dole with blinded hand,
And foſters vice mayntayning miſchiefe ill.
Fowle luſt triumphes on good men brought in band
Deceipt in ſtately Court the ſway doth weild,
In Lordinges lewde the vulgar ſort delight,
With glee to ſuch the Mace of might they yeeld.
Some magiſtrates they do both loue and ſpight,
And penſiue vertue brought to bitter bale,
Receyues reward that doth of right aryſe,
The continent to Priſon neede doth hale,
The Leacher raygnes enhaunced by his vice.
O fruitles ſhame, O counterfayted port.
But what newes may this meſſenger now bring,
Who with maine pace comes poaſting in this ſort,
And ſtayes with mourning countnance at the Kinge.

THE FOVRTH ACTE.

Nuntius, Theſeus,

O Heauy happe and cruell chaunce of ſeruantes ſlauiſh ſtate,
Why am I Poaſt to bring the newes of this il fauord fate?

Th. Be not abaſht the ruthful wracke with courage to declare:
My breaſt agaynſt the brunt of broyles ſtil armed I prepare,

Nun. My foltring tongue doth ſpeach vnto my glutting griefe denye.

Th. Our ſtocke with ſorrow ſhuken ſore what cares do cruſh eſcrie.

Nun. Hippolytus (ay woe is me) is ſlayne by doleful death.

Th. Now Father do I know my ſonne bereaued of his breath,
For why the Leacher life is loſt: ſhew in what ſort he dide.

Nun. In all poaſt haſt as fugitiue to ſhunne the Towne he hyde
Once hauing caught his cutting courſe apace he ſcuddes away,
His prauncing Pelfrayes ſtraite he doth with Collers cloſe araye:
With curbed bittes their ſnaffled heads at wil he brydles in,
Then talking much vnto himſelfe to curſe he doth beginne
His natiue ſoyle: alas deare Father, Father ſtil he cryes:
And angry laſheth with his whip, whyle looſe his Bridle lies:
Then ſodenly a hugy ſwolue gan ſwel amid the deepe,
And ſtarteth vp into the ſtarres no pipling wind doth ſweepe
Along the ſeas in Heauen ſo lith no noyſe at all there was:
The ſeas ful calme euen as their kindly Tyde doth driue them, paſſe.
Nor yet no boyſterous ſoutherne wynd the ſycill ſand turmoyles.
Nor yet with fomie ramping ſurge the raging gulph vp boyles,
Heaude vp by Weſterne puffes: when as the rockes with flappyng flaſh
Do ſhake and drownd Lucates cliue the hoary fome doth daſh.
The tombling waues togeather toſt on hils are heaped hie,
The ſwelling ſwolue with Monſter much to land alofe doth flye,
Nor only ſhaken ſhips in ſeas do ſuffer wracke hereby:
The land in hazard lyes of ſtormes a waltring waue is rold
In tottring wiſe a wallowing gulph with winding compas fold,
Driues downe I know not what withall: a flat vpriſyng new
An head aboue the water brim doth rayſe the ſtarres to vew.
In foggie cloud eclipſed is Apollos duſky gleede,
And Scyros Rocks whom Trumpe of Fame aduaunſt by dreary deede
Corynthus eake whom double ſea on eyther ſide aſſayle:
While greatly we agrieſh, theſe thinges do languiſhing bewayle,
The belking ſeas yell out the grunting Rockes with all do rore
The ſlabby Cliue doth teke, fro whence the water ebde before,
It frothes, and keping courſe by courſe it ſpewes the waters out,
As doth Phyſeter fiſh (that flittes the Ocean Coaſt about)
And gulping doth from yawning throat his flouds of water ſpoute.
The ſhaken ſurge did tottre ſtrayte and brake it ſelfe in twayne:
With wracke (more violent then wee did feare) it ruſht awayne
Agaynſt the ſhore, beyond the bankes it breakes into the land:
And hideous Monſter followes: theſe for feare did quaking ſtand

Th. What ſhape that vncouth Monſter had and body vaſt declare.

Nu. A boaſting Bull, his marble necke aduaunced hye that bare,
Vprayſd his lofty briſtled Mayn on curled forhead greene
With ſhaggy eares prickt vp his diuers ſpeckled hornes were ſeene.
(Whom Bacchus earſt poſſeſſed had, who tames the Cattel wyld,
And eake the God that horne in flouds was bred a water Chyld)
Now puffing he perbraketh flames, and now as leaming light
With ſparckling beams his goggle eyes do glare and gliſter bright.
His greaſy larded necke (a marke for to be noted well)
With rough and knobby curnels hie out bumping big do ſwell.
His ſnorting Noſtrilles wyde do grunt and yawning gulphes they ſoſſe,
His breaſt and throtebag greeniſhly are dawbd with clammy moſſe
His ſide along begrymed is with Lactuſe red of hue,
On ſnarling knots his wrinkled rumps toward his face he drue,
His ſcaly haunch, and lagging tayle moſt vgly dragges hee vp,
As Priſtis in the deepe of ſeas the ſwallowed Keele doth ſup,
Or elſe perbraketh out agayne the vndigeſted pup.
The earth did quake, the Cattel feard about the field do rampe,
The hunter ſtarke with chilling feare beginnes to ſtare and ſtampe,
The heirdman had no mynd his ſcattrynge Heyfers to purſue,
The Deere amazed brake the pale and bad the Laundes adue.
But onely yet Hippolytus. deuoyde of faynting feare
His neyng horſes with the raynes of Bridles hard doth beare,
With wanted woordes he cheareth vp his nymble Nagges afraide:
A ſteepe hie way at Argos lies with ſtony cliues decaide,
That nodding ouerhangs the ſea, which vnderfleetes that wayes:
That vgly Royle heere heates him ſelfe, and raging wrath doth rayſe,
And kindling courage hoate, him force with burning breaſt aſſayes,
And chauflag eft himſelfe before gan fret with angry hart.
Lo then into a ſcouring courſe on ſodayne doth hee ſtart,
With whirling pace he girding forth doth ſcarcely touch the ground,
Lighting a front the trimbling Cart with glaring Eyes hee glowmd.
Then alſo doth thy threatning ſon with lowring browes vpſtart,
Nor chaungeth Countenaunce, but ſpeakes with ſtout couragious hart.
This fooliſh feare doth not appaule my bold and hardned breſt,
It comes to mee by kinde, that Bills by mee ſhould bee oppreſt.
His ſteedes defying ſtrait the Riynes plonge forward with the Cart,
As rage did prick them, ſore afright beſtoe the way they ſtart.
This bias way among the Rocks they raunge, and wander wyde,
But as the Pylot (leaſt the Barke ſhould totter to one ſyde)
Doth beare it euen in wraſtling waues: ſo while his horſes ſkip,
He ruleth them, now raines them hard, and now with winding whip
Free laſhes on their buttocks layes: his Foe doth him purſue,
Now ſtep by ſtep, now meeting full agaynſt his face hee flue.
Prouoking terror euery where. No further fly they might:
The horned beaſt with butting Browes gan run vpon them right.
The trampling Gennets ſtraught of wits doe ſtraight way breake their ray,
The ſtruggle ſtriuing hard to ſlip the Collar it they may.
And prauncing on their hinder Feete, the burden hurle on ground:
Thy ſon flat falling on his Face, his body faſt was bound,
Entangled in the winding ropes, the more he ſtriues to looſe
The ſlipping knots, he faſter ſticks within the ſliding nooſe.
The Horſes doe perceyue the broyle: and with the Waggon light.
While none there is to rule the Raynes, with ſkirtiſh feare afright
At randon out they ramping runne, (euen as the Welkin hye
The Cart that miſt his woonted waight, diſdayning in the ſkye
The dreery day that falſely was commit vnto the ſun,
From off the fiery Marble Poale that downe a ſkew doth run,
Flang Phaeton topſſe toruey toſt) his bloud begdres the ground:
And dingd agaynſt the rugged Rocks his head doth oft rebound:
The brambles rent his haled hayre the edged flinty ſtones,
The beauty batter of his Face, and breake his craſhing bones:
At Mouth his blaring tongue hangs out with ſqueaſed eyne out daſht,
His Iawes & ſkull doe crack, abrode his ſpurting Braynes are paſht,
His curſed beauty thus defoylde with many wounds is ſpent:
The iotting Wheeles do grinde his guts, and drenched ſims they rent.
At length a ſtake w^t Trūchion burnt his ripped Paūch hath caught,
From riued Grine toth Nauell ſtead within his wombe it raught:
The Cart vpon his Maiſter pawſde agaynſt the ground ycruſht,
The Fellies ſtuck within the wounds, and out at length they ruſht:
ſo both delay and Maiſters limbs are broke byſtreſſe of Wheeles:
His dragling guts then trayle about the wincing horſes heeles.
They thumping with their horny Hooues agaynſt his Belly kick,
From burſten Paunch on heanes his blouddy bowells tumble thick:
The ſcratting Bryers on the Brakes with needle poynted pricks
His gory Carkas all to race with ſpelles of thorny ſticks
And of his fleſh ech ragged ſhrub a gub doth ſnatch and rent,
His men (a mourning troupe God knowes) with brackiſh teares beſprēt
Doe ſtray about the fielde, whereas Hippolytus was tore:
A piteous ſigne is to bee ſeene by tracing long of gore:
His howling Dogges their Maiſters limmes with licking follow ſtill:
The earneſt toyle of woful Wights can not the coars vp fill,
By gathering vp the gobbets ſparſt and broken lumps of fleſh.
Is this the flaunting brauery that comes of beauty freſh?
Who in his Fathers Empyre earſt, did raigne as pryncely Peare
The Heyre apparant to the Crowne, and ſhone in honour cleare,
Lyke to the glorious ſtars of Heauen, his Limmes in pieces ſmall
Are gathred to his fatall Graue, and ſwept to funerall.

TH. O Nature that preuaylſte too much, (alas) how doſt thou binde
Whyth bonds of bloud the Parents breaſt? how loue wether by kinte?
Maugre our Teeth whom gullty ecke we would haue reſt of breath?
And yet lamenting with my teares I doe bewayle thy death.

NVN. None can lament with honeſty that which he wiſht deſtroyde.

TH. The hugieſt heape of woes by this I thinke to be enioyde,
When flickering Fortunes curſed wheele doc cauſe vs cry alas,
To rue the wrack of things which carſt wee wiſhed brought to paſſe.

NVN. If ſtil thou keepe thy grudge, why is the Face w^t ſeates beſprēt

TH. Becauſe I ſlue him, not becauſe I loſt him, I repent.

Chorus.

WHat heape of happes do tumble vpſyde downe
Th’eſtate of man? leſſe raging Fortune flies
On little things: leſſe leaming lightes are throwne
By hand of Ioue, on that which lower lies.
The homely couch ſafe merry hartes do keepe:
The Cotage baſe doth giue the Golden ſleepe.

The lofty Turrets top that cleaues the cloude
Withſtandes the ſturdy ſtormes of ſouthren wynde,
And Boreas boyſterous blaſtes with threatning loud
Of bluſteryng Corus ſhedding ſhowres by kinde.
The roleing Dales do ſeldome noiance take,
Byding the brunt of Lightninges ſlaſhing flake.

Th’aduaunced creſt of Caucaſus the great
Did quake with bolt of lofty thundring Ioue:
When he from cloudes his thunder dintes did beat,
Dame Cybels Phrygian fryth did trembling moue:
King loue in hawty heauen ful ſore affright
The nigheſt thinges with weapons doth he ſmyght.

The ridges low of Vulgar peoples houſe
Striken with ſtormes do neuer greatly ſhake:
His Kingdomes coaſt Ioues thundring thumpes do ſouſe:
With wauering winges that houre his fligth doth take
Nor flitting Fortune with her tickle wheele
Lets any wight aſſured ioy to feele.

Who in the World beholds the ſtatrres ful bright,
And chereful day forſaking gaſtly Death,
His ſorrowfull returne with groning ſpright
He rewes, ſith it depriude his ſonne of breath
He ſeeth his lodging in his court agayne,
More doleful is then ſharpe Auernus payne.

O. PALLAS vnto whom all Athens land
Due homage oweth, becauſe that THEſEVS thine
Among vs worldly Wights againe doth ſtand,
And ſeeth the Heauens vpon himſelfe to ſhine.
And paſſed hath the parlous myrie Mud
Of ſtinking Stygian Fen, and filthy Flud.

Vnto thy rauening Vncles dreery Gaile
O Lady chaſte not one Ghoſt doſt thou owe,
The Hellick Tyrant knowes his perfect tale.
Who from the Court this ſhriking ſhrill doth throwe?
What miſchiefe comes in frantick PHAEDRAS brayne
With naked ſword thus running out amayne.

THE FIFTE ACTE.

THEſEVS. PHAEDRA. CHORVS.

Through pierſt with pangues of penſtueneſſe what fury prickes thy brayne?
What meanes this bloudy blade? what meanes this ſhriking out amayne?
And langiſhing vpon the Corps which was thy mallice made?

PH. O tamer of the wraſtling waues mee, mee, doe thou inuade.
The Monſtrous hags of Marble ſeas to rampe on mee ſend out,
What euer Thetis low doth keepe with folding armes about,
Or what the Ocean ſeas aloofe embrace with winding waue:
O Theſeus that to thine alies doſt ſtill thy ſelfe behaue
So Curriſhly, O thou that for thy louing Friends auayle
Doſt neuer yet returne: thy ſonne and Father doe bewayle
Thy paſport brought by death, and bloud, thy ſtooke thou doſt deſtroy,
By loue or hatred of thy wife thou workeſt ſtill annoy:
O ſweete Hippolytus thus I behold thy battred face,
And I it is, I wretch (alas) that brought thee to this caſe.
What ſcinis forſt thy lims ſo torne his ſnatching boughes to feele?
Or what Procruſtes rackt and rent thee ſtreacht on bed of ſteele?
Or elſe what Minotaur of Crete that grim twiſhaped Bull
With horny head (that Dedalls donues with lowing ſlileth full
Hath thee in fitters torne? (aie me) where is thy beauty fled?
Where are our twinckling ſtars thine eyes? alas, and art thou ded?
Appeare a while, receiue my words, for ſpeake I ſhall none yll.
This hand ſhal ſtrike the ſtroake, wherwith thy bengeance quite I wil.
And ſith that I, I Cavife, I, abridged haue thy life,
Lo here I aut content, to yſſine thee mine with bloudy knife.
If ghoſt may here be giuen for ghoſt, and breath may ſerue for breath,
Hippolytus take thou my ſoule, and come againe from death.
Behold my bowels yet are ſafe my lims in luſty plight.
Would God that as they ſerue for me, thy body ſerue they might,
Mine eies to render kindly light vnto thy Carkaſſe ded,
Lo for thy vſe this hand of mine ſhall pluck them from my hed,
And ſet them in theſe empty cells and vacant holes of thine.
Thy weale of me a wicked Wight to win, do not repine.
And if a womans wofull heart in place of thine may reſt,
My boſom ſtraight breake vp I ſhall, and teare it from my breſt.
But courage ſtout of thine doth loth faint womans heart to haue
Thy Noble minde would rather go with manly heart to graue.
Alas be not ſo manly now, this manlineſſe forheare,
And rather chooſe to liue a man with womans ſprite and feare,
Then as no man with manly heart in darckneſſe deepe to ſit:
Haue thou thy life, giue me thy death that more deſerueth it.
Can not my profer purchaſe place? yet vengeance, ſhal thou haue,
Hell ſhall not hold me from thy ſyde nor death of dompiſh graue.
Sith fates wil not permit thee life, though I beheſt thee mine,
My ſelfe I ſhall in ſpite of fate my fatall twiſt vntwine.
This blade ſhall riue my bloudy breaſt, my ſelfe I will diſpoile
Of ſoule, and ſinne at once: through floods andTactor gulphes y^t boyle,
Through ſtyx and through the burning Lakes I wil come after thee:
Thus may we pleaſe the lowring ſhades, receiue thou heere of mee
The parings of my Poll, and Locks cut off from forehead torne,
Our hearts we could not ioyne in one, yet wretches now farlorne.
We ſhal togeather in one day our fatall hower cloſe:
If thou be loyall to thy ſpouſe, for him thy life then loſe:
But if thou be vnceſtuous, dye for thy louers ſake.
Shall I vnto my huſbandes bed agayne my corps betake,
Polluted with ſo haynous crime? O death the chiefeſt ioy
Of wounding ſhame: Death onely eaſe of ſtinging Loues annoy:
We runne to thee: embrace our ſowles within thy gladſome breaſt:
Harke Athens, harke vnto my talke, and thou aboue the reſte,
Thou Father worſe vnto thy Child than bloudy ſtepdame I.
Falſe forged tales I told with ſhame, I fayning that did lye,
Which I of ſpite imagined, when raging breaſt did ſwarue.
Thou father falſly puniſht haſt him that did not deſerue.
The youngman chaſt is caſt away for myne vnceſtuous vice,
Both baſhful he and guiltles was, now play thy wonted guyſe.
My guilty breaſt with bloudy Launce of ſword deſeru’d is riuen,
The Dirge toth dead to purge my ſpouſe ſhal with my bloud be geuen.
Thou father of the ſtepdame learne, what things thy ſōne ſhould haue
Of life depriued, as to lay his carkaſſe in a graue.

Th. O wanny Iawes of blacke Auerne, take Tartar dungeon grim,
O Lethes Lake of woful ſoules the ioy that therein ſwimme,
And eake ye glummy Gulphes deſtroy, deſtroy me wicked wight
And ſtil in pit of pangues let me be plunged day and night.
Now, now, come vp ye Gobline grim from water creekes alow,
What euer Proteus hugie ſwolue aloofe doth ouerflow,
Come dowſe me drownd in ſwallowes depe, that triumphe in my ſinne:
And father thou that euermore ful ready preſt hath binne
To wreake myne yre, aduentring Ia deede deſeruing death
With new found ſlaughter haue bereft myne onely ſonne of breath.
His tattred lims I ſcatred haue the bloudy field about,
Whyle th’innocent I puniſh doe, by chaunce I haue found out
The truth of al this wickednes: heauen, ſtarres, and ſprites of hell
I peſter with my treachery that me doth ouerquell.
No miſchiefes hap remayneth more: iii. kingdomes know mee well:
We are returned to this World. For this did Hell vnfold
His gates that burials twayne I might and double death beholde?
Wherby I both a wyueles Wight andeakt a ſonles ſire,
May with one brand to wyſe and ſonne enflame the funeral fire.
O tamer of blackefaced light Alcides, now reſtore
Thy booty brought from Hel, redeeme to mee, to mee therfore
Theſe Ghoſtes that now be gone, ah ſinful wretch to death in vayne
I ſue, moſt vndiſcrete by whom theſe wretched Wightes were ſlayne.
Imagining deſtruction ſore aboute it wil I goe,
Now with thyne owne handes on thy ſelfe due vengeance do beſtow:
A Pine tree bough downe ſtraind perforce vnto the ground alow,
Let ſlip into the open ayre ſhal cut my corpes in twayne.
From top of ſcyrons Rockes I wil be tumbled downe amayne.
More grieuous vengeance yet I haue in Phlegethon Riuer found,
Tormenting guilty Ghoſtes encloſd with fiery Channel round.
What pit and pangues ſhal plunge my ſoule already haue I known,
That tyring toyle of ſiſyphus that retchles rolling ſtone,
Let yeeld vnto my guilty Ghoſt, and beyng layed on
Theſe ſhoulders, theſe, theſe lifting handes of myne downe let it ſway:
And let the fleeting floud aboute my lips deluded play.
Yea let the rauening grype come heare and Tytius paunch forſake,
Forglutting foode with graſping Cleaze my liuer let him take,
Encreaſyng ſtil to feede the Foule, and for my tormentes ſake.
And pauſe thou my Pyrothous ſyre, and eke the ſnackle Wheele
That whirleth ſtil enforce my limmes thy ſwinging ſwift to feele.
Gape, gape, thou ground and ſwallow me thou cruell Chaos blynd,
This paſſage to thinfernall ſprightes is fit for me to find:
My ſonne I wil enſue, thou Prince of gaſtly ghoſtes in hell,
Dread not for chaſt wee come to thee: geue thou me leaue to dwell
Among thy dreadful dennes for aye, and not to paſſe agayne.
Alas, my prayer at the Gods no fauour can obtayne,
But if that miſchiefe craue I ſhould how ready would they bee?

Ch. O Theſeus to thy plaint eternall tyme is graunted thee:
Prouyde thy ſonne his Ouit rytes, and ſhroude in dompiſh graue
His broken lims, which Monſters foule diſperſt and ſcattered haue.

Th. The ſhreadings of this deare beloued carkaſſe bring to mee,
His mangled members hether bring on heapes that tombled be:
This is Hyppolytus, I do acknowledge myne offence,
For I it is, that haue depriued thee of life and ſenſe.
Leaſt that but once, or onely I ſhould be a guilty Wight,
I ſire attempting miſchiefe haue beſought my Fathers might.
Lo I enioy my fathers gift, O ſolitarineſſe,
A grieuous plague when feeble yeares haue brought vs to diſtreſſe,
Embrace theſe lims, and that which yet doth of thy ſonne remayne,
O woeful wight in baleful breaſt preſerue and entertayne.
Theſe ſcattred ſcraps of body torne O ſyre in order fet,
The ſtraying gobbetts bring agayne, here was his right hand ſet:
His left hand here inſtructed will to rule the raynes muſt be.
His left ſyde rybbs (ful wel I know to be bewayld of mee
With bittter teares) as yet alas are loſt and wanting ſtill,
O trembling handes behold this woful buſines to fulfil,
And withered Cheekes forbid your ſtreams of flowing tears to runne
Whyle that the father do accompt the members of his ſonne.
And eke patch vp his body rent, that hath his faſhion loſt,
Diſfigured foule with gorye woundes, and all about betoſt:
I doubt, if this of thee be peece, and peece it is of thee:
Here, lay it here, in th’empty place, here let it layed be,
Although perhap it lye not right: (aye me) is this thy face?
Whoſe beauty twinckled as a ſtarre, and eake did purchaſe grace,
In ſight of Foeprocurd to ruth. Is this thy beauty loſt?
O cruell will of Gods, O rage in ſinne preuayling moſt.
Doth thus the ſyre that great good turne perfourme vnto his ſonne?
Lo let thy fathers laſt fare wel within thyne eares to runne,
Mychild whom oft I bid farewell: the whilſt the fire ſhall burne
Theſe bones, ſet ope his buriall bower, and let vs fall to mourne
With loude lamenting Mopſus wiſe for both the coarſes ſake:
With Princely Pompe his funerall fire ſee that ye ready make.
And ſeeke ye vp the broken parts in field diſperſed round,
Stop hir vp hurlde into a Pit, let heauy clodds of ground
lie hard vpon hir curſed hed.

FINIS.

THE FIFTH TRAGEDY OF SENECA, ENGLISHED The yeare of our Lord M. D. LX.

BY ALEXANDER NEVYLE.

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, MAIſTER DOCTOR WOTTON: ONE OF THE Queenes Maieſties priuy Counſayle: Alexander Neuyle wiſheth Helth, with encreaſe of Honor.

THis ſixtenth yeare of myne age (righte honorable) reneweth a gratefull memory of your great goodnes towardes mee: (for at Baptiſme your honor vouchſafed to aunſweare for mee): and cauſeth mee thus boldly to preſent theſe greene and vnmelowed fruicts of my firſt truailes vnto you: as ſignes and teſtimonies of a well diſpoſed minde vnto your honor. Albeit when firſt I vndertoke the tranſlation of this preſent Tragoedy, I minded nothing leſſe, than that at any tyme thus rudely tranſformed it ſhoulde come into the Printers hands. For I to none other ende remoued him, from his naturall and lofty ſtyle, to our corrupt and baſe, or as ſome men (but vntruly) affyrme it, moſt barbarous Language: but onely to ſatiſfy the inſtant requeſts of a few my familiar frends, who thought to haue put it to the very ſame vſe, that SENECA himſelfe in his Inuention pretended: Which was by the tragicall and Pompous ſhowe vpon ſtage, to admoniſh all men of their fickle Eſtates, to declare the vnconſtant head of wauering Fortune, her ſodayne interchaunged and ſoone altered Face: and lyuely to expreſſe the iuſt reuenge, and fearefull puniſhmēts of horrible Crimes, wherewith the wretched worlde in theſe our myſerable dayes pyteouſly ſwarmeth. This cauſed me not to be preciſe in following the Author, word for word: but ſometymes by addition, ſomtimes by ſubtraction, to vſe the apteſt Phraſes in geuing the ſēſe that I could inuent. Whereat a great numbre (I know) will be more offended than Reaſon or Wyſedome woulde they ſhould bee. Thus as I framed it to one purpoſe: ſo haue my frends (to whom I can not well deny any thyng that Frendſhyps ryght may ſeeme iuſtly to requyre) wreſted it to another effect: and by this meanes blowen it abroade, by ouerraſh and vnaduiſed printing. By whych fond deede I know vndoubtedly I ſhall receyue the poyſoned infamies, of a number of venemous tonges, Wherefore (ryght honorable) as I geue theſe the firſt Fruicts of my trauayle vnto you: declaring therein the great goodwyll and duety that I owe vnto your Honor, for the noble diſpoſition of your vertuous mynde: ſo am I driuen humbly to require your ſtrong ayde, and aſſured defence agaynſt the ſclaunderous aſſaults of ſuch malicious mouths, which obtayned: I ſhalbe the better encouraged agaynſt an other time, to beſtow my trauaile in matters of farre greater weighte and importaunce. In the meane ſeaſon (deſiring your Honour to take theſe ſimple Attemptes of myne in good part:) I leaue you to the tuitiō of the right high and mighty God: Who keepe you long in health, & graunt you many happy yeares: with encreaſe of Honor.

All your Honours to commaund. Alexander Neuile.

THE PREFACE TO the Reader.

BEHOLD HERE BEFORE THY Face (good Reader) the moſt lamentable Tragedy of that moſt Infortunate Prince O Edipus, for thy profit rudely tranſlated. Wonder not at the groſeneſſe of the ſtyle: neyther yet accounte the Inuentours Dylygence dyſgraced by the Tranſlators Neglygence: Who thoughe that he hath ſomtimes boldly preſumed to erre from his Author, rouing at randon where he liſt: adding and ſubtracting at pleaſure: yet let not that engender diſdaynefull ſuſpition with in thy learned breaſt. Marke thou rather what is ment by the whole courſe of the Hiſtory: and frame thy lyfe free from ſuch miſchiefes, wherewith the World at this preſent is vniuerſally ouerwhelmed, The wrathfull vengeaunce of God prouoked, the Body plagued, the mynde and Conſcience in midſt of deepe deuouring daūgers moſt terribly aſſaulted. In ſuch ſort that I abhorre to write: and euen at the thought thereof I tremble and quake for very inward griefe and feare of minde: aſſuredly perſwading my ſelfe that the right high and immortall God, will neuer leaue ſuch horrible and deteſtable crimes vnpuniſhed. As in this preſent Tragoedy, and ſo forth in the proceſſe of the whole hyſtory, thou maiſt right well perceyue. Wherein thou ſhalt ſee, a very expreſſe and liuely Image of the incōſtant chaunge of fickle Fortune in the perſon of a Prince of paſſing Fame and Renown, midſt whole fluds of earthly bliſſe: by meare miſfortune (nay rather by the deepe hidden ſecret Iudgemēts of God) piteouſly plunged in moſt extreame miſeries. The whole Realme for his ſake in ſtraungeſt guiſe greuouſly plagued: beſides the apparaunt deſtruction of the Nobility: the generall death and ſpoyle of the Cōminalty: the miſerable tranſformed Face of the City, with an infinite number of miſchiefes more, which I paſſe ouer vnreherſed. Onely wiſh I all men by this Tragicall hyſtory (for to that entent was it written) to beware of ſynne: the ende whereof is ſhamefull and miſerable. As in the moſt infortunate fall of this vnhappy Prince right playnely appeareth. Who by inward gripe of fearefull cōſuming Cōſcience wretchedly tormented: beholding the lamētable ſtate of his vile infected Realmes, waſted by the burning rage of priuy ſpoyling Peſtilence, finds himſelfe in tract of time, to be th'onely plague & miſery of the almoſt quight deſtroied City. Wherevpon calling together his Prieſts and Prophets, & aſking coūſaile of the Gods by them, for preſent remedy in thoſe euils, wherewith the Realme was than vniuerſally ouerflowen: aūſwere was made that the Plague ſhould neuer ceaſſe, till king LAIVS death were throughly reuenged: and the bloudy Murtherer driuen into perpetuall exile. Which aunſwere receiued, OEDIPVS, farre more curious in bowlting out the truth, than carefull of his own Eſtate: ſodainly ſlides into an innumerable company of dredfull miſeries. For as ſoone as he had once the perfect vewe of his own deteſtable deedes, and wicked miſdemeanour caſt before his eyes, together with the vnnaturall killing of his Father LAIVS, the inceſtuous Mariage of his Mother IOCASTA, the prepoſterous order of his ill miſguyded lyfe, with a hundred moe like miſchiefes, which chaſte & vndefiled eares abhorre to heare: fretting Fury cōmon enemy & tormētor to corrupted cōſciēces pricking him forward, all inflamed with Phrenſie and boyling in inward heate of vile infected minde, hee rooteth out his wretched eyes vnnaturally, bereaueth his Mother her life (though earneſtly requeſted thereto) beaſtly, & in the ende in moſt baſeſt kind of ſlauery, baniſht, dieth miſerably. Leauing behind him vnto all poſterities, a dredfull Example of Gods horrible vengeaunce for ſinne. ſuch like terrors as theſe requireth this our preſent Age, wherein Vice hath chiefeſt place, & Vertue put to flight, lies as an abiect, languiſhing in great extremity. For the which cauſe, ſo much the rather haue I ſuffred this my baſe trāſlated Tragoedy to be publiſhed: frō his Author in word & verſe ſomewhat trāſformed, though in ſenſe litle altered: and yet oftentimes rudely encreaſed with mine owne ſimple inuention: more raſhly (I cōfeſſe) than wiſely, wiſhing to pleaſe all: to offend none. But whereas no man liues ſo vprightly, whom ſlaundring tonges leaue vndiffamed, I referre my ſelfe to the Iudgement of the wiſeſt, litle eſteeming the preiudiciall mouthes of ſuch carping Marchaūts, whych ſuffer no mens doings almoſt to ſcape vndefiled. In fine, I beſeech all to gether (if ſo it might be) to beare with my rudenes, & conſider the groſenes of our owne Countrey language, which cā by no meanes aſpire to the high lofty Latiniſts ſtile. Myne onely entent was to exhorte men to embrace Vertue and ſhun Vyce, according to that of the right famous & excellent Poet Virgil.

Diſcite inſticiam moniti, & non temnere diuos.

This obtayned: I hold my ſelfe throughly cōtented: In the meane ſeaſon I ende: wiſhing all men to ſhun ſin, the plaine (but moſt perilous) pathway to perfect infelicity.
A. Neuile.

The Speakers names.

OEdipus.

Chorus.

Tireſias.

Sanex.

Iocaſta.

Creon.

Manto.

Phorbas.

[Nuntius]

THE FIRST ACTE.

OEDIPVS the King. IOCASTA the Queene.

THe Night is gon: and dredfull day begins at length t'appeere:
And Phoebus all bedim’de with Clowdes, himſelfe aloft doth reere.
And glyding forth with deadly hue, a dolefull blaſe in ſkies
Doth beare: Great terror & diſmay to the beholders Eyes.
Now ſhall the houſes voyde bee ſeene, with Plague deuoured quight?
And ſlaughter that the night hath made, ſhall day bring forth to light.
Doth any man in Princely throne reioyce? O brittle Ioy,
How many ills? how fayre a Face? and yet how much annoy
In thee doth lurke, and hidden lies? what heapes of endles ſtrife?
They iudge amiſſe, that deeme the Prince to haue the happy life.
For as the Mountaynes huge and bie, the bluſtring wiudes withſtand.
And craggy Rocks, the belching fluds do daſh, and driue fro land:
Though that the ſeas in quiet are, and calme on euery ſide:
So kingdoms great all Windes and Waues of Fortune muſt abide.
How well ſhund I my Father deare Polybius ſcepters late?
Exil'de, bereft of carefull feare, in Pilgrims happy ſtate:
I call the Gods to witnes this, and ſtars that glyde in ſkyes.
A Kingdome is befauln to mee. I frare leaſt thereof ryſe
A miſchiefe, (mighty Ioue,) to great I feare, alas I feare
Leaſt theſe my handes haue reſt the life, or thee my Father deare.
Apollo byds mee this beware, and yet a miſchiefe more Foretels.

IOC. Can any greater bee than that you tolde before?
Of Father ſlayne by ſonnes own hand? OE. (O thrice vnhappy ſtate.)
With horror all diſmaide I ſtand in dred of threatned fate.
I am aſhamed my deſtinies fowle (O Queene) to thunder out,
And openly to blaſe my feare my trembling minde doth dout:
Yet out it goes. Phoebus me bids my Mothers Bed to fly.
As though that I her ſonne, with her inceſtuouſly ſhould ly.
This feare, and onely this me cauſde my fathers kingdome great
For to forſake. I fled not thence when feare the minde doth beat.
The reſtleſſe thought ſtill dreds the thing, it knows can neuer chaunce.
Such fanſies now torment my heart, my ſafety to aduaunce,
And eke thyne euer ſacred lawes (O Nature) for to keepe
A ſtately ſcepter I forſooke, yet ſecret feare doth creepe
Within my breaſt: and frets it ſtill with doubt and diſcontent,
And inward pangues which ſecretly my thoughts a ſunder rent.
So though no cauſe of dred I ſee, yet feare and dred I all,
And ſcant in credit with my ſelfe, my thoughts my minde appall
That I cannot perſwaded be though reaſon tell mee no,
But that the Web is weauing ſtill of my decreed wo.
For what ſhould I ſuppoſe the cauſe? a Plague that is ſo generall,
And Cadmus country wholy ſpoyles, and ſpreds it ſelfe through all?
Should mee, amongeſt ſo huge a heape of plagued Bodies ſpare?
And we alone amongſt the reſt reſerude to miſchiefes are?
O heauy hap. And bide I ſtil alone the ſpoyle to ſee?
Of Cities great, of men, of beaſts, by plague that waſted bee?
And thou amongſt ſo many ils, a happy lyfe to lead,
Couldſt once perſwade thy ſelfe (O wretch) without all feare or dread.
Of Phoebus ſecret Iudgements to, and that in Kinges eſtate?
Thou, thou, infected haſt the ayre, in ſuch a filthy rate.
Thou art the onely cauſe of woe: by thee theſe euils riſe,
By thee to graue on ſuch a ſorte, this wretched people plies.
The firy flaming frying heate, afflicted hearts that waſts,
Is not relieude as wont it was by cold and pleaſaunt blaſts.
The gentle weſtern windes haue left with healthfull puffes to blow,
And now the fiery Dog with blaſe of boyling heate doth glow.
The ſunne in Leo burns ſo hoate, and ſo the earth doth broyle,
That fluds and hearbes are dryed vp, and nought remaynes but ſoyle,
So throughly ſchorcht and ſtued with heate, that moiſture all is gone,
And now amongſt ſo many fluds, remaynes alas not one.
The places dry are onely ſeene the ſtreames are drunken vp.
And water that doth yet remayne: the ſoaking Earth doth ſup.
The Moone with clowds quight over caſt, all ſadly forth ſhe glides,
And dolefull darkſom ſhades of night the whoſe worlde ouer hides.
No ſtar on high at all doth ſhine, but black and heſtke hue
Hath ouerſhaded all the ſkyes, whence deadly miſts enſue.
The corne that wonted was to growe and fruitfully to ſpring,
Now to the voyded Barnes nought els, but empty ſtalkes doth bring.
No part of all our kingdome is free from deſtruction:
But all together run and ruſh, to vtter confuſion.
The old men with the yong (alas:) the father with the chylde
The plague conſumes. Both man & wife, all beaſts both tame & wylde
Are ſpoyled by the Peſtilence. No pompe at all remaynes,
That wonted was in Funeralles, to eaſe the mourners paynes.
Alas this ſpoile of people made, by plague hath dryde myne eyes:
And ſecretly within my breaſt, the griefe it boyling fryes.
And that, that wonted is to hap, in moſt extremeſt ills:
My tearees are dry and glutting griefe my wretched breaſt it fills.
The craſed father beares the ſon, vnto theyr dampiſh graues:
And after him with burden like, the Mother comes and raues:
And euen lamenting as they ſtand, ſtare dead downe both they fall,
And mourners new in like eſtate, for them and theirs they call.
Who likewiſe in the midſt of all their toyle and paynfull payne
Do drop into the graue they digd, and ſo the place doe gayne
That was prepar' de for others erſt. A hell it were to heere
The horror, and the miſeries that euery where appeare.
A Tombe is made for noble men, faſt on the people die,
And in, their burdens fling. Great Pieres all vnregarded lye.
For lack of Graues, to Aſhes cleane their bodyes ſome doe waſt:
And ſome halfe burnt doe leaue them there, and home away for haſt
They run, & more they fetch, and then wood, fier, graue, and all
Doth want. And downe for very griefe the wretched myſers fall.
No prayers auaile. No Arte can help this raging Plague t'appeaſe:
For none almoſt is left aliue each others woe to eaſe.
Before thine aulters heere O God my feeble hands I hold,
Requiring all my deſtinies, at once with courage bold.
And that by death I may preuent, my Countrey preſt to fall.
For this, and only this (O God) vpon thy name I call.
Let mee not be the laſt that dies: The laſt that goes to Graue.
Graunt this, and then (O mighty Ioue) my full requeſt I haue.
O cruell Gods vnkinde: O more than thriſe vnhappy Fates:
That onely mee denied is, that lyghtes on all Eſtates.
I meane a ſpeedy death (alas) theſe euils to preuent
And deadly woe but ///my years with reſtleſſe rage torment.
Leaue of thy blubbering teares (O foole) & fly theſe kingdoms foyld kingdomes foylde
With rotten plagues & Botches bile, and graves ech where diſpoylde.
All which diſeaſes thou vnhappy gueſt didſt bring with thee
Diſpatch. Away. Gpe hence. At leaſt, vnto thy parents flee.

IO. What boots it ſir theſe miſchiefes, great w^t piteous plaints to aggreuate.
Stoutely to beare aduerſiti, is fitſte for kyngs eſtate.
When dred and daunger moſt aſſaye: when cruell Cares doe cruſh
Thy princely breaſt, thē oughtſt thou moſt to beare and bide the puſh.
It is no poinct of courage ſlout to yeelde to fortunes frown.

OED. Nay, Fear, could neuer cauſe mee ſloupe nor Fortune caſt mee down.
My manly winds was neuer thraule to vaine and peauiſh feares,
But euermore in each aſſault, it princely courage beares.
No not a thouſand gliſtering ſwords, nor Mars himſelfe in fielde.
Can once diſmay my Countenuance, or cauſe my heart to yeelde.
The very Giaunts fierce and huge in fight withſtand I dare.
That Monſter ſohinx whoſe riddels through the world renowmed are.
Could not diſmay my deedles heart, nor cauſe my courage ſlide
For all the terrors I behold. I did that Fury byde.
I ſaw him belching Gobs of bloud, I viewde full well the fielde
That all to ſpatterd lay with bloud, and bones quight ouerheelde.
And when y^t he on Mountaynes top with mouth full huge to ſee.
Stoode gaping all with greedy Iawes to feede and pray on mee,
Oft fluttering with his fearefull wynges and ſhaking oft his rayſe,
Began full like a Lyon fierce with threates mee to aſſayle.
Of whom ſtraight way the Riddell I, it ruſht into myne eares
With roring ſound His winges he claps, the Rock for haſt hee teares.
Deſtring with my Bowels ſtill his greedy Iawes to glut:
But I full ſoone aſſoyled had the queſtion that he put.
And all the ſubtile poincts ther of, and twiſted knots vntwinde.

IO. What makes you wiſh for death to late, and waue your wordes in wind.
You might haue died than (you know) for ſphinx ſo nobly ſlain.
This kingdom vnto you, and yours for euer ſhall remain.

OED. The aſhes of that Monſter vile, agaynſt vs doth rebell.
That vile miſhapen lothſome Beaſt, that raging Feend of Hell.
Is cauſe of all the plague that doth this mournfull City ſmight.
Now only this remaynes alone, if Phoebus heauenly might,
Can any meanes inuent for vs, or way of mercy make:
Whereby theſe burning Plagues at length may haply chaſice to ſlake.

Chorus.

O More then thriſe renowned ſtock of auncient Cadmus Race.
O mighty Thebes City grear, O heauy ruthfull Caſe.
Loe now you lye all deſolate, with Plague deuoured quight.
Both you and all your Huſbandmen. (Oh miſerable ſight.)
O fowle and feareful Fate (alas) what cauſeth all this aid?
O God whence ſprings this Peſtylence that vs tormenteth ſo?
No age, no ſhape, no forme is ſparde, but all confounded lye.
Thus happieſt now y^t man I count, whoſe chaunce was firſt to dye.
For hee hath ſhund a thouſand ils, which wretched Eyes haue ſeene:
And miſchiefes great that vs doe preſſe from him are taken cleane.
O God withhold thy fury great, thy Plagues from vs remoue.
Ceaſſe of afflicted ſoules to ſcourge, who thee, both ſerue and loue.
Powre downe on them diſeaſes fowle, that them deſerued haue.
A Guerdon iuſt for ſinne (Oh God) this this of thee wee craue,
And onely this. We aſke no more, the cauſe and all is thyne,
A thing not vſde of Gods it is, from pity to declyne.
My heart doth vant, and trembling cold through all my lims doth run,
As oft as I remembring, count the noble ſtockes vndun,
By death and dolfull deſtenies that ouerwhelmed lye,
And yet alas the people ſtil to Graue doe faſter hye.
In long Aray all in a rancke by thouſandes on a rowe,
On euery ſide, in euery ſtreate to buriall faſt, they goe.
The ſeuen broade wyde open Gates, are not enoughe forway,
But throngd the people peſtred ſtand ſtill in a fearefull ſtay,
And in the mydſt of all theyr toyle with corſes on their backes,
The number that before doth poaſt the hinder number ſlackes.
The corſes in the ſtreates doe lye and Graue on Graue is made.
But all in vayne. For nought it boots the plague cannot beſtayde.
The ſacrifices don to Gods haue to to ill ſucceſſe.
And ſuch ſtraunge ſights & ſignes doe riſe that nought els I can geſſe,
But that at hand with gaſtly pawes, is vtter deſtruction,
With thouſand ills accompayned and extreme confuſion.
The ſheepe of rot by heapes as thick, as dogges doe fall and dye,
And belching out their waſted lunges, on grounde doe ſprawling lye.
And I my ſelfe of late did ſee: (a ſight vnſeene before,)
As our high prieſt ſtoode ſacrifiſing at the Temple dore,
And ſtrake with grieuous bloudy wound the golden horned Bull
When downe with liueles lump he drops and members made full dull.
And all the woude wide bleeding gapes & black goars bloud out ſpues.
And yet the blade vnſprinckled was. The bloud it buyling ſtues
And bubbles on the ground. Alas what do theſe things portend?
Oh mighty Ioue at length vouchſafe ſome good and happy end.
At length withhold thy hand (O God) and health vnto vs ſend.
Nothing (alas) remaynes at all, in wonted old eſtate,
But all are turned topſey downe, quight voyd and deſolate
The famting horſe for ſodaine //// from back his burden tats.

And after on his maiſters breſt, his liueles lyms he ſquats.

Who cries for help but all in bath the beaſtes in flete that bide
Unkept: vnknowen wayes and pathe do raunge and ouerſtride.
The Bull for lacke of foode and meate in field all faintyng lyes,
And, all his flocke diſperſed quight, the fely ſhephard dyes.
The herd /////////gſt his beaſts his fatal breath expiers
And to the ////////////////////////// hiſfaſt beſters.
The Harts witout all feare of Wolues do lyue in wretched peace

The rage, and wrathful roring ſounds of ramping Lions ceaſe.
The vengeaunce wyld outrageous Beares are now as tame as ſhepe
The vgly ſerpent that was wont, the Rocky Dennes to keepe.
Oft quaſſing poiſoned Uenom ſups in inward heat ſhee boyles.
And all inflamd and ſchorcht, in vayne for lenger lyfe ſhe toyles.
The woods are not adourned now, with freſh and lyuely hue,
The wonted ſhades are gon. All things are quight out of their Que:
No greeniſh graſſe on ground doth grow, the earth no moiſture ſoupes.
The Vine withoute any ſap, his drowſy head down drowpes.
What ſhal I ſay? all things (alas) are writhen out of courſe,
And as they ſeme to me, are lyke, to fare ſtill worſe and worſe.
O mighty God aboue? when ende theſe euerduryng yls?
When ceaſtheſe plages? that giltles bloud thus fierce and raging ſpils?

I thinck but we almoſt alyue, there do no men remayne:
Whom dolfull Darts of Deſtenies, on earth haue left vnſlayne.

I thinke the darckſome ſhades of hell where filthy fluds do flow,
Where plages and vile diſeaſes too, where dredfull horrors grow,
And all the furies braſten looſe do miſchiefes on vs throw,
With Botch & blane of ſundry kindes which ſothern blaſts do blow,
And wrekful vexed hagges of hell do dreath and on vs bringe:
The angry feddes of hell I thinke their vengeaunce, on vs flinge
And out their mortall poyſon ſpue which they agaynſt vs beare.
Lo ſee how greedy death on vs with ſcowling eyes doth leare.
See, ſee. Oh Ioue how faſt hee throwes his Dartes. Not one he ſpares
But all confounds. His thretning force, withſtand no Creature dares.
No doubt the lothſom Feryman the ſinfull ſoules that traynes
Through ſtincking fluds, his labour loths that he for vs ſuſtaynes.
Such preſſe by plūps to him is made which ſtill renews his paynes.
But harke yet mōſters more thē theſe, the Fame abroade doth fly
That helliſhe Dogges w^t bawling ſound were heard to howle and cry,
And y^t the ground with trembling ſhooke, and vnder feele did moue.
And dreadfull blaſing Comets bright were ſeene in ſkies aboue.
And gaſtly ſhapes of men beſides, to wander on the ground.
And wood, and trees on euery ſyde, did fearefully reſound.
Beſides all this ſtraūg Ghoſts were ſeene in places where they ſtoode.
And Ryuers more then one or two, that ran all blacke goorb bloode.
O cruell plague, O vile diſcaſe, farre worſe then ſpeedy death.
O wee vnhappy thriſe and more, who doe prolonge our breath.
In theſe accurſed dayes and tymes. But harke to mee a while.
When firſt this Iothſome plague begins theſe Myſers to defile,
It takes them thus. A feareful Cold through al their bones doth run,
And Cold and Heate togeather mixt, their ſences all benome.
Than litle lothſome markes appeare, and all their bodies ſpot.
And all their members ſlaming glow, and burning faſt doe rot.
The Lights, the Lungs, the heart, the Guts, and all that inwarde lies.
And all the ſecret partes iſcorcht, with deadly, I fier fries.
The bloud all clotterd in their Cheekes, in cluſter lies by lumps.
And it and heate together makes, great, ſtraung, and ruddy bumps.
And bloud and fleſh congeled ſtands, in Face as ſtiffe as ſtake.
And Eyes in head faſt fixed ſet, and often trickling make.
And downe apace whole fluds they ſteame, and clots & drops doe trill,
And all the ſkin from of their Face, by flakes and ſcales doth pill.
A thouſand fearefull ſounds at once, into their eares doe ruſh.
And lothſome bloud out of their Noſe, by ſtilling ſtreames doth guſh.
The very anguiſh of their heart doth cauſe them for to ſhake.
And what with payne & heale, and feare, their weried lims doe quake.
Then ſome the rūning Ryuers haunt, and ſome on ground /ce wallow.
And ſome agayne their thirſt to ſlake, cold water gulping ſwallow.
Thus all our country toſt with plague in Griefy it waltering lies.
And ſtill deſiring for to dye, a thouſand deathes it dyes.
But God to heare them then is preſt: and death to none denies.
Beſydes al this, the church ſome do frequent: but not to pray,
But onely for to glut the Gods, with that that they do ſay.
But who is this that comes to Court in haſt with poaſting pace?
What? iſt Creon that noble Prince (for deedes and ſtately race?)
Or doth my mynd oppreſt with care thinges falſe for true contriue?
Creon it is long looked for, his ſight doth me reuyue.

THE SECONDE ACTE.

The firſt ſcene.

OEDIPVS. CREON.

For feare my body chilles, alas, and trembling all I ſtand
In quakinge dread. I ſeke and toyle, theſe miſchiefes to withſtand.
But al in vayne I ſpend my thoughtes it wil not be, I ſee,
As long as all my ſences thus by cares diſtracted bee.
My mynd deſyrous ſtil (Oh God,) the truth for to vnfold,
With doubtful Dread is daunted ſo, that it can ſcant vpholde
It ſelfe. O Brother beare, if way or meane of health thou know,
Declare it out and ſticke not all the truth to me to ſhow.

Cre. The Oracle (moſt noble king) ys darke, and hidden lies.

Oed. Who doubtful health to ſicke men brings, all health to thē denies.

Cre. Apolloes vſe yt is the troth in darkeſome dens to hold.

Oed. And Oedipus of Gods it hath thinges hidden to vnfold:
Speake out, tell all, and ſpare not man: all doubtes I can diſcus.

Cre. Apollo then (moſt noble King) himſelfe commaundeth thus.
By exile purge the Princes ſeat, and plague with vengeance due
That haples wretch, whoſe bloudy handes of late King Laius ſlue:
Before that this perfourmed bee, no hope of milder ayer:
Wherfore do this (O King) or elſe All hope of helpe diſpayre.
Oe, Durſt any man on earth attem pte, that noble Prince to ſlay?
Shew me the man that I may him diſpatch out of the way.

Cre. God graunt I may it ſafely tel: the hearyng was to terrible,
My ſenſes all amaſed are: it is a thing ſo horrible,
That I abhorre to vtter it (oh God) for feare I quake
And euen at the very thought my lims beginne to ſhake.
Aſſoone as I Appollos Church, had entred in affrayd,
Vppon my face flat downe I fell, and thus to him I prayd.
Oh God if euer thou didſt rue, on wretched miſers ſtate,
If euer men oppreſt thou eaſd, or didſt their cares abate,
If euer thou in preſent neede didſt preſent helpe declare,
If euer thou afflicted Hartes with cares conſumd didſt ſpare:
Shew now thy wonted elemency and pitty knowne of yore.
Scant had I ſayd: Refounding all the mountaynes thondring rore:
And filthy feendes ſpout out their flames out of their darkſome caues.
And woods do quake, and hilles do moue, and vp the ſurging waues
Do mount vnto the ſkies aloft, and I amaſed ſtand.
Still looking for an aunſweare at Apollos ſacred hand.
When out with ruffled hayre diſguiſdeth: Prophet comes at laſt:
And when that ſhee had felt the heate of mighty Phoebus blaſt.
All puffyng out ſhe ſwelles in rage, and pattring ſtill ſhe raues,
And ſcant ſhe entred had into Apollos ſhyning caues,
When out a thundring voyce doth bruſt that's farre aboue mans reach.
So dreadful ſeemed then to me the mighty Phoebus ſpeach.
Than thus he ſpake aud thus at length into myne cares he ruſht
Whyle ſprawling ſtil the Prophet lay before the doores in duſt.
The Thebane City neuer ſhal be free frō plagues (quoth he,)
Except from thenſe the Kingkiller forthwith expulſed bee:
Vnto Apollo knowen he was, or euer he was borne.
Do this: or elſe no hope of health, to this, the gods haue ſworn.
And as for thee, thou ſhalt not long in quiet ſtate indure,
But with thy ſelf wage war thou ſhalt & war thou ſhalt procure
Vnto thy children deare: & crepe agayn thou ſhalt into thy mothers wombe.

Oed. Loke what the Gods commaunded haue accompliſhed ſhalbe.
Nor neuer ſhal theſe eyes of myne abyde the day to ſee,
A King of kingdome ſpoyld by force, by guyle or craſt ſuppreſt.
A kinge to kinges the prop ought be, and chiefeſt cauſe of reſt:
No man regardes his death at all whom liuing he doth feare,
Cr. Great cauſe makes mee my Princes death conceale and cloſiy beare

Oed. Ought any cauſe of feare or griefe, the duty for to let?

Cre. The threatning of the propheſyes, do ſtil my breaſt beſet.

Oe. Let vs (ſith God cōmaunds) forthwith ſome good attonement make
If any way, or meanes there be their wrathful rage to ſlake.
Thou God that ſits on ſeate on high, and al the world doſt guide,
And thou by whoſe commaundement the ſtarres in ſkies do glide:
Thou, thou that onely ruler art of ſeas, of Floods, and all.
On thee and on thy Godhead great, for theſe requeſtes I call.
Who ſo hath ſlayne king Laius, oh Ioue I do thee pray.
Let thouſand ils vpon him fall, before his dying day.
Let him no health ne comfort haue, but al to cruſht with cares,
Conſume his wretched yeares in griefe, & though that death him ſpares
Awhyle. Yet miſchiefes all, at length vppon him light.
With all the euils vnder ſun, that vgly monſter ſmight.
In exile let him liue a ſlaue, the rated courſe of life.
In ſhame, in care, in peuury in daunger and in ſtrife.
Let no man on him pity take, let all men him reuyle.
Let him his Mothers ſacred Bed inceſtuouſly defyle.
Lim him his father kill. And yet let him do miſchiefes more.
What thing more haynous can I wiſh then that I wiſht before?
Let him do all thoſe illes I ſay, that I haue ſhund and paſt.
All thoſe and more (if more may be) oh God vpon him caſt.
Let him no hope of pardon haue: but ſue and all in vayne.
All helliſh Furies on him light, for to encreaſe his payne.
O Ioue powre downe thy fury greate, thy thūdring thumpes out throw
Let Boreas boyſterous blaſtes and ſtormy plagues vpon him blow
Conſume him quight. Fret out his guttes w^t pockes and botches vile
Let all diſeaſes on him light that wretched bodyes fyle.
Let theſe and more (if more may be) vppon that Monſter fall.
Let Harpies pawes and greedy paunche deuoure his members all.
Let no man him regard: or ſeeke his limmes in grade to lay:
But let him dye ten thouſand deathes before his dying day.
By this my Kingdome I do ſweare, and Kingdome that I left
By al my Countrey Gods that bene in Temples cloſely kept,
I ſweare, I vow, I do proteſt, and thereto witnes take:
The ſtarres, the ſeas, the Earth and all that ere thy hand did make.
Except that I my ſelfe forthwith this bloudy monſter find,
To wreake the wrath of God ſome way with ſolemyne oth I bynde.
And ſo my father, Polybius his happy dayes out lyue.
And ſo my mother Merope, no mariage new contriue:
As he ſhall dye that did this deede, and none ſhal him excuſe.
Whoſo he be here I proteſt for that he ſhortly rues:
But where this wicked deede was don Creon now tell me playne:
Both by what meanes? & where: and how Ring Laius was ſlayne.
Creon. Paſſing through Caſtalia woods & mountayns heapt with ſuoe
Where groues and ſcrubs, and buſhes thicke & brambles ſharp do groe.
A threepathd crooked way there is that diuerſly doth goe.
One vnto Bacchus citty bends that Phoce doth hight,
The other to Olenius, forth ſtretcheth out aright:
The third that reacheth through the vales and by the riuers lyes
Tends downe vnto the Bancks wherby Eleia, water plyes
There vnawares (O piteous chaunce) a troup of theues entraps
The noble prince, and murders him hence ſpring theſe great miſhaps
which heape you realms with hideous woes and plagues on euery ſide,
By iuſt decree of heauenly powers which can no murder bide.
But ſee Tireſias where he coms with old and trembling pace.
I thincke Apolloes heauenly might haue brought him to this place.
ſee where he comes he and Manto too, his ſteps directing ſtayes
Tis he who for your grace (O king) and for your countrie prayes

THE SECOND ACTE. THE SECOND SCENE.

OEDIPVS. TYREſIAS. MANTO.

Come holy prieſt (to Phoebus next) theſe doubtfull aunſwers Ioſe:
And whom that deſtnies will to dye, ſtraightwayes to me diſcloſe.

TY. Renowmed Prince, though ſtill I ſtand in ſilence dūme diſmayde:
And though by inwarde feare of mynde my lingring tonge is ſtayde:
Yet pardon me (O noble Prince,) and geue me leaue a while.
From lack of ſight ſprings Ignoraunce which powre hath to exile
Vnſpotted Truth frō doubtfull breaſts. This thing ful well you knoes,
But whither God and Countrey calles, with willing minde I goe.
Let deadly fatall deſtentes, be boulted out at length.
O King if I of greener yeares had now my wonted ſtrength:
This matter ſoone diſcuſt ſhould be, and I would take in hande,
My ſelfe in preſence of the Gods, in temple for to ſtande.
A mighty Oxe all coulourd white, vp on the Aulters reare,
Which neuer yet on weried necke, the croked yoake did beare.
And Manto thou, O daughter mine, mine onely prop and ſtay:
The ſecret hidden miſteries, and ſacred ſignes out ſay.
MA. The beaſt before the Aulter ſtands. TY. To Gods a prayer make,
And on the holy Aulters cke, ſome pleaſaunt odors ſhake.

MA. Tis done. And all the fiers fieice, with incence bright doe flame.

T Y. O Manto now what ſignes ſeeſt thou? how doe thy matters frame?
What? doth the fire, the ſacrifice encompas rounde about?

MA. Not ſo. But firſt it mounts aloſt, and ſtreight it flaſheth out.

TY. Well Yet, how doth the ſacred flame all ſhining bright and cleare
It ſelfe on high vnto the ſktes, with ſparkelting flakes vpreare?
Or doeh it oft rebounding backe, it ſelfe, from ſkyes vnfould?
Or all with rumbling roring noyſe, about the place iſt rould?
Or dim'd with ſmoke, iſt toſt from place, to place, now heere, now theare?

MA. Not one. But diuerſe, colours mixt the flame doth with it beare.
Much like vnto the Rainbow, which with ſundry paynted hues
Foreſhewes vnto the huſbandmen the weather that enſues.
What colour it wants, or what it hath, to me is like vncertayne.
Now is it black, now blue, now red, and euen now agayne
Quight out it is. Yet once agayn, all fierce it flaſhing flames:
But lo, yet miſchiefs more then this, vnluckely it frames.
The fier quight a ſunder parts, and flame with flame doth fight.
O father I abhorre to ſee, this vgly lothſome ſight.
The Wyne to blud is turned quight, and all the Prynces hed,
With thicke black clouds encōpaſt is, with ſmoke all ouerſpred.
O father tell what this portends? TY. What ſhould I tell alas?
My mynde for feare aſtonied ſtands, and trembling cold doth pas
Through all my lims. What ſhall I ſay? or where ſhall I begin?
O cruell Plagues, O wrekfull Gods, O vengeaūce due for ſin.
Some dyre and blouddy deed (Alas) theſe hydeous ſignes declare.
Whats that the Gods would haue reuealde, and yet doe bid beware
To vtter it? By certaine ſignes their wrath is oft deſcride:
Such ſignes appeere, and yet they ſeeme their fury great to hide.
They are aſhamde: I wot nere what. Come hither, quickly bring
Some ſalt with thee, and it vpon the ſacrifice goe fling.
What? are their lookes pleaſant and milde, and doe they gently bide
The touching of thy ſacred hands? MA. What may this thing betide?
The Bull (a wonder great to ſee) his head on hie he lifts
And turned ſtill vnto the Eaſt, from thence it alway ſhifts,
Still lothing as hee ſeemes to me, of heauen to ſee the light,
Oft ſcouling with his blearing eyes with gaſtely ruthfull ſight.

TY. But doth one blow thē driue to groūd, or more the one they haue?

MA. The Heifer as it ſeemde, enflamd with courage ſtoute and braue
Vpon the mortall Blade did ruſh, and there hirſelfe deſtries:
When out the bloud it foming ſpoutes, and mounts vnto the ſkies.
The brawny Bull twiſe ſtroke or thriſe, with groueling groning tyres,
And toyling vp and down he moyles. And ſtill to liue deſires.
And yet at length with much ado, his brutiſh breath expiers.

TY. What? doth the wounde wide open gape, or is it cloſed vp?
Or doth the deepnes of the hole, the bloud in ſoking ſup?

MA. Out of the wounded Heifers breaſt Black bluiſh waters ruſh.
As for the Bull, but little bloud, out of his wounds doth guſh.
At back rebounds, and from his Mouth & Eyes by ſtreames doth flow.
But what theſe dreadfull ſignes portend the Gods aloane doc know.

TY. By this vnhappy ſacrifice, great feares within mee riſe.
But tell mee now: In the inner parts, what ſecret hidden lies?

MA. O Father what meanes this (alas) that more then wonted guiſe
The Inwards ſtir? and ſhake my hands, and heauing oft ariſe,
The bloud by ſtreames out of the vaynes, full ſtraungly ſkips aloft.
The heart all ſchorcht and hidden lies, and ſtrykes are ſeene full oft,
Of Colour very wan and pale: The chiefeſt parts doe want.
The Lyuer blackiſh gall out ſpurts, and ſomwhat ryſing pants.
And that, that myſchiefes great, to kingdoms doth foreſhow:
Two heads are ſeene, and yet both heads one ſkin doth ouergrow
And ouerheales them quight, But yet the ſkin, it is ſo thin
That eaſely one may diſcerne what lieth hid therein.
And that which horror doth encreaſe, a man may plainly ſee
How both the heart, the Lights, and Lungs, and all diſturbed bee.
The fearefull noyſe and ſound you heere is not of beaſts, but fier
That roaring on the Alters makes, preſaging wrekefull yre
Of angry Gods who doe foretell ſome purpoſe that they haue,
For to reuenge ſome foule miſdeede that vengeance iuſt doth craue.
No part his proper place obſerues, nor keepes his order due:
But altogether quight diſguiſde, with an vnwonted hue.
Miſhapen, out of frame, tranſformde, diſplaced quight (alas)
What thing is that the Gods entend ere long to bring to pas?

Oed. Why than declare from whēce, and why theſe deadly ſignes ariſe,
With courage ſtout I will it heare, it ſhall not once aggriſe
By valiaunt mynd. Extremeſt ils haue power to baniſh feare.

TY. You will wiſhe that vnhard which you ſo much deſyre to heare.

Oed. Yet ſence the Gods wil haue him known tell me (I ſay) his name
That ſiue your King. TY. Nor wing, nor womb of Bird or beaſt y^e ſame
Can tell (O king) new ſacrifice, new meanes we muſt inuent.
From dredfull darke infernall damps ſome Fury muſt be ſent
Theſe miſchifes great for to vnfolde. Or els King Ditis hee,
That Empyre keepes on grieſly Ghoſts, entreated needes muſt bee
Theſe things forthwith for to diſcloſe. Tell who ſhall haue the charge,
A King thou art, than maiſt not thou go through thoſe kingdoms large.

OEd. Than noble Creon thou ſhalt goe, this payne is firſt for thee:
Who muſt this crown and kingdome great enioy after mee.

THE THIRDE ACTE.

THE FIRST SCENE.

Oedipus. Creon.

Though that thy Face where ſadnes ſits in heauy mourning guiſe,
Nought els portend, but dedly griefes, and miſchiefes ſtil to ryſe:
Yet tel ſome meanes wherby at length the Gods we may appeaſe,
And purchaſē to our Kingdomes waſt, ſome hope of health and eaſe.

Cre. Alas you byd me that diſcloſe which feare doth byd me hyde.

Oed. If that the Thebane Citties great, by doleful plagues deſtryde.
Perce not thy hart a:et oughteſt thou, theſe Kingdomes for to rue,
Which were vnto thy brothers houſe, of auncient title due.

Cre. You wiſh y^t thing to know, which you wil wiſh vnknown at length.

Oed. Why ſo? a ſimple remedy of litle force and ſtrength
Is ignoraunce of our eſtate when daungers vs betyde.
But what? wilt thou ſo great a good for common ſafety hide?

Cre. Irkeſome Medcines and perilous in ſicknes I abhorre:

Oed. And I likewyſe at ſubiects hands diſdayne to take a dorre,
Speake out with ſpeed, or elſe by proofe of torment thou ſhalt find
How daungerous a caſe it is to gawle a Princes mynd.

Cre. Kinges often vſe to wiſh vntolde, which they bad tel before.

Oed. Go to, diſpatch and ceaſe in time to vexe me any more.
Except that thou forthwith to me this heinous deede diſcloſe:
The gods I do proteſt, to death for al thou onely goes.

Cre. O pardon me moſt noble king. O let me hold my pes,
Of al the gracis Princes graunt, what fauour may be leſſe?

Oed As though y^t ſilence hurts not more both king and countries weale:
Then ſpech oft tymes: which ſubiects thoughts to Prices both reueale?
Diſpatch at once, ſtir me no more thou knowſt my guiſe of olde.

CRE. ſilence denied, what priuileage may ſilly ſubiect holde?

OED. A iraytor he is, who ſtlēce keepes, whē king cōmaunds to ſpeake.

CRE. Then pardon my conſtrayned ſpeach, ſlth ſilence for to breake
You me compell. A dolefull tale (O king) my tongue muſt tell,
And which I feare your maieſty will not interpret well.

OED. Was euer man rebukt for that, that he was bid to ſay?

CRE. Well than ſince needes I muſt: I am contented to obay.
A wood there is from City farre, enhaunſt with ſtately trees:
Where many a plant, and her be doth grow, which Phoebus neuer ſees:
With euer during buſhes greene, the Typreſſe there doth ryſe,
And puts his alde aud leffty had withing the cloude ſkyes.
The auncient Time eaten Oke with crooked bended lims.
The Teal tree flue: The Alder which in Neptunes kingdoms ſwims,
The Bayes with bitter beries eke the Elmes deere friends to /ynes
And many a noble tree beſides, as Mirtels, firs and Pines.
Amidſt them all, one tree there is with large out ſtretched armes.
Whoſe roring ſound, & craking noyſe the leſſer woods Icharmes.
And ouerſhades them all: a Tree of monſtrous huge eſtate,
Beſet with fearefull woods: there is that dyre, and dreadfull gate,
That leades to lothſome Lymbo Lake, and pyts that euer flowe.
Where choked miry mud doth ſtreame with ſlimy courſe full flowe.
Here when the prieſt was entred in with comely aged pace,
He ſtayed not: No neede there was, for night was ſtill in place.
Than all the ground wyde open gapes, & ſmouthering vapours ryſe,
And fyre and ſmoke, & ſtyfling ſtink, mounts vp vnto the ſhyes.
The Prieſt with wayling weede iclad, his fatall red out tooke:
And entring in, in blacke Aray, full often times it ſhooke.
With heauy cheere and dolful pace: his hoary haire was twynde
With bowes of mortall Ewe. A tree wherewith the mourners winde,
Theyr mourning heads, & Garlands make. In this guiſe all arayde,
The ſacred Prieſt doth enter in, with trembling lims diſmayde:
Than in the ſheepe and Oxen blacke, by backwarde courſe are drawn.
And odoures ſweete, & Frankencence, on flaming fyres are thrown.
The beaſts on burning, Altars caſt, do quake with ſchorched lims:
And bloudy ſtreames with fyre mixt, about the Aultars ſwims.
Than on the darke internall Gods, and him that rules them all:
With deadly ſhriking voyce aloude, the Prophet gins to call.
And rouls the Magick verſe in mouth, and hidden Artes doth proue:
Which eyther power haue to appeaſe or els the Gods to moue,
Thair bloudy ſtreaming Lycours black, with broyling heate doe boyle:
And all the Beaſts conſume and burn. The Prophet than to toyle
Begins. And mixed wyne and Mylke vpon the Aultars throwes.
And all the Dongeon darke, and wyde with ſtreaming blood it flowes.
Than out with thundring voyce agayne the Prophet calles and cryes.
And ſtraight as much w^t mumbling mouth he champs in ſecret wyſe
The trees do turne. The Riuers ſtād. The ground with roring ſhakes.
And all the world as ſeemes to mee, with fearefull trembling quakes.
I am heard, I am heard, than out aloude the Prieſt began to cry:
Whan all the dampned foules by heapes abrode outruſhing fly.
Then woods with rumbling noyſe, doe oft reſounding make.
And Heauen, and Earth together goe. And bowes and trees do crake.
And Thūders roore. And Lightnings flaſh. And waues aloft doe fly.
And ground retyres: and Dogs doe bawl: and Beaſtes are heard to cry.
And whyther long of Acheron, that lothſom Flud that flowes
All ſtinking ſtreames: or of the earth, that out her Bowels throwes,
Free place to ſprights to geue: or of that fierce infernall Hound,
That at ſuch times doth buſtling make w^t chayns, & railing ſound.
The Earth al wide it open gapes. And I did ſee on ground,
The Gods with colour pale and wan, that thoſe dark kingdoms keepe.
And very night I ſaw in deede, and thouſand ſhapes to creepe,
From out thoſe filthy ſtinking Lakes, and lothſom pits of Hell.
Where all the euils vnder ſon, in darkſom ſhades doe dwell.
So quaking all for feare I ſtoode with minde right ſore apalde,
Whilſt on thoſe Gods w^t trembling mouth the Prieſt full often calde.
Who all at once, out of theyr dens did ſkip with grieſly Face.
And Monſters grim, and ſtinging ſnakes ſeemd wander in that place.
And all the fowleſt Feendes of Hell, and Furies all were theare.
And all trāſformed Ghoſts & ſprights, that euer Hell did beare.
With Cares, ahd all Diſeaſes vyle, that mortall mynds doe cruſh,
All thoſe, and more I ſawe out of thoſe Dangeons deepe to ruſh,
And Age I ſawe, with riueled Face, and Neede, & Feare, and Death.
And Fyre, and flames, & thouſand ills out fro thoſe Pits to breath.
Then I was gon: and quight amazd. The wenche in worſer caſe.
And yet of olde, acquaynted with her Fathers Artes ſhe was.
The Prieſt himſelfe vnmooued ſtoode, and boldly cited owt:
Whole Armies of king Ditis men, who cluſtring in a Rowt:
All flittring thin like Cloudes, diſperſt abrode in Ayre doe fly.
And bearing ſundry ſhapes and formes doe ſcud aboue in ſky,
A thouſand woods I thinke haue not ſo many leaues on trees.
Ten thouſand medowes freſh haue not ſo many flowers for bees.
Ten hundred thouſand riuers not ſo many Foule can ſhow:
Nor all the drops and ſtreams, and gulphes that in the ſeas do flow.
If that they might be wayed, can ſure ſo great a number make
As could thoſe ſhapes and formes that flew from out of Limbo lake.
Both Tantalus and Zetus too, and pale Amphions Ghoſt:
And A gaue, and after her ten thouſand ſprightes do poſt.
Than Pentheus, and more and more, in like eſtate enſue:
Til out at length comes Laius with foule and griſly hue:
Vncomly breſt in wretched plight with fylth all ouergrowne:
All perſt with wounds, (I loth to ſpeake) with bloud quight ouerflown
A Miſer ryght as ſeemd to me, and moſt of Miſers all:
Thus in this caſe, at length he ſpake, and thus began to call.
O Cadmus cruel Citty vile, that ſtil delightſte in bloud,
O Cadmus thou, which kinſmens death, accountſt as chiefeſt good.
Teare out the bloudy Bowels of your Children, learne of me,
Do that, and rather more, then you would byde the day to ſee
Like ills as late on mee are light. Loe mothers loue (alas)
Hath cauſd the greateſt miſery that ere in Theba was.
The Countrey with the wrath of Gods at this tyme is not toſt.
Nor yearth nor ayre infect is not the cauſe that all bene loſt.
No No. A bloudy King is cauſe of all theſe miſchiefes great:
A bloudy wretch: A wretched child that ſits in Fathers ſeate:
And Mothers bed defyles (O wretch) and entreth in agayne,
In places whence he came from once and doubleth ſo her payne,
Whilſt that hee fils the haples wombe wher in himſelfe did lie
With graceles ſeede and cauſeth her twiſe childbirthes pangues to try:
Vnhappy ſonne, but Father worſe and moſt vnhappy hee,
By whom the lawes of ſacred ſhame ſo ſore confounded bee.
For that that very beſtes (almoſt) do all abhorre to do,
Euen of his mothers body he hath brothers gotten two.
O miſchiefe great: O dredful deede, then ſphinx, O mōſter more:
Example vnto ages all of Gods foretold before.
But I thee, thee, that ſcepter boldſt, thy Father wil purſue,
And wreacke my ſelfe on thee and thyne with plagues & vengeance due.
All reſtles rage of ſpite and paiue I will vppon thee blow,
And all the furies foule of hell vppon thee I will throw.
I wil ſubuert thy Houſes cleane, for this thy lothſome luſt:
I wil do this thou wretch: And thee, and thyne conſume to duſt.
Wherfore diſpatch at once (I ſay) into exile driue your King.
That ground y^t firſt of all he leaues, with freſh grene graſſe ſhall ſpring.
And ſweete, and pleaſaunt Ayre, and healthfull blaſts ſhall ryſe,
And all the euills vnder ſun, that mortall men ſurpriſe:
The Pocks, the Piles, the Botch, the blaine, & death with him ſhall fly.
And with him miſchiefs all ſhall paſſe, and Monſters vnder ſky.
And as for him I know hee would depart with willing mynde:
But I will clog his feete, and hands, hſs way he ſhall not finde.
But groping with his aged ſtaffe, ſhall paſſe from place to place.
This ſhall he doe. And none ſhall rue vpon his ruthfull caſe.
Rid you the Monſter from the Earth, for Heauen let mee alone.
No ſooner ſayd, but ſtraight away, his dreadfull Ghoſt was gone.
And faſt by thouſands after him, th'other ſprights in hyde:
Than Cold & trembling feare began through all my bones to glyde.