The tragicomoedi of the vertuous Octauia. Done by Samuel Brandon. 1598

Octauiae tragicomoedia .

The stage supposed Rome . The Actors . Octauius Caesar who was afterwards called Augustus . Octauia the sister of Caesar & wife of Antony . Two of the nobles of Octauius Caesar. Maecenas . Agrippa Romaine Ladies . Camilla . Iulia. Antonies children . Syluia , a licentious woman . Consuls . Titius . Plancus . Geminus a Captaine . Byllius nuntius . Chorus . Romano .

Actus primus . Octauia . Camilla . Iulia. CAmilla , now me thinkes this golden time , Inuites our mindes to bathe in streames of ioy : See how the earth doth flourish in his prime , Whose liuery shewes the absence of annoye . These woods , how they bedeckt with natures pride , Shew inwarde touche of new conceiued myrthe . The pretty byrdes , that in their couerts hide , ( Free Cittizens , euen happy from their birthe ) How they reioyce ! and euery sencelesse thing , Euen smiles with ioy : the earth perfumes the ayre , The ayre , sweete Nectar to the earth doth bring , And both with ioye , beget these children fayre . How richly nature dooth her wealth enrobe : Giuing each thing his beautie , forme and grace . Eye-pleasing greene , circle of this our globe , Great myrrour of Apollos youthfull face , Coulor of life , youthes liuerie , how delight Dwels still with thee , whiles we , whom reason named ( But falsly namde and if I iudge aright ) Princes of all the rest that nature framed : Still subiect are to sorrowes tyranny ; Slaues to mischance , vassals of fortunes power ; Bearing the yoake of endlesse miserie : Faire baites of time which dooth vs all deuoure . Now raisde aloft in honors highest seate , Yet in that height farre short of sweete content , Now , throwne downe headlong , be we nere so great , In gulfe of greefe , which we may not preuent . Our pleasures , ( posting guests , ) make but small stay , And neuer once looke backe when they are gone : Where greefes bide long , and leaue such scores to pay ; As make vs banckerout ere we thinke thereon . Yet this same earth with new-borne beauties grac'd , Doth say me thinkes in his dumbe eloquence : Thus shall you spring , mongst heauenly angels plac'd , When deaths cold winter once hath snatcht you hence . These flowers , do bid vs in their language , read In beauties bookes , how beautie is most fraile : Whose youthfull pride , th' vntimely steps doth tread , To deaths black kingdome , darke Obliuions vaile . These natures quiristers , do plainely say , Waste thus your time , in setting forth his praise : Who feedes , who clothes , who fils our harts with ioye : And from this dead earth , dooth our bodies raise . Thus all their mirthe , are accents of our moane : Their blis full state , of our vnhappinesse , A perfect map , where onely we alone , May see our good , but neuer it possesse . Cam. Madam , as nature more then perfect is , And farre more faire , then that we fairest call : So you as heyre apparant to hir blisse , Chiefe treasurer of hir perfections all ; Will shew your selfe selfe most wise , and most diuine , In curious search of her most hidden will ; And following but hir footesteps , yet refine : The vniuersall secrets of hir skill . Yet I admire , your Eagle-sighted eye , Which hath truthes sun-bright cyrcle so well knowne : In others worthe , discernes each Attomie , Forgetfull most , of what is most your owne . These other creatures , haue their properties , Which shew , their Syre no niggard of his store , But such great guiftes our mindes immortalize , As proude ambitious selfe , can wish no more . And you , great Ladie , whose high honor flyes , With vertues winges , in admirations ayre : Towring , an Eagles pyche , aboue the skies , Where vulgar thoughts , are setled in despaire ; You , whose designes , haue put out enuies eyes , Whose lampe of vertue giues the purest light ; You , that enforce weake fame to royallize , Such high reuolues , as farre surpasse her might , You , whose large praise , makes naked vertue lowre , And tyres report , in painting out your storie ; You , in whose lappe doth streame the golden shower , Of all good fortune , gracing highest glorie . O how can you , once entertaine a thought , That these high ioyes should stoupe to sorrowes lure ? Or how can true felicitie be brought , The smallest touche of passion to endure ? Let those complaine , which suck misfortunes paps : Who know nought els of vertue but the name , Who seeming wise , are snar'd in follyes traps , Whose rash attempts , breed swift ensuing shame , But you heauens day-starre , piller of our blisse , O want you euer , cloudes of discontent : You are our ioy , we all ioyes , all should misse , Did not your sunne beames guild our firmament . Oct. Did not thy true loue seale this president , I should suspect a serpent mongst the flowers : And hardly iudge faire wordes from false intent , Pore niggard truth , rich flattry , powres down showrs . But loyall Ladies , doo you thinke in faith , That highest honor , ioyes most sweet content ? Cam. It doth no doubt , for high , and heauenly saith The prouerbe olde , to which I giue consent . Oct. Then heare me speake , what I shal say by proofe , And what experience printed in my hart ? Perhaps a story for your owne behoofe , Where I my selfe , haue played an actors part . In youthe , I thought though falsly thought ) that best Which fairest seemde , and my aspyring minde Disdaind ( though not with pride ) that there should rest A mean borne thought , within my thoughts confin'd . Treading this path , I was at last desired , By Lord Marcellus , for his spouse , and wife . Marcellus , he whose worthie fame aspyred , To th' highest toppe of honor , during life . If wealth , ( nurse of delight ) mought breed content : I had no want of store to make me glad : My greatnesse did ambitious thoughts preuent : Such high successe Marcellus honours had . Proude Carthage knowes , his youthfull sword did pay Large tribute of their soules to stygian lake : His middle age , the stoutest Gaules did fraye , Marcellus name made their huge armies quake . His ancient yeares , made craftie Hanniball Admire the proues , and vallour of his foe : Thrice bitter name , that cursed Canniball , By bloudie treason , made him life forgoe . Fiue times this cittie grac'd my worthy Lord , Or rather he them grac'd , with Consuls name . What they to others suites would scarce afforde , They ioyde to see my Lord accept the same . Now Ladies to forget my present state , Did ioy thinke you this while orecharge my minde ? I ioyde I must confesse , to see how fate With boundes of honor , had my life confin'de . But when I found , how monster enuie , feedes On highest honor , as his daintiest pray : How brightest fier , great store of fuell needes , To keepe his light , and beautie from decay . When that I found the musicke of my minde , Tunde to the concorde , of Marcellus blisse : And sawe , true vallour had his life assignde , To haughtie Mars , whose course most dangerous is . I liu'd in him , he spent his royall dayes , In bloudie bosome of life scorning warres . Safetie may breede delight , not nourish praise ; Harde is the way , from th' earth vnto the starres . Whiles thus our state , depended on his sworde , And thousand thousands sought his finall end : Could my true loue , in all this time , afforde One quiet thought in perfect mirthe to spend ? So many perils as on earth are found , So many dangers as on raging seas , So many terrours all my ioyes confound , For true loue passions are no weake disease . But is this all ? no , more if more may be , T is greater care , to keepe , then get , a crowne . Vertue dooth raise by small degrees we see : Where in a moment Fortune casts vs downe . And surely those that liue in greatest place , Must take great care , to be such as they seeme : They are not princes , whom sole tytles grace , Our princelie vertues , we should most esteeme . The sandes on Neptunes shores , and beamy starres , Do not exceede the number of those cares Which in our mindes , do stirre vp ciuill warres , And crosse delights accountes , at vnawares . Let this suffice , the tempest soonest teares The highest towers , and who will mount alofte , The more he climes , the more his footing feares : Often he slides , but sildome falleth softe . What words , can paint the infinite of woes ? What tongue , can halfe those miseries relate ? Which thundring fortune , threatned to impose Vpon my head , at Tarent , but of late . When as mine eyes mought see ( though loth to see ) The sunnes , with whose eclipse , my fortune changed : Mine owne deare Lord , and brother , both to be In mortall armes , against each other ranged . Which tempest calm'd , the storme begins againe , On mischiefes maine , full sayles mishap doth beare : I know not now what doth my Lord detaine , But for I know not , I know cause to feare . To visit him , at last I was contented , And in those forraine coastes to make appeale : But my accesse , at Athens he preuented , Which makes me thinke , more then I will reueale . And can I then with sorrowes waight oppressed , Thinke to enamell my conceit with ioy ? Can I , that am with fortunes wracke distressed , Hope to escape the Ocean of annoy ? Why , this is ioye , to taste no scence of death , Till dying hower , haue stopt our vitall breath . Iulia. T i's true delight , to know no cause of greefe , Although the outward signes of ioye be small : Who most reioycing , feeles that inward theefe , A stayned conscience findes no ioy at all . Cam. Indeede I thinke , true ioy , a thing seuere , Springing from fountaine of a vertuous minde : From spotlesse faith , and conscience pure and cleare , The chiefest good , the heauens haue vs assignde . For as some weepe , that are not passing sad : So many laugh that are not rightly glad . Geminus . Titius . Say worthie Titius , what rare accident , In so short time , did bring to happie end , The cruell warres ; which Caesars discontent , Gainst Lord Antonius , lately did intend ; How could so many weapons thirsting bloud , Be satisfied with vnexpected peace ? What powerfull starres importun'd vs such good ? And did their angers tyrranny suppresse ? Titi. That will I doo , my good friend Geminus . And much the sooner , for that you may know , No force , or weapons , hath procured vs , The happy truce , wherein we glory now . It was the time , when the declining sunne Made greatest shew of least performed light : And by his swift departure had begun , To yeelde his interest , to th' encroching night . When as the seas , euen burthened with our waight , Deliuered vs vnto the perfect view Of dreadfull Tarent : where for vs did waight , Antonius fleete , with all their martiall crew . There did our drowned anchors make vs stay , Within the iawes of dangers tyrranny : There , we discouered by the flying daye , The agents of our threatned misery . Who can expresse the horror of that night , When darkenesse lent hir robes to monster feare ? And heauens black mantle banishing the light , Made euery thing in ougly forme appeare . Vntill Aurora , with faire purple flowres , Like louing spouse , had strawed Tytans waye : Whose glorious beames , began to guilde the towres , As ioyfull post , of pleasure-bringing day . Then did loude Martiall musicke charme a sleepe , Each languishing conceipt , in doubtfull brest : And new borne comfort , now began to creepe , In euery minde , with causelesse feare opprest . Then , pride of honor , made vs scorne our foes : And courage added winges to our desire . To present fight , we all our selues dispose : With bloudie showers , to quenche incensed ire . But ere our armies , had their charge fulfild , Ere weapons , had our inward rage exprest : Loe where Octauia , comes into the field , Twixt both our armies , she hir selfe addrest . Where with the Nectar of hir eloquence , With words that mought relent indurate frost : With maiestie , and beauties influence , She stayes our Captaines , and affronts each hoast . O how I see that wonder-breeding face ! O how I heare those hart-enchaining wordes ! O face ! o wordes ! that merite highest grace ! Immortall sure , base earth none such affords , No womans weapon blindes her princely eye ; No womans weakenesse , hir tongues passage stayes : Like one , that did both death , and fate defie , Minerua-like she stands , and thus she sayes . Heere will I bide , and this same brest oppose To all your weapons , and whose wicked hand , Shall first beginne t' assaile or strike his foes , Shall strike this hart , and breake this vitall band . No bloudie deed , Octauiaes eyes shall gaine , A witnesse of your loathed crueltie : But through this body shall the first be slaine , That in this battle , is compell'd to dye . If honor , vertue , worthe , or pietie , Liue in your mindes , which beare such loftie names : Returne your weapons , and heere quietly , With reason , quench the force , of angry flames . Els , let some bloudie executioner , First robbe this iealious tombe , of loathed life : And then , no longer neede you to deferre , The issue , of your more then mortall strife . Much more she said , which none but she can say , And with her sugered speech , so much preuaild , That like Medusaes marbled creatures , they Amazed stood , so was their furie quaild . Looke how that trydent scepter bearing king , His ofte rebelling subiects , dooth suppresse , And with a sodaine becke in order bring , Their disproportion , with a quiet peace ; When that the pride , of some truce-wanting storme , Doth summon vp their treason-working power ; Now gracing terror , with huge mountaines forme , Now with steepe whirlepoole , seeking to deuoure : So stood the Emperors , with hir wordes amazed , Hir words , which seemde the myrrour of hir deede . As men inchanted so on hir they gazed , And in hir face , new lectures ganne to reede . But when she saw , hir words did take effect , Then powrde she forth the quintessence of witte : And neuer did hir enterprice neglect , Till both the Emperours bewitcht with it ; Not onely , did forget all former hate , But euen there , before Octauiaes face , A league of friendship they did consumate , And louingly each other did imbrace . O what a ioyfull sight , 't was to behoulde A dangerous fight , turn'd to a daintie feast . To see how friends salute each other could , That but euen now , each other did detest . There did both armies sport in great delight , And enterchangeably their loues expressè : As captiues , foild without bloud , wound or fight ; They praise the conquest , and the victor blesse Then did Antonius , for Octaviaes sake , Giue vnto Caesar twentie Brygantines : Which Caesar did in courteous maner take , And in requitall of his kinde designes , Did twice fiue hundred armed soldiers , giue To Anthony : and quickly one mought finde , The sparkes of emulation made them striue , Who mought doe most , to please Octauiaes minde . Gem. O noble deed , deseruing highest praise , Well worthye to out-liue all memorye : Life sauing Empresse , how thy wisdome staies , Euen swarmes of soules , from Plutoes tyranny , But why did not Antonius , in like sorte Returne to Roome , to pay delight her due . Tit. He presently to'ards Parthia did resort , Against their King the warres for to renue . And recommending all his owne affaires , His wife , his children , and what els was deare , To Caesars best disposing : he repayres , To Syria , and entends to winter there . Gem. Roome thou that keepst , the pearle that doth enclude , Heauens dearest treasure , in earths finest frame : Be neuer so vngratefull , to obtrude Night-blacke obliuion , to her noble name . Camilla . Geminus . Come Geminus , and vnto me relate , What made the Empresse , alter her entent : What did your voyage thus abbreuiate , And all your expectations preuent . Fame ( bad concealer of our close entents ) Said , that the Empresse would to Syria goe : To see Antonius , who himselfe abscentes , But your returne , doth shew it was not so . Gem. Madame , when Aeolus had once conuai'd Our moouing houses , vnto that same place , Where noble Cecrops , the foundations lay'd , Which are the Grecian confines chiefest grace : There , long before we could approach the gates Of that faire Citty , we encounter'd were , With people of all ages , and estates , Who in their handes , did boughes of Lawrell beare . Some on their knees , with ioy , and wonder fil'd , Salute the Empresse : some rich giftes present . Some straw'd the way with flowers , and some distil'd Their sweet perfumes , along the fields we went . Thus to the Citty were we guarded straight , Where for our comming , all the states awaite . There were our eyes , inuited to beholde Most sumptuous shewes , with many pleasing sights : There did we heare , their learned tongues vnfolde . The muses skill , with rauishing delightes , Their lowd applause , which peirc'd the very skies , Extolde Octauia past the reach of fame : And silent Eccho , wakened with their cries , Taught all the neighbour hylles , to blesse her name . Thus frankly did two daies themselues bestow , To gratifie our entertainement there : Whiles Antonie , who as it seem'd did know Of our approach , and thereof stood in feare : Sent Niger , vnto Athens , with all speed , Who to Octauia letters did conuay : Requiring her no further to proceede , But for his comming in that place to stay . For thither meant he shortly to repayre , And therefore would not , she should vndertake So long a iorney , which mought much impayre Her health , and quiet , bootlesse for his sake . She , halfe suspecting ( as there was good cause ) That this was but a practise of delay : Although vnwilling , yet she made a pause , As one that knew not how to disobay . But finding all his words to want effect , And seeing nothing mought his minde recall : Such things , she doth vnto him straight direct , As she had brought , to pleasure him withall . Which was , two thousand chosen men at armes : Great store of horses , wonte to winne their price ; Much armour , to defend themselues from harmes , As richely wrought , as cunning could deuize ; Guiftes , to reward his best-deseruing friends ; A summe of money for his souldiers paye ; And briefly all hir care , and studie bends , To saue his wayning honor , from decaye . But when she saw , nought mought his thoughts recline Vnkinde , saith she , sencelesse of thine owne shame , I le be my selfe , since thou wilt not be mine : Thus she concluded , and away we came . Cam. O peerelesse paragon ! O natures pride ! Faire Cabinet , where wisdomes treasure lies , Earths glory , and the heauens beloued bride , Rich seate of honor , vertues paradize . Most noble Empresse , praise of women kinde , Whose faith endures the rage of fortunes flame : Whose constant truthe , and truly vertuous minde , Scornes smallest touche of iust-deserued blame . How naturall , and vndeuided , are The sparkes of honor , in a noble harte : How industrie , and wit , may not compare , With that true touche , our birthright doth imparte . Liue vertuous Empresse , myrrour of our age , Though chance discharge whole vollyes of reproach ; With fortitude withstand proud fortunes rage , Let not despaire , neare thy sweete thoughts encroache . Time must needs turne thy mourning vnto ioye , For true delight from hence his spring doth take : When we with patience suffer sharpe annoye , Not for our merits , but for vertues sake .

Chorus . HEauens , heare poore earth complaine , How wee , your frownes doe beare : When all things els reioyce , Ioye scornes with vs to dwell . And reasons selfe can tell , Each mirthe discouering voice , Assures our iudging eare , How all things els want paine : Scence-following creatures knowe No cause , why to lament , In them , remorse dooth sowe , No seedes of discontent . We see , and know , but wante our blisse : Vnperfect nature causeth this . Yea nature most vnkinde , Contriuer of our fall : Begins our life with teares , And ends the same with woe . Greefe ( pleasures mortall foe ) Confounds our hope with feares : And sowers our sweete with gall . This Tyrant of the minde : By reason , wit , or skill , Can neuer be withstood : These aggrauate our ill , By shewing what was good . And wante of that torments vs most : Whose worthe appeares in being lost . Were nature falsely nam'd A stepdame to mankinde , That sexe , which we account Vnperfect , weake , and fraile , Could not in worthe preuaile : And men so farre surmount . We should Octauia finde , In some sorte to be blam'd . She winnes immortall fame , Whiles he who should excell : Dishonour'd hath his name , And by his weaknesse fell . For double shame he dooth deserue , Who being guide dooth soonest swarue . And Lorde Antonius , thou Thrice woman conquered man : Shall not thy hart repine , Their triumphs to adorne ? Octauiaes vertues scorne , That wanton life of thine : And Cleopatra can , Commaund thy ghost euen now . And faine would I refraine , From Fuluiaes stately name : Which dooth thy manhood slain , And makes thee blush for shame . In this one thing , yet happie maist thou bee : They Princesse are , that triumph ouer thee . Dwell in fames liuing breath , T'eternitie resign'de , Yee faire Mars-conquering wights : And feare not Lethes floud , Your vertues alwayes bud , Your storie , honour wrights , And Phoenix-like you finde , A new life in your death . Arme but your Angel-soules , With perfect vertues shield , That Thanatos controules , And makes Erynnis yeelde , Then shall the heauens your worthe descrye : Earth , sing your praise , and so will I.

Actus secundus . Octauia . Byllius . OThrice , and foure times , happie messenger , Hast thou from Parthia made returne of late ? Canst thou declare the issue of the warre , And make me knowe , Antonius happie state ? What causd my Lorde in Syria make such staye , Since he gainst Parthia did his forces bende ? When doth he meane , to'ards Roome to take his ways And to those warres , impose a finall end ? Vnkinde he is : not so , but distant farre , And his great trouble , much my good impayres : Els would he not mine eares so long time barre , From much expected newes of his affayres . Byl. Madame , these eyes haue seene what hath bin done In Syria , Parthia , and each other place ; I present was , when Lord Antonius , wonne Eighteene great battles , in a little space . I often sawe , when mischiefe , in the fielde Had all hir force against my Lorde brought forthe : How he with vallor , made euen fortune yeelde , And chance , awaight on well approued worthe . I was in Media , when Phraortes slue Great Tatianus , fighting for my Lorde : I sawe when he our engins from vs drew , And put ten thousand Romaines , to the swoord . I was in presence , when a sodaine feare . In blackest horrour of the darkest night , So much astonisht all that present were , With shriking cries that mought euen stones affright : That Antony , with feare of treason mooued , Made Ramnus humbly sweare vpon his knee , To strike that head , that head so much beloued , From of his shoulders , when he once should see , Vneuitable danger , to lay holde , Vpon himselfe ; yet could not all this , quaile His haughty courage , but as vncontroulde , He still proceedes , his stoutest foes t' assaile . And hauing now , sum'd with the Parthian blood , The largest scores , of wrongs we did sustaine , Thence to retyre , he now hath thought it good : And for a time at Blanckbourg to remaine . Blanckbourg a Citty neere to Sydon plac'd , Vnto the which our whole Campe did resorte , There he entends to stay , and not in haste To visite Roome , as most of them report . Oct.

O what should moue my Lord thus long to stay ?

Byl.

An other tung mought better that bewray .

Octa.

What dost thou know more the thou hast yet said ?

Byl.

Madame no more .

Oct. Why then am I dismaide ? Why doe I see thy sorrow-clowded brow , Seeme to conceale I know not what annoy ? Say Byllius whence those troubled lookes may grow ? Is my Antonius safe ? doth he enioy That body free from hurt , wound or disease ? Doth he yet liue and draw his vitall breath ? Speake , quickly speake , truth cannot me displease , Where now suspition wounds as deepe as death . Byl. It cannot be but that your grace doth know , For what can be conceal'd from Princes eare ? And further speech mought seedes of discord sow , Betweene your highēss and my Lord I feare . Octa. O how delay torments a doubtfull minde . I know , no , he procures I may not heare Of any thing from thence , whereby I finde , Although vnknowne yet double cause of feare . Then banish doubt , and see thou plainely tell , What strange occasion doth enforce his stay ? What can Antonius princely minde compell , In forraine coastes to make so long delay ? Byl. Madame , the cause that made him to remaine In Syria , so long time when as we went To'ards Parthia , is the same that doth detaine , His highnesse now and thus your grace preuent . Octa. Am I an Empresse still thus disobay'd ? And dost thou dare to dally with me still ? I first enquir'd , what him in Syria staide . Why dost thou feare to tell the worst of ill . Byl. If this likewise be hidden from your grace , In humble sort a pardon I beseech : That high displeasure gainst me take not place , For what shall be disclosed by my speech . Octa.

I pardon all , so long as all be true .

Byl. Who doth delude let sharp death be his due . Then if you list the truth to vnderstand , The truth is this : that fond Aegiptian Queene , Queene Cleopatra doth your will withstand , And him detaines , who els had present been . Octa.

By force ?

Byl. O no , worlds could not him constraine To stay this long in any place by force : But his affection is the louing chayne , That from your highnesse dooth his minde diuorce . Octa. What chilling feare doth streame along these vains ? What frozen terror makes me thus to quake ? What monstrous greefe , what horror , thus constrains My stiuing hart , his lodging to forsake ? Tell me , from what conceipt may this be guest ? Byl.

They liue together , who knowes not the rest .

Octa.

I must beleeue it sore against my will .

Byl.

Hardly we credit what imports our ill .

Octa.

But slow beleefe from wisdome doth proceed .

Byl.

But mortall wounds of present cure haue need .

Oct.

Some fond report hath made thee falsly deeme .

Byl. I shunne report , and lightly it esteeme , But this I sawe , when we to Syria came , Antonius straight to Cleopatra sent , A messenger Fonteius was his name : Whose swiftnes did euen hast it selfe preuent . More , then we knew not , but within short space Came Cleopatra royally attended , And met directly at th' appointed place , Which for their stay they had before pretended . There did they sporte a time in great excesse Of all delights which any eye hath seene , And there Antonius his great loue t' expresse Did frankely giue to this Aegyptian queene , Phoenicia , Cyprus and Cylicia , Part of Arabia where those people dwell Cald Nabatheians , part of Syria : And finding that she could preuaile so well With Antony , she further did proceed , And begd part of that land we Iewry call . From whence mought be transported at hir neede , True balme , for to preserue hir grace withall . This done , my Lord , to'ards Parthia tooke his way , Which we with fier and sworde did waste and burne , But in those confines did not long time stay , But backe againe to Blanckbourge we returne . From whence , a poste was speedily addrest , For to conduct this Cleopatra thither : She kindly condiscends to his request , Thus there they met , and there they liue togither . Octa. O what hart-piercing greefe doth them tormēt , That are thus countercheckt with riualles loue ? What worlds of horror do themselues present , Vnto their mindes that do like passions proue ? O Ielousie , when truthe once takes thy part , What mercy-wanting tyrant so seuere ? What Sylla , what Charibdis , can impart But halfe those horrors which in thee appeare ? Poore Pluto , why do we thy rigour dread ? All torments are containde within my brest : Alecto doth whole troupes of furies leade Within my soule , with endlesse greefe opprest . O deserts , now you deserts are indeed : Your common-wealths are coucht within my hart , Within my hart , all rauening beasts do feede : And with mad furie , still encrease my smart . O greefe , I feele the worst that thou canst doe . I taste the powerfull force of mischiefes pride . I proue the worst that chance can put me to . The deepest wound of fortune I abide . But staye Octauia , if this be a lye : If thy deare Lord do constant yet remaine , Whom doost thou wrong , is it not Antony ? O fault too great , recall it back againe . Canst thou be so vnkinde , nay so vniust , To censure , iudge , condemne without a cause ? Shall flying tales make thee so much mistrust , Him bound to thee by Gods , and natures lawes ? O traytor passion , if thou couldst subdue Thy soueraigne reason , what ill tragedies Wouldst thou soone acte , but Ielousie adieu , My Lord is constant , and these are but lyes . Did not he sweare on that our nuptiall day , By all the sacred rights we holy deeme , By those immortall powers which we obaye , By all things els which dearly we esteeme , By his right hand , by this our wedding ring , By all that mought a perfect truthe entend : One time , one day , one houre ; should surely bring , His life , and loue vnto a finall end . Did not he say , the starres from heauen should fall , The fishes should vpon the mountaines range , And Tyber should his flowing streames recall : Before his loue should euer thinke on change . But what of this ? these are but onely words , And so are those which do his faith impeache . O poore Octauia , how thy state affordes , Nought but despaire to stand within thy reache . The seate of truthe is in our secret harts , Not in the tongue , which falsehood oft imparts . Hast back then Tyber to thy fountaines head , Descend ye starres , and this base earth adorne , Let Neptunes people on these hilles be fed , For Antony is fled , false , and forsworne . But t is not so , my Antony is true : His honor will not let him basely fall , Octauies name will faithfull loue renew . His Innate vertue will his minde recall . As feare of torment houlds the wicked in : So vertues loue makes good men loath their sinne . Byl. Madam , I cannot force you to beleeue That which I speake , but that I speake is true , I knew too well it would your highnesse greeue , And would be lothe your sorrowes to tenew ; But would to God that all my words were lyes , So my disgrace mought worke your sweete content ; Would this my soule mought be the sacrifice , To reconcile his loue thus fondly bent . O vertue , thou that didst my good assure , Arme now my soule against proude fortunes might : Without thy succour I may not endure , But this strong tempest will destroy me quite . O sacred lampe , pure vertues liuing flame , That neuer failes sweet comfort to impart : I feele thy power and glory in the same , I heare thee say in closset of my heart , Octauta , liue , and shew thy selfe a Queene , Tread thou my path , make constancy thy guide ; Let no base feare within thy minde be seene , Let thine owne foote into no errour slide ; Make thine owne thoughts no witnes of thy misse ; Let thine owne conscience know no cause of blame ; A bulwarke stronge , a brazen wall this is , That will resist , both sorrow , griefe and shame . Antonius fall , his owne disgrace procures , His is the fault , and on his head shall fall , The storme of mischiefes deep-reuenging showers : When thine own worth , in heauen shal thee enstall . His is the fault , but what ? mine is the wronge . The errour his , but I endure the smart ; O vertue , if thou be so passing stronge , Yet once againe remooue this from my heart . Why , vertue grieues but at his owne disgrace , And mindes distrest , with patience doth relieue : With wisedomes light it stil directs his pace , And cannot fall and therefore cannot grieue . Well griefe , I feele that thou art griefe indeed , But patience is a prince and must not yeeld : O sacred vertue help me at my need ; Repulse my foes with thy all mastering shield . But what , I must not heere stand and lament , Thy deeds Octauta , must approoue thy worth : T is wisedome , must these iniuries preuent , I will no more excuse thy wrongs hencefoorth . I le seeke by all meanes thee to reconcile , And in my thoughts reuenge shall finde no place , But if thou needes wilt worke a thing so vile , To seeke my ruine and thine owne disgrace , If nothing can preuaile , I le make it seene , Thou wrongst an Empresse , and a Romaine queene . Iulia. Camilla . Syluia . O deare Camilla , what a wofull sight , T i's to beholde the Empresse dolefull state ? Though others burthens in our eyes seeme light : Death in my heart , her griefe doth intimate . O what exceeding pitty t' is to see , Such noble vertues nurst in wisedomes brest : Snar'd in the trap of humaine misery , By others basenes thus to be distrest . Cam. Madame , the case is pittifull indeed , And such as may relent a flinty heart : A patient minde , must stand her grace insteed , Till time and wisedome , may his loue conuert . Iul.

But who dares tell a Prince he goes aside ?

Cam.

His conscience best , if wisdome were his guide .

Iul.

But they are great and may do what they will .

Cam.

Great if much good : not great if they do ill .

Iul.

But we must yeeld to what the Prince will haue .

Cam.

He is no Prince , that is affections slaue .

Iul.

Be what he will his power is ouer-stronge .

Cam. Heauens will not suffer sin to florish long . And sure who list but to beholde the end , Shall see Antonius dearely buy his lust : They neuer prosper long that leawdly spend Their granted time , for God is not vniust . Syl. Well , let them talke of vertue , those that list , Of patience , iustice and of constancie ; For me , I thinke the Empresse sure hath mist , The onely way to cure this maladie . Buy liuing fame that list , with pinching paine , And starue themselues with feeding fond conceipt : Were I Octauia I would entertaine His double dealing , with as fine a sleight . I would nor weep , nor waile , but soone returne Vpon his head the wrongs he doth pretend : I would compel him spite of him to learne , It were no iest a woman to offend . He feeles not now the griefe that makes her smart : But I know what would touch him to the heart . Iul. What force , what wit , can Antony compell , Now to forgoe his late ill-placed loue ? Syl. One nayle you see another will expel , When nothing els can force the same to mooue . Should lie that swims in streames of sweet content , Make his delight the agent of my paine ? No , no , he rather were a president , How to inquire him with the like againe . Had I bin toucht with scence of inward greefe , When such like chances had be-fallen me , Or at their leisure hoped for reliefe , When I my selfe , mought best my selfe set free : I had bin dead for many yeares agoe , Or must haue liued in endlesse misery , But I take order not to perish so , He shall care little , that cares lesse then I. Cam. But doth not Syluia blush to disanull , Hir owne good name , hir faith , and constancie : Doth not she feare , the wrath of heauen to pull Vpon hir head , for such impietie ? Syl. The wrath of heauen , why no , the heauens are iust , And Iustice yeeldes a man his due desert : Then sithe I do no iniurie , I trust Not I , but he , for both our faults shall smart . And for my faithe and constancie , no doubt I le deale for that as well as others shall : But t is most strange to see you go about , To praise the thing that workes all womens fall . Why constancie is that which marreth all . A weake conceipt which cannot wrongs resist , A chaine it is which bindes our selues in thrall , And giues men scope to vse vs as they list , For when they know that you will constant bide , Small is their care , how often they do slide . O if you would but marke the little mappe Of my poore world , how in times swift careere I manage fortune , and with wit entrap A thousand such as hould these courses deare ; Then would you say you want the arte of loue , For I feare nothing lesse then such relaps , The frowardnesse which I in men approoue , Most troubles me for feare of after claps . And Lord , you cannot gouerne one alone , When I haue many subiect to my beck : I alwayes pleasant , you still making mone , You full of feare , they dread my frowning check . Nor do I maruaile , for this vnion breedes A loathing sure , by nature vnto things : And constancie the minde with quiet feedes , And setled quiet soone corruption brings . Thus first we loathe , and then we straight waies hate , When to one obiect we entend our minde : But I with choice do still renew the state , Of fainting loue , and still new pleasures finde . Looke how a Bee amongst the verdant fields , From diuers flowers extracts the pleasant thyme , Which well compounded , one sweet matter yeelds : So do I spend my pleasure-tasting time . I seeke not graines of gould in barraine ground , Nor hope for fruite , when haruest is once past : I like not where affection is not found , If any fall , I flye from him as fast . And surely who will taste the sweet of loue , Must not be tyed vnto one poore conceipt : One cannot worke or halfe his practise prooue , Vpon one minde which will be dulled straight . But there must be an emulation plac'd , Mongst fauourites as spur of swift desire : By letting one still see another grac'd , As though the on 's deserts did so require . Two at a time I seldome entertaine , Nor one alone , but alwaies if I might , Whiles any one to court me I detaine , Some other of the crew should be in sight : Who mought behold , how frankly I bestow , Both smiles ; and fauours , where it pleased me ; They thinking this from his deserts to grow , Will striue for to deserue as well as he . Thus I abound with store of proferred loue , With vowed faith , with presents and what not : When in the end one fortune all must prooue , And all these fauours must be cleane forgot . Cam. But will not all thy seruants thee forsake , To see a ryuall such high fauour gaine ? Syl. If any iealious foole a surfeite take , Then thus with arte I bring him on amaine . Some extraordinary fauour falles On him vnwares , which may new fire his minde : Or els some trusty agent him recalles , In secret manner thereunto assign'd ; Who tels him ( as of friendship ) I admire His discontent , and my vnkindnesse blame ; How I doe oftentimes of him enquire , And still a sigh awaites vpon his name . This way I seldon faile , till at the last , In follies lap affection hath him lull'd . From whence with fresh desire he flyes as fast , As if ( poore foole ) his wings had nere been pull'd . Iul. But sith thy minde can neuer be so free , But that affection will on thee lay holde : That being partiall , me thinkes should be A cause , that others loue would soone waxe cold . Syl. Affection , no , I know not such a thought , That were a way to make my selfe a slaue ; I hate subiection and will nere be brought , What now I giue , at others hands to craue . Iul , But yet I know some one aboue the rest Is most belou'd , but that you list to iest . Syl. I loue one most ? I fauour , loue , and grace , Most euery one , whiles he in presence is : But being gone , looke who comes next in place , He 's next my heart , my course is alwaies this . And if that any chance to fall away , Shall losse of him thus vexe me at the heart ? No griefe , I neuer meane to be thy pray , My care and he together shall depart . Cam. Of straying , falling , and I wot not what , So many words hath Syluia spent in vaine : That time , and truth , and purpose are forgot , To Antony let vs returne againe . We speake not of thy sutors , we complaine Of his vntruth , that second vnto none , In faithlesnes : of duety should remaine , For euer constant vnto one alone . Of his vntruth , who hath his honor stain'd , By base defiling of his mariage bed : Who being vowed , and by oath detain'd , Is false for sworne , seduc'd and fondly fled . Syl. Why all is one , no wedlocke can compell , No law , no feare , no reason can constraine Our mindes , whiles we in natures castels dwell , The pleasing course of nature to refraine . Nature it selfe dooth most delight in change , The heauens , by motion do their musicke make : Their lights by diuers waies and courses raunge ; And some of them new formes doe alwaies take . Their working power is neuer alwaies one , And time it selfe least constant is of all : This earth we see and all that liues thereon , Without new change , into destruction fall . Nay what is more , the life of all these things , Their essence , and perfection , doth consist In this same change , which to all creatures brings That pleasure , which in life may not be mist. Sith then all creatures are so highly blest , To taste the sweet of life in often change : If we which are the princes of the rest , Should want the same me thinks t' were very strange . For proofe heereof , I need not to vnfold : Such farre fetcht secrets , scence will make it plaine . What pleasure hath the eye , when you beholde One onely obiect : is 't not rather paine ? What sweet delight doth charme the listning eare , When onely one tune it doth apprehend ? In taste and smell , like loathing doth appeare , Whose euidence , no wit can reprehend . Since nature then hath framed for the eye , Such sundrie coulors to delight the same ; And for the eare such strange variety , Of sweetest tunes , which doe our musicke frame ; Such diuers meates , to please the dainty taste ; So many sauours to delight that sence ; Each other part , with diuers pleasures grac'd ; Least want of change mought haply breed offence . What , shall the heart the master of the rest , Be more restrain'd then any sauage beast ? Shall not the heart , on whom all those depend , Haue greater scope then any of them all , To taste the pleasure of each pleasing friend ? Faith mine hath had , and so it euer shall . Cam. Peace wicked woman , nay foule monster peace Whose very steps defile the guiltlesse earth : Staine of thy sexe , thy poisoned speech surcease , That hath from sinne , and wickednes , his birth . Is 't not too much to glory in thy sinne , Leawd creature , that hast ouer-liu'd all shame ? Imbouldning others to persist therein , When thou thy selfe shouldst shun and fly the same ; But thou must make the heauens a president , For thy misdeedes , which on thy head will power , Eternall vengeance , vnlesse thou repent , And stay the force of mischiefes dreadfull shower . These moouing thinges are constant in their kinde , Vnto the end for which they were ordain'd : Not mutable like thy vngodly minde , Whose very thoughts with wickednes are stain'd . Our scences their peculiar obiects haue , Whose store , and number , doth vnto vs shew , How reuerently we should our selues behaue , To'ards him whose bounty did the same bestow . O Chastity bright vertues sacred flame , Be neuer woman louely wanting thee . Be neuer woman wrong'd adorn'd with thee . Be all disgrac'd that merit not thy name . Come Iulia , we haue taried heere too long . Syluia adiew in faith I wish thee well , No honest minde I thinke will doe thee wrong . T' is punishment enough to hang in hell .

Chorus . GReat guide of this same golden flame , Which daies and times deuideth . Whose beauty euer is the same , And alwaies one abideth . Why hast thou such a monster made , which alwaies thus rebelleth : And with new torments doth inuade , The heart wherein it dwelleth . Affection is the sauage beast , Which alwaies vs annoyeth : And neuer lets vs liue in rest , But still our good destroyeth . Affections power who can suppresse And master when it sinneth : Of worthy praise deserues no lesse , Then he that kingdomes winneth . Were Antony a Prince indeede , That base affection scorned : Him to bemone we should not need , With vitious life deformed . But this seducing vertues foe , In whom all pleasure shineth : Doth all our scences ouerthrow , and reason vndermineth . Who doth not ioy , when from his necke , The yoake of bondage slideth : And wish to liue without the check , Of him that others guideth ? Yet what more hard , then to obserue , In such licentious pleasure : The golden meane , which doth not swarue , From sacred vertues measure : Who know , and see , the way of sinne Beset with dangers many : Yet still persist and walke therein , As negligent as any . The minde with deepest wisedome fraught , That mischiefes hand escheweth : And enuies craft doth bring to naught , Affections force subdueth . The haughty heart with courage bolde , That deaths pale face despiseth : The Prince which scornes to be contrould ; Affections power surprizeth . And hauing made it selfe a king , Our minde with errour feedeth : Till we our selues effect the thing , Which our destruction breedeth . The path of errour , is so grac'd , With sweetest seeming pleasures : As if delight had therein plac'd , The store house of her treasures . But who to prooue the same are bent , In sinfull maze encluded : In vaine at last will sure repent , with shamefull end deluded . Where vertues little beaten wayes , with diuers troubles cumbred : Direct our steps , vnto true ioyes , Amongst the Angels numbred .

Actus tertius . Octauia . Caesar. OFearce desire , the spring of sighes and teares , Relieu'd with want , impouerisht with store , Nurst with vaine hopes , and sed with doubtful feares , Whose force withstood , encreaseth more and more . How doth thy pride thus torture my poore heart , Whiles I for bodies shadowes entertaine : And in the haruest of most high desert , Do reape no fruite , but scorne and deep disdaine . No fearce Hyrcanian forrest doth possesse , So wilde a Tyger , nor no Libian coaste , Hath euer knowne a greedy Lyonesse , Rob'd of the pray which she affected most , So beyond measure full of furious Ire , As is the minde rob'd of his chiefe desire . O destinies , that draw the golden twine , Which doth conduct the neuer-tyred poste , Why haue you lest vnclos'd these eyes of mine , To see the field of all mine honor lost ? In vaine I sought a whyle , to cure the wound With balme of hope , drawne from a constant minde , But now the truth is manyfestly found : I heare , I see , I know , I feele , I finde , The shamefull wronge , the scorne and high disdaine Which faithlesse he most falsly dooth pretend , To power on me whiles from dispaire in vaine , With constant hope , my weaknesse I defend , O torment , worse then deaths most bitter gall : Worse then is found in that infernall place ; To see another glory in my fall ; To see another proud with my disgrace . Why doost thou stay , distrest Octauia dye . Dead to all ioyes let death thy torments end , Who gaue thee life , the same doth now deny : And to another his affection bend . Another dooth thy interest enioy : And yet thou liuest , and yet thou doost delay , To calme with death the tempest of annoye , When to disgrace thy life dooth thee betray . Dye dead Octauia . What ? and basely dye ? Shall I sit downe and yeeld my selfe to shame ? Shall I content my selfe with wronges ? not●… . Reuenge Octauia , or thou art too blame . Dye neuer vnreueng'd of such a wrong . My power is such that I may well preuaile . And rather then I will endure it long , With fier and sword I will you both assaile . My nature doth abhorre to be thus vsed , My heart doth scorne such monstrous iniurie : My birth , my state , disdaine to be abused , And I will deeply score thy periurie . Then greefe giue place a while vnto disdaine . Mylde pittie , make thee wings and flye away : And death , withdraw thy hastie hand againe , Whiles with aduantage I their debts repay . How now Octauia , whither wilt thou flye ? Not what thou maist , but do thou what is iust : Shall these same hands attempt impietie ? I may , I can , I will , I ought , I must , Reuenge this high disgrace , this Caesar will , Byrthe , nature , reason , all require the same . Yet vertue will not haue me to do ill . Yeeld , all things yeeld , to vertues sacred name . Howthen ? euen thus , with patience make thee strong , The heauens are iust , let them reuenge thy wrong . Cruell to me , selfe-wronging Antony , Thy follie shall not make Octauia sinne : I le be as true in vertuous constancie , As thou art false and infamous therein . I le be as famous for a vertuous wife , As thou notorious for so leawd a life . Caesar. As is a sweet pearle dropping siluer showre , Which some milde cloud down from the shadie skies Vpon the parched flowrie fields dooth power : Such is Octauiaes sight to Caesars eyes . Hath Iasons trauaile gaind the goulden fleece , Or hath Octauia faild of hir entent ? Is Antony within the bounds of Greece , Or dooth he stay at Blanckbourg malecontent ? Oct. O Caesar , how my now distracted minde Vnites it selfe to render worthy thanks : But woe is me , no way , no meanes I finde , No hope to hide Antonius lustful prankes . I him besought , by all that words might say , By this same ring that knit the Gordian knot : By all the rights past on our wedding day , But all in vaine , for all is now forgot . Looke how some proude hard harted mighty rocke , Which makes the sea a mirrour for his face , Repell's the waters with a churlish stroake , Which mildely striue his body to imbrace : So his indurate minde reiects my words , And rudely makes me and my hopes forlorne , His flinty heart naught but repulse affoords , And my deserts returne me naught but scorne . Caesar. Were not Octauia precious in my sight , Whose will withstood what I did most desire : The bloudy lynes had not been now to wrighte , Of such reuenge as his leawd deeds require . But worthy branch of braue Octauius lyne , In Caesars thoughts liue and predominate : Yours is my kingdome and what els is mine , My selfe , my scepter and my royal state . Then sith I euer graunted your request , And let you prooue al meanes his loue to winne : Since you and we in vaine haue done our best , To stay his foote out of the sincke of sinne ; Now for my sake , if I may ought preuaile , For dead Octauius neuer stained worth : For deare Anchariaes loue , and your auaile , Excuse no more his faithlesnesse hencefoorth , Yeeld but to this , liue heere and banish care , Forget his name that traytor-like is fled : Liue like a Queene , remember who you are , And let me rouse him from his Lemmans bed . Leaue you this house of his , and what is his , Stand of your selfe since he entends your fall : Dishonor not your name with others misse , If loue cannot recall him terror shall . Oct. Dishonor not my name ! O Caesar no , My miserie is not of that degree : Wrought by my follie or forc'd by my foe , Which mought attribute that disgrace to me . T is paine , and greefe , to beare and suffer wrong , But shame and sinne to him that dooth the same : True patience can mildly suffer long , Where rage and furie do our liues defame . T is fortitude which scornes the force of wrong , And temperance not to be moou'd withall : T is constancie makes vs continue strong , And wisdoms worke to free our selues from thrall . But I am wrong'd you say , and t is base feare . Without reuenge to suffer iniurie : Its cowardize vnworthy wrongs to beare , And madnesse to giue way to trecherie , Well then , reuenge , but what ? Octauiaes wrong , Of whom ? of Antony . And who is he ? Ah my deere Lord , that will returne ere long , And hate his fall , and be most true to me . If not , I le then reuenge , but how ? with death ? He is my selfe , his greefe procures my paine . With spoile and losse ? O no that were not good , By certaine losse to hope for doubtfull gaine . How then 〈◊〉 be false as he is most vntrue . One wound doth not an others balme procure . Flame is not quencht with flame , but both renue , A double force not easie to endure . Whence springs reuenge ? from malice and disdaine : Then speake not of it , for it is in vaine . Earth open first thine vndeuided Iawes , And swallow me in thine infernall wombe : Eare willingly I swarue from vertues lawes , Truthe my loues childbed was , truthe be his tombe . Caef. Were Antony as loyall in his loue , As he is false forsworne , and fondly bent : Then would I thinke it reason to approoue , And highly praise your vertuous entent . But sith he willingly doth you forsake , And wilfully persistes to do vs wrong : High honor dooth require our swords to take , Most iust reuenge , which we may not prolong . Oct. His falshood dooth not malice raise in me , But rather shewes how fraile mans nature is : An argument which bids me carefull be , Least I my selfe should like wise do amisse . Caes. Can my perswasions then no whit preuaile ? Can my request no thought of yeelding finde ? Can you esteeme of him whose truth dooth faile ? There are few women of Octauiaes minde . Octa. Too few I grant , and therefore am I such , And though alone , yet will perseuer still : We imitate the multitude too much , Most do , as do the most , and most do ill . The number of the vertuous is so small , That few delight to tread that loanely way : But wisdomes heires are iealious of their fall ; And thinke it shamefull all should goe astray . A vertuous act seemes strange in some mens sight , Because they seldome saw the like before , But noble mindes are carefull of the right , And others errors make them feare the more . How sencelesly we sleepe in follies bedde , How few there are indeed , how all would seeme Wise , honest , iust , how fondly are we led , To vse that least which we do most esteeme ? Then ought a prince to feare much more then any : Least his fault be a president to many . Caes.

And is it vertue then to be misused ?

Octa.

To giue no cause why we should be abused .

Caes.

Do but consent , I le act and beare the blame .

Octa.

To giue consent to sinne , is sinne & shame .

Caes.

And is it sinne to punish leawdnesse then ?

Octa.

Sinne to exulte vpon repentant men .

Caes.

But he persists in hatefull trecherie .

Oct.

True loue may spring from pardoned iniurie .

Cae.

How may they loue , whom worlds of distance part ?

Octa.

He is not far that s lodg'd within the heart .

Cae.

But time , and absence , will consume all loue .

Oct.

Soner the hart , which doth those passions proue .

Caes.

Not so , no mortall darte neare loue is found .

Oct.

But we are mortall which endure the wound .

Caes.

Yet leaue this house , if not his loue deny .

Oct.

First let this soule out of his lodging flye .

Caes. Can nature then no priuiledge obtaine ? Are his deserts in such aboundant store ? Must all I do be fruitlesse and in vaine ? Antonius be your guide , I say no more . Oct. If that my words so much offend your minde , O silent death , thou my best refuge art : O breake my heart , for Caesar is vnkinde , In silent greefe , O breake my wounded heart . Caes. What in a traunce ? O sister , sister deare , Light of my life , deare modell of my soule : Hurt not your selfe , O banish needlesse feare , Woe , woe , to me , that did you thus controule : O deare Octauia , I spake but to prooue , How farre your thoughts were bent with iealousie ; To see if malice had exilde your loue , To finde how you esteemed of Antony . Oct. O Caesar more belou'd then these same eyes , More then the light which glads my tired life : Do not my truly louing minde despise , Kill not my heart with this your factious strife . Alasse t is not his house that I respect , His wealth , or trypartite high regiment : I would the worlds great treasurie neglect , Rather then hazard Caesars discontent . T is not affection that enchaines my minde , Or partiall loue that makes my faith so strong : Too well alasse my selfe abusde I finde , And this my hart too sensible of wrong . And what is worse , this wrong so full of scorne , As mought incense the mildest minde aliue : To see my Lord a gracelesse Queene suborne ; And my dishonour carelesly contriue . Nay worse then that , if worse then that may be , No creature euer felt the like disgrace : Each wronged wight may hope for remedie , My shamefull storie nothing may deface . For if my Lord would cure this wound againe : Yet woe is me , the scarre will still remaine . In these respects , perhaps I could be brought , To strike reuenge as deepe as any could : I want no meanes whereby it mought be wrought , For many thousands wish it if I would . And what is more , my selfe can scarcely let : But Caesars sworde for me would pay the debt . But when I finde in closet of my heart , How I haue paun'd my faith to Antony , How I haue vow'd that nought but death should part From him my loue , and my fidelitie . When that I see the vulgar peoples eyes , Make my designes the patterne of their deeds : How with my thoughts they striue to simpathize , And how my misse their certaine errour breedes . When that I finde how my departure were , The opening of a gate to cruill warres : Then Atlas-like I am constrain'd to beare , A hated hell though not the happie starres . I le rather dye then witnesse with these eyes , In mortall wounds and bloudie lines enrowled , The argument of my calamities , Whom proud mischance , vniustly thus controwled . Shall neuer two such noble Emperours , Their dearest liues aduenture for my sake : Shall neuer for my sake such mightie powers , The doubtfull chaunce of battle vndertake . Shall neuer tongue recount Octauiaes errour , An instance of his faithlesse periurie I le rather dye the world vnspotted myrrour , And with my faith surmount his iniurie . Caes. Well sister , then I see that constancie Is sometimes seated in a womans brest : Your strange designes euen from your infancie , Can neuer without wonder be exprest . Oct. I know not what you thinke of woman kinde , That they are faithlesse and vnconstant euer : For me , I thinke all women striue to finde The perfect good , and therein to perseuer . Euen as a Torche , or Sulphure poudered light , Whiles any nourishment maintaines his flame , Fayles not to burne , and burning shineth bright , Till arte obscure , or force put out the same : Such is the minde in womans brest contained , With the true zeale of vertues loue enflam'd , We may be dead , but liuing neuer stained , We may be wrongd , but neuer rightly blam'd . Caes. Wel , for your selfe proceed as you thinke best : Time and the heauens , must see these wrongs redrest . Caesar. Titius . Plancus . Great peeres that striue with wisdoms sacred fame , To ouer liue all humaine memory : Shew me , for what entent you hither came , What causde you to reuoult from Antony ? Tit. By our accesse we nothing else entend , But humbly to beseech your maiestie : Vnder your gracious fauour to defend , Our wronged selues from hatefull iniurie . Proud Cleopatrae , Aegypts craftie Queene , Rules Antony , and wrongs she cares not where : So insolent hir late attempts haue been , As no pride-scorning Romaine heart can beare . She is become our Queene and gouernour , And we whose courage feares the force of no man : By seruile basenesse of our Emperour , Must be content to stoope vnto a woman . Caes. What Angel Queen rules those Nyleian coasts , Whose beautie can so ouer-rule mens mindes : What goddesse can command the man that boasts To equall Iulius , in his high designes . Plan. If in those guifts , by nature we enioy , Vnto Octauiaes sacred maiestie , Shee be but comparable any way : Be neuer Romaines so disgrac'd as we . But for hir artificiall ornaments , For pompe , for pride , for superfluitie , For all excesse that folly represents : She doth exceed the height of vanitie . Hir sunne-burnt beautie cannot please his sight , That hath a minde with any reason fraught : But t is hir Syren tongue that dooth delight , Hir craftie Cyrces wit which hath him caught . As when from Athens , Niger made returne , And did relate the Emperesse entent , Which he of purpose had in charge to learne : And did hir princely guifts to him present . And further did with truth discouering words , Octauiaes well deserued praises frame : An argument which to that Queene affords , A furious blast to raise a Iealious flame . Then did she nothing vnattempted leaue , That art mought frame , or wit mought well deuize Which mought his minde , of reason quite bereaue : And thus she straight began to Syrenize . Shee pines hir body with the want of food , That she mought seeme to languish for his sake : And by hir gestures would be vnderstood , How from his absence she hir death should take . Hir deepe lamenting lookes fixt in his face , In silent termes present an earnest sute : As who should say , O pitty my hard case , Whom violence of passion maketh mute . Then would she stand of purpose in his way , In any place where he should passage make : And there as though vnwilling to bewray , What bitter griefe she inwardly did take : Downe from her eyes distils a Christall tyde , Which at his comming she would dry againe , And sodainly would turne her head a side , As though vnwilling to reueale her paine , Thus in his presence rauished with ioy , She smiles , and shewes , what mirth she can deuize : But in his absence drowned with annoy , She seemes to take her life from those his eyes . Then Meeremaid-like his scences she inuades , With sweetest nectar of a sugered tongue : Vnto her will , she euer him perswades , The force of her words witch-craft is so strong . Then came the kenell of her flattering crew , Who largely paint the story of her death , Like feede Atturneys they her sute renue , And hunt Antonius spirits out of breath . Wherewith assayl'd , he like a man enchaunted , To make her know she need not to misdoubt him : Or like to one with some mad fury haunted , Assembleth all the people round about him . In that fayre Citty royalliz'd by fame , By that great Macedonian monarke builded : Of whom it tooke beginning , birth and name ; Where on a high Tribunall seate which yeelded , A large prospect , were plac'd too chayres of golde ; One for himselfe , another for her grace , And humbler seates which mought her children hold , Of such like mettall , in the selfe same place . There he establisht Cleopatra , Queene Of Aegipt , Cyprus , and of Lidia : And that his bounty mought the more beseene , He ioyn'd thereto the lower Syria . Caesarion , heyre apparant to her grace Was constituted King of those same lands . His owne two sonnes by her were there in place , Attended with great troopes of martiall bands . These two , the mighty Kings of Kings he called , And to the eldest gaue Armenia , The country Media , and forthwith enstalled Him regent of the Kingdome Parthia . To Ptolomy he gaue Phoenicia , And all the terrytories there adioyning : The vpper Syria , and Cilicia , Vnto them both peculiar guards assigning . A Median gowne the elder of them ware , And all th' Armenian souldiers so instructed : Accomplishing the charge they had before , About him came and thence they him conducted . In Macedonian robes the other stands , In distance from his brother little space : About him came the Macedonian bands , And guarded safe his person from the place . These things proclaim'd , the trumpets lowdest voice , Vnto all peoples eares foorthwith imparted , Whereat some frowne , some murmure , some reioyce , Whiles he , with his immortall queene departed . Caes.

Immortall ? why you said she was not such .

Pla.

Not she , but her attyre did claime thus much .

Cae.

Was her attyre so admirable then ?

Pla. Scorning the basenes of vs mortall men . Clad like the Goddesse Isis she did goe : Then what hard heart wold not haue thought her so Caes. When that Appollodorus on his backe , A flockbed did to Iulius Caesar bring : With thongs of leather trust vp like a sacke ; As though there had been need of such a thing , Where was the Goddesse when this came to passe ? Pla.

Shee , noble she , was ryding on her Asse .

Caes. When Antony about the streetes doth runne , Listning at each mans window in the night : To heare what in the house is said or done , And with strainge noyses passengers affright . Where is this Goddesse then so highly blest ? Pla.

She ambles after to laugh at the iest .

Cae And shal our state maintaine their hateful pride ? Shall bleeding Roome procure their wanton peace ? T is time we stould a remedy prouide , And their ambition speedily suppresse .

Chorus . WHat guilded baites of sinne , Doe still procure our misse : And seeke our soules to winne , From theyr entended blisse ? Euen natures selfe doth draw , And force vs still to slide : And violate the law , Which reason makes our guide . Of pleasures we alowe , Which doe our thraldom bring : When starueling vertue now , Is scarcely iudg'd a thing ; The one a poore conceipt , the other proou'd a King . If that it be so sweete , To tread the path of sinne : And so exceeding meete , We should not walke therein ; O nature most vnkinde , That prooues weake reasons foe : O reason too too blinde , That crosseth nature so . Three mal-seducing foes , Conduct false errours traine : Misleading most of those , Which vertues praise would gaine . Whose force vnlesse we foyle , we labour all in vaine . Th' examples of the most , Which most doe take least care , To anchore on the coaste , Where sacred vertues are . Sweete Syrenyzing tongues , In flattery most expert : Whose ill perswading songes , Our scences doe peruert . And mens iniurious deeds , Doe cause vs to digresse : Our errour fury breedes , When wronges our mindes oppresse . These treason working mates , still worke our great distresse . Examples make vs bolde . To tread the doubtfull way , Which we before were tolde , Would lead vs quite a stray . Perswations kindly mooue , And winne vs to dpe ill : Whose poyson when we prooue , We poysoned , loue it still . But iniury more strong , Doth fiercely vs incite : By suffring to doe wronge , Forgetfull of the right , All these thrice vertuous Queene , assaile thee with their might . Who can vile deedes despise , And flattering tongues neclect : With malice temporize , As wisedome doth direct . Giue him the lawrell crowne , Triumphant victors weare : The tytles of renowne , Which vertues monarkes beare . And thou most glorious queene , These traytor foes repell : That vertue may be seene , In that your sexe to dwell . And brauely vaunt thy worth where he most basely fel.

Actus quartus . Octauia . Mecoenas . Agrippa . Caesar. YOu haughty Lords , that bury death and fate , In liuing monuments of lofty fame : Whose worthy praise doth claime the boundles date , wherewith eternity doth blaze her name . Gainst whom raise you these forces in such haste ? Gainst whom lead you this danger threatning power ? Doth hatefull Hanniball your confines waste ? Or Brennus sword your liues seeke to deuoure : No no my Lords , this your concea'ld designe , Resounding Echoes of most strange debate : With tragike tydinges fill'd these ears of mine , That powr'd on me the storme of all your hate . Neuer since princelie hande of Syluias sonne , Laide the foundations of these stately towers : Did sharpe mischaunce so much eclyps the sunne , Of our good fortune , with such fatall lowers . But if that wisedome euer found a place , Within your soules , which beautifies your praise : Now shew the same , and saue from high disgrace , Our bleeding honor , and death breathing ioyes . You know how bloud maintaines the life of warres , As doubtfull as deare bought the victory : Mans destiny is chain'd by vnknowne starres , To happy ioyes or mournfull misery . If you triumph , you conquer not your foes , But neighbors , kinsefolkes and your dearest friendes : Whose wounds bleed shame , and deep hart-peircing woes , Insteed of conquest this is your amendes . But if my Lord obtaine the lawrell wreath , And fortune smile on him with like successe : What fatall tempests , furious rage will breath , From his hearts caue , your selues may easily guesse . You know when touch of honor wings his minde , What lyon thoughts tyre on his haughty soule . Where wronged valour raignes t is hard to finde , Such pitty as may honors pride coutroule . Then sith your course to loose your selues is bent , To loose your liues or purchase liuing shame : Let wisedomes eyes , blinde errours faults preuent . With ease a sparke , with paine is quencht a flame . Be aduocates for me to Caesars grace , And stop in time the current of his hate : Let gentle pittie in your mindes finde place , When swords haue pleaded , words wil come too late . You know my fortune euer hath been such , As dazeled Enuies eies with honors shine : But since Antonius hath augmented much , This soueraignty , and great estate of mine ; Since nature , fortune , birth and maiesty , In fields of glory stirre vp ciuill warres , Which of them most should raise my dignity , And lift mine honor neerest to the starres ; Since these two Emperours whose princely hands , Doe sway the scepter of the Romaine state : The one my brother , linkt in natures bands , The other is my spouse and louing mate ; Since heauens themselues did in my life prouide , To shew the map of their felicityes : This Roome my Lords and all the world beside , Make me the obiect of their wondring eyes . Thus I that was more happy then the rest , And did excell in glory and renoune : With more then most disgrace shall be supprest , No fall like his that falleth from a crowne . And that which nature grantes the meanest wight , They cannot loose which haue the conquest wonne : Yet with this strange Dylemma workes my spight , Who s'euer winne Octauia is vndone . Great Empresse , this bright sunne can witnes well , So can these heauens before whose powers I stand : That gainst our mindes Caesar doth vs compell , This enterprize you see , to take in hand . But for my selfe , and if the case be such , That but report is auctor of this iarre : If Caesars honor may be free from touch Of any staine , relinquishing the warre . I le doe my best , and what I may perswade , To lay downe armes , wherein if I preuaile : A perfect league of friendship shall be made , That may the fury of this tempest quaile . And pardon me ( deare soueraigne ) though my speech Include exceptions in this doubtfull wise : I may not Caesar mooue , nor him beseech , What may his maiestie disroyallize . This said , behold my hand , my sword , my soule , Heere humbly prostrate at your princely feete : What you commaund let none dare to controule , This Caesar will and this we thinke most meete , Arg. Madam ; your speech I thinke doth not extend , To the disparagement of your owne bloud : And sooner shall my life haue finall end , Then I refuse to doe your highnes good . Though last my speech , yet second vnto none Is my desire , t'effectuate your will : But loe where Caesar comes himselfe alone , Arme we our tongues with words , our words with skil . Caes. Fayer issue of renoun'd Octauius race , My second selfe , Roomes glorious Empresse : Behold vs all assembled heere in place , To worke your safety and your wrongs redresse . Your Lord Antonius ( as we heare ) doth threate , To power sharpe stormes of deep reuenging Ire , Vpon our heads : and make th' imperiall seate His sole possession , ere he hence retyre . But let him know , though finely he pretend , To guilde iniustice with a Princes name : Though he triumph in words , yet ere I end , What he begins , he may repent the same . Oct My gracious Lord , high words doe but encrease The flame of vallour in incensed mindes : Leaue armes my Lord , and let vs treate of peace : Who best doth speed in war , smal safety findes , Ful wel the world your noble worth hath knowne , Let not new dangers needlesse tropheies raise . Let not th' effect of hateful deeds be showne , Against my Lord who may deserue your praise . Caes. Shal he be prais'd that is become our foe , Staine of our name , foile of the Romaine state : A seruile man , contriuer of our woe , And from all honor doth degenerate ? Nay what is more , t is said he doth pretend , To worke our ruine , and our fatal end . Octa. Can foule suspition then , and false report , In wisedomes confines holde so large a place : That it can foyle our reason in such sort , To fly the good , and worke his owne disgrace ? The auncient Romaines wont to draw their swordes , To purchase honor , of their stoutest foes : But you whose groundes are vaine surmized words , By seeking honor , shall your honors loose . Fame hath two wings , the one of false report : The other hath some plumes of veritie ; Why then should doubtful rumour , raise a forte Of mortall hate , against my Lord and me . Suppose he rais'd as you haue done , a power : He to defend , not to offend his friend , The heauens forbid that any fatall hower , Should your proceedings turne t'vnhappy end . Vnhappy no , he neuer falles amisse , That foiles his foe before his final ende : High honor , not long life , the treasure is , Which noble mindes without respect defend . Oct.

The prize of honor is not alwaies bloud .

Cae.

T is honor all whose end imports our good .

Oct.

O wretched state where men make haste to dye .

Cae.

True valour feeles nor griefe nor misery .

Oct.

He is your brother , be not then vnkinde .

Cae.

Iustice , not pitty , fits a Princes minde .

Oct.

He hath done nothing , spare an innocent .

Cae.

He doth too much that beares a false entent .

Oct.

You both are stronge and both will buy it deare .

Cae.

I arm'd with iustice , know not how to feare .

Oct. O Caesar shall my heart be made a stage , For you to play a bloudie tragedie ? Shall fearce misfortune , breathing spitefull rage , Make me vicegerent of all misery ? If both of you misled in errours maze , Doe seeke reuenge of misconceiued wrongs , For your owne sakes out of your fancies raze , The spots of mallice grafted with your tongues . But if mischance haue offered disgrace , To eyther party : O let me entreate , That for my sake , kinde pardon may deface , A fault so small , with breath of words made great . Caes Bright lamp of vertue , honors liuing flame , Whosoeuer winne , you can no losse sustaine : Whom partiall fortune list to crowne with fame , His be the day , the triumph and the gaine . The victor must be eyther your owne Lord , Or els your brother , who will both consent , To trie their fortunes with the dinte of sword . But shield you as the worlds chiefe ornament . If both we fall , ( which hap the heauens forbid ) All that suruiue , are subiect to your will . Your birth , your state , your vertues are not hid : But knowne , and lou'd , and will be honored still . no ear so deaf which hath not heard your name ; Whose eares haue heard , their mindes your worth admire Whose minds admire , their harts loue doth enflame , And winnes them subiect to your owne desire . No perils threaten you , you need not feare . Octa.

But many you , and I their burthen beare .

Caes.

T is reason I , none els my griefes sustaine .

Octa. Where nature forceth , reason is but vaine . And therefore Caesar heere I thee beseech , By these same scepter-bearing hands of mine : By these same teares , true witnes of my speech ; By that same princely port and grace of thine ; By all the loue thou bearest to Acciaes ghost , By all the rightes that louing mindes hold deare ; Lay armes aside dismisse this puisant hoast , Let friendly truce release my minde of feare . If not , i le drowne my life in these same teares , And tyre with plaints the Pandionian birdes : Tyre th' Halciones , with griefe that beares To high a straine , for highest clyming words . I le make the sunne for pitty cloath his steedes In sorrows liuery , and disdaine your sight : Force niggard Pluto with my wofull deeds , To entertaine my soules disgraced flight . Else will I flie and shrowde my face from shame , Where Pyndus hides his head amongst the starres : Or where ambitious Othris , wanting flame Of heauenly lamps , the cloudes swift motion barres . Ought will I doe , before these eies behold Death's vissage painted in that princelie face : Before i le see captiuitie , lay holde On those faire lims , which merit highest grace . Before i le see their bloudie weapons drinke , The nectar of thy life , or Iuorie stain'd , With vgly gore : O let me neuer thinke , Or hope till then , to haue this life maintain'd . Before that time , death is a welcome guest To my liues lodging : and O sisters deare , If euer pitty dwelt in dyrefull brest , Draw not my threed till that newes peirce mine eare . How oft when sleep inuites my drowsie eye , With natures curtaine to repell the light : And hide my minde from sorrows tyranny , Vnder the darknes of the silent night ? Shal thy pale ghost defil'd with deaths foule hand , Stand in my sight , as in the cleerest day : And fury-like arm'd with blacke fiery brand ; Affright my minde and chase dead sleep away ? Which being gone , fierce sorrows cruell clawes , Seaze on my waking thoughts like tygers fell : And gripe my heart with sharpe tormenting pawes , That thousand times deaths rygour doth excell . Caes. O perfect vertue gracing woman kinde , Inuincible Octauia cease to plaine : O had Antonius halfe so good a minde , No discord could betwixt vs two remaine . My Lords what thinke you , how may we proceed ? High honor cries reuenge vpon our foes : And yet Octauia crossing this our deed . Cannot resolue which of vs she would loose . Agr. I thinke it is a braue and Princely thing , With fire and sword to ruinate our foes : But greater glory is it for a King , To saue his subiects from wars common woes . T is wisedome noble Caesar , must aduance Our state beyond the reach of fortunes arme : Not fierce reuenge which workes effectes by chance , And glories most when most it worketh harme . And valour , such as doth contemne all feare , And guild our actes with honor and renowne : With gentle clemencie , our deeds endeare , And mount with vertue where chance throwes vs downe . Mecoe. The rarest thing a Princes fame to raise , Is to excell those that are excellent : All other to surmount in vertues praise , And be his kingdomes chiefest ornament . Make quiet peace within his coastes remaine , And succour those that liue in great distresse : From bloudy slaughter euer to refraine , With time , and wisedome , passions rage suppresse . These are the wings directing vertues flight . This is the fuell feeding honors flame . This is the path that leades to heauen aright . and sun-bright beames that guild braue Caesars name . Caes. Pitty my Lords , is often like a maske , That hides our eyes from seeing what is iust : Inuiting any t' vndertake the taske , To worke our woes and execute their lust . For to neclect the course we haue begun , Were to betray our selues vnto our foes : Where keeping stronge though no exploite be done , Yet gaining nothing , nothing shall we loose . Why you' are ill inform'd of Antony , And his attempts exceed your knowledge farre : I feare me when you know as much as I , You 'll pleade as fast to prosecute the warre . But see a stranger hasts into our sight , With further newes , and if I iudge a right . Byl. Thrice noble Caesar , hither am I sent , Hauing in charge from great Mark Antony : Th' ambassage of his pleasure to present , Before Octauia and thy maiesty . First he commaunds Octauia to depart , Out of his house , and leaue all that is his : The reason why , he list not to impart , It must suffice that such his pleasure is . He likewise will , thy highnesse knowledge take , How much he scornes thou shouldst his wil withstād And thereof meanes with fire and sword to make , A perfect demonstration out of hand . Caes. Will Antony our confines then inuade , With Ciuill warres , contriuer of our woe ? Great reason preparation should be made , For to withstand so puisant a foe . Byl. Fiue hundreth saile of warlike ships he brings , Wherewith the froathing Ocean he scoures : And in his army are eight forraigne Kings , Eight Kings in person with their mighty powers . A hundred thousand well arm'd foote , are led Vnder Canidius their chiefe generall : Twelue thousand horse most strongly furnished , All these are knowne , and knowne these are not all . Caes. How now my Lords , is this thinke you a time , To talke of clemencie ? or of delay ? Is not this mischiefe in his chiefest prime , Before we could the speedie spring bewray ? What saith Octauia to these tidings strange , Are our coniectures vpon falshood grounded ? Can this suffice your setled thoughts to change ? Are not our liues with mischiefes Ocean bounded ? Octa. Had I so many tongues to paint my woes , As euer silent night had shining eyes : Yet could not all their eloquence disclose , The throwes of greefe which do my minde surprize . But would to God , this world of misery , Mought presently be trebled vnto me : So that from imminent calamitie , My deerest brother Caesar mought be free . For me , long since I wel discern'd the storme , And sought by all meanes how I mought preuent it : But sith no wit can Antony reforme , O 't is not I , but he , that wil repent it . I fear'd the stroke before I felt the wound , But now resolu'd the worst of chance to bide : True fortitude doth in my soule abound , My honor scornes the height of fortunes pride . The worst that can befall me is but death : And O how sweete is his liues sacrifize , On vertues altar that expires his breath , And in the armes of innocencie dyes . They onely feare , and onely wretched are , From whose bad liues staind with impietie : Their dying fame doth to the world declare , Most shamefull stories of foule infamie . But those that know not , let them learne in me : That vertuous minds can neuer wretched be . Caes. My Lords , I wil yee presently proclaime Marke Antony , a foe vnto our state : That all his soueraignties yee straight reclaime , And all his dignities annihillate . We will not see the Romaine Empires shine , By any seruile minde to be defamed : To manage steele our nature dooth encline , Of womens wanton toyes we are ashamed . And therefore with such hast , as may be-fit , A matter that imports our dearest bloud : Wee le meet Antonius , if the heauens permit , And what we say , there will we make it good . Adiew Octauia , and your selfe prepare To runne what course of fortune I approue : If happie starres to vs alotted are , I le neuer be forgetfull of your loue . Oct. Honour attend thy steps , and till I see , The period of my worlds declining state : I le neuer to my selfe a traytor bee , But seeke the meanes to stay your mortall hate .

Chorus . EArth-ruling heauenly powers , Great Ioues immortall mates : That from your Chrystall bowers , Dyrect all mortall states , And vs like Actors do dispose : To play what parts you list t' impose . Must we , poore we , consent To call you euer iust ? Though you our harts torment , Euen after your owne lust ? And for each drop of hoped ioy : Powre downe whole tempests of annoy . And that which is much more , Looke what we best do deeme : Doth vex our mindes more sore , Then that wee least esteeme . And that which nature saith is best : By tryall yeelds vs smallest rest . Who dooth not wish , to weare The terrour breeding crowne : And direfull scepter beare , As badge of high renoune ? Yet who more iustly do complaine : That they the brunt of woes sustaine . Stand who so list for me , In highest slipperie place : Though great their glorie be , Yet greater their disgrace . And who so subiect to mischance : As those whom fortune doth aduance . These base earth-creeping mates , Proud enuie neuer spyes : When at the greatest states , Hir poysoned quiuer flyes . Each tempest doth turmoyle the seas : When little lakes haue quiet ease . Not those that are bedight , With burnisht glistering gould , Whose pompe doth steale our sight , With wonder to behoulde : Tast smallest sweet without much gaule : Nor finde true ioyes within their call . This did the heauens impose , Not that they are vniust : But for to punish those , Who glory in their lust . And our misdeeds procure vs still : To seeke our good amongst much ill . A monster honour is , Whose eyes are vertues flame : His face contempt of this , Which we pale death do name . His Lyon heart nought else dooth feare : But crowing cock of shame to heare . His wings are high desires , His feete of Iustice frame : Food dangerous aspires , His seate immortall fame . Onely the traine of Enuies plumes , With others growthe it selfe consumes .

Actus Quintus . Iulia. Geminus . Camilla . HAth Geminus beheld th' Aegyptian Queene , The auctor of the troubled worlds distresse ? Hast thou hir guifts and rare perfections seene , That makes Antonius scences thus digresse ? Tell vs , is she so admirable faire , That Italy hath none which may come nigh hir ? Doth she all beauties else so much impaire , Or els indeed , dooth partiall fame be lye hir ? Haue those hir eyes so rare an influence , To houlde and captiuate mens sences so , That foyling wit , and reasons best defence , They rauished , must needs themselues forgoe ? Gem. I know not what may seem faire in your sight , Because some like what others discommend : But for my selfe , and if I iudge aright , Speaking of Cleopatra as a frend . The fairest thing that in her may be seene : Is , that she is a Ladie and a Queene . Madame , that sun-burnt coast , yeelds not a face Which with the Romain beauties may compare : There mought be found a thousand in this place ; Whose naturall perfections are more rare . Iul. How passing strange it seemes that Antony , Should leaue the paragon of natures pride : And follow hir whose shamefull luxurie , Dooth make the world his folly to deride . Whence should it spring that such a thing should be ? Is this his folly , or the heauens decree ? Cam.

His fault no doubt , & crosseth natures lawes .

Iul. And I thinke not , for nature is the cause . By nature we are moou'd , nay forst to loue : And being forst , can we resist the same ? The powerfull hand of heauen we wretches prooue : Who strike the stroke , and poore we , beare the blame . Cam. Loue sure , from nature tooke his birth by right , But loue of what ? Iul.

Of beautie loues delight .

Cam.

And what is beautie ?

Iul.

first say what is loue ?

Cam.

Loue 's a desire of what doth liking moue .

Iul. Desire doth spring , from what we wish , and want , Dooth loose himselfe in winning of his saint : Enioying dooth that humor quite supplant , And therefore cannot this loues nature paint . If loue were a desire , as you do guesse , Sith none desires that which he doth enioy , We could not loue the thing we do possesse : For why , enioying , would our loue destroy . But this is false , and you haue iudg'd amisse . Cam.

Speak you the truth , whose iudgment better is .

Iul. I thinke this loue a deepe affection sure , Wrought by th' instinct of natures hidden might , Which in our hearts an vnion doth procure , With that which perfect seemes vnto our sight . Such is that loue which in vs doth arise , When such a beautie we do chaunce to see : As with our nature best doth simpathize , Which nature , faultie is , and not poore we . Cam.

Wel , what is beauty ?

Iu.

that which liketh best .

Cam.

Which liketh whom ?

Iul.

Some one aboue the rest .

Cam. Why ? some do like what others disalowe . Some loue , what others hate : and few there are In whom a like affection doth growe , Of any one thing , though the same be rare . Were beautie then such as you heere do name , One thing should be , and not be beautifull , One thing should be , and yet not be the same : And that me thinkes were strange and wonderfull . I rather thinke these outward beauties growe , From iust proportion and right symmetrie : Of these same guifts which nature doth bestow , Vpon vs all in our natiuitie . Iul. Indeed we see a mixture farre more fine In some , then others , wrought by natures frame : To whom the praise of beautie we ascribe , Yet do not all alike affect the same . Now , if this were the obiect of our loue , We all should like some one that were most faire : Who should alone most deepe affection mooue , Whil's vulgar minds mought drown in deep despaire . But as no woman easily can endure , To be depriu'd of beauties louely praise : So is there none so much deformed sure , That in some minds , affection doth not raise . Ther 's none so faire whose beautie all respect , Although we were enforst it should be so : Some nothing faire , whom we must needs affect , Though reason , wit , and all the world say no. Cam.

And what should be the cause of all this same ?

Iul. I thinke because we lodge in natures frame . Look how the Loadstone draws nought els but steele Though mettals far more pretious are about it : Yet this as his fit subiect seemes to feele His power attractiue , and mooues not without it , Or as in diuerse instruments we see , When any one doth strike a tuned string : The rest which with the same in concord be , Will shew a motion to that sencelesse thing ; When all the other neither stirre nor playe , Although perhaps more musicall then they : So are our minds , in spight of reasons nay , Strain'd with the bent of natures sympathie : Whose powerfull force , no wit , no arte , can stay . And if you aske a farther reason why : In these two things , but shew the cause of both : And then i le tell you why we loue , and loathe . Now , if the power of nature be so strong That euen sencelesse things yeeld therevnto : O why should we endure so great a wrong , To beare the blame of that which others doe . What liuing man can ceasse himselfe to be , And yet as possible as to refraine , From that whereto our nature dooth agree : And spight of vs , doth vs thereto constraine . Who can be angry with the scencelesse steele , For cleauing vnto this hard-harted thing ? Or blame that which can neither heare , nor feele , For moouing to the other sounding string . If these may be excusd by natures lawes : O how much more should we be free from blame , Within whose tender hearts affection drawes , Such deepe caractars leading to the same . Cam.

Is beautie then , sole obiect of our loue ?

Iul.

That which seems so , doth our affection moue .

Cam.

I euer thought that vertue had been best .

Iul.

We praise that most , but yet esteeme it least .

Ca.

Why disestemd , whose worth is so wel knowne .

Iul.

To shew that vice the world hath ouergrowne .

Ca.

The name is often hard in each mans mouth .

Iul.

The thing more rare then Eagles in the south .

Ca.

The thing contemnd can we the name esteeme ?

Iul. Yes all that are not such as all would seeme . But sith this is the beautie of the minde , And nothing fits our naturall discourse : Let vs excuses for Antonius finde , And to our former purpose haue recourse . Cam. No Iulta , no , your haruest is too long , For such a simple croppe as you receiue : You may not thus persist the truth to wrong , And with your wit , the world seeke to deceiue . But Lord how willing are we to inuent , And finde out couerts to obscure our sinne : As though to hide the same , and not repent , Could vs preserue from being drownd therein . T is true , that nature did these buildings frame . And true , that they to natures power are thrall . And true , that imperfections foyle the same . And true , that we by natures weaknesse fall . And this is true , that God vnnatured all , And gaue vs wisdome to suppresse our will : He gaue vs perfect reason to recall , Affections scoutes from following what is ill . Why we are men : and this same sparke diuine , Our trouping thoughts should marshall in such wise , That no affect from reason should decline , Nor rebell passion in our hearts arise . Th' instinct of nature , which doth all things moue , Bids loue whereas you like without regarde : But pietie saith , where t is lawfull loue , Or els hell torments shall be your rewarde . Octauia . Antonyes children . And is it true , is Antony vnkinde ? Hath this new loue , of faith and troath bereft him ? Can fonde affection so obscure his minde , That not one sparke of honor should be left him ? Can he so far forget his owne good name , As to dishonor all that are about him ? Ah can he not without a further blame , Permit them dye that cannot liue without him ? Come poore companions of my misery , The issue of the faithlest man aliue : Support the burthen of his trecherie , Whose base reuoult , our ruine doth contriue . Come poore beholders of your mothers fall , Whose innocence mought greater pittie moue : Your impious father doth despise vs all , Forsaken we , must other fortunes proue . Come poore attendants of a falling state , Whose silent sadnesse doth my greefe renue : Yet be you all much more vnfortunate , Ere any seedes of leawdnesse rest in you . Come let vs goe , and leaue this loanly place , Your fathers dying loue bequeaths you hence : O 〈◊〉 this house , as from your owne disgrace , T is his commaund you should be banishtt hence . Dead Fuluia , how can thy imperious ghoast Endure to see thine Orphants thus oppressed ? Yet of mine honor though his loue be lost , Whiles I suruiue , they shall not be distressed . O Antony , borne of no gentle Syre , Some cruell Caucasus did thee beget : Euen scencelesse things thy scencelesnesse admire , And seeme to feele , what thou seemst to forget . Oft haue I seene . these stones with pitty moued , Shee l dropping teares , lamenting my disgrace : When in thy heart where most it most behoued , No kinde remorse could euer finde a place . More milde then thee , I finde each cruell beast , For they but giue a smale-time lasting death : With endlesse greefe , my soule thou dost molest , Which euer killing , neuer steps my breath . O failing piller of my falling state ! O fading flower of vertues fairest field ! O why shouldst thou so much degenerate , And honors byrth-right to dishonor yeeld . Yeeld to dishonour all that deare bought wealth , Which earthly kings doth in heauens kingdom place . Let thy mindes treasure fall away by stealth . By stealth contriue and worke thine owne disgrace . O Erecina that my Lord did know , As thy fonde boye shootes shaftes of swist desire : So mightie Ioue , sharpe thunder-boults doth throwe , Confounding such as from his lawes retyre . He nurst in sinne , sees not his owne disgrace , Augmenting still , our sorrow and his shame : That greatnesse hides the danger from his face , But yet my care is doubled with the same . The greedie Wolfe , and cruell rauening beare , Toucht with th' extremitie of hungrie paine , The guiltlesse cattle furiously do teare : And being fed , from crueltie resraine . But tyranizing greefe prayes on the heart , And cloyed with sighes and teares doth stil perseuer : His raging furie nothing may diuert , But still , still fed , is satisfied neuer . O happie he , a thousand times and more , Whose quiet thoughts so milde a calme do gaine : That neither hope can force from safeties shore , Nor deepe despaire can sincke on mischiefes maine . But maiestie , and honour , for these too , Shal be the onely obiects of mine eye : What vertue faith is iust , that will I doe , Thus I resolue to liue , thus will I dye . Geminus . Byllius . Octauia . And are you sure that Antony is slaine ? May we beleeue that this report is true ? Byl. Why should you wish me to recount againe , The story that doth double greefe renue ? O had you but discouered with your eyes , The face of woe in all that present were : Or heard their dolefull noyse and shriking cryes , You would haue cause to greeue and not to feare . Oct. What tragick tidings bring these wofull wights , That ring such peales of horror in mine eares ? What vnknowne cause your martiall hearts affrights ? What silent greefe in your sadde lookes appeares ? Byl. Did but our words import the sound of woe , To wound your eares withall were double sinne : But sithe your highnesse will , it should be so , And that your safetie is contain'd therein ; We will not from your grace conceale the same ; And though we should , yet time will open all . From Aegipts common woes I lately came , And did bewaile Antonius wilfull fall . Oct.

Is Antony ore'throwne ?

Byl. Yes all is lost . His power and forces wholy are decayed : He is deceiued by hir he loued most , By Cleopatra shamefully betrayed . And she that taught him first to swim in sinne : Was euen the first that drown'd his life therein . Oct.

Ah , by what meanes did she my Lord abuse ?

Byl. By such a meanes as leawd offenders vse . For when the warres at first pretended were , And that Antonius with him would not take hir : Shee fearing least hir selfe not being there , He haply mought be moued to forsake hir . Shee sees Canidius our cheefe Generall , Him to perswade , that she mought present be : He sues , obtaines , and we embarked all , Make ioyfull hast our wofull end to see . For whiles our powers of equall forces were , And neither side could disaduantage spye : Like one that knew a secret cause of feare , Out of the armie she began to flye . Loe , how no greatnesse can our conscience free , From inward horror of our wicked deeds : For that same better part of vs doth see , A greater power whose Iustice terrour breeds . But he , whose thoughts were to hir lookes enchained , Although the armie did not losse sustaine , As though for hir he had the world disdayned : Forsakes them all , and after flyes amaine . Whose causelesse feare so much dismaid the hoast , Who scorn'd to fight for him which runne away : That with small hurt , the battle there was lost , And Caesar had the honor of the day . The Legions , thus depriued of a guide , Themselues to Caesars clemencie submit : Antonius basenesse they do all deride , And thinke a chamber were for him more fit . But Lyon-harted Caesar still proceeds , His strength is doubled , weakened is his foe : Vnto Pelusium hastely he speedes , These fugitiues may not escape him so . There lay Antonius nauie in the rode , Who yeelded when Augustus fleet was seene : And likewise shewed how Antony abode , At Alexandria with this fearfull Queene , Who seeing thus himselfe depriued of ayde , Cryes out that Cleopatra hath betrayed him : She whether guiltie , or perhaps affraid , That from hir slaughter nothing could haue staid him ; Flies from his sight , and falsely sends him word , That she ( drownd in despaire ) hir selfe had slaine : Wherwith enrag'd , he takes a bloudie sword , And breathing out these speeches all in vaine ; O Cleopatra princesse of my heart ; And art thou dead ? lo dying I adore thee : This more then death , doth now procure my smart , That wanting courage , I went not before thee ; With that , yet warme death-couloured instrument , In his faire brest he did the gate set ope , Which to the earth , his bloudlesse lims hath sent : His dying soule vp to the heauens I hope . And is he dead ? Byl. His better part yet liueth , But to his corps a tombe sweet quiet giueth Octa. O poore Promethius , now I feele thy paines , Greefes greedie vulture feedes vpon my heart : Vpon my head a shower of mischiefe raines , And all the heauens conclude to worke my smart . O my Antonius , O my Lord , my Lord : O that Octauia had been slaine for thee ; O that the heauens would vnto me afford , That this my bloud mought thy liues ransome be . Mine was the wound thou gauest that noble brest , That purple streame extracted from my heart : In my deepe passions is thy death exprest , Thou feltst the stroke , but I endure the smart , And O that greefe did not thus stop my breath , And all my words dissolue in showers of teares , That I mought worthily lament thy death : And Catadupa-like , dull all mens eares . Vnhappy world , the pilgrimage of paine , The stage where mischiefe actes a dyreful part : What hast thou had , what dost thou now containe , Which but a thought of pleasures mought impart . Not one care-wanting houre my life hath tasted : But from the very instant of my birth , Vncessant woes my tyred heart haue wasted , And my poore thoughts are ignorant of mirth . Looke how one waue , another still pursueth , When some great tempest holds their troups in chase : Or as one houre an others losse reneweth ; Or posting day supplyes anothers place ; So do the billows of affliction beate me , And hand in hand the stormes of mischiefe goe ; Successiue cares with vtter ruine threate me ; Griefe is enchain'd with griefe , and woe with woe , Yet must I beare it with a patient minde : For why the heauens haue this to me assign'd .

Chorus . IN exorable fates , That on both high and low , Your equall rigour shew : Correcting all estates , and stately mindes suppressing . Your fauour none may winne , No cloake or faults can hide : But needs we must abide , The punishment of sinne , And hope for no releasing . No greatnes may withstand , No words can pitty mooue : But we must all approoue , The vigour of your hand : Great Ioues decrees expressing . Great Ioues decrees , which some , Fate , fortune , chance , doe name : Are not indeed the same , But heauens eternall doome , Our witlesse steps directing , Their speech exceedes our skill , Their words pierce not our eares : But in our life appeares , The legent of their will : Our errours misse correcting . Then let the greatest know , Dole on their ruine feedes : Whiles they obscure vile deedes , Vnder a glorious shew ; The vulgar sort infecting . Octauia still distrest , Doth not to vs declare , How they most wretched are , Who are with griefe opprest : But shewes what heauen requireth . How through affliction great , Great troubles and annoy : We finde the doubtfull way , That leades to vertues seate : Which wisedomes selfe desireth . In fairest christall stone , Let men her tropheys shew : That all the world may know , Heere liueth such a one , As vertues height asspireth . Sharpe griefe and sweet delight , Are Gyants to approoue : If ought may vs remoue , And turne vs from the right , Thence double errour springeth . The weakest wrought his fall , Whiles that Octauia true : The other did subdue . And purchast therewithall : That fame her honor singeth . A monument most rare , Of pure Arabian gold , The highest worth t' vnfold , Let arte for her prepare : Who time in tryumph bringeth . Time shall endeare thy name , With honors breath make sweet : The garland is most meete , For such as winne the same ; Thy vertue best deserued . Whiles any sparke of worth , Doth lodge in womans brest : Thy praise among the rest , Be euermore hencefoorth , In noblest mindes preserued : Of Diamonds most pure , A tombe let Angels frame : And there engraue her name , For euermore t' endure , T'eternity reserued . L'aqua non temo del'eterno oblio .

FINIS .