Octavia

THE NINTHE Tragedy of Lucius Annaeus Seneca , called Octauia . Translated out of Latine into Englishe by T.N. The Argument . OCtauia daughter to prince Claudius grace , To Nero espousd , whom Claudius did adopt ( Although Syllanus first in husbandes place Shee had receiu'd , whom she for Nero chopt ) Her parente both , her Make that should haue bene , Her husbandes present . Tiranny much more , Her owne estate , her case that she was in , Her brothers death ( pore wretch ) lamenteth sore . Him Seneca doth persuade his latter loue , Dame Poppie , Crispynes wife that some dyke was , And eake Octauias maide for to remoue . For Senecks counsel he doth lightly passe But Poppie ioynes to him in marriage rites , The people wood into his pallace runne , Hir golden fourmed shapes which them sore spytes , They pul to ground : this vprore now begunne , To quench , he some to griesly death doth send . But her close cased vp in dreadful barge , With her vnto Campania coast to wend , A band of armed men , he gaue in charge .

THE FIRST SCENE . The Speakers names . Octauia , Nutrix , Chorus Romanorum , Seneca , Nuntius , Agrippina , Poppea , Nero . Praefectus . Octauia . NOw that Aurore with glitteryng streames , The glading starres from skye doth chase , Syr Phoebus pert , with spouting beames , From dewy neast doth mount apace : And with his cheerefull lookes doth yeeld , Vnto the world a gladsome day . Go to , O wretch , with ample Fielde Of heauy cares oppressed aye , Thy grieuous wonted playntes recount : Do not alone with sighes and howles , The Seaysh Aloyones surmounte , But also passe the Pandyon foules : More yrksome is thy state then theirs . O Mother deare whose death by fits , I nyll lament but still shed teares , My ground of griefe in thee it sits . If that in shade of darksome denne , Perceiuing sence at al remayne , Heare out at large , O mother then , My great complayntes , and grieuous payne O that immortall Clothos wrist , Had torne in twayne my vitall thred : Ere I vnto my griefe had wist Thy woundes , and face of sanguine red . O day which aye doth me annoy : Since that tyme did I more desyre , The feareful darknes to enioy , Than Phoebus fresh with fayre attyre . I haue abode the bitter hest Of stepdame dire , in mothers place , I haue abode her cruell breast , Hir stomake stout , and fighting face . She , Shee , for spyte vnto my case , A doleful , and a graue Eryn , To Bridegromes chamber spousall space , The Stygian flashing flames brought in . And thee , ( alas ) most piteous Syre , With traytrous traynes hath shee bereft Of breathing soule with poysoned myre : To whom ere whyle , the world all left Vnvanquisht from the Ocean Seas By martiall feats did freely yeeld : And didst subdue with wondrous ease , The Brittayne brutes that fledde the fielde : Whom liuing at their propre swaye : No Romayne power did earst inuade . Now lo ( ful wel lament I may ) Thy Spouse deceypte thy prowes hath lade : And now thy court and child of yore , With homage serue a Tyrantes lore .

THE SECOND SCENE . Nutrix . WHom so the glistering pompe of royal place , With soden sight ynumd doth quite disgrace , Who so at courtly fleeting ebbing blase , Astonied sore , himselfe doth much amase : Lo see of late the great and mighty stocke , By lurking Fortunes sodayne forced knocke , Of Claudius quite subuert and cleane extinct : Tofore , who held the world in his precinct : The Brittayne Ocean coast that long was free , He ruld at wil , and made it to agree , Their Romaine Gallies great for to embrace . Lo , he that Tanais people first did chase , And Seas vnknowen to any Romayne wight With lusty sheering shippes did ouerdight , And safe amid the sauage freakes did fight , And ruffling surging seas hath nothing dread , By cruel spouses gilt doth lye all dead . Her sonne likewyse more fiend then Tigre fierce , Of naturall mother makes a funerall herse , Whose brother drenched deepe with poysoned cup . Pore Britannick , his senseles soule gaue vp Octauia sister and vnhappy make , Doth sore lament her case for Britans sake , Ne can her ruthful piteous sorrow slake , Though Neros wrath do sore constrayne her grace She nil esteemes the secrete closet place : But boyling stil with equal peysd disdayne . With mutuall hate gaynst him doth burne agayne . My true and trusty loue that I do beare , In vayne I see doth striue to comfort her , Reuenging greedy griefe doth streight repriue , T' appease her smarte the counsel that I giue , Nor flame of worthy breast doth once relent But heaps of greefe , her courage do augment . Alas , what griesely deedes for to ensue My feare foreseeth : God graunt it be not true .

THE THIRD SCENE . Octauia , Nutrix . O Staggering state , O peerelesse yll : With ease Electra I repeate , And call to mynd thy mourning will . With watred eies like smarting sweat Thou mightst lament thy father slain , Stil hoping that thy brother myght , That deadly deede reuenge agayne . Whom thou O tender louing wight Didst safely shield from bloudy foe , And naturall loue did closely kepe : But Neroes dreaded visage loe , Doth feare me that I dare not weepe , Nor wayle my parentes ruthful case , By cruell lot this slaughter cought : Ne suffers mee this geniall face , To dash with teares to dearely bought With brothers bloud : who onely was Myne onely hope in all my griefe , And of so many mischieues , as My comfort greate , and sole reliefe . Now loe reserud for greater care , And to abyde more lingring payne , Of noble famous lineage bare , A drouping shade I do remayne . Nutrix . My Ladyes heauye voyce mee thought Within my listning eares can sounde , And snaylish age in going soft , Vnto her thews in not ybounde . Octauia . O Nurse our dolours witnes sure By curroll cheekes distilling rayne , And heauy heartes complaynt endure . Nutrix . Alas , what day shall ridde of payne , With care your welnye wasted heart ? Octauia . That sends this guiltles ghost to graue Nutrix . This talke ( good madame ) set apart . Octauia . In rule my state theire destenies haue , And not thy prayers , ( O matrone ) iust . Nutrix . The doune soft easy God shall geue , Your troubled mynd a tyme I trust , More sweete then euer you did liue . With feuell fayre as one content , And glosed face , but onely please Your man , and make , he will relent . Octauia . The Lyon fierce I shall appeale , And sooner tame the Tygre stoute , Then mankynd Tyrantes brutish breast , He spytes the noble raced rout , Contemmes hygh powers , disdaynes the least : Ne can wel vse that princely weede , Which venemous parent wrapt him in By huge vnspeakeable griesly deede . Although that wight vnthankful , grynne , In Kingly throne that hee doth raygne , Throughe cruel cursed mothers ayde : Although hee pay with Death agayne So greate a gift , it shal be sayde And after fates in long spent age , That woman wight shal haue alwaye , This eloge yet and saying sage , That he by her doth beare the sway , Nutrix . Let not your ragious mynde so walke , But doe compresse your moody talke .

THE FOVRTH SCENE . Octauia , Nutrix . THough much I beare that boyling brest do beate And tollerably take diuorcements threate , Deathes only deadly darte , I see an end , Of al my broyle and pinching payne can send , What pleasant light to me ( O wretch ) is left , My natural Mother slayne , and Syre be reft , Of breathing life , by treason , and by gilt : Of Brother eake depriude : with miseryes spilt : And wayling ouercome : kept downe with care , Enuyed of Make , which I dare not declare . To mayden subiect now , and now defied : What pleasant light can me ( O wretch ) abyde , With feareful hart suspecting always ought : Because I would no wicked deede were wroughte : Not that I feare Deathes griesly gyrning face , God graunt I do not so reuenge my case , A better deede to dye : for to behold The Tyrantes visage grimme , with browes vprolde And with soft tender lippes my foe to kisse , And stand in awe of beckes and noddes of his , Whose will to please my griefe with cares yfirde Since brothers death by wicked wyle conspirde , Could neuer once vouchsafe for to sustayne , Lesse griefe to die , then thus to liue in payne . His Empyre Nero rules and ioyes in blood : The cause and ground of death that Tirant wood . How oft ( alas ) doth Fansie fondly fayne . When slumber swete in pensiue parts doth raigne , And sleepe in eyes , all tyrd with teares doth rest , I apprehend deare Brittans liuely brest : Ere whyle me thinkes his feble shiuering hands He fenseth sure with deadly blasing brandes , And fiercely on his brother Neros face , With sturdy stinging stroakes he flies apace . Ere whyle thilke wretch recoyleth backe agayne , And to my thewes for aide retyres amayne : Him foming foe pursues with hast to haue : And whyle my brother I desire to saue , And in my clasped armes to shield him free , His goary bloudied falchion keene I see . The boysterous raumping fiend to tugge , & hale Through out my shiuering limmes , as ashes pale . Forthwith a mighty trembling chattering quake From weary lims all souple sleepe doth shake , And makes me woeful wretch for to recount , My wayling sobbing sorrowes that surmount . Hereto , put to that gorgeous stately house , All glistring bright , with spoyles of Claudius house His parent deare in bubling boate did douse , That wicked sonne , this fisking dame to please . Whom yet escaping daungers great of Seas . He fiercer freake than waues that scantly rest , With bloudy blade hir bowels did vnbrest . What hope of health , can me , O wretch , abyde , That after them thilke way I should not ryde ? My speciall foe , triumphant wise doth weight , With naked nates to presse by louers sleight , Our spousall , pure , and cleane unspotted bed : Gainst whom , she burns , with deadly foode bloud red . And , for a meede of filthy strumpets sport , She causeth Make from spouse for to diuort . O auncient Syre , step forth from Limbo lake , Thy daughters heauy troublous cares to slake : Or your twygated hellysh porche vnfolde , That downe through gaping ground I may bee rolde . Nu. O piteous wretch , in vaine , ( alas ) in vaine Thou calst vpon thy fathers senselesse sprite : In whome , God wot , there doth no care remaine Of mortall broode , that here doth take delight . Shall he , thinke you , asswage your sory cheere , Or shape you forth some sleight , to appall your paine , That could preferre , before his Brittan deere , Th' imperiall throne , a straunge begotten swaine ? And with incestiall loue benummed quyte His brother Germanicks daughter that could plyght , And ioyne to him in solemne mariage rites , With woefull , and vnlucky louers lightes ? Here sprang the roale of hurly burly great , Here beastly venomous slaughter gan to sweate , Here wylie treasons traines appeared first , Here rules desire , and brutish bloudy thirst . Syllanus first Prince Claudius sonne in lawe , A bloudy mangled offring fall we sawe , That in our graces Hymaeneal bed , Ymatcht with you , he might not couche his hed . O monstrous slaughter , worthy endlesse blame : In steade of gift vnto that wanton dame , A Carkasse colde pore soule , and curelesse corse , Sillane was giuen against his will perforce . And falsly then attacht of traitors crime , As one conspyring death in Claudius time , With lothsome streakes spewde out vpon the wall , He all bedasht your fathers princely hall . Eft stepped into seruile Pallace stroke , To filthy vices lore , one easly broke . Of Diuelish wicked with this Princocks proude : By stepdames wyle prince Claudius Sonne auoude . Whome deadly damme did bloudy match ylight : And thee , against thy will , for feare did plight . Through which successe this Dame of corage fine , Durst venture , mighty Ioue to vndermine . Who can so many cursed kindes report Of wicked hopes , and actes in any sort , Or such a womans glosed guyles can name , That raumpes at rule , by all degrees of shame ? Then holy sacred zeale put out of grace , Her stagring steppes , directed forth apace , And sterne Erinnis in with deadly steps , To Claudius Court , all desert left yleps . And with hir dririe drakes of Stygian fort , Hath quite distainde the sacred princely port . And raging riuen in twaine both natures lore , And right to wrongs mishapen fourme hath tore . That haughty minded dame first gaue her make , A deadly poysoned cup , his thyrst to slake . Straight wayes againe through vise vnkindly touch , Her Nero causde with him in hell to couch . And thee , vnhappy Britt , in all that broyle , Till that of breth , and life he did dispoyle , Thilk greedie bloudy tyraunt neuer stent : Whose dolefull death for aye we may lament . Ere whyle , vnto the world the starre that shone , And was the stay of princely court alone , Now loe , light ashes easly puft aforne , And griesly goast to graue with torche yborne . Whom blessed Babe , thy stepdame did lament : Nor from hir gushing teares , did scarce relent , When as shee gaue eche trimme appointed parte , And goodly portraide limmes with natures arte , Of flaming stacke to be deuoured quite , And sawe the scortching feruent fire in sight Thy naked ioynts to rauin vp a pace And like the flittring God thy comely face . Oct. Dispatch he me least with this hand he fall . Nut. That power you , nature graunted not at all . Oct. But wondrous dolor , great and wrathfull yre , And miseries will it graunt without desyre . Nu. Nay rather cause your angry moody make , With souple cheere his fury for to slake . Oct. What , that he will by guilt once slaine before , Aliue againe my brother mee restore ? Nut. Nay , safe that you may liue and issue beare : Your fathers auncient court for to repayre . Oct. That court doth wayte another broode they say . And poore Britts death tugges me another way . Nut. Yet let the cities loue vnto your grace , Your troubled minde confirme but for a space . Oct. Their mindes so prest to pleasure me , I know Great comfort brings : but do not slake my wo . Nut. Of mighty power the people haue bene aye . Oct. But princes force doth beare the greater sway . Nut. He will respect his lawfull wedded wife , Oct. His mynion braue can not so leade her life . NV. Of no man shee esteemde . Oct. But dear to make : NV. She can not truely yet of wifehood crake . Oct. Ere longe she shall a mother eke be made . So farre therein I dare most boldly wade . Nut. His youthfull heate at first in filthy loue , With lusty , crusty pangs doth boyle aboue : Thylke corage quickly colde in lust apace As vapour sone extinct in flame giues place . But holy , louing , chaste vnspotted spouse , Her loue endureth aye with sacred vowes . That wanton first that there durst couch hir hed , And tumbling stayned quite your spousall bed , And being but your mayde hath ruled longe , Hir soueraine Lord , with beauties grace bestong , That pranked Paramour pert shal croutch with pain , When she your grace shall see preferd againe . For Poppie subiect is , and meeke of spright , And now begins her goastly tombs to dight : Whereby she closely graunting doth bewray , Hir secret hidden feare eche other day . That swift , vnconstant , double winged lad With cloute , before his blinded eyes , yclad , That fickle brayned God , th unhappy boy , Shall leaue hir in the midst of all hir ioy : Although for beauty bright the bell she beare , And goodly glistring garments new she weare , And now do vaunt her selfe in gorgeous geere , Shee shall not long enioy this gladsome cheere . Be not dismayde , Madame , for such like paine , The queene of gods was forced to sustaine , When to ech pleasaunt shape the heauenly guide , And syre of Gods yturned , from skyes did glyde . The swannes white wings , to se how they could fadge He did on him , and cuckoldes bullysh badge , That God shone bright in Golden raynie showre To Danaes brest through top of fortred towre . The twinckling starres the twinnes of Laeda bright , Whom Pollux , some , and Castor , call aryght , In large and ample space of starry scope , With cristal glimering faces shyne wyde ope . And Semeles sonne , whom Bacchus we do call , In heauenly byrthright doth himselfe ystall . And Hercules that puissant Champion stoute , His sturdy brawnes , his Hebe wyndes aboute . Nor once regardes how Goddesse Iuno fare : Whose lowring stepdame now she is yframde , That whyle on earth his prowes he did declare , Agaynst that maryage , aye , was sore inflamd . Yet loe her wise , and closly couched greefe , Debonaire face , obeisaunce to her leefe , Causde him at length his mynd for to remoue , Through mortall feeres estraundge from Iunos loue . And now that mighty heauenly Goddesse great , No more adred of mortall strumpets feat , Aloft alone in cloudy bowre contentes The thundring Lord , which now to her relentes . Nor now with earthly Ladyes beauty bright Yfyred , leaues his starry specked right . Now madam sith on earth your powre is pight And haue on earth Queene Iunos princely place , And sister are , and wyfe to Neroes grace , Your wondrous restles dolours great appease . Oct. Nay , sooner shall the roaring froathy seas , And mounting flashing flawes ymatch the skye , And smoaking , stifling parching fyer drye With dankish pooles agree and watrye fenne : And griesly Plutoes filthy feltred denne , With starbright heauen shal sooner coupled be , And shyning light with glomy shades agree , And with the cleere drye day the dewy night , Than vnto seruile lore of husbande wight , That brutish wyse in bloud takes his delight , My heauy woeful mynd can I addresse , Whyle brothers death my heart doth stil possesse . O that of heauenly powers the prince and syre , That shogges and shakes the earth with thundring fyre , And with his wondrous , feareful , cursed crackes , And straunge mishapen monsters which he makes , Our feareful musing myndes doth sore amase , Would coyne some cureles burning wildfyre blase , To pelt and pash with thumping fyer bright , That diuelish pate , that cruell cursed wight . We saw from heauen , with beames forthshoting farre Doubtles a dreadful heary , blasing starre : That spouted out a mortall fiery flake , Whose force a princes bloud can only slake : Euen where that hayting carman sloe Boote With chilling cold al starcke of frosen pole , Doth guyde aright Charles whirling running rote , In steade of night that neuer away doth role . Loe now the open ayre in euery streate , With doggish tyrantes breath , is poysoned , quite , And dreadful starres some sodayne death do threate . To people rulde , by wicked Neroes spright . So sterne a freake , or mankynd tyrant stoute , Not Tellus with the Gods displeasd brought out , When mighty Ioue neglected she vphorlde Huge , vgly , monstrous Typhon to the worlde . A sorer plague , a cleaner scouryng scourge , With bloudy pawes that cityes boundes doth purge , Is Nero dyre , this cruell cursed wyght . That doth himselfe gaynst God and man ydyght : And thrustes from sacred shrynes their quiet porte , And goodly temples gay the sancted sort : That cittyes dwellers puts from countries fort : That hath bereft his brother of his lyfe , And launcht his mothers sides with goary knyfe : Yet doth this present lightsome day enioye And leades his lyfe , that doth vs sore annoy . O Father of heauen , in vayne why dost thou throwe Thy great vnuanquisht ratling thundring blowe Vppon the whistling woods and ample seas , With force of princely power thy wrath t' appease ? Ou such an hurtful and pernicious freake , Thy due and iust conceyued yre to wreake . Why stay thy mighty puissaunt braunds so long , Ere thou fling downe thy ratling cracking throng ? O Lord , that Nero once might pay the price , Of all his deuilish deedes , and euery vyce , Th' whole wyde worlds tyrant sterne wher he a stroke Doth beare : which he ouerlades with burdnous yoke Of princely syre yborne , but doth defame , With beastly manners vyle his princely name : Nun. Vnworth he is your spousall chamber place : But yet your destnies force , you must imbrace , And wel , abyde your fortunes crooked race : Nor moue vnkyndly Neroes gauly yre . One day perchaunce , there wil as I desyre , Some God reuenge your lamentable case : And once I trust a gladsome day shal be , When you shal ioy a fresh in wonted place . Oct. Ah. no , now , long this court ( alas ) we see With heauy wrath of Gods displeased yre Hath ouercharged bene : which Venus dyre With Messalinas monstrous ramping lust , Shee first hath brought adowne into the dust . Who madly maryed to prince Claudius grace , But little myndful then of that same case , And not regarding much th appoynted payne , With cursed cressets maried once againe . To which vnlucky incestuall brydall bed , That drosell dyre that furious slut Erin , With hanging hayre aboute her hellish hed , And gyrt with snakes with deadly step went in . And flaming brandes from spousall chamber cought , In both their blouds ybathd , hath quenched cleane : And hath incenst prince Claudius burning thought In bloudy thratling stroake to passe all meane . My mother first of wretches all the most , With stripe of deadly sword gaue vp her ghost . And now extinguisht quite , left me forlorne , With dolours pyning panges and mourning worne . And after her in hellish teame doth hayle , Vnto the senseles soules of Plutoes iaile Her make , and Brittannick her sonne that way : And first this ruinous court did she betray . Nut. Let be , Madame , with teares your face to dight : Ne so renew your bitter wayling iust : Ceasse troubling now your parents piteous spright , That payed hath the price of raging lust .

THE FIFT SCENE . Chorus . God graunt the talke wee hearde of late , To rashly trusted euery where , And blowne abroad through each estate , No badge of truth that it may beare . And that no fresh espoused dame , Our Princes thewes do enter in , But that OCTAVIA keepe the same , And that the seede of GLADIV Skin , May once bring forth some pledge of peace : That to the world rest may redowne , And wrangling stryfe may easly cease , And Rome retayne her great renowne . The peerlesse Princesse Iuno hight , Her brothers wedlocke yoke retaynes : Why is AVGVSTVS sister bright , Where like betroathed league remaynes , From stately pompe of court reiect , What doth deuoutnes her auayle ? To sayncted syre who hath respectt ? What doth her Virgins life preuayle ? And CLAVDIV Snow in ground ylayed , Euen wee to much vnmyndefull be : Whose worthy steme we haue betrayed Throught feare that made vs to agree . In breast our elders did embrace , The perfect Romayne puissaunce , The true vnstayned worthy race , And bloud of Mars they did aduaunce . The proude and lofty stomackt trayne Of lusty hauty mynded Kinges , They could not suffer to remayne Within this noble Cities winges . And iustly they reuengd thy death , O Virgin chast , VIRGINIA pure , Depriude by syre of vitall breath , That bondage thou mightst not endure : And that his shameles brutish lust , So good a meede might not enioy : Although by filthy force vniust Thy chastity he would annoy . Thee likewyse whom thyne owne right hande , With sword did pearce , LVCRETIA true , Who tyrantes rape could not withstand , Did bloudy broyles and warres ensue . And with her proude disdaynfull Make Lord TARQVIN ympe of cursed seede , Correction due doth TVLLIA take For her vnkindly shameles deede , Who on her Fathers mangled corse , To mischiefe bent , and wicked bane , The Carman shee to driue did force , His cruell brusing wombling wane . And quite agaynst all natures law , Euen from her owne dismembred syre , The sacred rytes she did withdraw , Denaying wonted burial fire This griefe our woeful age doth feele , Through monstruous act agaynst all kinde , When as in deadely crafty keele , To TYRRHEN seas , and wrastling wynd , The proude presuming Prince did put , His mother trapt in subtil sort . The Mariners appoynted cut , The swelling Seas from pleasaunt port . The clash resoundes with stroake of Ores , The Ship out launcht apace doth spinne , In surging froath aloofe from shores , And ample course of seas doth winne . Which glydyng forth with leusned plankes , In pressed streames with peysed weight , The riftes do open closed crankes , That hidden were with secrete sleight : And gulpeth vp the leaking waue The woeful roaring noyse and crye , With womans shrikes themselues to saue , Do reach and beate the starry skye . Then griesly present death doth daunce Before their eyes with pyning Cheekes : Whose deadly stroake and heauy chaunce For to auoyde , then each man seekes : On ryuened ribs some naked lie , And cutte the beating waues in twayne : And some theyr skilful swimming trye , To get vnto the shore agayne . The greatest part that sayled there , By destnies dire to men prefixt , In whirling swallowes drowned were , The brinkes of Seas and ground betwixt . Queene AGRIPPYNE her garments rendes , Shee teares her ruffled lockes of hayre Abundant blubbring teares she spendes , Through deepe distresse of faynting feare . Who when no hope of health shee spies , Enflamde with wrath , which woes appeasde , O sonne , for so greate giftes , shee cryes , Hast thou with such reward me pleasd ? This keele I haue deserued sure , That bare and brought thee first to light : Who empyre witles did procure , And CAESARS title for thy ryght . Shew forth thy feareful spritish face , O CLADIVS now from Limbo lake , And of thy wyfe in wretched case , Reuenge and due correction take . Thy deth I causeles did conspyre , Which now I rue with woeful harte : I dressed eake a funerall fyre Vnto thy sonne by deadly smart . Lo now as I deserued haue , Vntombde go to thy guiltles Ghost , Encloasd in seas in stead of graue , And wrestling waues of Romayne coast . The flasshing flawes do flappe her face , And on her speaking mouth do beate , Anone shee sinkes a certayne space , Depressed downe with surges grea : Anone shee fleetes on weltring brim , And pattes them of with tender handes Through faynting feare then taught to swim Approaching death , and fates withstandes At length on troubled Seas displayde Shee geuing ouer working vayne And tyrd with streames is weary layd , Not able toyling strength to strayne In close and secrete silent breastes , Of mates with her to sea that yode , In whom no feare of death there restes True fayth vnto theyr Queene abode . Theyr Ladyes weather beaten limmes To helpe , some freely venter dare , Some in the combrous waters swymmes And desperate daunger do not spare . With cheereful voyce they comfort her , Though drawling dragling limmes shee drew , To lift her vp with helpe they stirre , And nummed corpes to strength renew . What bootes it thee the death to shonne Of roaring raging rauening waues . From deadly sword of wicked sonne , Alas pore wretch thee nothing saues ? Whose huge and heinous cursed rage , Agaynst all course of natures lore , Our after slow beleeuing age , Wil scarce beleeue it done before , The deuillish man repynde with griefe When he is mother saued sawe , From swallowing seas haue safe releefe , And that she vitall breath did draw , He grudgde with griefe and in his heate , He huger mischiefe heapes to this : He doth not once delay his feate , But headlong rashly caryed is Vpon her death . A souldiour sent , Dispatcheth that he had in charge , His Ladies breast his blade doth rent : Shee yeelding vp her soulde at large , From wretched corpes for to entombe Her slaughter man she then besought , That bloudy blade within her wombe , That fyrst this woe to her had brought , This , this accursed breast ( quoth shee ) Which this vnkindly monster bare , From pinching payne may not be free : Digge , slash the same , no mischiefe spare . When this with foltring tounge was sayde , At last her sad and trembling ghost , With latter sobbing sighes vnstayd , Through goryd woundes leaues vitall coast .

THE SECOND ACTE

THE FIRST SCENE . Seneca . ON me with like consent why didst thou smile , With glosed lookes deluding mee a whyle , O fortune much of might and princely powre ? To lift aloft to noble royall bowre ? To th e'nde that I to honours court extold , From stately seate might haue the greater fall , And round aboute in euery place beholde , Such dreadful , threating daungers to vs all , I safer lay aloofe from enuyes knockes , Remou'd among the craggy corsicke rockes : Where as my mynd there free at proper sway , With leysure did repeate my studies aye . A gladsome ioy alone it was to viewe , And earnestly to marke the heauens so blew : And sacred Phoebus double wheeled wayne : And eake the worldes swift whirling motion mayne . The Sunne so euen his second course to keepe : And Phoebes glyding globe so swiftly sweepe : Whom wondrous starting starres encompasse round . And to behold that shynes in euery stound , The glistring beauty bright of welkin wyde : Than which in al the world nothing besyde . Of all this huge and endles worke the guyde , More wondrous nature fram'de that I espyde , For all the bumping bignes it doth beare ; Yet waxing old is like agayne to weare , And to be chaungde to an vnwyldy lumpe . Now prest at hand this worldes last day doth iumpe , With boystrous fall , and tumbling rush of skye . To squease and make this cursed kynd abye . That springing once agayne , it may yeeld out An other straunge renued vertuous route , As once before it did , new sprong agayne , What tyme Saturnus held his golden raygne . That blamelesse , chast , vnspotted Virgin cleere A goddesse much of might clept Iustice heere , With sacred sooth sent downe from heauenly space , At ease on earth did rule the mortal race . That people playne knew not of warlicke feates . Nor trembling trompets tunes that rendes and beates The souldiers eares : nor clashing armour bright , That warring wightes defend in field and fight . Nor wonted was with walles to rampyre round , Their open cityes set in any stound . To each man passage free lay open than : Nothing there priuate was to any man . And then the ground it selfe and fertil soyle , Hir fruitful bosome baard all voyd of toyle , Into such bounden barnes a Matrone good , And peaceable vnto so iust a broode . But then an other second race arose , Perceyued not to be so meeke as those . A third more wyse and witty sort vp startes , Of nature forged fit , t' inuent new artes : As yet vnspotted quite with filthy vyce . Soone after thoe , they raungd with new deuyce , That boldly venture dare in scudding race , Vnweldy beastes for to pursue apace . And mighty weying strugling fishes great , With watry coats yclad with fishers feat , With net in window wyse draw forth , and streeke With craft of quill , the nibling fysshes cheeke . And silly byrdes begylde with pyning trayne : And light foote deare for lyfe that flyng amayne Intangling gins entrapt , that safely hold . And sturdy scouling visage buls controld , On fleshye fillet neckes , make weare the yoake : And earth ere that vngrubbed vp that broake : Which then turnd vp with Plowmans shyning share , In sacred bosome deepe , her fruits kept thare . But now this age much worse then all the rest , Hath lept into her mothers broken breast : And rusty lumpish yron and massye Gold , Hath digged out , that was quite hid with mold . And fighting fistes haue armd without delay : And drawing forth their bondes for rule to stay , Haue certayne seuerall ioly kingdomes made , And cities new haue raysde now rulde with blade , And fenseth eyther with their proper force Straunge stoundes or them assaults the which is worse . The Starry specked virgin flowre of skies . Which Iustice hight , that guilty folke discries , Now lightly esteemd of mortall people here , Each earthly stound is fled , and comes not neere The sauage mannerd route , and beastly rude , With dabbed wristes in goary bloud embrude . The great desyre of griesly warre is sprong : And raping thurst of gold , it is not young . Throughout the worlde a mighty monstruous vice , Fowle , filthy , monstruous lust hath got the price , A pleasaunt tickling plague , whom longer space , And errour deepe haue fostred vp apace . The heaps of vyce rakte vp in yeares long past , Abounding flowe in these our dayes at last . And this same troublous tyme , and combrous age , Oppresseth all men sore , both yong and sage . Wherein those wicked wayes that be do raygne , And cruell , raumping woodnes boyles agayne . Lust strong in filthy touch , doth beare a sway . And Princes , ryot , now doth catch away With greedy pawes , to bring it to decay . Th whole worldes vncredible wealth , without delay . But loe , which staggring steppes where Nero flinges , And visage grymme , I feare what newes hee brynges .

THE SECOND SCENE . THE SECOND ACTE Nero , Prefectus , Seneca . DIspatch with speede that we commaunded haue : Go , send forthwith some one or other slaue , That Plautius cropped scalpe and Sillas eke , May bring befor our face : goe some man seeke . Pre. I nill protract your noble graces hest : But to their campes to goe am ready prest . Se. Gaynst lynage naught should rashly poynted bee . Ne. A light thing t is for to be iust , I see For him , whose heart is voyd of shrinking feare . Se. A soueraigne salue for feare is for to beare Your selfe debonair to your subiectes all . Ne. Our foes to slea , a cheftaynes vertue call . Se. A worthier vertue t is in countries syre , His people to defend with sword and fyre . Ne. It wel beseemes such aged wightes , to teach , Vnbridled springolles yong , and not to preache , Both to a man and prince of ryper yeares . Se. May , rather frolicke youthful bloud appeares , To haue more neede of counsell wyse and graue Ne. This age sufficient reason ought to haue . Se. That heauenly powers your doinges may allow . Ne A madnes t' were to Gods for me to bow , When I my selfe can make such Gods to be : As Claudius now ycounted is we see . Se. So much the more because so much you may . Ne. Our power permittes vs all without denay . Se. Geue slender trust to Fortunes flattring face : She topsie turuy turnes her wheele apace . Ne. A patch he is that knoweth not what he may . Se. A Princes prayse I compted haue alway , To do that same which with his honor stoode , Not that which franticke fancy counteth good . Ne. If that I were a meacocke or a slouch , Each stubborne , clubbish daw would make mee couch . Se. And whom they hate , with force they ouerquell . Ne. Then dynt of sword the prince defendeth well . Se. But fayth more sure defence doth seeme to mee . Ne. Ful meete it is that Caesar dreaded be . Se. More meete of subiectes for to be belou'd Ne. From subiects myndes , feare must not be remou'd Se. What so by force of armes you do wringe out , A grieuous worke it is to bring aboute . Ne. Well hardly then our will let them obay . Se. Will nothing then , but that which wel you may . Ne. We wil decree what we shall best suppose . Se. What peoples voyce doth ioyntly bynd or lose . Let that confirmed stand . Ne. Swordes bloudy dynt , Shal cause them else at me to take their hint . Se. God sheeld , and far that facte from you remoue . Ne. What then , why Senec do you that approue , That we contemnde , despysde and set at nought , With finger put in hole ( ful wysely wrought ) Our bodies bloud to seeke should them abyde , That they might vs sometyme destroy vnspyde ? Their natiue countrey boundes to banisht bee , Nor Plautius brest nor Scillas eake we see Hath broke or camd : whose cankred churlish yre , Shapes bloudy freakes to quench our bodyes fyre . And chiefly when these trayterous absent clounes , Such wondrous fauour fynd in cityes bownes , Which those same exiles lingring hope doth feede : Suspected foes with sword we wil out weede . And so Octauia shall that ioly dame , Continue after them their bloudy game . And wend that way her nowne whyte brother went , Such hye mistrusted thinges must needes be bent . Se. It is ( O Prince ) a worthy famous thing , Amids redoubted Lordes alone to ring : And wysely worke your countries prayse to saue : And wel your selfe to captiue folke behaue : From cruell brutish slaughter to abstayne , And voyde of moode to wreake your angry payne : And to the world a quiet calme to geue , That al your age in peace their liues may liue . This is a Princes prayse without al cryme : This is the path to heauen wherby we clyme . So is Augustus prince and father cald Of countrie first in starbright throne ystald . Whom as a God in minsters we adorne , Yet troublous fortune tossed him beforne , A great while long on lands and ruffling seas , Vntil his fathers foes he could appease , And throught wars diuerse course could quel them quite . To you did fortune yeelde her power , and might , And raynes of rule without all bloud , and fight . And to your beck both land , and seas hath bent . Grim deadly enuye daunted doth relent . The Senate Lordes gaue place with free consent : The battaylous route of knights with willing hartes ( That same decree from sager sires departes ) Vnto the lay mens choyse do well agree . Your grace the spring of peace they count to bee . And chosen Iudge , and guyde of mortal stocke . Your grace , your countreys sacred syre , doth rocke And rule with princely gorgeous tytle bright , The cyrcled world in rundel wyse ydight . Which mighty mounting name to keepe so great , This noble citty Rome doth you entreat : And doth commend vnto your royall grace Her liuely limmes in charge for your liues space . Ne. The gyft of Gods it is , as we discus , That Rome with Senate sorte doth honor vs , And that the feare of our displeasure great , From cankred enuyous stomackes maketh sweat Both humble talke and supplications meeke . And were not feare all these would be to seeke . Vnweldy , combrous cityes , members ill , That Prince and countrey both do seeke to spill , To leaue alyue ( which swell , and puffed bee , Bycause of lynage great . and high degre ) What madnes meere is it when as we may , Euen with a word , such freakes dispatch away ? Sir Brutus sterne , his brawnes and armes did dight , His soueraygne liege to slayne by force and might , That erst had holpen him , and geuen him health , And had endued him with princely wealth , In brunt of raging warre vndaunted out , That vanquisht many people strong and stoute , Prince Caesar matcht by great degrees of power To loue , in stately chayre of starry bower , By diu'lish citizens wicked wyle was slayne . What store of bloudy stiffling streames on molde . Did tatred Rome , of her owne lims , beholde ? He by his noble vertues worthy prayse , Whom peoples , common bruite to heauen doth raise . August among the Gods ysayncted well , How many noble breastes did he compel , How many springoldes young , and hoary heads , Each where disperst to lig in molded heds ? How many men did he bereaue of breath Tofore proscript that were condemnd to death ? When for the griesly feare of deadly dart From propre home they were constraind to part And flye Octauius force , and Lepidus might , And not abyde sterne Marke Antonius sight , Which then the ample world at once did guyde , That into kingdomes three they did deuyde , To dumpish sadded syres , with heauy cheere , Their childrens griesly cropped pates appeere , Hong out beforne the Senates iudgement seate , For each man to behold in open streate : Ne durst they once lament their piteaus case , Nor inward seeme to mourne to Claudius face , The market stead with bloud from bodies spued , And lothsome mattrie streames , is all imbrued : And quite throughout their faces foule arayed , The piteous gubbes of bloud drop downe vnstayd . Nor here did this same slaughterous bloudshed stay . Phillyps Pharsalia gastly fieldes each day , The cromming rauening foules , and cruell beastes Long fed , with gobbets bigge of manlye breastes , Besyde all this , the cost he scoured quite Of Sicill sea and ships to ware ydyght With force of armes did win , and hauocke made Of propper subiectes slayne with his owne blade . The rundle round of landes with mighty mayne Of noble Chieftaynes stroake reboyles agayne . Antonius ouercome in Nauale fight , To Egipt poastes in shippes preparde to flight : Not looking long to liue nor hoping life . Incesteous Egipt ( through Antonius wyfe ) That worthy Romayne princes bloud did sucke : And couerd lye their ghostes with durty mucke . Long wicked , waged ciuil warre there stayed , In Marcke Antonius graue with him ylayed . Augustus at the last of conquest greate His dulled swords that wounded soules did beate , In peaceable sheathes reposd hath layd at rest : And feare doth rule , and guyde his kingdome best By ready force of armes at all assayes , And Captaynes fayth he shieldes him selfe alwaies Whom now his sonnes most worthy vertuous praise , To heauen a consecrated God doth rayse , And causeth all , in Churches for to place The sacred Picture of Prince Claudius grace , And vs the starry raigne of Gods shall bide If first with dreadful sword about vs wyde We wype away what so our person stayne : And found our court with worthy stem agayne . Se. Your noble spouse , sprong forth of saincted peer Of Claudius stocke , the starbright diamond cleere , That Goddesse Iuno wise her brothers bed Partaking , pressed downe with buttockes red , Your graces princely court shal garnish gay , With wondrous heauenly fayre descended stay . Ne. Incestuous maryed dames , from stocke & stem , Detract all hope , that we should haue of them . Nor vs , could she once loue that we could see , Nor with our person once at all agree Se. In tender budding yeares , when loue supprest With blusshing hydes the flames of burning breast , Scant playne appeares the loue they bare indeed . Ne. Thus wee our selues with hope in vaine did feede : Although vndoubted signes , as bodye wryed , And frowning lookes , which we haue oft espyed , Her spyteful hating stomacke did bewray Which shee doth beare , whom duty byndes t' obaye . Which yet at last , big , boyling , grieuous payne , With death determind hath t auenge agayne , Wee haue found out , for byrth and beauties grace . A worthy make for such an Empresse place : To whom that louely goddesse Venus bright , And mighty Ioue his spouse that Iuno hight , and goddesse fierce in boysterous warlike artes , Geues place for bodyes seemly portrayd partes . Se. Fayth , meeknes , manners mild , & bashfull shame Of spouse , those ought an husband to reclayme . The perles of iudging mynd , alone remayne , Not subiect once to any rulers raygne . The passing pryde of beautyes numming grace Each day appals , and bleamisheth apace . Ne. What prayses woman wights haue in them closd ? All those in her alone hath God reposde , And such a peerlesse peere , the guydes of lyfe , The destnies would haue borne to be our wyfe , Se. O noble prince such blynd vnlawful loue , ( Do rashly credite naught ) from you remoue . Ne. Whom Ioue can not repell that rules the cloudes , And pearcing raging floods , therein him shroudes , And raungeth through the raigne of Plutoes pit , And pulleth downe in welkin hie that sit The mighty powers of heauen , the God of loue ? And can I then his force from me remoue ? Se. Swift winged loue , mens fancy fond , in vayne A mercy wanting God to bee , doth fayne : And armes his handes with woundinge weapons keen And bowes with burning brondes , for louers greene : Of Venus to be sprong they al accorde , and blyndly forgde of thunders limping Lorde . Bland loue the myndes great torment sore appeares , And buddeth first in frolicke youthful yeares . Who while we drinke of Fortunes pleasaunt cuppe , With laysie pampring ryot , is nestled vp : Whom if to to ster vp you leaue at length It fleeting , falles away with broken strength . This is in all our life ( as I suppose ) The greattest cause how pleasure first arose . Which sith mankind by broodyng bydeth aye , Through gladsom loue the fierce wild beastes doth sway It neuer can from manly breast depart . Ne. This selfe same God I wish with all my hart The wedlocke lightes to beare before our grace , And fasten Poppie sure in our bed place . Se. The peoples griefe might neuer yeeld to it : Nor vertue can the same at all permit . Ne. Shall I alone to do , forbidden be That euery patch may do ? that grieueth mee Se. No tryfling toyes the people lookes to haue Of him , that ought to rule with wisdome graue . Ne. It pleaseth vs with daunted power to trye , If peoples rash conceiued rage will flie . Se. Seeke rather for to please and calme their moode . Ne. Ill ruled is that raygne where people wood , Their subiect Prince doth weld , as they thinke good Se. When nought that they require they can obtayne , They iustly then agrieued are agayne . Ne. That gentle prayers cannot win with ease , By force to wring it out , it doth vs please . Se. An hard thing t is the people not to haue That of theyr Prince , which they do iustly craue . Ne. And horrible 't is a Prince to be constraynd . Se. Let not your subiectes then so sore be raynd . Ne. Why then the common brute abroade wil be . How that the people haue subdued mee . Se. That no man trustes that is of credite light . Ne. Be it so , yet many it markes with deadly spyghte . Se. With countrie peeres to medle it is afrayd , Ne. To quip and frump , 't is nothing lesse dismayd . Se. Your grace may easly couch that budding bruite Let Sayncted sires desertes with pliant sute , Your graces mynd remoue : let spouses age , And curteous bashfull shame disrumpe your rage . Ne. Leaue off ( I say ) that we entend to grutch . For now your talke our pacience moueth much : I pray you let it lawful be to do , That Senec geueth not aduyse vnto . And we our peoples wishes do defer , While Poppie feele in wombling wombe to sterre , The pledge of faythful loue to me and her . Why do we not appoynt the morrow next , When as our mariage pompe may be context ?

THE THIRD ACTE

THE FIRST SCENE . Agrippyna . THrough paunch of riuened earth , from Plutoes raigne With ghostly steps , I am returnd agayne . In writhled wristes , that bloud do most desyre , For guyding wedlocke vyle with Stygian fire . Let Poppie , which these cressets coupled sure , Vnto my sonne be ioynd in mariage pure : Whom mothers griefe , and hand reuenging wrackes , Shal send with heaue and hoe to funeral stackes I always do remember wel beneath Where piteous , ghostly , crauling soules do breath , Th' unkindly slaughterous deede , which to our spright Yet vnreuengd is grieuous and of right : And for the good I did a cruell prise , That deadly framed ship in crafty wyse : And due reward that he gaue me agayne , For helping him to rule of Empyres raygne : And eake that night , when as I did bewayle , Both losse of shippe wherin we then did sayle , And mates vnhappye death , and whyle I thoughte , For this accursed deede to haue besought The Gods to trickling teares he gaue scant tyme But twice encreased hath his deuillish cryme . Quite slayne with sword , thrust through my bodyes boundes And filthy layed through goary mattring woundes , Deliuered safe from seas , deuouring sup , In antique court my ghost I yeelded vp . Nor yet his cancred , and vnsatiate hate . For all this bloud doth Nero once abate . That Tyrant dyre doth rage at mothers name . And seeketh wayes my deedes for to defame . Who threating death to them that doe withstand , My shapes he dingeth downe in euery land : My princely tytles large hee scrapeth out In euery place , the whole wyde world aboute , Which my vnlucky parentes loue did geue , To much vnto my paine whyle I did liue , Vnto a boy to guyde , which now I rue . My poysoned make , my Ghost doth oft pursue : And in my face with burning brondes doth flye . He stayes a space with earnest talke hard by , And threatneth sore , and doth impute his death And tombe he should haue had to mee beneath . And now desyres to haue some factious wight , That dare despoyle my sonne of breathing spright . Let be you shall haue one to worke this cryme , I do require no long delayed tyme . Reuenging spright Erin , a death doth coine , Of life , that wicked tyrant to purloyne . Sore smarting leaden strypes and shameful flight , And pyning panges with thurst and hunger dight : That Tantalus spungelike thursty mouth befurde , And Sisyphus toyle shal passe , and Tityus burde , And Ixions paynful wombling wheele aboute , That teareth all his bodyes partes throughout . Although that Tyrant proude and scornful wight , His court with marble stone do strongly dyght , And princelike garnish it with glistring golde : Though troupes of souldiours shielded sure , vpholde Their chieftaynes princely porch : and though yet still The world drawne drye with taskes euen to his will , Great heapes of riches yeeld themselues to saue , Although his bloudy helpe the Parthians craue , And Kingdomes bring , and goods al that they haue , The tyme and day shall come , when as he shall Forlorne , and quite vndone , and wanting all . Vnto his cursed deedes his life and more , Vnto his foes his bared throate restore . Alas , vnto what ende is all my payne ? Or in what case do now my vowes remayne ? Wherto doth now thy rage and destnies spyte ? Draw thee O Sonne , with brayne benummed quite ? That to such monstruous heapes of ylles thy dame ( Whom thou with cursed mischiefe ouercame ) Hir wrath should yeeld ? O that ere to the light A sucking babe I brought thee foorth in sight , And fedd thee fyne with pappe as princely borne , The fierce , wild , sauage beastes had rent and torne My wombe and bloudy entrails all beforne . Without all cryme , and wanting reasons pride , Mine own deere dandling child thou shouldst haue dide . And fastned sure to me shouldst aye beholde , The quiet place , where Ghostly soules be rolde : And see thy graundsyres great of worthy fame , And syre Domitius eake of princely name , Whom now both shame and wayling doth abyde , That whyle they dure , from them shal neuer slyde . For which both thee , O cursed Barne , they may , And mee , that thee haue borne geeue thankes for aye . But why ceasse I , with hel to hyde my face , Wyfe , stepdame , mother dire , in my life space ?

THE SECOND SCENE . Octauia Chorus . DO not , alas , thus sore lament , But rather yet your mourning stay , Sith that the city whole is bent To celebrate this ioyful day : Least your great loue and fauour both , Which I do count to be most sure , The more cause Nero me to loth , And eake his bitter wrath procure : And I fal out to be the ground To you of many mischieues vyle , This same is not the first deepe wounde , That I haue felt now this good whyle : Farre worse then this haue I abode : But of these troublous cares this day Shall make an end I trust in God , Although with Death he do me pay , No man to see shal me constrayne His bended browes knit furrowyse , Nor step within the Chamber ragyne Of mayde drest vp in brydall guise Augustus sister I wil bee , And not his wyfe as wont I was : But onely paynes remoue from mee , And feare of death I wil not passe . Yet canst thou piteous wreth once trust , Thy cruell husbandes father law , Or these few thinges to haue so lust Whyle mischieues yet in mynd are rawe ? Now long reserud , vntil this day , And these same maryage rytes be past , Thou shalt poore wretch without delay , A bloudy offring dye at last . Why thus with teares disfigured sore Thy wonted home dost thou behold ? Make hast to shunne this deadly shore And leaue this straughtrous Princes fold . Cho. Lo see that day suspected long And whispered Fame in all mens eares , With glisteryng pompe of brydall throng , To vs pore wretches now appeares . And Claudius broode Octauias grace , From Neroes wedlocke place expelde , Departed is , whose spousall space , Hath Poppie conquerour long tyme helde . The whyle , our pyety couched lyes Kept downe with heauy , combrous feare . And slow reuenging grief likewyse : Where doth the peoples power appeare , That brake the force of Princes great , That conquerous city lawes hath framde , That worthy men to honours seat Preferd , that warre and peace proclaymd , That sauage people straunge did tame That Kinges and Princes caught in fight Shut surely vp in prison frame To keepe them close from all mens sight Loe , which wee cannot once abyde , To see wher Poppies ymage trym , Conioyned vnto Neroes syde All glistring bright shynes very brim . Let force of Armes pul downe that frame And match with grounde that Ladyes face Too likely carued to his name , And snatch her downe from beddig place , And let it forthwith flye with brandes With Dartes and Iauelins fiercely flonge , From pythy braunes and sturdy handes Vnto the princes courtly throng .

THE FOVRTH ACTE .

THE FIRST SCENE . Nutrix . Poppea , FRom out of spousal bower dismayd with feare , Whither go you ? what secrets daughter deare Vnknowen , makes you to looke so drousely ? Why spungelike lokes your face with tears from eye That fell ? of truth the tyme desyred long , And wished for by prayers , and vowes among Hath shyned bright . Caesars wedlock are you : Your golden grace , whereof he tooke the view . Him prisoner caught , and did him surely bynde , So much the more , how much Senec his mynd Did seeke to chaunge , and wild from loue to weeld . And Venus chiefe in loue hath made him yeeld . O in beauty passing all , what beds then downe More soft , haue borne thy weight when thou with crowne Didst sit in middes of court the Senate all . At thy great beauty agast , thou didst appall . Whylst thou the Goddes with perfume sendest fyne , And sacred alters drencht with thankful wyne , Thy head attyrd with veyle of yellow hiew By Caesars side thou wentst as princesse new : When he aloft extold aboue the rest , With hauty courage merily went to feast . Like as kyng Peleus went sometymes to take Queene Tethis , whom salt seas fome bred , his make . Whose bridinge chambers , banquet wise ydrest , The Gods vouchsaft to hallow with their hest , Both they that rule in skyes and eake in Seas . But tel , O Lady , tell , if it you please , What sodayne chaunce doth shade your beautyes light . What meanes your colour chaunge from red to white ? What moues those trickling tears , how standes your plight ? Po. With dreames , and griesly sightes , this last night , Nurse , My mynd was troubled sore , but frayd much worse . For when sir Phoebe his weary course had ryd , Whyle quiet restyng night each thing shadid , My sences weary fel in slumber deepe , Whyle Nero me within his armes did cleepe . Resoluing lims , at length gan sleepe discharge , And long I rest not vnder quiets targe , For loe , I saw a route that brought me feare , Come to my chaumber with disheueled hayre : The Matrons sage of Latin land did mourne , And sounded shryking sighes as though forlorne They were , the dolefulst wightes that liue on ground . And oft among the warlike trumpets sound , I sawe my husbands mother teribly stand , With threatning looke berayed with bloud in hand A light fyre brand she bare which oft she shooke , And made mee goe with her through feareful loke . When downe we came through op'ned earth shee led The way , I after went with bowing hed , And musing much therat , marke what I say , My bed , me thought I saw , wherin I laye , When first espousde I was to Rufe Chrispyne : And hee me thought , with first sonne of his lyne , With many following them agaynst me fast Did come , and me to cleepe did swift his hast , And as he wonted was he kist me oft , Then rusht into my house with pace not soft Amased Nero sore , in Chryspines breast That hidde his faulchion kene : feare shakte of rest From mee : I trembling stode with quiuering feare , And brest dismayd to speake made me forbeare . Til now ( O Nurse ) I met with thee , whose trust , And fayth into these wordes haue made me brust . Alas , what threatneth mee eche griesly spright ? What meanes of husbands bloud that doleful sight ? Nu. The hidden sacred vayne that moueth swift , Which fantasie we call by secret drift , When we do take our rest doth shew agayne , The thinges both good and bad that broyle in brayne : You maruel that you saw your make , and bower , His ghostly funerall stackes , at that same hower Round clasped close in armes of husband new : Hereto , the beaten breastes with handes mou'd you , And maydens hayre , on mariage day displayd : Octauias friendes with heauy hartes bewrayed , Amids hir brothers both and fathers hall Their heauy cheere for her vnluckye fall . That dreadful blasing flame of fyre forborne In Agryppynas hand your grace beforne . Which you did follow streigth declares renowne To you , though enuye stryue to keepe it downe : The seat you saw beneath doth promise you Your state to stand ful sure not chaunging new : That Nero prince in Crispins throat did hyde His sword , it telles that he in peace shall byde , Vnknowen to bloudy ruthful warre for aye . Therfore ( Madam ) plucke vp your hart I pray : Receiue both mirth and glee cast feare asyde , With ioy , and ease you may in bowre abide . Pop. To temples hie where mighty Gods do dwell , I wil repayre , and offringes to them fell In humble wyse their heauy wrath t' ppease , And me of mighty sight , and dreams to ease . My second wish shal be , that this feare all Vppon my foes as sodayne chaunce may fall . O Nurse pray thou for mee some vowes do make To th' Gods , that ghostly feare his flight my take .

THE SECOND SCENE . Chorus . IF stealth discloasde by blabbing fame , And lusty , pleasaunt , thankfull loue , Of IOVE be true : who fourme did frame Of swan to come from skies aboue , And did enioy the sweete consent Of Ladye LEDAS loues delight : Who like a Bull his labour spent , Through flowing floods to cary quite , EVROPA slylie stolne awaye : Hee will no doubt leaue raygne of Skye And POPPIES loue disguisd assaye . If hee her soueraygne beauty spye . Which hee might wel preferre before Fayre LAEDAS sugred sweete delight : And DANAE whom hee wonne of yore , Amasde with golden shoure so bright : Let SPARTE now for HELENS sake Of beauty bragging fame vprayse : Admit the TROIAN heardman make Of gayned spoyle tryumphant prayse : Fayre HELEN here is stayned quight : Whose beauty bredde such boyling yre , That earth was matched euen in sight With TROIAN towres consumde with fyre . But who is this that runnes with feare opprest ? Or els what newes bringes he in panting breast ?

THE THIRD SCENE . Nuntius , Chorus , WHat sturdy champion stoute doth ioy with glee Our chieftaynes royal bower safe to see , Then to his court I counsel him to wend , Gainst which the populus rout their force doth bend . The rulers runne amasde to fetch the gard , And armed troupes of men , theyr towne to ward . Nor woodnes rashly cought through feare doth ceasse , But more and more , their power doth encrease . Ch. What sodain rage doth beat their brawling braine ? Nun. The garisons great with fury astonde againe , And sturred vp for Queene Octauias sake With monstrous mischiefe vile , their rage to slake , They rumbling rush into the Pallace farre . Cho. What dare they do , their counsailers who are ? Nun. Aduaunce their Empresse old , subuert the new : And graunt hir , brothers beds as is hir due . Cho. Which Poppie now , with hole consent doth hold ? Nun. Yea that vnbrideled rage in brest vprold , Sets them agog , and makes them wondrous wood . What euer ymage grauen in marble stood , If Poppies badge it bare , or if in sight , It tended for to shew hir beauty bryght , Though it on heauenly altares braue did stand , They break , or pull it down , with sword or hand . Some parts with ropes sure tide , they trayle them forth Which spurnd with durty feete , as though naught worth With filthy stinking myre , they it all beray . And with their deedes their talke doth iumpe agree , Which mine amased minde , thinks true to bee For fierie flames they threat for to prepare , Wherewith to waste , the princes Pallace faire , Vnlesse , vnto their furious moode he giue His second wife , and with Octauia liue , But he by me shall know in what hard stay The City stands : the rulers I le obay . Cho. A lack , what made you cruell warres , in vaine To moue , sith prisoner loue you can not gaine You can not him ouercome , your fiery flame He recketh not : his syre ouercomes the same . He darkened hath those thundring thumps that shake Heauen , Earth , Hel , sea , al things that makes to quake . Yea mighty Ioue , in heauen that weares chief crowne His flames from welkin hie hath brought adowne . And you , not victors now , but vanquished , Shall raunsome pay , the price of hearts bloud red . Loue , pacient can not be , but hote in rage , No easie thing it is , his wrath t' asswage , Achilles worthy sight , that was so stout , To twang the Harpe he made in Ladies rout , Prince Agamemnon sterne that boy benumd , And rable rude of Greekes with loue bronds bumd . King Priams raigne he topsie turuie tost , Aud goodly Cities great he chiefly lost . And now my minde sore frighted stands agast , What Cupides furious force brings vs at last .

THE FOVRTH SCEANE . Nero . AH , ah , our captaines sloe dispatching coyle , And our long suffring yre in such a broyle , That streames of bloud yet do not quēch their rage Which thei against our propre person wage And that all Rome , with corses strewd about , Those cruell villaines bloud , doth not sweat out . But deedes already done , with death to pay . A small thing t' is , a greater slaughtrous day The peoples cursed crime , and eke that dame , Whom I did aye suspect , deserues the same . whome , to yelde those peasaunts would me make : At last she shall , with life our sorow slake , And with hir bodies bloud shall quench our yre . Then , shall their houses fall by force of fyre : What burning both , and buildings fayre decay , What beggerly want , and wayling hunger may Those villaines shal be sure , to haue ech day . Ah , Prouender pricks that vile rebellious race Ne can they once our fauour well embrace , Nor be content , with peace in quiet state , But broyling raumpe about with troubled gate . Hereon with boldnesse straight , hereon they flie , With harebraind rashnesse hedlong by and by . Well , they must tamed be with heauy stroke , And downe be kept with peise of weighty yoke : That they , with like attempt , do not arise , Nor once cast vp their deadly peasaunts eyes , Against our louing spouses golden lookes : First punish them sure , then feare shal be their bookes , To teache them , at their Princes beck t' obay But see at hand , whom fayth , and vertue rare , Lieuetenant chiefe of camps , appointed thare .

THE FIFTE SCEANE . Praefectus : Nero . THe vulgare peoples rash vnruly rage The slaughter of a fewe did sone asswage , Which long with stode our valiant force in vain , To tel your grace this newes , I come againe . Nero. And is this then ynough , dost thou so well . O souldiour marke what doth thy captaine tell ? Hast thou with held thy hand from bloudy yre ? Is this the due reuenge that we requyre ? Prae. The captaine guides of treason payd their hyre , By desperate death of bloudy sword in fight . The route which sought with flaming fyre to light , Ner. Our royall Pallace great , who would assigne Their Prince what he should doe : and pull in fine Our mate from vs dissoluing wedlocke bandes : Whose hardy slaunderous tongs , & wicked handes , Hir princely grace reprochfully withstandes , From due reuenge , are they dismissed free ? Prae. Shall subiectes payne , by griefe assigned bee ? Ner. It shall assigne which time shall neuer weare . Prae. Which neither wrath may end , nor yet your fear ; Nero. Shee shall appease our hie displeased minde , Who fiyrst , our wrath deserued due to finde . Praef. Declare whose death your moode doth most require Let not my hande be stayde from your desire . Ner. It seekes our sisters death , and trayterous hed . Prae. Those words through all my lims , hath stiffnesse spred , Opprest with griesty feare . Ner: Vs to obay . Stands thou in doubt : Praef. On fayth why do you lay So great a fault ? Ner. Bycause thou sparedst our foe . Praef. Deserues a woman to be termed so ? Nero. If treason she begin . Prae. Is any man So sure , that hit accuse of creason can : Ner. The peoples rage : Praef. Those madde vnweldye wights Who order could ? Ne. Who could stir vp their sprits ? Prae. No creature as I thincke . Ner. A woman could , In whome a mind Dame nature hath vpfould , To mischiefe prone : shee armed hath hir heart , To hurt by wyles : yet strength shee set apart , Least shee vndaunted force with hir should beare : But now hir slender power with doubting feare , Is quickly quaylde , or else with punishment , Which hir condemned state to mischiefe bent To late doth ende : away with graue aduise , Vs with entreating seeke not to entyse . Dispatch that we commaund on shipboorde horne , Farre off to shore aloofe with dashing worne , Commaund shee be : that tunlike swelling brest At length in storming stomack may take rest .

THE SIXTE SCENE . Chorus . Octauia . ALack the peoples bitter loue , And dyre good will to many one , Which , when they hoysted sayles aboue , With pleasaunt blastes it made to grone , And caried them from quiet shore , That faynting , leaues them in the deepe , And tumbling , raging waters rore . Cornelia piteous wretch did weepe , And sore bewayle hir sonnes estate : The peoples loue did vndoe them , And wondrous fauour , bred them hate : Great worthy peeres of noble stem : Of high renowne for vertues prayse : In fayth and eloquence did pas Their stomacks stout their fame did rayse : i th lawes eche one most excellent was . And Scipio , thee did Fortune yeelde Vnto lyke death , and curssed wracke , Whom neyther honours pompe coulde sheelde , Nor fenced house thy foes keepe backe . Moe to repeate , although I coulde , Pure present griefe forbiddeth sore : Ere whyle to whom the people woulde , Her Fathers antique Courte restore , And Brothers wedlocke once againe , Now weeping , wringing hands poore wretch , Vnto hir cruell , deadly payne , The armed souldiours doe hir fetch . How safe doth pouerty lye content , In thetched house safe shrouded there ? High raysed towers with blasts are bent , Which often tymes them ouer beare . Oct. Where pull you mee poore wretch ? alas , Into what banisht exiles place , Woulde Nero haue mee for to passe , Or Fortune bids , with frowning face ? If now with faynting strength quite coolde , And with my broyles all wearied ceasse , And longer lyfe shee graunt mee woolde , If that shee worke for to increase , My sorrowes great with deadly dart , Why is she then so much my foe , In country that I may not part , And leaue my life before I goe ? But now no helpe of health I feele , Alas I see my Brothers boate : This is the same , whose vaulted keele , His Mother once did set a clote . And now his piteous Sister I , Excluded cleane from spousall place , Shall be so caried by and by : No force hath vertue in this case . No Gods there be my woes to wrecke . The griefly , dreadfull drab Eryn , Doth weld the worlde at nod and becke , Who can lament my state , wherein I am , alas , sufficientlie ? How can Aedon duely playne , My smarting streames at beares that I Do shedde ? whose wings I would be fame , If destnies would them graunt , to weare . Then would I leaue my mourning mates , As swiftly fled , as wings could beare , Aud so auoyde these bloudy pates . Then sitting sole in shirwood shirle , And hanging sure , by dandling twigge With plaintiue pipe I might out twarle My heauy tuned note so bigge . Chor. The mortalt broode the destnies guide : Themselues they nothing can assure , That certainly doth stedfast bide : Which our last day of life , procure , ( Where of we alwayes should beware , ) Much daungerous chaunces for to try : Vnto your troubled minde with care , Now many saumples do applys , Which your accursed court hath brought , To holden you in all your broyle : For what hath more your troubles wrought , What doth against you sorer toyle , Than fortune doth ? the first of all , Agrippas childe brought forth to life , Whome we Tyberius daughter call , By lawe , and eke Prince Caesars wife , Of many sonnes a carefull dame , I cannot chose but now recount , Whose worthy , glorious ample name , Throughout the world doth much surmount . So oft with belly bolne that bare Desyred fruicts , and peaces pledge , Ere long thou sufferedst exiles care , Strypes , chaines , and boltes of yron wedge , And mourning much , which so did frame , That death they causde thee to abyde . So Liuia , Drusus lucky name In male kinde babes , did hedling slyde , Into a cruell monstrous deede , And death sore pearcing deadly dart . Hir mothers fates doth Iulia speede , To folow streight with all hir heart , Who after longer wasted time With bloudy fauchion kene , was slaine , Although for no iust cause or crime . Your mother eke that once did raigne , Who then esteemd of Claudius well , Did wisely weld his court at will , And fruitfull was , as you can tell , What could not her desire fulfill : Shee sometime subiect to hir slaue , To death was put with souldiours blade . What shee , that easly hope might haue , Toth skies , hir raigne to rise haue made , Prynce Neroes lusty Parent great ? First tost with shipmans boysterous force , Then torne with sword in Prynces heat , Did shee not lye a senceles corse , Oct. Loe mee the tyrant stern will send To yrcksome shades and hellish sprits . Why wretch doe I the tyiue thus spend ? Draw mee to death you to whose myghts , False Fortune hath bequeathed mee . I witnesse now the heauenly powre . What dost thou bedlame ? leaue to flee , With prayer to Gods , who on thee lowre . I call to witnesse Tartar deepe , And sprytes of Hell reuenging freakes Of haynous facts , in Dungeon steepe , And Syre whom death deserued wreakes . I doe not now repyne to dye , Deck vp your Ship , and hoyse your Sayle , On frothing seas to windes on hye : Let him that guides the Helm not fayle , To seeke the shore of Pharian Land . Cho. O pippling puffe of western wynde , Which sacrifice didst once with stand , Of Iphigen to death assignde And close in Cloude congealed clad , Did cary hir from smòking aares , Which angry , cruell Virgin had : This Prynce also opprest , with cares , Saue from this paynefull punishment , To Dians temple safely horne : The harbarous Moores to rudenesse bent , Then Prynces Courtes in Rome forlorne , Haue farre more Cyuile curtesie : For there doth straungers death appease The angry Gods in heauens on hie , But Romayne bloude , our Rome must please .

FINIS .