Lucans Pharsalia: or The ciuill warres of Rome, betweene Pompey the great, and Iulius Cæsar The whole tenne bookes, Englished by Thomas May, Esquire.

LVCANS PHARSALIA : OR THE CIVILL WARRES OF ROME , betweene POMPEY the great , and IVLIVS CAESAR .

The whole tenne Bookes , Englished by THOMAS MAY , Esquire .

The second Edition , corrected , and the Annotations inlarged by the Author .

LONDON , Printed by Aug. Mathewes , for Thomas Iones , and are to be sold at his shop in St. Dunstanes Church-yard . 1631.

THis dying Figure that rare Lucan showes , Whose lofty genius great Apollo chose When Roman liberty oppr●st should dy , To sing her sad , and solemne obsequy In stately numbers , high , as Rome was great ; And not so much to yeares indebted yet , As thou , fam'd Maro , when thy infant verse The Gnats low funerall did first reherse . Thy favour●d Muse did finde a different fate : Thou gott'st Augustus loue , he Nero's hate ; But t was an act more great , and high to moue A Princes envy , then a Princes loue .

Heu Nero crudelis , nullaque inuisior umbra ▪ Debuit hoc saltem non licuisse tibi . Martial

LVCAN'S Pharsalia : OR THE CIVILL Warres of Rome , betweene POMPEY the great , and IVLIVS CAESAR . The whole ten Bookes . Englished by Thomas May. Esquire .

LONDON Printed for Thomas Iones . Anno 1631.

TO THE RIGHT Honorable WILLIAM , Earle of Devonshire . &c. MY LORD ,

THe great subiect of this stately Poem , together with the worth of the noble Author , haue enboldned me to present the Translation ( how meanely soever I have performed it ) to your Honourable hand . I cannot but presume that the high , and rich conceits of Lucan from your deepe iudgement shall finde their proper , and due approbation , and my defects , from your noble candor , an easie , and gentle censure . The matter of this Worke is a true History adorned and heightned with Poetical raptures , which doe not adulterate , nor corrupt the truth , but giue it a more sweet and pleasant relish . The History of it , is the greatest of Histories , the affaires of Rome , whose transcendent greatnes will admit no comparison with other States either before , or after it ; Rome was then at that great height , in which S. Augustin wished to haue seen it , which after Ages almost with adoration haue admired , and do rather coniecture then fully comprehend . The blood of her valiant citizens , and the conquests , and triumphs of so many ages had raised her now to that vnhappy height , in which shee could neither retaine her freedom without great troubles , nor fall into a Monarchy but most heavy and distastfull . In one the greatnesse of private Citizens excluded moderation : in the other the vast strength , and forces of the Prince gaue him too absolute and vndetermined a power . The vices of Rome did at this time not only grow vp to their power , but overthrow it . Luxury and Pride , the wicked daughters of so noble a Mother as the Roman Vertue , began to consume that which brought them forth . These were the seeds of that faction , which rent the State , and brought in violently a change of governement . The two heads of this great division ( if wee may terme Pompey the head of a faction , & not rather the true servant of the publike State ) were Pompey the great , and Julius Caesar , men of greater eminence then the former ages had seene any , whose prosperous atchiuements in forreine wars had too far enabled them to ruine that state , which before they served . The Author of it was a noble Roman , rich in his minde as his large fortunes , of whose happy conceits , and high raptures I forbeare to dispute , or any way anticipate your Lordships iudgement . To whose noble censure I refer both the Author , and my poore endeavours , and shall ever rest .

Your Lordships to command , THO. MAY.

THE LIFE OF MARCVS ANNAEVS LVCANVS .

MARCVS Annaeus Lucanus was by nation a Spaniard , and borne at Cordubu . His fathers name was Marcus Annaeus Mela , sonne to Lucius Annaeus Seneca the oratour , and brother to Iulius Gallio , and Lucius Seneca the Philosopher , Nero's Tutor . The two elder Brothers employed at Rome in state affaires ( especially Seneca ) arrived at the height both of dignity , and renowne . They were both Senatours , and by their worthy endeavours deserved not only to bee powerfull in their owne times , but famous to all posterity . Marcus Mela the youngest brother content with that title , which his birth gaue him , a Roman knight , and preferring the sweetnesse of a countrey life before the glorious trouble of a court employment , lived at home at his natiue Corduba ; hee married Caia Acilia the daughter of Acilius Lucanus the Orator , on whom hee begat Marcus Annaeus Lucanus surnamed of his grandfather by the mothers side . Annaeus Mela , though but a Roman Knight , was ( saith Tacitus ) a great man , and hee begate Lucan , no small addition to his greatnesse ; a great testimony of Lucan's worth from so judicious an author as Cornelius Tacitus . He was borne at Corduba , the third of the Nones of November in the second Consulship of Caius Caesar Germanicus with Lucius Caesianus . When he was eight moneths old , his father brought him to Rome , to season his infancy ( so soone as it might bee capable ) with the choisest education in learning , and manners . At which time ( if we may credit fame , and as was before reported of Plato ) Bees swarmed about the childes cradle , and pressed in clusters toward his mouth . A happy presage ▪ ( as the learned interpreted it ) of his future wit , and admired eloquence . His Tutors , and Schoolemasters were the most eminent , and famous men of those times , Rhemnius Palaemon the Grammarian , and Flavius Virginius the Rhetorician . By whose carefull instructions , as by his owne diligence , and admirable facility of naturall wit , he arrived in a short time to an high perfection as well in the Greeke , as Roman language . Of all his schoolefellowes hee most vsed the friendship of Salcius Bassus , & Anlus Persius the Satyrist , Hee marryed Polla Argentaria the daughter of Pollius Argentarius , a Noble , Rich , and learned Lady . Brought to the Court by his Vncle Seneca , he grew suddainly into great favour with Nero the Emperour . He was made Quaestor before the vsuall time , and admitted into the Colledge of Augurs . But what vertue could long be safe in such a Court ? the jealous tyrant being not able to brooke another mans praises ; who amongst all his other crueltyes , was most severe in depressing the fame of deserving Men. Nero therefore envying the Wit , and excellent Poetry of Lucan , supprest his works , and forbad him any more to recite Verses . Which indignity of all other most hard to bee endured ( as witty Martiall .

Qui velit ingenio cedere rarus erit . )

Discontenting Lucan , drew him into Pisoes conspiracy . The conspiracy detected , Lucan by Nero was commanded to dy , but liberty given him to choose his death . Who after a full feast , bad the Physitians cut his veines ; and when hee perceived through losse of blood his hands , and feete to waxe cold , and the vitall spirits forsaking the outward parts of his body , with a minde , and looke vndaunted hee recited these Veries of his owne in the third booke of his Pharialia . Scinditur auulsus , nec sicut vulnere sanguis Emicuit lextus , ruptis cadit ●n●ique venis ; Discursusque animae diversa in membra meantis Interceptus aquis ; nullius vita perempti Est tanta dimissa via . But others say he did not repeat these Verses , but those in the ninth Booke , Sanguis erant lachrymae : quaecunque foramina novit Humor , ab his largus manat cruor : ora redundant , Et patulae nares : sudor rubet : omnia plenis Membra fluunt venis : totum est pro vulnere corpus . These were his last words . Hee dyed the day before the Calends of May , in the seven and twentyeth yeare of his age , Nerva Syllanus , and Vestinius Atticus being Consuls . He was buryed at Rome in his owne most faire , and sumpteous Gardens .

To my chosen Friend , The learned Translator of LVAN , THOMAS MAY , Esquire . WHen , Rome , I reade thee in thy mighty paire , And see both climing vp the slippery staire Of Fortunes wheele by Lucan driv'n about , And the world in it , I begin to doubt , At every line some pin thereof should slacke At least , if not the generall Engine cra●ke . But when againe I vtew the parts so peiz'd , And those in number so , and measure rais'd , As neither Pompey's popularity , Caesar's ambitions , Cato's liberty , Calme Brutus tenor start ; but all along Keepe due proportion in the ample song , It makes me ravish'd with iust wonder cry What Muse , or rather God of harmony T●ught Lucan these true moodes ! replyes my sence What gods but those of arts , and eloquece ? Phoebus , and Hermes ? They whose tongue , or pen Are still th' interpreters twixt gods , and men ! But who hath them interpreted , and brought Lucans whole frame vnto vs , and so wrought , As not the smallest ioynt , or gentlest word In the great masse , or machine there is stirr'd ? The selfe same Genius ! so the worke will say . The Sunne translated , or the Sonne of May. Your true friend to Iudgement and Choise BEN. IONSON .

Vpon this vnaequall'd worke , and the Author . ROme had beene still my wonder : I had knowne Lucan , in no expression but his owne : And had , as yet coniectur'd it , a wrong , To haue prais'd Caesar in another tongue . To bring foorth One , that could but vnderstand , I thought a pride too great , for any Land , Yea , for Romes selfe . Who would be posde to tell How great she was , when she could write so well . Tell truth was neerer brought by thee : till I Found Lucan Languag'd , like my infancy . Till Rome was met in England in that State That was , at once , her greatnesse , and her fate ; So all to vs discover'd , that naught 's hid Which either she could speake , or Caesar did . Beyond which , nothing can be done by thee , Though thou hadst more of Lucan , then we see Reveal'd in this : wherein there is so much Of myracle , that I , durst doubt him , such As thou hast rendred him But that I know T is crosse to be thy friend , and Lucans foe , Whom thou hast made so much thy selfe , that we May almost striue about his Pedigree , Since Rome hath nothing left , to prooue him hert But the foule instance of his Murtherers . So neatly hast thou rob'd her of his name , That she can onely reskew't with a shame , Which may she doe ; whilst Nations reckon thee , Lucan in all , except Romes infancy . I. VAVGHAN .

LVCANS Pharsalia . The first Booke . The Argument of the first Booke . The fatall causes of this warre are showne , Enraged Caesar passes Rubicon , Invades Arim'num , where to him from Rome Curio , and both the banish'd Tribunes come With new incitements to these civill Warres . Caesar's Oration to his Souldiers , Bold Laelius protestation , which by all The rest confirmed makes the Generall Draw out from every part of France at once His now dispers'd , and wintring Legions , Rome's feare ; great Pompey with the Senate , flyes ; Heaven , ayre , and earth are fill'd with prodigies . The Prophets thence , and learned Augures show The wrath of Heaven , and Romes ensuing woe . WArres more then civill on Aemathian plaines We sing : rage licens'd ; where great Rome disdaines In her owne bowels her victorie us swords ; Where kindred hoasts encounter , all accords Of Empire broke : where arm'd to impious warre The strength of all the shaken world from farre Is met ; knowne Ensignes Ensignes doe defie , Piles (a) against Piles , 'gainst Eagles Eagles fly . What fury , Countreymen , what madnesse cou'd Moove you to feast your fo●s with Roman blood ? And choose such warres , as could no triumphs yeeld , Whilst yet proud Babylon vn or quer'd held The boasting trophaes of a Roman hoast , And vnrevenged wander'd Crassus ( b ) Ghost ? Alas , what Seas , what Lands might you haue tane , With that bloods losse , which ciuill hands haue drawne ? Yours had been Titans rising , yours his sett , The Kingdomes scorched in Meridian heate , And those , where winter , which no spring can ease , With lasting cold doth glaze the S●ythian seas ; The Seres yours , the wilde Araxis too , And those that see Niles spring , if any doe , Then 'gainst thy selfe , if warre so wicked , Rome , Thou loue , when all the world is overcome , Turne backe thy hand : thou didst not want a Foe . But now that walles of halfe fall'n houses so Hang in Italian Townes , vast stones we see Of ruin'd walles , whole houses empty be , And ancient Townes are not inhabited ; That vntill'd Italy's with weedes orespread , And the neglected Plowes want labouring hands , Not thou fierce Pyrrhus , nor the Punicke Bands This waste haue made ; no sword could reach so farre , Deepe pierce the wounds receiu'd in ciuill warre . But if no other way to Neroes raigne The ●ates could finde , if gods their Crownes obtaine , At such deare rates , and Heaven could not obey Her Ioue , but after the sterne Giants fray ; Now we complaine not , gods , mischiefe and warre Pleasing to vs ; since so rewarded , are ; Let dire Pharsalia grone with armed Hoasts , And glut with blood the Carthaginian Ghosts : With these let Munda's ( c ) fatall Battle goe , Mutina's ( d ) Siedge , Perusias ( e ) famine too : To these add Actiums ( f ) bloody Navall fight , And neere Sicilia (g) Sextus slavish Fleete . Yet much owes Rome to civill ●nmity For making thee our Prince ; when thou the sky Though late , shalt clime , & chāgethine earthly reigne , Heaven , as much grac'd , with ioy shall entertaine , And welcome thee , whether thou wouldst put on Ioues Crowne , or ride in Phoebus burning Throne , ( Earth will not feare the change ) thence maist thou shine Downe on thy World ; to thee all power divine Will yeild , and Nature to thy choise will give What god to be , or where in Heaven to liue . But neere the Northern Bea●e oh doe not reigne , Nor crosse the point of the Meridian , From whence obliquely thou shouldst Rome behold , If all thy weight one part of Heaven should hold , The Honour'd loade would bowe heavens Axletree ; Hold thou the middle of the poysed Sky : Let all the ayre betweene transparent be , And no darke Cloud twixt vs , and Caesar fly . Then let Mankinde forget all warre and strife , And every Nation loue a peacefull life . Let peace through all the world in this blest state Once more shut warre like Ianus Iron gate . Oh be my god : If thou this breast inspire , Phoebus from Cirrhaes shades I 'll not desire , Nor Nysa's Bacchus , Caesar can infuse Vertue enough into a Roman muse . The cause of these great actions I le declare , And ope a mighty worke , what drew to warre , Our furious People and the World beside ; Fates envious course , continuance still deny'd : To mighty States , who greatest falls still feare , And Rome not able her owne weight to beare . So when the knot of Nature is dissolu'de , And the worlds Ages in one houre inuolu'd In their old Chaos , Seas with Skyes shall ioyne , And Starres with Starres confounded loose their shine : The Earth no longer shall extend her shore To keepe the Ocean out : the Moone no more Follow the Sunne , but scorning her old way Crosse him , and claime the guidance of the day . The falling worlds now iarring frame no peace , No league shall hold ; great things themselues oppresse , The gods this bound to groning states haue set ; But to no Forraine armes would Fortune yet Lend her owne envy ore great Rome , that awes Both Land and Sea ; shee 's her owne ruines cause Subiected ioyntly to three (b) Lords ; how ill Prooue shared rules accords , and fatall , still ? Ambition blinded Lords , what 's th' happinesse To mixe your powers , and ioyntly th' earth possesse ? Whilest Land the Sea , and Ayre the Land shall bound , Whilest labouring Titan runnes his glorious round , And through twelue heavenly signes night follows day , No faith keepe those , that kingdomes ioyntly sway ; Rule brookes no sharers ; doe not this beleeue In forraine states , Rome can examples giue . A brothers bloud did our first walls distaine ; Nor was the spacious earth and watry maine This mischiefes price : a refuge for theeues fled . A little house this brothers hatred bred . This iarring concord lasted for a space Dissembled twixt the two : for Crassus was The warres sole let , like that small necke of land , That in the middst of two great Seas doos stand , And will not let them ioyne ; that tane away , Straight the Ioni●n meets th' Aegaean Sea : So when war parting Crass●● sadly slaine With Romane bloud did Asian Charan staine , That Parthian losse to homebred rage gaue reines ; More then you thinke you did fierce Parthians That day : our civill war your conquest wrought , And now Romes Empire by the sword is sought : That State , that mistresse ore the World did reigne , Rulde Land and Sea , yet could not two conteine . For Iulia's ( t ) de●th , whom cruell Fates before Had slaine , the pledge of their alliance bore Downe to her graue ; if Fate had spar'de her life , Her furious husband , and sterne fathers strife She had compos'de , and made their armed hands Let fall their swords , and ioyne in friendships bands : As once the Sabin women enterposde , Their sires and husbands bloody iarres composde , Thy death , faire Iulia , breakes off all accords , And giues them leaue againe to draw their swords : On both sides powerfull aemusation beares On their ambitious spirits ; great Pompey feares That his pi●aticke Laurell should giue place To conquerde France , and Caesars deeds deface His ancient triumphs ; fortunes constant grace Makes him impatient of a second place ; Nor now can Caesar a superior brooke , Nor Pompey brooke a peere ; who justlier tooke Vp armes , great Iudges differ , heaven approoues The conquering cause ; the conquerde Cato loues Nor were they aequall , one in yeares was growne , And long accustomde to a peacefull gowne Had now forgot the Souldier : Fame he bought By bounty to the people : and much sought For popular praise : his Theaters loud shout Was his delight ; new strength he sought not out , Relying on his ancient fortunes fame , And stood the shadow of a glorious name . As an old lofty Oake , that heeretofore Great Conquerors spoiles , and sacred Trophies bore , Stands firme by his owne weight , his roote now dead , And through the ayre his naked boughes does spread , And with his trunke , not leaues , a shaddow makes : He , though each blast of Easterne winde him shakes , And round about well rooted Trees doe grow , Is onely honour'd ; but in Ceasar now Remaines not onely a great Generalls name , But restlesse valour , and in wa●re a shame Not to be Conquer●ur ; fierce , not curb'd at all , Ready to fight , where hope , or anger call , His forward Sword ; confident of successe , And hold the fauour of the gods to presse : Orethrowing all that his ambition stay , And loues that ruine should enforce his way ; As lightning by the winde f●rc'd from a cloude Breakes through the wounded aire with thunder loud , Disturbes the D●y , the people terrifyes , And by a light oblique dazels our eyes , Not Ioues owne Temple spares it ; when no force , No barre an hinder his prevailing course , Great wa●e , as fo●rth it fallyes and roures , It makes and gathers his dispersed fires . These causes m●ou'd the Che●fes , and such as are In might● st●tes the common seeds of warre For since our C●ests the conquer'd world hath fill'd Too full , and vertue did to riches yeild , Since spoiles , and warrelike rapine taught vs riot , Excesse in Plate , in buildings reignes ; he dye● Of formertimes wee sco●n ; that soft attire . That Women were asham'd of , Men desire . Strength-breeding pouerty is fled , and nought But wealth from all the spoiled world is sought , The banc of States ; those Lands encreas'd they hold In th' hands of vnknowne Tenants , which of old Caemillus plow share wounded , and the hands Of th' ancient Curii till'd ; the state now stands , Not as of old , when men from auarice free Could liue in peace , and wisht but liberty . Hence quarrels grow , what pouerty esteemed A vild offence : now 's greatest honour deem'd , By Sword our Countreys power in curbe to hold : Might measures ●ight : Lawes and decrees are sold , Consuls and Tribunes iarres all right suppresse , Fasces are bought , the peoples suffrages Corruptly sought , and giuen ; hence bloody iarres Oft staine elections in the field of Ma●s : So griping Vsury growes , so faith is l●st , And ciuill warre , as gainefull , sought by most . By this time Caesar the cold Alpes orepast , In his great thoughts the future warre had cast , And now to Rubicon's small current come , He dreames the Image of affrighted Rome With countenance sad through dusky night appeares● On her towre-bearing head her hoary haires , Hung downe all torne , her armes were nak'd when she T●us sighing speakes ; oh whither carry yee , My Ensignes Souldiers : If you come as friends , As Roman Citizens , your march here ends (k) A suddaine feare straight chilles the generall veines , His haire 's with horrour rais'd , faintnesse detaines His steps vpon the banke ; then thus he pra●●s : Thou , Ioue , whose eye these Citie walles surueyes From thy Tarpeian hill : You Dei●ies , Of Troy , and Romulus hid misteries , Thou Latian Ioue worshipt on th' Alban mount , You Vestall fires , and Rome , whom I account My greatest God , blesse this attempt ; not thee , Doe I inuade : Conquerour by land and sea Thy Caesar comes , thy Souldier still : Be hee He in the fault , that caus'd this enmity Then brooking no delay , the streame showre-swell'd He marches ore ; so in a ●ibyan field A Lion viewing his sterne foe at hand , Till he collect his ire doth doubtfull stand : But straight when his Tailes swindge has made him ho● , And rais'd his shaggy M●ne , from his wide throat He roaves ; then if a Mauritanian Speare , Or Shaft haue pierc'd his side , voide of all feare , Reg●rdlesse of that wound he rushes on . Gently along flowes ruddy Rubicon From a small Spring , when Summer's in her pride , And gliding through the valley dooes divide Gallia from Italy , now Winter lent Him strength , and Cynthia her full hornes had spent In showres to rayse his fl●od , and melted snow The moist East-wind made downe the Alpes to flow . The Horse-men first are plac'd against the streame , To take the waters fury : vnder them The Foote men shelter'd , found a passage ore More calme , the current being broke before But now when Caesar had orecome the flood , And Italy's forbidden ground had trod , He●e Peace , and broken Lawes I leaue , quoth he , F●rewell all Leagues : Fortune I le follow thee No more wee le trust : Warre shall determine all : This said , by Night the actiue Generall Swifter then Parthian back-shot shaft , or stone From Balearieke Slinger , marches on T' invade Ariminum ; when every star Fled from th' approaching Sunne but Luc●fer , And that day dawn'd , that first these broiles should see , Either the moist Southwindes , or Heavens decree With pitchy Cloudes darkned the fatall day ; When now the Soldiers by command made stay I●th Market place , shrill trumpets flourisht round , And the h●●rse Hornes wicked alarums sound . With this sad noise the Peoples rest was broke , The young men rose , and from the temples tooke Their Armes , now such as long peace had marr'de . And their old bucklers now of leather's bar'de : Their blunted Piles not of a long time vs'd , And Swords with th' eatings of blacke rust abus'd . The Roman Colours , and knowne Eagles then , An Caesar in the midd'st high m●uted seene , The townesmens trembling joynts for horror faint , And to themselues they make this sad complaint : Oh ill built Citty too too neere the Gaule , Oh sadly situated place ; when all The world haue peace , we are the spoyle of warre , And first that are inua●ed : happier farre Might we haue liu'd in farthest North , or East , Or wandring tents of Scythia , then possest The edge of Italy . This towne of ours First felt the furious Gaules , and Cymbrian powers , Hither the Libyans first , and Germans come , This is wa●●es way , when Fortune threatens Rome . Thus silently they mourne , and durst not lend Their griefe a word , nor teares in publique spend . As Birds by winters raging cold are still'de , And the mid-ocean dooes no murmur yeild But when bright day dissolu'd the dampes of night , The Fates new firebrands bring , and stirre to fight Caesars yet doubting minde , leaving no pause To shame , but fortune findes him out a cause Of armes , and labours to make just his war . The factious Tribunes by the Senate are Against their sacred priviledge exil'de , And by the Graechi's ( l ) factious names revil'de . These now to Caesar came , and brought along With them bold Curio's ( m ) mercenary tongue : That tongue , that once the Peoples , boldly stood Gainst armed great ones for the publike good . Hee when he saw the Generall musing , said , While this my voice , Caesar , thy cause could aide , Wee did prorogue , though gainst the Senate's will , Thy gouernement , while Oratoryes skill Could turne the wauering Peoples hearts to thee . But since by warres rough hand Lawes silenc'd be ; Wee are exil'd , and gladly it sustaine , To be endeniz'd by thy Sword againe , Whilst their yet strengthlesse side is only scarr'de , Vse no delay : delay hurts men prepar'de , A greater price on equall danger heere Is set ; in Gallia's warre alone ten yeare , Thou hast consum'd : but here , one field well fought , Rome has the world to thy subiection brought , Now thy returne from France with victory No pompous triumph waites : no Bayes for thee , Shall deck the Capitoll ; ba●e enuy's hands Keepe back thy due : conquest of warrelike Lands , Is made a crime in thee , and Pompey's pride Excludes thy rule : nor canst thou now diuide The world ; the world thou maist possesse alone . This speech gaue fire to Caesar too too prone Before to warre ; so peoples showtes raise more A fierce Olimpicke Steed striuing before To force the Lists , and breake th' opposing barres , Straight to the Standard all his Souldiers Caesar assembling , 'middst their murmuring noise Commands a silence with his hand and voice , Fellowes in Armes , that haue endur'd with me , A thousand stormes in ten yeares victory , Haue our spent bloods in northerne Climes deseru'de This , all our wounds , so many winters seru'de Vnder the Alpes ? not more prouision Rome Would make for warre , if Hanniball had come Ouer the Alpes : Cohorts they reinforce , Forrests are fell'd for Shipping ; all the force Of Land and Sea is arm'd gainst Caesar now . What more ( had wee beene vanquisht ) would they do ? If the fierce Gaules our flying backes pursu'de , That dare now wrong vs ; when our warres conclude Successefully , and friendly Gods vs call ? Let the long peace-infeebled Generall His gownes , and new rais'd Souldiers bring along ; Vaine names the Catoes , and Marcellus tongue . Must he with Forreigne , and bought clients be Glutted with still continuing soueraignty ? Can hee triumphant Charriots mount before The Year 's appointed , ( ● ) and let goe no more Honours (o) vsurp't ? why should I now complaine Of the lawes breach , and famine (p) made for gaine ? Th' affrighted forum ( q ) with arm'd men beset , Drawne swords enuironing the Iudgement seat , When 'gainst all law , Milo for murder try'de Pompey's proude Colours clos'd on euery side ? Now lest his age , though tir'd , a priuate state Should end , by impious ciuill warre his hate He seekes to glut , scorning but to excell His Master Sylla's guilt : as Tigers fell , Whom their fierce Damme with slaughtred Cattels blood Was wont to nourish in th' Hyrcanian wood , Nere loose their fury : so thou Pompey vs'd To lick the blood that Sylla's swords effus'd Retain'st thy former thirst ; neuer againe Grow those lawes pure , that blood did once distaine . When wilt thou end thy too long tiranny , Where bound thy (r) guilt ? in this at least to thee A patterne let thy Master Sylla be To leaue off such vsurped soueraignety . After the Pirates , and tir'de Ponticke King , Whose war to end scarce Poisons (s) helpe could bring Must Caesars fall Pompey's last triumph make , Because commanded I did not forsake My conquering Army ? but if I be barr'd My labours me●de , let these haue the reward Of their long service ; let these Soldiers all Triumph , though vnder any Generall , Where shall their bloudlesse age after the Warre Finde rest ? what lands shall my old Soldiers share ? Where shall they plow ? where shall their City stand ? Are Pirates , (t) Pompey , worthier of Land ? March on victorious colours , march away , The strength that we haue made , we must employ . He giues the strongest all things , that denyes His due ; nor want we ayding Deities , Nor spoile those armes doe seeke , nor Soveraignty : But to free Rome , though bent to slauery . Thus spake he : the yet doubting Soldiers Vncertaine murmurs raise : though fierce with wars Long vse , their houshold gods their minds gan mooue , And piety : but straight the swords dire loue And feare of Caesar turnde them backe againe . Lalius the first Files leading did obtaine : For saving of a Roman Soldier Oake-crownd , and freed from duties of the war . If I may speake , Romes greatest Generall , Thy Soldiers thoughts , quoth he ; It grieues vs all , That such long patience kept thee from so just A war : or didst thou not thine army trust ? While life-bloud keepes this breathing body warme , While brandisht Darts fly from this agile arme , Wilt thou weake gownes , and Senates raigne endure ? In civill war is Conquest so impure ? Lead vs through Libyas gulfes , cold Seythian land , Lead vs ore thirsty Affrickes scorched sand . This arme the conquerde world behind to leaue Has plowde the Brittish Oceans curled waue , And broke the Rhines swift current ; thy command To doe , my will 's as ready as my hand . Hee s not my friend , gainst whom thy trumpets sound , By these thy colours , which ten Camps haue found Ever victorious , Caesar , here I sweare , And by thy triumphs , ore what foe so ere , If thou command me spill my brothers life , Kill my old Father , or my pregnant wife , I le doo 't though with a most vnwilling hand ▪ Fire Temples , rob the godds at thy command . Great Iunoes Temple in our flames shall sinke : If to encampe on Tuscan Tybers brinke , I le boldly pitch in Italy thy tent . If to dismantle townes be thy entent , These armes of mine the battering Ram shall place , Although the city , thou wouldst quite deface , Were Rome it selfe . The Souldiers all agree , And promise ●im their lifted hands on high To any war . Their shout not that can passe , Which the loud blast of Thracian Boreas On piny Ossa makes , and bowes amaine The ratling wood , or lets it rise againe . Caesar perceiving that the Fates gaue way To war , and his Men prone , fearing delay , His troopes through France dispers'd straight calling home With flying colours marches on to Rome . They leaue their tents pitcht by Lemanus (v) Lake , And those on Vogesus high Rockes forsake , Which aw'de the painted Lingones so strong , Isara's Fords they leaue , that runne so long Alone ; but in a River of more fame Falling to ' the Ocean beares an other name . The yellow Ruthens eas'de of their long feare : Milde A tax ioyes no Roman shipps to beare : And Varus Italyes encreased bound . That haven Alcides consecrated ground With Cliffes orelookes the Sea ; no Northwest winde , Nor West blow there ▪ Cirtius their proper winde Reignes there , where safe Alcides fort dooes stand . And that still doubtfull-coast , that Sea and Land Callenge by turnes : firme land it is when low The Ocean ebbes , but sea at every flow . Whither the winde strong blowing from the Pole , And then retiring , to and fro doe rowle The Sea : or that the Moone his course doe guide : Or burning Titan moist foode to provide , Attracting lift the Ocean to the sky , Seeke you that labour for such skill : for me , What ere thou be that cause this ebbe and flow , Be still conceal'd ; since heauen will haue it so . They march away that Nemasus did hold , And Adors bankes , where Tarbe does enfold In her crookt shore the sea that gently flowes . The Santoni reioyce now free'd from foes : Th' Leuci and Rhemi Archers good ; with these Bituriges , and Speare-arm'd Suessones . The dwellers neere Sequana skilfull riders . The Belgae hooke-arm'd Chariots expert guiders . Sprung from the Troian blood the Hedui , That durst claime b●otherhood of Italy . Rebellious Ne●uiars (x) stain'd with Cotta's fate ; And they that in loose Mantles imitate Sarmatia ; fierce Batauians whom to warre Crookt Trumpets call ; those that neere Cinga are ; Where Araris with Rhodanus now met Runnes ioyn'd into the Sea ; the men whose seate Is on Gebenna mount couer'd with snow . The Pictones now free their fields can plow . The fickle Turones are not restrain'd By garrison ; the Andian now disdain'd To pine in Medna's thick fogges : but goes For pleasure , where delightfull Liger flowes . Faire Genabos is freed from garrison ; Treuer is glad the warre from thence is gon : The Ligures now shorne , once like the rest . Long haird , of all the vnshorne Gaules the best : And where with offerings stayn'd of humane blood Hermes and Mars their cruell Altars stood , And Ioue that vil● as Scythian Dian's are . Then you that valiant soules , and slaine in warre Doe celebrate w●th praise that neuer dyes , You Bards securely sung your Elegyes . You Dr●ides now free'd from warre maintaine Y●ur Barbarous rites , and Sacr●fice againe . You what heauen is , and gods alone can tell , Or else alone are ignorant ; you dwell In vast , and desert woods : you teach no spirit Plutoes pale kingdome can by death inherit . They in another world informe againe : The middst twixt long liues ( if you truth maintaine ) Is death . But those wilde people happy are , In this their errour , whom feare greatest farre Of all feares iniures not , the feare of death ; Thence are they prone to warre : nor losse of breath Esteeme : nor spare a life that comes againe . They that the hair'd Cayes did conteine In their obedience , marching now to Rome , From Rhines rude bankes , and new found countrey come When Caesar's now collected strength had bred More lofty hopes ; through Italy he spred His troopes , and all the neighbouring Cities seiz'd , Then idle rumours their true feares encreas'd , And peirc'd the peoples hearts , swift fame gan show The warres approach , and their ensuing woe . Then euery tongue a false alarum yeilds : Some dare report that on the pasture fields Of faire Meuania is the warre begunne , And bloody Caesar's barbarous Cohorts runne Where Vmbrian Nar does into Tyber flow : That all his Eagles , and ioyn'd Standards now With a vast strength make furious approach : Nor doe they now suppose him to be such , As once they saw him : fiercer far then so They thinke , and savadge as his conquer'd foe : That all th' inhabitants twixt th' Alpes and Rhine Drawne from their countries and cold Northerne clime Follow : and Rome ( a Roman looking on ) By barbarous hands shall fall ; thus every one By feare giues strength to Fame : no author knowne , They feare what they suppose : but not alone The People dooes this vaine surmise deceiue : The Senate shakes ; th' affrighted Fathers leaue Their seates : and flying to the Consuls giue Directions for the war ; Where safe to liue , What place t' avoide they know not : whither ere Their suddaine wits directs their steps , they be●re Th' amazed people forth in troopes : whom nought So long had stirr'de : a man would then haue thought The city fir'd , orth'houses sudaine fall By earthquake threatned , the madd people all With hasty steppes so vnadvised runne , As if no way at all were left to shunne Their imminent , and feard destruction , But to forsake their habitation : As when rough Seaes by stormy Auster blowne From Libia's Sands , haue broke the maire mast down , Master and Marriners their Ship forsake Not torne as yet , leape into th' Sea , and make Themselues a Shipwracke : so from th' City they Fly into warre : no Sire his sonne can stay , No weeping wife her Husband can perswade : No nor their houshold gods , till they haue made Vowes for their safety ; none an eye dares cast Back on lou'd Rome , although perhaps his last . Irrevocably doe the people flye . You gods that easily giue prosperity , But not maintaine it , that great city fill'd With natiue soules , and conquer'd ; that would yeeld Mankinde a dwelling : is abandon'd now An easie prey to Caesar ; when a foe Begirts our Souldiers in a forreine Land , One little trench nights danger can withstand ; A soddaine worke rais'd out of earth endures The foes assault ; th' encamped's sleepe secures . Thou Rome , a war but noysd , art left by all , Not one nights safety trusted to thy wall . But pardon their amaze ; when Pompey flyes , 'T is time to feare ; then lest their hearts should rise With hope of future good , sad augury bodes A worse ensuing fate : the threatning gods Fill heaven , and earth , and sea with prodigies . Vnheard-of Starres by night adorne the skies : Heaven seemes to flame , and through the Welkin fire Obliquely flyes : state-changing comets dire Display to vs their bloud portending haire : Deceitfull lightnings flash in clearest ayre . Strange formed Meteors the thicke ayre had bred Like Iavelins long , like lampes more broadly spread ▪ Lightning without one cracke of thunder brings From the cold North his winged fires , and flings Them 'gainst our Capitoll : small starres , that vse Onely by night , their lustre to diffuse , Now shine in midst of day : Cynthia bright In her full orbe , like Phoe●us , at the sight Of earths blacke shades eclipses Titan hid●s , ( When moun●ed in the midd'st of heaven he rides ) In cloudes his burning Chariot , to enfold The world in darknesse quite ▪ day to beh●ld , No Nation hopes : as once backe to the East He fled at sight of sad Thyestes feast ; Fierce Vulcan opts Sicilian Aetna's throate , But to the sky her flames she belches no● , But on th' Italian shore obliquely flings ; Bloud from her bottome blacke Charibdis brings : Sadlyer barke Scyllaes doggs then they were wont : The Vestall fire goes out : on th' Alban mount Ioues sacrificing fire it selfe divides Into two parts , and rises on two sides , Like the two Theban Princes funerall fires . Earth opes her threatning jawes : th' Alpes nodding spires Shake off their snow : Thetis does highe● now Twixt Libyan Atlas , and Spaines Calpe flow . The natiue gods did weepe : Romes certaine thrall The Lares sweating shew'd : the offrings fall Downe in the Temples : and ( as we haue heard ) Nights fatall Birds in midst of day appear'd : Wilde Beasts at midnight from the deserts come , And take bold lodging in the streets of Rome . Beasts make with mens articulate voice their mon● ; Births monstrous both in limmes proportion , And number ; mothers their owne infants fear'd : Sibilla's fatall lines were sung and heard Among the people : and with bloody armes Cybel's head-shaking Priests pronounc'd their charmes , I th' peoples eares howling a balefull mone : And Ghosts from out their quiet vrnes did grone . Cl●shing of armour , and loude showtes they heare In desert groues , and threatnings Ghosts appeare . The dwellers neere without the City wall Fled : fierce Erynnis had encompast all The towne : her snaky haires , and burning brand Shaking : as when she rul'd Agau●'s hand , Or the selfe maim'd Lycurgus : such was she , Who once , when sent by Inno's cruelty , Great Hercules ( new come from Hell ) did fright : Shrill trumpets sounded , dismall ayres of night That horrid noise , that meeting armies yeild , Did then present : in midst of Mars his field Rose Sylla's ghost , and woes ensuing told : Plowmen neere Aniens streames Marius behold Rise from his sepulchre , and flye appall'd . For these things were the Tuscan Prophets call'd As custome was : the sagest of them all Dwelt in Etrurian Luna's desert wall . Aruns , that lightnings motion vnderstands , Birds flight , and entrailes op'te ▪ he first commands Those monstrous birthes , that from no seede did come , But horrid issues of a barren wombe , To be consum'd in fire : then all the towne To be encompast in procession : Th' high Priests ( whose charge it is ) he next doth vrge The City walles with hallowed rites to purge Through their whole circuit : following after these Th' inferiour Priests attir'd Gabinian wise : The Vestall Maides with their vail'd Sister come , That only may see Troy's Palladium : Then those that Sibyll's secret verses keepe , And Cybell yearely in still Almon steepe : Septemuir● that governe sacred Feasts ; The learned Augurs , and Apolloes Priests : The noble Flame● , Salius that beares On his glad neck the target of great Mars . Whilst they the towne compasse in winding tracts , Aruns the Lightnings dispers'd fire collects , And into th' ea●tn with a sad murmure flings : Then names the places , and to th' altar brings A chosen Bull : then wine betwixt his hornes He ●owres , and sprinkles ore with Salt and Corne His knife : the Bull impatient long denyes Himselfe to so abhor'd a Sacrifice . But by the guirded Sacrificers strength Hanging vpon his hornes , ore come at length Bending his knees holds forth his conquer'd necke ; Nor did pure blood come out , but poyson black Instead of blood , from the wound open'd flyes Aruns grew pale at this sad Sacrifice , And the gods wrath he in the Entrailes seekes , Whose colour scar'd him : pale they were with streakes Of blacke th' infected blood congealed showes ( Sprinkled with different palenesse ) various . The liver putrifi'de , on th' hostile side Were threatning veines : the lungs their fillets hide : A narrow line divides the vitall parts : The heart lyes still , and corrupt matter starts Through gaping clefts : no part oth'cause is hid : And that which never w●thout danger did Appeare , on th' entrailes was a double head , One head was sicke , feeble , and languished : The other quicke his pulses nimbly beates . By this when he perce●u'de what woe the Fates Prepar'de , he cri'de aloud , all that you doe O gods , I must not to the People show : Nor with this haplesse sacrifice can I Great Iupiter thy anger pacifie : The blacke infernall deities appeare In th' entrailes : woes vnspeakable we feare , But greater will ensue : you gods lend ayd● , And let no credit to our Art be had , But counted Tages fiction : thus with long Ambages darkly the old Tuscan sung . But Figul●● , whose care it was aright To know the gods and heavens : to whom for sight Of planets , and the motion of each starre , Not great Aegyptian Memphis might compare , Either no lawes direct the world , quoth he , And all the starres doe moue vncertainely ; Or if Fates rule , a swift destruction Threatens mankinde , and th' earth ; shall Cities downe By earthquakes swallow'de be ? intemperately Shall ayre grow hot ? false earth her seedes deny ? Or shall the waters poyson'de be ? what kinde Of ruine is it , gods , what mischiefes finde Your cruelties ? many dire aspects meete , If Saturne cold in midst of heaven should si● Aquarius would Deucatious flood haue bred And all the earth with waters overspred ; If Sol should mount the Nemean Lions backe , In flames would all the worlds whole fabrick cracke , And all the sky with Sol's burnt chariot blaze . These aspects ce●se ; but thou that burn'st the clawes , And fir'st the tayle of threatning Scorpion , What great thing breedst thou Mars ? milde Ioue goes downe Oppressed in his fall , and in the skyes The wholesome starre of Venus dulled is ; Mercury looses his swift motion , And fiery Mars rules in the sky alone Why doe the starres their course forsaking , glide Obscurely through the ayre ? why does the side Of sword-bearing Orion shine too bright ? Warres rage is threatned , the sword's power all right Confounds by force : impiety shall beare The name ●f Vertue , and for many a yeare This fury lasts ; it bootes vs not to craue A peace with peace a master we shall haue . Draw out the series of thy misery , O Rome , to longer yeares , now onely free From civill warre . These prodigies did scarre The multitude enough : but greater farre Ensue ; as on the top of Pindus mount The Thracian women full of Bacchus wont To raue ; so now a matron ran possest , By Phoebus vrging her inspired brest . Where am I carried now ? where leau'st thou me , Paean , already rapt aboue the Sky ? Pangaea's snowy top , Ph●lippi plaines I see : speake , Phoebus , what this fury meanes : What swords , what hands shal in Romes battels meet , What warres without a foe ? oh whither yet Am I distracted ? to that Easterne land , Where Nile discolours the blew Ocean : There , there alas I know what man it is , That on Nile's banke a trunke deformed lyes . Ore Syrtes sands , ore scorched Libya , Whether the reliques of Pharsalia Erinnis carry'd ore th' Alpes cloudy hill , And high Pyrene am I c●rried still . Then backe againe to Rome , where impious ▪ And fatall warre defiles the Senate house . The Factions rise againe ; againe I goe Ore all the world ; shew me new Kingdomes now , New Seas ; Philippi I haue seene ; this spoke The furious fit her wearied breast forsooke . FINIS Libri primi .

Annotations on the first Booke :

( a ) Romane Darts or Iavelins which their footmen vsed , about fiue foot long . If any man quarrell at the word Pile , as thinking it scarse English , I desire them to giue a better word . For , Dart or Iavelin is a wood too generall , and cannot intimate a civill warre : for darts had fought against darts , though a Roman Army had fought against barbarous , and forreigne Nations . But Pilum was a peculiar name to the Roman darts , and so meant by Lucan , which if any deny , let him read these Verses in the seventh booke of our Author ▪ — sceleris sed ●r●mine nullo Externam maculant Chalybem , stetit omne coactum Circa pila nefas . —

(b) Marcus Crassus a great , and rich Roman , ruling the Province of Syria , went with a Consular Army to the Parthian warre , and was there defeated , and slaine , together with his Sonne , and his whole Army , by Surena the Kings Generall .

(c) Nere Munda a City in Spaine , the two Sonnes of Pompey were overcome by Iulius Caesar . C●eius was slaine , and Sextus fledde , thirty thousand Pompeians were there slaine : insomuch that Caesar to besiedge the conquered , made a countermure of dead carkasses .

(d) Anton●us besiedged D. Brutus in Mutina a city of Gallia Cisalp●na : in raising which siedge , both the Consuls , Hircius and Pansa were slaine : but Augustus afterward raised it .

( e ) Perusia a city in Thuscia , whither Lucias Antonius had fledd , was by Augustus forced to yeed through Famine .

( f ) Where Augustus in a Sea-fight vanquished Antonius and Cleopatra .

( g ) A fight on the Sicilian Sea , where Sextus Pompeius had armed Slaues and bondmen against Augustus , by whom he was there defeated

( h ) These three were Crassus , Caesar , and Pompey ; who all excelling in wealth , dignity , fame , and ambition , reconciled to each other , and linked together in affinity , entred into such a league , that nothing should be done in the Common wealth , that displeased themselues , dividing among themselues , Provinces , and Armies . Pompey by his Lieutenants governed Spaine and Affrica , Caesar had his government over all Gallia prorogued for another fiue yeares ; Crassus governed all Syria

(i) Iulia a vertuous Roman Lady daughter to Caesar , and wife to Pompey the great ; who dyed vntimely for the Common-wealth , since her life might haue preserved peace betweene her husband and her father .

( k ) Beside Rubicon was a pillar raised vp , and vpon it a decree of the Senate engraven , that it should not bee lawfull for any to come armed homeward beyond that place .

(l) Quintus Cassius and Marcus Antonius Tribunes of the people , for speaking boldly in the behalfe of Caesar , were commaunded out of the Court by the two Consulls , Marcellus and Lentulus , who vpbraided them with the sedition of the Gracchi , and threatned the same ende to them vnlesse they departed ; the Tribunes escaping out of the Citty by night , in poore and base attire , fled to Caesar , and with them Curio .

( m ) This Curio had lately beene Tribune of the people , and a great enemy to Caesar ; he was beloved by the vulgar , and an excellent speaker ; but being much in debt , Caesar relieved him , and made him of his Faction .

( n ) The lawfull age to triumphin , was thirty yeares-old ; but Pompey the great had triumphed over Hiarbas King of Numidia , when hee was but foure and twenty yeares old .

(o) The Praetorship Pompey , without voyces , tooke to himselfe , being twenty three yeares olde , he was Consull alone , and had held other Honours contrary to custome .

(p) Pompey the great , that hee might beech ●sen at Rome overseer for Corne , tooke a course that none should bee brought in from other parts , insomuch as that the City endured fami●e : vpon which Clodius could say , The law was not made for the Famine , but a Famine was brought in of purpose , that such a Law might bee made .

(q) When Milo was arraigned for Clodius death , Pompey to suppresse the tumult of the people , environed the iudgement place with armed men , a thing vnlawfull to doe .

(r) Sylla 60. yeares old gaue over his Dictatorshippe , and lived privatly at Putcoli .

(s) Mithridates King of Pontus warred with the Romans forty yeares ; he was weakened , and received overthrowes from Sylla and Lucullus , and conquered by Pompey , being besiedged in a towne by his sonne Pharnaces , he could not poyson himselfe , having much vsed Antidotes , but fell vpon his sword , and dyed .

(t) Pompey the great had made a Colony of Cicilian pirats , whom he had vanquished .

(v) Lac de Lorange ; those severall townes and Countries of France , where Caesars Army lay in Garrison , and from whence they were now drawne , are heere set downe by their old ●amos ; and this little volume will not afford roome so far to enlarge my Annotations , as to set down the names as they are now called , being all changed .

(x) The most fierce people of the Belgians , where T●turius Sabinus , and Arunculus Cotta , two of Caesars Lieutenants , with fiue Cohorts were entrapped , and slaine by fraude of Ambiotix .

LVCANS Pharsalia . The Second Booke . The Argument of the second Booke . Th' author complaines that future fates are known , The sorrow of affrighted Rome is showne . An old man calls to minde the civill crimes Of Marius , and Syla's bloudy times . Brutu● with Cato does conferre ; to whom Chast Martia come from dead Hortensius Tombe Againe is married in a funerall dresse . Pompey to Capua flyes . What Fortr●sses By Caesar are surprisde ; who without fight , Puts Sylla , Scipio , Lentulus to flight , And takes Domitius at Corfinium . Pompey's Oration . From Brundusium He sends his eldest Sonne to bring from farre The Easterne Monarchs to this civill Warre . But there besiedg'd by Caesar scarse can he Scape safe away by nights obscurity . NOw the gods wrath was seene : playne signes of warre The world had given : forespeaking nature farre From her true course , tumultuous monsters made , Proclaiming woe , Oh Ioue , why dost thou adde This care to wretched men , to let them see , By direpo●tents their following misery ? Whether the worlds Creator when he did From the darke formlesse Chaos light divide , Stablisht eternall Lawes , to which he ty'de The creatures , and himselfe , and did divide The worlds set ages by vnchanged fate : Or whither ( nothing preordain'd ) the state Of mortall things chance rules : yet let that be Secret that thou entendst : let no eye see His future Fate , but hope as well as feare . When the sad City had conceiu'd how deare Heavens truth would cost the world : her generall woe , Proclaim'de a Fast : the mourning Senate goe Like the Pl●beians clad : the Consuls ware No purple Roabes : no words their griefe declare : Mute is their sorrow ; such a silent woe A dying man's amazed houshold show , Before his funerall conclamation , Before the mothers lamentation Call on the se●vants weeping ; but when she Feeles his stiffe limmes , dead lookes , and standing eye , Then t is no feare but griefe : downe she doth fall , Howling vpon him . So Romes Matrons all Leaue off their habits , and attires of grace , And in sad troopes the Altars doe embrace . One weepes before the gods ; one he● torne lockes Throwes in the sacred porch : another knocks Her breast against the ground : the god , whose eares Were vide to p●ayers , now onely howling heares : Nor to Ioues temple did they all repaire : They part the gods : no altar wants his share Of envy-making mothers : but one there Her pl●int-brusde armes , & moystned cheekes did teare Now , now , quoth she , oh mothers teare your haire , Now beat your breasts ; doe not this griefe deferre Till the last ills : while the Cheifes doubtfull are ; We may lament : when one is conquerer , We must reioyce ; thus griefe it selfe did mooue . Such just complaints against the powers aboue The Souldiers make , that to each army turne : Oh miserable men , that were not borne When Carthage warr'de , at Trebia's overthrow , Or Cannae's mortall field ; nor beg we now For peace , oh gods ; stirre each fierce Nation , Raise mighty Cities : let the world in one Conspire : let Median powers from Susae come , Nor let cold Ister hold his Scythians from This war : the Suevians from the Northren clime Let Albis send , and the rude head of Rhine : Make vs all peoples foes , so not our owne : Here let the Daci , there the Getes come on : Let one his forces against Spaine employ ; Gainst th' Easterne bowes let tothers Egles fly : Let Rome haue war with all ; or if our names You gods would ruine , let the sky to flames Dissolv'd fall downe , and quite consume our coasts ; Or thunder strike both Captaines with their hosts While they be guiltlesse , Ioue ; seeke they to try With so much mischeife who Romes Lord shall be ? 'T were scarse worth civill war that none should reigne ; Thus then did bootlesse piety complaine . But the old men mov'd with particular griefe Curse their old age , and ill prolonged life , Their yeares reserv'd againe to civill war : (a) One seeking presidents for their great feare ; Such woes , quoth he , the gods intended vs , When after (b) both his triumphs , Marius His flying head among the reedes and sedge Once hid ; the Fennes then cover'd Fortunes pledge● But taken he endur'd a prison's stinch , And his old limmes did iron shackles pinch . To dye a Consull , happy , and in Rome Before (c) hand suffered be for guilt to come , Death fled him oft , and power to shed his blood In vaine a Cimbrian . (d) had , who trembling stood : Offring a stroke , his faultring hand the sword Let fall ; his dungeon did strange light afford . Th' affrighted Cimbrian furyes seem'd to see , And heard what Marius afterward should be : Thou canst not touch this life to fate he owes Thousands of liues , ere he his owne can loose : Cease thy vaine fury : if you Cimbrians wou'd Revenge on Rome your sl●ughtred Nations blood , Saue this old man , whom their sterne will to serue Not the gods loue , but anger did preserue : A cruell and fit man , when Fate contriu'de Romes ruine : he on Libyan coasts arriu'de Wandred through empty cottages vpon Triumphed Iugurth's spoil'd dominion , And Punicke ashes troad : each others state Carthage (e) and Marius there commiserate , And both cast downe , both now the gods excus'd : But into Marius minde that ayre infusde A Libian rage ; when Fortune turn'de againe , Slaues from (f) their Lords , & prisoners from the chaine He free'de , and arm'de : no man his Ensignes bore , But who the badge of some knowne mi●chief● wore , And brought guilt to the campe : oh Fates how sad A day was that , when conquering Marius had Surpris'de the walls ? how swift flew cruell death ? Senators with Plebeians lost their breath . The sword rag'd vncontrol'de : no breast was free : The temples stainde with blood , and slippery Were the red stones with slaughter , no age then Was free , the neere spent time of aged men They hasten'de on ; nor sham'de with bloody knife To cut the Infants new span thread of life . What crime had lnfants done to merit death ? But 't was enough that they could loose their breath . Fury directs them , guilty liues to take A lone , seem'd too remisse ; for number sake Some fall ; one cutt ' off heads he does not know , Whilst empty-handed hee 's a sham'd to goe . No hope to scape , but kisse the bloud-staind ( g ) hand Of Marius ; though a thousand swords did stand Ready , base People , did you not disdaine At such a price a life , though long , to gaine , Much lesse a time so short , so troublesome , And breath but respited till Sylla come ? Who now has time to waile Plebejan fates ? Scarce can we thine , braue Babim , ( h ) whom the hates Of the fierce multitude in pieces tore : Nor thine Antonius ( i ) that thy death before Couldst prophesie , whose gray-head bleeding yet On Marius table the rude Souldier sett . Torne are the headlesse Crassi , ( k ) impious wood Is stain'd with sacred Tribunitiall (l) blood . Thou Scavola ( m ) that didst a kisse disdaine Of Marius hand , at Vestaes Altar slaine , And never quenched fires ; but ages drought Left thee not so much blood ; as would put cut The flame . His seventh (n) Consulship now come , Old Marius dies : a man , that had orecome Fortunes worst hate , and her best loue enjoy'de , And tasted all that Fates for man provide . How many neere the Colline port were kill'd , How many Carcasses on heapes were pil'de At Sacriportum ? (o) where almost her seate Had the worlds E●pire chang'd , and S●mnis yet Hop'd deeper farre to wound the Roman name , Then at the Caudine (p) Forkes ; then Sylla came With a revenge more bloody : His sword reft Rome of that little blood before was left , Whilst cutting off ( cruell Chirurgian ) Th' affected parts , too farre his lancing hand Followes the sore ; first guilty men are slaine , At last when none but guilty could remayne Their hates take greater freedome ; forth they breake Without the curbe of any law ; they wreake Their private angers now : for Sylla's sake All is not done : for every one fulfills Their owne blood thirsty , and revengefull wills Pretending his command ; with impious steele Servants their masters , sonnes their fathers kill ; Which sonne shall be the parricide by strife They seeke : a brother sels a brothers life . Some hide themselues in tombes : liue men remaine Among the dead : beasts dennes can scarse containe The flying multitude ; one strangled dyes By his owne hand ; one from a precipice Dyes broken with the fall , preventing so The tyranny of his insulting foe . His funerall pyle one making , ere he dyes Leapes in , and whilest he may , those rites enjoyes . Great Captaines heads born throgh the streets on spears Are pil'de vp in the Market ; there appeares Each secret murder ; not so many heads In stables of the tyrant Diomed's Thrace saw ; nor Lybia on Antaeus wall , Nor mourning Greece in Oenomaus hall . Limmes putrifi'de , which all knowne markes had left Worne out by eating time , by fearefull theft The wretched parents take , and beare away : My selfe ( I still remember that sad day ) Desirous those forbidden rites to do To my slaine brothers head , searcht to and fro The carkasses of Sylla's peace , to see What trunke 'mongst all , would with that head agree . What neede I tell how Catulus was paide With blood , how Marius a sad offring made And wretched sacrifice before the tombe Of his perchance vnwilling foe did come . His ( q ) mangled joynts , as many wounds as limmes We saw : yet no wound deadly given him Through his spoyl'd body , an example rare Of cruelty , a dying life to spare . His hands chopt off , his tongue cut out as yet Wagg'de , and the ayre did with dumbe motions beat : One slits his nostrils , one cuts off his eares ; His eyes out last of all another teares , Left in till then his mangled limmes to see , A thing past credit , one poore man should be The subject of so many cruelties . A lumpe deform'd his mangled body lyes So strangely slaughter'd , not disfigur'de more Floates a torne shipwrackt carkasse to the shore From the mid-Sea . The fruit of all your toile Why doe you loose , and Marius face so spoile , That none can now discerne him ; 't were more neede Silla should know him to applaud the deed . (r) Praneste's fortune saw her men all dye In one death's space , the flowre of ( s ) Italy , The onely youth of Latium sadly slaine Did wretched Romes Ovilia distaine . So m●ny men to cruell death at once Oft Earthquakes , Shipwrackes , or infections Of Aire or Earth , Famine , or Warre hath sent : Never before a doome of punishment The souldiers throng'de could scarcely weild at all Their killing hands , the slaine could hardly fall Supported so ; but number did oppresse The dying people , and dead carcasses Encreasde the slaughter , falling heavily On living bodies ; his strange cruelty Secure and fearelesse Sylla from aboue Beheld ▪ nor could so many thousands mooue His heart , by him commanded all to dye . I' th' Tyrthene gulfe their pil'de vp bodies lye . The first throwne in vnder the water lay , The last on bodies ; strongest ships they stay , And Tiber parted by that fatall bay Sends one part to the Sea ; carkasses stay The other ; till the violent streame of blood Enforc'd the waters course to Tibers flood . Nor can the bankes the River now containe ▪ But ore the fields the bodies floate againe Rowling at last into the Tyrrhene maine , On the blew waues it sets a purple staine . For this did Silla merit to be stil'de Happy , and (t) saviour , and in Mars his field To be interr'de ? but these blacke mischiefes are To be endurd againe ; this cruell war Will the same order , and conclusion take , But feares more horrid suppositions make , And in this war mankind shall suffer more . The exil'de Maris sought but to restore Themselues againe ; and Sylla's victories Sought but the ruine of his enemies . Their aymes are higher ; both long powerfull take Vp armes ; and neither civill war would make To doe as Sylla did . Thus wayles old age , Remembring past , and fearing future rage . This terror strooke not noble Brutus heart , Nor in this frightfull stir was he a part Of the lamenters ; but at midnight he ( When now her waine Parrhasian Helice Turn'de ) at his unkle Catoes no large house Knockes ; him he findes waking and anxious , For Rome , and the whole State a fearefull man , Not for himselfe ; when Brutus thus began . Banisht , and flying vertue 's onely hold , And refuge , which no storme of fortune could Ere reaue thee off ? guide thou this wavering heart , And to my thoughts a certaine strength impart At Caesars side , or Pompeye's others stand , Ore Brutus none but Cato shall command . Wilt thou keepe peace , and in this doubtfull age Vnshaken stand ? or mingling with the rage Of the mad rout , this civill war approue ? Others to this sad war bad causes mooue : One his stain'd house in peace , and feare of Lawes , Another fights for want , mingling that cause With the worlds wracke ; blind fury leades on none ▪ All drawne with gainefull hopes ; but thee alone The war it selfe affects ▪ What bootes it thee T' haue beene so long from the times vices free ? This onely meede of thy long vertue take , The warres find others guilty , thee they make . But let not wicked war haue power t' employ These hands , O gods , let not thy lavelin flye 'Mongst others in a thicke skie darkning cloude : Let not such vertue be in vaine bestowde . The warres whole chance will cast it selfe on thee . Who would not dye vpon that sword , and be Cato's offence , though slaine by another hand ? Thou might'st alone , and quiet better stand , As starres in heaven still vnshaken are , When lightnings , stormes and tempest rend the ayre , Nearer to earth : Windes rage , and Thunders spight ▪ Plaine grounds must suffer ; when Olympus height Plac'd by the gods aboue the cloudes , ●s free ; Small things jarres vexe , the great ones quiet be ▪ 'T will glad proud Caesar , in this war , to heare So great a Citizen has deign'de t' appeare : Nor will it grieue him that great Pompeye's side Is chose , not his ; 't will be enough his pride That Cato has approu'd of civill war . Romes Senate , and both Consuls armed are Vnder a private man , and many moe Of note and worth , to these adde Cato too Vnder command of Pompey , none liues free In all the world but Caesar ; but if we Doe for our countreyes , Lawes , and freedome goe To war ; then Brutu● is not ●aesars foe , Nor Pompeys , but the Conquerours , who ere : Thus Brutus spake ; when for an inside cleare These sacred words drew Cato ; We confesse , Brutus , that civill war's great wickednesse : But where the Fates will leade , vertue shall goe Securely on ; to make me guilty now Shall be the gods owne crime , who would endure To see the world dissolue , himselfe secure ? Who could look on , when heaven should fal , earth faile , And the con●usde world perish , and not waile ? Shall vnknowne Nations in our Roman war Engage themselues ? and forreine Kings from far Crossing the Seas ? and shall I rest alone ? Farre be it , gods , the Daci , and Getes should mone Their losses in Rome's fall , and Cato lie Secure : as parents , when their children die , In person mourne , build vp with their owne hands The funerall pyle , and light the fatall brands ; I will not leaue thee , Rome , till I embrace Thy hearse , and liberty , thy dying face , And fleeting Ghost with honour doe attend . So let it goe ; let th' angry gods intend A compleate Romane sacrifice ; no blouds Will we defraud the war of ; would the gods Of heaven , and Ereb●● would now strike dead For all our crimes this one condemned head . Devoted Decius by his foes could fall : Me let both Roman hosts assault , and all Rhines barbarous troupes ; let me i' th midst receiue All darts , all wounds , that this sad war can giue . Let me redeeme the people : let my Fate What ere Romes manners merit , expiate , Why should the easily conquer'd people die , That can endure a Lord ? Strike onely me , Me with all swords , and Piles , that all in vaine Our wronged lawes , and liberties maintaine : This throate shall peace to Italy obtaine . After my death he that desires to raigne , Need not make war : but now let 's follow all The common Ensignes , Pompey generall . Though he orecome , 't is not yet knowne that he Meanes to himselfe the worlds sole Monarchy . I le helpe him conquer , lest he should suppose He conquers for himselfe . From this arose Young Brutus courage : this graue speech too farre Made the young man in loue with civill war . Now Phoebus driving the cold darke away , They heard a noyse at doore ; (v) chast Martiae Come from Hortensius tombe , stood knocking there : Once given a Mayd in marriage happier : But when the fruit , and price of wedlocke she Three births had payd : another Family To fill , was fruitfull Martia lent a Bridle , To joyne two houses by the Mothers side . Now w●en Hortensius ashes vined rest , She in her funerall robes , beating her breast With often strokes and tearing her loose haire , Sprinkled with ashes from the Sepulchre , To please sowre Cato , with a gesture sad Thus speakes : Whilst blood , & childing strength I had , Cato , I did thy will , two husbands tooke : Now worne away , and with oft travell ●roke I come , no more to part : grant now our old Wedlocks vntasted rites : grant me to hold The empty name of wife , and on my Tombe Write Cato's Martia , lest in time to come It may be ask'de whether I left the bed Of my first Lord bestow'de or banished . Nor c●me I now prosperity to share , But to partake thy labours , and sad care . Let me attend the Campe ; leaue me not heere In peace , Cornelia to the war so neere . These speaches mou'd the man ; though these times are Vnfit for Hymen , when Fate cals to war , Without vaine pompe to tye a nuptiall knot In the gods presence , he refuses not . No garlands on the marriage doores were worne ▪ Nor linnen fillets did the posts adorne : No bridall Tapers shone : no bed on high With Ivory steps , and gold embrodery : No Matron in a towred crowne , that led The Bride , forbid her on the threshold tread : No yellow veile cover'd her face , to hide The fearefull blushes of a modest Bride : No precious girdle guirded her loose Gowne : No Chaine adornd her necke ; nor lin●en downe From off her shoulders her nak'de armes orespred ; So as she was , funerall habited , Even like her Sonnes , her Husband she embrac'de , A funerall robe aboue her purple plac'de . The vsuall Iests were sparde : the husband wants , After the Sabine vse , his marriage tants . None of their kindred met ; the knot they tye Silent : content with Brutus auspicy . His ore-growne haire he from that sacred face Shaues not , nor will in his sad lookes embrace One joy ( since first that wicked war begun He lets his vnshorne hoary lockes fall downe Ore his rough front , and a sad beard to hide His cheekes ▪ for he alone from factions free'd , Or hate , had leasure for mankinde to weepe ) Nor in his bridall bed would Cato sleepe , Even lawfull loue could continence reject . These were his manners , this sowre Cato's sect , To keepe a meane , hold fast the end , and make Nature his guide , dye for his Countreys sake . For all the world , not him , his life was lent He thinks ; his feasts but hungers banishment ; His choisest buildings were but fence for cold : His best attire rough gownes , such as of old Was Roman weare ; and nothing but desire Of progeny in him warm'd Venus sire : Father , and husband both to Rome was he , Servant to justice , and strict honesty : For th' publike good , in none of Catoes acts Creepes selfe borne pleasure , or her share exacts Now with his fearefull troopes Pompey the great To Trojan Capua fled , mean't there to seate The war : his scatter'd strength there to vnite , And his aspiring foes assaults to meete . Where Apenine rais'd somewhat higher fills The midd'st of Italy with shady hills ? Then which no part of earth dooes swell more high In any place , nor neerer meetes the sky . The mountaine twixt two seas extended stands Th' vpper , and lower sea : on the right hand Is Pisae seated on the Tyrrhene shore : Ancona on the left vex'd evermore With stormes and windes that from Dalmatia blow . Heere from vast foun●aines doe great rivers flow , And into th' double seas divorce doe slide In severall channells ; downe on the left side Metaurus swift , and strong Crustumium flow , Isapis ioyn'd t'Isaurus , Sonna too And Aufidus the Adriaticke beates : Eridanus , then which no river gets More ground ; whole forrests rowles into the sea Oreturn'd : and robs of rivers Italy . They say that Poplars on this rivers side First grew , when Phaeton amisse did guide The day ; his wandring Chariot burnt the skie , And scorcht the earth : all rivers then were drye But this ; whose streames did Phoebus fires withstand , Not lesse then Nile , if on playne Libyan sand It flow'd like Nile : not lesse then Ister 't were , Vnlesse that Ister running every where The streames that fall into all seas , does meet , And not alone the Scythian Ocean greet From springs , that downe the hils right side doe flow ; Rutuba , Tyber , swift Vulturnus grow : Night-ayre infecting Sarnus , Liris too Runnes , strength'ned by the Vestine rivers , through Maricars wooddy lands : Siler that glides Through Salerne's fields ; Macra whose Ford abides No ships , into the sea neere Luna fall . The hill ( where he in length extended all Meeting the b●nding Alpes France oversees ) Tot● ' Vmbrians , Marsians , and Sabellians is Fer●ile , and does with wooddy armes embrace The people of the ancient Latine race : Nor leaues he Italy , before he end In the Scyllaean cavernes , and extend Vnto Lacinian Iuno's house his hill . Longer he was then Italy , vntill The s●a divided him , and water forc'd The land ; then when two meeting seas divorc'd What was conjoyn'd , part of the hill the sea Gaue to Pelorus in Sicilia . Caesar now mad of war loues not to finde , But make his way by blood , nor is his minde Ioy'd that in Italy he sees no foes , No Countreys guarded from him , meetes no blowes : But counts his journey lost ; desires to breake Not open gates , and loues his march to make By fire and sword , not sufferance ; thinkes it shame To tread permitted paths , and beare the name Of Citizen The Italian Cities are Doubtfull which way to leane ; and though when warre Makes her first fear'd approach , all easily Will yeeld : with Bulwarkes yet they fortify Their walls , dig trenches round about below : Vast stones and weapons from aboue to throw They get , and engines on their walles provide . The People most encline to Pompey's side : But faith with terrour fights : so when we see The South-windes horrid blastes possesse the sea . The waues all follow him , till by the stroke Of Aeolu● his Sp●are , the open'd Rocke To the rough seas lets out the Fasterne winde : They still retaine , though new assaults they finde , The old , though th' Eastwind th' aire with darke stormes fill , The Ocean d●es the Southwind challenge still . But peoples minds feare changes easily , And Fortune swayes their wavering loyaltie . By Libo's flight Etruria's naked left , And Vmbria , Thermus ( y ) gone , of freedome rest : Sylla farre differing from his fathers fame In civill war , flyes hearing Caesars name . Varus , ( z ) before the first assault forsakes Auximum's walles , and flight disorder'd takes Ore rockes and desarts : Le●tuius ( a ) is beate From As●ulum : the foes pursuing get His men ; that now alone the Captaine flies With empty Standards rest of Companies . Thou Scipio , ( b ) leau'st the trust committed thee Luceria's Fort , though in thy Campe there be The valiantst Youth , whom feare of Parthian war From Caesar tooke , whom Pompey to repaire His French losse , lent him ; and while he thought good Bestow'd on Caesar th' vse of Romane blood . But faire Corfinium's well fenc'd walls containe Thee , slout Domitius : ( c ) in thy Campe remaine , Those that arraigned Milo did inclose . He when a cloude of dust from far arose , And on bright Armes the Sunne reflecting shone , And glittering swords , cries , run my Souldiers , run Downe to the river , drowne the bridge , and thou Encreas'd from all thy empti'd fountaines now Rise swelling streame : breake downe and beate away This scatter'd bridge : there let the war now stay : Let thy bankes make our furious enemy Linger a while : wee le count it victory That Caesar first staies here . This said , in vaine He sends swift Cohorts from the towne amaine . For Caesar first , when from the fields he spy'de . His passage lost by bridge , enraged cry'de , Cannot your walles , base cowards , shelter you Enough , but that the fields and rivers too Must helpe ? I le passe , through Ganges in my way Rowl'd all his strength : no streame shall Caesar stay Since Rubicon is past ; goe winged Horse , Second bold foote , the bridge now falling force . Thus spake he : foorth the winged Horse-men ride , And like a storme of Haile on tother side The water , their well brandisht Iavelins light : Caesar then takes the river , puts to flight The Souldiers all that were in station To guard the banke , and safe before the towne Is come : when straight vp lofty workes are throwne , And Engines rais'd the walles to batter downe . When lo ( oh shame of war ) opening the gate The Souldiers brought their Captaine bound , and at The feet of his proud Foe present : but he With lookes not shaming high Nobility Offers his throate vndaunted : Caesar sees Death 's sought ▪ and mercy fear'd , then thus replies , Liue , though thou wouldst not , by our bounty liue , Enjoy this light , and to the conquer'de giue Good hope : th' example of our clemency Be thou : or else againe warres fortunes trie : Naught for this pardon Caesar from thy hands Expects , if thou orecome : with that commands T'vnbinde him : had his death the Conquerour pleas'd ▪ How much a Romans blush had fortune easde . For following Romes , the Senates , Pompey's armes , Pardon t' a Roman was the worst of harmes . He yet vnfear'd , his anger doth retaine , Speakes thus t 'himselfe : Wilt thou , base man , againe See Rome , or seeke peacefull retirements ? No , Rather into warres fury dying goe , Rush boldly through the midst , sure ende to make , Of this loath'de life , and Caesars gift forsake . Pompey , not knowing he was tane , provides Forces , to strengthen with joyn'd power his side ; Meaning his Campe next morning to remoue , The Souldiers spirits before their march to proue , He thus with a majesticke voice bespake His silent troopes ; guilt-punishers , that take The better side , you truely Roman band , Arm'de by the State , no private mans command , Feare not to fight : Italy's wasted all By barbarous troopes : throgh the cold Alpes the Gaule Is broken loose : blood has already dy'de Caesars polluted swords : the gods provide Well that the mischiefe there begins , and we First suffer wrong ; oh n●w let Rome by me Take punishment : nor can you call it here True war , but ouer revenging countrye's ire : Nor is this more a war , then that wherein Nak'de-arm'de Cethegus , and fierce Catiline Meant to fire Rome , Lentulus , and their mates ▪ Oh madnesse to be pittyed ▪ when the Fates Would with Camillus , and Metellus joyne Thee Caesar , thou to Marius shouldst encline , And Ci●●a ; fall thou shalt , as Lepidus Fell vnder Gatulus , Carbe by vs Beneaded then , that in Sicilia lyes , And he that made the Spaniards fierce to rise Banisht Se●to●i●● : though I grudge with those Thou Caesar should be plac'd : and Rome oppose My armes 'gainst thee Would from the Parthian war Crassus had safe return'd , and conquerer : That thou in such a cause as Spartacus Mightst fall : but if the gods intend to vs Thou shalt one title adde : this arme a dart Can ably brandish yet : about this heart The blood is hote ; know then not all that loue To liue in peace , in war will cowards proue : Nor let my age affright you , though he call Me worne , and weake : let an old Generall Be in this campe ; in that old souldiers be . I haue attain'd what ere a people free Can giue , and nothing but Monarchie About me left : he that in Rome would be Greater then I , no private state demands . Heere both Romes Consuls , heere her Senate stands Shall Caesar then subdue the Senate ? sure Th' art not quite shamelesse fortune , to endure Things should so blindly turne Does rebell France So long a taming , and those wartes advance His thoughts so high ? because from Germany He fled ; and calling a small streame a sea On the sought Brittaines turn'd his flying backe ? Or swells he cause all Rome , though arm'd , forsake The Citie , hearing his fierce troops are nigh ? Ah foole they flie not thee , all follow me . My glorious Ensignes on the Ocean borne . Ere Cynthia twice had fill'd her waned hornes , All Pirats fled the seas , and at my hand Humbly crav'd dwellings in a narrow Land . I that stout King , that stayd Romes growth , did force Flying along the Scythian seas divorce , ( Which Sylla ne'r could bring to passe ) to dye By his owne hand : no land from me is free : My Trophees all that Titan sees possesse . Going from thence Ph●sis cold river sees Me conquerour in the North : in the hote Zone Knowne Aegypt , and Syene , that at noone No shadow spreads : my lawes the West obeyes , Baetis , that meets the fa●thest Westerne seas ▪ Me tam'd Arabia knowes , th' Aenio he bold , And Colchos fam'd for her sto●ne fleece of gold The Cappadorians from my Colours flie , And lewes that serue an vnknowne Deitie : Me soft Sophene feares , th' Armenians , Taurus , and the subdu'd Cilicians : What warres for him , but civill , doe I leaue ? These words his souldiers with no shout receiue , Nor are they eager of the fight : their feares . Great Pompey sees , and backe his Standard beares , Loath in so great a war to venture men Orecome with same of Caesar yet not seene . As a Bull beat in the first fight he tries , Through th' empty fields , and desart forrests flies Exil'd , and tries 'gainst ev'ry tree his hornes , Nor till his strength be perfited , returnes To pasture , then recovering his command , Maugure the Heardsman , leads them to what land He lift : so now as weakest , Italy Dooes Pompey leaue , and through Apuli● fly , Himselfe immuring in Brundufirm's hold , A towne by Cretan colonies of old Possest , that in th' Athenian nauy fled , When lying sailes reported Theseus dead . Hence Italy's now straightned coast extends Her selfe in forme of a thin tongue , and bends Her hornes t' inclose the Adriaticke sea : Nor yet could these straight shut vp waters be A haven , if high cliffes winds violence Did not restraine , and the tir'd waters fence On both sides , Nature , the windes tyranny To stop high cliffes opposes to the sea ; That ships by trembling cables held may stand . Hence all the Maine lyes ope , if to thy land We saile Corcyra , or our courses bend On the left hand , where Epidamnus tends To the Ionian ; thither Saylers flye When th' Adrian's rough , and cloudes obscure the high Ceraunian mountaines , and with violent dash The foaming seas Calabrian Sason wash . When of forsaken Italy there was No hope at all , nor that the war could passe Into the Spanish coast , for twixt that land The lofty Alpes did interposed stand . Thus th' eldest of his noble progeny Pompey bespake ; the worlds far Regions try Nile and Euphrates , wheresoere my name Is spread : and all the Cities where Romes fame I haue advaunc'd ; bring backe vnto the seas The now dispers'd Cicilian colonies . The strength Pharnaces holds I charge thee bring : Arme my Tigranes , and th' Aegyptian King . Those that inhabit both Armenia's ore , And the fierce nation by the Euxine Shore : Riphaean bands , and those , where Scythian carres On his slow back congeal'd Maeotis beares . Why speake I more ? through all the East my Sonne Carry this war ; through every conquer'd towne I' th' world : to vs all triumph'd regions joyne . But you , whose names the Latian feasts doe signe , To Epire saile with the first Northeast winde , Through Greece and Macedon new strength to finde While winter giues vs respite from the war . To his commands they all obedient are , And from th' Italian shore their anchors weigh , Caesar impatient of warres long delay , Or rest , lest changing fates might ought withstand , His flying Sonne in law pursues at hand . So many townes at first assault surpriz'de , And Forts disarmed others had suffic'de : Rome the worlds head , warres greatest booty , left A prey ; but Caesar in all actions swift , Thinking nought done , whilst ought vndone remain'd , Feircely pursues , and though he haue obtain'de All Italy , and that great Pompey liues In th' vtmost edge , that both are there , he grieues : Nor would he let his foes passe foorth againe By Sea , but seekes to stop the watry maine , And with vast hills damme vp the Ocean : But this great labour is bestow'de in vaine : The Sea those mountaines swallowes , mixing all With sands below ; so if high Erix fall Into the midst of the Aegaean Sea , No land aboue the water seene can be ; Or if the lofty Gaurus quite torne downe Were to the bottome of Avernus throwne . But when no earth throwne in would firmely stand , Then with a bridge of fastned ships the Land He joynes ; each Galley doe foure anchors stay : Once ore the Sea proud Xerxes such a way Made by report : when ioyn'd by bridge he saw Sestos t' Abydos , Europe t' Asia ; And fearing not th' Eastwinde , nor Wests affront Walk'd ore the curled backe of Hellespont , When ships their sayles round about Athos spread ; So now this Haven's mouth Ships straightened , On which their Bulwarkes vp apace they raise , And lofty towers stand trembling on the seas . When Pompey saw that a new land orespread The ocean's face : care in his brest is bred To ope the sea , and carry foorth the warre . Fill'd sailes , and stretching shrowds the Ships oft bare Against these works , breaking them downe made roome Into the Sea for other ships to come ▪ Oft well driven engines lighten'd the darke night With flying fires . When time for their stolne flight Was come : he warnes his men , no Sailers noyse Might on the shore be heard : nor trumpets voice Divide the houres : nor cornets sound at all The marriners should to their charges call . Now neere her end Virgo began to be ; And Libra followes his first day to see . The silent fleete departs : the anchors made No noise , when from thicke sands their hookes are weigh'd Silent , while they the sayle-yard bow , and reare The maine-mast vp the fearefull masters are : The Saylers softly spread their sailes , nor dare Shake their strong shrowds within the whizzing aire . The Generall makes his prayer , Fortune , to thee To giue him leaue t' abandon Italy , Since thou 'lt not let him keepe it ; but alas The Fates will scarce grant that : the waters flash , And furrow'd with so many keeles at once The st●mme beat sea with a vast murmur grones . The foes let in by gates , and vp the wall ( Which faith by Fortune turn'd had open'd all ) Along the havens stagge-like Hornes they runne Swiftly to shore , griev'd that the fleete was gon . Is Pompey's flight so small a victory ? A straighter passage let him out to sea , Then where th' Eubaean channell Chaleis beates . Here stuck two shipps , which fast the engine gets . In fight , and neere the shore the skirmish tri'de : Heere first the Sea with civill blood was dy'de . The Fleet escap'd of those two ships bereft : So when Thessalia Iasons Argo left For Colchos bound , Cyanean Isles at sea Shot foorth ; the tayle-maim'd Ship escap'd away Amidst the rockes : in vaine the Ilands beat The empty sea : she comes a sayler yet ▪ Now that the Sunne was neere the Easterne skie Declar'd , palefac'd before his rosie dye : The Plejades grow dimme : each neerer star Looses his light : Bootes lazy carre Turnes to the plaine complexion of the skies , And Lucifer , the great starres darkned , flies From the hot day : and now wert thou at sea Pompey , not with such Fate , as when from thee The fearefull Pirats through all seas retir'd : Fortune revolts with thy oft triumphs tyr'd : Now with thy Countrey , Houshold gods , thy Sonne , And Wife , art thou a mighty exile gone . A place for thy sad death is sought afar , Not that the gods enuy thee Sepulcher At home ; but damn'd is Aegypt to that crime , And Latium spar'd : that Fates in forreine clime May hide this mischiefe , and the Romane land Cleare from the blood of her deare Pompey stand . FINIS Libri secundi .

Annotations on the second Booke :

( a ) An old man to expresse the present calamity , repeats the whole course of the civill war , betweene Mariu● and Sylla , as it followes in this discourse .

(b) Marius had twice triumphed , once over Iugurtha King of Numidia , and afterward over the Cimbrians and Teutones ; but afterwards envying the honour of Sylla , to whose hands Bocchas King of Mauritania had delivered Iugurtha , and endeavouring by the ayde of Sulpitius Tribune of the People to hinder Sylla from his expedition against Mithridates King of Pontus , bed incensed Sylla being then warring in Campania , so farre , that Sylla brought his Army to Rome , and entring the Citie , subduing his adversaries , got them to be iudged enemies by the Senates decree , and banished the citty ; Marius escaping by flight , hid himselfe in the Fennes neere Minturna ; but being there taken , he was put in a dungeon at Minturna .

(c) Marius suffered before hand at Minturna for those cruelties , which he afterwards acted at Rome , when he returned , and was Consull the seventh time .

( d ) The executioner of Minturnae being a Cymbrian , entering the darke dungeon to kill Marius , saw fire sparkling , out of Marius his eyes , and heard a voyce saying , darest then kill Carus Marius ? at which the Cymbrian affrighted fled away , and the men of Minturnae mooved with pitty , and reverence of the man , that once had saved Italy , released C. Marius , and let him goe

(e) Marius escaped from Minturnae , tooke flight by obscure passages toward the Sea , and getting into a ship , a tempest arising , was cast vpon the ●●anas c●lled Meninges , where he receiv●d some companions , and heard that his Sonne , with Cethegus were ●otten safe into Affrick , to Hy●mpsall ; he then sayed to the coast of Cartha●e , but being forbidden by the Lictor of Sextilius the Prator , to set foot in Affrick ; Gee tell thy Praetor , quoth he , that thou hast seene Ca●us Marius sitting in the ruines of Carthage : not vnfitly comparing the ruin'de estate of that great City to his owne now decayed fortunes .

( f ) When Caius Cinna the Consull appealed to the people , for restering those banished men , whom the Senate at request of Sylla had iudged enemies : a great contention arising , Cinna was expelled the City , by his colleague Cneius Octavius and flying , sollicited the cities of Italy to war ▪ he armed slaues and prisoners , and ioyning himselfe to Marius returning , they entred Rome in a fourefold army , Cinna , Marius , Carbo , Sert●rius , And tyrannized over their Adversaries .

(g) Marius had given this token to his Souldiers , that they should kill all , whom he did not resolute , and offer his hand to kisse .

(h) Baebius was torne in pieces by the Souldiers .

(i) Marcus Antonius an excellent Orator , that by his eloquence made the Murtherers relent : at last his head being cut off , Anius the Tribune brought it to Marius , as he was at supper , who handling it a while , and scoffing at it , commanded it to be nayled to the Rostra .

(k) Fimbria a cruell Souldier of Marius killed the two Crassi , Father and Sonne , in each others sight .

( l ) That place of the prison , from whence offenders vsed to he cast downe headlong , was stained with the bloud of Licinius the Tribune , whose Office was sacred .

(m) Mucius Scaevola the high Priest , an old man , embracing the Altar of Vesta , was there slaine

(n) C. Marius entring his seventh Consulship , within thirteene dayes after dyed mad of a disease in his side , being 70. yeeres old , having tasted the extremities of prosperity , and adversity .

( o ) At Sacriportum , not far from Praeneste , Sylla overcame Caius Marius the Sonne of old C. Marius , who fled to Praneste ; Sylla sent Lucretius O●●lia to besieage him there ; but Marius offering to escape through a Min● vnder ground , and being discovered there killed himselfe ; Sylla then not ten furlong● from Porta Collina overthew Lamponius , and Telesinus , two Captaines of the Samnites , who came to raise Ofellas siedge . At these two places Sylla flew aboue seventy thousand men .

(p) Marius had promised the Samnites , who had been of his party , that he would translate the seat of the Empire from Rome to them , who now conceived a hope of subiecting the Romans mere then once they did ad Furcas Caudinas where the Romans vnder the conduct of Titus Veturius , and Spurius Posthumius received a disgracefull overthrow .

(q) Quintus Luctatius Catulus , which had been Colleague with C. Marius , and triumphed with him over the Cimbrians , hearing that Marius was determined to put him to death , entring his chamber , voluntarily choaked himselfe . In revenge of which , his brother Catulus obtained of Sylla , that Marius the brother of C. Marius might he delivered into his hands , who sacrificed him at his brothers Tombe , and wounding his armes , thighes , and legs , he cut off his nose , and eares , cut out his tongue , and digged out his eyes , letting him so liue awhile that he might die in paine of every limme .

(r) Lucretius Offella by Sylla's command and having taken Praneste , had killed , or cast in Prison all the Senators , that he found there of Marius faction : but Sylla comming thither , commaunded fiue thousand and men of Praeneste , who in hope of mercy had cast away their armes , and prostrated themselues vpon the ground , to be all slaine .

(f) Sylla commanded foure whole Legions , which had beene of his Enemies side , among whom were many Samnites , to be all killed at one time in the field of Mars .

(t) Sylla called himselfe Felix : he named his Sonne Faustus , and his Daughter Fausta ; leaving his Dictatorship , he lived privately at Puteoli , where be dyed eaten with Lice , his Funeralls were kept with great honour in the field of Mars .

(v) Martia being a virgin was married to Cato , by whom she had three children ; and then his friend Hortensius desiring to haue her , and wanting children , Cato bestowed her vpon him , being the● great with childe : after Hortensius his death she returned thus to Cato .

(x) Cornelia the daughter of Lucius Scipio , and widdow of Publius Crassus , was married to Pompey after Iuliaes death .

( y ) At the fame of Caesars approach , the Governors through Italy all fled , not daring to withstand him , or maintaine any Forts against him ; many of those are here named : First Scribonius Libo leaues his charge at Hetruria , and Thermus forsakes Vmbria : Faustus Sylla , son to Sylla the Dictator , wanting his Fathers spirit , and fortune in civill war , fled at the name of Caesar .

(z) Atius Varus , when hee perceived that the chiefe Citizens of Auximum favoured Caesar , tooke his Garison from thence , and fled .

(a) Lentulus Spinther with ten cohorts , kept the Towne of Asculum who hearing of Caesars comming , fled away , thinking to carry with him his cohorts , but was forsaken by most of his s●uldiers .

(b) Lu Scipio father in law to Pompey the great , fled from Luceria , although hee had two strong Legions . Marcellus to diminish the strength of Caesar , counselled the Senate to make a decree , that Caesar should deliver one Legion , and Pompey another to Bibulus , whom they pretended to send to the Parthian war●e : Caesar according to the Senates decree , delivered to him one Legion for himselfe , and another Legion which he had borrowed of Pompey for a present supply , after the great losse received by his two Praetors , Teturius , and Cotta . both these Legions Caesar delivered , and they were new in Scipio's campe .

(c) Lu: Domitius Aenobarbus with twentie cohorts was in Corfinium : hee had with him those souldiers of Pompeys who had enclosed the Forum , when Milo was arraigned for Clodius death . Hee sent fiue cohorts to breake downe the bridge of the River watch was three miles from the Towne ; but those cohorts meeting the forerunners of Caesars army , were beaten backe againe .

(d) Spartacus a Thracian Fencer fled with 70 companions of his , from Lentulus his games at Capua , and gathering slaues to his party , and arming them , made vp an army of 70000 he overcame many Roman Prators , and Consuls ; at last he was vanquished , and slaine by Marcus Cr●ssus .

(c) Caesar having wasted Germany with fire and sword , after eighteene dayes returned in o France , cutting downe the Bridge behind him , that it should not be vsefull to the Germanes ; which Pompey detractingly calls a flight .

LVCANS Pharsalia . The Third Booke . The Argument . Faire Iulia's Ghost a dreame to Pompey shewes . Curio for corne into ●icilia goes . To Rome comes Caes●r with vnarmed Bands , Where though Metelius all in vaine withstands , He robs the Tre●sury Each Nations name That to the Warre in ayd of Pompey came . Caesar thence hasts to Spaine , and by the way Layes cruell siege to true Massilia , But stayes not there himselfe : Brutus maintaynes The siege , and Caesars first Sea-conquest gaines . THe wind-stuff'd sailes had sorth the Navy sent Into the main , the Sailers lookes were bent Vpon th' ●onian wants : but Pompey's eye Was nere tu●n'd back● from his deare Italy , His natiue coast , and that beloved ●hore , Which fate ordaines he nere shall visite more , Till the high cliffes no more for cloudes he se●s , And the hilles lessening vanish from his eyes : Sweete sleepe did then his weary limbes compose , When Iulia's ghost through the cleft ground arose In wofull wise , and with a funerall brand Seem'd fury-like before his face to stand . From the blest soules abode , th' Elizian field , To Stygian darknesse , and damn'd Ghosts exil'd Since this sad war , I saw the furies fire Their brands ( quoth she ) to moue your wicked ire . Charon pre●ares more boates for soules to come , And hell 's enlarged for tormenting roome . Three sisters speedy hands cannot suffice , For breaking threads has tyr'd the Destinies , Pompey , whilest mine , a life triumphant led : Thy fortunes changed with thy marriage bed : Strumpet Cornelia , damn'd by destiny To ruine her great Lords , could marry thee , My funerall fire scarse out . Let her in flight Attend thee now , and through this civill fight Follow thy Standard , whilst I still haue power To breal●e your rest at every sleepy hower . No how regiues freedome to your loues delight ; The day holds Caesar , Iulia holds the night . Lethe's dull waters made not me forget Thee husband , and hell princes did permit That I should follow thee ; through both the hosts I le rush , while thou art fighting : Iuliaes ghost Shall tell thee still whose Sonne in law thou art ; Thinke not that war shall this alliance part ; Th●s war shall make vs meete againe . This sed She through her fearefull lords embraces fled , He , though the gods by ghosts doe threaten , still Madder of war , with sure presage of ill , Why are we scarr'd ( quoth he ) with fancies vaine ? Either no sense doth after death remaine , Or death is nothing Now the setting Sunne To drowne as much of his bright Or●e begun , As the Moone wants , when after full she waines , Or growes neere full . Dyrrachium entertaines His navy now ; the Saylers make to shore , Pull downe the sailes , and labour at the oare . Caesar perceiving all the Ships were gone Past sight with prosperous windes , and he alone Left Lord in Italy , no joy receiv'de In th' honour of great Pompey's flight , but griev'd His foes fled safe along the Ocean ; No fortune could suffice this eager man , Differring of the war to him seem'd more Then this small conquest ; but he now giues ore Warres care awhile , entent on peace againe , And knowing how the peoples loues to gaine , That corne most stirres their hate , most drawes their loues , That onely famine to rebellion moues Cities , and feare is bought , where great men feede The sloathfull Commo●s ; nought starude people dread . Curio is sent to the S●ilian Townes , Where once the violent Sea did either drowne , Or cut the land , and made it selfe a shore In the mid-land , the waters ever roare , And strugle there , lest the two hills should close . Part of the war into Sardinia goes : Both famous Ilands for rich fruitfull fields , No land to Italy more harvest yeelds , Nor with more Corne the Roman Garners fills : Not Libia these , as Granaries excells , When Boreas blasts ( the Southwindes ceasing ) teare The showring clowdes , and make a fruitfull yeare . These things provided thus , with peacefull showes , And Troopes vnarm'd to Rome the Conquerour goes . Oh had he but come home with victory Onely of Brittaine , France and Germany , What long triumphant pompe , what honour than , What stories had he brought ? How th' Ocean , And the Rhine both his Conquests brideled , The noble Gaules , and yellow Brittaines led Behind his lofty Chariot ; winning more He lost those triumphs were deserv'd before . No flocke● of people now his comming greet With ioy ; all feare his lookes ; none stand to meet His troopes ; yet proud is he such feare to mooue , And would not change it for the peoples loue . Now Anxurs steepest hills he had orepast , Where a moist path ore Pomine fennes is plac'd ; Where the high wood does Scythian Dian ' show : Where to long Alba● feasts the Consuls goe . From an high reeke he viewes the towne afar Not seene before in all his Northren war . Then thus ( admiring his Romes wall ) he spake , Could men not for●'d by any fight forsake Thee the gods seate : What City will they dare To fight for ? ●ere the gods their loues declare , That not the furious Easterne nations , Pannonians , or swift Sarmatians , Daci , or Getes invade thee : fortune spares Thee Rome in this to send thee civill warres , Having so saint a cheife . Then fearefull Rome He ent●rs with his Troopes ; they thinke him come To fire and sacke the city , not to spare The gods themselues ; This measure had their feare . They thinke hee 'le doe what ere he can ; no songs , No shoutes they counterfet in ioyfull throngs ; They scarse haue time to hate ; the fathers meet In Phoebus temple by no lawfull right Of convocation , from their houses set , And lurking holes : the Consuls sacred seate Was not suppli'de ; next them no Praetor fills His roome , but em●ty stand those honor'd Sells . Caesar was all the S●nate fit to beare Witnesse of private power , and grant what ere He please to aske ; Crowne● , Temples , their owne bloud Or banishment ; fortune in this was good He blusht more to command , then Rome t' obey , But liberty in this durst make ass●y By one , if law could overmaster force ; Metellus seeing the vast massy doores Of Saturn's temple ready to flye ope ; Running enrag'd breaking through Caesars troope , Before the yet vnopen'd doore he stay'd . ( Only the loue of gold is not afraide Of death and threatning swords ; the lawes are gone And broke without one ●onflict : wealth alone The worst of things had power this iarre to make ) Staying the rapine thus the Tribune spake Aloud to Caesar ; thought this breast of mine The temple opes ; n●●r asure shalt thou finde , Robber , but what thou buyest with sacred blood ; This office wrong'd will finde a vengefull God . A Tribunes curse pursuing Cr●ssus , made A fatall Parthian war ; but draw thy blade : Let not the peoples eyes scarre thee from this Thy wickednesse ; the towne forsaken is : No wicked souldier from our treasuryes Shall pay himselfe , finde other enemies To spoile , and conquer , other townes to giue . No neede can thee to this foule rapine driue ; In me alone , Caesar , thou find'st a war : These words incens'● the angry conquerer ; In vaine , Metellus , h●p'st thou to obtaine A noble death ( quoth he ) we scorne to staine Our hand in such a throat ; no dignity Makes thee worth Caesars 〈◊〉 ; must liberty Be sau'd by thee ; the fates confound not so All this , but that the lawes , rather then owe To thee their preservat●on , would be broke , And tane away by Caesar ; thus he spoke ; But when the temple doores the Tribune stout Left not , more angry growne , he lookes about On his keene swords , to play the gowne man now He had forgot ; when Cotta gan to woo Metellus to giue ore his enterprise ; The freedome of men subjugated dyes , By freedomes selfe ( quoth he ) whose shadow thou Shalt keepe , if all his proud commands thou doo . So many vnjust things haue conquer'd we Already suffred , and this now must be Th' excuse t' our shame , and most degenerate feare , That naught can be deny'd ; now let him beare Away from hence these seeds of wicked war . Losse hurts those people that in freedome are . Worst to the Lord is serving poverty . Metellus is remoov'd , and open'd be The temple doores ; all the Tarpejan hill With horrid noyse the broken hinges fill , And from the bottome of the temple there The Roman peoples wealth , which many a yeere Had not been toucht , which Carthage warres to vs , And the two Kings , Philip , and Perseus Both conquer'd brought , is ransackt ; gold they reaue Which flying Pyrrhus to thee , Rome , did leaue , For which Fabritius would no traytour be . What ere the vertuous frugality Of our forefathers had yet kept vnspent , And Asias wealthy tributaries sent . What ere Metellus brought from conquer'd Crete , And ore the seas from Cyprus Cato ●et . The spoyles of all the East , and treasures proud Of captiue Kings , which Pompey's triumphs show'd . This temples impious robbing brought to passe That Rome then first then Caesar poorer was . Now had great Pompey's fortune drawne from all The world strong nations with himselfe to fall . Aid to the war so neere first Graecia lends , And Cyrrha on the Rocke ; Amphissia sends Her Phocian bands ; Parnassus learned hill From both her tops sends men , Baeotians fill The campe , neere whom th' oraculous waters flow Of swift Cephissus ; men from Pisa too , And Theban Dirce , and where vnder sea Alphaeus sends his streames to Sicily . Th' Arcadians leaue their Maenalus , and from Herculian Octa the Trachinians come . The Thesprots came , and their now silent oake Th' Epirots neere Chaonia forsooke . Athens , though wasted now with musters quite , Yet levies men , and to this civill fight Three Saliminian ships sends from her fleet To Phaebus dedicated : Ioue-lou'd Crete From Gnossus , and Gortina sends to 'th field Archers , that need not to the Parthians yeeld : Souldiers from out Dardanian Oricum , From Athamas , and from Encheleae come , Fam'd for transformed Cadmus funeralls : From Colchos , where Absyrtus foaming falls Into the Adrian : those where Peneus flowes : He that Iolchos in Thessalia plowes : Thence was the sea first try'd , when Argo bore Those that first sailed to a forreine shore , And first of all committed fraile mankinde To mercy of the raging sea and winde : That ship taught men a way vnknowne to die ▪ From Thracian Aemus , and from Pholoe Beely'd with Centaures , and from Strymon too , From whence the birds to Nile in winter goe : From barbarous Cone , where into the seas Sixe headed Ister dooes one channell ease At Peuce , souldiers come : the Mysian , And cold Caicus-washt Idalian , Barren Arisbe helpes , and Pitane : Celenae by Apolloes victory Condemn'd , that curst Minervaes fatall gift ; Where into crook'd Maeander Marsyas swift Falling , there mingled backe again● dooes flow ; The land , that from gold mines letts Hermus goe , And rich Pactolus ; those of Ilium With Ilium's fate to falling Pompey come ; The tale of Troy , and Caesar : pedegree Drawne from Iulius could no hindrance be . The Syrian people from Or●ntes goe , Windy Damascus , happy Minos too ; Gaza , and Idumaea rich in Palmes ; Instable Tyre , Sidon , whom purple fames : These ships bound to the war , the Cynosure Guides straight along the sea , to none more sure ; Phaenicians , that ( if fame we dare beleeue ) To humane speech first characters did giue . The rivers yet had not with paper serv'd Aegypt ; but ●arv'd beasts , birds , and stones preserv'd Their magicke language . Taurus lofty wood Forsaken is ; Tarsus , where Per●eus flood , From Coricus , digg'd from an hallow rocke , Mallos , and Aegae the Cilicians flocke No Pirates now , but to a just war prest . Fame of this war had stirr'd the farthest East Where Ganges is , that only crosse doo●s run Of all earth's rivers to the rising Sunne , And roules his waues against the Easterne winde . Philips great Sonne , there stay'd , was taught to finde The world more large , then his ambitious mind Conceiu'd it : and where double channell'd Inde Feeles not Hydaspes mixture : Indians , That sucke sweete liquor from their sugar canes : And those , whose haire with saffron is bedy'd , Whose garments loose with colour'd gemmes are ty'd ; Those that aliue their funerall piles erect , And leape into the flames helping t' effect Fates worke ; what glory 't is , content to liue No more the remnant to the gods to giue ; Fierce Cappadocians , th' hardy Nations Neare to Ammannus , the Armenians Neare strong Niphates ; the Coastrae from Their lofty woods , and the Arabians come Into an vnknowne world , wondring to see Shaddowes of woods on the right hand to be . Farthest Olostrians come to Romane war ; Carmanian Captaines too ; who Southward far See not the set of the whole Northerne Beare ; By night but little shines Bootes there . The Aethiopian land not seene at all By any of the signes Septentrionall But crooked Taurus hoofe ; those people too Whence great Euphrates , and swift Tygris flow , From one sp●ing Persis sends them ; 't is vnknowne What name , should those two Channells meet in one , They 'd bea●e Euphrates flowing on the fields , That profit there , that Nile in Aegypt , yeelds . But Tigris swallow'd by the gaping earth Long hides his course : but at his second birth Deni●s not to the Sea his new-borne flood . Betwixt bo●h Campes fierce Parthians neuters stood , Content that they alone had causde this war . With poyson'd arrowes wandring Scythians far Come to the Campe , whom Bactros ioy flood En●los●s , and Hyrcania's desert wood . The valiant Heniochian Horsemen there Sprung from the Spartan race : Sarmatians neere To the fierce Moschi , where cold Phasis glides , And Col●hos richest pasture fields divides . Where Halys fatall to the Lydian King Does flow ; where Tanais , that drawes his spring From the Riphaean hills , and doth divide Europe from Asia , giving to each side The name of severall worlds , and ( as he bends ) Now to this world , now that encrease he lends . Where slow Moeotis driven into the seas , Takes from the pillars of great Hercules Their fame ; denying that the Gades alone Admit the sea . Scythonian nations , The valiant Arians , Arimaspians With gold deck'd lockes , and swift Gelonians . The Massegets , their thirst that satisfie With the same horses bloods , whereon they fly . Not Cyrus leading th' Easterne troopes , nor when Xerxes by darts numbring his armed men Came downe ; nor Agamemnon bound to set His brothers ravisht wife with that fam'd fleet , So many Kings brought vnder their commands , So many nations drawne from severall lands , Different in language , and attire ; nor ere Did fortune bring so many men to beare Part in a mighty ruine , making all Sad obsequies at Pompeys funerall . Marmaricke troopes the horned Ammon prest , And all scorcht Affricke from the farthest West To th' Easterne shore , send ayde , as far as ly The Syrtes gulfes ; lest Caesar severally , And oft be troubled , here all nations Pharsalia brings to be suddu'de at once . Caesar now leaving fearefull Rome in hast With his swift troopes the cloudy Alpes orepast : But though his fame all people else affright , Phocian Massyllia ( f ) dares yet keepe aright Her faith , and far from Greekish levity The cause , the lawes , not fortune followes she : But first of all they labour to asswage With peacefull parley his vncurbed rage , And stubborne minde : and to their foe now nigh They send an Oliue-bearing Embassy . As Latiums annals can true mention make , Massilia still was ready to partake The fate of Rome in any forreine war : And now if triumphs over nations far Caesar , thou seeke , to such a conflict take These hands , and liues of ours ; but if you make Sad civill war , then giue vs leaue to bend To neyther side , and naught but teares to spend . Let not our hands in wounds so sacred be : If th' heavenly gods had civill enmity , Or earth-borne Giants should assault the sky , No ayde to Ioue durst human piety By armes or prayers lend ; their states aboue We know not , but are bound to thinke that Ioue Has thunder still ; besides how many from All nations now doe voluntaryes come ? The slothfull world is not from vice so far That you should need forc'd sword to civill war . Would every people would this cause refuse , And this sad war no hands , but Roman vse . Some hands would falter at their fathers sight , And brothers faintly would 'gainst brothers fight . The war will soone haue end , if forreine states You vse not t'exercise their ancient hates . Our humble suite is , that within our wall Thou ' ldst trust thy selfe , and leaue behinde thee all Thy threa●ning Eagles ; let vs this obtaine To shut out war , and Caesar entertaine . Let this place free from guilt safely receiue Thy selfe and Pompey , if fates please to giue Peace to vnconquer'd Rome ; here both may meete Vnarm'd ; but why , when danger did invite Thy wars to Spaine , turn'dst thou to vs aside ? We are of no availe to turne the tide Of your great wars ; our armes haue prooved still Vnfortunate ; when fortune did exile Vs from our first plantation , here we sate , And Phocis sackt towers hither did transla●e : Here in a forreine coast , and weake wall'd towne Safe haue we liv'd ; our Faith is our r●nowne . If thou intend seidge to our walles to lay , Or through our gates t' enforce a speedy way ; In the defence we are resolv'd to dye , And fury of the sword , and fire to try . If thou divert our waters course , the ground Wee le dig , and licke the puddle we haue found : If foode should faile , flesh of our children slaine ( Fearefull to touch or see ) our jawes should staine : For liberty to suffer wee le not feare What once Saguntum , when besiedg'd , could beare In Carthage war : our babes in vaine that striue To sucke their mothers dry'd vp breasts , wee le giue Freely to th' fire : a wife shall sue for death At her deare husbands hand : a brothers breath A brothers hand shall stop ; this civill war Wee le choose o'th'two ; so spoketh ' embassador . But Caesar's troubled looke his anger speakes Before his words ; but this at last ; these Greekes Vaine hope of our departure has possest ; Though we were marching to the farthest West , Yet haue we time to sacke Massilia , Souldiers rejoyce , fate meetes vs in the way With war ; as windes in th' empty aire doe loose Their force , vnlesse some strong growne oake oppose : As mighty fires for want of fuell dye , So want of foes , breedes our calamity . Our strength were lost vnlesse some durst stand out To be subdu'd ; but if I come without My armes , they will receiue me ; they desire Not to exclude , but take me prisoner . But they ( forsooth ) would faine that guilt eschew That followes civill war ; I le make them rue Their asking peace , and know that nought can be Safer then war to those serue vnder me . Then on he marches ; the towne fearelesse shut Their gates , and souldiers on the rampiers put . Not far off from the walles a hill there stood , Whose top was like a field levell and broade ; Which Caesar in surveying judg'd to be Safe for a campe , and fit to fortifie● The townes n●e●'st part did an high castle raise Aequall to th' hill ; in midst a valley was . Caesar resolues on a labor●ous thing , To fill the valley , and together bring Both hills ; but first to shut vp quite the towne By land , from both sides his high campe brings downe A long worke to the sea , a bulwarke rais'd Of turfes , with rampiers on the top , and plac'd In length , to cut all convoyes from the towne . This was a thing for ever to renowne This Greekish towne , to stay the violent course Of this hot war , not t●ne by suddaine force , Or feare ; when Caesar all the rest orerunne , The cities conquest as'kd him time alone : T' was much ●o stay ●is fates : fortune in hast To make him lord of all the world did wast Time at this ●eidge : n●w round about the towne The lofty woods are fell'd , large Oakes hew'n downe , To fortifie with posts t●e bulwarkes side , Lest earth too brittle of it selfe should slide Away , not able the towers weight to beare . A wood vntoucht of old was growing there , Of thicke set trees , whose boug●s spreading and faire , Meet●ng obscured the enclosed aire , And made darke shades exil●ng Phoebus rayes , There no rude Fawne , nor wanton Silvan playes ; No Nimph disports , but cruell Deityes Claime barbarous ●ites , and bloody sacrifice : Each tree's defil'd with humane blood : if we Beleeue traditions of antiquitie , No bird dates light vpon those hallowed bowes : No beasts make there their dens : no wind there blowes , No lightning falls : a sad religious awe The quiet trees vnstirr'd by winde doe draw . Blacke water currents from darke fountaines flow : The gods vnpolisht images doe know No arte , but plaine and formelesse trunks they are . Their mosse , and mouldinesse procures a feare : The common figures of knowne Deities Are not so fear'd : not knowing what God t is Makes him more awfull : by relation The shaken earths darke cavernes oft did grone : Fall'n Yew trees often of themselues would rise : With seeming fire oft flam'd th' vnburned trees : And winding dragons the cold oakes embrace : None giue neere worship to that balefull place ; The people leaue it to the gods alone . When black night reignes , or Phoebus guilds the noone , The Priest himselfe trembles afraid to spie O● find this woods tutelar Deity . This wood he bids them fell : not standing far From off their worke : vntoucht in former war , Among the other bared hills it stands Of a thicke growth ; the souldiers valiant hands Trembled to strike , moov'd with the majestie , And thinke the axe from off the sacred tree Rebounding backe would their owne bodies wound ▪ Tn ' amzement of his men when Caesar found , In his bold hand himselfe an hatchet tooke , And first of all assaults a lo●ty oake , And having wounded the religious tree , Let no man feare to fell this wood ( quoth he ) The guilt of this offence let Caesar beare . The souldiers all obey , not voide of feare , But ballancing the gods , and Caesars frowne . The knotty Holmes , the tall wild Ashes downe , Ioues sacred Oake , ship-building Alder falles , And Cypresse worne at great m●ns funeralls , Then first cut downe , admit the sight of day ; The falling trees so thicke each other stay . The Gaules lament to see the wood destroy'd : But the besieged townesmen all orejoy'd , Hope that the wronged gods will vengeance take ; But gods oft spare the guiltiest men , and make Poore wretches onely feele their vengefull hand . When wood enough was fell'd , waines they command From every part , plowmen their seasons lose , Whilst in this worke souldiers their teames dispose . But weary in this (g) lingring war to stay , Before the walles Caesar goes far away To meet his troopes in Spaine ; his army stayes Before the towne : there lofty forts they raise , And bulwark●s equalling the height o' th towne , Which had in earth no fixt foundation , But rowled to and fro , the cause vnknone : The townesmen viewing this strange motion , Thought it some earthquake , where the strugling wind From the earths cavernes could no passage find : But much they wonder their owne walls stand fast : From thence against the towne their Piles they cast ; But the Greeks missill weapons did more harme To Caesars men , sent from no feeble arme , But mighty engines with a whirlewinds might ; These not content one breast alone to split , Through many bodies , bones , and armours cleaue , Not loosing in one wound their strength , and leaue Behind them many deaths ; but when they throw Great massie stones , the mortall force is so As from a mountaines top a falling rocke , Which the winds force , and ruining time has broke ; Not only killes what man so ere it dash , But every limme dooes into pieces pash . But when with fence of shields conjoyned all The sheltred souldiers could approach the wall , Their heads all cover'd like a fishes shell , Those darts and stones flue over them , which fell With danger on their heads before ; but now The Greekes at such small distance could n●t throw , Nor th' engine change , content with weight alone On their foes heads they roule downe heavy stone : But while the fence did last , hurtlesse did all Their stones , and darts , like haile on houses fall ; Vntill the townesmens teased valour broke ( When Caesar's m●n were tir'd with often strokes ) The fence , and did their ioyned shields divide : Then did a thin earth cover'd worke proceede ; Vnder whose covert those that lay did fall To worke in vndermining of the wall . Sometimes the back forc'd ramme did strongly driue Forward , the well compacted wall to riue . But from aboue with fires , with often stroakes Of broken bars , stakes , and fire harden'd oakes They force the fence ; the worke broke downe & vaine , The souldiers tir'd fly to their campe againe . The Greekes then sally fo●th , not satisfi'd That their walles safely stand , and fire workes hide (h) Vnder their armes no mortall bow nor speare Armes the bold youth , but flaming fire they beare , Which with swift wings into the Romane trench The strong windes carry : nought has power to quench Or slacken it , the wood though greene dissolues , And in blacke clouds of smoke the aire involues , But fire all pieces of the buildings take , Not onely wood , but stones , and rockes doe cracke , And moulder into ashes : greater now The failing bulwarkes in their ruines show . The conquer'd now loosing all hope by land Resolue the hazard of sea-fight to stand : Their ships f●re-decke no gilded names adorne ; But timber plaine , such as the woods had borne Growing , make stations firme for Navall fight , Now downe the streame of Rodanus the fleet From Staechas comes to sea , and there attends Br●tus Praetorian ship : Massilia sends Her vtmost strength to triall of the war ; Old men , and beardlesse boyes all armed are . The fleet then ready on the Ocean Was rigg'd , and ●ld wo●ne ships repair'd againe . Now when the sky is cleare , and his bright rayes On the calme sea the rising Sunne displayes : The North and Southerne windes their fury spare , And leaue the calm●d Ocean fit for war : Both nations rowing from their stations meete , Here the Caesarian , there the Graecian fleete . With oft and lusty strokes of Rowers from The havens trembling the great Gallies come . The ho●es of Caesar's fleete Gallies that bore Three Oares aside , and some that went with foure Or more did ma●e , themselues opposing so In front , behinde them smaller vessels goe , Liburnian Gallies with two Oares content . Con●oyn'd in fo●me of a● halfe Moone they went . Brutus Praetorian galley swe rt the sea Like a vaste house , then th' rest more high was she , And row'd with sixe strong Oares on a side . But when 〈◊〉 little sea-roome did divide Both fleetes , as that one stroak would make them meet , Numberlesse voyces the vaste ayre did gree● , Plowing the Seas . Souldiers loud shouts quite drown'd The noise of rowing , and shrill trumpets sound . Then sweepe they the blew waues : the rowers seat Thenselues , & 'gainst their breasts strong stroaks they f●t Ships against ships , beakes meeting beakes resound , And run ●sterne ; the ayre is darkned round With flying darts , which fa●ling th' Ocean hide . Then turning their forecastles far more wide , They make their hornest ' engir● the adverse fleet . As when strong windes with tydes repugnant meet , One way the Sea , the waues another go , These ships vpon the furrow'de Ocean so Make different tracts , and waues vpon the maine , Which oares rais'd the sea beats downe againe . But the Greeke vessels were more nimble far Either to flye , or turne about the war , They could without long tedious turning weild Themselues , and quickly to the sterne could yeeld The Roman ships slow keel'd would firmely stand , And lend sure footing like a fight by land . The master then of his Praetorian ship Brutus be spake , why doest thou let them slip ? Leaue thy Sea-tricks and joyne the battells close , 'Gainst the Phocaicke stemmes ●ur ships oppose : He straight obeyes , and turnes his owne bro●d side Against their stemmes ; what ship so ere they tride To encounter her , with her owne stroke orecome Sti●kes fast , and is surprisde ; they ho●ke in some , With oares some , some they with chaines hold fast : On the seas cover'd face the war is plac'd . No brandisht Iavelins manage now the war , No darted steele bestowing wounds from far : Hands ioyne with hands , and in this Navall fight The sword acts all : in their owne ships vpright They face their foes prone strokes , some fal down slaine In their owne ships ▪ dy'd is the Ocean , And the waues stiffen'd with congeal●d blood : Ships hook't together could not meet , withstood By falling carcasses ; some halfe dead sinke , And their owne bloud mixt with salt water drinke : Some , that desire their strugling liues to keepe , Fall in the ruines of their broken ship . Iavelins , that mist the aime they did intend , Fall in the sea , and finish there their end , Finding their bodies to receiue a wound . A Roman ship by Greeks inviron'd round Fights stiffely still , on left hand , and on right Maintaining long 'gainst all a doubtfull fight ; Vpon whose lofty decke whilst Ta●us bold Strived a seazed Graecian flag to hold , Two darts together sent together split His breast and backe , and in the middle meet : The blood not knowing yet which way to run Makes stand ; but out at last both darts are throwne : He in two wounds his dying soule divides . Hither his ship whilst haplesse Telo guides , Then whom none better on a boistrous sea Could guide a ship , none better knew then he Tomorrow 's weather , if the Sunne he spy'de , Or Moone , and could for fut●●re stormes provide . He with his stemme a Roman ship had broke , But through his heart a trembling javelin stroke ; The ship turnes off following his dying hand ; Gyareus leaping to his friends command Straight with a Roman javelin strongly flung Was slaine , and to the ship fast nailed hung . Two twinnes stand vp , their fruitfull mothers fame , That from one wombe with fates far different came , ( Death par●s them : their sad parents reft of one Without mistaking know their living sonne , Whose lookes the cause of lasting sorrow keepe , And make his friends for his slaine brother weepe . ) One of those twinnes from his Greeke ship was bold Vpon a Roman keele to lay strong hold : But from aboue a stroke cuts off his hand , Which in the place did still fast bended stand , And kept the hold ; the nerues more stiffe became By death , his courage by this noble maime Was rais'd , and greater by this accident His valiant left hand 'gainst his foes he bent , And rushes on his lost right hand to reach , But that ( alas ) another sword did fetch Off by the shoulder : now both hands were gone , Nor sword , nor target could he weild ; yet downe He did not sinke , but naked breasted stood , Formost to saue his armed brothers blood , And there all darts , all wounds that were ordain'd For many deaths one dying breast contein'd ; And then his soule fleeting so many wayes He recollects , and in his tir'd limmes stayes That little strength , and blood was left , to skip Before his death into the Roman ship His enemies by weight alone t' oppresse : For now the ship laden with carcasses , And full of blood , bor'd through the side had been , And through her ●eakes drinking the water in Was fill'd vp to the hatches , sinking than It turn'd the face of the neere Ocean : The waters to the sinking ship gaue way , And in her roome clos'd vp againe . That day Miraculous fates the Ocean did behold . An iron hooke throwne to lay violent hold Vpon a ship , on Lycidas did light : Drown'd had he been , but his friends hinder'd it , And on his lower parts caught hold , in two The man was pluckt : nor did his blood spin slow As from a wound , but gushing in one spout From all his broken vaines at once let out : Into the sea falls his life-carrying blood . Never so great a passage open stood To let out any soule , life straight forsakes His lower halfe , since vitall parts it lackes : But in his vpper halfe ( since in that part ) Lay the soft lungs , and life susteining heart , Death sta●es a while , and findes repugnancy , Nor at one time could all his members dye . The men , that mann'd one ship , eager of fight All pressing to one side leaue empty quite The other side : whose weight ore turn'd the ship , Which topsie turvy sinking downe did keepe The Saylers vnder water ; all of them Were drown'd nor could their armes haue roome to swim . One horrid kind of death that day was seene , A yong man swimming was , whose breast betweene Two meeting Ships sharpe stemms was bored through . The brazen stemms through bones , and flesh did goe , And made a noise ; his squeezed belly sent Vp through his mouth blood mixt with excrement . But when the ships divide themselues againe , The body throwne into the Ocean , The water through his bored bosome came : Now in the Sea shipwrack'd Massi●ia●s swame Towards their fellowes ship to saue their liues : But that already over burden'd str●ues To keepe her friends ( though thus distressed ) out , And from aboue with swords the Souldiers cut Their armes , when hold vpon the ship they lay , Then downe againe into the Sea fall they Leauing their hands behinde , the Ocean Can now no longer their maim'd trunkes sustaine . But now when all the Souldiers darts were gone , Fury finds weapons , Oares by some are throwne Against their foes : with a strong arme . The mast Do some teare downe , and in their fury cast : Some teare the Saylers seates , bords from the decke Some throwe ▪ for weapons they their ships do breake . Some wanting swords their friends dead bodies spoile : From his owne breast one drawes the mortall Pile , With the left hand holding the wound , so long To keepe in blood and strength , till he had flung The iavelin at his foe , then lets it run . But nothing wrought so much destruction At Sea , as Seas opposed Element , The fire , which wrapt in vnctious stuffe was sent , And sulphur balles , the ships apt fuell were , Their pitch , and melting waxe tooke easily fire : Nor now could water quench th' vnruly flame , Fragments of broken ships still burning swam : Into the Sea to quench his fire one skips , For feare of drowning to the burning ships Another cleaues : that death , that was most neare Among a thousand deaths , they most did feare . Nor did their shipwrackt valouridly liue : Darts floating on the waues they take and giue Their fellowes in the ship , or on the seas Themselues those darts ( though feebly ) exercise . When weapons want , the seas their weapons be ; Foes grasping foes together gladly die . But in that fight one Phocian did excell : To search the seas he vnder water well Could keepe his breath , diue to the lowest sands , And loosen fastned anchors with his hands . He grapling with a foe downe in the maine Had sunke and drown'd him , and himselfe againe Safe , and a conquerour rose : but rising found Ships in his way , and so at last was drown'd . Some with their armes on their foes oares lay hold To stay their flight : deare as they could they sold Their liues : some wounded , to keepe off the blowes From their friends ships , their bodies enterpose . Tyrrhenus standing on the decke aloft , ●●gdamus with a Balearicke shaft Wounded : the ponderous lead his temples broke , His falling eyes their hollow feate forsooke , The opticke nerues , and ligaments were broke : He now starke blind , amazed at the stroake Thinks this to be deaths darknesse : finding than That all his limmes their perfect strength retaine , Fellowes ( quoth he ) place me where I may throw A pile , and plant me as you vse to doe Engines of war : this little life that now Remaines , Tyrrenus , on all hazzards throw ; This body , though in part already dead , Will serue for warlike vses , and instead Of men aliue take wounds ; Thus hauing spoke In his blind aymelesse hand a Pile he shooke , And threw it not in vaine , which as it light Below his belly noble Argus hit , Whose weight now falling made it further glide . Argus vnhappy Sire on t'other side The beaten ship then stood ( to none would he , When he was young , in feates of souldiery Giue place , his strength is now by age decay'de , And he no Souldier but a patterne made ) He seeing his sonne fall with trembling step Stumbling along came to that side the ship , And finding there the body panting yet , No teares fell from his cheekes , nor did he beat His wofull breast ; His hands now stiffe were growne , And all his joynts cold numnesse seizes on : A suddaine darkenesse closes vp his eyes , That he discernes not Argus , whom he sees . Argus his dying head began to reare , And feeb●e necke seeing his Father there Speachlesse , yet seem'd in silence to demand A kisse , and to invite his Fathers hand To close his dying eyes ; but the old man Free from amaze , when bloody griefe began To recollect his strength , I will not loose That time ( quoth he ) that angry f●te bestowes . Pardon thy wretched father , that from thee Argus , and from thy last embrace I flee ; Thy wounds warme bloud yet signes of life do giue , Th' art but halfe dead , and yet a whil● maist liue : I le goe before thee Sonne : these words exprest , And with a bloudy sword piercing his brest He leapt into the sea , hasting to death Before his dearest Sonne : his flitting breath Vnto one single kind of destiny He durst not trust . Now great commanders dye ; And now no longer doubtfull is the fight ; Some of the Greekes are sunke : by hasty flight Some get into the haven ; others beare ( Changing their loade ) the Roman Conquerer . But now sad Parents mournings fill the towne : The shore with mothers lamentation Did ring ; instead of her deare husbands face , A weeping wife mistaken did embrace A Roman ; Fathers funerall rites to giue About their Sonnes deformed bodies striue . But Brutus Conquerer on the Ocean To Caesar's side first navall honour wan . FINIS Libri tertii .

Annotations on the third Booke :

( a ) The vsuall time of mourning , among the Romans , for the losse of Husband or wife , was ten moneths ; within which space of time it was accounted infamous to marry ; and therefore Cornelia daughter to Lucius Scipio , and Widow of Pub. Crassus , who was married to Pompey the great within that time , it here stiled by Iulia strumpet .

(b) Caesar , although it much concerned him to pursue Pompey , and overtake him before his strength were too much encreased by forreine aide , yet partly for want of ships , and partly fearing lest in his absence there might happen some new commotion in Italy , and withall fearing the Pompeian army , that was then in Spaine vnder the conduct of Afranius and Peticius , he resolved first to goe and settle things at Rome , and afterwards to goe fight against those armies in Spaine .

(c) Valerius was sent into Sardinia to fetch Corne , and Curio into Sicily as Propraetor with three legions ; those countreys were two the greatest Granaries of the Romane Empire .

(d) Caesar assembled the Senators into Apolloes temple , and there with curteous language excused himselfe concerning this war , as a thing vndertaken only to preserue his owne dignity against the envy and iniury of a few , he entreateth them to take care of the common-wealth , and ioyne with him in it : likewise to send Embassadors to Pompey and the Consuls concerning peace .

( e ) The Tribunitiall power was held so sacred , that whosoever did offer any violence vnto it , they thought the gods would take revenge , and conceived the reason of that great and miserable overthrow , which Marcus Crassus received in , Parthia , to be because At●ejus the Tribune had cursed him as he went away

(f) Caesar passing through the further Gallia , and vnderstanding that Domitius , whom he had lately taken prisoner at Co●finium , and released againe was come into Massylia , a city that favoured Pompey's faction , he called out some of the chiefe of the city , and admonished them not too much to obey one man , and so draw a warre vpon themselues ; th●y shut the gates against Caesar , but requested him gently to passe by them , hoping by that meanes to haue kept themselues in safety , and to haue remained as neuters in the war , but that drew this heavy seidge vpon them . Vnhappy Massilia ( saith Florus ) which desiring too much to preserue her peace , for feare of war fell into a war .

(g) Caesar had sent Caius Fabius his Lieutenant with three legions into Spaine , to dislodge Afranius a Lieutenant of Pompey's in the Pyrenaean straights : and now himselfe leaving Caius Trebonius to besiedge Massilia by land , and Decius Brutus to besiedge it by Sea , goes with nine hundred horsemen into Spayne to Fabius his campe .

(h) The story in the place concerning the firing of these workes which Caesars souldiers had raised , and the actions of the Massy●ians is not rightly related by Lucan ; but differs much from the relation of true histories .

LVCANS Pharsasia . The Fourth Booke . The Argument . Caesar in Spaine neere high ●erdaes walls E●campes 'gainst two Pompeyan generalls . By suddaine floods his campe endanger'd i● . Caesar divides the streame of Sicoris , Oretakes Petrejus flight , who bloodily . Breakes off his Souldiers new-made amity ; But by extremity of thirst compell'd , Afranius , and himselfe to Caesar yeild . Famish'● Antonius yeilds t' his enemy . Vulteius , and his valiant cohort dye By their owne swords . Curio on Libya● sand● Is slaine by Iubaes Manritanian bands . BVt now sterne Caesar in Spaines farthest coast Makes war : on which , though little blood it (a) cost , The fortunes of both Generalls much did stand . Affranius ( b ) and Petreius did command Those campes with aequall power , but concord made Their governement more firme : their men obay'd Alternally both Generalls commands . Heere besides Romans bold Asturian bands , Light Vestones , and Cel●a ( c ) were , that came From France , and with th' Iberi mixt their name . A little hill not steepe of fertile lands Swells vp , on which the old Ilerda stands ; Before the towne flowes Sicoris soft streame , Among Spaines rivers of no small esteeme ; On which a bridge of stone high arched stood T' endure the violence of a winters flood . The next hill the Pompeyans campe did beare ; Aequall to which Caesar his tents did reare . The river in the midst both campes divides , From whence the champion fields vpon both sides Extend themselues b●yond the ken of man . Swift Cinga bounds them , that to th' Ocean Carryes no name , (d) Iber , where you two joyne , That giues the land her name , takes from thee thine . The first day they encamp'd , from fight was free : The Captaines stood each others strength to see Numbring the Eagles ; shame did then beg●n To damne their rage , and hold their fury in ; One poore dayes respite to their countrey they And broke lawes gaue ; but Caesar when the day Declin'd , did with a suddaine trench enclose His campe about , and to deceiue the foes His army in the front kept station To hide the worke ; and when the morne drew on , He sends swift troopes the next hill to surprise , That twixt the foes campe , and Il●rd● lyes ; Thither the foes with shame and terror make , And by a neerer way the hill they take . The fight growes there ; on sword , and valour one Relyes , the other on possession . Laden with armes march Caesar's souldiers vp 'Gainst the steepe hill : their following fellowes prop Their backes with targets vp , to keepe them so From falling backe ; their Piles against the foe They could not vse ▪ Pile● guide their faltring steps : Hold , as they clime , they catch on shrubs and slips : Their swords serue not to fight , but cut their way . This danger Caesar saw , and sent away His horse to wheele charging in flanke the foe , And all his foot retreat in safety so The skirmish ended thus and neither side Obtain'd the conquest . Thus farre fighting try'd . What other fates were added to this war Grew from th' vnconstant motions of the ayre , For by cold winters dry North-windes the r●ine The clowds congeale● bowells did containe . Snowes on the hills , and tops of mountaines lye , And frosts , that at the Sunne 's appearance flye . All lands within those Westerne climates are Hardened by Winters dry con●ealing aire . But when the Sunne now wexed warmer came To take possession of the heavenly Ram , Making the aequinoctiall againe , When day t' exceede the night in length began , When Cynthia from the Sunne 's conjunction But newly come could hardly yet be knowne ; Boreas sh' excludes , and fire from Eurus takes : He all the cloudes that his whole quarter makes Throwes to the West with Nabathaean blasts , The foggs that India , that Arabia casts Exhal'd , and growne vnder the rising Sunne , Sky darkening Co●us exhalation , Which cooles the Indian aire , now blowne away From thence , make hot the Easterne countreys day . Nor could the loades of those thicke clouds fall downe On the mid world , strong tempests driue them on From North and South ; alone does Calpes ground Drinke the moist aire , the farthest Westerne bound , Where heavens bow'd hinge does with the Ocean meete● The cloudes driven thither could no further get : Their vastnesse hardly could involved be In such strait roome , as twxit that earth and sky . Those clouds then crusht together by the pole Contract in th' ayre , and downe amaine they roule In gushing showres ; lightnings though thicke retaine No flashing fire , extinguisht by the raine . Iris no colours can distinctly show Circling the ayre with an imperfect bow : She drinkes the sea , and to the Ocean The ponderous waues fall from the sky againe . The Pyrenaean nowes , which Titan yet Could never melt , flow downe : the rockes are wet With broken ice : rivers their wonted way Fors●ke ; as channells the whole fields display Themselues : and now as shipwrack'd on the seas Flo●e Caesars tents , and drenched companyes The streame breakes downe his campe : rivers oreflow His trenon and workes , nor an the souldiers goe To for●age : the drown'd fields no vittaile leaue : The wayes by water cover'd all deceiue The fetchers of provision ▪ then came on A famine still the sad companion Of other woes : the souldiers by no foes Besidg'd , are pin'd , one his whole wealth bestowes Vpon a crust of bread not dearely sold : ( Oh meagre thirst of gaine ) for ready gold An hungry ●eller is not wanting there The waters now haue all , no hils appeare , The joyning rivers like ore-spreading fe●ns Cover high rockes ; transported are the dens Of beasts ; the streame carryes the strugling horse Not touching ground , and as of greater force Then th' Ocean , repells the Oceans tide . The darkened Pole does Phaebus lustre hide , And the blacke skies all colours doe confound ▪ So lyes the farthest part of the worlds ground , Which the cold zone , and frosts perpetuall Cover those countreys see no starres at all : Their barren ice breedes nothing : good alone To temper with their cold the torrid zone . So let it be , great Ioue , so let it be Neptune , whose three fork'd scepter rules the sea . Thou , Ioue , with stormes perpetuall fill the ayre : Thou , Neptune , let no rivers home repaire , Let no streames finde prone passage to the maine , But with the Oceans tide turne backe againe . Make the strooke earth to deluge pervious : These fields let Rhine oreflow , and Rhodanus . Hither their course let all great rivers bend : Hither Riphaean snowes , lakes , fountaine● s●nd ; Hither all standing pooles from far command , And saue from civill war this wretched land . But Caesars fortune , with this little feare Of his content , returnes greater then ere : The gods gan favour , and deserv'd t' obtaine Pardon : the clowded ayre clear'd vp againe : The master'd waters Sol in fleeces spred : The night , presaging a faire morne , look'd red : Things keepe their place : moisture the skye forsakes ; Water ( late high ) her owne low center takes : Trees , and emergent hills t' appeare began : The fields at sight of day grow drie againe . When Sicoris to his owne bankes restor'd Had let the field , of twigs , and willow bord They made small botes cover'd with bullockes hide , In which they reacht the rivers further side . So saile the Veneti if Padus flow , The Britaines saile on their calme Ocean so . So the Aegyptians saile with woven boates Of papery rushes in their Nilus floates . The army in these boates transported now Build vp a bridge , and fearing th' overflow Of the fierce streame , their worke they doe note●nd Vpon the banke , but ore the fields extend . And lest againe Sicoris should oreflow , In severall channells cut , he suffers now For his first crime : but when Petreius spy'd That Caesars fort●ne did all actions guide , Ilerda he forsakes , trusting no more The strength of that knowne world , but seeking for Vntamed nations fierce with wars dire loue , (e) To that worlds end the battell to remo●ue . When Caesar saw the hills and campe forsooke , He bids his men take armes , and never looke For bridge , or ford , but with their hardy armes Swim ore the streame : the souldiers his alarmes Obey with speed , and rushing on to fight Venture those wayes , that they would feare in flight , Then taking armes cherish their bodies wet , And their be●ummed joynts with running heat , Till noone made shadowes short ; the horsemen then O retake the hindniost of Petreius men . Who doubtfull are whether to fight or flye . Two rock● hills lift their proud tops on high Making a vale beneath : aboue the ground Is ioyn'd : below safe passages are found Through windings darke : which straights if once the foe Had in possession , Caesar well did know He might from thence carry the war as far , As Spaines remote , and barbarous nations are . Runne without ranke ( quoth he ) pursue your foes : Turne backe the war , that by their flight you loose : Make them turne face to face : though they would fly , Giue not the cowards leaue basely to dy , But on their breasts let them receiue our blowes This said , with swiftnesse they prevent their foes Flight to the hills , encamping close beside . A narrow trench did both the campes divide , And of so little distance was the place , They might distinctly know each others face . There finding fathers , brothers , sonnes , they see The wickednesse of civill enmity . And first for feare standing a little mute With nods , and swords lift vp frends , frends salute ; But when deare loue conquer'd the law of warres , Over the trenches leape the souldiers T' embrace each other : some their old hosts meete , Some their schoolefellowes , some their kinsemen greete . He was no Roman , that no enemy knew : Sighs breake their kisses , teares their armes bedew , And though no act of blood were yet begun , They feare the mischiefe that they might haue done . Why mourn'st thou foole ? why doe it thou beat thy breast , And weepe in vaine ? why hast thou now confest Thou 'gainst thy will to wicked war doest goe ? Stand'st thou in such great feare of him whom thou Thy selfe mak'st dreadfull ? let this trumpets sound , Neglect the cruell noise , let none be found To beare his Eagles , and the war there ends ; Caesar and Pompey private men are frends . Now concord come , that all things doest enfold In thy white armes , and the worlds safety hold , The earths blest loue : future impietyes Our age may feare ; the ignorance heere dyes Of their misdeeds : and from excuse does bar Their guilt , they know , their foes their kinsemen are . Sinister fates , that will by this short peace Their future woes , and wickednesse encrease . T' was peace , and in both campes mixt souldiers stray'd , And on the grasse their friendly banquets made : By the same fire together Bacchus rites They celebrate , and spend the watchfull nights In storyes of the war as lovingly Together they in ioyning lodginges lye . Where first they did encampe , from what hand fled Each Pile , and boast of every valiant deede Denying much they graunt the wish of Fate , And loue the wretched Souldiers renovate . This loue their future wickednesse encreast , For when Petreius saw their friendly feast , Thinking himselfe and campe to sale betray'd He armes his houshold servants to invade Dire war : and guarded with a troope of those Out of his campe th' vn●rm'd Caesarians throwes . The sword , as in embraces joyn'd they stood , Divides them , and disturbes the peace with blood . Then wrath these war provoking speeches gaue , Souldiers vnmindefull of the cause you haue , Though Caesars conquest you cannot bestow Vpon the Senates cause , this you can do , Fight till you are orecome : whilest you haue hands , And blood , and whilest the war yet doubtfull stands , Will you go serue , and traitrous Eagles take ? And beg of Caesar he no odds would make Betweene his slaues , and at his hands d●sire Your Captaines liues ? our safetyes treasons hire Shall never be ; nor make we civill war To liue : by name of peace betray'd we are . People for veines of brasse , which deepe-hid lye Would never seeke , nor townes would fortify : No stately horses to the war should pace , No tower-like shipps ore spread the Oceans face , If liberty for peace were ere well sold . Shall Caesar's Souldiers damn'd obedience hold Bound by a wicked oath , and you make light Your faith , because in a good cause you fight ? But pardon 's hop'd : oh shames dire funerall . Not knowing this , great Pompey , thou ore all The world art mustring , and each farthest King Bringing to fight , whilest we are articling Basely about thy safety . This feirce speech Turn'd backe their mindes , & stirr'd warrs wicked itch ; As when wild beasts wean'd from the woods , and shutt Vp close to ●ame , haue off their wildenesse put , And learn'd t' endure a man , if blood once staine Their iawes , their wildenesse straight returnes againe , Their iawes grow hot , and their new boyling rage The trembling keeper hardly can aswage . They run on wickednesse , and what might seeme In a blinde war the gods or fortunes crime , Deceived trust makes ours ; at bord , and bed The late embraced breasts are murthered ; And though vnwillingly at first they draw , Yet when their wicked swords drawne out they saw , And striking were , their friends they truely hate , And with the stroke themselues they animate . Petreius campe is with strange tumult fill'd , And horrid murther : sonnes their fathers kill'd : And as if hidden mischiefe lost should be , They boast their guilt , and let their Captaines see . Caesar , though robbed of thy men , yet see The gods high favour : not so much for thee On Aegypt , or Massilias seas is done , Nor so much honour in Pharsalia won . (f) For this sole crime of civill war does make That thou at length the better cause shalt take . The Generalls now their blood-stain'd Souldier No more dare trust within the campe so neere . But by swift flight toward Ilerda make , From whom all passage Caesars horsmen take , And there in those dry hills shut vp their foes , Whom Caesar striues with a deepe trench t' enclose Cutting all water off , he lets them take No springes , nor tents neere to the river make They seeing the way of death , convert their feare To rage ; their horses , that vnusefull were To men beseidg'd , they kill , and since in flight T were vaine to hope , addresse themselues to fight Caesar perceiues them comming , and well knowes That death is sought by his devoted foes . Containe your Piles , and swords , Souldiers ( quoth he ) I le loose no blood to get this victory . That foe , that meetes the sword , nere gratis dyes : Hating their liues , and cheape in their owne eyes , They come to mixe our losses with their death : They 'll feele no wounds , but ioy in losse of breath . But let this heate forsake vm , this mad fit , They 'll loose their wish of death . Caesar the fight Forbids , and lets their choller spend in vaine , Till Sol descended to the Ocean , And starres appear'd ; then when no hope 's at all Of fight , their feircenesse does by little fall , Their mindes grow cold . So is most courage found In late hurt men , whilest freshnesse of the wound , And the blood hot giues nimble motion To every nerue , and muscles guide the bone : If the wound-giver hold his hand , and stay : Then a cold numnesse , ( strength being tane away ) Seizes the minde , and the stiffe members tyes , The wound growne cold ( the blood congealing ) dryes . The Souldiers wanting water through each creeke Of the digg'd earth for hidden fountaines seeke . Not only now the mattocke , and the spade , But swords earth-digging instruments are made . Downe from the tops of mountaines as profound They goe , as lyes the lowest marish ground . Farther from day , and deeper in earths mould Divers not the searcher for Assyrian gold . But no sought rivers hidden course is showne ; No springs appear'd opening the Pummice stone : No bubbling brooke rowles little pibble stones : Nor sweating caue makes distillations . Weary with digging then the sweating men Are from those rocky pits drawne out againe : And this vaine search of water the dry aire Makes them lesse able to endure ; nor dare They f●ede their weary bodyes , eating nought , As medi●●ne against thirst is hunger sought . If the soft earth doe moisture yeild , they bring The clods , & ore their mouths with both hands wring . The blacke vnstirred mud , that every sinke Aff●rds by strife the greedy Souldiers drinke . And what to saue their liues they would haue stucke To take now dying drinke ; like beasts some sucke Beasts dugs , and when milke failes , with greedy jaw Meere blood from their exhausted udders draw . Hearbs , and greene leaues they wring : bedewed twigs They licke , and juce of bleeding vines : small sprigs Of t●ees they for their tender sap doe squeeze . Oh happy men , whom barbarous enemyes Flying by (e) poysoning all the rivers kill'd : But , Caesar , though these rivers should be fill'd With poysons , carrions , and pale Aconite Growing on Cretan rockes ▪ yet knowing it These Romans then would drinke , their bowells now Are scorcht , their mouths , & tongs dry'd rougher grow , Their veines shrinke vp : their lungs in this distresse Not moist contract the breathing passages Breathings hard drawne their vlcer'd palates teare , They ope their thirsty mout●es , to drinke nights aire , And wish such showres , as all did lately drowne , And the dry cloudes their lookes are fixt vpon . But that which most encreas'd their misery , They were encamp'd not no dry Meroe , Nor where the naked Garamantes plow Hot Cancers tropicke ; but betweene the flow Of swift Iberus , and full Sicoris : The thirstie campe two neighbouring rivers sees . Now both the generals yeild ; Afranius layes Downe armes and peace ( become a suppliant ) prayes . In●o the enemies campe his starved bands Drawing before the conquerors feete he stands : Then begging pardon with a carelesse breast He lost no Majesty ; but twixt his ●ast , And former state he beares himselfe in all , A conquer'd man , but yet a generall . Had I fall'n vnder a base enemy , I had not lack'd an hand my selfe to free : Know then the cause that now I beg to liue , I thinke thee , Caesar , worthy life to giue . For no sides favour , nor as foes to thee Did we take armes ; both Generalls were we Before this civill war , and haue maintain'd The former cause : now wee 'll not fate withstand . Spaine we deliver vp , and ope the East : Of all the world behind thou now mayst rest Secure : nor has much bloods effusion , Sharpe swords , or weary'd armes this conquest won : Onely thy foes , that thou hast conquered , Forgiue : nor beg we much , grant vs to lead Vnarm'd those liues , that thou hast now bestow'd : Suppose that all our slaughtered troopes lay strow'd Over the field● : to mixe vnfortunate With happy armes , and we participate Thy tryumphs were vnfit : our fates we know : (h) Compell vs not with thee to conquer now . But Caesar gently , and with smiling cheare Both pardons , and dismisses them from war . But when the league was firmely ' gree'd vpon , The souldiers to th' vnguarded rivers run , Fall on the bankes , troubling the granted streame . But long continued draughts in many of them , Not suffering aire through th' empty veines to flye , Shut vp their liues : nor could they easily Cease this dry plague : but though their guts they fill , The covetous disease is craving still . At last their nerues , and strength againe it brings Oh luxury too prodigall of things , Content with no provision easily brought ; Ambitious hunger for things dearely sought Ore land , and sea , pride of a sumptuous table : See what small store to cherish life is able , And nature please : these Souldiers fainting soules No vnknowne Consuls noble wine in bowles Of mirrhe , and gold restores from fountaines pure Water , and bread their fleeting liues assure . Wretches that follow warres . These souldiers Being now disarm'd are made secure , from cares Exempt , and innocent returne againe To their owne townes . When peace they did obtaine , How much they griev'd that ever they had cast One pile , or suffer'd thirst , or ever askt The gods in vaine to grant them prosperous warres ? For to the happyer fighting Souldiers What toiles through all the world , what doubtfull fields Remaine to fight ? Though fortune alwayes yeilds Happy successe , yet must they oftentimes Conquer , spill blood throughout all lands , and elimes , And follow Caesar , through all fates of his . When the world's ruine's neare , he happy is , That knowes his setled place . Their weary armes No war calls forth : their sleepes no loud alarmes Disturbes ; their wiues , children , and houses they ▪ And lands ( though no deducted colony ) , Enjoy ; by fortune from this burden free'd No favour does their mindes disquiet br●ed : One generall sav'd their liues : t●ther their owne Commander was . Thus happy they alone Free'd from desires the civill warres behold . But through the world this fortune did not hold ; She durst act some what against Casar's side . Where long (f) Salonae's beaten with the tide Of th' Adriaticke sea ; where Zephyre blowes Vpon the warme Iader's gentle flowes , Ant●nius there trusting the warlike bands Of his Curetes , whose environ'd lands The Adriaticke sea encircles round , Was straight beseidged in the vtmost bound , Safe from warres reach , if famine , that alone Conquers the strongest fortresses , were gone : The ground no pasture for their horses yeilds , Nor yellow Ceres cloaths the fallow'd feilds . The men eat grass● , and when the feilds grow bare , The grasse from off their camps dry'd turffes they teare . But when their friends on th' adverse shore they spy'd ▪ And Zasil●● the admirall , they try'd New wayes of flight by sea ; for their sterne end They did not hoift , nor did their keele extend ( As custome was ) but with vnusuall sleight Firme timber boates to beare a mighty weight They made . These empty boates on every side Susteine the ship ; whose double rancke was ty'd With chaines acrosse Nor were the oares dispos'd On th' open front to the foes darts expos'd : Only that sea , that was enclosed round By those conjoyned boates , their oares did wound . A miracle of silent slight it show'd ; She bo●e no sailes , or sea discover'd row'd . Now they obserue the tides , till th' ebbing seas Leaue the sands bare , and make the shore encrease ; Then from aboue into the Ocean prone The ship falls by two galleyes waited on : Ore which a lofty threatning tower was rear'd , Where spires , and trembling pinnacles appear'd . Octavius keeper of th' Illyrian sea Would not assault this ship too suddainly : But his swift vessells thought it good to stay Till th' easy passage might encrease his prey , And farther on to sea by peace invites His rashly enter'd foes ; such are the slights Of huntsmen , when their toiles they haue dispos'd : And fearefull deere in plumed nets enclos'd : Their dogs of Crete and Sparta they containe , And their wide mouth'd Molossians restraine : No dog is trusted in the wood , but he , That can vpon a full sent silent be , And never open when he findes the game , Content alone to signifie the same By wagging of the string ; then presently The Souldiers leaue the I le , and eagerly They come a boord the ship , when day 's last light Gaue place to the approach of dusky night . But the Cilicians of great Pompey's side According to their old sea-craft , had ty'd Chaines through the midst o'th'sea , of which no show Appear'd aboue , but loosely let them flow : The chaine was fasten'd to th' Illyrian shore . The first , and second ships not staid got ore : The third was caught of burden much more vast , And to the rocke by a drawne rope was cast . The rocke hangs ore the sea ( a wonder tis ) Hollow , and still ( though falling ) stands , with trees Making a shade : hither the sea by tides Oft driues : and in those darkesome cavernes hides Ships broke by Aquilon , and drowned men : Which hidden store the rocke restores againe ; And when the cavernes belch it vp , in heate Sicilian Charybdis cannot get Preheminence . Heere did the great ship stand , That was with valiant Opitergians mann'd Her from all havens did all ships enclose : Some from the rocke , some from the shore oppose . Vulteius found this vnder-water traine ( The Captaine of the ship ) who all in vaine Striving to cut the chaines , did then desire Without all hope , to fight : where to retire , Or how to conquer is not seene : but here As much as snared valour could appeare , It did : against so many thousand wights , That did enclose , scarse one full cohort fights , Not long endeed , for night in her blacke shade Shut vp the day , and peace the darkenesse made . Then stou● Vulteius thus gan animate The cohort fearing sad ensuing fate . Yong men , that but for one short night are free , Provide in time for sates extremity : There 's no man's life is short , that does allow Him time to seeke his death : nor thinke it now Lesse glorious that we meete a fate at hand . The times of future life none vnderstand . T is aequall praise of minde to giue away Our liues last moment , and the hoped stay Of many yeres , so we the actors be : No man can be compell'd to wish to dye . No way for flight is left : at every hand Bent 'gainst our throates the sterne Cilicians stand . Let feare be banisht then : resolue to dye , And let your wishes meete necessity . Nor shall we fall in a blinde cloud of war , As when two battels joyn'd in darkenesse are , When heapes of carcasses bestrow the field , Valour lies buried , all are aequall held . But in a ship the gods haue placed vs Both to our friends and foes conspicuous . The I le , the continent , the seas allow Witnesses to vs , and two parties now . From divers shores behold vs : in our ends What great , and rare example Fate entends I know not . What ere Chronicles afford Of trust , of Souldiers faith maintain'd by sword , We shall excell : t is a small thing to die Vpon our swords , Caesar , we know for thee : But greater pledges in this sad distresse We want , our great affections to expresse And envious Fates vs of much praises barre , That not our parents , nor our children are Heere with vs . Let our foes our valour finde , And feare our force , and death contemning minde : Let them be glad that no more ships were caught , Perchance they 'll try by leagues what can be wrought , Proffering base life : would they would promise vs Pardon , to make our deaths more glorious , Lest when we fall our killing swords vpon , Our foes should call it desperation . Much valour must deserue that Caesar may Account the lesse of vs a fatall day Among so many thousand . Should fate giue Egresse from hence , I would not wish to liue ; I haue already cast away my breath , Drawen by the sweetnesse of approaching death : A fury t is , which none but they can know , To whom nere Fates such knowledge doe allow ; The Gods deaths sweetnesse doe conceale , to make Men liue . A noble courage straight did take The young mens minds ; though all with weeping eyes ( Before the Captaines speech ) had view'd the skies , And fear'd to see the turne of Charles his waine : But now their valiant minds wish day againe After this speech ; nor was day slowt ' appeare : Sol leaving Gemini , and drawing neare His height in Cancer , when the shortest night Vrg'd the Thessalian Archer . Day growne light , Discover'd warrelike Istrians on the land , The fierce Liburnians , and Greeke fleete , that stand Covering the seas . They first suspending fight , Striue to orecome by covenants , and invite The ship to yeild by granting life ; but they Devoted , scorning life , stand in array , Secure in sight , resolv'd what end to take : No stormes their strong resolved mindes could shake : And though but few , by land , and sea they fought ( Such confidence deaths resolution brought ) Against innumerable hands ; but when Warre had drawne blood enough , their fury then Turn'd from their foes . The Captaine first of all Vulteius offring his bare throte gan call Seeking for death , is there no Souldier here Worthy to shed my blood ? let him appeare , And killing me shew that himselfe dares bleed . With that of life his wounded breast was free'd By many swords ; Vulteius thankes bestow'd On all ; but dying him , to whom he ow'd His first kind wound , he thankefully againe Requites with death . Thus meeting all were slaine , And on one side the warres whole mischiefe hung . So the serpentine brood by Cadmus Sprung , Fell by each others hand , a dire presage Of the ensuing Theban brothers rage . So those of th' waking Dragons teeth once fram'd In Colchos fields , by Magicke spells enflam'd , With kindred blood the fields plow'd furrowes dy'd ; Which mischiefe wrought by hearbs before vntry'd Medea fear'd her selfe . So fell these men By ba●gain'd fate , and in the death of them To dye was the least valour : they both fall , And kill at once : no right hand mist at all , Though at the point of death : nor to their blades Ow'd they their wounds : a breast the sword invades , Their throates invade their hands ; and if blinde chance A brothers sword 'gainst brother did advance , Or sonnes 'gainst father , with vndanted hand , And all their strength they strike ; in this did stand Their piety alone , that at one blow They would dispatch them ; on the hatches now Halfe dead they draw their bowells , and much blood Stream'd downe into the sea ; it did them good To see the scorned day , death to preferre , And with proud lookes despise the conquerer . Now on the ship the heapes of bodyes shew'd The slaughter made : on which the foes bestow'd Fit funeralls , admiring much to see To any Captaine such fidelity . Fame flying through the world did never raise Any one ship with such resounding praise . Yet will not coward nations since such braue Examples , learne to know , that death to saue Their liberty is not a price so deare : But kingdomes arm'd with power of sword they seare● Liberty can vse armes , and swords should be ( As men should know ) to keepe their liberty . Oh would the fates would let the fearefull liue , That valour only death to men might giue . Nor was that war that did in Libya grow Lesse terrible then this : bold (g) Curio By a milde Northren winde was wasted ore From Lilybaeum to that well knowne shore , Where Clupea seated is , and where he sees Great Carthages halfe ruin'd aedifice : And pitching his first tents far from the maine , Where Bagrada furrowes the sandy plaine , Those hills , and eaten rockes goes to behold , Which were A●taeus kingdome call'd of old ; Asking the cause of this old name , a clowne Thus tells the tale by long Tradition knowne ▪ For Giants births Earth yet not barren made In Libian caues a feared issue had , Which to his mother brought as true a fame , As Typhon , Tityus , and Briareus name . 'T was good for heaven Antaeus was not borne At Phlegra ; but this guift did more adorne His mighty strength : into his limmes ( though tir'd , ) His mothers touch a vigour fresh inspir'd . This caue his dwelling was , this mountaine here He lurckt about , his foode slaine lions were : His bed no leaues of trees , no skin of beasts : His strength by sleeping on the ground encreast . By him th' inhabitants of Libya dy'd , And strangers all , that to our coast apply'd . His strength ( not vsing a long time to fall ) Needed not earths rich gift : too strong for all He was though standing vp ; at length through fame Of this dire plague the great Alcides came , Whose hand both sea and land from monsters free'd And for th' encounter each put off his weede , One's Nemean , tother 's Libyan Lions skin : Hercules oiles his limmes ere he begin According to th' Olimpicke rites : but he Rubb'd ore his limmes with sand : it could not be Enough to touch his mother with his feete . They grapple then , and armes , armes folded meete . Striving each others necke with heavy hand To bend ; yet both fixt , and vnbended stand . Both wonder much to meete their match at length : But Hercules vs'd not his vtmost strength At the first bout , but weary'd out his foe , Which his oft blowing , and cold sweates did show : His shaking necke , nor breast could firmely stand : His bending hammes yeild to Alcides hand : Alcides then about his short ribbes cast His conquering armes , and grip'd his yeilding wast , Then tripping vp his leggs he fairely ●ayes His foe stretch'd out vpon the sand ; earth stayes His sweat , and fills with fresh blood every vaine , His armes grow brawny , his joynes st●ffe againe , And his fresh limmes vnclaspe the others hands . Amaz'd at this new strength Alcides stands Nor fear'd he Hydra so in Lerna lakes Fruitfull by losse of her reviving snakes , Though then but yong ; Now both were aequall growne One in earths strength , the other in his owne . Nere had sterne Iuno more encouragement To hope ; she sees his limmes with sweating spent , And his necke dry'd , as when he did sustaine The heavens : but when he clasp'd his foe againe , Antaeus staying not till he be throwne , Falls of himselfe , and rises stronger growne : His mother earth to his tir'd members giues What spirit she has , and labours when he striues . But when Alcides found ●arths touch to be Strengthning to him , now thou shalt stand ( quoth he ) No more thou fal●'st , nor will we trust againe The ground : this breast shall thy crusht limbes suste●ne ; Hither , Antaeus , shalt thou fall this spoke , Him striving to fall downe aloft he tooke , And grasp'd his middle fast : earth could not lend Strength to her dying sonne , nor succour send . But till his fo●s breast starke and cold he found Alcides durst not trust him on the ground . From hence selfe-lov'd antiquity , and fame , Old times recorder , gaue this place a name . But to these hills a nobler name gaue he , That drew the Punicke foe from Italy . Scipio arriving on our Libya , heere Pitch'd his first campe : the ruines yet appeare Of that old trench ; this place of all the rest Was first by Roman victory possest . Curio , as if the place were fortunate , And still retain'd those former Captaines fate In war , rejoyc'd , and in this lucky place Pitch'd his vnlucky tents , which did deface The places Omen : and provok'd sterne foes With strength vnaequall ; Affricke all that owes Obedience to the Roman Eagles , then Was vnder Varus , who , ( though strong in men Of Italy ) aide from the Libyan King Requires , to whom the worlds far regions bring Their force with Iuba ; no one King alone Was master of such large dominion : In length th' extent of his great Kingdomes ground Gades-neighbouring Atlas , and Ioues Ammon bound Neere Thera ; but in breadth the torrid zone , Betwixt the sea , and it , it coasts vpon So many people to his army presse , Th' Autolodes , and wandring Nomades : Getulians hors'd without caparison : The Mauritanians of complexion Like Indians : poore Nasamonians , Scorcht Garamantes , swift Marmaricans : Massylians , that without saddles ride , And with a wand their bitlesse horses guide : Mazacian darts , that Median shafts excell : Those that in empty cottages doe dwell ; Affrican hunters , that all darts refuse , And their loose coates 'gainst angry Lyons vse . Nor did the cause of civill war alone , But private anger bring King Iuba on . Curio that yeere , wherein he did defile Divine , and human lawes , striv'd to exile By tribunitiall law from Libyas throne This King , and barre him his forefathers crowne , Wh●lest he would make thee , Rome , a monarchy . He mindfull of the wrong thinkes this to be The greatest guift his scepter could bestow . This Iuba's fame affrighted Curio : Besides no Souldiers firme to Caesar's side Were in his army , none that had beene try'd In Germany ▪ but at Confinium tane False to new Lords did to their first remaine Doubtfull , and thought both sides indifferent were . But when he saw all slacke through slavish feare , That the night-guards their trenches did forsake With a distracted spirit thus he spake . Daring conceales great feare● I le first assay The fight , and put my Souldiers in array While t●ey are mine : doubt growes from rest alone : Fight shall prevent their consultation ; When swords whet their dire wills , and helmets hide Their blushes , who can then compare the side , Or weigh the cause ? they favour as they stand : As no old hate does on the stage command Sword-players to meete : they hate by faction . This said , in open field he leades them on ; Whom the warres fortune , meaning to deceiue After , at first does prosperously receiue . For Varus he defeated , following on Their flying backes in execution Even to the campe When Iuba first did know Of this sad field , and Varus overthrow , Glad that the glory of the war did stay For him , by stealth he leade his troupes away : And without noise ( commanding silence ) goes , Fearing he should be feared of his foes Sabura next in honour to the King With a small troope is sent before to bring Curio on by provocation , As if the war were left to him alone : Himselfe with all his kingdomes strength below Keepes in the valley , The Ichneumon so Provoking by his tailes deceitfull shade Th' Aegyptian Aspe , dooes at the last invade ( Free'd from the deadly venoms danger quite ) The s●rpents throate stretch'd out in vaine to meete A slying shade : out the lost poison goes , And all about the Aspes jawes vainely flowes . Fortune assists this fraud : fierce Curio Descrying not the strength of his hid foe , En●oines his horsemen all to issue out By night , and range the vnknowne fields about : And after them himselfe by breake of day With all his Eagles spread marches away , Much ( but in vaine ) entreated to suspect Libyan deceite , and fraudes that still infect The Punicke warres : but to his funerall Fate gaue him vp , and civill war did call Her author on : ore rockes and mountaines high They march ; when on the hill from farre they spy The foe : who cunning , seemes to flye away Till he haue set his battells in array Vnder the hill : this Curio did not know , But thought it flight , and like a conquerour now Brings forth his troopes into the open plaine : Then first discover'd they this guilefull train● : The seeming-fled Numidians they espy'd On the hills tops enclosing every side : Curio , and his lost troopes astonisht quite ; The fearefull could not flye , the valiant fight : The horses now not feirce attrumpets sound Chaw not their foamng bitts , beate not the ground : Spread not their manes nor doe their eares advance , Nor with their wonted spright curyet and prance : Their sweating shoulders fum'd , their tir'd necks hung And their dry'd mouth thrust out their weary tongue : Their breasts , and throates hoarse with oft blowing grew : Their heavy pulse far their spent bowels drew : The fomings dry and hote grew hard vpon The bloody bits : no strokes could force them on , Nor often spurrings make them mend their speed ; Wounds make them goe : to hasten on the steed Bootes not the rider , for the weary horse In comming on wants courage , strength and force : He onely brings his Rider to the foes , And does his breast to all their speares expose . But when the Lybian horse came coursing nigh , The ground did shake , and clouds of dust did flie ( As great as Thracian whirlewinds blow about ) Ore the skies cover'd face , and darkenesse wrought . But when warres miserable fate did fall Vpon the foot , no doubtfull field at all Was fought : the battell in that time was done , That men could die : for forth they could not run To make their flight , enclos'd on every side From far by darts directly throwne they dy'd , Obliquely neere : not wounds alone they feele Orewhelm'd with stormes of darts , & weight of steele : Pent vp in a straight roome the army 's kept : Those that for feare neer'st to the middle crept , Amongst their fellowes swords are not secure , For the forefront not able to endure The foes assault , slept backe , and straighter made The Globe : no roome to weild their armes they had : Their crowded limmes are prest : one armed breast Against another driven to death is prest . The conquering Mauritanian could not haue So glad a spectacle as fortune gaue ; He saw no bodies fall : no streames of blood , Kept so by crowde vpright the bodies stood . Let Fortune this new parentation make For hated Carthages dire spirits sake : Let bloody Hanniball , and Punicke ghosts Of this sad Roman expiation boast . Let not in Lybia , gods , a Roman fall For Pompey or the Senate make at all : Vs rather for her selfe let Affrica Conquer : his men ore'throwne when Curio saw , And the dust lay'd with blood gaue leaue to see , Scorning t'out-liue such a calamity , Or hope in flight , he meete his death , to dye Forward , and valiant by necessity . What now availes thy place , and troubled barres , From whence a Tribune to seditious wars Thou stirr'dst the people , and the Senates right Betray'dst , and could'st to civill war encite The sonne , and father in law ? thy death is wrought Before these Lords haue in Pharsalia fought . To see that field is not permitted thee . This satisfaction in your bloods giue ye Great ones , to wretched Rome , and pay for war ; Oh happy Rome , and Romans happyer far . Would but the gods aboue as carefull be To keepe , as to revenge our liberty . Vnburied Curio's noble flesh is food For Libyan birds : but ( since t' will doe no good To conceale that , which from times injury Fame still will vindicate ) wee 'll giue to thee The praise that to thy life dooes appertaine . Rome never nurtur'd a more able man , Nor one to whom ( whilest good ) the lawes ow'd more : But vice then hurt our city , when the store Of wealth , Ambition , Riot had declin'd To the worst part his yet vnsetled minde , And changed Curio the states fate controul'd Brib'd by the spoiles of France , and Caesars gold . Though potent Sylla , and fierce Marius , Cinna , and Caesars line got rule ore vs By sword : to whom did such power ever fall ? This man sold Rome , the other bought it all . FINIS , Libri quarts .

Annotations on the fourth Booke :

( a ) For this conquest much avayled Caesar , having quieted Spaine he might securely prosecute the rest of the war , having debarr'd Pompey of those legions on which he most relyed , this conquest cost little blood , for Afranius and Petreius forced by famine yeilded to Caesar .

(b) Afranius and Petreius with aequall power , with mutuall loue and care governed fiue legions for Pompey in Spaine , and chose Ilerda by the appointment of Pompey as a convenient seate for the war .

( c ) The Celtae leaving France and passing the Pyren●an mountaines seated themselues by the river Iberus , and were called Celt●beri .

( d ) Cinga falling into Iber looses his name to Iber , which also giues name to all Spaine .

(e) Afranius , and Petreius , when Caesar's horsemen had stopped their wayes of forraging and fetching in Corne , and withall frighted , because many cities in that part had revolted to Caesar , and the rest were like to follow their example , res●lved to transserre the war into Celtiberia , which remained yet in the friendship of Pompey , at having received great benefits from him in the Sertorian war ; besides they supposed that the fame of Caesar was yet more obscure among those barbarous people : therefore at the third watch they secretly disl●dged , and passing over the river Sicoris they marched with speede toward Iberus . When Caesar by his scouts vnderstood this , and hearing that beyond there were mountainous , strait , and rugged passages , which if the enemy should first enter , they might with ease keepe him backe , and car●y the warre into Celtiberia , and those farre countreyes , he commanded his horsemen with speede to prevent them , and himselfe marching through devious , and rough wayes , arrived first at those places , and encamped himselfe betweene Afranius and the river Iberus , which Afranius was marching to the two campes were here fortified so neare , to each other , that the Souldiers distinctly knew each others faces , and talked with their kindred , and ancient acquaintance ,

( f ) In this appeared a strange clemency of Caesar , that after hee had heard the cruelty of Petrejus towards his Souldiers , how taking them from their friends company , ( that had vpon promise secured them ) hee caused them to be murdered ( as the Poet relates plainely ) Caesar notwithstanding seeking out Petrejus his souldiers in his campe , spared their liues all , and suffered as many of them as would to depart : but many Tribunes , Centurions , and others would not retune , but stayed , and served after vnder Caesar .

( g ) It was a policy had often beene vsed by barbarous enemies against the pursuing armies of the Romans , to poison all their river : it was done by Ingurtha King of Numidia , Mithradates King of Pontus , and Iuba King of Mauritansa .

( h ) These two Generalls , Afranius and Petrejus , though they were here pardoned by Caesar , vpon promise to serue no more against him ; did notwithstanding afterwards in the Affrican war follow Scipio against Caesar , where they were againe overthrowne . Afranius was taken prisoner , and by Caesar's command and was slaine . Petrejus despairing of pardon ( as is afterwards showne ) slew himselfe vpon King Iuba's sword .

( i ) Fortune yet presumed to doe somewhat against Caesar in his absence aboue about Illyrium ; for Dolabella and Antonius commanded by Caesar to possesse the Strenghts of the Adriaticke sea e●camped one on the Illyrian , the other on the Corcyraan share . Pompey farre and neere was master of the seas , whose Lieutenant Octavius and Libo with great strength of shipping besiedged Antonius , and by famine forced him to yeild . Basilus from the other shore sent ships to ayde Antonius , which were caught by the Pompeyans in a strange snare casting ropes crosse the sea vnder water not to be spi'd . Two of the ships escaped , and got over the ropes , the third which carryed the men of Opitergium was ensnared , and held fast . The Opit●rgians in that place left an example memorable to all posterity ; for being scarse a thousand men , they endured from morning to night the assaults of a great Army round about them , and at last when valour could not possible release them , rather then yeild themselues into the enemyes hands , by the exhortation of their captaine Vultejus , all kill'd themselues .

( k ) In Affrica also the side of Caesar enduring the like calamity shewed the like valour . Curio sent by Caesar to winne Libyae , having vanquished , and put to flight Varus , was enclosed on the suddaine by the vnexpected horsemen and army of Iuba King of Mauritania . Curio might haue fled when he saw the day lost , but much ashamed , and scorning to returne to Caesar after the losse of his legions , he dyed with all his men .

LVCANS Pharsalia . The First Booke . The Argument . Romes flying Senate met at Epire , chose Great Pompey generall , faint Appius goes To Delphos Oracle to seeke advise , Which his owne death obscurely signifies . Caesar return'd from Spaine with victory Quiets his Souldiers dangerous mutiny : Dictator then , and Consull both at Rome He makes himselfe , sailes from Brundusium To Greece ▪ but vex'd with Anthony's delayes , In a small boate himselfe alone assayes By night the stormy sea , and crosses ore . His legions all met on the Graecian shore Addresse themselues for triall of the day . Pompey to Lesbos sends his wife away . THus fortune kept ( mixing her good with ill ) The two (a) war-wounded generalls aequall still For Macedonia ; when with Winter's snow The Pleiades did Oemus top bestrow : And when the times new-naming day drew neare Old Ianus feast beginner of the yeare : Then both the Consuls at the vtmost date Of their expiring honour convocate To Epire the fled fathers ; where a plaine And forraine seat Rome's Nobles did containe : A borrowed court in forraine land heard all The secrets of the State . For who can call That place a campe , where all Romes Fasces were , And axes borne ? The reverend order there Taught all the people 't was not Pompey's side , But Pompey there a member did abide . Silence possessing the sad Senate than , From an high seat thus Lentulus began : If you retaine a strength of minde as good As Roman spirits , and your ancient blood Befitts ; then thinke not in what land you are As banisht , from surprised Rome how farre : But know the face of your owne company : Fathers , that governe all , this first decree , Which yet all kingdomes , and all people know , We are the Senate . For if fortune now Should carry vs vnder the frozen waine Of Vrsa ma●or , or where daies remaine Aequall in length with nights , the torrid zone , Thither the Empire and dominion Would follow vs ▪ When Rome by Gaules was fir'd , And that to Vey Camillus was retir'd : There then was Rome ; this order never lost Their right by changing place . Caesar can boast Only of mourning walls possession , And judgement seates by sad vacation Shut vp , and silenc'd , empty mansions . That court those fathers onely sees , whom once , When full , it banisht ; of that ranke , who ere Is not a banisht man , is sitting here . We that long peacefull , free from guilt haue stood , At wars first fury were dispers'd abroad : Now to his place each part returnes againe ; And for the losse of Italy and Spaine The gods the strength of all the world bestow . Th' Illyrian Sea has overwhelm'd one foe : And Libyan fields does slaughtred Curio No little part of Caesars Senate strow . Advance your Eagles , follow fate , and grant The gods your hope : doe not that courage want In this good fortune , which when first you fled , Your cause stirr'd vp . The yeere has finished Our power : you fathers , whose authorityes No time shall end , for th' publike good advise : Command great Pompey to be generall ; His name with joyfull cryes the Senate all Receiue , imposing vpon Pompey straight His countrey's , and his owne most wretched fate . Then faithfull Kings , and Nations had their praise ▪ Phaebus sea-powerfull Rhodes rewarded was , And Spartans rough ; prais'de were th' Athenians ▪ (b) Phocis made free with her Massylians . Faithfull (c) Deiotarus , young Sadalis , The valiant (d) Cotys , and (e) Rhasipolis Of Macedon were prais'd ; Iuba to thee The Senate giues all Libya by decree ; And ( oh sad fare ) ignoble Ptolemy , Worthy of treacherous subjects , vnto thee The crime of all the gods , and fortunes shame , Is granted the Pellaean diadem . A tirants sword over thy nation Thou tak'st , proud boy , would 't were ore them alone ▪ Ore (f) Pompey's throate it is ; thy sisters crowne Thou tak'st , and Caesars impious action . The Senate now broke vp , the troopes all take Their armes : the people , and the captaines make For warres vncertaine preparation . But (g) Appius feares warres doubtfull chance alone Solliciting the gods th' events to heare , And Phoebus Temple , that for many a yeare Had beene shut vp at Delphos , opens he . Parnassus with two tops reaching the sky Twixt East , and West aequally distant lyes To Bacchus , and Apollo's deityes Sacred : to whom in mixed sacrifice The Theban wiues at Delphos solemnize Their trieterickes ; this one hill alone Appear'd , when all the world was overflowne , And stood as middle twixt the sea and sky . One top , Parnaffus , then contented thee : For one alone did aboue water shew . Young Phoebus there with shafts vnvsed slew The speckled Python , that in waite long lay His banisht mother great with childe to slay ; Themis the kingdome then , and Tripos held . But when (h) Apollo the cleft ground beheld T' inspire oraculous truth , and further findes The gap●ng earth exhale prophetike windes : Downe in that sacred caue himselfe he hides And now turn'd Prophet there Apollo bides Which of the gods lurkes here ? what deity Shot downe from heaven vouchsafes to dignify This caue ? what heavenly god dwells heere below , That does the fates aeternall courses know , And things to come ? and telling people sure Vouchsafes the touch of woman to endure ? Whether this powerfull god barely relate The fates , or his relation make them fate ? Perchance that spirit , that all the world maintaines , And the poiz'd earth in empty aire susteines , Through these Cirrhaean caues does passage get . Striving with his aethereall part to meete . This spirit once entered the virgins brest , Striking her humane soule , sounds forth exprest With hideous noise ; so vrging flames come from Sicilian Aetna's over burden'd wombe : Typhaeus so throwes vp his stones abroade Prest with Inarime's aeternall loade . This god expos'd to all , deny'd to none , Is free'd from hearing human crimes alone . To him no man whispers vnlawfull prayers ; For he things fixt vnchangeable declares , Forbidding men to wish : and gratiously Giues just men dwellings , though whole townes they be , As once to Tyre ; he teaches vs wars slight , As to th' Athenians in their navall fight At Salamine ; he cleares , the causes showne , Earths barrennesse , and aire 's infection . Our age no gift of heaven wants more then this Of Delphos oracle , which silent is , Since Kings afraid to haue their fates exprest , Forbid the gods to speake ; nor is the Priest Of Delphos , for the god 's long silence sad : This Oracle's cessation makes them glad . For to that breast , where ere he doe inspire , Vntimely death is punishment or hire Of his reception , the fitt's vehemence Too much orecomes the strength of human sence ; And their fraile soules the god 's high motion shakes , Appius , whilest too too neare a search he makes To know Rome's fate , to th' vnstirr'd Tripodes , And silent cavernes does his steps addresse , The Priest commanded t'ope that dreadfull seate , And for the god a prophetesse to get , Findes young Phemonoe , as she carelesse roues 'Mongst the Castalian springs , and silent groues , And makes her breake the Temple doores . The maide To stand in that most horrid place afraide , Thought by a vaine deceit Appius to bring From his desire of knowing future things . Why hop'st thou , Roman , truth should here be showne ? The hill ( quoth she ) is mute , the god is gone Whether the spirit haue left these cavernes quite , And to the worlds far regions tane his flight : Or Phytho burnt by barbarous Brennus vp Did with the ashes fill this hole , and stop Great Phaebus way : or that the gods decree Make Cirrha mute , thinking it prophecy Enough that Sibyll's bookes among you liue : Or Phoebus wont from out his temple driue All wicked persons , now no mouth haue found Worthy enough his Oracles to sound . The Maids deceit appear'd ; her feare imply'd She falsely had the present gods deny'd . Then a white fillet ties her lockes behinde With Delphian Bayes ; and wreathed garlands binde Her haire before . The Priest thrusts on the maid . Who fearefull still about the entrance staid , And durst no neerer to the god to come , Nor to approach the temples inmost roome . There counterfeiting that she was possest She vtters from an vndisturbed brest Fain'd words with no confused murmure flowing , Nor the least signe of divine fury showing . Her words so deepely could not Appius wound , As great Apolloes truth ; no trembling sound That broke her speech , there was , no voice so shrill , As all the caues capacious throat might fill : Her Lawrell fell not from her frightd haire : The temple and the wood vnshaken were . These signes betray'd her fearefull to receiue The god ; when angry Appius did perceiue That 't was no Oracle , Thou wretch , quoth he , Both I , and these abused gods will bee Reveng'd for this , vnlesse thou straight descend , And truely tell what all these stirres portend To the affrighted world ; with that the maid Descends downe to the Oracle afraid , And standing ore the vault , the god possest With a full spirit her vnaccustom'd brest . The rockes so many yeeres vnwasted spirit He fills her with , and comming to inherit A Delphian brest , nere fill'd he Prophetesse Fuller : her former minde he banishes , And bids all woman from her breast begone . She raging beares in this distraction Not her owne necke ; her haire vpright throwes downe The sacred ornaments , and Phoebus crowne : Her necke turnes wildly round : & downe she throwes All tripodes she meets with as she goes . And with an inward fire she burnes , which shewes Thee , Phoebus wrath : nor doest thou onely vse Thy prickes , thy flames , and incitations now , But bridles too , the Prophetesse shall know More then she must reveale ; all times are heapt Vp in one heape , and many ages crept Into her wretched breast ; things orders too , And all contend out into light to goe . The Fates desiring vtterance striue within : When the world ends , and when it shall begin The prophetesse can tell , and vnderstands The Oceans depth , and number of the sands . As the Cumaean Sibyll in a scorne Her prophecies should serue all nations turne , From the vast heape of vniversall Fate , With a proud hand cull'd out the Roman State : So now the Phoebus fill'd Phemon●● Striues , obscure Appius , where to find out thee 'Mongst all the Delphian inspirations : Then first from her mad mouth the foaming ●unnes , And in the horrid caue were heard at once Broke-winded murmurs , howlings and sad grones . At last these words fall from the maide orecome : Great threates of war , thou only freed from , Shalt in Eubaea's pleasant valleys rest . And there she stopt ; Phoebus her speech supprest . Yee Tripodes keepers of fate , that know All the world's secrets , and Apollo thou Skill'd in all truth , from whom the gods conceale No future times , why fear'st thou to reveale That action , that our Empire 's ruine brings , Great Captaines deaths and funeralls of Kings , And all the people that with Rome shall bleede ? Haue not the gods this mischiefe yet decree'd ? Or stay those fates , whilest planets are at strife And doubt about condemning Pompey's life ? Or hid'st thou , fortune , to effect more sure Our liberties revenge , and Brutus cure Of monarchy againe ? then the maides breast Shou'd ope the temple doores , and out she prest . Her mad fit holds , nor had she all explain'de , Part of the god within her still remain'd . And round about her wandring eyes he rowl'd ; Nor does her face one constant posture hold : But sometimes threatning , sometimes fearefull t is ; Sometimes a fiery red her countenance dyes : Sometimes her pallid cheekes anger exprest , Not feare : nor can her wearied heart finde rest ; But as a while after the windes are c●as'd The Ocean mu●mur's ; so oft so bings eas'd The maidens breast . But twixt this inspir'd light , And her plaine humane vnderstandings sight A darkenesse came ; Phoebus oblivion sent ; Then from her breasts the gods high secrets went , And divinations to the Tripodes Return'd againe . But when her fit gan cease Shee falls . Nor didst thou , beguil'd (i) Appius , feare From doubtfull Oracles thy death so neare ; But in that tottering world with hopes most vaine Thought quietly Eubaea to retaine . Ah foole what god but death could set thee free Out of the world 's generall calamity , And war ? there shall thy hearse entombed lye , And so possesse Eubaea quietly , Where th' sea by marble-fam'd Carystos is Straightn'd , and pride-revenging Nemesis Rhamnus adores , a straighten'd currert strong That channels holds , and Eurypus along Beares ships by violence , changing oft his tide , From Chalcis to ill harbouring Aulis side . By this time Caesar come from conquer'd Spaine With his victorious Eagles was againe Marching (k) another way : when rate almost The prosperous course of his whole war had crost ; For conquer'd in no fight the generall In his owne campe gan feare the losse of all His treason's fruit , those hands that faithfull still Had serv'd his warres , now glutted with the fill Of blood , began to quit their generall . Th' alarmes tragicke sounds not heard at all A while , and cold sheath'd swords their thirst of war Had cool'd ; or else the greedy souldier Damning for gaine both cause and generall , Would set his blood stain'd sword at higher sale . Caesar not more in any danger try'd How tottering and vnfirme a prop his pride Had lean'd vpon , and well might stagger , reft Of all those souldiers hands , and almost left To his owne sword ; he that so many lands Had drawne to war , knowes now the souldiers hands , Not his must doe the deede . Their plaints now be Not dumbe , nor timorous is their mutiny . That cause , that does suspitious mindes restraine , Whilest each one feares , where he is fear'd againe , And thinkes that he himselfe distasts alone His rulers tyranny , in this was gone . Their number to secure their feare is able . Where all offend , the crime 's vnpunishable . They poure out threats ; now Caesar let vs cease From wicked war ; thou seek'st by land and seas Swords for these throates , and vpon any foe Wouldst our too cheape esteemed liues bestow ; Some of vs slaine in war in Gallia lye , In Spaine lye some , and some in Italy ; Ore all the world thy army 's slaughtered While thou orecom'st , what bootes our blood that 's shed 'Gainst Gaules and Germans in the North so far ? For all thou pay'st vs with a civill war . When Rome we tooke , and made the Senate flye , What spoiles from Men or Temples gathered we ? Guilty in swords and hands , all villany We goe vpon : vertuous in poverty Alone ; what end is there of war at all , Or what can be enough , if Rome too small ? See our gray haires , weake hands , and bloodlesse armes Our vse of life is gone ; in warres alarmes Our age consum'd ; send vs now old at least To choose our deaths , this is our bad request : Our dying limmes on hard ground not to lay , Nor strike steele helmets till our dying day : To seeke some frends to close our eyes in death ; To get our proper Piles ; our last to breath In our wiues armes ; let sicknesse end our dayes ; Let 's vnder Caesar find some other wayes Of death then sword ; why hood winkt leadst thou vs With a vaine hope on acts portentuous ? As if in civill war we were not able To know what treason is most profitable ? Our wars haue taught him nothing , if not this , What we can doe ; nor is this enterprise Forbid by law ; he was our generall In th' German wars : here we are fellowes all ▪ Whom treason soiles , it makes of aequall state . Besides in his vnthankefull aestimate Our valour 's lost , and whatsoere we doe Is call'd his fortune ; but let Caesar know We are his fate . Though friended by the gods , Caesar is nothing if with vs at odds . This said , about his tent they mustur all With angry lookes seeking their generall . So let it goe , ye gods , since piety Forsakes vs , and our hopes on vice relye , Let discord make an end of civill war . What generall would not such a tumult scarre ? But Caesar ; that the fates still suddaine tryes , And loues through greatest dangers t'exercise His fortunes , comes ; nor till their rage abate Stayes he , but meetes the fury of their hate . Cityes , and Temples spoyles to them he nere Deny'd , though Ioue's Tarpejan house it were , Senators wiues and daughters to deflower . All villanyes would Caesar from his power Haue them aske freely , and wars guerdon loue : And nothing feares , but that his men should proue Honest . Ah Caesar art thou not asham'd That civill war by thine owne souldiers damn'd Should be allow'd by thee ? shall they first be Weary of blood , and hate impiety , Whilest thou runn'st headlong on through wrong and right ? Giue ore , and learne to liue out of a fight ; Giue thy guilt leaue to end . Why to these wars Doest thou enforce vnwilling souldiers ? The civill war flyes from thee ; on the top Of a turfe mount stands Caesar fearlesse vp , Deserving feare by his vndaunted looke ; And thus , as anger prompted him , he spoke . Whom you with hands and lookes did absent braue Souldiers , vnarm'd , and present now you haue . Heere sheath your swords , if you would end the wars . Sedition , that no act of valour dares , Faint hearted fooles , and flying spirits declares , Tir'd with their matchlesse Captaines conquering state . But goe ; leaue me to war with mine owne fate : These weapons will find hands , when I cashiere All you , as many men , as swords are heere , Will fortune send me ; shall all Italy In such a fleete with vanquisht Pompey flye ? And shall my conquests not bring men to share The wealthy spoiles of this neere finisht war , Reaping the profit of your toile , and so Vnwounded with my laurell'd charriot goe ? You an old worne , and bloodlesse company ( Then Rom's plebeians ) shall my tryumphs see . Can Caesars fortune feele the losse of you ? If all the streames , that into th' Ocean flow , Should threaten to withdraw themselues ; the seas Would by the losse of them no more decrease , Then now they fill . Thinke you that such as ye Can any moment to my fortunes be ? The gods care never will so low descend , That fates your deaths or safeties should attend , The fates attend on great mens actions : Mankind liues for a few ; and you , whom once Spaine fear'd , and all the North , whilst vnder me , If Pompey were , your generall would flye . Whilest Labienus did with Caesar stay , He was a man ; now a base runaway Flyes with his chosen cheife ore sea and land . Nor shall your faith in my opinion stand Better though me ye make nor enemy Nor generall ; he that revolts from me , And does not Pompeys faction straight maintaine , He never will my souldier be againe . The gods themselues over my campe haue care , And would not venture me in such a war Ere I haue chang'd my men . A burden maine Has fortune from my weary shoulders tane ; I may disarme those hands now lawfully , Whose boundlesse hopes earth could not satisfie . Out of my campe ; I le for my selfe make wars : Resigne those Eagles vp to souldiers Base citizens : but those that authors were Of this sedition , punishment shall heere Detaine , not Caesar ; fall vpon the ground , Yeild your disloyall heads and necks to wound ; And you , which now my campes sole strength shall be Young souldiers , learne to strike , and learne to dye . Veiwing their death ; the foolish people than Gan tremble at his anger ; and one man Made all them feare ▪ who had it in their hand To ruine him , as if he could command The swords themselues , and without souldiers make His wars ; but in this punishment to lacke Assisting swords he feares : they patient all Exceede the hope of their sterne Generall ; Not onely swords , but throates they offer ; he Feares nought but 'batement of their cruelty . A (l) covenant dire this quarrell does decide , With punishment the army 's pacify'd . In ten dayes march to reach Brundusium He bids them straight , and call all shipping home , That on crookt Hydrus , and old Taras then , Leucas close shores , and the Salapian fen Dispersed were , and Sypus , ore which stands Fruitfull Garganus on Italian lands Reaching the Adriatike , and their tasts Dalmation North , Calabrian Southerne blasts . Caesar without his troupes goes safe alone To trembling Rome now taught to serue a gowne , And ( kind forsooth ) yeilds at the peoples prayer To be dictator (m) honour's highest staire , And joyfull Calenders , being Consul , made . For all those words (n) then their beginning had , With which ere since our Emperours we claw . But Caesar that his power might want no law , Falsely the name of Magistrate purloines , And to his swords the Roman axes joynes , Fasces t' his Eagles , and with fitting shame Signes the sad times ; for by what Consuls name Will the Pharsalian yeere be better knowne ? A fain'd assembly in the field is (o) showne ; The people giue their suffrages compell'd , Not lawfully admitted , th' urnes are held , The tribes are cited ; voices throwne in vaine Into the vene ; the Augurs deafe remaine Though loud it thunder , and are forc'd to sweare That birds auspicious , though sad owles , appeare . Thence that once honour'd power her dignity First lost ; but left the times vnnam'd should be , Our Calenders doe (p) monethly Consulls fill . That god that dwells on Trojan Alba's hill Though not deserving ( Latium conquer'd ) sees The Consuls solmne nightly sacrifice . Caesar departing thence runs forward right Swifter then whelpe-robb'd Tyger , or the flight Of lightening ore Apulia , where the field Vnplow'd no cerne , but slothfull grasse does yeild . And come to Cretan crookt Brundusium findes The sea vnsaileable for dangerous windes , And the fleete fearefull of cold winters face . He thinkes it shame thus to delay the space Of war , and keepe the haven , when the sea Lies ope to men lesse fortunate then he , And thus perswades his men to try the seas : The Northerne winds more constantly possesse Both ayre and Ocean , when they once begin , Then those which the vnconstant spring brings in . We haue no turnings different shores vpon , Our way 's forth right ; the North winde serues alone . Would he would stuffe our sailes , bending our mas●● And force vs vpon Greece with furious blasts , Lest Pompey's gallys from Dyrrachium meete With their swift oares our becalmed fleet . Then cut the cables , that our fleete doe stay , We loose the stormes , these clouds will passe away . Now in the Sea bright Sol had hid his head , And starres appear'd , the moone her shadowes spread : The fleet at once weigh'd anchor , and drew out The sailes at length , which straight they turn'd about To the ships length and spread the topsailes too , To loose no gust of wind that ever blew . When a soft gale had made the sailes to swell , For a short space , downe to the mast they fell● Againe ; that winde , that put them from the shore , Was able now to follow them no more . The seas flat face now all becalmed lyes Like standing pooles ; no waues , no billowes rise . So bridled is the Euxine sea , whose course Ister , nor Thracian Bosphorus can force : The frozen sea lets goe those ships no more , That once it takes ; the horses trample ore Safely where ships haue saild ; the Bessians Furrow Maeotis frozen backe with waines , This cruell calme does the sad Ocean make ( As if the seas their nature did forsake ) Like standing pooles , th' Ocean obserues no more His ancient course ; he had forgot to rore : No tides flow to and fro , nor seemes the Sun To dance vpon the waters motion . To many dangers this becalmed fleete Is subject ; on one side they feare to meete Pompey's swift galleys ; on the other side Detain'd at sea a famine to abide . From these new feares arose a new desire : They wish the Ocean would collect his ire , And all the windes would wrestle , so it were No calme ; but no such signes , no cloudes appeare : The skies , and seas conspir'd to take away All hope of shipwracke ; but th' ensuing day All clouded ore did comfortable prooue : Waues from th' seas bottome rose ; hills seem'd to mooue . The ships were borne away , and as they swim The waues in crooked furrowes follow them . With prosperous windes , and seas they reach the land , And anchor cast vpon Palestes sand . The place , where first both generalls (q) campes did pitch Neare to each other , was that region , which Swift Genusus , and gentle Apsus round Encompasse ; Apsus , because slow , profound , And navigable is : the other flowes ( Encreast by showres , and sun-dissolved snowes ) More swift ; both channells are but short , not far From sea the springs of both these rivers are . Heere fortune first those two fam'd Heroes brought Together ; the vaine-hoping world had thought The generalls now no farther off remoov'd Thus wicked war would both haue disaprov'd ; Each others face they saw , and well might heare Each others voice ; ah Pompey , many a yeare Not nearer did thy once lov'd father in law , Since that deare pledge the death of Iulia , And her young sonne , see thee , till stain'd with gore He saw thy face on Aegypts cursed shore . But part of Caesar's ( r ) forces left behinde Made him protract the battell though his minde Were feirce on fight ; those bold (s) Antonius led , In civill wars now vnder Caesar bred For Leucas fight ; whom making long delay With threats , and prayers thus Caesar calls away : Thou mischeife of the world , why doest thou wast The gods , and fates good will ? my prosperous ha●● Has done all hitherto , fortune from thee Requires the last hand to this speedily Successefull war ; doe Libya's quicksands lye , Or her devouring gulfes twixt thee and me ? Haue I committed thee to vnknowne seas , Or sent thee on vntryed casualtyes ? Caesar commands thee not , coward , to goe , But follow him ; my selfe heere , where the foe Encamped lyes , am first arrived now . Fear'st thou my campe ? we loose what fates bestow : And to the windes , and seas I bootlesse plaine . My forward souldiers doe not thou detaine , That would take any seas , if I judge right , They'd come through shipwracke vnder me to fight . Now I must speake in greife , the world I see Is not divided twixt vs aequally , In Epire Caesar , and th' whole Senate rest , Thou art alone of Italy possest . But having often vs'd such words as those , They still delaying , Caesar gan suppose The gods not wanting vnto him , but he To them : and rashly did resolue to try By night those seas , which they for feare forbore Although , commanded , finding evermore Bold actions thriue ; and hopes in a (t) small bote T' orecome those waues whole navyes ventur'd not . Now weary night wars toilesome cares did end : Poore men tooke rest , whose meane estates could lend Their breasts sound sleepe ; the campe all silent proou'd , When the third houre the second watch had moov'd . With carefull steps through this vast silence then Caesar , what not the meanest of his men Would doe , entends ; leaues all , and goes alone With none but fortune his companion : And passing through the courts of guard , he findes All fast asleepe , complaning in his minde That he could passe ; but at the water side He found a boate with a small cable ty'd Fast to a rocke : the man that ow'd , and kept This boate , not far from thence securely slept In a small cottage of no timber trees , But woven reedes , and barren bulrushes Built vp : a boate's turn'd bottome did suffice To fence his wall . There Caesar twice or thrice Knockt with his hand that all the cottage shak'd : From his soft bed of sedge Amyclas wak'd , What shipwrackt man , quoth hee , knockes there , or whom Has fortune driven to my poore house to come For shelter ? speaking thus he rose from bed , And his fir'd match with better suell fed , Secure from feare of warre : such houses are ( Full well he knowes ) no spoile for civill war . Oh safe blest poore mans life , oh gift of all The gods , not yet well knowne ; what city wall , What temple had not fear'd at Caesar's stroke ? But when the doore was ope , thus Caesar spoke : Enlarge thy hopes , poore man , expect to haue More wealth from me then modesty can craue : Only transport me to th' Italian shore , This trade of living thou shalt neede no more , No more shall labour thy poore age sustaine . Yeild to thy fate ; a god is come to raine Downe showres of wealth thy little house vpon . Thus Caesar , though disgui●d , forgetts the tone Of private men , when poore Amyelas made This answere ; many things ( al●s disswade My minde from trusting of the seas to night . The Sunne set pale , his beames dispers'd ; whose light Partly to North , and partly South inclin'd . The middle of his orbe but dimn ely shin'd , And dazled not the weake beholders eyes : With dulled hornes did the pale mooue arise , Not free from cloudes her middle part she had : Her pointed ends no horne directly made : First red betokening windes , ●●en pale sh●was , And in darke cloudes obscur'd her mourning face . But the shor●s ●olse , the murmur of the woods , The Dolphins playing vp and downe the floods With course vncertaine I mislike no more Like I ther Cormo●ants flock●ng to the shore : Nor that the Herne ●n her smooth wing relying Presumes to rea●h the skyes with lofty fly●ng ; No that the Crow wagl●ng along the shore Diu●s downe , and seemes t'anti●ipate a showre . But if affaires of weight requi●e mine aide , To vse my skill I will not be afraide ; Either the windes , and seas shall it deny , O● I will reach the shore of Italy . This said , loosing his vessell he puts on , And sp●eads his sailes , at whose first motion Not only th' vsuall falling starres did make In the darke aire a long and fiery tra●ke , But even those starres , which make their fixt abode In th' higheast ●phaeres , did seeme to sha●e and nod . The seas blacke face a terrour does diff●se , The threatning waues in t●ackes voluminous Boile vp ; the seas by blasts vncertaine blowne Betoken many windes conception Then thus the master spake ; behold how great A danger the sea teemes withall : as yet Vncertaine tis what winde rough East or West Shall come ; the ba●ke's on every side distrest With severall waues ; the cloudes and skies expresse The Southwindes rage : the murmur of the seas The Northwest winde , in such a storme to shore Not safe , nor shipwrackt can we ere get ore , No course but one of safety do●s remaine , Hopelesse to steare our courses backe againe . Let 's set our danger'd barke a land , before We are too far gone from the Graecian shore . Caesar presuming that all dangers great Would yeild to him , contemne quoth he , the threat Of raging seas ; spread sailes , and if the sky Warrant thee not to goe for ●taly , I le warrant thee ; the just cause , why thou fear'st Is this , because thou know'st not whom thou bear'st : Him whom the gods never forsake ; to whom Fortune accounts it injury to come After his wish ; breake through the waues ; alone Thinke thy selfe safe in my protection . These are the troubles of the seas and skyes , Not of our barke this barke , where Caesar is , Her cariage shall protect ; nor long shall this Storme last : but happy for the Ocean t is This barke is heere . Oh turne not backe thy hand , Nor thinke vpon Epire's adjoyning land ; Thinke on Calabria's shore safe to arriue , Since no land else to me can safety giue . Alas thou knowest not why these terrours rise ; In all these tumults of the seas and skyes Does fortune striue to pleasure me . No more He spoke ; when straight a furious whirlewind tore From the rent barke her shrowdes , and downe it flunge The sailes , that on the trembling mainemast hunge . The joynt dissolved vessell sounds , when lo Windes full of danger from all quarters blow : First from th' Atlantike Ocean Corus blowes Rowling the waues and raised billowes throwes With violence against the rockes amaine : Him Boreas meetes , and turnes them backe againe ; The sea stands doubtful , to what winde to yeild ; But Scythian Boreas fury winnes the feild ; But though high waues he from the bottome reare , Yet to the shore those waues he cannot beare ; They meete with those that Corus brings , and breake The seas thus rais'd ( though now the winds were weak ) Would meete themselues . Nor must you now surmise Eurus is still , or showre-blacke Notus lyes Imprison'd close in Aeal's rocky caue They from their severall quarters rush to saue With furious blasts their lands from being drown'd , And keepe the sea within his proper bound . For oft ( they say ) small seas by violent winde Haue beene transported : so th' Aegaean joyn'd With the Tyrrhene : so with th' Ie●●an The Adriatike met . How oft in vaine That day the sea seem'd mountaines topps to ' ore flow ▪ And yeilding earth that deluge t' vndergoe . But such high waues on no shore raised be , But from the worlds far part , and the maine sea They rowle ; the earth embracing waters bring Their monstrous waues , so wh●n the heavens high king Help'd his tir'd thunder with his ●rotheis mace To mankinds ●uine , earth then added was To Neptunes kingdome , when the sea confounded , All lands , and Tethys by no shore was bounded , Contented with no limit but the skyes Then also would those ●welling seas arise Vpto the starres ; had not great Ioue kept downe Their waues with cloudes , nor sprung that night alone From naturall causes ; the thi●ke aire was growne Infected with the dampes of Acheron , And clogg'd with foggy stormes , waues from the maine Fly to the cloudes , and fall like showres againe . The lightnings light is lost ; it shines not cleare , But shootes obscurely through nights stormy aire . The heavens then trembled ; the high pole for feare Resounded , when his hindges mooved were . Nature then fear'd the old confusion : The elementall concord seem'd vndone ; And night , that mixt th' aetheriall deityes With the infernall , ●eem'd againe to rise ; Their hope of safety was that in this great Wra●ke of the world they were not perisht yet . As farre as you from Leucas top may see The quiet sea , so farre could they desery From waues high tops the troubled Ocean ; But when the swelling billowes fall againe , The maine-mast top scarce aboue water stands : The topsailes touch the cloudes , the keele the sands . For ground is seene from whence the s●as arise In hills ; in waues the seas whole water is . Feare conquers art : the master does not know Which waue to breake , which waue to yeeld vnto . But the seas discord only aides them now ; The barke one billow cannot overflow Let by anothers force , which still susteines The yeilding side ; the barke vpright mainteines Her course , supported by all windes , no more Low Sasons gulfes , Thessalia's crooked shore , Or the Ambracian dangerous ports they fear'd , But ore the high Ceraunia to be rear'd ●y billowes ; Caesar thinkes it now to be A danger worthy of his destiny ; Are the gods troubled so to ruine me , Whom sitting heere in a small barke ( quoth he ) They haue assaulted with a storme so lowd ? If on the seas , not warres they haue bestow'd The glory of my death , fearelesse I come Ye gods , to any death that ye can doome : Though this too hasty fate great actes breake off , I haue already done things great enough ; The Northren nations I haue tam'd , and quell'd My foes at home by armes : Rome has beheld Great Pompey my inferiour ; honours stay'd From me in war , the people forc'd haue pay'd , All Roman honours in my titles be . Let it be knowne , fortune , to none but thee ( Though full of honour to the shades below I both Romes Consull , and Dictator goe ) I dye a private death , ô gods I craue No funerall : let the seas inmost waue Keepe my torne carkasse let me want a tombe , And funerall pyle whilest lookt for still to come Into all lands I am , and ever fear'd . Thus having spoke ( most strange ) the tenth waue rear'd His barke aloft ; nor from the billowes top Did she fall downe , kept by the water vp , Till on the rocky shore she stood at last . His fortune , and so many kingdomes ( cast On shore ) and townes againe he did receiue . Caesar's returne next morne could not deceiue His souldiers so , as his stolne flight had done ; About their generall flock they every one Assaulting him with lamentations , And not ingratefull accusations ; Whither did thy rash valour carry thee Too cruell Caesar ? to what destiny Didst thou leaue vs poore soules , venturing vpon Th' vnwilling seas , and stormes thy selfe alone ? In thee to seeke for death was cruelty , When all the world esteemes thy head so high , And on thy life so many liues of ours Depend ; did none of vs deserue t' haue power Not to surviue thee ? sleepe did vs detaine , While thou wert tost vpon the watry maine . Was this the cause thou went'st to Italy ? ( Alas it shames vs ) it was cruelty To venture any man on such a sea ; For the last act of things such hazards be . Why doest thou tire the gods so much to goe , And venture the worlds greatest Captaine so ; From fortune's worke , and favour thus t' haue sent Thee safe a shore to vs , be confident . Of the warres issue . This vse doest thou make Of the gods favour to escape a wracke , Rather then gaine the worlds sole soveraignety ? Thus while they talke , night past , the Sunne they see , And a cleare day ; his waues the tired maine ( By the windes leaue ) compos'd , and smooth'd againe . The Captaines also on th' Italian side When the t●r'd Ocean free from waues they spy'd By the pure Northwinds rising ; thence convay'd Their ships , which their skill'd Marriners had stay'd So long for feare while winds auspicious fail'd . Like a land army their joyn'd navy sail'd On the broad Sea ; but the chang'd windes by night Fill'd not their sailes , but broke the order quite . So Cranes in Winter Strymon's cold forsake To dr●nke warm● Nile , and in their first flight make ( As chance directs ) of letters various formes ; When their spread wings are by the violent stormes Of strong South-windes assailed , by and by ●n a confused globe all mingled fly : The letter 's lost in their disranked wings . But the next morne when rising Titan brings A stronger winde to driue the navie ore , They passe the vaine attempted Lissus shore , And to Nymphaeum come : Southwinds that blow , The haven on them ( the Northwindes fled ) bestow . When Caesars legions all collected were , And Pompey saw the war was drawne so neere To his owne campe , he thinkes best to provide For his wiu●● safety , and in Lesbos hide Thee , faire Cornelia , from the noise of warre . Alas in just and noble mindes how farre Prevailes true loue ? true loue alone had power To make great Pompey feare wars doub●full houre ; His wife alone he wisht free from that stroke , That all the world , and Romes whole fortune shooke . But now a ready m●nd wants words in him : He yeilds to sweete delayes ; from fare steales time . But when th' approching morne had banisht rest , And faire Cornelia his care-wounded breast Clasping , from her averted husband seekes A loving kisse , wondring to feele his cheekes Moistened with teares ; t● hid●en cause she feares , And da●es not fin● great Pompey shedding teares . He then thus mourning spake : oh d●arest wife , Dearer to me then life , not now , when life I loath , but in our best prosperity , That sad day's come which too too mu●h haue we , Yet not enough d●fferr'd . Caesar's addrest For fight ; thou must not stay ; Lesbos the best , And safest place will be for thee to hide ; Doe not en●treat me sweete ; I haue deny'd It to my selfe ; nor absent long shall we Remaine , for swift will this wars tryall be , Great things fall speedily . To heare , not see Thy Pompey's d●nger is enough so thee Thy loue deceiues me , if thou couldst e●dure To see this fight ; for me to sleepe secure With thee ( this war begun ) ●nd from thine armes To rise , were shame , when the wars loud alarmes Shake all the world , and that thy Pompey came Sad with no losse to such a war were shame . Nor shall thy husbands fortune all together Oppresse thee , farre remoov'd safer then either People or king . And should the gods contriue My death , let Pompeys better part surviue , And a place be , whither I may desire , If fate and Caesar vanquish , to retire . Her weakenesse could of such great griefe containe , Her sences fled , she did amaz'd remaine . At length when sad complaints these words could frame , My Lord , quoth she , I haue no cause to blame Our wedlockes fortune , or the gods aboue : No death , no funerall divides our loue : We part the common , and plebeian way , For feare of war Cornelia must not stay . Let 's be divorc'd to gratifye the foe , Since he 's at hand . Pompey esteem'st thou so My faith , or think'st thou any thing can be Safer to me then thee ? Depend not we Vpon one chance ? canst cruell thou command Thy absent wife this ruines shocke to stand ? Or think'st thou it a happy state for me ( While thy chance yet does doubtfull stand ) to dye For feare of future ill ? I will attend Thy death ; but till sad fame the newes can send So farre , shall be forced to surviue . B●sides thou wilt accustome me to grieue , And beare so great a sorrow , as I feare ( Pardon that I confesse ) I cannot beare . And if the good gods heare my prayers now , I last of all the happy newes shall know . I on the rockes , when thou art conquerer , Shall carefull sit , and even that ship shall feare , That brings the happy newes : nor will my feare Haue end , so soone as I thy conquest heare ▪ So farre remoov'd from thee , that Caesar may ( Though flying ) seize Cornelia as a pray . My banishment will Lesbos shore renowne ▪ And make the towne of Mitylene knowne , Where Pompey's wife abides . My last request Is this , if thou be conquer'd , and nought rest To s●u● thy life but flight , to any bay Rather then that turne thy vnhappy way . Vpon my shore thou wilt be surely sought This said , from bed she leapt with griefe distraught , Her woes with no delayes to enterlace ; Nor could she then her Lord 's sad breast embrace , Nor hang about his necke ; the last fruite's gone Of so long loue : their griefes they hasten on : And at the parting neither had the power To say farewell . Never so sad an hower In all their life had they Su●ceeding woes Their mindes by custome hardened could compose . She fainting falls , and in her serva●ts hands Lifted is borne to sea , but on the sands She falls , as if that shore she faine would keepe , At last perforce she 's carry'd to the ship ▪ From her deare countrey's shore not so distrest Fled she , when Caesar Italy possest . With Pompey then she went : now all alone Wanting that guide ; she from her Lord is gone . Sleepelesse she spent in her now widow'd bed Cold , and alone , the night that followed . That side that naked vs'd not to be left , Is of a husbands company bereft . Oft would she , when her sleepy armes she spread , With hands deceiv'd embra●e the empty bed , Seeking her Lord , her flight she would forget ; For , though l●ues flame-fed on her marrow , yet Ore all the bed she would not tumbl●ng spread . Fearing to misse her Lord , that part of bed She kept ; but fate did not so well ordaine ; The howr's at hand that brings her Lord againe . FINIS . Libri quints .

Annotations on the fift Booke :

(a) Pompey's losses , as we saw before in the 2.3 . and 4. Bookes were these , all his garrisons beaten cut of Italy , and himselfe driven from thence ; Massilia sackt : all Spaine lost , together with his army vnder the conduct of Afrarius and Petrejus Caesars losses a cohort of Opitergians , wh●ch kill'd themselues on the Illyrian sea with their captaine Vulteius , and Curio kill'd by king Iuba .

( b ) Phocis was then made free as well as Massilia her colony , which Caesar besiedg'd .

(d) Cotys king of Thracia sent to the Army fiue hundred horsemen vnder the conduct of his s●●ne Sadalis .

(e) R●asipolis brought from Macedonia two hundred horsemen

(f) Ptolemey defra●ded his sister Cleopatra of her share in the kingdome , and in killing Pompey , saved Caesar the doing of that impious act .

(g) Appius the Governour of A●haia desirous to know the event of the civill war , compelled the chiefe Priest of Delphos to descend to the Oracle , which had not of a long time beene vsed

( h ) In the midst of the hill there was a deepe hole into the earth , out of which came a cold spirit , as it were a winde , and filled the Prophetesses with a fury , so that they instan●ly prophesied of things to come .

(i) Appius thinking this oracle had warned him onely to abstaine from this war , retired himselfe into that countrey which lyeth betweene R●am●u● , and Caryst●s called Cala Eub●a , where before the battle of Ph●rsalia he dyed of a disease , and was there buryed , and so ●ossest quietly the place which the Oracle had promised him .

(k) Caesar was now returned to Placentia from Spaine , Where hee had conquered Afranius and Petrejus two of Pompey's Lieutenants , and was going from thence into Epire and Macedonia against Pompey ; in the meane time this mutiny happened

(l) Caesar cashiered with ignominy all the ninth legion at Placentia ; and with much adoe after many prayers received them againe , but not without taking punishment of the chiefe muten●ers .

(m) Caesar made himselfe Dictator at Rome without any lawfull election , that is , neither named by the Senate nor Consul ; but eleven dayes after he left his Dictatorshippe , having made himselfe and Publius Servilius Consuls .

( n ) Then beganne all those names of flattery , which they afterward vsed to their Emperours , as Diuus , Ever Augustus , Father of his countrey , Founder of peace , Lord , and the like .

( o ) After all governement was in the hands of Caesar alone , all the ancient rites in creating of Magistrates were quite taken ●way , an imaginary face of election was in the field of Mars , the tribes were cited , but were not admitted distinctly , and in the true forme to giue their suffrages , the other orders were but vaine ; for the Emperour commended him to the Centuries whom he would haue Consul , or else designed him , and chose him himselfe ; their Augury also was abused and the Augurs interpreted every thing as they were compelled .

( p ) Vnder the Emperours , Consuls were oft chosen for halfe an yeare for 1.2 . or 3 moneths .

(q) Pompey was then is Candavia but when he heard that Caesar was come , and was possest of Oricum , and Apollonia ; hee hasted to Dyrrachium Caesar pitched his tents at one side of the river Apsus , and Pompey at the other .

(r) Caesar having landed his men the same night sent backe the ships to Brundusium for Antonius to transport the rest of his legions , and his horsemen , whose slow comming made Caesar defer the fight .

( s ) This Marcus Antonius after the death of Iulius Caesar had warre with Augustus , by whom he was vanquished in a sea fight neere Leucas

( t ) When part of the army for want of Ships stay'd at Brundusium , vnder Antonius , Gabinius and Calenus , Caesar impatient of delay resolved to goe himselfe as a messenger to call them in a stormy night , and a little vessell , some say a boate that would beare twelue oares ; but vnknowne to all his army he past in a disguised habite through all the courts of guard , and went to Sea .

LVCANS Pharsalia . The Sixt Booke . The Argument . Caesar enclosing Pompey with a fence , And trenches of a vast circumference Endures a famine , Pompey pestilence , Who breaking through escapes a conquerer thence . Braue Scaeva's valour , and admired fight . Into Thessalia Caesar takes his flight ; Great Pompey followes : the description , And Poets tales , That Thessaly ren●wne . To the dire witch Ericttho Sextus goes This fatall warres sad issue to disclose : She quickens a dead carcasse , which relates To Sixtus eare , his and his fathers fates , And craving then deaths freedome to obtaine ●s by a magicke spell dissolv'd againe . WHen on neere (a) hils both Generalls fierce (b) of fight Had pitch'd their tents , and drawne their tro●pes in sight And the gods saw their match : Caesar in Greece ●cornes to take towes , or owne the destinyes . For any conquest , but his sonne in law's . The worlds sad howre , that to a tryall drawes This wars maine-chance , he wishes for alone , That cast of fortune , that must ruine one . Thrice on the hills his battell he array'd , And all his threatning Eagles thrice display'd , Shewing that he would neuer wanting be T'ore●hrow the Roman state . But when he see No provocations could his sonne in law ( Who close entrenched lay ) to battell draw , From thence (c) he march'd by woody passages , And close , to take Dyrrachiums fort●esses . Thither a neerer way great Pompey takes Along the shore and on high Petra makes His campe , to guard from thence Dyrrachium towne Safe ( without men ) by her owne strength alone . No human labour , no old structure made Her fence , which would ( though nere so lofty ) fade By force ●f war , or eating time oretaken . A strength , that by no engine can be shaken , Her scite , and nature giue , the sea profound , And steepe waue-breaking rockes enclose it round ; But for on little hill an Iland 't were : Ship-threatning rockes susteine the walls , and there Th' Ionian sea rais'd by the Southwindes blasts Her temples shakes , and frothy foamings casts Ore houses topps War-thirsty Caesar then Conceiv'd (d) a cruell hope , spreading his men , Round on the hills from every side t' enclose With joyned trenches his vnwar● foes : And all the ground surveying with his eye Is not content alone to fortefie His workes with brittle earth , but weighty-stone From quarryes digs , vast rockes , houses torne downe , And Greekish walls brought thither make a fence , Able the rams assaulting violence , And all wars furious engines to withstand ; Hills levell'd , valleyes rais'd make even l●nd In Caesars wo●kes , with trenches wide enclos'd And tow●●d castels on the hills dispos'd . With a vast circuite he takes in the ground , About the pastures , woods , and shelters round As 't were for deere , spreading a wide-stretch'd toile . Pompey no roome , nor pasture wants ; for while He thus enclos'd by Caesars trenches is , He remooues campes ; ( so many rivers rise , And their whole course within this circuite run ) And Caesar , tir'd going to looke vpon His workes , makes often stayes Let ancient tales To the gods worke adscribe the Trojan wall ; Let flying Parthians still admire alone The brittle earth-built walls of Babylon . As far as Tigris , and Orontes run , As the Assyrian Kings dominion Stretch'd in the East , a suddaine worke of war Encloses heere . Lost those great labours are . So many h●nds would to Abydos put Sestos : fill vp the Hellespont : and cut Corinth from Pelops land : and from the seas Take long Malea for the sa●lers ease : Or mende some part ( though nature should deny ) Of the worlds structure . Here wars quarters lye : Here feedes that blood that in all lands must flow , The Libyan , and Thessalian overthrow . Wars civill fury boiles kept straitly in . The wo●kes first structure Pompey had not seene . As who in middest of S●●ily safe dwell , When rough Pelorous barkes , can never ●ell : As Northren Brit●ain●s c●nn●t heare the rore Of flowing seas agai●st the K●nt●sh shore . But when himselfe be●u●t to fa● he ●new By a vast trench , he from safe Petra drew His troopes : and ore the hills dispos'd them so . To keepe the rankes of his beseidging foe More thin and tooke of the enclosed ground As much in length , as in true distance fou●d Twixt lofty Rome , and th' A●icinian wood , Where Scythian Dian's ador'd image stood : As far as Tyber's streame from Romes walls ends By straight account , not as the river bends . No trumpets sound : piles vncommanded flye : Mischeifes oft done as they their javelinstry . Both cheifes are kept from fight b● greater care : Pompey because his pasture feilds are bare ; The ground he had , by ho●se or●tram●led was , Whose horny hoofes trode downe the springing grasse . The war-like steed weary'd in those bar'd feilds , When the full racke provi●der far brought yeil●s , Tasting his new-brought food falls downe and dyes Treading the ring , fail'd by his trembling thighs . Their bodyes wast by dire consumption ; The vnstirr'd aire dr●wes moist contagion Into a pestilentiall ●loud , such breath Nasis exhales from her darke caues beneath ; Such poison'd aire , where bury'd Typhon lyes , The ground sends forth ; apace the army dyes . The water from the aire infection taking With costiuenesse to●ments the bowells aking : Dry's their discolour'd skin their blood-swolne eyes Doe breake : the fiery plague with bot●●es flyes All ore the face : their heavy heads fall downe . Now more and more suddaine their death was growne : Twixt life and death the si●kenesse has no roome ; But death does with the first faint symptomes come . By carcasses , which all vnburyed lye . Among the living growes mortality . T was all the sou●d●ers buriall to be cast Out of the tents . This plague was staid at last By blasts of strong aire-stirring Northern winde , Ships fraught with Corne , the shore , and sea behinde . But Caesar free vpon the spacious hills , No p●stilence from aire or water fe●les : But ( as if straight beseig'd ) a famine strong Is forc'd to suffer : corne as yet not sprong To the full height : his wretched men he sees Fall to beasts food , eate grasse , and rob the trees Of leaues , and tender twigs : and venturing more Death-thr●atning herbes from rootes vnknowne they tore . What ever they could bite , soften with heat , Or through their wounded palats downe could get , And things , that human tables nere did know , Content to eate , besidg'd (c) their full fed foe . When through the trenches Pompey pleas'd to make His way , and freedome of all lands to take : He seekes not th' obscure time of dusk● night , Scorning to steale a passage free from fight : But rather force the trenches , and breake downe The forts and passe , where ruine leades him on , Through swords and slaughter to enforce his way . The part of the neere trench most fitly lay Minutius castle call'd ; trees thickly set Making a groue obscure ore shadow'd it . Hither his Cohorts by no dust betray'd He led , and suddenly the walls assay'd . So many Roman Eagles glister round The field at once , so many trumpets sound , That now to swords the victory nought owes : Feare had discomfited th' astonisht foes Yet ( wherein valour only could be show'd ) That ground , where first they stood , they dying strow'd But the Pompeyans now want foes to slay : Whole showers of Pil●s in vaine are throwne away . Then fire row●'d vp in pitchy stuffe they throw Vpon the workes : the shaken turrets bow , Threatning a fall , the battred bulwarks grone Beat by the rammes impetous fury downe , And ore the trenches Pompeys Eagles fly To vindicate the Roman liberty . That place , which not a thousand companyes , Nor all the strength of Caesar could surprise , One man alone guards from the Conquerers , Denying Pompey's conquest , whilest he weares A sword , and liues His name was Scaeva , once A common souldier of those legions , That serv'd in Gallia : then Centurion , By blood promoted , to all mischiefe prone , And one that knew not in a civill war How great a crime the souldiers valours are . He when he saw his fellowes leaving fight , And seeking out safe places for their flight , Whither ( quoth he ) base slaues , and beasts , does feare ( Vnknowne to all that armes for Caesar beare ) . Driue you ? can you retire without one wound ? Or are you not asham'd not to be found Among the heape of men ? though faith were gone , Anger ( me thinkes ) should make you fight alone . We are the men of all , through whom the foe Has chose to breake ; let this day bloody goe On Pompey's side . I should farre happyer dy In Caesars sight : but since the fates deny Him for a witnesse , Pompey shall commend My death ; your breasts and throates vndaunted bend Against their steele , and turne their weapons backe . The dust far off is seene , this ruines crack● Has by this time enter'd our generalls cares . We conquer , fellowes ; Caesar straight appeares To challenge ( though we dye ) this fort ; his voice More then th' alarums first inciting noise Their fury stirr'd : then wondring at the man , And eager to behold the souldiers ran To see if valour disadvantag'd so , Surpris'd by place and number could bestow Ought more then death . He making good alone The falling worke , first throwes dead bodyes downe , From the full tower to overwhelme the foes . The posts , the wals , slaughter it selfe bestowes Weapons on him , threatning himselfe to fall Downe on their heads , and thrusts off from the wall The breasts of scaling foes with poles , and stakes , And with his sword cuts off his hand that takes Hold on the bulwarkes top ; and with vast stones Pashes their heads in peices , breakes their bones , And dashes out their weakely-fenced braines . Downe on anothers haire , and face he raines Pitch fir'd ; the fire whizzes in burning eyes . But when the pil'd vp carcasses gan rise To aequall the walls height , as nimbly then Into the midst of Pompey's armed men Scaeva leapes downe from thence , as Libbards fierce Breake thorough the besetting huntsmens speares . Then Scaeva wedg'd in round , and by th' whole war Enclos'd , yet where he striks is Conquerer . His swords point dull with blood congealed growes , And blunt ; nor does it peirce , but bruise his foes . His sword has lost the vse , and without wound It breakes mens limmes . The foes encircling round At him direct their weapons all , and all Their hands aime right , and javelins rightly fall : There fortune a strange match beholds , one man 'Gainst a whole war. His strong sheild founded than With often strokes : his broken helmet beat Downe to his Temples wrings with paine and heat , And nothing else protects his vitall parts But th' outside of his flesh stucke full of darts . Why with light darts , and arrowes doe you striue ( Vaine fooles ) such wounds , as cannot kill , to giue ? Let the Phalaricke strong her wilde fire throw , Or massy walls of stone gainst such a foe : Let battring Rammes , and wars vast engines all Remooue him thence ; he stands for Caesar's wall 'Gainst Pompey's course . His breast no armes now hide , Scorning to vse a sheild , lest his left side Should want a wound , and he be forc'd to liue By his owne fault , what wounds the war can giue , He takes alone ; and bearing a thicke wood Of darts vpon his breast , now wearyed stood Choosing what foe to fall on ; so at sea Doe whales , and monstrous beasts of Libya . So a Getulian Elephant clos'd in By hunters round , all shafts from his thicke skin Beates backe , and breakes : or mooving it shakes off The sticking darts ( his bowells safe enough ) And through those wounds no blood he looses ; so So many shafts , and darts cannot bestow One death . At last a Cretan bow let flye A sure Gortyan shaft : in the left eye Of Scaua stucke the shaft ; be voide of feares , The ligaments , and opticke sinnewes teares , That th' arrowes forked iron head did stay , And kick'd the shaft with his owne eye away . So if a Libyan looped javelin peirce The side of a Pannonian beare , more fierce Growne by her wound , she wheeles her selfe about , Eager to catch the dart , and pull it out , Which still turnes with her , Scaeua's lookes now bore , No fiercenesse , all his face deform'd with gore . A shout that reach'd the sky , the Conquerers raise ; So little blood ( though drawne from Caesars face ) Could not haue joy'd them more . But Scaeua now In his great heart suppressing this deepe woe , With a milde looke , that did no valour show , Hold Countrey-men ( quoth he ) forbeare me now ; Wounds further not my death , nor now neede I Moe weapons in , but these pull'd out , to dye . Into the campe of Pompey carry me : Doo 't for your generalls sake , let Scaeua be Rather th' example now of Caesar left , Then of a noble death . Aulus be left These fained words of his vnhappily : And did not the swords point against him see : But as to seize him , and his armes he ventures , His throate the lightning sword of Scaeua enters . His valour then by this one death renew'd Wax'd hot ; who ere dares thinke Scaeua subdu'd , Thus let him rue ( quoth he , ) if from this steele Pompey seeke peace , let him to Caesar kneele . Thought you me like your selues , fearefull , and base ? You loue not Pompey , and the Senates cause , As I loue death . With that the dust rais'd high Gaue them all notice Caesars troopes were nigh , And from wars shame did the Pompeyans free , Lest a whole troope should haue bin thought to flee From Scaeua only . When the fight was done He fell , and dy'd : for fight ( when blood was gone ) Lent strength . His friends taking him , as he fall● , Vpon their shoulders to his funeralls Are proud to beare him , and that breast adore , As if some sacred deity it bore , Or valours glorious image there did liue . Then all from his transfixed members striue To plucke the Piles : and therewithall they drest The gods themselues : on Mars his naked breast , Scaeua , they put thy armes . How great endeede Had bin thine honour , if those men , that fled ; Had bin the warlike Celtiberians . Germans long arm'd , or short Cantabrians . No triumphs now ; no spoiles of this sad war Can decke the temple of the thunderer . With how great valour , wretch , hast thou procur'd A lord ? nor did great Pompey lye immur'd And quiet from attempting fight againe At this repulse , no more then th' Ocean Is tir'd , when lifted by strong Easterne blast 'Gainst the repelling rockes , and eates at last The rockes hard side , making , though late , a way Assault●ng then ( f ) the fort that neerest lay To th' sea , he takes it by a double war , And spreads his men over the fields afar , Pleas'd with this liberty of changing ground . So when full Padus swells aboue the bound Of his safe bankes , and the neere fields oreflowes : If any land , not able to oppose That hill of water , yeild : that it oreruns , Opening t' it selfe vnknowne dominions Some owners must of force their lands foregoe , Some gaine new lands , as Padus will bestow . Caesar , at first not knowing it , by light From a towres top had notice from the fight : The dust now la'id , he sees his walls beat downe ; But when he found it past , and the foe gone , This rest his fury stirr'd , enraged deepe That Pompey safe on Caesar's losse should sleepe . Resolving ( though to his owne losse ) to goe On , and disturbe the quiet of his foe . First he assaults Torquatu● , who descryes As soone his comming , as the sayler spyes Th' approach of a Circaean storme , and takes Downe all his sailes , when once the maine mast shakes . His men within the inner wall doth bring , To stand more firmely in a narrow ring . Ore the (g) first trenches workes Caesar was gone , When Pompey from the hills aboue sent downe All his whole troopes vpon th' enclosed foe . Th' inhabitants neere Aetna feare not so Enceladus , when the fierce Southwind blowes , And Aetna from her fiery cavernes throwes Her scalding entrailes forth : as Caesar's men , By the rais'd dust orecome ere they begin To fight ; and in the cloud of this blind feare Flying they meete their foes ; terrour does beare Them to their fate . Then might haue beene let out The civill wars whole blood , and peace beene brought . Pompey himselfe their furious swords restr●in'd . Oh happy , Rome , still free hadst thou remain'd With all thy lawes , and power , if there for thee Sylla had conquer'd ; t is , and still shall be Caesar , our griefe , thy worst of wicked deeds ( To fight with a good sonne in law ) succeedes . Oh lucklesse fates , for Munda's bloody day Spaine had not wept , Aff●icke for Vtica ; Nor had Nile borne , her streame discolouring , A carcasse (h) nobler then th' Aegyptian King ; Nor Iuba ( i ) nak'd on Libyan sands had dy'd , Nor had the blood of Scipio pacify'd● Carthage dire ghosts : nor mens society Had lost good Cato . That day , Rome to thee Had beene the last of ills ; Pharsalias day In midst of fate had vanished away . Caesar this ill-possessed place forsakes , And with his mangled (k) troopes t'Aemathia makes . Pompey pursues his flying father in law . Whom from that purpose his friends striue to draw , Perswading him to turne to Italy Now free from enemies Never , quoth he , Will I like Caesar to my countrey come , Nor never more vnlesse with peace , shall Rome See my returne . In Italy I could Haue stay'd at the beginning , if I would Before Romes temples this sad war haue brought , And in the midst o' th market place haue fought . To draw the war from home , to ' th' torrid zone , Or Scythiaes farthest cold I would be gone . Shall I a conquerer now rob Rome of rest , Who fled , lest she should be with war opprest ? Let Caesar thinke Rome his , rather then she Should suffer from this war . Then Easterly He turnes his course , paths devious marching over , Where regions vast Candavia does discover , And to Thessalia comes , which fate for this Sad war ordaind Thessalia bounded is By the ●●ill Ossa on the Northeast side ; Pelion , when Summer's in her height of pride , His shade opposes 'gainst Sols rising rayes ; The woody Othrys Southward keepes away The scorchi●g Lions heate ; Pindus his hight Keepes off the Westerne windes , and hastens night By hiding the Suns set ; those men neere feele ( That in the bottome of Olimpus dwell ) The Northwindes rage , nor all night long can see The shining of the Beare . The fields , that lye A vale betwixt those hills , were heretofore A standing poole with water cover'd ore . The fields kept in the rivers ; Tempe then Had no vent to the sea : to fill the fen Was all the rivers course . But when of yore Alcides Ossa from Olimpus tore , And Peneus suddainely the sea did fill : Sea-borne Achilles kingdome ( that had still Beene better vnder water ) first was showne ; And Phylace , that landed first vpon The Trojan shore her ship ; and Dorion For the nine Muses anger woe-begone ; P●eleos , and Trachis , Me●●baa proud Of great Alcides shafts on her bestow'd , Rase hire for Oeta's fire ; and where men now Over the once renowned Argos plow : Larissa potent once : and where old tales Describe the Echionian Theban walls ; Thither Agaue banisht , there the head , And neck● of her dead Pentheus buryed , Griev'd she had torne no moe limbes from her son . The fens thus broke in many rivers run . On the West side into th' lonian sea Clea●e , but small , Aeas run : as small as he Runs the Egyptian Isis fathers flood : And Acheloiis , whose thicke streame with mud Soiles the Echinades : Euenus ore Meleagers Calydon stain'd with the gore Of Nessus runs : Sperchios swiftly slides Into th' Maliacke sea , whose channell glides Purely along Amphrysus pasture fields , Where Phoebus serv'd : Anauros , that nere yeilds Nor fog , nor wind , nor exhalation : And what ere river by it selfe not knowne To th' sea , his waues on Peneus bestowes : Apidanos in a swift torrent flowes : Enipeus never swift vnlesse combin'd : Melas : and Phaenix with Asopus join'd : Alone his streame pure Titaresus keepes , Though in a different named flood he creepes : And vsing Peneus as his ground , he flowes Aboue : from Styx ( they say ) this river rose : Who ( mindfull of his spring ) scornes with base floods To mixe , but keepes the reverence of the gods . When first , these rivers gone , the fields appear'd , Fat surrowes the Boebician plowshares reard : Th' Aeolian husbandmen then breake the ground , The Leleges , and Dolopes then wound Her fertile breast ; the skill'd Magnetians In horesemanship : the sea fam'd Minyans . In Pelethronian dens t'●xion there A fruitfull cloud did th' halfe-wilde Centaures beare : Thee , Monichus , that couldst on Pholoe Breake hardest rockes : and furious Rhacus , thee , That vp by th' rootes could strong wilde ashes teare On Octa's mount , which Boreas blasts would beare ; Phol●● , that didst Alc●des entertaine : Ravishing Nessus on the river slaine By venom'd shafts : and thee , old Chiron , made A constellation now , who seem'st t' invade The Scorpion with thy Thessalian bow : Feirce wars first seedes did from this countrey grow ; Heere the first horse for war sprang from a rocke , Which mighty Neptune with his trident stroke ; To chew on the steele bit he not disdain'd , And fom'd by his Thessalian rider rain'd . From hence the first of ships the Ocean plow'd , And seas hid paths to earth-bred mortalls show'd . Itonus first of all Thessalia's King To forme by hammer did hot mettalls bring ; Made silver liquid , stamp'd his coines impresse In gold , and melted brasse in furnaces . Hence did th' account of money first arise , The fatall cause of war and tragedies . Heere was that hideous serpent Python bred , Whose skin the Delphian Tripos covered ; Whence to those games Thessalian bayes are brought . Aloeus wicked brood 'gainst heaven here fought ; When Ossa on high Pelions top was set , And the Celestiall orbes swift motion let . When both the generalls in this land ( by fate Destin'd ) encamp'd : the wars ensuing state Fills all presaging mindes , all saw at hand That hower , on which this wars last cast should stand Cowards now trembled that wars fate so neare Was drawne , and fear'd the worst ; both hope and feare To this yet-doubtfull tryall brought the stout . But one ( alas ) among the fearefull rout Was Sextus , Pempey's most vnworthy son ; Who afterwards a banisht man vpon Sicilian seas , turn'd Pirate , and there stain'd . The fam'd sea-triumphs his great father gain'd He brooking no delay , but weake to beare A doubtfull state , endeauoures , vrg'd by feare , To find fates future course . Nor does he craue From Delphian Phoebus , from the Py●hian caue , Or that fam'd Oake fruitfull in akehornes , where Ioues mouth giues answere , this event to heare . Nor seekes advice from them , to whom are knowne Birds flights , beasts entrailes , lightnings motion , Nor the Chaldaean skill'd Astrologer , Nor any secret wayes , that lawfull were : But magicke damn'd by all the gods aboue , And her detested secrets seekes to prooue , Aide from the ghosts , and feinds below to craue , Thinking ( ah wretch ) the gods small knowledge haue . The place it selfe this vaine dire madnesse helpt , Nere to the campe th' Aemonian witches dwelt , Whom no invented mon●●ers can excell ; Their art 's what ere 's incredible to tell . Besides Thessaliaes fields , and rockes doe beare Strange killing hearbes , and plants , and stones that heare The charming Witches murmurs : there arise Plants , that haue power to force the deityes . Medea there a stranger in those fields Gather'd worse herbes then any Colchos yeilds . Those wretches impious charmes turne the gods cares , Though deafe to many nations zealous prayers : Their voice alone beares through the inmost skyes Commands to the vnwilling deityes , Which not their care of heavens high motions Can turne away ; when those dire murmurs once Enter the sky , though the Aegyptians wise , And Babylonians their deepe misteryes Should vtter all , th' Aemonian witch still beares From all their altars the gods forced eares . These witches spells loues soft desires haue sent Into the hardest hearts 'gainst fates intent ; Severe old men haue burn'd in impious loue , Which tempered drinkes , and philtrums could not moue , Nor that , to which the fole his damms loue owes , The swelling flesh that on his forehead growes . Mindes by no poyson hurt , have perished By spells ; those , whom no loue of marriage bed , Nor tempting beautyes power could ere inflame , By Magicke knot-ty'd thread together came ; The course of things has stay'd , to keepe out day Night has stood still ▪ the sky would not obey The law of Nature : the dull world at their Dire voice has beene benumn'd : great Iupiter Vrging their course himselfe , admir'd to see The poles not moov'd by their swift axeltree . Showres they have made ; clouded the clearest sky , And heaven has thunder'd , Ioue not knowing why . By the same voyce , ( with haire loose hanging ) they Moist swelling clouds , and stormes haue chas'd away . The sea without one puffe of wind has swell'd ; Againe in spite of Auster has beene still'd : Ships sailes haue quite against the windes been sway'd : Steepe waters torrents in their fall haue stay'd : And rivers haue run backe . Nile not oreflowne In Summer time : Maeander straight has run . Arar has hasten'd , Rhodanus growne slow : High hills sunke downe haue aequall'd vales below . Aboue his head the cloudes Olympus saw : In midst of Winter Scythian snowes did thaw Without the Sunne : the tide-rais'd Ocean Aemonian spells beat from the shore againe . The ponderous earth out of her center tost Her middle place in the worlds orbe has lost ; So great a weight strooke by that voyce was stirr'd , And on both sides the face of heaven appear'd . All deadly creatures , and for mischeife borne Both feare , and serue by death the witches turne ; The Tigers fierce , and Lyons nobly bold Fawne vpon them : cold snakes themselues vnfold , And in the frosty fields lye all vntwin'd : Dissected vipers by their power are joyn'd . Their poison'd breathings poison'd serpents kill . Why are the gods thus troubled to fulfill , And fearefull their enchantments to contemne ? What bargaine has thus ty'd the gods to them ? Doe they obey vpon necessity , Or pleasure ? or some vnknowne piety Deserues it ? or some secret threats prevaile ? Or haue they jurisdiction over all The gods ? or does one certaine deity feare Their most imperious charmes , who , what so ere Himselfe is forc'd too , can the world compell ? By them the starres oft from the pole downe fell ; And by their voices poyson Phaebe turn'd , Growne pale with darke , and earthly fires has burn'd , No lesse then if debarr'd her brothers shine By enterposall of the earth betweene Her Orbe , and his : these labours vndergone Has she , deprest by incantation , Vntill more nigh she foam'd her gelly on Their herbes . These spells of this dire nation , And damned rites dreadfull Erictho scornes As too too good , and this foule art adornes With newer rites ; in townes her dismall head , Or houses roofes is never covered . Forsaken graues , and tombes ( the ghosts expell'd ) She haunts ; by fiends in aestimation held . To heare hells silent counsells , and to know The Stygian cells , and misteryes below . Of Dis , her breathing heere no hindrance was . A yellow leanenesse spreads her lothed face ; Her dreadfull lookes , knowne to no lightsome aire , With heavy hell-like pa●enesse clogged are . Laden she is with long vnkemmed haires . But when darke stormes , or clouds obscure the starres , From naked graues then forth Ericttho stalkes To catch the nights quicke sulphur ; as she walkes The corne burnes vp , and blasts where ere she tread ; And by her breath cleare aires are poisoned . She prayes not to the gods , nor humbly cryes For helpe , nor knowes she pleasing sacrifice ; But funerall flames to th' altars she preferres , Frankincense snatch'd from burning sepulchres . The gods at her first voice grant any harme She askes , and dare not heare her second charme . Liue soules , that rule their limbs , she does entombe : Death ( though vnwilling ) seizes those , to whom The fates owe yeeres ; with a crosse pompe men dead Returne from gr●ue , coarses from tombes haue fled ; Young mens hot ashes , and burnt bones she snatches Out of the midst of funerall Piles , and catches The kindling brand in their sad parents hand ; The funerall beds blacke smoaking fragments , and Their ashy garments , and flesh-smelling coales . But when she findes a coarse entombed whole , Whose moisture is drawne out , and marrow growne Hard by corruption , greedy havocke on Each limbe she makes ; and from their orbes doth teare His congeal'd eyes , and stickes her knucles there . She gnawes his nailes now pale , oregrowne , and long : Bites halters killing knotts , where dead men hung : Teares from the gibbetts strangled bodies downe , And from the gallowes licks corruption . Shee gathers dead mens limmes , which showres haue wet , And marrow harden'd in Sols scorching ●eate . She keepes the nailes that pierc'd crucifi'd hands , And gathers poysonous filth , and slime that stands On the cold joynts , and biting with her fanges The harden'd sinewes , vp from ground she hangs . And where so ere a naked carcasse ly , Before the beasts , and ravenous fowles sits she ; But teares , or cuts no limbe ; till it be bit By Wolves ; from whose dry jawes she snatches it . Nor spares she murdering , if life blood she need , That from a throat new open'd must proceede . She murders , when her sacrifices dire Life-blood , and panting entrailes doe require : And births abortiue by vnnaturall wayes From wounded wombes she takes , and burning layes Them on her wicked altars ; when she lacks Stout cruell ghosts , such ghosts forthwith she makes . All deaths of men serue for her action . From young mens chinns she puls the growing downe , And dying striplings haire she cuts away . Ericttho oft when ore the coarse she lay Of her dead kinseman , and did seeme to kisse , Off from his maimed head would bite a piece ; And opening his pale lips , gelled , and clung In his dry throat she bites his cold stiffe tongue : And whispering murmurs dire by him she sends Her banefull secrets to the Stygian feinds . By generall fame when Sextus notice had Of her , in depth of night , when Titan made At the Antipodes their noone of day , Over the desart fields he takes his way : The servants waiting on his folly then , Searching through broken tombes , and graues of men , Spy'd on a rocke at last , where Aemus bends , And the Pharsalian lofty hills extends , Ericttho sitting ; she was trying there Spells , which nere witch , nor magicke god did heare , And for new purposes was framing charmes , For fearing lest the civill warres alarmes Should to some other land be carryed thence , And Thessaly should want that blood's expence : Phillippi feilds with incantations stain'd , And sprin●kled with dire iuice she did command Not to transferre the war , meaning t' enioy So many deaths , and the worlds blood t' employ : The carcasses of slaughter'd Kings to ma●me , And turne the Roman ashes was her aime : To search for princes bones , and each great ghost . But what best pleas'd her , and she study'd most , Was what from Pompey's coarse to take away , Or vpon which of Caesars limmes to prey . Whom first thus Pompey's fearefull sonne bespake ; Wisest of all Thessalians , that canst make Foreknowne all thing● to come , and turne away The course of destiny , to me ( I pray ) The certaine end of this wars chance relate . I am no meane part of the Roman state , Great Pompey's sonne , now either lord of all , Or wofull heir of his great funerall . My minde , though wounded now with doubtfull feare , Is well resolv'd any knowne woe , to beare . Oh take from chance this power , it may not fall Vnseene , and suddaine on me ; the gods call ; Or spare the gods , and force the truth out from The ghosts below , open Elysium Call forth grim death himselfe , bid him relate Which of the two is given to him by fate , T is no meane taske , but labour worthy thee To search what end of this great war shall be . The impious Witch proud of a fame to spread Replyes , young man , wouldst thou haue altered Some meaner fate , it had beene easily done I could haue forc'd to any action Th' vnwilling gods . I can preserue the breath Of him , whom all the starres haue doom'd to death : And , though the planets all conspire to make Him old , the midst of his lifes course can breake . But fates ; and th' order of great causes all Worke downeward from the worlds originall , When all mankinde depend on one successe , If there you would , change ought , our arts confesse Fortune has greater power : but if content You be alone to know this wars event , Many , and easie wayes for vs there be To finde out truth ; the earth , the sea , the sky , The dead , the Rodopejan rockes , and fields Shall speake to vs . But since late slaughter yeilds Such choise of carcasses in Thessaly , To raise vpone of those will easyest be : That a warme new-slaine carcasse with a cleare Intelligible voice may greete your eare . Least ( by the Sunne the organs parch'd , and spill'd ) The dismall ghost vncertaine hizzings yeild . Then double darkenesse ore nights face she spred , And wrapping in a foggy cloud her head , She searches where th' unbury'd bodyes lye ; Away the wolues , and hungry vultures flye Loosening their tallands , when Ericttho comes To choose her prophet , griping with her thummes Their now cold marrows , seeking where a tongue , And lungs , with fillets whole , vnwounded hung . The fates of those slaine men stand doubtfull all Which of their ghosts she from the dead would call . Had she desir'd to raise th' whole army slaine , And to reviue them for the war againe , Hell had obey'd : from Styx , by her strange might The people all had beene drawne backe to fight . When she a carcas sitting had espy'd , An hooke she fasten'd in his throate , and ty'd To it a fatall rope , by which the hag Ore rockes and stones the wretched carcasse drag , That must reviue . Vnder the hollow side Of an high mountaine , which to this blacke deede The witch had destin'd , she the carcasse layes . A deepe , and vast descent of ground there was , As low ( almost ) at the blinde caues of Di● : Which a pale wood with thicke , and spreading tre● Barring the sight of heaven , and by Sol's light Not penetrable , did oreshadow quite . Within the caue was bred by dreary night Pale mouldy filth , darkensse sad : no ligh● , But light by magicke made , ere shined there Within the jawes of Tanar●● the aire Is not so dull , that balefull bound twixt hell , And vs ; the princes , in those shades that dwell Send without feare their spirits hitherto ; For though this hag can force the fates to doe What ere she please , t is doubtfull whether here , Or there those ghosts in their true place appeare . She puts a various colour'd cloathing on , And fury-like her haire loose hanging downe Was bound about with vipers , her face hid ; But when young Sextus , and his traine she spy'd Shaking for feare , and his astonisht eye Fixt on the ground , banish those feares , quoth she , His lifes true figure you shall see him take , That cowards neede not feare to heare him speake . But if the furyes to your eyes were showne , The Stygian lakes , and burning Phlegeton , The gyants bound , and Cerberus that shakes His dreadfull curled mane of hissing snakes , Why should yon feare , cowards , whilest I am by , To see those fiends , that shake at sight of me ? Then with warme blood , opening fresh wounds she fills His breast : and gore to th' inward parts distills : Of the Moones poisonous gelly store she takes : And all the hurtfull broodes , that nature makes Foame of mad dogs , which sight of water dread : The pyth of staggs with serpents nourished Was mixed there : the dire Hyaena's knot , The spotted Lynx his bowells wanted not : Nor that small fish , whose strength , though Eurus rise Can stay the course of ships : the Dragons eyes : The sounding stone , that brooding Eagles make Warme in their nests : th' Arabian nimble snake : The red sea-viper , pretious gemms that kept : Skins from th' aliue Libyan Cerastes stript : The Phoenix ashes lay'd in Araby . With these when vile , and namelesse poisons she Had mixt , and leaues fill'd with enchantments strong , And herbes which her dire mouth had spit on young , What poyson she did on the world bestow . Then adds a voyce to charme the gods below More powerfull then all herbes confounding noises Much dissonant , and far from humane voices . There was the barke of dogs , the wolues sad howle : The scriches wa●ling , hollowing of the Owle : All voices of wilde beasts , hissing of snakes , The sound that beat from rockes the water make● ▪ The murmur of stirr'd woods , the thunders noise Broke from a cloud : all ●●is was in her voice . The rest Aemonian incantations tell , And thus her voice peirces the lowest hell . Furyes , and Stygian fiends , whose scourges wound All guilty soules , Chaos , that wouldst confound Vn-number'd worlds : king of the earth beneath , That griev'st to see the gods exempt from death : Thou Styx , and faire Elysium , which no spirit To a Thessalian witch deserues t'enherit : Thou , that thy mother hat'st , Persephone , And heaven , thou lowest part of Hecate , By whom the silent tongues of fienes with vs Haue entercourse : hells porter Cerberus , That currishnesse into our breasts doest put ▪ You destinyes , that twice this thread must cut ▪ And thou the burning streames old ferriman Tired with ghosts brought backe to me againe : If I invoke you with a mouth prophane , And foule enough , to heare these prayers daine : If with a breath fasting from humane flesh These incantations I did nere expresse : If womens wombes whole burdens vpon you And luke-warme braines I often did bestow : If one your alt●rs heads of infants slaine I set , and bowells , that must liue againe , Obey my voice ; no ghost , that long has felt The Stygian shades , nor long in darkenesse dwelt , But one that lately from the living went , And is but yet at pale hells first descent , And one , which ( though obedient to this spell ) Could be but once transported ore to hell I aske ; let some knowne souldiers ghost relate Before great Pompey's sonne his fathers fate , If civill war of you haue merited . Then lifting vp her foaming mouth and head She saw hard by , the ghost of that dead man Trembling to enter his old goale againe ; Fearing those cold pale members , and into Th●●●ounded breast , and entrailes torne to go . Ah wretch , from whom deaths gift is tane away ( To dye no more ) that fates durst thus delay Ericttho wonder'd ; wrath with death , and fate The liueles coarse with living snakes she beate● And through earths craneys , which her charmes had ; broke Bark'd to the fiends , and thus hells silence shooke . Maegera , and Tisiphone that slight My voice through hell with your dire whips affright Hither that wretched spirit , or from below By your true names of Stygian bitches you I will call vp , and to the Sunnes light leaue : No dead mens graues shall harbour , or receiue Your heads , I le follow you observing well , And from all tombes , and quiet vrnes expell . False Hecate , thee to the gods I le show , ( To whom thou vsest with bright lookes to goe ) In thy pale rotten forme and so provide Thou shalt not thy Tartarian visage hide . Vnder the earths vast weight , I will relate What food destaines thee : in what wedlockes state Thou lou'st the nights sad king , with such a staine , That Ceres shall not wish thee backe againe 'Gainst thee , the worlds worst judge , I will set free The giants , or let to the day to thee . Will you obey , or shall I him invoke , Whose name the earths foundations ever shooke ? Who without hurt th' vnvailed Gorgon sees : Of whose strong stripes Erinnys fearefull is : Who keepes an hell vnknowne to you ; and where You are aboue : that dare by Styx forsweare . Then straight the clotted blood grows warme againe Feedes the blacke wounds , and runnes through every veine And th' outward parts : the vitall pulses beate In his cold breast : and lifes restored heate Mixt with cold death through parts disused runns ▪ And to each joynt giues trembling motions ; The sinnews stretch : the carkasse from the ground Rises not by degrees , but at one bound Stands bolt vpright : the eyes with twincking hard Are op'd : not dead , nor yet aliue appear'd The face : his palenesse still , and stiffenesse stayes , He stands at this revivall in amaze ; But his dumbe seal'd-vp lips no murmur made , Only an answering tongue , and voice he had . Speake ( quoth Ericttho ) what I aske , and well Shalt thou rewarded be : if truth thou tell , By our Haemonian art I le set thee free Throughout all ages , and bestow on thee Such funeralls , with charmes so burne thy bones . Thy ghost shall heare no incantations . Let this the fruit of thy revivall be , No spells , no herbs shall dare to take from thee Thy long safe rest , when I haue made thee dy . The gods , and Prophets answere doubtfully ; But he , that dares enquire of ghosts beneath , And boldly goe to th' oracles of death , Is plainly told the truth ; spare not , but name Plainely the things , and places all , and frame A speech , wherein I may conferre with fate : Adding a charme to make him know the state Of whatsoere she askt ; thus presently The weeping carcasse spake ; I did not see The sisters fatall threds , so soone ( alas ) Backe from those silent bankes enforc'd to passe . But what by speech from all the spirits I gain'd , Among the Roman ghosts fell discord reign'd : Romes wicked war disturb'd hells quiet rest : Some Captaines from sad hell , some from the blest Elysian fields come forth , and there what fate Entends to doe , they openly relate : The happy ghosts look'd sad , the Decii then Father and sonne , wars-expiating men : I saw the Curii , and Camillus wailing , Sylla himselfe against thee , fortune , railing : His issues Libyan fate braue Scipio Bewail'd ; and Cato Carthages great foe His nephew's bondage-scaping death did monc . ●mong the blessed spirits Brutus alone Reioyc'd , first Consul , that Romes king exil'd . Fierce Catiline , sterne Marius , and the wilde C●thegs breaking chaines orejoyed were : The popular law promulging Drusi there , And daring Gracchi shouting clapt their hands Fetter'd for euer with strong iron bands In Plutoes dungeons ; impious ghosts had hopes Of blessed seates ; Pluto pale dungeons opes , Prepares hard stones , and adamantine chaines , To punish the proud Conquerour , ordaines . Take you this comfort , in a blessed roome The ghosts expect your side , and house to come , And for great Pompey in Elysium Prepare a place . The houre shall shortly come ( Envie not then the glory of so small A life ) that in one world shall lodge you all . Make hast to meete your deaths , and with a minde Haughty , ( though from small funeralls ) descen'd To tread vpon the soules of Roman gods . For burialls ●all this mortall odds ; And the Pharsalian fight must only try Who shall by Nile , and who by Tyber lye . But seeke not thou thy destiny to heare , Which fate , though I be silent , will declare : A surer prophet shall thy father be In Sicily , although vncertaine he Whither to call thee , whence to bid thee flee , Or in what coast or climate safe to be , Teare Europe , Asia , Affricke ▪ fates divide Your funerall , as they your triumphs did . Oh wretched house , to you the world shall yeild No place more happy then Pharsalia's field . Thus having spoke the carcasse did remaine With a sad looke , and begg'd for death againe , But could not die without a magicke spell , And herbes : nor could the fates restore to hell His soule once sent from thence . With that the witch Builds vp a lofty funerall pile ; to which The dead man comes : she layes him on the fires , Leaues him , and lets him dye , and then retires With Sextus to his fathers campe : and now The welkin gan Auroraes light to show : But to the campe till Sextus take his way , The darke charm'd night kept off approaching day , FINIS Libri Sexti .

Annotations on the sixt Booke :

( a ) From their campes by the river Aps●● both generalls at one time brought forth their armies ; Pompey entending to entercept M. Anthonius , and Caesar entending to ioyne with Anthony . Anthony certified by some Greekes of Pompey's ambushes , kept within his campe , till the next day Caesar came to him . Pompey then fearing to be enclosed by two armies , departing thence marched to asparagu neere Dyrrachium , and there encamped ; thither also marched Caesar , and encamped not far from him .

(b) Caesar wanting provision was desirous of battell : but Pompey better provided of all necessaries purposely delayed it .

(c) Caesar perceiving that Pompey would not bee drawne out to fight , the next day by a great compasse , and difficult way went to Dyrrachium hoping to exclud Pompey thence , where his corne , and provision lay , which Pompey perceiving , went thither also by a neerer way .

(d) Caesar ( that his owne men might with the lesse danger forrage , and fetch in corne , as also to hinder Pompey from forraging , and to lessen his estimation among forreine nations ) kept with garrisons all the tops of the hills , and fortified castles there , and drew strong trenches from castle to castle , so on every side enclosing Pompey . The worke extended fifteene miles in compasse , being so tar●e that Pompey within wanted nothing , and Caesar could not man his workes round .

(e) Caesars souldiers wanting victuall besieged Pompey abounding with all store of provision . Pompey seeing the strange vnheard of food , that Caesars souldiers eate while they besieged him , said that he now made warre against beasts .

(f) Pompey vnderstanding by some renegadoes that Caesars crosse trench betweene the two bulwarkes toward the sea was not finished , sent a ship manned with archers , and other souldiers to assault the defenders of the worke behind . Himselfe about the end of night came thither also with his forces . Caesars cohorts , that watched there neere the sea , seeing themselues assaulted both by land and sea , ran away : whom the Pompeyans pursued with a great slaughter , till Mar. Anthonius with twelue cohorts comming downe the hill made the Pompeyans retreat againe .

(g) Caesar to repaire that dayes losse assaulted with three and thirty cohorts the castle which Torquatus kept , and beate the Pompeyans from the trench . Which Pompey hearing brought his fift Legion to their succour . Caesars horsemen fearing to be enclosed began first to flie , which the foote seeing , and seeing Pompey there in person , fled also ; this victory if Pompey had pursued , he had vtterly overthrowne Caesar .

(h) Pompey the great slaine vpon the bankes of Nile .

(i) Iuba King of Mauritania which had slaine Curio and his Legions before , in the Affrican war was vanquished by Caesar , and fearing to fall into Caesars hands , 〈◊〉 and Petrejus slew each other .

( k ) For in these two conflicts Caesar lost nine hundred footmen , sixty two horsemen , thirty Centurions , tenne Tribunes , and thirty two Ensignes of war .

LVCANS Pharsalia . The Seventh Booke . The Argument . Great Pompey's flattering dreame ; his souldiers all Eager of battell , vrge their Generall ; Their wish ( though rash and fatall ) findes defence In Ciceroes vnhappy eloquence . Against his will great Pompey's forc'd to yeild : The signalls given : Pharsalias dreadfull field Is fought ; Romes liberty for ever dyes , And vanquisht Pompey to Larissa flyes . SAd Titan later Thetis lap forsooke Then natures law requir'd , and never tooke A crosser way , as if borne backe againe By the sphaeres course , would be eclipsed faine ▪ Attracting cloudes , not food t' his flames to yeild , But loath to shine vpon Pharsalia's field . That night of Pompey's happy life the last , Deceiv'd by flattering sleepes , he dream'd him plac'd In the Pompeyan Theater , among Romes people flocking in vnnumber'd throng ; Where shouting to the skyes he heard them raise His name , each roome contending in his praise . Such were the peoples lookes , such was their praise , When in his youth , and first tryumphant dayes Pompey but then a gentleman of Rome , Had quieted the west , and Spaine orecome , Scattring the troopes revolt Sertorius led ; And sat by th' Senate as much honoured In his pure candid , as trumphall gowne . Whither the doubtfull fancy fearefull growne Of future fate , run backe to former joyes ; Or prophesying by such sights implyes Their con●rary , and bodes ensuing woe : Or else on thee fortune would thus bestow A fight of Rome , that could not otherwise . Oh doe not wake him from this sleepe to rise , No trumpet peirce his eare ; the next nights rest With the foregoing day's sad war opprest Will nought but fights , but blood and slaughter show , Happy were Rome , could she but see ( though so ) Her Pompey , blest with such a dreame at this , And happy night ; oh would the deityes Had given one day , Pompey , to Rome , and thee , That both assured of your destiny Might reape the last fruit of a loue so deere . Thou goest , as if thy Rome should thee interre : And she , still mistresse of her wish in thee , Hopes that the fates lodge not such cruelty , As to depri●● 〈◊〉 of thy honour'd tombe . To mourne for thee old men , and young would come , Children vntaught would weepe : the Matrons all With haire ( as once at Brutus funerall ) Loose hung , would beat their breasts ; now though they feare The swords of the iniurious Conquerer , Though he himselfe relate thy death , they 'll mourne At publike sacrifice , as they adorne Ioues house with laurell ; wretched men , whose mone Conceal'd , in sighs must vent it selfe alone , And dares not sound in publike theaters . Now had the rising Sunne obscur'd the starres , When all the souldiers murmuring vp and downe ( The fates now drawing the worlds ruine on ) Desire a signall to the fight ; poore men , Whose greater part should never see the end Of that sad day , about their Generalls tent ( Hasting the houre of their neere death ) they vent Their passions , and complaints ; and franticke growne Their owne , and publike fate they hasten on . They call great Pompey sluggish , timorous , Patient of Caesar , and ambitious Of soveraignety , desirous still to reigne Ore all those Kings , and fearing peace againe . The Kings , and Easterne nations all complain'd Warre was prolong'd , and they from home detain'd . The gods , when they our ruine had decreed , Would make it thus our owne erroneous deed . Ruine we sought , and mortall warres requir'd , In Pompey's campe Pharsalia is desir'd . No● did this wish want Cicero's defence The greatest author of Romes eloquence ; In whose growne-rule fierce Catiline did feare The peacefull axes . Now turn'd souldier From barres and pleadings had beene silent long , And this bad cause thus strengthens with his tongue . Pompey , for all her gifts fortune implores That thou wouldst vse her now : thy Senators , Thy kings , and all the suppliant world entreat Thy leaue to conquer Caesar : shall he yet So long a war against mankind maintaine ? Well may the forreigne nations now disdaine ( Who suddainely were vanquished by thee ) That Pompey is so slow in victory . Where 's now thy spirit , thy confidence of fate ? Canst thou now doubt the gods ( ah most ingrate ! ) Or fear'st thou to commit into their hand The Senates cause ? thy troopes without command Their Eagles will advance : 't were shame for thee To be compell'd to conquer : if thou be Our generall , and ours the war , to try The hazard lyes in our authority . Why hold'st thou the worlds swords from Caesar's throat ? They all are drawne almost , and tarry not Thy ●low alarmes ; make hast , lest thy command They all forsake : the Senate does demand , If they thy souldiers , or companions be . Great Pompey sigh'd to see how contrary The gods were bent , and fortune crost his mind● . If you be all ( quoth he ) this way inclin'd : And me a souldier , not a generall The time require : I le be no let at all To fate : let fortune all these nations cast Into one ruine : be this day the last To the great'st part of men . But witnesse Rome Pompey 's enforc'd to this sad field to come . The warres whole worke neede not haue cost one wound ; But Caesar , without blood subdu'd , and bound Might haue bin brought to answere injur'd peace . What fury 's this ( oh blinde in wickednesse ! ) To conquer without blood in civill war You are afraid . Masters o'th'land we are : The seas are wholly ours : the famisht foe To fetch in Corne vnripe is forc'd to goe ; And 't is become his wish by swords to dye , And with his ruine mixe our tragedy . In this some part is finisht of the war , That our fresh-water souldiers doe not feare The fight ( if that be in true valour done ; ) Into extreamest dangers many run For feare of future ill : valiant'st is he , That feares not t'vndergoe a danger nigh , Nor to differ it . Would you then commit Your strength to fortunes hand , and to one fight The worlds estate , desiring all , that I Should rather fight , then get the victory ? The rule of Romes estate thou didst bestow Fortune , on me : receiue it greater now : Protect it in this wars blinde chance : to me Nor crime , nor honour shall this battell be . Caesar thy wicked prayers 'gainst mine prevaile : We fight : how dismall to all people shall This day appeare ? how many lands vndone Shall be ? how crimson shall Enipeus run With Roman bloud ? would the first pile of all This mortall war would light ( if I could fall Without the ruine of our side ) on me ; For not more joyfull can the conquest be . Pompey a name shall be to every one Of hate , or pity , when this fight is done . The conquer'd shall endure the worst of woe : The worst of crimes the Conquerour shall doe ▪ With that the reines be to their fury giues , Suffring the fight . So th' artlesse sailer leaues His helpelesse barke , when Corus blasts are growne Too strong , to guidance of the windes alone . A fearefull murmuring noise rose through all parts Of th' campe : and diversly their manly hearts Beat 'gainst their breasts ; vpon the face of some Appear'd the palenesse of a death to come , And ghastly lookes ; that day ( they thinke ) fate brings A lasting state of rule on earthly things : And what Rome was , after this field is fought , Be ask'd : no man of his owne danger thought Amaz'd with greater feares . Who , when he sees All shores oreflowne , and th' vncurb'd Ocean rise Ore mountaines tops , the Firmament and Sunne Fall downe to earth , in such confusion Could feare his owne estate ? no private state Has time to feare , but Romes , and Pompey's fate . Nor did they trust their swords , vnlesse sharpe set On stones : the points of their dull piles they whet ; Each archer fitts his bow with surest strings , And choisest arrowes in his quiver brings ; Horse-men sharpe spurres provide , and strongest raines . So when earths Giants vpon Phlegra 's plaines ( If with the actes of gods our humane warres We may compare ) rebell'd : the sword of Mars In Aetna's f●rge , and Neptunes three-fork'd speare Were scowr'd , and sharpen'd : Phoebus arrowes there With Python dull'd , made sharpe the blew-ey'd maide Vpon her sheild Medusa's haires display'd : Ioues lightning then the Cyclops moulded new . Fortune foretold the woes that should ensue By many tokens ; for the stormy sky Withstood their marches into Thessaly : The cloudes against their eyes did lightnings throw : Meteors like lampes , like fiery posts in show , And beam●s , cloud-breaking Typhons did arise , And lightnings flashes dimm'd , and closd their eyes . Their helmets plumes were sindg'd , their piles did melt● Sword-blades dissolv'd run downe the hilts they felt : Their impious swords with sulphur from the skyes Did smoake ; their Ensignes hid with swarmes of Bees Could scarce be pluck'd from ground : the bearers bow'd Themselues to get them vp : which seem'd oreflow'd With teares from thence even to Thessalia : The bull from th' holy altars ran away , And to Pharsalia field directly flyes , Whilest their sad altar wants a sacrifice . But what night furyes , what Eumenides , What Stygian powers , or gods of wickednesse , What hellish feinds , Caesar , didst thou appease Preparing for such wicked warres as these ? Whether the gods , or their owne feare had wrought These wonders , doubtfull t is , but many thought They saw Olympus meete with Pindus hill , And Aemus fall th' adjoyning valleyes fill : That in the night Pharsalia sounded loud The noise of battell : that Baebei's flowd Swiftly with blood . But most admired they To see each others face show darke ; the day Grow pale : and night their helmets overspread ; Their fathers ghosts and all their kinsemen dead T' appeare before their eyes . But this alone Comforted their sicke mindes knowing their owne Impious entents , brothers to kill , and ope Their fathers throates , they hence conceived hope , Thinking these monsters , and portents t'imply Th' accomplishment of their impiety . No wonder t is if men so neere their end Trembled with frantike feare : if fates doe lend Presaging mindes of future ills to men , Romans , that sojourn'd in Armenia then , And Tyrian Gades , and in what coast soere , Or climate they abode , lamented there , Blaming their causelesse griefe , and did not know Their losses in Pharsalia's overthrow . An Augur sitting on (a) th' Euganean mount , ( If fame record a truth ) where springs the fount Of foggy Aponus , where Timauus does First part , and thence in severall channells flowes , This day ( quoth he ) the action 's in the height , Pompey , and Caesars impious armyes fight ; Whether Ioues thunder , and divining stroke He had observ'd , or how thicke aire did choake The jarring heavens , or on the poles did looke , Or in the firmament had found this fight By the Sunnes palenesse , and starres mournefull light ; But nature sure did differently display From other dayes , the sad Thessalian day : And if all men had skilfull Augurs bin , By all the world Pharsalia had bin seene ▪ Greatest of men , whose fates through the earth extend , Whom all the gods haue leasure to attend ; These acts of yours to all posterity Whether their owne great fame shall signifie , Or that these lines of mine haue profited Your mighty names ; these wars , when they are read , Shall stir th' affections of the readers minde , Making his wishes , and vaine feares inclin'd As to a thing to come , not past , and guide The hearts of all to favour Pompey's side . Pompey descending downe the hill displayes His troopes reflecting rising Phoebus rayes , Not rashly ore the fields : in order good And marshall'd well the haplesse army stood . The left wing first was L●ntulus his care With the first ●egion , then the best in war , And fourth : Thou , stout Domitius ▪ lead'st the right , Valiant , though still vnfortunate in fight : In the maine battell with his warlike bands Brought lately from Cilicia , Scipio stands Well fortify'd : heere vnder a command , A g●ner●ll first in Aff●cks scorched land . But all along the swift Enipeus side The loose-rain'd troopes of Ponticke horsemen ride : And mountaniers of Cappadocia ; Vpon the dryer fields in rich array Doe the earths Monarchs , Kings , and Tetrarchs stand , And all the states , that Roman swords command . Thither from Libya came Numidians , I●gr●as ar●hers , Crete's Cydonians : F●i●ce Gaules there fought against their wonted foe : The●e warlike Spaniards their short shields did show . The Conquerer of all triumphs now depriue , And let no people this sad war surviue . Caesar that day dislodging to provide For corne , was marching out , when he espy'd The foes descending downe the champ●on field , And that so often wisht-for ●ay beh●ld , That on one chance of war should set the maine ; S●●ke of delay , and covetous of reigne , In this small tract of time condemn'd had he The civill war as a slow villany . But when fates falling ruine shake he saw , And both their fortunes to a tryall draw : His wondrous loue of sword some languishment Gan feele : his minde , though ever confident Of good successe , now doubts : from feare his owne , As Pompey fortunes from presumption , Did keepe his minde : at last exiling feares With confidence he cheeres his souldiers . Braue souldiers , the worlds aw , Caesars estate , That lay of fight is come , which we from fate So oft haue begg'd : oh doe not now desire , But by your valours fortunes aide acquire . What Caesar is lyes in your hands al●ne . This is the day , which passing Rubicon Was p●omist me : in hope of which we stirr'd . And our forbidden triumphs haue differr'd . This is the day that shall restore to you Children and wiues , and shares of land bestow Free'd from wars duties : this the day , that tryes ( Wi●ness'd by fate ) whose cause the juster is This field the conquer'd side shall guilty make . If you with fire , and sword haue for my sake Assaulted Rome , now fight like souldiers , And free your swords from guilt : no hand in wars Is pure in both sides iudgement : nor for me Fight you alone , but that your selues may be Free lords of all the world . I , for mine owne Content , could liue in a Plebejan gowne , Or be in any state , so you obteine A perfect freedome ; by my envy reigne . Nor with much blood shall all the world be bought : But youths of Greece in schooles of wrestling taught , Base sluggish spirits , that never armes did beare , And mixt Barbarian troopes are standing there , That , when the armies joyne , will nere abide The trumpets sound , nor showtes of their owne side . In civill war few hands , alas , shall fight : Most of the blowes vpon Romes foes shall light , And rid the world of well-spar'd people , goe , Breake through those dastard nations , and orethrow The world at your first onset ; make it knowne That all those nations , which so oft were showne In Pompey's triumphs , are not worthy prou'd Of one poore triumph Ar● th' Armenians moov'd Thinke you , what Generall shall Rome obtaine ? With least bloods losse would the Barbarians gaine A soveraignety for Pompey ? they abhor All Romans , as their lords : and hate those more , Whom they haue knowne . The trust of my affaires To friends , whose valour through so many wars In France I haue beheld , does fortune now Commit : what souldiers sword doe not I know ? And when through th' aire a trembling pile is sent , I le truely tell you from what arme it went . Those signes I see that nere your Generall fail'd , Feirce lookes , and threatning eyes you haue prevail'd : Me thinkes the rivers swell'd with blood I see , And at your feete the slaughtered bodyes ly Of Kings , and Senators ; nations to day Swim in this bloody field . But I delay My fortunes , in detaining from the field Your forward spirits : pardon me though I yeild A while to pleasing hope : I nere did see The gods so liberall , and so speedily : But one fields distance from our wish are we . What Kings , and nations are possest of now , When this field 's fought , is Caesars to bestow . O gods , what stars , what influence of the sky Has given so great a power to Thessaly ? This day allots the punishm●nt , or gaines Of all our wars : thinke vpon Caesars chaines , His wrackes , and gibbets : thinke you see this face , These quarter'd limmes stand in the market place : Remember Sylla in the field of Mars , For 'gainst a Syllane Generall are our wars . My care 's for you : this hand shall free mine owne , Who ere lookes backe before the day be won , Shall see me fall on mine owne sword , and dy . You gods , whose cares are drawne downe from the sky By Romes dissentions , let him Conquerer be , That to the Conquer'd meanes no cruelty : And thinkes his countrymen haue not in ought Misdone , because against his side they fought . When Pompey in a narrow place had shut Your helpelesse valour vp , how did he glut His sword with blood ? but this I beg of you Souldiers , let no man wound a flying foe : Account him still your countreyman , that flyes . But while they stand in fight , let not your eyes Be moov'd with piety , though in that place Your fathers stood , but with your swords deface Their reverend lookes . Who ere has sheath'd his blade In kinsman's breast , or by the wound he made Has done no wrong to kindred , all as one Shall I esteeme , kinseman , and foe vnknowne . Fill vp the trenches teare the rampiers downe , That in full maniples we may come on : Spare not your campe ; that campe shall be your owne From which you dying army is come downe . Scarse thus had Caesar spoke , when every one Fell to their charge , and straight their armour don ; A quicke presage of happy war they take : Of their neglected campe ●avocke they make : Not rank'd , nor marshall'd by the generall Confus'd they stand , leaving to fortune all . Had all beene Caesars ▪ had each souldier fought For monarchy , and Romes sole Empire sought , They could not all with more desire come on . When Pompey saw them march directly downe , That now the war admitted no delay , But this by heavens appointment was the day , He stands amaz'd , and cold : the war to feare T was fatall in so great a souldier . But cheering vp his men his owne feares hiding , On a proud steed through every quarter riding ; The time your valours wisht for , souldiers , Is come , qu●th he , the end of civill wars , This is the sword's last worke , the judging hower Of nations fates : now shew your ●tmost power . He that would see his houshold gods againe , His countrey , wife , and children , must obtaine All by the sword ▪ the gods haue in this fight Dispos'd them all : our just cause does invite To hope : our swords the gods themselues shall guide Through Caesars breast , and in his blood provide Th' establishment of Roman liberty . Had they to him decreed a Monarchy , To my old age death might long since haue come . It was no signe the gods were wroth with Rome , Preserving Pompey for her leader now , And all helpes else , that conquest can bestow . Illust●ious men , such as old times did show , Doe willingly these dangers vndergoe . Should the Camilli th' ancient Curii Reviue , or the devoted Decii , Heere they would stand . Forces we haue from th' East , Numberlesse ●ityes aides ▪ war never prest So many hands : we vse all nations Of the whole world , people of all the zones , Of all mankinde twixt North , and South that dwell Are heere : we may enclose that army well With our wide stretch'd-out wings : the victory Askt not all hands : some neede but shout , and cry . Caesars small strength cannot employ vs all . Thinke that your mothers from the city wall Tearing their haire entreat your valour now , Thinke that the old vnarmed Senate bow Their honour'd hoary heads before your feete , And Rome her selfe for freedome doth entreate : Thinke that this age , and our posterity Doe both entreat : one would in freedome dy , The other be freeborne . And if there be After these pledges , a roome left for me , I with my wife and sonnes before your feete ( If th' honour of a generall would permit ) Would fall ; vnlesse you conquer heere , your shame , And ●aesars mocke is banisht Pompey's name . I craue in freedome my ●ast age to spend , And not ●e taught to serue so neere my end . This sad speech fi●'d the Roman spirits anew , They wish to dy , should , what they feare , be true . With aequall fur● then both armyes meete ; One for ambition , th' other freedome fight . These hands shall act , what no succeeding yeare , Nor all mankind for ever can repaire Thou●h free from wars : this fight kills men to come , And the next age , before they enter wombe : All Latian names thence fabulous shall be , And men in ruin'd dust shall scarsely see The Gabii , Veii , Cora , nor the roome Where Alba stood ; nor faire Laurentium , A countrey desolate , which none espyes . But the forc'd Consuls in night sacrifice Blaming old Numa's institution . These monuments times ruining hand alone Has not defac'd : wars ciuill crimes we see In that so many cities empty'd be To that small number is mankind reduc'd ? We all , whom the whole earth has since produc'd , Are not enough the townes , and fields to fill : One towne vs receiues vs all , and bondmen till Th' Italian lands old houses stand alone Rotten , and want a man to fall vpon : And wanting her old Citizens there slaine , Rome with the dreggs of men is fill'd againe . This slaughter makes that Rome hereafter free From civill war for many yeeres shall be . Pharsalia is the cause of all these ills , Let Canna yeild that our blacke annalls fills , And Allia damn'd in Roman Calenders , Rome has remembred these as her small scarres , But would forget this day : oh fatall time ! Those liues , that fortune had from every clime Brought heere to perish , might all losse repaire Mankind susteines by pestilentiall ayre , Sickenesse , towne-swallowing earth quakes , or fires rage : Heere fortune showes the gifts of many an age People , and Captaines , robbing vs of all In one sad field : to shew , when Rome did fall , How great she fell ; the more thou did'st possesse . Of earth , the shorter was thy happinesse . All wars before did land on thee bestow ; To both the poles Sol saw thy conquests goe : But that a little of the East : remain'd , Thou all the sky-encompass'd globe had'st gain'd : Thine had beene night , and day : the stars could shine ▪ And planets wander ore no land but thine . But this one day thy fate as far backe beares , As 't was advaunc'd in all those former yeres . This bloody day is cause that India The Roman Fasces cannot keepe in aw : That Consuls doe not with their plowes designe Sarmatian walls , nor in their bounds confine The Scythian Daa , that still Parthians owe For the blood lost in Crassus overthrow . That liberty nere to returne againe , And flying civill war , her flight has tane Ore Tigris , and the Rhene ; and can be brought No more , though with our bloods so often sought : Would we had nere that happinesse possest , Which Scythia , and Germany has blest : Would Rome had ever serv'd , since that first light When by the augury of Vul●urs flight Romulus fill'd with theeues his walls begun , Even till Pharsalia's wofull field was won . Brutus we taxe ; fortune , why did we frame Our freedomes , lawes , or yeare● by Consuls name ? Happy Arabians , Medes , and Easterne lands , That still haue liv'd vnder their Kings commands : We last of all ( though now asham'd to bow ) A Monarch's yoke are forc'd to vndergoe . No gods at all haue we : when all things mooue By chance , we falsely thinke there is a Ioue . Can he downe from the starry sky behold Thessalia's slaughter , and his thunder held ? Can he with thunder cleaue a sencelesse tree , Pholoe , Oete , harmelesse Rhodope ? Must Cassius hand rather this tyrant slay ? He at Thyestes feast could shut vp day , Involving Argos in a suddaine night ; And can he lend Thessalia his light , Where brothers fight , and sonnes 'gainst fathers are ? For mortall men no god at all takes care . But for this woe revenge we doe obtaine As much as fi●ts that earth 'gainst heaven should gaine : This war our Emperours does aequalize To gods aboue , and their soules deifyes , Adornes their heads with thunder , rayes , and stars : Rome by mens soules in her gods temples sweares . When both the armyes marching on apace , Neere met , stood parted but a little space , They veiw'd each others hands , striving to know Each others face , thinking which way to throw Their piles , from whence their fates most threatning show What monstrous acts they were about to doe : There they their brothers , and their fathers spy'd Against them stand , yet would not change their side . But piety their breasts amazed held , And the cold blood in every limme congeal'd : And every souldier his prepared pile , And ready stretch'd-out arme contain'd a while . The gods send thee , ô Craestinus , not death The common plague , but feeling after breath , Whose pile first throwne of all , the fight began , And Thessaly with Roman blo●d did staine . Oh frantike violence , did Caesar stand Quiet , and was there a more forward (b) hand ? Shrill cornets then began the aire to wound , Th' alarums beat , and all the trumpets sound : The noise , and showts of souldiers peirce the sky , And reach the convexe of Olympus high , Aboue the thundring cloudes : the noise they make The Thracian Aemus sounding valleys take : High Pelion's cavernes eccho backe the sound , Which Pindus , and Pangaean rockes rebound : Th' Octaean mountaines grone : the souldiers feare Their showtes thus eccho'd from all hills to heare . Numberlesse piles with different mindes are throwne ; Some wish to wound ; others to light vpon The ground , and keepe their harmelesse hands from ill ; Chance rules them , and makes guilty whom she will . But the least part of slaughter heere was done With darts , and flying steele : the sword al●ne Was able civill quarells to decide , And Roman hands 'gainst Roman breasts to guide . Pompey's great army narrowly dispos'd In a thicke Phalanx stand with bucklers clos'd For fence : but wanted roome ( their rankes thus fill'd ) To throw their piles , their swords , or armes to weild ▪ But Caesars loose-rank'd troopes all nimbly goe , And the thicke armed wedges of the foe , Making their way through men and steele , assaile , And through the strongest joynted coates of maile Peirce the ill guarded breasts ▪ each stroke findes out A breast , though nere so fenc'd with armes about . One army suffers , tother makes the war : All cold and guiltlesse Pompeys weapons are : All Caesars impious swords are reeking hot . But fortune heere long doubting waver'd not ; She swiftly bore ( fitting so great a day ) A mighty ruine torrent-like away . When Pompey's horse ore all the fields at large Had spred their wings , the foes in flanke to charge , The light arm'd souldiers scatter'd all attended , And 'gainst the foe their missile weapons bended ; With their owne weapons every nation fought , Yet by all hands the Roman blood was sought ; Arrowes , stones , fire , lead headed darts were throwne , Which melted in the aires hot motion . There th' Ituraeans , Medes , Arabians shot Their shafts , good archers all , yet levell'd not ; The aire be●ore their eyes was only sought By their wilde aimes , yet death from thence was wrought . But no dire crime could staine the forraine steele : Nought could worke mischiefe , but the Roman pile . The ayre was da●kened with thicke arrowes flight , Which ore the fields orespread a suddaine night . Then (c) Caesar fearing lest his front should yeild To their assault , obliquely cohorts held , Which suddainly from the right wing he sent , Whither the wheeling horse their forces bent . But Pompey's horse vnmindefull now of fight Nor stay'd by shame at all , take speedy flight ; Vnhappily ( alas ) were civill wars Left to the trust of barbarous souldiers . As soone as ere some galled horse had throwne Their riders , and their limbs had trampled on , The horsemen fled , and left the field each one , Or turning reines vpon their fellowes run . No fight ensues , but execution hot , One side with sword , the other with bare throat Made war ; nor could Caesarian hands suffice To execute their routed enemies . Oh would the blood that barbarous breasts did yeild , Could haue suffic'd Pharsalia's mortall field , And that no other blood thy streames might staine : Let those bones scattered ore thy fields remaine : But if thou wouldst with Roman blood be fill'd , Spare all the nations : Let the Spaniards wilde , Th' Armenians , Syrians , and Cilicians , Galatians , Gaules , and Cappadocians Surviue : for when this civill war is done , These people will be Romans every one . These feares once rais'd through every quarter fly , Sent by the fates for Caesars victory . Then came the war to Pompey's Roman power The war , that variously had wander'd ore The fields , there stucke , there Caesars fortune stay'd : No forreine Kings fought there , no barbarous ayde From severall nations to that place was brought : There their owne brothers , there their fathers fought : Mischiefe , and fury rag'd : there Caesar , are Thy crimes ; oh fly from this sad part of war My soule , and leaue it to eternall night : Let no succeeding age by what I write Learne how much ill may be in civill fight . Or rather let our teares , and sorrowes dy : What heere thou didst , O Rome , conceal'd shall be . Caesar th' inciting fury of his men , And spur to their blind rage , lest his guilt then Should wanting be at all , rides through all parts Adding new fury to their fired hearts : Viewing their swords , looking whose points with gore Were lightly stain'd , whose blades were bloody'd ore : Who faulter in their blowes , who hold their hand , Who faintly strike , who fight as by command , And who with greedinesse : who changes looke To see a Roman sla●ne ; himselfe then tooke Survey of bodyes gasping on the ground , To let out all the blo●d crushing their wounds ; As fierce Enyo shakes her bloody lance , And Mars incites his warlike Thracians , Or driues with furious lashes ore the field His Horses starting at Minerva's shield . Blacke nights of slaughter , and dire deedes arise ; Like one great voyce the dying souldiers cries , Clashing of armed breasts falling to ground , And swords with swords meeting , and breaking sound . He with fresh swords his souldiers still supplyes , To strike the faces of their enemies , Forcing them on , still vrging at their backe , And with his javeling beating on the slacke . Against the Senate not Plebejan f●es He guides their hands , and swords ; full well he knowes Where the lawes liue , where the states blood does flow : Where he may conquer Rome , and overthrow The worlds last liberty . Together then Fall Senators with Roman Gentlemen . Those honour'd names Metells , Lepidi , Corvini and Torqauati slaughter'd dy , That oft commanders ore great Kings haue bin , And , except Pompey , all the best of men . In a Plebejan helme disguised there What weapon , noble (d) Bru●us , didst beare ? The Senates highest hope , R●mes greatest grace , The last of all thy ancient honour'd race ? Through the arm'd foes rush not too rashly on , Nor seeke out thy Philip●i●ke fa●e too soone : Fate will to thee a Thessaly allot . In vaine thou aimest there at Caesars throte : He has not yet mounted the top of fate , And reach'd that height , that governes humane state , To me●it that braue death ; no , let him reigne , That he , as Brutus offring , may he slaine . Heere call Romes honour dyes : heere heap'd on high The slaughter'd Senate with Plebeians ly . But 'mongst those nobles , that to Styx were sent , Wa● like Domitius ( e ) death was eminent Whom ●ates had carry'd through all overthrowes ; Nere without him did Pompey's fortune loose : Vanquisht so oft by Caesar , yet dyes now With liberty , and gladly falls into A thousand wounds , proud that he shall no more Be pardon'd now . Him weltering in his gore Caesar espy'd , with taunts vpbraiding thus , Now my successor proud Domitius , At length thou shalt forsake thy Pompey's side , And war is made without thee . He r●ply'd With that last breath , which in his dying breast Struggled ; thou , Caesar , hast not yet possest The dire reward of all thy wickednesse : But yet art doubtfull of thy fate , and lesse Then Pompey : vnder whom se●ure I goe . And a free ghost downe to the shades below : And dying hope that thou subdu'd to day To ●s , and him for thy misdeedes shalt pay . With this last speech away his spirit flyes , And night eternall closes vp his eyes We cannot in the worlds sad funerall Particular teares pay to the death of all , Nor search each private fate ; whose breast a wound Receiv'd ; who spurn'd mens hearts vpon the ground ; Who through the mouth receiv'd his mortall wound , And thence breath'd out his soule ; who fell to ground At the first stroke who stood vpright , the while His lopt-off limbes fell downe ; who with a pile Was fast nail'd to the earth ; whose blood spun out , And sprinkled all his foes arm'd breast about ; Who kills his brother , and , that then he may Without shame rifle , throwes his head away . Who teares his fathers face , that standers by Conjecture by his too much cruelty T was not his father , whom he robb'd of life . No death is worthy of particular greife , Nor haue we time to weepe for every wight . No other losse was like Pharsalia's fight : Rome there by souldiers , heere by kingdomes dyes : There private mens , heere nations tragoedyes : Heere flow'd Assyrian , Graecian , Ponticke blood : But all these bloods the powerfull Roman flood Droue through the field away . All people there Are deeplyer wounded , then one age can bea●e : Farre more then life , then safety heere is gone : For all succeeding times we are orethrowne . These swords subdue all ages that shall serue . Alas what could posterity deserue To be in thraldome bone ? fought we with feare ? Spar'd we our throates ? the punishment we beare Of others flight . To vs , that since doe liue , Fates should giue war , if they a tyrant giue . Pompey perceiv'd Romes fate , and gods were gone , In all this losse not mooved for his owne Ill hap . Ascending a small hill to see The slaughters all , that cover'd Thessaly , Which , while the war endur'd could not be spy'd : He thence discern'd how many people dy'd , How many swords reach at his destiny , In how much blood he falls , nor wishes he ( As wretches vse ) all with himselfe to drowne , And mixe the nations ruine with his owne : But for survivall of most part of men He deignes to thinke the gods even worthy then Of prayers from him , and makes this to be His sorrowes comfort ; spare , ye gods , quoth he To sinke all nations : Pompey ( if you lift ) Although the world remaine , and Rome subsist , May be made wretched ; if moe wounds on me You would inflict , a wife and sonnes haue I : So many pledges haue we given to fate . Is t nought for civill war to ruinate Me , and my house ? are we a losse so small Without the world ? why wouldst thou ruine all Fortune ? now nought is mine . With that he rides Through his distressed troopes , and on all sides Sounds a retreat , from death calling them backe , Thinking himse●fe not worth so great a wracke . Nor lack'd he spirit their weapons to defy With throat or breast , but fear'd , if he should dy , No souldier then would fly , but there would fall , And all the world ●y with their generall , Or out of Caesars sight a death he sought In vaine : thy head to Caesar must be brought , Where ere he please to see 't . His wiues deare sight Another reason was that caus'd his flight . For in her sight the fates his death decree'd . Then Pompey mounted on a gallant steede , Fled from the field , fearing no swords behind , But bearing still a fate-vnconquer'd minde : No sighes , nor teares he spent : with majesty His griefe was mixt , such as befitted thee Pompey , in Romes calamity to shew . With lookes vnchang'd didst thou Aemathia view . That minde , which wars successe could neere erect To pride , wars losses cannot now deject . Fortun 's as far below thy wretched fate , As she was false to thy triumphant state . Securely now from Empires burden free Thou goest ; and on thy past prosperity Hast time to looke : all boundlesse hopes are gone ; And what thou wert may now be truely knowne . Fly this dire battell , and to wit●esse call The gods , that none for thy sake , Pompey , fall , That stay behind thee ; in Thessalia , No more then Aegypt , Munda , Affrica , The battels greatest part fought not for thee : Nor shall the honour'd name of Pompey be Wars quarrell now ; the foes that still will be 'Mongst vs , are Caesar , and Rom●s liberty : And t will appeare more plaine after thy flight Thy dying Senate for themselues did fight . Let thy flight comfort thee , thou shalt not see Those blood-staind troopes , nor their impiety ; The rivers swell'd with blood looke backe , and see , And pitty Caesar : with what heart can be Revisite Rome , made happyer by this field ? What banishment in forreine lands can yeild To thee by thee what ere can be endur'd Vnder th' Aegyptian tyrant , rest assur'd The gods ; and favouring fates , as best , preferre ; T were worse for thee to be the conquerer Let all the people waile and weepe no more , But dry their teares , and let the world adore As well thy ruine , as prosperity . Looke vpon Kings with a commanding eye , Aegypt , and Libyas Kings , whom th●u hast crown'd , And cityes buil● by thee and choose a ground Where thou wilt dy . Larissa towne beheld ( First witnesse of thy fall ) fled from the field Thy noble selfe vnconquer'd by the fates . Whose Citizens all issuing forth the gates To meete thee ( as if Conquerer ) they went , And gifts from loue , and sorrow did present : They ope thei● temples , and their houses all : And wish themselues pa●t●k●rs of his fall : Much of his great name 's left : in his owne eye He seemes the least : nations would helpe him tr●● , Once more his fortune , and renew the war . He cryes be faithfull to the Conquerer : What should the conquer'd doe with townes and men ? Thou Caesar , thy countreys bowells then Wert wading through Pharsalia's bloody field , Whilest peoples loues to thee he reconcil'd . Pompey rides thence : the people sigh , and cry , And raile against each cruell deity The people's favour now is truely proov'd : Whilest great , thou couldst not know thy selfe belov'd . When Caesar saw the field with Roman blood Was overflow'd enough , he thought it good His swords from execution to refraine , And spare poore liues , that would haue dy'd in vaine . But left the foes should to their campe in flight Retire , and rest should banish terrour quite ; He straight determines to assault their wall , Whilest fortune's hot , and terrour workes in all , Nor does he thinke that this command appeares Too harsh , too hot , and weary'd souldiers : Small exhortation leads them to the prey . Our victory ( quoth he ) is full to day , And for our blood nought is remaining now But the reward : which 't is my part to show , I cannot say to giue , what every man Shall giue himselfe ; behold yon tents that stand Full of all riches : there gold rak'd in Spaine , There th' Easterne Nations treasuryes remaine : Pompey's , and all those Kings estates doe lacke Possessours , souldiers : run , and overtake Whom you pursue : and what so ere to you Pharsalia giues , take from the conquer'd now . This speech of Caesars , and golds impious loue Over the swords the furious souldiers droue , To tread on Senatours , and Captaines slaine , What trench , what bulwarke could their force susteine ? Seeking the price of all their wars , and sin , To know for what they haue so guilty been Spoiling the world they found a wealthy masse , Which for wars future charges gather'd was : But their all-covering thoughts could not be fill'd With what Spa●nes mines , and Tagus streames could yeild , Or on their sands rich Arimaspians finde ; Though all the spoiles be theirs , yet in their minde Their mischeife at too cheape a sale they vent , And are bid losse in spoiling of these tents , When to himselfe the Conquerour Rome decree'd And in that hope whole mountaines promised : Patricians tents impious Plebejans keepe , In Kings pavilions common souldiers sleepe ; On brothers , and on fathers empty beds The killers lay their parricidall heads ; But furious dreames disturbe their restlesse rest ; Thessalia's fight remaines in every breast ▪ Their horrid guilt still wakes ; the battell stands In all their thoughts : they brandish empty hands , Without their swords : you would haue thought the feild ▪ Had groan'd , and that the guilty earth did yeild Exhaled spirits , that in the aire did moue , And Stygian feares possest the night aboue . A sad revenge on them their conquest takes ; Their sleepes present the furies hissing snakes , And brands ; their countreymens sad ghosts appeare : To each the image of his proper feare : One sees an old mans visage , one a young , Another's tortu●'d all the evening long With his slaine brothers spirit : their fathers sight Dants some : but Caesar's soule all ghosts aff●ight . Orestes so , not purg'd in Scythia , Th' Eumenides affrighting faces saw ; Not more was Pentheus in Agaves fit Dismay'd , nor she , when she was free'd from it . Him all the swords that dire Pharsalia saw , And which the Senate in revenge should draw , Oppresse that night , and Hellish-monsters scourge . But that , which most his guilty soule did vrge , Was this , that S●yx , the fiends , and furyes grim ( Pompey being yet aliue ) had seiz'd on him . But having suffred all , when dayes cleare light Display'd Pharsalia's slaughter to his sight , No dismall objects could ●uert his eyes From thence ; the rivers swell'd with blood he sees , And heapes of bodyes aequalling high hills , And car●asses , whence blood , and filth distills , He numbers Pompey's people , and that place Ordaines for banquetting , from whence each face He might discerne , and know them as they ly , Proud that Aemathia's earth he cannot see , Or scarse discerne the slaughter-cover'd ground . In blood his fortune , and his gods he found . And with that joyfull sight to feede his eyes , To the wretch'd soules he funerall fire denyes , Making Aemathia noisome to the aire . Carthage , that gaue our consuls sepulcher , And Libyan fire on Cannae did conferre , Could not teach him his enemies t' inter : Remembring still ( his anger not even then With slaughter slack'd ) they were his countrey men . We doe not seuerall fires , or tombs desire : Doe but to all these nations grant one fire ; And let them not on pyles distinct be brent . Or if thou aime at Pompey's punishment , Pyl'd vp let Pindus wood , and Ossa be , That he from sea Pharsalia's fire may see . This anger bootes thee not ; fort is all one Whether the fire , or putrefaction Dissolue them ; all to natures bosome goe , And to themselues their ends the bodyes owe. If now these nations , Caesar , be not burn'd , They shall , when earth , and seas to flames are turn'd . One fire shall burne the world , and with the sky Shall mixe these bones ; where ere thy soule shall be , Their soules shall goe ; in ayre thou shalt not fly Higher , nor better in Avernus ly . Death frees from fortune : Earth receiues againe What ever she brought forth : and they obtaine Heavens coverture , that haue no vrnes at all . Thou that deny'st these nations funerall , Why dost thou fly these slaughter smelling fields ? Breath , if thou canst , the aire this region yeilds , Or drinke this water , Caesar , but from thee The rotting people challenge Thessaly , And keepe possession 'gainst the conquerer . To the sad food of this Aemathian war , Senting from far the bloods corruption The Thracian wolues , Arcadian lions run : Beares from their dens , dogs from their kennells come : And all those ravenous creatures else , on whom Nature bestowes the strongest sents , ful well The ayre by carrion putrify'd to smell . Hither all birds of prey assembled are , That long had waited on this civill war : Birds , that from Thrace to Nile in winter goe , Stay'● longer then , then they were wont to doe : Nere did moe birds of prey in one ayre fly , Nor did moe vulturs ever cloud the sky ; From every wood came foule : each tree was fil'd With bloody birds , that crimson drops distill'd Downe from the aire blood , and corruption rain'd The conquerours face , and impious eagles stain'd . Birds from their weary tallands oft let fall Gobbets of flosh ; nor were the people all Consumed so , buryed in bird , or beast , Which would not on their bowels fully feast , Nor sucke their marrow all , but lightly tast ; The greatest part of Roman flesh is cast Disdain'd away : which by the Sunne , and time Dissolv'd , is mixed with Thessalian slime . Vnhappy Thessaly , what hast thou done T' offend the angry gods , that thee alone So many deaths , and impious fates should staine ? What age , what length of time can purge againe The gu●lt that thou hast wrought ? what corne in thee And grasse with blood discolour'd shall not be ? What plow share , but some Roman ghost shall wound ? Before that time new battells on thy ground Shall be ; and impious civill wars shall staine Thy fields ( before this blood be dry ) againe . If all the graues of our dead ancesters We should turne vp , their tombes that stand , and theirs Whose time-consumed vrnes haue cast abroad Th' enclosed dust : moe ashes would be trod , And bones by harrows teeth digg'd vp , and found In the sad fur●owes of Thessaliaes ground . No Marriners had sailed from thy shore , Nor Husbandmen had plow'd thee any more , The Roman peoples graue ; thy ghostly field Had no inhabitant for ever till'd : No heards of cattell on thy plaines had run . Nor durst the shepheards feede their flockes vpon Thy pasture fields , with Roman blood manur'd : Nor habitable nor to be endur'd , ( As in the torrid , or cold i y zone ) Shouldst thou haue lyen , forsaken , and vnknowne , If thou hadst beene not first , but onely seat Of wicked war ▪ Oh giue vs leaue to hate This guilty land ; ye gods ▪ why doe you staine The world , t'absolue it so ? the blood in Spaine , Sicilian seas , Mutina , Leucas spilt Has quite absolv'd Philippi fields from guilt . FINIS Libri Septims .

Annotations on the seventh Booke .

(a) The same day when this great Pharsalian field was fought , an Augur C. Cornelius being then at Padua , observing his rules of augury , told vnto them that stood by him the very instant when the battell beganne : and going a●aine to his art , returned as it were inspired , and cryes out with a loud voice , Caesar the day is thine .

(b) This Chrastinus was an old Souldier of Caesars army , and now Emeritus , that is free'd from the duties of the war , but for loue of Caesar served in this war a voluntary , he desiring to giue the onset spake thus to Caesar ; I hope , Caesar , this day so to behaue my selfe , that thou shalt thanke me either aliue or dead ; he was slaine , runne through the mouth .

( c ) When Caesar perceived that his horsemen could not withstand the force of Pompeys horsemen and archers , he drew foorth 3000 men which for that purpose hee had placed in the right wing , they with such fury assaulted Pompeys horsemen , that they all fled ; after whose flight all the archers wanting their defence were without resistance slaine .

(d) Marcus Brutus was there fighting in Plebeian armour , and scaped the knowledge of Caesars souldiers This was that Brutus , that ioyning afterward with Cassius , was with him Vanquished in the Philippian fields by Octavius and Antonius ; after which battell all hope of Roman liberty was for ever lost .

(e) L. Domitius was by the Senates decree to succeede Caesar in the government of France ; In this warre taking Pompeys side he was at Corfinium by his owne souldiers brought bound to Caesar , and by him pardoned : afterward in Massilla he was vanquished by D. Brutus , Caesars Lieutenant , and fled .

LVCANS Pharsalia . The Eight Booke . The Argument . Through devious deserts vanquish'd Pompey flyes , And sailes to Lesbos ; whence with weeping eyes He takes his wife In severall flying fleetes Sextus , and other Roman Lords he meetes . Deiotarus the Gallogracian King Is sent to great Arsacides , to bring To aide of Pompey's side the Parthian bowes . The Lords consult where to retire , and chose Aegypts base shore . Th' vnthankefull king betrayes Old Pompey comming : and before the face Of Sextus , and Cornelia , ere he lands , By base Achillas , and Septimius hands Great Pompey dyes . By night poore Codrus comes , And on the shore his halfe burnt trunke entombes Without the head . The author doth inveigh 'Gainst treachereous Aegypt , and base Ptolemey . ORe woody Tempe , and th' Herculian straits Following th' Aemonian woods desert retre●ts ( Though farre about ) great Pompey rode ; his steede Quite spent past helpe of spurre had lost his speede . Through devious wayes he turnes , and leaues behinde No tracke of his vncertaine flight ; the winde Filling the shaken woods with murmuring noises Made him afraide , and his owne followers voices , That rode behinde , and by him For ( although Fall'n from his height of former fortunes now ) He thinkes his blood set at no vulgar rate : But as high priz'd ( still mindfull of his fate ) By Caesar , as himselfe for Caesars head Would giue . But through the deserts as he fled , His presence , and majestike face deny'd A safe concealement ; many , as they hy'd Vnto his cam●e , and had not heard his fall , Stood in amaze to meete their generall : Wondring at fortunes turnes , and scarse is he Beleft , relating his owne mis●ry . He grieu●s that any his low state should see , And wishes rather in all lands to be Vnknowne , and through the world obscurely goe . But fortunes ancient favour brings this woe His present sinking state more to depresse By honours weight , and former happinesse . Now he perceiues he did too early clime , Blames his triumphant youth in Sylla's time . And grieues to thin●e vpon , in these sad dayes , His Ponticke lau●●ll , or Pyratick● bayes . So too long age gre●t'st happinesse destroyes , And life surviving Empire ; former joyes Breede greife , vnlesse wi●h them our end be sent , A●d timely death ensuing wors prevent Let none but with a minde prepar'd to dy , Dare to adventure on prosperity . Now to the shore be came , where Peneus ran Red with Pharsalia's slaughter to the maine . There a (a) small barke vnfit for seas , and windes , Scarse safe in shallowest rivers , Pompey findes , And goes aboord ▪ He , with whose navyes oares Even yet Corcyra shakes , and Leucas shoares , That tam'd Cicilia , and Liburnia , Goes fearfull now in a small barke to sea . To Lesbos shore his sailes commanded are By thee , Cornelia , conscious of his care , Where thou then lay'st , far more with sorrow fill'd , Then if th' hadst bin in dire Pharsalia's field . Thy carefull breast still sad presages shake , And feares thy restlesse slumbers still awake . Each night presents Thessalia : when night 's done , To th' shore , and sea orehanging rockes begone With woe , to veiw the Oceans face , she hyes , And still all ships , that come , she first espyes , But dares aske nothing of her husbands state . Lo now a ship that comes ; alas what fate It brings , thou knowst not ; but behold thy feares , Thy cares whole summe , thy vanquisht lord appeares Himselfe the sad relater of wars crime . Why now lament'st thou not , thus loosing time ? When thou may'st weepe , thou fear'st , the ship drawne nigh , She runs , and sees the crime of destiny , Pompey palefac'd , his hoary haires hung downe Ore his sad brow , his garments squallid growne . Then greife contracts her soule : a suddaine night Invades her sense , and reaues her eyes of light ; Her nerue-forsaken joynts all faile : cold is Her heart ; deceiv'd with hope of death she lyes : But Pompey landed searches the shores side ; Whom when Cornelia's maids now neere espy'd , They durst not on fates cruelty complaine , More then with silent sighs , striving in vaine To lift their lady vp ; whom in his armes Great Pompey takes , and with embraces warmes Her key-cold breast . But when the fled blood fills Her outward parts , Husbands hand she feeles , And better brookes his visage ; he forbid Her veild to fate , and thus her sorrow chid . Why is thy noble strength of courage broke ( Woman descended from so great a stocke ) By the first wound of fate ? thou hast the way To purchase fame , that never shall decay , Thy sexes praise springs not from war , or state , But faithfull loue to an vnhappy mate . Aduance thy thoughts , and let thy piety Contend with fortune : loue me now cause I Am conquerd , sweete , 't is more true praise for thee To loue me thus , when all authority , The sacred Senate , and my Kings are gone . Begin to loue thy Pompey now alone . That griefe extreame , thy husband yet aliue , Becomes thee not ; thou shouldst that sorrow giue To my last funeralls , thou art bereft Of nothing by this war : thy Pompey 's left Aliue and safe : his fortunes onely gone : 'T is that thou wail'st , and that thou lovd'st alone . Chid by her Husband thus , by shames constraint She rise , and vtter'd this most sad complaint . Would I to hated Caesar had bin led A bride , since happy to no Husbands bed . Twice haue I hurt the world : my bridall lights Erinnys , and th' vnhappy Crassi's sprights Carry'd ; accursed by those ghosts I hare Th' Assyrian fortune to this civill war . I was the cause that all these nations dy'd , And all the gods forsooke the juster side . O greatest Lord , worthy of better fate Then my sad marriage : had dire fortunes hate Such power on thee ? why did I marry thee To make thee wretched ? take revenge on me , Which willingly I le pay ; to make the sea More passable , Kings faiths more firme to thee , And all the world more hospitable , drowne Me by the way , oh would this life had gone Before to get thee victory , but now Deare Pompey expiate thine overthrow . Where ere thou lyest , ô cruell Iulia , Reveng'd already in Pha●salia , Come wreake thine anger , et thy strumpets death Appease thy wrath , and spare thy Pompey's breath . This said , and sinking in his armes , her fall Againe drew teares from the spectators all : Pompey's great heart relented , and that eye Wept there , that in Pharsalia's field was dry . The M●tylenaeans then thus on the shore Bespake great Pompey ; if for evermore It shall our honour be to haue preserv'd Thy dearest pledge , if we haue so deserv'd : To grace the city of thy servants daine , And heere with vs , though but one night , remaine ; Make this a place honour'd for evermore , A place , that Roman pilgrims may adore . Our towne before all townes thou should'st approue ; For all townes else may hope for Caesars loue : We haue already trespast ; further yet This is an I le , and Caesar wants a fleete ; Besides , thy nobles know this place , and heere Will meete ; thy fates on this knowne shore repaire : Take our gods wealth , our temples gold , and bands Of our young men to serue by sea , or land : Take thou ( though conquer'd ) Lesbos forces heere , Lest Caesar presse them as the Conquerer . Oh cleare this faithfull land of that foule crime , That thou , which loud'st vs in thy prosperous time , Should'st feare our faith in thy adversity . Glad of these mens so wondrous piety For the worlds sake , that some fidelity Was left to wretched states , this land ( quoth he ) That I of all the world most deare esteem'd By this great pledge I left with you it seem'd She was the hostage that my loue was here , That here my houshold gods , and countrey were ; Heere was my Rome , fled from the field , before I came to you , I toutch'd vpon no shore ; Knowing that Lesbos in preserving her Had purchas'd Caesars i●e , I did not feare To giue you cause your p●rdons all to plead ; Let it suffice that I your guilt haue made : I must through all the world my fates pursue . Oh happy ●esbos , ever fam'd ; from you People , and Kings shall learne fidelity To vs , or faithfull you alone shall be . Which lands are true , which false I now must try . Heare ô ye gods , it any gods with me Remai●e , my last of prayers , grant vs to finde A land like Le●bos , whose sti●l faithfull minde Dares giue safe landing to our conquer'd state , And parting safe not fearing Caesars hate . His sad companion then aboord he tooke . You would haue thought all Lesbos had forsooke Their nat●ue soile exil'd : so great a cry Was rais'd , and wofull hands heav'd to the sky All ore the shore , for Pompey least of all , ( Though he deserv'd their sorrow by his fill ) But seeing her depart , whom they had seene All this war time , as their owne citizen , The people wept ; of her the matrons dry From teares , could hardly haue tane leaue , though she Vnto her lord a Conquerer had gone : She so had gain'd the loue of every one By vertuous , courteous carriage , modesty Of a chast looke : proud to no company : Lowly to all , and such her life was seene While her lord stood , as he had conquer'd bin . Now Titans orbe halfe drowned in the seas Gaue pa●t to vs , part to th' Antipodes : When care in Pompey's restlesse bosome runs Sometimes on Romes confederate states , and townes , And kings vncertaine faiths , sometimes vpon The South-scorch'd regions of the torrid zone : Sometimes , as too sad burdens , he layes by His wearied cares of future destiny , Asking the master of each star , and where He guesses land : what rules heaven giues to steere His ship at sea : what stars to Syria guide : Which of Bootes fires to Lybias side Directs ; to this the master thus replyes : We follow not those stars , which through the skyes Doe slide , and passe away ▪ vnconstant stars In the vnfixt pole deceiue the marriners ; That pole , that never falls , nere drownes in sea Famous for Cynosure , and Helice , Doth gui●●e our ships , when ere that stars got vp Right verticall , just ore the saileyards top , Then to the Bosphorus we make apase , And sea● , that Synthiaes crooked shores embrace . But when more low , and neerer to the sea Artophil●x , and Cynosura be , Then to the Syrian po●ts our course we steere : Cano●us then is elevated there , Which feares the North , and in the Southerne skyes Remaines alone . Who thence to th' left hand plyes ( Pharos ore past ) into the Syrtes falls But whither now shall we direct our sailes ? To whom with doubtfull thoughts Pompey replyes : In all the course at sea obserue but this , To keepe thy ship still far from Thessaly , And to the heavens , and seas leaue Italy , The rest trust to the winds ; I now haue tane My deare left pledge Cornelia in againe . I then was certaine whither to resort , But now let fortune finde vs out a p●rt . Thus Pompey spake ; the master straightway turnes About his sailes stretch'd out with aequall hornes , And to the left hand guides the ship , to plow Those waues , that twixt Chios , and Asia flow , To the ships length he turnes his sailes about . The sea perceiues the change : her waves are cut By the sharpe stemme with different motion . The skilfull Charrioter not halfe so soone Raines round his horse , and doth with suddaine change About the goale his wheeling charriot range . Sol hid the stars , and land discovered , When those , that from Pharsalia's battell fled , To Pompey came ; and first from Lesbos shores He met his son ; then Kings , and Senators . For Pompey yet ( although at that sad time Vanquish'd , and fled ) had Kings to waite on him ▪ Proud scepter'd Kings , that ore the East did reigne , Attended there in banish'd Pompeys traine . Then Pompey King Deiotarus commands To goe for aide to farthest Easterne lands . Most loyall King , since on Pharsalia's plaines This world was lost from Rome , it now remaines To try the East , those that by Tigris ly , And by Euphrates yet from Caesar free . Grieue not , though to repaire my fortunes lost , Thou to the Medes , or farthest Scythians go'st , Or quite beyond the day , that this world sees . Beare my salutes to great Arsacides ; And if our ancient league remaine , which I By Latian Ioue , by his owne deity He swore let the Armenian archers strong , Their well-bent bowes , and quivers bring along : If you , O Parthians , vndisquieted I ever left , when I pursu'd the fled Vnquiet Alans to the Caspian strait , And forc'd you not for safety to retreat To Babylon : marching ore Cyrus ground , And the Chaldaean kingdomes vtmost bound , Appearing nearer then the Persian To the Suns rise , where into th' Ocean Nysas , Hydaspes , and swift Ganges fall , Suffer'd you only , when I conquer'd all , To goe vntriumph'd : Parthias King alone Of all th' Easts monarchs , scap'd subjection . Nor once alone doe you your safety ow To me ; who after Crassus overthrow , Appeas'd the just incensed wrath of Rome ? For all my merits now let Parthia come Out of her bounds appointed , and passe ore Greeke Zeugma's walls , and the forbidden shore . Conquer for Pompey : Rome will loose the day Gladly . The King refus'd not to obey ( Though hard were his command ; laying aside His kingly robes , and in a servants weede Attir'd he goes ; in a distressed time 'T is safe for Kings like poorest men to seeme . Therefore how much liues he , that 's truely poore , Safer then Kings ? The King tooke leaue at shore . And by the Icarion rockes great Pompey gone Leaues Ephesus and sea-calme Colophon : Shaving small Samos foaming rockes he go's : A gentle gale blowes from the shore of Cos : Gindon , and Phebus-honour'd Rhodes he leaues , And sailing straight in the mid-Ocean saues Telmessums long , and winding circuits . First Pamphylia greetes their eyes ; but Pompey durst Commit his person to no towne , but thee Little Phaselis : thy small company , And few inhabitants could not cause a feare , More in the ship then in thy walls there were . But sailing thence againe , high Tau●us showes It selfe ; and Dipsas , that from Taurus flowes . Could Pompey thinke , when erst he clear'd the seas Of Pirates rage , it purchas'd his owne ease ? He now flyes safe along Cicilian shores In a small ship ▪ there many Senators Following oretake their flying generall Within the haven of Celendrae small , Where in and out ships on Selinus past . In full assembly of the lords at last Thus sadly Pompey spake ; my Lords , whose sight ( As deare companions bot● in war , and flight ) I doe esteeme my country , though we stand On a bare shore , in poore Cicilian land , Attended with no force , advice to take , And new provision for a war to make , Yet bring couragious hearts : I lost not all In Thessaly , nor did my fortune fall So low , but that this head againe may rise . Could Marius after all his miseryes In Libya , rise to a seaventh Consulship ? And me so lightly fall'n will fortune keepe ? A thousand Captaines on the Graecian sea , A thousand ships I haue : Pharsalia Has rather scatter'd , then quite overthrowne My strength : but me my actions fame alone Which all the earth haue seene , my name , that now The whole world loues , shall guard ▪ Consider you Th' Aegyptian , Libyan , Parthian monarchies , B●th in their strength , and faith , and then advise Which fittest is to ayde Roms labouring state . But I ; my Lords , will to your eares relate Freely my secret'st cares , and tell the truth How I encline ; I doe suspect the youth Of Aegypts King ; for true fidelity Requires strong yeares ; I feare the subtlety , And double heart of Mauritania's King ; Remembring Carthage , whence his race did spring , He gapes for Italy , and his vaine brest Is much with thought of Hanniball possest ; Whose blood commixt with th' old Numidi●ns Obliquely Iuba's pedegree distaines . He swell'd to see Varus a suppliant growne , And Roman fates inferiour to his owne . Therefore , my Lords , to th' Easterne world let vs Retire ; Euphrates with a spacious Channell divides the world ; the Caspian straits On tother side yeild safe , and large retreats ; Another pole measures th' Assyrian dayes , And nights : another colour beare the seas , Sever'd from ours ; their ain●e is soveraignty : Their bowes more strong , their steeds more fierce , and high Then ours , no boy , nor aged man wants skill , Or strength to shoot : deadly their arrows kill . Their bowes first brooke Pellaean speares , and won Th' Assyrian wall-renowned Babylon , And Median Bactra . Nor so fearefull are The Parthians of our piles , but that they dare Come out to war against vs , they haue try'd Their shafts sufficiently when Crassus dy'd . Nor are their trusty shafts arm'd at the head With steele alone , but deadly venomed : Slight wounds are mortall , and the least blood drawne Will kill . Oh would on the fierce Parthian I were not forced to depend : their fate Does too too much Romes fortune aemulate : Too many gods ayde them . He draw from home Some other nations of the East to come To war. But if Barbarians leagues deceiue Our hopes or else our scorn'd alliance leaue ; Let fortune then our sad , and shipwrack'd state Beyond the knowne , and traffiqu'd world translate ; I will not sue to Kings whom I haue made , But in my death this comfort shall be had Lying far off this body shall not be Subject to Caesar's rage , nor piety But there revolving my whole life's past fate Still honour'd in those parts was Pompey's state . How great has Easterne Tanais me seene ? How great beyond Maeotis haue I bin ; Into what lands did my victorious name More sound , or whence in greater triumph came ? Favour my purpose Rome , what happyer Can the go is grant thee , then in civill war To vse the Parthian armes to overthrow That land , and mixe their ruine with our woe ? When the fierce Parthians haue with Caesar fought Crassus revenge , or mine must needes be wrought , This said he heard their murmur to condemne His plot . But Lentulus 'mongst all of them In spirit , and noble griefe the forward'st man Thus ( worthy his late Consulship ) began . Has the Pharsalian losse so broke thy minde ? Has one dayes fate the world so low declin'd ? Doth that one battell our whole cause decide , And no cure left to helpe our wounded side ? Is no hope left thee , Pompey ▪ but to sue At the proud Parthians feete ; woul●st thou eschew All lan●s , and climes , and thither aime thy flight , Where crosse poles reigne , and vnknowne starres giue light , T' adore the Parthians , and their deityes , Chaldaean fires , and Barbarous sacrifice ? Why in this war pretend'st thou liberty ? Why is the wretched world deceiv'd by thee , If thou canst serue ? whose name they trembled at , As the cheife ruler of the roman fate , Whom they haue seene leade captiue Kings before From wilde Hyrcania , and the Indian shore , Shall they now see cast downe , and broke by fate , Measuring themselues by Pompey's begging state , With Rome , and Italy aspire t'enherit ? Thou canst spake nothing worth thy fate , and spirit : Their ignorance i th' Roman tongue requires That thou in teares shouldst vtter thy desires . Would'st thou so wound our shame , that not from Rome , But Parthia the revenge of Rome should come ? She chose thee Generall of her civill war . Why doest thou spread her losse , and wounds so far As Scythia , and teach Parthia to goe Beyond her bound ? Rome shall in her deepe woe This speciall comfort loose of bringing in No Kings , but serving her owne citizen . Canst thou delight from farthest parts to come Leading fierce nations 'gainst the walls of Rome , Following those Eagles , that slaine Crassus lost ? That only King , that from th' Aemathian (a) host Was absent ( fortune did his favour guide ) Will he provoke the Conquerers strong side , And joyne with vanquisht Pompey , thinke you ? no , We haue no cause to trust that nation so , The people all borne in the Northren cold Are lovers of the war , hardy , and bold ; But in the East , and Southerne climes , the heat Of gentle aire makes them effoeminate . Their men soft cloathing ; and loose garments weare . Parthians vpon the Median fields , and where Along Sarma●ian plaines swift Tigris flowes , By liberty of flight can by no foes Be vanquished ; but where the earth does swell , Ore craggy hills they cannot clime so well : Nor in darke places can they vse the bow : Nor dare they swim torrents that swiftly flow : Nor in the field with blood all over dy'd Dare they the dust , and Summer Sunne abide ; No rams , nor engines can the Parthian vse , Nor fill the trenches vp : when he pursues , What ere is arrow-profe , serues for a wall , Slight are their wa●s , their fights like flyings all ; They stragling fight , apter to fly then stand . Their arrowes venom'd are , nor close at hand Dare they maintaine a fight : far off with bowes They shoot , and where it lists the wind bestowes Their woun●s ; but fight of sword does strength require● All manly nations the sword-fight desire . At the first on set they'll disarmed be , And when their quivers are exhaust , must flee ; Their trust in poyson is , not in their hands . Think'st thou them men , Pompey , that dare not stand Without such helpes , the hazard of a fight ? Can such base aide be worth so long a flight ? For thee so far from thine owne land to dy , And vnder barbarous earth entomb'd to ly In a base monument , yet such a one As will he envy'd , Crassus having none ? Thy state is not so pitifull : for death ( Nor fear'd by men ) ends all : but losse of breath Vnder that wicked King Cornelia feares not . The Venus of those barbarous courts who heares not ? Which like bruit beasts all wedlocks rites exile , And with wiues numberlesse all lawes defile : Th' incestuous beds abhorred secrets ly Ope to a thousand concubines ; rais'd high With wine , and banqueting , the King refraines No lawlesse lust , though nere so full of staines : Th' embraces of so many women can Not all the night tire one insatiate man ; In Kings incestuous beds their sisters ly , And mothers , which should names vnstained be . O●dipus wofull tale condemns alone Thebes of a crime , though ignorantly done : But there how often does the Parthian King Arsacides from such foule incest spring ? What can be wickednesse to him , that may Defile his mother ? shall Cornelia Metellus noble progeny be led The thousand'th wife to a Barbarians bed ? Yet none more often will the tyrant vse Then her : her husbands titles will infuse A scornefull lust : and , which will please him more , He 'll know that she was Crassus wife before , And comes , ( as fate did her to Parthia ow ) A captiue for that former overthrow . Thinke on that slaughter : 't will not only bring Shame , to haue begg'd aide from that fatall King , But to haue made a civill war before ; For what will Caesar , and thy selfe be more Accus'd by all , then that , while you two fought , There could for Crassus no revenge be wrought ? 'Gainst Parthia all our armyes should haue gone : And that no strength might want , from garrison Our Northren lands should haue bin free'd each one , Till treacherous ●usa , and proud Babylon Had fall'n for tombes vpon our slaughter'd men . Of Parthian peace , fortune , we beg an end ; And , if Thessalia end the civill war , Against the Parthian send thy Conquerer : Of all the world I should rejoyce alone At Caesar's triumphs ore that nation . When thou the cold Araxis streams hast crost , Shall not the slaughter'd Crassus mourning ghost Vpbraide thee ? thou , whom our vnbury'd ghosts Long since expected with revenging hosts , Com'st thou to sue for peace ? besides thine eyes Sad monuments of Roman tragoedyes Shall greete the walls , on which our Captaines heads Were fixt : where bodyes of our souldiers dead Euphrates swallow'd and swift Tigris streame Rowl'd backe againe to earth . If thou to them Canst sue , why , Pompey , doest thou scorne to pray To Caesar sitting in Thessalia ? Looke rather vpon Romes confederates , And if thou doe suspect the Southerne states , And Iuba's falsehood , goe to Ptolomey ; Aegypt by Lybian quickesands Westerly Is guarded : on the East fall Niles seven floods , To th' sea ; a land content with her owne goods ; A land that needes nor raine , nor merchandise , So much on only Nilus she relyes . Young Ptolemey reignes there , that owes his crowne To thee , once left to thy tuition . Feare not the shadow of a name : no hurt Can be in tender yeares : in an old court Let not religion , faith , or trust be sought : Men vs'd to scepters are asham'd of nought : The mildest governement a kingdome findes Vnder new kings . This speech quite turn'd their minds . How are despairing states most free and bold ? Pompey's opinion is by all controll'd . They leaue Cilicia , and to Cyprus mooue Their course . No land does Venus better loue Still mindfull of her birth ( if we at all Thinke gods were borne , or had originall ) Pompey departing thence his course gan bend Round all the Cyprian rocks , that Southward tend , And got into the enterposed maine ; Nor by the nights weake light could he attaine Mount Casius ; but with strugling sailes , and strength A lower port of Aegypt reach'd at length , Where parted Nilus greatest channell flowes And to the Ocean at Pelusium goes . That time was come , wherein just Libra weighes The howers , and makes the nights aequall with dayes : Then payes the winter nights howers , which the spring Had tane away . They , hearing that the King Was at mount Casius , thither make repaire : The Sun yet was not downe , the winde blew faire . The s●outs along the shore post to the court , And fill their fearefull eares with the report Of Pompey's comming ; though their time were small For counsell , yet the Aegyptian monsters all Were met : 'mongst whom Achoreus began , Whom age taught modesty , a milde old man , ( Him superstitious Memphys , that observ'd Th' encrease of Nile , brought forth : while he had serv'd At the gods altars , not one Apis liv'd Fiue changes of the Moone ) his speech reviv'd The sacred league of Ptolomey's dead father , And Pompey's merits ; but Photinus rather A counseller for tyrants , with base breath Durst thus presume to counsell Pompey's death . Iustice , and truth haue many guilty made : Faith suffers , Ptolomey , when it would aide Whom fortune hates ; joyne with the gods , and fate , And fly the wretched , loue the fortunate : Profit from honesty differs as far As does the sea from fire , earth from a star . Crownes loose their power , whilest only good they doe : Respect of right all strength does overthrow . T is mischeifes freedome , and th' vncurbed sword , That does to hated crownes safety affoord . No cruell actions , vnlesse throughly done , Are done secure ; let him from court be gone , That would be good ; vertue , and soveraignety Doe not agree ; nothing but feare shall he , That is asham'd a tyrant to be deem'd . Let Pompey rue that he thy yeares contemn'd , Thinking thou couldst , not from thy shore driue backe A conquer'd man : let not a stranger take , Thy scepter : if thou wouldst resigne thy reigne , Th' hast neerer pledges , giue the crowne againe To thy condemned sister : le ts keepe free Our Aegypt from the Roman slavery . Shall we , that did not in the war adhere To Pompey , now provoke the Conquerer ? Vagrant through all the world , hopelesse of all He seekes with what lands ruine he may fall : Haunted with civill war slaine ghosts he flyes Not only Caesar , but the Senates eyes , Whose greater part feedes fowles in Thessaly . He feares those nations , whom he left to dy Mixt in one bloody field : he feares those Kings , Whose haplesse states his fall to ruine brings . Now guilty of the losse , harbour'd by none , To vs , whom yet he has not overthrowne , He seekes ; a greater cause , ô Ptolomey , Haue we to accuse Pompey ; why would he Our quiet land staine with the crime of war , And make vs hated by the Conquerer ? Why does thy misery choose our land alone To bring Pharsalias fortune , and thine owne Fear'd punishment into ? we beare a blame Already , ( and our swords must purge the same , ) In that , because the Senate moov'd by thee Gaue vs a crowne , we wisht thy victory . This sword , now drawne by fate , we did provide To wound not Pompeys , but the conquer'd side , And rather could we wish for Caesar's head : But whither all are carry'd , we are led . Mak'st thou a doubt of our necessity To kill thee now we may ? what strength haue we For thee to trust , wretch'd man ? thou sawst our men Vnarm'd , to plow soft mould scarse able , when Nile ebb'd . Our kingdomes strength t is fit that we Try , and confesse ; canst thou , ô Ptolomey Raise Pompey's ruine , vnder which great Rome It selfe is fall'n so low ? or dar'st thou come To stir the ashes of Pharsalia , And such a war vpon thy kingdome draw ? We to no side , before the battell , clest ; Shall we now cleaue to Pompey's , which is left By the whole world ? provoking the knowne fates , And feared strength of Caesar ? wretched states Aide they , that did their prosperous times attend . No faith ere chose a miserable friend . The mischiefe pleas'd them all : the young king proud Of this strange honour , that his men allow'd Him to command so wonderfull a thing , Chose out Ach●llas for the managing . Where the false land in Casian sands does ly Stretch'd out , and fords witnesse the Syrtes nigh , Weapons , and parteners of his murdrous guile He puts in a small boate . Oh gods , durst Nile , Durst barbarous Memphis , and th' effoeminate men Of soft Canopus harbour such a spleene ? Has civill war deprest the world so low ? Or are the Roman fates dejected so ? Are Pharian swords admitted , and a roome For Aegypt left into this war to come ? In this at least ye civill wars be true : Bring well knowne hands , keepe forreine beasts from you , If Pompey's far-fam'd name deserue to be The crime of Caesar . Feares not Ptolomey The ruine of that name ? or when the sky Thunders , dar'st thou , effoeminate Ptolomey , Insert thy profane hands ? to terrify Thee , King , a Romans name enough should be , Without that worth that did the world controll : Rode thrice in triumph to the capitoll : That govern'd Kings : that led the Senates war : And sonne in law was to the Conquerer . Why with thy sword our bowells doest thou wound ? Thou doest not know , proud boy , vpon what ground Thy fortunes stand , thou now canst claime no right To Aegypts scepter : for in civill fight He 's fall'n , that Aegypts crowne on thee bestow'd . Now Pompey's ship tooke downe her sailes , and : ●ow'd Toward the shore . The wicked band drew (b) neere In a small two-oar'd boate ; with fained cheere Tell him the Kingdome at his service stands ; And f●ining that the shore for shelues , and sands Could not approached be by ships so great , Into their little boate they doe entreat He would descend . If by the fates decree , And everlasting lawes of destiny Pompey condemned to that wretched end Had not bin forc'd to shore ; (c) none of his friends Wanted resages of the dire event . For had their faith beene pure , if they had meant Their Scepter giver truely t' entertaine In Court , th Aegyptian King with all his traine And fleete had come . Pompey to fate giues way , And , bid to leaue his navy , does obay , Preferring (d) death before base feare . Into The enemyes boates Cornelia faine would go , Now more impatient to be separate From her deare Lord , because she feares his fate . Stay wife , and sonne , and far from shore ( quoth he ) Behold my fortune : and in this necke try The tyrants faith : but deafe to his commands Franticke Cornelia wrings her wofull hands : Whither without me goest thou , cruell man ? Remoov'd from Thessaly , must I againe Be left ? still fatall haue our partings bin In flight thou needed'st not to haue touch'd in At Lesbos , but there still haue let me be , If thou entend I nere shall land with thee , Only at sea thy sad companion . Thus all in vaine Cornelia making mone Vpon the ships foredecke stood looking ore , So full of griefe , and feare , she could not more Looke after him , nor turne her eyes away . Doubtfull of his successe the fleete did stay , Not fearing swords , nor force , nor treachery . But lest great Pompey shou●d submissiuely Adore that scepter that himselfe bestow'd . Septimius then a Roman souldier bow'd , Saluting Pompey from th' Aegyptian boate , Who ( oh Heavens shame ) leaving his pile , had got A Barbarous partizan , one of the guard To Aegypts King : fierce vnrelenting hard , Bloody as any beast Who would not then Haue thought that fortune meant to favour men , When she had kept this impious sword so far From Thessaly , and stay'd from civill war This hand ? but she dispos'd the swords ( alas ) That civill mischeife might in every place Be done . A tale the Conquerors to shame It was , the gods eternall blush , and blame , A Roman sword should by a King be led , And the Aegyptian boy reach Pompey's head With his owne sword . What fame shall future time Giue thee Septimius ? or how stile thy crime , That Brutus act as parricidall blame ? And now the ending hower of Pompey came : Putting himselfe into the monsters ( e ) hands He went aboard their boate ; the murdrous bands Straight draw ; great Pompey seeing their drawn swords , Covers his face , disdaining to spend words , Or lookes on such a fate , and shut his eyes , Containing his great spirit , lest words might rise , Or teares , his everlasting fame to taint . But when Achillas murdring weapons point . Had peirc'd his side , scorning the villaines pride No groanes he gaue : great , like himselfe he dy'd With vnstirr'd breast , and thus in secret spake ; All times , that mention of Romes labours make , And future ages through the world will see This fact , and Aegypts base disloyalty . Maintaine thine honour now , the fates to thee Through the whole life gaue long prosperity ; And the world knowes not ( vnlesse now they see ) How Pompey's spirit could bea●e adversity . Blush not that such base hands thy death afford ; But thinke , who ever strike , 't is Caesars sword . Though they these limbs all torne , and scatter'd leaue , Yet am I happy , god ; no god can reaue My happinesse ; my fortunes , and my breath Expire at once : nor wretched is my death . Cornelia ; and my son this slaughter see : So much more patient let my sorrow be . The more Cornelia , and my son approoue My dying constancy , the more they 'll loue . So well could he his dying spirits guide : Such strength of minde had Pompey when he dy'd . But poore Cornelia , that had rather dy Then see that sight , with shreekings fills the sky : T was wicked I , deare Lord , that murdred thee : For whilst at Lesbos thou turnd'st in to me , Caesar had enter'd Aegypts shore ; for who But he , had power that horrid act to doe ? What ere thou art , sent from the gods to kill , Pleasing thine owne revenge , or Caesars will ; Thou know'st not , wretch , where Pompey's bowels be ▪ Thou strik'st with fury there , where conquer'd he Desires thy stroke , now let him suffer more Then his owne death , and see my head before . I am not guiltlesse from the crime of war , The only wife following my Lord so far , Fearelesse of campes , or seas ; and conquer'd too I tooke him in , which Monarchs durst not doe . Did I for this , husband , deserue to be Left safe aboord ? false Lord , why spar'st thou me ? Or thought'st thou life ( thou dying ) fit for me ? I le finde a death , though not from Ptolomey . Oh sailors , let me leape downe from the decke , Or with these twisted shrowdes to breake my necke : Or let some worthy friend of Pompey's now Heere sheath his weapon , and for Pompey doe An act , that h●e'll impute to Caesars hate . Why doe you hinder my desired fate ? Husband , thou liv'st , Cornelia has not power Yet of her selfe ; they hinder my deaths houre ( And there she sounds ) to be the Conquerours pray ; The fearefull fleete hoist sailes , and post away . But when great Pompey fell , that sacred face , And honour'd visage kept his former grace Though angry with the gods ▪ deaths vtmost hate Chang'd not his visage , and majesticke state , As they confesse , that his rent necke did see . For sterne Se●timius in that cruelty Findes out an act more cruell : to vncover His face , he cuts the cloth , that was cast over , Invading halfe-dead Pompey's breathing face , His dying necke acrosse the bords he layes ; Then cu●s the nerves , and I veines , the twisted bones He breakes the art to whip off heads at once Was not yet found ▪ But when the head was torne Off ●rom the trunke , 't was by Achillas borne . D●generate Roman , base Septimius , Vs'd in an vnder office , couldst thou thus Basely cut off great Pompey's sacred head To be ( oh shame ) by another carryed ? Young Ptolomey to know great Pompey's face , Those haires , that kings haue honour'd , whose curl'd grace Adorn'd his noble front , stroakes with his hands ; Fixt on a pole the head of Pompey standes , Whilst yet his lips with throbbing murmurs shooke , His eyes vnclos'd , and liuely was his looke : That head that still determin'd war , and peace , That rul'd the Senate , lawes , and suffrages ; Romes fortune in that face tooke greatest pride . Nor was the wicked tyrant satisfy'd With sight : but for memoriall of the fact , Dire arts the heads corruption must extract , The braine is taken out , dry'd is the skin , The noisome moisture purged from within , Medicines make solid , and preserue the face . Degenerate issue , last of Lagus race , Whom thy incestuous sister shall depose ; When sacred vaults the Macedon enclose , When dust of Kings in sumptuous buildings lyes , And the ignoble race of Ptolomey's In Pyramids , and rich Mausolean graues Vnjustly rest , must Pompey by the waues And headlesse trunke against the shore be swept ? Was it too great a trouble to haue kept The carcasse whole for Caesar ? this sad date Did fortune giue to Pompey's prosperous state ; By such a death as this to pull him downe From such an height : heaping all plagues in one Sad day , which he so many yeares had bin Free from : nor yet had Pompey ever seene Ioy mixt with woe : no god his prosperous state Did ere disturbe , none helpt his wretched fate ; But once for all with a differring hand Did fortune pay him ; torne vpon the sand , Salt water playing in his wounds , the mocke Of seas he lyes , and beat 'gainst every rocke : No figure left of him , t is note enough To know great Pompey , that his head is off . But fates , ere Caesar on that shore arriue , A suddaine funerall to Pompey giue , Lest he in none , or in a better tombe Should ly . To th' shore did fearefull Codrus come Out of his lurking hole , that was before Great Pompey's quaestors , and from Cyprus shore Had follow'd him ; he by the shades of night Durst goe ( true loue had vanquisht terrour quite ) To find his slaughter'd Lord , along the sand , And through the waues , to bring the trunke to land . Faint light through dusky clouds sad Cynthia gaue ; But different colour'd from the foamy waue The trunke appeard ; which Codrus catching straight When the waues ebb'd , but tired with the weight Expects their flow to helpe him , and so bore The trunke to land , and plac'd it on the shore ; Then falling downe , bathing the wounds in teares , Thus to the gods he speakes , and clouded stars . Fortune , no costly pile with odours fill'd Thy Pompey craues , nor that his hearse may yeild Precious Arabian fumes to fill the ayre , Nor that the pious Roman neekes should beare Their countreys father forth , nor to adorne A funerall pompe old tryumphs should be borne ▪ No funerall songs , nor that his troopes the while March a dead march about their generalls pyle . Great Pompey but a base Plebejan Beere , That his torne limbs may carry to dry fire . Let him not want wood , and a burner , though But meane , and let it be , ô gods , enough That with loose haire Cornelia does not stand To take her last embrace , and then command To fire the pile , from this last funerall rite She is away , yet hardly out of sight , This said , far off a little fire he kenn'd Burne a neglected herse , watch'd by no friend . Thither he goes , and taking thence a part Of fire , and halfe-burn'd stickes , who ere thou art Neglected ghost , deare to no friend , ( quoth he ) But happier then great Pompey , pardon me , ( If any knowledge after death remaines ) That by a strangers hand thy hearse susteines This wrong ; I know thou yeild'st , and castendure For Pompey's sake , this losse of sepulture , And art asham'd of funerall rites , whilest he Lyes an vnburyed ghost . Then speedily With his armes full of fire poore Codrus ran To find the trunke , which to the shore againe The waues had beat ; then off the sand he wipes , And gathering vp the ribs of broken ships , He layes them in a ditch ; on no hew'n trees Or well built pyle the noblebody lyes : Fire brought , not vnderbuilt great Pompey takes . Then sitting by the fire thus Codrus speakes . Romes greatest Lord , the only majesty Of Italy , if worse this buriall be Then none at all , then floating on the sea , Avert thy Manes , and great ghost from me . T is fortunes injury that makes this right , Lest fish , or foule , or beast , or Caesars spight Might wrong thy coarse , accept this little brand Of fire since kindled by a Roman hand . If fortune grant recourse to Italy , Not here shall these so sacred ashes ly : But from my hand Cornelia shall take , And vrne thy reliques , vntill then wee 'll make Thy burialls marke vpon the shore , that who So ere would pacify thy ghost , and doe Full right● of funerall , may finde out so The bodyes ashes , and the sands may know , Whither to bring thy head . Thus having spoke He does with fuell the weake flame provoke ; Pompey dissolv'd , his fat distilling fed The little fire ; and now day promised By bright Aurora , dimm'd the stars weake lights . Codrus abruptly leaues the funerall rites , And runs , himselfe about the shore to hide . What mischeife fear'st thou ( foole ) for such a deede ; Which long tongu'd fame for ever shall renowne ! Caesar himselfe shall praise what thou hast done To Pompey's body . Goe then voide of dread : Confesse the funerall , and require his head . An end of dutious workes piety makes . The bones halfe-burnt , and yet dissolv'd he takes , Still full of nerves , and vnconsumed marrow ; Quenching them in sea-water , in a narrow Peice of the earth together layes them downe : Then lest the ashes should abroad be blowne By the windes force , he layes a stone aboue ; And lest some sailer should that stone remooue To tye his cable , with a cole-burnt staffe Vpon the top he writes this Epitaph . Heere Pompey lyes , fortune , this stone we call His tombe : in which , rather then none at all , Caesar would haue him ly . Why in a roome So small , rash hand , includ'st thou Pompey's tombe , And shutt'st vp his great ghost ? as far he lyes As the earths farthest shore extended is . Romes mighty name , and Empires vtmost bound Is Pompey's tombe ; this marke for shame confound The shame of heaven ; if Alcides ly Over all Oete , and all Nysa be Great Bacchus monument , why should one stone In Aegypt stand for Pompey's tombe alone ? Did no one peice of earth thy name expresse , All Aegypts land , Pompey , thou mightst possesse . Let vs be still deceiv'd , and still for feare Of thee , to tread on Aegypts land forbeare , But if that sacred name must grace a stone , Write his each deed , and glorious action : The Alpine war of rebell Lepidus ; The conquest of revolt Ser●ortus ( The Consull being call'd home : ) those triumphs note , Which he but gentleman of Rome had got : Cilician Pirates tam'd : traffique made free : Barbarian kingdomes conquer'd all that ly Vnder the East , and North ; with this make knowne How still from war he tooke a peacefull gowne Contented with three triumphs , he to Rome His other conquests did forgiue ; what tombe Can hold all this ? his ashes in this graue No titles , nor triumphant storyes haue . That name , that temples lofty roofes , and high Triumphall arches deckt with victory Were wont to beate , now neere the lowest sand A small graue shewes , which strangers cannot stand Vpright to reade , which ( if it be not showne ) The Roman travellers passe by vnknowne , Aegypt , whom civill fate has guilty made 'T was not in vaine the Sibylls verse forbad A Roman Niles Pelusian mouth to touch , Or once his summer-swelled banks approach . How shall I curse thee for this impious deed ? May Nile run backe , and stay at his first head , May thy vnfruitfull fields want winter raine , And all like Aethiops barren sands remaine . We let thy Isis in Romes temples dwell , Thy deify'd dogs , and sorrow causing bell : Osiris , whom thou shewest , while thou weep'st , A man ; our god in dust thou Aegypt keep'st . And thou that gau'st the tirant temples , Rome , Has not yet fetch'd thy Pompey's ashes home : His ghost ly●s yet exil'd If Caesars frownes That first age fear'd , yet now thy Pompey's bones Bring home , ô Rome , if yet on that curs'd land Not turn'd by the waues , the marks doe stand . Whoo'll feare that graue ? whoo'll feare to take from thence Ashes deserving temples ? that offence Eni●ine me ( Rome ) to doe , my bosome vse : Oh too too happy I , if Rome would chuse My hand to open that base sepulcher , And his deare ashes hither to transferre . Perchance when Rome from oracles would craue An end of dearth , or pestilence to haue , Of too much fire , or earthquakes , thou to Rome Shalt by the gods exprest appointment come , Thy ashes borne by the high Priest For who To s●orch'd Siene in lunes heat can goe , In view of Nile , or Pharian ●hebes descry Vnder the showry Plejades still dry ; What Fasterne Merchant traffiquing resorts To the red sea , or rich Arabian ports , But at thy graues ever adored stone , And ashes ( though perchance scatter'd vpon The sands ) will stay , thy ghost to pacificy , Before the Casian loue preferring thee ? This little graue can nothing hurt thy name ; Thy ghost would be of a faire cheaper fame Shrowded in gold , and temples : fortune now Beares more divinity entomb'd so low ; The sea-beat stone is more maiesticke farre Then the proud altars of the Conquerer . Some worship gods dwelling in dusky clay , That to Tarpejan Ioue refuse to pray . T will vantage thee hereafter in thy graue No polisht marbles lasting workes to haue . This little dust will quickly scatter'd ly : The tombe will fall , proofes of thy death will dy : And then a happyer age will come , when none Shall credit giue to those that shew the stone ; As false shall Aegypt seeme in times to come ( As Crete of Ioues ) to boast of Pompey's tombe . FINIS Libri Octavs .

Annotations on the eight Booke .

(a) Pompey in his flight from Larissa came all along the Tempe to the shore , and lodged that night in the small cottage of a fisherman ; about morning he went to sea in a little boate , and sailing along by the shore met with a ship of greater burden , of which one Peticius a Roman was capt●i●e , who knowing Pompey , received him , and transported him to Lesbos , where Cornelia lay . Plutarch . Ap●ian .

( b ) When their boate drew neere to Pompey , Septimus arose , who had once served as a Tribune vnder Pompey ) and in the Roman language saluted his generall , and welcommed him in the Kings name . Achillas complemented with him in the Greeke tongue , and desireth him to enter into his boate , by reason that the shelues , and sands would not afford a passage to his ship .

( c ) Those that attended Pompey , seeing his entertainement not Royall , no● Magnificent , but that a few only in a small boate were sent to meete him , began to suspect the treason and counselled Pompey to out to sea , and forsake that sh●re whilest yet he was free from danger .

(d) Pompey disdaining to appeare fearefull , ( although he were full of ill presages ) came into Achillas his boate , as how is invited , and taking his leaue of his wife , and son Sextus Pompejus , he repeated these two Iambike verses of Sophocles . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 These were the last words hee spake to his friends , and so entred into the boate , where Achillas was .

( e ) When Pompey was now farre from his ship , and perceived no courteous entertainement in the boate , hee looked vpon Septimius and thus spake ; Haue not I knowne thee heretofore my fellow souldier ? Septimius disdaining to answere him at all only nodded his head to him , and when Pompey was rising out of the boate , Septimius first run him through with his sword .

LVCANS Pharsalia . The Ninth Booke . The Argument . Pompey's departed spirit to heaven ascends . His wife , and sons lament ; Cato commends His worthy life : checks the Cilicians , And marching are the scorched Libyan sands To Iuba's Kingdome , with strong patience Endures the heat , the Southwinds violence And killing serpents venome . Caesar sees Renowned Troys defac'd antiquities , To Aegypt comes , and with dissembling breath Complaines , and weepes for noble Pompey's death . IN Pharian coales his ghost could not remaine , Nor those few ashes his great spirit containe . Out from the graue he issues , and forsakes Th' vnworthy fire , and halfe burnt limbs , and takes Vp to the convexe of the sky his flight , Where with blacke ayre the starry poles doe meete . The space betwixt the regions of the moone , And earth , halfe-deify'd soules possesse alone , Whom fiery worth , in guiltlesse liues , has taught To brooke the lower part of heaven , and brought Them to th' aeternall sphaeres , which not they hold , That are with incense bury'd , tomb'd in gold . There filled with true light , with wondring eyes The wandring planets , and first stars he sees . He sees our day involv'd in midst of night , And laughes at his torne trunkes ridiculous plight . Then ore the Aemathian fields , his scatter'd fleete : And bloody Caesars troopes he tooke his flight : And with revenge for these dire facts possest Cato●s bold hart , and brutus noble breast . Cato , while chance was (a) doubtfull , and at stake Whom civill war Lord of the world would make , Then hated Pompey , though with Pompey he ( Led by the Senate , and Romes Auspicy ) Had fought , but when Pharsaliaes field was try'd , He altogether favour'd Pompey's side . His countrey wanting a protector then He tooke , and chear'd the trembling hearts of men : And ●utting swords in fearefull hands againe Made civill war , neither for hope of reigne , Nor feare of bondage ; nought at all in war For his owne sake did he ; his forces are Since Pompey's death , alone for liberty ; Which lest the speed of Caesars victory Should seaze vpon , being dispersed ore The coast , he sailes vnto Corcyra's (b) shore , And in a thousand ships carryes away The conquer'd remnant of Pharsalia . Who would haue thou●ht so great a fleete had held All flying men ? that conquer'd ships had fill'd The straitned seas ? from thence they saile away To ghost-fill'd Taenarus , and long Males ; Thence to Cytherus : Boreas blowing faire Crete flyes : and getting a good sea they cleare The Cretan coast Phycus , that durst deny Their men to land , they sacke deservedly . And thence along the deepe , while faire winds blow ▪ Vnto thy shore , oh Palinurus , goe : ( For not alone doth our Italian sea Keepe monuments of thee , but Libya Can witnesse well calme harbours once did please Thy Phrygian master ) when vpon the seas Descrying sh●p● afar , they gan to feare Whether the men their foes , or partners were : Caesars knowne speed gaue them just cause to feare , And still suspect his comming every where . But those sad ships brought greife , and woes , and crys Able to draw soft teares from Catoes eyes : For after that Cornelia all in vaine ( ●est Pompey's t●unke beat from the shore againe Should floate at sea by prayers had striv'd to draw From flight the sailers , and her son in law , When from the shore that little fire descry'd His most v●worthy funerall , she cry'd , Seem'd I not worthy then , fortune , to thee To light my husbands funerall fire , and ly Stretch'd out on his cold limbs , burne his torne haires , And gathering his sea-scatterd limbs , with teares To bath each wound ? with bones , and ashes hot To fi●l my lap , and in the temples put The sad remainder of his funerall ? That fir's no honour to his hearse at all . Besides perhaps some hands of Aegypt now This loathed office to his ashes doe . Well did the Crassi's ashes naked ly , For by the gods far greater cruelty Is Pompey burnt . Still shall my woes appeare In the same shape ? and shall I nere interre My slaughter'd Lords ? and at full v●nes lament ? What need'st thou tombe , or any instrument Of sorrow , wretch ? doth not thy breast containe Thy Pompey , and his image still remaine Within thee ? let those wiues that meane to liue After their Lords , vrnes to their ashes giue . But yet the fire , that lends you envious light From Aegypts shore , brings nothing to my sight Of thee , deare Pompey : now the flame is gone , The vanisht smoake beares to the rising Sunne Pompey aloft : the windes vnwillingly Beare vs from thence , yet is no land to me ( Though triumph'd by my Lord as Conquerer ) Nor chariot deck'd with laurell halfe so deare . My breast has quite forgot his happinesse , And loues that Pompey , whom Niles shores possesse , Faine would ● stay vnder this guilty clime : The land 's enobled by so great a crime . I would not leaue ( beleeue me ) Aegypts shore . Sextus , try thou the chance of war , and ore The spacious world thy fathers colours beare : This his last will was trusted to my care , When me of breath deaths fatall hower shall reaue , To you , my sonnes , this civill warre I leaue ; And let not Caesar's race in quiet ●eigne , Whilest any of our stocke on earth remaine . Solicite kingdomes , and free powerfull townes By my names fame : these are the factions , These are the armes I leaue ; what Pompey ere Would goe to sea , shall finde a navy there . My heires may stirre war in what land they will . Be but couragious , and remember still Your fathers lawfull power . Serue vnder none But Cato ( whilest he fights for Rome ) alone . I haue perform'd thy trust , done thy behest Deare Lord , thy cunning did prevaile , and lest False I those words of trust should nere deliver , Deceiu'd I liv'd Now Pompey , wheresoever Th' art gone , through hell , if any hell there be , Or empty Chaos , I will follow thee ; How long my life 's decree'd I doe not know , If long , I le punish it for lasting so : For not expiring when it first did see Thy wounds , with sorrow broken it shall dy . It shall dissolue in teares : no halter , sword , Or praecip●ce shall death to me afford . It were a shame for me , now thou art gone , Not to haue power to dye with griefe alone . This said , and covering with a vaile her head , Vnder the hatches she resolv'd to lead A life in darkenesse : neerely hugging woe She feedes on teares , and for her husband now Embraces greife . The noise of stormy winde , Nor cryes of fearefull sa●lers mooue her minde : Her hope contrary to the sailers is , Compos'd for death , and wishing stormes she lyes . They first arriv'd on Cyprus foamy shore . From thence a milde Eastwinde commanding bore Their shipps to Catoes Libyan campe ; as still A doubtfull minde doe sad presages fill , Cneius from shore spying his fathers traine , And brother , running to the sea amaine , Where is our father , brother ? speake ( quoth he ) Liues the worlds head , and honour , or are we Vndone , and Pompey to the shades below Has borne Romes fate ? he answeres , happy thou ▪ Whom fate into another coast disperst ; Thou , brother , this dire mischeife only hear'st : Mine eyes are guilty of a fathers death , Nor did he loose by Caesars armes his breath , Nor of his fall a worthy author found . By the false tyrant of Niles impious ground , Trusting the gods of hospitality , And his owne bounty to old Ptolomey , In recompence of kingdomes given he dy'd I saw them wound our noble fathers side ; And thinking Aegypts King durst not haue done So much , I thought Caesar had stood vpon The shore of Nile . But not our fathers wounds , Nor blood so shed so much my heart confounds , As that his head , which mounted on a speare Aloft we saw , they through their cyties beare : Which ( as they say ) is kept for Caesars eye : The tyrant seekes his guilt to testify . For whether dogs , or fowles devouring maw Consum'd his trunke , or that small fire we saw Dissolved it by stealth , I doe not know . What ere injurious fate to that could doe , I did forgiue the gods that crime , and wept For that part only , which the tyrant kept . When C●●ius heard these words ; his inward woe In passionate sighs , and teares he could not show ; But thus inflam'd with pious rage gan speake , Lanch forth the fleete , sailers , with speed , and breake Through the crosse winds a passage with the oare , Braue Captaines follow me , never before Knew civill war more worthy ends then these , T'interre vnbury'd Manes , and appease Pompey with slaughter of th' effaeminate boy . Why should not I th' Aegyptians towers destroy ? And from the temples Alexander take , To drowne his hearse in Marcotis lake ? In Nile Amasis , and those Kings with him Digg'd vp from their Pyramides shall swimme . All tombes shall rue Pompey 's no sepulcher : Isis ( their goddesse now ) I le disinter , Osiris linnen-cover'd shrine disperse , And kill god A●is over Pompey's hearse . Vpon a pyle of gods I le burne his head ; Thus shall the land by me be punished ; I will not leaue a man to till those fields , Nor take the profit , that Niles flowing yeilds . The gods , and people banished , and gone , Thou , father shalt possesse Aegypt alone . This said , to lanch the fleete forth he assayes , But Cato stills the young mans wrath with praise . Now ore the shore when Pompey's death was knowne The sky was peirc'd with lamentation : A greife not seene , not pararell'd at all , That common people mourne a great mans fall . But when Cornelia quite exhaust with teares Was seene to land with torne dishevel'd haires , Their troubled lamentations sounded more . Cornelia landed on a friendly shore , Gathering the garments , and triumphall weedes Of haplesse Pompey , that exprest his deedes , And ancient trophes , painted robes , and sheild , That thrice great Ioue in triumph had beheld , Into the funerall fire she threw them all ; Such was her lords imagin'd funerall . Example from her piety all take , And funerall fires all ore the shore they make T' appease the ghosts slaine in Pharsalia . So when the shepheards of Apulia Make winter fires on their ba●e-eaten ground To spring their grasse againe ; a glistering round The Vulturs arms , and high Garganus yeilds , And hot Matinus bullocke-pasture fields . But not more pleasing was 't to Pompey's spirit That all the people raile at heauen , and twit The gods with Pompey , then what Cato spoke , Few words , but from a truth-fill'd breast they broke . A Roman's dead , not like our ancestry To know the rule of right , but good ( quoth he ) In this truth scorning age ; one powerfull growne Not wronging liberty : the people prone To serue , he only private still remain'd ; He sway'd the Senate , but the Senate reign'd . Nought claim'd he by the sword , but wish'd what he Wish'd most , the Senates freedome to deny , Great wealth he had , but to the publike hoord He brought far more then he retain'd ; the sword He tooke , but knew the time to lay it downe . Arm'd he lov'd peace , though armes before the gowne He still prefer'd ; and ever pleas'd was he Entring , or leaving his authority . A chast vnriotted house , and never stain'd With her Lords fortune , to all lands remain'd His name renown'd , which much availed Rome . True liberty long since was gone , when home Sylla , and Marius came : but Pompey dead , Even freedomes shadow is quite vanished . No Senates face , no colour will remaine Of power ; none now will be asham'd to reigne . Oh happy man , whom death , when conquer'd caught , And Aegypts guilt swords to be wisht for brought . Perchance thou could'st haue liv'd in C●sars state . To know the way to dy is mans best fate , His next to be compel'd ; and such to me ( If captiv'd now ) fortune , let Iuba be ; Not to be kept to shew the enemy I doe not beg , so headlesse kept I be . More honour from these words the noble ghost Receiv'd , then if the Roman barres should boast Hit praise . Now mutinous the souldiers are , Since Pompey's death growne weary of the war ; In which broiles Tarcho Catoes side to quit Tooke vp the colours , who prepar'd for flight With all his ships was chid by Cato so . Never reclaim'd Cilician , wouldst thou goe To thy old theft at sea ? is Pompey slaine , And thou return'd to Pyracy againe ? Then round about he on each man gan looke Mongst whom one boldly thus to Cato spoke Not hiding his intent , 't was not the loue Of civill war , but Pompey , first did mooue Our armes , ( execuse vs Cato ) we adhaer'd By favour , now he , whom the world preferr'd Before her peace , is dead , our cause is gone ; Now le ts returne to our left mansion , Our houshold gods , and children deare to see . For what can civill wars conclusion be , If not Pharsaliaes field , nor Pompeys death ? Our time of life is spent ; now let vs breath Our last in peace : let our old age provide Our funerall pyles , which civill war deny'd Two greatest Captaines . For no barbarous , Or cruell yoke will fortune lav on vs . No Scythian , nor Armenian tyranny . The subjects of Romes gowned state are we . He that was second , Pompey being aliue , Is first with vs : the highest place we giue His sacred name , He whom wars fortunes make , Shall be our lord , no generall wee 'll take . Vnto the war we followed thee alone ; We 'll follow fate , Pompey , now thou art gone . Nor haue we cause to hope for good successe , Since Caesars fortune now doth all possesse . Th' Aemathian strength is by his victory Dispers'd we loose his mercy ; only he Has power , and will to spare the conquered . Our civill war 's a crime now Pompey's dead , 'T was duty while he liv'd , If Cato , thou Wilt serue thy countrey still , le ts follow now Those Eagles , which the Roman Consuls keepes . Thus having spoke aboord the ship he leapes With all his company Romes fate had gone , The people bent to slavery vpon The shore exclaime . But from a sacred breast Cato to them at last these words exprest . Fought you , yong men , with Caesars armyes hopes ( No more true Roman , but Pompey an troopes ) To gaine a Lord ? since for no Lord you fight , But liue to doe your selues , not tyrants right , Since your spent bloods can no mans rule procure , But your owne safety , you 'll not now endure The wars ; to liue in bondage you desire And for your slavish neckes a yoake require . Your danger 's worthy now , the cause is good : Pompey perhaps might haue abus'd your blood . And will you now , when liberty 's so high , To ai●le of Rome your swords , and throates deny ? Of three Lords fortune now has left but one . Aegypts base King , and Parthian bowes haue done More for the lawes then you , ( oh shame ) goe ye Base men , and scorn● the gift of Ptolomey ; Who will beleeue your hands could guilty be Of any blood ? he 'll rather thinke that ye Were the first men , that from Pharsalia fled . Goe then securely : you haue merited Pardon in Caesar judgement , not subdew'd By seidge , or open force . Oh servants lewd , When your first master's dead , his heir you 'll serue . Why would you not more then your liues deserue , And pardons ? ravish with you for a prey Metellus daughter , Pompey's wife away , And his two sonnes : the gift of Aegypt's King Surpasse , or could you to the tirant bring My head no small reward 't would render ye ; Then to good purpose haue you follow'd me . On then , and in our bloods your merit make ; T is slothfull treason a bare flight to take . This speech of Cato straight recalls from seas Their flyng ships ; as when a swarme of Bees Their hony comb●s , and barren waxe forsake ; Nor hang in clusters now , but singly take Their flight i th aire , and tast not slouthfull growne ) The bitter Thyme : at sound of brasse alone Amaz'd they leaue their flight : againe approoue Their flowery taskes againe their hony loue . Glad is the Shepheard on sweete Hyb●aes bill To keepe the riches of his cottage still . So Catoes speech on their affections wrought , And them to patience of a war had brought And now their restlesse mindes with toile t'inure , And teach them warlike laboures to endure , With weary marches first their strength he tryes Along the sands ; their second labour is To scale Cyrenes lofty walls : on whom Cato no vengeance tooke , when overcome , Though they against him shut their gates ) to him Revenge sufficient did their conquest seeme . He thence to Libyan (c) Iubaes kingdome goes ; But there the Syrts did nature interpose Which Catoes dauntlesse virtue hopes to passe . These Syrts , when all the worlds first structure was , Nature as doubtfull left twixt sea , and land ; ( For neither sinke they quite like seas to stand , Nor yet like land with shores repell the maine , But doubtfull , and vnpassable remaine , A shelfe-spoil'd sea , a water cover'd land , Where sounding waues let in by sands command . This part of nature , Natures selfe disclam'd As a vaine worke , and to no purpose fram'd ) Or once the deepe-drown'd Syrts were seas entire ; But burning Titan thence to feede his fire Drew vp those waues so neere the torrid zone ; And now the water holds contention With Phoebus drought : which by continuance spent , The Syrts will grow a solid continent . For now their topps but shallow waters hide , The fading sea decayes at every side , When first the fleete began to launch from shore , In his owne kingdome did blacke-Auster rore : Whose blasts the sea from ship invasion keepe , And from the Syrts far rowle the wavy deepe , Or flatt the sea with throwne in heapes of sand . Now the resistlesse windes the seas command , Whose blasts of all spred sailes , that fasten'd were To the maine-mast quite robb'd the marriner , In vaine the shrowdes to winde so violent Deny their sailes ; beyond the ships extent , Beyond the prow the swelled linnen 's blowne . But where a man more provident was knowne , That did his linnen to the saileyard ty . He quite despoil'd of tackling presently Was overcome . That fleete had far more ease . Which on the deepe was tost with certaine seas . But all those ships , which had cut downe their masts T' avoide the fury of strong Austers blasts , ( As then the winde against the tide did striue ) Against the winde the conquering tide did driue . Some ships the sea forsakes , whom straight the sands Vnseene surp●ise , whose state now doubtfull stands : Part of the ship vpon firme ground doth rest ; Part swimmes in water . Now the sea 's opprest With flatts . The sands assault the Ocean , And though strong Auster driue the waues amaine , They cannot master these high hills of sand . On th' Oceans backe far from all countreys stand Heapes of dry dust not by the Ocean drown'd . The wretched sailers , though their ships on ground , No shores can see . Part of the fleete this shallow Detaines ; the greater part their ●udders follow , And safe by flight , by skillfull pylots aide Are to Tritomaes standing poole convay'd . This poole ( they say ) that god esteemeth deare , Whose shrill shell trumpet seas , and shores doe heare . This Pallas loues , borne of the braine of Ioue , Who first on Libya trode . ( The heart doth proue This land next heauen ) she standing by the side , Her face within the quiet water spy'd , And gaue herselfe from the lov'd poole a name Tritonia . Heere doth the silent streame Of darke oblivious Lethe gently fall , That from hells Lethe takes originall . The waking dragons charge is neare to these The once robb'd orchard of th' Hesperides . To rob old times of credit , the desire Is spite , or truth from Poets to require . A golden wood there was , whose yellow trees Laden with wealthy fruit , stood bow'd : of these A dragon guardian was , which never slept , And the bright wood a troope of Virgins kept . Hither Alcides comming , did surprise The wealth , and burden of those laden trees , And leaving light their robbed boughs , did bring Those glittering apples to th' Argolian King . Part of the fleete got off from hence againe , And from the Syr●es driven , did remaine Vnder great Pompey's eldest sonnes command On this side Garamant is in rich land . But Catoes vertue brooking no delay Through vnknowne regions lead his troopes away , T' encompasse round the Syrts by land , for now The stormy seas vnnavigable grow In winter time : but stormes desired are To coole the temper of the sweltring aire . They fea●e no cold in Libya's scorched clime , Nor too much heat , because in winter time . Entring these barren sands thus Cato spake ; You that haue follow'd me , souldiers , and make Freedome your only safety , settle now Your mindes with constancy to vndergoe Vertues great worke . We march ore barren fields , Ore Sun-burnt regions , where no fountaine yeilds Water enough , where Titans heate abounds , And killing serpents smeare the parched grounds . Hard wayes , but whom their falling countrey's cause Through p●ths vnknowne , and midd'st of Libya draws , Who make no vowes for their returning home , But thinke of going only , let them come . I would deceiue no souldier , nor keepe close My feares to draw them on . Let only those My followers be , whom dangers doe invite , Who thinke it braue , and Roman , in my sight T' endure the worst of ills . He that would haue A su●ety for his safety , and ●●ine saue His loued life , let him be gone from me , And finde an easier way to slavery Vpon the sands whilest I first footing set , Let me first suffer th' aires annoying heat : Let serpents poyson'd teeth first seize on me , And in my f●te doe you your dangers try . Let him that sees me d●iming , water craue , And plaine of heat , wher●● a shelter haue , Or when I ride before the foote , straight grow Weary , if any by endurance know Whether I goe souldier , or generall . The ●ands , heat , thirst , and poysonous serpents , all Are sweete to vertue : hath things patience loues , And sweetest still , when dearest , goodnesse proues . These Libyan dangers only justify The flight of men , thus their hot spirits he With labours loue ▪ and virtue striv'd to fire ▪ Ma●●hing ore deserts neuer to retire Se●ure he goes to Libya ; gracing there With his great name a little sepulcher . If th' old acc●unt we follow , Libya is The world's third part : following the windes , & skyes A part of Europe ▪ For not distant more Then Scythian Tanais is Nilus shore From Westerne Gades , where Europe Affricke flyes , And makes the Ocean roome : but greater is Asia then both . For as they both send forth Libya from South , and Europe from the North The Westerne winde : the Easterne winde alone From Asia blowes . That part that 's fertile knowne Of Libya , Westward lyes , but moisture lackes : The North-winde dry with vs , there stormy , takes His flight but seldome thither . The rich soile : No wealthy growing mineralls doe spoile : The earth corrupts into no brasse , nor gold , But keepes her naturall , and perfect mold . The Mauritanian men are rich alone In Citron wood , of which no vse was knowne To them of old , contented with the shade . Our axes first did that strange wood invade ; From far we fetch our tables , as our meate . But in those parts about the Syrts , whose heat Is violent , and scorching Sol too nere , No corne can grow , no vines can prosper there , Nor trees deepe rooting take ; the sandy ground . Wants vitall temper , and no care is found Of Ioue in that at all ▪ the barren land Through every season doth vnchanged stand By natures negligence Yet this dull earth Vnto a few small herbes affords a birth , Which are the hardy Nasamonians fare . Neere the sea coast they bleakely seated are , Whom barbaraus Syrts with the worlds losse maintaine For spoile they still vpon the sand remaine . And though no merchant trade with them , yet gold They haue , and still by shipwracke traffique hold With all the world . This way did vertue beare Cato along , the Souldiers could not feare A storme by land , or thinke of blustring winde , But there ( alas ) the Ocean's dangers finde . For more on land then sea the Southwindes rore . About the Syrt , and hurt the land much more . No rockes , nor mountaines stand opposed there To breake his force , and turne him into aire ? No well-growne oakes , no wood opposed stands ; The ground lyes open all , free are the sands To Aeols rage , which violently strong Hurryes through th' aire a sandy cloud along . Their greatest part of land the windes doe beare Into the aire , which hangs not fixed there . His house , and land the Nasamonian sees Fly in the winde , their little cottages Blowne ore their heads into the aire as high As from a fire the smoake , and sparkles fly . The mounted dust like smoake obscures the sky . And then mo●e strong then vsuall did the blast Assault our men ; no souldier could stand fast ; No , nor the ground , ●n which they stood , could stay . 'T would shake the earth , and beare that land away If Libya hollow were , or harder mould The S●utherne windes in cavernes to enfold ; But ●●nce compos'd of loose , and fleeting sands Resisting not , it bides ; the lowest stands Because the highest yeilds , helmets of men , Thei● sheil●s , and piles the winde with fury then Bereft them of , and through the Welkin tost . That in some forreine far-remooved coast Perchance by men was deem'd a prodigy , And nations fear'd armes falling from the sky , Thinking those weapons rest from men , did f●ll Downe from the gods . So once I thinke that all Our sacred sheilds to holy Numa were , Which now our choise Patritian shoulders beare . The Southerne winde , or Northerne robb'd of yore Some forreine people , that those bucklers wore . The land thus plagu'd with winde , the souldiers all Downe to the ground , their cloathes fast guirded , fall , Hold fast the earth , yet sure they scarsely lay By weight , nor strength from being blowne away , Mountaines of dust the Southwindes furious hand Rowles ore their heads ; drowned is heapes of sand The souldiers scarse can stir . Some though vpright With rising earth are orewhelmed quite ; And , though the earth remooue , want motion . Vast stones of ruin'd walls from far are blowne , And ( strange to tell ) in some far region fall , They ruines see , that see no house at all . No paths , nor difference now of wayes are knowne : Their course is guided by the star alone Like navigators ; nor all stars to vs In that Horrizon are conspicuous , For to earths face ( there bowed ) many be Obscur'd from sight . But when the aire was free From the windes rage , dissolv'd againe by heat , And scorching day their body flow'd with sweat , Their mouths with thirst were parch'd a little steame . They spy'd which from a muddy fountaine came ; From whence with much adoe a souldier got His hellmet full of water , and straight brought The same to Cato , their dry throates were all With dust besmea●ed , and the generall Himselfe was envy'd for that little draught . Base souldier , answeres he , in thy poore thought Seem'd I alone so worthlesse ? none but I Tender , and weake in all this company : This punishment thou more deserv'st then I To drinke thy selfe while all the army 's dry . Then stirr'd with wrath he strucke the helmet downe , The water spilt suffic'd them every one . And now to Libyaes only temple plac'd In Garaman●is rude they came at last . Iupiter Ammon is adored there , Not arm'd with thunder like our Iupiter , But crooked hornes . To whom the Libyans build No sumptuous Fane , no orient iewells fill'd The house with lustre . Though the Indians , The Aethiopes , and rich Arabians Iupiter Ammon's name doe all adore , And no god else , yet still that god is poore . No wealth corrupts his Fane , a god of th' old Purenesse , his temple guards from Roman gold . That place of all the countrey onely greene Shewes a gods presence . All that lyes betweene Leptis , and Berenicis is dry sand , And barren dust ; no part of all the land , But Ammons seat beares trees . The cause of it A neighbouring fountaine is , whose waters knit The moistened earth , and make fertility . But when the Sun at noone is mounted high , Those trees no shadow can diffuse at all : Their boughs scarse hide their trunkes . No shade or small The Sunbeames make , since perpendicular . It is perceiv'd this is the region where The summer Tropicke hits the Zodiacke . The signes obliquely rise not , but direct . Nor more direct the Bull then Scorpio , Moist Capricornus then hot Cancer goe : Nor Gemeni then Sagitarius , Nor Leo then oppos'd Aquarius : Virgo then Pisces , Libraes motion Then Aries . But whom the torrid zone Divides from vs , those people ever see The shadowes Southward , which here Northward be , You slowly seeing Cynosure , suppose Her vndrench'd carre into the Ocean goes . And that no Northerne signe from seas is free . You stand far distant from each axeltree ; Your signes in midst of heaven converted be . The Easterne people standing at the doore , The oracles of horned Ioue t' implore , Gaue place to Cato ; whom his souldiers ply That of that Libyan far-fam'd deity , His future fates event he would be taught . Him Labienus most of all besought ; Chance , and the fortune of our way ( quoth he ) L●nd vs the mouth of that great deity , And his sure counsells : we may now implore His powerfull guidance through this war , and ore The dangerous Syrtes . For to whom should I Beleeue the gods would truly or certify Their secret wills , then Catoes holy breast , Whose life to heavenly lawes was still addrest , And follow'd god ? behold we now haue heere A freedome given to talke with Iupiter , Cato , enquires of wicked Caesars fate , And know what shall be Romes ensuing state , Whether this civill war be made in vaine , Or shall our lawes , and liberties maintaine , Let Ammon's sacred voice thy breast inspire . Thou lover of strict vertue , now desire To know what vertue is ; seeke from aboue Approovement of the trueth : He full of Ioue , Whom in his secret breast he carried ever , These temple worthy speeches did deliver ; What , Labienus , should I seeke to know ? If I had rather dye in armes , then bow Vnto a Lord ? if life be nought at all ? No difference betwixt long life , and small ? If any force can hurt men vertuous ? If fortune loose , when vertue doth oppose , Her threats if good desires be happinesse , And vertue grow not greater by successe ? Thus much we know , nor deeper can the skill Of Ammon teach . The gods are with vs still ; And , though their oracles should silent be , Nought can we doe without the gods decree ; Nor needes he voices ; what was fit to know The great Creator at our births did show . Nor did he choose these barren sands to shew ( Hiding it heere ) his trueth but to a few . Is there a seate of god , saue earth , and sea , Aire , heaven , and vertue ? why for god should we Seeke further ? what ere moues , what ere is seene Is Ioue For oracles let doubtfull men Fearefull of future chances troubled be : Sure death , not oracles ascertaine mee . The coward , and the valiant man must fall . This is enough for Ioue to speake to all , Then marching thence the temples faith he saues , And to the people vntry'd Ammon leaues . Himselfe afoot before his weary'd bands Marches with pi●e in hand , and not commands , But shewes them how to labour : never sits In coach , or charriot : sleepes the least a nights : Last tasts the water . When a fountaines found , He stayes a foot till all the souldiers round , And every cullion drinke . If fame be due To truest goodnesse , if you simply view Vertue without successe , what ere we call In greatest Romans great ; was fortune all . Who could deserue in prosperous war such fame ? Or by the nations blood so great a name ? Rather had I this vertuous triumph win In Libyaes desert sands , then thrice be seene In Pompey's laurell'd charriot , or to lead Iugurtha captiue . Here behold indeed Rome , thy true father , by whose sacred name ( Worthy thy Temples ) it shall never shame People to sweare ; whom , if thou ere art free , Thou wilt hereafter make a deity . Now to a torrid clime they came , more hot Then which the gods for men created not . Few waters heere are seene ; but in the sands One largely-flowing fountaine only stands , But full of Serpents , as it could containe . There on the bankes hot killing Aspes remaine , And Dipsases in midst of water dry . When Cato saw his men for thirst would dy Fearing those waters ; thus he spake to them . Feare not to drinke , souldiers , this wholesome streame , Be not affrighted with vaine shewes of death . The snakes bite deadly , fatall are their teeth , When their dire venome mixes with our blood , The water 's safe . Then of the doubtfull flood He drinkes himselfe , there only the first draught Of all the Libyan waters Cato sought . Why Libyaes aire should be infected so With mortall plagues , what hurtfull secrets grow Mixt with the noxious soile by natures hand , Our care , nor labour cannot vnderstand : But that the world , in the true cause deceiv'd , In stead of that a common tale receiv'd , In Libyaes farthest part , whose scorched ground The Ocean warm'd by setting Sol doth bound , Medusas countrey lay , whose barren fields No trees doe cloath , whose soile no herbage yeilds : Chang'd by her looke all stones , and rockes they grow . Heere hurtfull nature first those plagues did show ; First from Medusas jawes those serpents growne Hissed with forked tongues , and hanging downe Like womans haire , vpon her backe , gaue strokes Vnto her pleased necke . In stead of lockes Vpon her horrid front did serpents hisse ; Her combe comb'd poyson downe , no part but this Safe to be seene about Medusa was . For who ere fear'd the monsters mouth , and face ? Whom , that had view'd her with an eye direct ? Did she ere suffer sence of death t' affect ? She hasten'd doubting fate , preventing dread ; Their bodyes dy'd before their soules were fled ? Enclosed soules with bodyes turn'd to stone . The furyes haires could madnesse worke alone ; Cerberus hissing Orpheus musicke still'd ; Alcides saw that Hydra , which he kill'd ; But this strange monster even her father , who Is the seas second god , her mother too Cetos , and Gorgon sisters feared , she Could strike a numnesse through the sea , and sky . And harden all the world into a stone . Birds in their flight haue fall'n conjealed downe . Running wilde beasts to rockes converted were ; And all the neighbouring Aethiopians there To marble statues , not a creature brookes The sight of her ; t' avoide the Gorgons lookes Her snakes themselues backeward themselues invert . She neere Alcides pillars could convert Titanian Alt●s to an hill , and those Giants with serpents feete , that durst oppose The gods themselues , those wars in Phlegra field Her face could end , but shew'd in Pallas sheild . Thither the sonne of showre rap'd Da●ae Borne on th' Arcadian wings of Mercury Inventer of the harpe , and wrestling game , Flying through th' aire , with borrow'd Harpe came , Harpe , whom monsters blood before did staine , When he , that kept Ioves loued cow , was slaine . Aide to her winged brother Pallas gaue , Conditioning the Gorgons head to haue . She bids him fly to Libyaes Easterne bound His face averted , or the Gorgons ground . In his left hand a shield of shinning brasse , Wherein to see the stone transforming face Of sterne Medusa , Pallas bad him keepe ; Then lay'd Medusa in an endlesse sleepe , But yet not all ; part of her snaky haire Defends her head : some snakes still waking are : Some ore her face , and sleeping eylids glide . Minerva doth th' averted Perseus guide , And with a trembling hand directs the stroake Of his Cyllenian Harpe , which quite broke Her large snake-cover'd necke . How strange a looke Had Gorgons head cut off by Perseus stroke , And towring blade ? what poyson did arise In her blacke mouth ? what death shot from her eyes ? Which not Minerva durst to looke vpon ; And Perseus , sure , had bin congeal'd to stone , Had not Minerva hid that dismall face With those snake-haires . Now Perseus flyes a pace To heaven with Gorgons head ; but in his mind Considering how the nearest way to find , Over the midst of Europe meanes to fly ; But Pallas straight forbids that injury To Europes fruitfull fields , and bids him spare The people there , for who can in the ayre Refraine to gaz , when such a bird he spyes . Perseus converts his course , and Westward flyes Ore desert Libya , whose vnfruitfull seat Vntill'd lyes ope to nought but Phaebus heat ; Who runs his burning course straight ore their heads . No land then this a larger shadow spreads 'Gainst heaven , nor more the moones ecclipse doth cause When straying not in latitude , she drawes Neither to North nor South , but still is found In signes direct· Yet this vnfruitfull ground Barren in all that 's good , a seed could yeild From venome , which Medusaes head distill'd . From those dire drops mixt with the putrid earth Sols aiding heat did giue new monsters birth . First from that dust so mixt with poyson bred Rose the sleep-causing Aspe with swelling head , Made of the thickest drop of Gorgons gore , Which in no serpent is compacted more . She wanting heat seekes not a colder clime , Content to liue in her owne Libyaes slime . But oh how shamelesse is our thirst of gaine ? Those Libyan deaths are carryed ore the maine , And Aspes at Rome are sold as marchandise . In scaly folds the great Haemorrhus lyes , Whose bite from all parts drawes the flowing blood . Chersidros then , that both in land , and flood Of doubtfull Syrtes liues ; Chelydri too , That make a reeking slime where ere they goe . The Cenchris creeping in a tract direct , Whose speckled belly with moe spots is dect , Then ere the various Theban marble takes . Sand-colour'd Ammodytes , the horned snakes , That creepe in winding tracks ; the Scytale ; No snake in winter casts her skin but she ; The double-head ; Dipsas , that thirsty makes ; The water-spoyling Newte , the dart-like snakes . The Pareas , whose way his tale doth guide ; The Prester too , whose sting distendeth wide The wounded's foamy mouth ; the Seps , whose bite Consumes the bones , dissolues the body quite . The Basiliske , whose hisse all snakes doth scarre , ( Hurtfull before the venome touch ) who far All vulgar serpents from his sight commands , Reigning alone vpon the empty'd sands . You dragons too , glistring in golden pride , Who hurtlesse wander through all lands beside , Hot Affrik mortall makes ; aloft you fly Through the ayre on wings , and follow speedily The heards ; your strokes the mightyest buls destroy , Great Elephants not escape you : all you kill , Nor neede you poysons helpe to worke your will . This thirsty way among these venom'd snakes Cato amidst his hardy souldiers takes : Where many losses of his men he found , And deaths vnusuall from a little wound . A trodden Dipsas turning backe his head Did bite young Aulus Ensigne bearer , bred Of Tyrrhene race : no griefe , nor paine ensew'd : His wound no pity found , no danger shew'd , But in ( alas ) did fiery venome deepe Into his ma●row , and scorch'd entrailes creepe . Which quite drunke vp all moisture , that should flow Into his vitall parts : his palate now And tongue is scorch'd , and dry ; no sweate could goe To his tir'd joynts , from 's eyes no teares could flow . His place , nor his sad generalls command Could stay this thirsty man ; out of his hand He throwes his Eagle ; water runs to haue , Which the dry venome in his heart did craue . Though he in midst of Tanais did ly , Padus , or Rodanus , he would be dry , Or drinke the streamer , where ever Nilus flowes . The soyle ads to his drought , the worme doth loose Her venoms fame , help'd by so hot a land . He digs , and seekes each veine in all the sand . Now to the Syrts he goes , and in his mouth Salt water takes , which could not quench his drought , Although it pleas'd . He did not know what kinde Of death he dy'd , nor his disease could finde , But thinkes it thirst ; and now full faine he would Rip open all his veines , and drinke his blood . Cato commands them ( loath his men should stay To know what thirst was ) straight to march away . But a more wofull death before his eye Appear'd ; A Seps no poore Sabellus thigh Hung by the teeth , which he straight with his hands Cast off , and with his pile nail'd to the sands ; A little snake , but none more full then she Of horrid death , the flesh falls off , that nigh The wound did grow , the bones are bared round , Without the body naked shewes the wound . His shankes fall off , matter each members fills , His knees are bar'd , his groine blacke filth distills , And every muscle of his thighes dissolues : The skin , that all his naturall parts involues , Breaking lets fall his bowels , nor doth all , That should remaine of a dead body , fall . The cruell venome , eating all the parts , Al● to a little poisonous filth converts . The poison breakes his nerues , his ribs doth part , Opens his hollow breast , there shewes his heart , His vitalls all , yea all that man composes , And his whole nature this foule death discloses ; His head , necke , shoulders , and strong armes doe flow In venomous filth , not sooner melts the snow By hot South windes , nor waxe against the Sunne . This is but small I speake ; burnt bodyes run Melted by fire in filth , but what fire ere Dissolv'd the bones ? no bones of his appeare . Following their putrid iuice , they leaue no signe Of this swift death , the palme is only thine Of all the Libyan snakes ; the soule take they , But thou alone the carcasse tak'st away . But lo a death quite contrary to it ; Marsian Nasidius an hot Prester bit . Whose face , and cheekes a suddaine fire did rost ; His flesh , and skin was stretch'd , his shape was lost . His swelling body is distended far Past humane growth , and vndistinguishd are His limmes ; all parts the poison doth confound , And he lyes hid , in his owne body drown'd : Nor can his armour keepe his swolne growth in . Not more doth boyling water rise within A brazen caldron , nor are sailes more swell'd By Westerne windes . No limme he now can weild . A globe deform'd he is , an heape confus'd . Which ravening beasts did feare , which birds refus'd : To which his friends durst doe no obsequy , Nor touch , but from the growing carcasse fly . But yet these snakes present more horrid sights , A fierce Hamorrhus noble Tullus bites , A braue young man , that studyed Catoes worth . And as in pouncing of a picture , forth Through every hole the pressed saff●on goes , So from his every part red poison flowes For blood ; his teares were blood : from every pore , Where nature vented moisture heretofore , His mouth , his nose , flowes blood : his sweate is red : His running veines all parts be bloodyed . And his whole body's but one wound become . An Aspes sharpe bite did Laeuus heart benum ; No paine he felt , surpris'd with sudaine sleepe He dy'd , descending to the Stygian deepe . Not halfe so suddaine doe those poysons kill , Which dire Sabaean sorcerers distill From off the falsely seeming Sabine tree . On an old stumpe a dart-like snake did ly , Which , as from thence her selfe she nimbly threw , Through Paulus head , and wounded temples flew . T was not the poison wrought his fate , the blow It selfe brought death . To her compared slow Fly stones from slings , and not so swift as she From Parthian bowes doe winged arrowes flee . What help'd it wretched Murrus that he did Kill a fierce Basiliske ? the poyson slid Along his speare , and fastned on his hand , Which he cut off , and then did safely stand With that hands losse , viewing securely there The sad example of his death so neare . Who would haue thought the knotty Scorpion had Such power in killing , or a sting so bad ? Her straight stroke won , when she Orion ●●ew , A trophee , which the constellations shew . Who , small Solpu●a , from thy hole would flee ? Yet the three sisters giue their power to t●ee . So that no rest they found by night , nor day ; They fear'd the ground it selfe , on which they lay . For neither heapes of leaues , nor ●eedes they found To make them beds but on the naked ground Expos'd their bodyes , whose warme vapours steame By night attracted the cold snakes to them Whose harmelesse jawes , whilest nights astringents cold The poyson freez'd , vnhurt their bosomes hold . Nor by the guidance of the stars their way Can they discerne , but oft complayning say Restore , oh gods , to vs those wars againe , From which we fled : restore Pharsalia's plaine . Why should we dy , whose liues devoted were , And sworne to war , the death of cowards here ? The Dipsases on Caesars party are , And horned snakes helpe end our civill war . Oh let vs goe , where the hot zone doth ly . 'T would ease our grieved hearts , that to the sky We might ascribe our deaths . In nought doe we Accuse thee , Affrica , or nature thee . For thou this monster bearing countrey tane From mens plantation , didst for snakes ordaine . This land all barren , where no corne could thriue , Thou mad'st , that men might from these serpents liue . But we are come into their dwellings here . Take punishment on vs , thou god , who ere Hating our journey , didst the world divide , Placing the doubtfull Syrtes on one side , The torrid zone on tother , deaths sad seate Plac'd in the midst . To thy most hid retreat Our civill war dares goe ; to the worlds end Our wayes , through natures secrets prying , tend . Worse things , perchance , must be endur'd then this . The pole declines , the setting Sunne doth hisse Drench'd in the sea . No land doth further ly This way ; then Iubaes woefull monarchy Knowne but by fame , we shall perchance againe Wish for this serpents land ; th' aire doth containe Some comfort yet : some things are living here . Alas , we wish not for our countrey deare , Europe , nor Asia ▪ different Sunnes which see : Vnder what pole , oh ●ffricke , left we thee ? 'T was winter at Cyrene when we lay : Is the yeares course chang'd in so small a way ? The South is at our backes ▪ to th' adverse pole Our journey tends ; about the world we rowle . We are , perchance , Antipodes to Rome . Let this our comfort be , Let Caesar come , Oh let our foes pursue where we haue fled . Thus they in sad complaints vnburdened Their loaded patience . Catoes vertue keepes Them proofe 'gainst any labour , who still sleepes Vpon the naked sands , and every hower , Present at every fate , tempts fortunes power . Comes at all calls ; his presence doth bestow Farre more then health , a strength to vndergoe Even death it selfe . Whilest Cato's standing by They are asham'd impatiently to dy . What power ore him had any misery ? Whose presence griefe in others breasts subdew'd , And what small power can be in sorrow shew'd . Some case at last did tired fortune giue To their long suffrings , there a nation liue Marinarian (d) Psylls , from serpents biting free . They arm'd with powerfull incantations be . Their blood 's secure , and , though they did not charme , By touch of poyson cannot suffer harme . The places nature this did justly giue , Th●t serpent-free they might with serpents liue . T was well , that in this poysonous aire they breath ; For peace is made betwixt themselues , and death . Of their owne broodes such certaine proofes haue all , That when to ground a new-borne childe doth fall , Fearing strange Venus hath their beds defil'd , By deadly Aspes they try the doubted childe . As th' E●gle when her Eaglets are disclos'd , Layes them against the rising Sunne exp●s'd ; Those that with stedy eye can view his beemes , And boldly gaze , those only she esteemes , The ●ther scornes ▪ the Psylls so count it there Their nations pledge , if infants doe not feare The serpents touch , or freely play with snakes . They not content with their owne safety , take For strangers care ; and following th' army then Against those serpents aided Catoes men For when the campe was pitch'd , those sands , that lay Within the compasse of the trenches , they Did purge with snake-expelling charmes throughout , And med●inable fires made round about . Their Wall wort crackes and fennell gumme doth fry , Thin Tama●iske , Thessalian Centory , Strong Panace , Arabian Pepperwort , Sicilian Thapsos burn'd with Sulphurwort , Lar●he trees , and Southernewood , which serpents dread And hornes of stags far off from Affricke bred . So night was safe . If slung by day they were , That magicke nations miracles appeare ; For 'gainst the Psyl's the taken venome striues ; Markes to the wounded place their spittle giues ; Whose force the poyson in the wound doth stay . Then with a foaming tongue dire charmes they say In ceaselesse murmurs . For no time to breath The danger giues . Approaching speedy death Admits no silence . Oft hath poyson tane In th' inmost parts bin charm'd away againe . But , when call'd out by their commanding tongue , If any poyson dare to tarry long , Then falling downe they licke the pallid wound , And with a gentle bite squeezing it round Sucke with their mouths the poyson out , and it Extracted from the key-cold body spit . And in their mouths tasting the poyson well What serpent deepest bit the Psylls can tell . Now ore the fields encourag'd by their aide The Roman souldiers wander'd lesse afraide . Thus Cato treading sands of Libya The Moone twice waning , and twice wexing saw . Now more and more the sands to harden gan , And Affricks thicken'd ground grew g●e●e againe . Trees here , and there began t' extend their shade : And cottages of reedes and sedges made ▪ How great an hope of better ground had they , When first they saw fierce Lions crosse their way ? Leptis was neer'st which quiet harbour lent . Their winter free from heat , and stormes they spent . Now Caesar with Pharsaliaes slaughter cloy'd Leaving all other cares , his thoughts employ'd In the poursuite of Pompey , and was brought ( When he his steps by land had vainely sought ) By fames report to sea , and passed ore The Thracian straights , and that loue-famed shore , Where once faire Heroes wofull turret stood ; Where Helles tra●oe●y new-nam'd the flood , No arme of sea bounds with a streame so small Asia from Europe , though Propontis fall Narrow into the ●uxine sea , and from Purple Chalcedon part Byzanti●m . Thence goes to see renown'● Sigaean sands , The streame of Simois , and Rhaetaean lands Fa●●'d for the Grae●ian worthye● tombe , wherely Great ghosts so much in debt to Poetry . Sack'd Troyes yet honour'd name he goes about , To finde th' old wall of great Apollo out . Now fruitlesse trees , old oakes with putrify'd , And rotten r●otes the Trojan hou●es hide , And temples of their gods , all Troy's orespred With bushes thi●ke , h●r ruines ruined . He se●s the bridall groue , An●hises lodg'd , Hesiones rocke , the caue where Paris iudg'd , Where nimph Oenone play'd , ●he place so fam'd For Ganimedes rape , each stone is nam'd , A little gliding streame , which Xanthus was , Vnknowne he past , and in the lofty grasse Securely trode ; a Phrygian straight forbid Him ●r●ade on Hectors dust : with ruines hid The stone retain'd no sacred memory . Respect you not great Hectors tombe , quoth he ! Oh great , and sacred worke of Poesy , That freest from fate , and giv'st eternity To mortall wights ; but , Caesar envy not Their living names , if Roman muses ought May promise th●e , while Homer's honoured , By future t●mes shall thou , and I be read ; No age shall vs with darke oblivion staine , But our Pharsalia ever shall remaine . Then Caesar pleas'd with sight of these so prais'd Antiquities a greene turfe-alter rais'd , And by the frankincense-fed fire prepar'd These orizons not vaine ; you gods , that guard These Heroes dust , and in Troyes ruines reigne : Aeneas houshold gods , that still mainteine In Alba , and Lavinia your shrines , Vpon whose altars fire yet Trojan shines ; Thou sacred temple clos'd Palladium , That in the sight of man did'st never come ; The greatest heire of all Iulus race Here in your former seate implores your grace , And pious incense on your altars layes ; Prosper my course , and thankefull Rome shall raise Troyes walls againe , your people I le restore , And build a Roman Troy . This said , to shore He hasts , takes shipping , and to Corus lends His full-spread sailes with hast to make amends For these delayes , and with a prosperous winde Leaues wealthy Asia , and faire Rhodes behinde . The Westwinde blowing still , the seaventh night Discovers Aegypts shore by Pharian light . But ere they reach the harbour , day appeares , And dimmes the nightly fires , when Caesar heares Strange tumults on the shore , noises of men , And doubtfull murmurings , and fearing then To trust himselfe at land , st●yes in his fleete ; Whom straight Achillas launches forth to meete Bringing his Kings dire gift great Pompey's head With an Aegyptian mantle covered ; And thus his crime with impious words to grace . Lord of the world , greatest of Roman race , And now secure ( which yet thou doest not know ) In Pompey's death , my King doth heere bestow What only wanted in Pharsalia's field , And what thy wars , and travells end will yeild : We in thy absence finish'd civill war . For Pompey heere desiring to repaire Thessalia's ruines , by our sword lyes slaine . By this great pledge , Caesar , we seeke to gaine Thy loue , and in his blood our league to make . Heere without bloodshed Aegypts kingdome take , Take all Niles fertile regions , and receiue What ever thou for Pompey's head would'st giue : Thinke him a freind worthy thine armes to haue , To whom the fates such power ore Pompey gaue . Nor thinke his merit cheape , since brought to passe With easy slaughter , his old freind he was , And to his banish'd father did restore The crowne of Aegypt . But why speake I more ? Finde thou a name for this great worke of his , Or aske the world ; if villany it is , The more thou ow'st to him , that from thee tooke This act of villany . Thus having spoke Straight he vncovers , and presents the head , Whose scarse-knowne lookes pale death had altered . Caesar at first his gift would not refuse , Nor turne his eyes away , but fixtly veiwes Till he perceiv'd 't was true , and plainely saw 'T was safe to be a pious father in law ; Then shed forc'd teares , and from a joyfull breast Drew sighs , and grones , as thinking teares would best Conceale his inward joy : so quite orethrowes The tyrants merit , and doth rather choose To weepe , then ow to him for Pompey's head . He that on slaughter'd Senators could tread , And see the blood-stain'd fields of Thessaly Dry-ey'd , to thee alone durst not deny The tribute of his eyes . Strange turne of fate , Weep'st thou for him , whom thou with impious hate Caesar , so long pursu'dst ? could not the loue Of Daughter , Nephew , not aliance mooue ? Think'st thou among those people , that bewaile Great Pompey's death , these teares can ought availe Perchance thou envy'st Ptolomeys dire fact ; And griev'st that any had the power to act This but thy selfe , that the revenge of war Was lost , and taken from the conquerer . What cause so ever did thy sorrow mooue , It was far distant from a pious loue . Was this the cause that thy pursuite did draw Ore land , and sea , to saue thy sonne in law ? 'T was well , sad fortune tooke the doome from thee , And spar'd so far a Roman modesty , As not to suffer thee , false man , to giue Pardon to him , or pity him aliue , Yet to deceiue the world , and gaine beleife Thou add'st a language to thy fained greife . Thy bloody present from our presence beare , For worse from Caesar , then slaine Pompey here Your wickednesse deserues ; the only meede Of civill warre , to spare the conquered We loose by this , and did not Ptolomey His sister hate , I could with ease repay This gift of his , and for so blacke a deede Returne his sister Cleopatras head . Why wag'd he secret war , or why durst he Thus thrust his sword into our worke ? did we By our Pharsalian victory afford Your King this power , or license Aegypts sword ? I brook'd not Pompey to beare share with me In rule of Rome , and shall I Ptolomey ? All nations joyned in our war in vaine , If any other power on earth remaine But Caesar now ; if any land serue two . We were determin'd from your shore to goe , But fame forbid vs , lest we should seeme more To feare then hate dire Aegypts bloody shore . And doe not thinke you haue deceived me : To vs was meant such hospitality . And 't was our fortune in Thessaliaes war , That frees this head With greater danger far Then could be feard , we fought . I fear'd the doome Of banishment , the threats of wrathfull Rome , And Pompey's force : but had I fled , I see My punishment had come from Ptolomey . We spare his age , and pardon his foule fact ; For let your King for such a deed expect No more then pardon . But doe you enterre This Worthy's head : not that the earth may beare , And hide your guilt ; bring fumes , and odours store T' appease his head , and gather from the shore His scatter'd limbs , compose them in one tombe . Let his deare ghost perceiue that Caesar's come , And heare my pious griefe . Whilst he preferrs All desperate hazards before me , and dares Rather to trust his life with Ptolomey , The people all haue lost a joyfull day , The world our peace : the gods my prayers deny'd That laying these victorious armes aside I might embrace thee , Pompey and request Our former life , and loue , and thinke me blest After this war thy aequall still to be . Then had my faithfull loue perswaded thee Though conquer'd to excuse the gods , and make Thee Rome , to pardon me . Though thus he spake , He found no partners in his griefe ; the rest Bele●t not his , and their owne teares supprest , And durst ( oh happy freedome ) with dry eye Though Caesar wept , behold this tragedy . FINIS .

Annotations on the ninth Booke .

(a) Whilest the event of the civill war was yet doubtfull , and both the Generalls were possessed of their full strengths , Cato was fearefull of both their intents , and hated them both ; as fearing that the conquerer would captiue his countrey ; but after the battell of Pharsalia was fought and Caesar had conquered , he was then wholly of Pompey's side , desiring to vphold the party vanquished

(b) Pompey the great pursuing Caesar into Thessalia , had left Cato with a great strength to guard Dyrachium who hearing the overthrow , and flight of Pompey , marched away to take shipping at Corcyra , and follow Pompey to ioyne his strength with him .

(c) Cato at Cyrene hearing that Lucius Scipio the father in-law of Pompey the great was ioyned in Affrica with Iuba King of Mauritania , and that Atius Varus , whom Pompey had deputed his Lieutenant in Affrica , was there also , marched overland thither , which march being thirty dayes vpon those desart sands , any with admirable patience , and magnanimity enduring the iourny ; forsaking his horse alwayes , and marching a foot in the head of his army , to teach his souldiers , rather then command them to endure hardnesse ; he arrived at last at Iuba's court ; where , though the souldiers with one voice elected him Generall , he refused the charge ▪ and chose rather to serue vnder Scipio , then command himselfe in chiefe .

( d ) These Psylli are a people inhabiting those parts of Affrica fortifyed by nature with an incredible priveledge against the strength of poison , and susteine no harme by the biting of serpents . The serpents ( saith Pliny ) are afraid of them , and when others are bitten , these Psylli by sucking the wounds , and muttering some charmes dee easily cure them . They haue a custome ( as writers report ) when their children are borne , if the father suspect his wiues chastity , he exposes the infant to all kind of serpents ; if begotten by a stranger , the child dyeth , but if lawfully begotten , the priveledge of his fathers blood protecteth him against the venome .

LVCANS Pharsalia . The Tenth Booke . The Argument . Caesar in Aegypt fearelesse walkes , and sees Their temples , tombes , and fam'd antiquityes . Before his feete faire Cleopatra kneeles , Whom to her brother king he reconciles . With sumptuous feasts this peace they celelrate , To Caesars eare Achoreus doth relate Niles ebbes , and flowes , and long concealed spring . Within the pallace Caesar , and the King By sterne Achillas are besieg'd by night . Caesar to Pharos takes a secret flight ; There from his ship he leapes into the waues , And his endanger'd life by swimming saues . WHen Caesar first , possest of Pompey's head , Arrived there , and those dire sands did tread : His fortune stroue with guilty Aegypts fate , Whether that Rome that land should captivate ; Or Aegypts sword take from the world the head Both of the Conquerer , and the conquered . Pompey , the ghost prevailes , thy Manes free Caesar from death , left Nile should after thee Be by the Romans lov'd . He goes from thence To Alexandria arm'd with confidence In this dire mischiefes pledge , following along His fasces . But , perceiving that the throng Of people murmur'd that in Aegypt he Bore th' Ensignes vp of Romes authority , He findes their wavering faiths , perceiving plaine That for his sake great Pompey was not slaine . Then with a looke still hiding feare goes he The stately temple of th' old god to see . Which speakes the ancient Macedonian greatnesse . But there delighted with no objects sweetnesse , Not with their gold , nor gods majestike dresse , Nor losty city walls , with greedinesse Into the burying vault goes Caesar downe There Macedonian Philip's mad-brain'd son The prosperous theife lyes buryed : whom just fate Slew in the worlds revenge : vaults consecrate Containe those limbs , which through the world 't were just To cast a●road : but fortune spar'd his dust , And to that Kingdomes end his fate remain'd . If ere the world her freedome had attaind , He for a mocke had beene reserv'd , whose birth Brought such a dire example to the earth , So many lands to be possest by one , Scorning the narrow bounds of Macedon , And Athens , which his father had subdew'd : Through Asian lands with human slaughter strew'd , Led by too forwa●d fates he rushes on , Driving his sword through every nation : Rivers vnknowne , Euphrates be distaines With Persians blood Ganges with Indians : Th' earth fatall mischiefe , lightning dire , that rent All people , and a star malevolent To nations . To invade the South-east sea He built a fleete . Not barren Libya , Water , nor heat , nor Ammons desart sands Could stop his course . Vpon the Westerne lands ( Following the worlds devexe ) he meant to tread , To compasse both the poles , and drinke Niles head . But death did meete his course ; that checke alone ▪ Could nature giue this Kings ambition : Who to his graue the worlds sole Empire bore , With the same envy , that 't was got before ; And wanting heires left all he did obtaine To be divided by the sword againe . But fear'd in Parthia ; and his Babylon He dy'd . Oh shame , that Easterne nation Then trembled at the Macedonian speare Farre more , then now the Roman pile they feare . Though all the North , the West , and South be ●urs , In th' East the Parthian King contempes our powers . That , Which to Crassus proov'd a fatall place , A secure province to small Pella was . Now the yong King come from Pelusium Had pacify'd the peoples wrath : in whom As hostage of his peace , in Aegypts court Caesar was safe ; when loe from Pharos port , Bribing the keeper to vnchaine the same , In a small galley Cleopatra came Vnknowne to Caesar entering the house ; The staine of Aegypt , Romes pernicious Fury , vnchast to Italyes disgrace , As much as Helena's bewitching face Fatall to Troy , and her owne Greekes did prooue , As much Romes broiles did Cleopatra mooue . Our Capitall she with her Sistrum scarr'd , With Aegypts base effeminate rout prepar'd To seize Romes Eagles , and a triumph get Ore captiv'd Caesar : when at Leucas fleet It doubtfull stood , whether the world that day A woman , and not Roman should obey . Her prides first spring that impious night had bin , That with our chiefes mixt that incestuous queene . Who would not pardon Anthonyes mad loue , When Caesars flinty breast desires could moue In midst of war , when heat of fight rag'd most , And in a cou●t haunted by Pompey's ghost ? Embrew'd with blood from dire Pharsalias field Could he vnto adultrous Venus yeild ? And mixe with warlike cares ( oh shamelesse head ) A bastard issue , and vnlawfull bed ; Forgetting Pompey , to beget a brother To thee , faire Iulia , on a strumpet mother : Suffring the forces of his scattered foes To joyne in Affrike , basely he bestowes Time in Aegyptian loue , a conquerer Not for himselfe , but to bestow on her ; Wh●m , trusting to her beauty , without teares , Though gesture sad , with loose , as if rent haires , Drest in a beautious , and becomming woe Did Cleopatra meete , bespeaking so : If , mighty Caesar , noblenesse there be , Aegyptian Lagus royall issued , Depos'd and banisht from my fathers state , If thy great hand restore my former fate , Kneele at thy feet a queene ; vnto our nation Thou dost appeare a gratious constellation . I am not the first woman that hath sway'd The Pharian scepter : Aegypt has obay'd A queene ; not sexe excepted : I desire Thee read the will of my deceased Sire , Who left me there a partner to enjoy My brothers crowne , and marriage bed . The boy ( I know ) would loue his sister , were he free : But all his power , will , and affections be Vnder Photinas girdle ; To obtaine The crowne I beg not , Caesar from this staine Free thou our house : command the King to be A King , and free from servants tyranny . Shall slaues so proud of Pompey's , slaughter be , Threatning the same ( which fates avert ) to thee ? Caesar , 't is shame enough to th' earth , and thee His death Photinus gift , and guilt should be . Her suite in Caesars eares had found small grace , But beauty pleades , and that incestuous face Prevailes ; the pleasures of a wanton bed Corrupt the judge . The King had purchased His peace with weighty summes of gold ; which done , With sumptuous feasts this glad accord they crowne . Her riot forth in highest pompe ( not yet Transferr'd to Rome ) did Cleopatra set . The house excell'd those temples , which men build In wicked'st times , the high-arch'd roofes were fill'd With wealth ? high tresses golden tables bore : Nor did carv'd marble only cover ore The house ; alone th' vnmixt Achates stood , And pillars of red marble : their feet troad On pauements of rich Onyx : pillars there Not coverd with Aegyptian Eben were ; Eben was timber there , and that rich wood Not to adorne , but prop the Pallace stood . The roomes with Ivory glister'd , and each dore Inlay'd with indian shels , embellish'd ore With choisest Emeraulds : the beds all shone With richest gems , and yellow Iasper stone . Coverlids rich , some purple dy'd in graine , Whose tincture was not from one Caldron tane , Part woue of glittering gold , part scarlet dy , As is th' Aegyptian vse of Tapestry : The servitours stood by , and waiting pages , Some different in complexions , some in ages ; Some of blacke Libyan hew , some golden haires , Tha● Caesar yeilds in all his German wars He nere had seene so bright a yellow haire : Some stiffe cu●l'd lo●kes on Sun-burnt fore heads weare . Besides th' vnhappy strength robb'd company The Eunuch'd youths : neere these were standing by Youths of a stronger age , yet those so young Scarse any downe darkning their cheekes was sprung . Downe sate the Princes , and the higher power Caesar ; her hurtfull face all painted ore Sate Cleopatra , not content alone T' enjoy her brothers bed , nor Aegypts crowne : Laden with pearles ? the read seas spoyled store On her rich haire , and weary'd necke she wore . Her snowy breasts their whitenesse did display Thorough the thin Sidonian tiffenay Wrought , and extended by the curious hand Of Aegypts workemen . Citron tables stand On Ivory tressells , such as Caesars eyes Saw not , when he King Iuba did surprise . O blinde ambitious madnesse to declare Your wealth to him , that makes a civill war , And tempt an armed guest . For though that he Sought not for wealth by wa●s impiety , And the worlds wracke : suppose our cheifes of old Were there , compos'd of that poore ages mould , Fabri●ii , Curii graue , or that plaine man That Consull from th' Etrurian plowes was tane , Were sitting at those tables , whom to Rome With such a tryumph he would wish to come . In golden plate they fill their feasting bords With what the aire , the earth , or Nile affords , What luxury with vaine ambition had Sought through the world , and not as hunger bad , Beasts , foules , the gods of Aegypt are devour'd : From christall ewers is Niles water powr'd Vpon their hands : studded with gemms that shine Their bowles conteine no Mareotike wine , But strong , and sparkling wines of Meroe , To whom few yeeres giue full maturity . With fragrant Nard , and never-fading rose Their heads are crown'd : their haire anointed flowes With sweetest cinnamon , that has not spent His savour in the aire , nor lost his sent In forreine climes : and fresh Amomum brought From harvests neere at hand , there Caesar's taught The riches of the spoiled world to take ; And is asham'd that he a war did make With his poore sonne in law , desiring now Some quar●ell would twixt him , and Aegypt grow . When wine , and cates had tir'd their glutted pleasure , Caesar begins with long discourse to measure The howers of night , bespeaking gently thus The linnen vested graue Achoreus : Old man devoted to religion , And , ( which thine age confirmes ) despis'd by none Of all the gods , to longing eares relate Aegypts originall , her site , and state , Worship of gods , and what doth ere remaine In your old temples character'd , explaine . The gods , that would be knowne , to vs vnfold , If your forefathers their religion told T' Athenian Plato once , when had you ere A guest more worthy , or more fit to heare ? Rumor of Pompey drew our march thus far , And fame of you , for still in mid'st of war I leasure had of heaven , and gods to heare , And the stars course : nor shall Eudoxus yeare Excell my Consulship . But though so much My vertue be , my loue of truth be such , There 's nought I more desire to know at all Then Niles hid head , and strange originall So many years vnknowne : grant but to me A certaine hope the head of Nile to see , I le leaue off civill war. Caesar had done , When thus divine Achoreus begun : Let it be lawfull , Caesar to vnfold Our great forefathers secrets hid of old From the lay people . Let who ere suppose It piety to keepe these wonders close : I thinke the gods are pleas'd to be made knowne ; And haue their sacred lawes to people showne : Planets , which crosse , and slacke the tenth sphaeres course , Had from the worlds first law their different powers . The Sun divides the yeares , makes nights , and dayes , Dimmes other stars with his resplendent rayes . And their wil●e courses moderates ; the tides Of Thetis Phabes grouth , and waning guides . Saturne cold i●e , and frozen zones obtaines ; Mars ore the windes , and winged lightning reignes ; Quiet well temper'd aire doth Ioue possesse ; The seedes of all things Venus cherishes ; Cyllenius rules ore waters which are great ; He when he enters , where the dog-st●rs heat , And burning fire 's display'd , there where th● signe Of Cancer hot doth with the Lyon joyne , And where the Zodiacke holds his Capricorne , And Cancer , vnder which Niles head is borne : Ore which when Mercuryes proud fires doe stand , And in a line direct , ( as by command Of Phaebe the obeying Ocean growes ) So from his open'd fountaine Nilus flowes ; Nor eb●s againe till night haue from the Sun Those howers recover'd , which the summer wor. Vaine was the old opinion , that Niles flow Was caus'd , or help'd by Aethiopian snow . For on those hills cold Boreas never blowes ▪ As there the natiues Sunburnt visage showes , And moist hot Southerne windes . Besides the head Of every streame , that from thaw'd i●e is bred , Swells then , when first the spring dissolues the snowes . But Nile before the dog●dayes never flowes , Nor is confin'd within his bankes againe Till the Autumnal aequinoctian : Thence t is he knowes no lawes of other streames , Nor swells in winter , when Sols scorching beames Are far remote , his waters want their end : But Nile comes forth in summer time to lend A cooler temper to the sweltring aire , Vnder the torrid zone , least fire impaire The earth , vnto her succour Nilus drawes , And swells against the Lyons burning jawes . And when hot Cancer his Siene burnes , Vnto her aide implored Nilus turnes : Nor till the Sun to Autumne doe descend , And that hot Meroë her shades extend , Doth he restore againe the drowned field . Who can the causes of this flowing yeild ? Even so our mother nature hath decreed That Nile should flow , and so the world hath neede , As vainely doth antiquity declare The West windes cause of this increases are , Which keepe their seasons strictly , and long stay , And beare within the aire continu'd sway . These from the Westerne parts all clouds exile Beyond the South , and hang them over Nile : Or else their blasts the rivers current meete , And will not let it to the Ocean get ; Prevented so from falling to the maine The streame swells backe , and overflowes the plaine . Some through the cavernes of earths hollow won be In secret channells thinke these waters come Attracted to th' aequator from the cold North clime , when Sol his Mer●ë doth hold , The scorched earth attracting water , thither Ganges , and Padus flow vnseene together : Venting all rivers at one fountaine so Within one channell Nilus cannot goe . From th' Ocean swelling , which beguirts about All lands , some thinke , encreased Nile breakes out ; The waters loose , ere they so far haue ran , Their saltnesse quite . Besides the Ocean Is the stars fond , we thinke , which Phoebius drawes , When he possesseth fiery Cancers claws ▪ More then the aire digests attraced so Falls backe by night , and causes Nilus flow . I thinke if I may judge so great a case , Some waters since the world created was , In after ages from some broken vaine Of earth haue growne ; some god did then ordaine , When he created all the world , whose tides By certaine lawes the great Creator guides . Caesar's desire to know our Nilus spring Possest th Aegyptian , Persian , Graecian King ; No age , but striv'd to future time to teach This skill : none yet his hidden nature reach . Philipp's great son , Memphis most honourd King Sent to th' earths vtmost bounds to finde Niles spring Choise Aethiops ; they trode the sunburnt ground Of the hot zone , and there warme Nilus found . The farthest West our great Sesostris saw , Whilest captiue Kings , did his proud charriot draw : Yet there your Rhodanus , and Padus spy'd Before our N●les hid fountaine he descry'd . The mad Cambises to the Easterne lands , And lon●-liv'd people came . His famisht bands Q●te spent , and with each others (a) slaughter fed Return'd thou , Nile , yet vndiscovered . No tale dares mention thine originall , Th' art sought , wherever seene . No land at all Can boast that Nile is hers . Yet I le reveale , As far as that same god , that doth conceale Thy spring , inspires me . From th' Antarticke pole Vnder hot Cancer doe thy surges rowle Directly North , winding to East and West , Sometimes th' Arabians , sometimes Libyans blest With fruitfullnesse thou mak'st , the Seres spy Thee first , and seeke thee too , thy channell by The Aethiopians , as a stranger flowes : And the world knowes not to what land it owes Thy sacred head , which nature hid from all , Lest any land should see thee , Nilus , small . She turn'd away thy spring , and did desire No land should know it , but all lands admire . Thou in the summer Solstice art oreflowne Bringing with thee a winter of thine owne , When winter is not ours : nature alone Suffers thy streames to both the poles to run . Not there thy mouth , not heere thy spring is found . Thy parted channell doth encompasse round Meroë fruitfull to blacke husband-men , And rich in Eben wood : whose leaues , though greene , Can with no shade asswage the summers heat , Vnder the Lion so directly set . From thence thy current with no waters losse Ore the hot zone , and barren deserts goes , Sometimes collected in one channell going , Sometimes dispers'd and yeilding bankes oreflowing . His parted armes againe collected slide In one slow streame , where Philas doth divide Arabia from Aegypt Ore the sand , Where the red sea by one small necke of land From ours is kept , thou , Nile , doest gently flow . Oh who would thinke thou ere so rough couldst grow That sees thee gentle heere , but when thy way Ste●pe Catarackts , and craggy rockes would stay , Thy never-curbed waues with scorne despise Those petty lets , and foaming Iaue the skyes : Thy waters sound , with noise the neighbouring hills Thy conquering streame with froath grown hoary fills . Hence he with fury first assaults that I le , Which our forefathers did Abatos stile , And those neare rockes , which they were pleas'to call The rivers veines , because they first of all His swelling growth did show . Hence nature did His stragling waues within high mountaines hide , Which part thee , Nile , from Affricke ; betwixt those As in a vale thy pent vp water flowes . At Memphis first thou runn'st in fields , and plaines , Where thy proud streame all bankes , and bounds disdaines . Thus they secure , as if in peace , a part Of night discours'd . But base Photinus heart Once stain'd with sacred blood , could nere be free From horrid thoughts . Since Pompey's murder he Counts nought a crime ? great Pompey's Manes bide Within his breast , and vengefull furyes guide His thoughts to monsters new , hoping to staine Base hands with Caesars blood , which fates ordaine Great Senators shall shed . Fate to a slaue That day almost the Senates vengeance gaue , The mulct of civill war . Oh gods defend , Let none that life in Brutus absence end . Shall th' execution of Romes tirant be Base Aegypts crime , and that example dy ? Bold man , he makes attempt against fates course , Nor at close murder aimes , by op●n force A most vnconquer'd Captaine he assaults ; So much are mindes embolden'd by their faults . He durst the death of Caesar now command , As Pompey's once , and by a faithfull hand To sterne Achillas this dire message send , Who shar'd with him in murder'd Pompey's end , Whom the weake King against himselfe , and all Trusts with a strength , his forces generall . Thou on thy downy bed securely snort , Whilest Cleopatra hath surpris'd the court . Pharos it not betray'd , but given away . Hast thou ( though all alone ) this match to stay . Th' incestuous sister shall her brother wed , Caesar already has enjoy'd her bed : Twixt those two husbands Aegypt is her owne , And Rome her hire for prostitution . Haue Cleopatra's sorcerves beguild Old Caesars breast , and shall we trust a childe ? Who , if one night incestuously embrac'd The beastly pleasures of her bed he tast Cloath'd with the name of marriage , twixt each kisse He giues my head , and thine , the gibbet is Our fortune , if he finde his sister sweete . H●pe we no aide from any side to meete : The King her husband , her adulterer Caesar ; and we ( I grant ) both guilty are In Cleopatras sight , where t will appeare Crime great enough that we are chast from her . Now by that crime , which we together did , And lost : and by the league we ratifi'd In Pompey's blood , I pray be speedy here , Fill on the suddaine all with war , and feare : Let blood breake off the marriage night , and kill Our cruell Queene , whose armes so ere she fill In bed to night . Not feare we Caesars sate : That which advanc'd him to this height of state , The fall of Pompey , was our glory too : Behold the shore , and learne what we can doe , Our micheifes hope : behold the bloody'd waue , And in the dust great Pompey's little graue Scarse covering all his limms Hee , whom we feare , Was but his peere . But we ignoble are In blood : all one : we stir no forreine state , Nor King to aide , but our owne prosperous fate To mischeife bring ; and still into our hands Fortune delivers them ; see ready stands Another nobler sacrifice then he ; This second blood appeases Italy . The blood of Caesar will those staines remoue , Which Pompey's murder stucke , and make Rome loue Those hands she once thought guilty ▪ Feare not than His fame , and strength , hee 's but a private man His army absent . This one night shall end The civill war , and to whole nations send A sacrifice t' appease their ghosts bestow , And pay the world that head , which fates doe ow. Goe confidently then 'gainst Caesars throat : For Ptolomey let Aegypts souldiers doo 't , The Romans for themselues . But stay not thou ; He 's high with wine , and fit for Venus now . Doe but attempt , the gods on thee bestow Th' effect of Brutus , and graue Catoes vow . Achillas prone to follow such advise Drawes out his army straight in secret wise , Without loud signalls given , or trumpets noise Their armed strength he suddainely imployes . The greatest part were Roman souldiers there , But so degenerate , and (b) chang'd they were With forreine discipline ; that voide of shame Vnder a barbarous slaues command they came , Who should disdaine to serue proud Aegypts King . No faith , nor piety those hirelings bring That follow campes : where greatest pay is had , There 's greatest right ; for money they invade , Not for their owne just quarrell , Caesars throat . Oh wickednesse , within what land has not Our Empires wretched fate found civill war ? Those troopes remoov'd from Thessaly so far Rage Roman-like heere vpon Nilus shore . What durst the house of Lagus venture more Had they receiv'd great Pompey ? but each hand Performes that office , which the gods command : Each Roman hand helpe to this war must lend . The gods were so dispos'd Romes state to rend . Nor now doth Caesars , or great Pompey's loue Divide the people , or their factions moue . This civill war Achillas vndertakes , A barbarous slaue a Roman faction makes . And had not fates protected Caesars blood , This side had won , in time both ready stood ; The court in feasting drown'd did openly To any treason ; and then easily Might they haue tane at table , Caesars head , His blood amid'st the feasting gobblets shed . But in the night tumultuous war they feare , Promiscuous slaughter rul'd by chance , lost there Their King might fall ; so confident they are Of their owne strength , they hasten not , but spare So great an actions opportunity . Slaues thinke differring Caesars death to be A reparable losse . Till day breake light His execution is put off . One night To Caesars life Protinus power could giue , Till Titan shew his rising face to liue . Now on mount Casius Lucifer appear'd With hot , though infant day , had Aegypt chear'd ; When from the wall they veiw'd those troopes afar March on well ranck'd , and marshall'd for a war , Not in loose maniples , but ready all To stand , or giue a charge . The city wall Caesar distrusts , and shuts the pallace too , So poore a seidge enforc'd to vndergoe . Nor all the house can his small strength maintaine , One little part great Caesar can containe : Whilest his great thoughts both feare , and anger beare , He feares assaults , and yet disdaines to feare , So in small traps a noble Lyon caught Rages , and bites his scorned goale with wrath ; So would fierce Vulcane rage , could any stop Sicilian Aetnas fiery cavernes top . He that in dire Pharsalian fields of late In a bad cause presum'd on prosperous fate , And feared not the Senates hoast , nor all The Roman Lords , nor Pompey generall , Fear'd a slaues war : he heere assaulted tooke A house , whom Sythians bold dust neere provoke , Th' Alani fierce , nor Mauritanians hot , Which fast-bound strangers barbarously shoote . He whom the Roman world could not suffice , Nor all that twixt the Gades , and India lyes , Like a weake boy seekes lurking holes alone . Or woman in a late surprised towne : Nor hopes for safety but in keeping close , And through each roome with steps vncertaine goes , But not without the King ; him he retaines About his person still : his life he meanes Shall the revenge , and expiation be Of his owne fate ; thy head , ô Ptolomey , He meanes to throw for want of darts , or fire Against thy servants ; as Medea dire , When her pursuing Sires revenge she fled , Stood arm'd against her little brothers head To stay her Sire . But desperate fate so nigh Enforced Caesar tearmes of peace to try . A courtier from the absent King is sent To checke his men , and know this wars entent . But there the law of Nations could obtaine No power : their Kings Embassadour is slaine Treating of peace , to adde one horrid crime O monstrous Aegypt , to thy impious clime . Impious Pharnaces Pontus Thessaly , Nor Spaine , nor Iubaes far-spread monarchy , Nor barbarous Syrtis durst attempt to doe , What heere ●ffaeminate Aegypt reaches too . The war on every side growes dangerous , And showres of falling darts even shake the house . No battring ram had they to force the wall , Nor any engine fit for war at all : Nor vs'd they fire : the skillesse people run Through the vast pallace scatter'd vp , and downe , And vse their joyned strength no where at all : The fates forbid , and fortune's Caesars wall . But where the gorgeous pallace proudly stands Into the sea , from ships the Navall bands Assault the house ; but Caesar every where Is for defence at hand , and weapons here , There wild-fire vses . Though besiedg'd he be , Doth the besiedgers worke ( such strength had he Of constant spirit ) wild fire balls he threw Among the joyned ships ; nor slowly flew The flame on pitchy shrowds , and bords , that drop With melted waxe : at once the saileyards top , And lowest hatches burne . An halfe burnt boate Here drownes in seas , their foes and weapons floate , Nor ore the ships alone doe flames prevaile ; But all the houses neere the shore assaile : The South windes feed the flame , and driue it on Along the houses with such motion , As through the Welkin fiery meteors run , That wanting fuell feed on aire alone , This fire a while the courts besiedging stay'd , And drew the people to the cityes aide . Caesar that time would not in sleepe bestow , Who well could vse occasions , and knew how In war to take the greatest benefit Of suddaine chances , ships his men by night , Surprises Pharos : Pharos heretofore An Iland was , when prophet Proteus wore That crowne : but joyn'd to Alexandria now . Two helpes on Caesar doth that fort bestow : Commands the sea , the foes incursions stay'd , And made a passage safe for Caesars aide . He now intends no longer to differ Protinus ( c ) death , though not enough severe . Not fire , nor beasts , nor gibbets reaue his breath , Slaine with a sword he dyes great Pompey's death . Arsinoe ( d ) from court escaped goes By Ganymedes helpe to Caesars foes , The ●owne ( as Lagus daughter ) to obtaine , By whose just sword was sterne Achillas slaine . Another to thy ghost is sacrific'd Pompey , but fortune is not yet suffic'd , Far be it , ●ods , that these two deaths should be His full revenge ; the fall of Ptolomey , And Aegypts ruine not enough is thought : Nor ere can his revenge be fully wrought , Till Caesar by the Senates swords be slaine . But though the author's dead , these broiles remaine ; For Ganymedes now commander moov'd A second war , which full of danger proov'd . So great the perill was , that day alone Might Caesars name to future times renowne . While Caesar striues pent vp so closely there To ship his men from thence , a suddaine feare Of war did his entended passage meete : Before his face the foes well-rigged fleete , Behinde their foote from shore against him fight : No way of safety 's left , valour , nor flight , Nor scarse doth hope of noble death remaine . No heapes of bodyes , no whole armyes slaine Are now requir'd to conquer Caesar there : A little blood will serue . Whether to feare , Or wish for death he knowes not . In this same Sad straite , he thinkes of noble Scaeva's fame , Who at Dyrrachium , when his workes were downe , Beseidg'd all Pompey's strength himselfe alone : Th' example rais'd his thoughts , resolv'd to doe What Scaeva did ; but straight a scorne to owe His valour to examples , checks againe That high resolue : great thoughts , great thoughts restraine . Yet thus at last ; Scaeva was mine , 't was I Nurtur'd that spirit : if like him I dy , I doe not imitate , but Caesars ●eate Rather confirmes that Scaevas act was great . In this resolue had Caesar charg'd them all Himselfe alone , and so a glorious fall ( Slaine by a thousand hands at once ) had met , Or else enobled by a death so great Those thousand hands ; but fortune was afraid To venture Caesar further then her aide Could lend a famous rescue , and endeare The danger to him ; she discovers neare Ships of his owne ; thither when Caesar makes , He findes no safety there , but straight forsakes Those ships againe , and leapes into the maine . The trembling billowes fear'd to entertaine So great a pledge of fortune , one to whom Fate ow'd so many victoryes to come And Ioue ( whilest he on Caesars danger lookes ) Suspects the truth of th' adamantine bookes . Who could haue thought , but that the gods aboue Had now begun to favour Rome , and loue Her liberty againe ? and that the fate Of Pompey's sons , of Cato , and the state 'Gainst Caesars fortune had prevailed now ? Why doe the powers Caelestiall labour so , To be vnjust againe ? againe take care To saue that life they had expos'd so far That now the danger even in Caesars eye , Might cleare their doome of partiality ? But he must liue vntill his fall may prooue Brutus and Cassius were more iust then Ioue . Now all alone on seas doth Caesar floate ; Himselfe the oares , the Pylot , and the boate ; Yet could not all these offices employ One mans whole strength , for his left hand on high Raised , holds vp his papers , and preserues The fame of his past deedes , his right hand serues To cut the waues , and guard his life alone 'Gainst th' Oceans perills , and all darts , which throwne From every side doe darken all the sky , And make a cloud , though heaven it selfe deny , Two hundred paces thus alone he swam Till to the body of his feete he came , His ore-ioy'd souldiers shouting to the skies Take sure presage of future victoryes . FINIS .

Annotations on the tenth Booke .

(a) Cambyses the son of Cyrus , and king of Persia added to his monarchy the kingdome of Aegypt ; he intended a farther war against the Aethiopians , which are called Macrobij by reason of the extraordinary length of their naturall liues . But by reason of the tediousnesse of the march , and want of provision , there was in his army a great famine , that they killed by lot every tenth souldier , and fed vpon them .

(b) Achillas comming to assault Caesar had an army of twenty thousand ; they were many of them Roman souldiers , which had served before vnder Gabinius , but had changed their manner of life , and corrupted with the riot of Aegypt , had quite forgotten the Roman discipline

(c) Photinus the Kings tutor remaining with Caesar sent secret encouragements to Achillas to goe forward with his siedge , which being discovered by interception of his messengers he was slaine by Caesar .

(d) Ganymedes an Eunuch , and tutor to Arsinoe the yo●ger sister of the King of Aegypt , assaulted Achillas by treachery , and sl●w him , and being himselfe made Generall of the army he continued the siedge against Caesar .

FJNJS .