The vvarres of Pompey and Caesar Out of whose euents is euicted this proposition. Only a iust man is a freeman. By G.C.

ONELY A IVST MAN IS A FREE MAN .

Act I.

Scene I. Cato , Athenodorus , Porcius , Statilius . Cat. NOw will the two Suns of our Romane Heauen ( Pompey & Caesar ) in their Tropicke burning , With their contention , all the clouds assemble That threaten tempests to our peace & Empire , Which we shall shortly see poure down in bloud , Ciuill and naturall , wilde and barbarous turning . Ath. From whence presage you this ? Cat. From both their Armies , Now gathered neere our Italie , contending To enter seuerally : Pompeys brought so neere By Romes consent ; for feare of tyranous Caesar , Which Caesar fearing to be done in fauour Of Pompey , and his passage to the Empire ; Hath brought on his for interuention . And such a flocke of Puttocks follow Caesar , For fall of his ill-disposed Purse ( That neuer yet spar'd Crosse to Aquiline vertue ) As well may make all ciuill spirits suspicious . Looke how against great raines , a standing Poole Of Paddockes , Todes , and water-Snakes put vp Their speckl'd throates aboue the venemous Lake , Croking and gasping for some fresh falne drops To quench their poisond thirst ; being neere to stifle With clotterd purgings of their owne foule bane ; So still , where Caesar goes , there thrust vp head , Impostors , Flatterers , Fauorites , and Bawdes , Buffons , Intelligencers , select wits ; Close Murtherers , Montibanckes , and decaied Theeues , To gaine their banefull liues reliefes from him . From Britaine , Belgia , France , and Germanie , The scum of either Countrie , ( chus'd by him , To be his blacke Guard , and red Agents here ) Swarming about him . Porc. And all these are said To be suborn'd , in chiefe , against your selfe ; Since Caesar chiefly feares , that you will ●it This day his opposite ; in the cause for which Both you were sent for home ; and he hath stolne Accesse so soone here ; Pompey : whole rest raisde To his encounter ; and on both sides , Rome In generall vproare . Stat. Which Sir , if you saw , And knew , how for the danger , all suspect To this your worthiest friend ( for that knowne freedome His spirit will vse this day , 'gainst both the Riuals , His wife and familie mourne , no food , no comfort Allowd them , for his danger ) you would vse Your vtmost powrs to stay him from the Senate , All this daies Session . Cat. Hee 's too wise , Statilius , For all is nothing . Stat. Nothing Sir ? I saw Castor and Pollux Temple , thrust vp full , With all the damn'd crew you haue lately nam'd : The market place and suburbs swarming with them : And where the Senate sit , are Ruffians pointed To keepe from entring the degrees that goe Vp to the Bench ; all other but the Consuls , Caesar and Pompey , and the Senators , And all for no cause , but to keepe out Cato , With any violence , any villanie ; And is this nothing Sir ? Is his One life , On whom all good liues , and their goods depend , In Romes whole Empire ! All the Iustice there That 's free , and simple ; all such virtues too , And all such knowledge ; Nothing , nothing , all ▪ Cat. Away Statilius ; how long shall thy loue Exceede thy knowledge of me , and the Gods ? Whose rights thou wrongst for my right ? haue not I Their powers to guard me , in a cause of theirs ? Their iustice , and integrity included , In what I stand for ? he that feares the Gods , For guard of any goodnesse ; all things feares ; Earth , Seas , and Aire ; Heauen , darknesse , broade day-light , Rumor , and Silence , and his very shade : And what an Aspen soule hath such a creature ? How dangerous to his soule is such a feare ? In whose cold fits , is all heauens iustice shaken To his faint thoughts ; and all the goodnesse there Due to all good men , by the gods owne vowes , Nay , by the firmenesse of their endlesse Being , All which shall faile as soone as any one Good to a good man in them : for his goodnesse Proceeds from them , and is a beame of theirs . O neuer more , Statilius , may this feare Taint thy bould bosome , for thy selfe , or friend , More then the gods are fearefull to defend . Athen. Come ; let him goe , Statilius ; and your fright ; This man hath inward guard , past your yong sight . Exeunt Enter Minutius , manet Cato . Cat. Welcome ; come stand by me in what is fit For our poore Cities safety ; nor respect Her proudest foes corruption , or our danger Of what seene face soeuer . Min. I am yours . But what alas , Sir , can the weaknesse doe Against our whole State of vs only two ? You know our Statists spirits are so corrupt And seruile to the greatest ; that what crosseth Them , or their owne particular wealth , or honor ; They will not enterprise to saue the Empire . Cat. I know it ; yet let vs doe like our selues . Exeunt . Enter some bearing Axes , bundles of rods , bare ; before two Consuls , Caesar and Metellus ; Anthonius , and Marcellus in couples ; Senators , People , Souldiers , &c. following . The Consuls enter the Degrees , with Anthonius , and Marcellus : Caesar staying a while without with Metellus , who hath a paper in his hand . Caes. Moue you for entring only Pompeys army ; Which if you gaine for him ; for me , all iustice Will ioyne with my request of entring mine . Met. T is like so , and I purpose to enforce it . Caes. But might we not win Cato to our friendship By honoring speeches , nor perswasiue gifts ? Met. Not possible . Caes. Nor by enforciue vsage ? Met. Not all the violence that can be vsde , Of power , or set authoitry can stirre him , Much lesse faire words win , or rewards corrupt him ; And therefore all meanes we must vse to keepe him From off the Bench. Caes. Giue you the course for that , And if he offer entry , I haue fellowes Will serue your will on him , at my giuen signall . They ascend . Enter Pompey , Gabinius , Vibius , Demetrius , with papers . Enter the Lists , ascend and ●it . After whom enter Cato , Minutius , Athenodorus , Statilius , Porcius . Cat. He is the man that sits so close to Caesar , And holds the law there , whispering ; see the Cowherd Hath guards of arm'd men got , against one naked . I le part their whispering virtue . 1 Hold , keepe out . 2 What ? honor'd Cato ? enter , chuse thy place . Cat. Come in ; He drawes him in and fits betwixt Caesar and Metellus . — Away vnworthy groomes . 3 No more . Caes. What should one say to him ? Met. He will be Stoicall . Cat. Where fit place is not giuen , it must be taken . 4 Doe , take it Cato ; feare no greatest of them ; Thou seek'st the peoples good ; and these their owne . 5 Braue Cato ! what a countenance he puts on ? Let 's giue his noble will , our vtmost power . 6 Be bould in all thy will ; for being iust , Thou maist defie the gods . Cat. Said like a God . Met. We must endure these people . Caes. Doe ; begin . Met. Consuls , and reuerend Fathers ; And ye people , Whose voyces are the voyces of the Gods ; I here haue drawne a law , by good consent , For entring into Italy , the army Of Romes great Pompey : that his forces here , As well as he , great Rome , may rest secure From danger of the yet still smoaking fire , Of Catilinet abhorr'd conspiracy : Of which the very chiefe are left aliue , Only chastisde , but with a gentle prison . Cat. Put them to death then , and strike dead our feare , That well you vrge , by their vnfit suruiuall . Rather then keepe it quick ; and two liues giue it , By entertaining Pompeys army too . That giues as great cause of our feare , as they . For their conspiracy , onely was to make One Tyrant ouer all the State of Rome . And Pompeys army , sufferd to be entred , Is , to make him , or giue him meanes to be so . Met. It followes not . Cat. In purpose ; clearely Sir , Which I le illustrate , with a cleare example . If it be day , the Sunne 's aboue the earth ; Which followes not ( you le answere ) for 't is day When first the morning breakes ; and yet is then The body of the Sunne beneath the earth ; But he is virtually aboue it too , Because his beames are there ; and who then knowes not His golden body will soone after mount . So Pompeys army entred Italy , Yet Pompey 's not in Rome ; but Pompey's beames Who sees not there ? and consequently , he Is in all meanes enthron'd in th' Emperie . Met. Examples proue not , we will haue the army Of Pompey entred . Cato . We ? which we intend you ? Haue you already bought the peoples voices ? Or beare our Consuls or our Senate here So small loue to their Country ; that their wills Beyond their Countrys right are so peruerse , To giue a Tyrant here entire command ? Which I haue prou'd as cleare as day , they doe ; If either the Conspirators suruiuing Be let to liue ; or Pompeys army entred ; Both which , beat one sole path ; and threat one danger . Caes. Consuls , and honor'd Fathers ; The sole entry Of Pompeys army , I le not yet examine : But for the great Conspirators yet liuing , ( Which Cato will conclude as one selfe danger , To our deare Country ; and deterre all therefore That loue their Country , from their liues defence I see no reason why such danger hangs On their sau'd liues ; being still safe kept in prison ; And since close prison , to a Roman freedome , Ten fold torments more , then directest death , Who can be thought to loue the lesse his Country , That seekes to saue their liues ? And lest my selfe ( Thus speaking for them ) be vniustly toucht With any lesse doubt of my Countryes loue , Why ( reuerend Fathers ) may it be esteem'd Selfe praise in me , to proue my selfe a chiefe Both in my loue of her ; and in desert Of her like loue in me ? For he that does Most honour to his Mistrisse ; well may boast ( Without least question ) that he loues her most . And though things long since done , were long since known , And so may seeme superfluous to repeat ; Yet being forgotten , as things neuer done , Their repetition needfull is , in iustice , T' enflame the shame of that obliuion : For hoping it will seeme no lesse empaire To others acts , to truely tell mine owne ; Put all together ; I haue past them all That by their acts can boast themselues to be Their Countries louers : first in those wilde kingdomes Subdu'd to Rome , by my vnwearied toyles . Which I dissauag'd and made nobly ciuill . Next , in the multitude of those rude Realmes That so I fashiond ; and to Romes yong Empire Of old haue added : Then the battailes numbred This hand hath fought , and wonne for her , with all Those infinites of dreadfull enemies ( I slue in them : Twice fifteene hundred thousand All able Souldiers ) I haue driuen at once Before my forces : and in sundry onsets , A thousand thousand of them , put to sword : Besides , I tooke in lesse then ten yeares time , By strong assault , aboue eight hundred Cities , Three hundred seuerall Nations , in that space , Subduing to my Countrey ; all which seruice , I trust , may interest me in her loue , Publique , and generall enough , to aquit me Of any selfe-loue ; past her common good : For any motion of particular iustice ( By which her generall Empire is maintaind ) That I can make for those accused prisoners , Which is but by the way ; that so the reason Metellus makes for entring Pompeys armie , May not more weighty seeme , then to agree With those imprison'd nobles , vitall safeties . Which granted , or but yeelded fit to be , May well extenuate the necessity Of entring Pompeys armie . Cat. All that need I tooke away before ; and reasons gaue For a necessity to keepe it out Whose entry ( I thinke ) he himselfe affects not . Since I as well thinke he affects not th' Empire , And both those thoughts hold ; since he loues his Country , In my great hopes of him too well to seeke His sole rule of her , when so many soules , So hard a taske approue it ; nor my hopes Of his sincere loue to his Country , build On sandier grounds then Caesars ; since he can As good Cards shew for it as Caesar did , And quit therein the close aspersion Of his ambition , seeking to imploy His army in the breast of Italy . Pomp. Let me not thus ( imperiall Bench and Senate ) Feele myselfe beat about the eares , and tost With others breathes to any coast they please : And not put some stay to my errors in them . The gods can witnesse that not my ambition Hath brought to question th' entry of my army ; And therefore not suspected the effect , Of which that entry is supposde the cause : Which is a will in me , to giue my power The rule of Romes sole Empire ; that most strangely Would put my will in others powers ; and powers ( Vnforfeit by my fault ) in others wills . My selfe-loue , out of which all this must rise : I will not wrong the knowne proofes of my loue To this my natiue Cities publique good , To quit , or thinke of ; nor repeat those proofes Confirm'd in those three triumphs I haue made ; For conquest of the whole inhabited world ; First Affrick , Europe , and then Asia , Which neuer Consull but my selfe could boast . Nor can blinde Fortune vaunt her partiall hand , In any part of all my seruices , Though some haue said , she was the page of Caesar , Both sayling , marching , fighting , and preparing His fights in very order of his battailes : The parts she plaid for him inuerting nature , As giuing calmnesse to th' enraged sea ; Imposing Summers weather on sterne winter ; Winging the slowest foot he did command , And his most Cowherd making fierce of hand . And all this euer when the force of man Was quite exceeded in it all ; and she In th' instant adding her cleare deity . Yet , her for me , I both disclaime and scorne ; And where all fortune is renounc't , no reason Will thinke one man transferd with affectation Of all Pomes Empire ; for he must haue fortune That goes beyond a man ; and where so many Their hand-fulls finde with it ; the one is mad That vndergoes it : and where that is clear'd ; Th' imputed meanes to it , which is my ●ute For entry of mine army , I confute . Cat. What rests then , this of all parts being disclaimd ? Met. My part , Sir , rests , that let great Pompey beare What spirit he lists ; 't is needfull yet for Rome , That this Law be establisht for his army . Caes. T is then as needfull to admit in mine ; Or else let both lay downe our armes ; for else To take my charge off , and leaue Pompey his ; You wrongfully accuse me to intend A tyranny amongst ye ; and shall giue Pompey full meanes to be himselfe a tyrant , Anth. Can this be answer'd ? 1 Cons. Is it then your wils That Pompey shall cease armes ? Anth. What else ? Omnes . No , no. 2 Cons. Shall Caesar cease his armes ? Omn. I , I. Anth. For shame Then yeeld to this cleare equity , that both May leaue their armes . Omn. We indifferent stand . Met. Read but this law , and you shall see a difference Twixt equity and your indifferency ; All mens obiections answered ; Read it Notary . Cat. He shall not read it . Met. I will read it then . Min. Nor thou shalt read it , being a thing ●o vaine , Pretending cause for Pompeys armies entry , That only by thy Complices and thee ; T is forg'd to set the Senate in an vproare ▪ Met. I haue it Sir , in memory , and will speake it . Cat. Thou shalt be dumbe as soone . Caes. Pull downe this Cato , Author of factions , and to prison with him . Gen. Come downe Sir . He drawes , and all draw . Pom. Hence ye mercenary Ruffians . 1 Cons. What outrage shew you ? sheath your insolent swords , Or be proclaim'd your Countreys foes and traytors . Pom. How insolent a part was this in you , To offer the imprisonment of Cato ? When there is right in him ( were forme so answer'd With termes and place ) to send vs both to prison ? If , of our owne ambitions , we should offer Th' entry of our armies ; for who knowes That , of vs both , the best friend to his Country , And freest from his owne particular ends ; ( Being in his power ) would not assume the Empire , And hauing it , could rule the State so well As now 't is gouer'nd , for the common good ? Caes : Accuse your selfe , Sir , ( if your conscience vrge it ) Or of ambition , or corruption , Or insufficiency to rule the Empire , And sound not me with your Lead . Pom. Lead ? t is Gold , And spirit of Gold too ; to the politique drosse With which false Caesar ●ounds men ; and for which His praise and honour crownes them ; who sounds not The inmost sand of Caesar ? for but sand Is all the rope of your great parts affected . You speake well , and are learn'd ; and golden speech Did Nature neuer giue man ; but to guild A copper soule in him ; and all that learning That heartily is spent in painting speech , Is merely painted , and no solid knowledge . But y 'aue another praise for temperance , Which nought commends your free choice to be temperate . For so you must be ; at least in your meales , Since y 'aue a malady that tyes you to it ; For feare of daily fals in your aspirings . And your disease the gods nere gaue to man ; But such a one , as had a spirit too great For all his bodies passages to serue it , Which notes th' excesse of your ambition . The malady chancing where the pores and passages Through which the spirit of a man is borne , So narrow are , and straight , that oftentimes They intercept it quite , and choake it vp . And yet because the greatnesse of it notes A heat mere fleshly , and of bloods ranck fire , Goates are of all beasts subiect'st to it most . Caes. Your selfe might haue it then , if those faults cause it ; But deales this man ingeniously , to tax Men with a frailty that the gods inflict ? Pomp. The gods inflict on men , diseases neuer , Or other outward maimes ; but to decipher , Correct , and order some rude vice within them : And why decipher they it , but to make Men note , and shun , and tax it to th' extreame ? Nor will I see my Countryes hopes abusde , In any man commanding in her Empire ; If my more tryall of him , makes me see more Into his intricasies ; and my freedome Hath spirit to speake more , then obseruers seruile . Caes. Be free , Sir , of your insight and your speech ; And speak , and see more , then the world besides ; I must remember I haue heard of one , That same gaue out , could see thorow Oke and stone : And of another set in Sicily , That could discerne the Carthaginian Nauy , And number them distinctly , leauing harbor , Though full a day and nights saile distant thence : But these things ( Reuerend Fathers ) I conceiue , Hardly appeare to you worth graue beliefe : And therefore since such strange things haue beene seene In my so deepe and foule detractions , By only Lyncean Pompey ; who was most Lou'd and beleeu'd of Romes most famous whore , Infamous Flora ; by so fine a man As Galba , or Sarmentus ; any iester Or flatterer may draw through a Ladyes Ring ; By one that all his Souldiers call in scorne Great Agamemnon , or the king of men ; I rest vnmou'd with him ; and yeeld to you To right my wrongs , or his abuse allow . Cat. My Lords , ye make all Rome amaz'd to heare . Pom. Away , I le heare no more ; I heare it thunder My Lords ; All you that loue the good of Rome , I charge ye , follow me ; all such as stay , Are friends to Caesar , and their Countreys foes . Caes. Th' euent will fall out contrary , my Lords . 1 Cons. Goe , thou art a thiefe to Rome , discharge thine army , Or be proclaim'd , forthwith , her open foe . 2 Cons. Pompey , I charge thee , helpe thy iniur'd Country With what powers thou hast arm'd , and leuy more . The Ruffians . Warre , warre , O Caesar. Sen. and ●eop . Peace , peace , worthy Pompey .

Act II.

Scene I. Enter Fronto all ragg'd , in an ouergrowne red Beard , black head , with a Halter in his ●and , looking about . WArres , warres , and presses , fly in fire about ; No more can I lurke in my lasie corners , Nor shifting courses : and with honest meanes To rack my miserable life out , more , The rack is not so fearefull ; when dishonest And villanous fashions faile me ; can I hope To liue with virtuous ? or to raise my fortunes By creeping vp in Souldierly degrees ? Since villany varied thorow all his fingures , Will put no better case on me then this ; Despaire ! come sease me : I had able meanes ; And spent all in the swinge of lewd affections ; Plung'd in all riot , and the rage of blood ; In full assurance that being knaue enough , Barbarous enough , base , ignorant enough , I needs must haue enough , while this world lasted ; Yet , since I am a poore , and ragged knaue , My rags disgace my knauery so , that none Will thinke I am knaue ; as if good clothes Were knacks to know a knaue ; when all men know He has no liuing ? which knacks since my knauery Can shew no more ; and only shew is all That this world cares for ; I le step out of all The cares 't is steept in . He offers to hang himselfe . Thunder , and the Gulfe opens , flames issuing ; and Ophioneus ascending , with the face , wings , and taile of a Dragon ; a skin coate all speckled on the throat . Oph. Hold Rascall , hang thy selfe in these dayes ? The only time that euer was for a Rascall to liue in ? Fron. How chance I cannot liue then ? Oph. Either th' art not rascall nor villaine enough ; Or else thou dost not pretend honesty And piety enough to disguise it . Fro. That 's certaine , for euery asse does that . What art thou ? Oph. A villaine worse then thou . Fro. And dost breathe ? Oph. I speake thou heur'st , I moue , my pulse beates Fast as thine . Fro. And wherefore liu'st thou ? Oph. The world 's out of frame , a thousand Rulers Wresting it this way , and that , with as many Religions ; when , as heauens vpper Sphere is mou'd Onely by one ; so should the Sphere of earth be , and I le haue it so . Fro. How canst thou ? what art thou ? Oph. My shape may tell thee . Fro. No man ? Oph. Man ? no , spawne of a clot , none of that ●ursed Crew , damn'd in the masse it selfe ; plagu'd in his birth , Confinde to creepe below , and wrestle with the Elements ▪ Teach himselfe tortures ; kill himselfe , hang himselfe ; No such gally slaue , but at warre with heauen ; Spurning the power of the gods , command the Elements ▪ Fro. What maist thou be then ? Oph. An endlesse friend of thine ; an immortall deuill . Fro. Heauen blesse vs . Oph. Nay then , forth , goe , hang thy selfe , and thou talk'st Of heauen once . Fro. I haue done ; what deuill art thou ? Oph. Read the old stoick Pherecides , that tels thee Me truly , and sayes that I Ophioneus ( for so is My name . ) Fro. Ophioneus ? what 's that ? Oph. Deuilish Serpent , by interpretation ; was generall Captaine of that rebellious host of spirits that Wag'd warre with heauen ▪ Fro. And so were hurl'd downe to hell . Oph. We were so ; and yet haue the rule of earth ; and cares Any man for the worst of hell then ? Fro. Why should he ? Oph. Well said ; what 's thy name now ? Fro. My name is Fronto . Oph. Fronto ? A good one ; and has Fronto liu'd thus long In Rome ? lost his state at dice ? murther'd his Brother for his meanes ? spent all ? run thorow worse Offices since ? beene a Promoter ▪ a Puruey or ? a Pander ? A Summer ? a Sergeant ? an Intelligencer ? and at last Hang thy selfe ? Fro. How the deuill knowes he all this ? Oph. Why thou art a most greene Plouer in policy , I Perceiue ; and maist drinke Colts-foote , for all thy Horsemane beard : S'light , what need hast Thou to hang thy selfe ? as if there were a dearth Of hangmen in the land ? Thou liu'st in a good cheape State ▪ a man may be hang'd here for a little , or Nothing . What 's the reason of thy desperation ? Fro. My idle dissolute life , is thrust out of all his corners By this searching tumult now on foot in Rome . — Caesar now and Pompey Are both for battaile : Pompey ( in his feare Of Caesars greater force ) is sending hence His wife and children , and he bent to fly . Enter Pompey running ouer the Stage with his wife and children , Gabinius , Demetrius , Vibius , Pages ; other Senators , the Consuls and all following . See , all are on their wings ; and all the City In such an vproare , as if fire and sword Were ransacking , and ruining their houses , No idle person now can lurke neare Rome , All must to armes ; or shake their heeles beneath Her martiall halters ; whose officious pride I le shun , and vse mine owne swinge : I be forc't To helpe my Countrey , when it forceth me To this past-helping pickle ? Oph. Goe to , thou shalt serue me ; chuse thy profession ; And what cloth thou wouldst wish to haue thy Coat Cut out on . Fro. I can name none . Oph. Shall I be thy learn'd Counsaile ? Fro. None better . Oph. Be an Archflamen then , to one of the Gods . Fro. Archflamen ? what 's that ? Oph. A Priest . Fro. A Priest ? that nere was Clerke ? Oph. No Clerke ? what then ? The greatest Clerks are not the wisest men . Nor skils it for degrees in a knaue , or a fooles preferment , Thou shalt rise by fortune : let desert rise leisurely Enough , and by degrees ; fortune preferres headlong , And comes like riches to a man ; huge riches being Got with little paines ; and little with huge paines . And For discharge of the Priesthood , what thou wantst In learning , thou shalt take out in goodfellowship : Thou shalt equiuocate with the Sophister , prate with The Lawyer , scrape with the Vsurer , drinke with the Dutchman , sweare with the French man , cheat With the English man , brag with the Scot , and Turne all this to Religion , Hoc est regnum Deorum Gentibus . Fro. All this I can doe to a haire . Oph. Very good , wilt thou shew thy selfe deepely learn'd too , And to liue licentiously here , care for nothing hereafter ? Fro. Not for hell ? Oph. For hell ? soft Sir ; hop'st thou to purchase hell With only dicing or whoring away thy liuing ? Murthering thy brother , and so forth ? No there Remaine works of a higher hand and deeper braine , To obtaine hell . Thinkst thou earths great Potentates haue gotten their places there with Any single act of murther , poysoning , adutery , And the rest ? No ; t is a purchase for all manner Of villany ; especially , that may be priuiledg'd By Authority ; colourd with holinesse , and enioyd With pleasure . Fro. O this were most honourable and admirable . Oph. Why such an admirable honorable villane shalt Thou be . Fro. Is 't possible ? Oph. Make no doubt on 't ; I le inspire thee . Fro. Sacred and puissant . He kneeles . Oph. Away ; Companion and friend , giue me thy Hand ; say , dost not loue me ? art not enamourd Of my acquaintance ? Fro. Protest I am . Oph. Well said , protest and t is enough . And know for Infallible ; I haue promotion for thee ; both here , and Hereafter ; which not one great one amongst Millions shall euer aspire to . Alexander , nor great Cyrus , retaine those titles in hell , that they did On earth : Fro. No ? Oph. No : he that sold Seacoale here , shall be A Baron there ; he that was a cheating Rogue here , shall be a Iustice of peace there ; A knaue here , a knight there . In the meane Space , learne what it is to liue ; and thou shalt Haue Chopines at commandment to any height Of life thou canst wish . Fro. I feare my fall is too low . Oph. Too low foole ? hast thou not heard of Vulcans falling Out of heauen ? Light a thy legges , and no matter Though thou halt'st with thy best friend euer after ; t is The more comely and fashionable . Better goe lame In the fashion with Pompey , then neuer so vpright , Quite out of the fashon with Cato . Fro. Yet you cannot change the old fashion ( they say ) And hide your clouen feet . Oph. No ? I can weare Roses that shall spread quite Ouer them . Fro. For loue of the fashion doe then . Oph. Goe to ; I will hereafter . Fro. But for the Priesthood you offer me , I affect it not . Oph. No ? what saist thou to a rich office then ? Fro. The only second meanes to raise a rascall In the earth . Oph. Goe to ; I le helpe thee to the be●● i th earth then : And that 's in Sicilia ; the very storehouse of the Romanes , where the Lord chiefe Censor there Lyes now a dying ; whose soule I will haue ; and Thou shalt haue his office . Fro. Excellent ; was euer great office better supplied ? Exeunt . Nuntius . Now is the mighty Empresse of the earth ( Great Rome ) fast lockt vp in her fancied strength , All broke in vproares ; fearing the iust gods In plagues will drowne her so abused blessings . In which feare , all without her wals , fly in ; By both their iarring Champions rushing out ; And those that were within , as fast fly forth ; The Consuls both are fled without one rite Of sacrifice submitted to the gods , As euer heretofore their custome was When they began the bloody frights of warre . In which our two great Souldiers now encountring , Since both left Rome , oppos'd in bitter skirmish , Pompey ( not willing yet to hazard battaile , By Catos counsaile , vrging good cause ) fled : Which firing Caesars spirit ▪ he pursu'd So home , and fiercely , that great Pompey skorning The heart he tooke , by his aduised flight , Despisde aduice as much as his pursuite . And as in Lybia , an aged Lion , Vrg'd from his peacefull couert , feares the light With his vnready and diseas'd appearance , Giues way to chace a while , and coldly hunts , Till with the youthfull hunters wanton heat , He all his coole wrath frets into a flame : And then his sides he swinges with his Sterne , To lash his strenth vp , let 's downe all his browes About his burning eyes ; erects his mane , Breakes all his throat in thunders , and to wreake His hunters insolence , his heart euen barking ; He frees his fury , turnes , and rushes back With such a gastly horror , that in heapes , His proud foes fly , and he that station keepes : So Pompeys coole spirits , put to all their heat By Caesars hard pursuit he turnd fresh head , And flew vpon his foe with such a rapture A● tooke vp into furies , all friends feares ; Who fir'd with his first turning , all turnd head , And gaue so fierce a charge , their followers fled , Whose instant issue on their both sides , see , And after set out such a tragedy , As all the Princes of the earth may come To take their patternes by the spirits of Rome . Alarme , after which enter Caesar following Crassiniuscalling to the Souldiers . Crass. Stay cowherd , fly ye Caesars fortunes ? Caes. Forbeare foolish Crassinius , we contend in vaine To stay these vapours , and must raise our Campe. Crass. How shall we rise ( my Lord ) but all in vproares , ●eing still pursude ? Enter Acilius . The pursuit stayes , my Lord , Pompey hath sounded a retreat , resigning His time to you to vse , in instant raysing Your ill-lodg'd army , pitching now where fortune May good amends make for her fault to day . Caes. It was not fortunes fault , 〈◊〉 mine Acilius , To giue my foe charge , being so neare the sea , Where well I knew the eminence of his strength , And should haue driuen th' encounter further off ; Bearing before me such a goodly Country , So plentifull , and rich , in all things fit To haue suppli'd my armies want with victuals , And th' able Cities too , to strengthen it , Of Macedon and Thessaly , where now I rather was besieg'd for want of food , Then did assault with fighting force of armes . Enter Anthony , Vibius , with others . Ant. See , Sir , here 's one friend of your foes recouer'd . Caes. Vibius ? In happy houre . Vib. For me vnhappy . Caes. What ? brought against your will ? Vib. Else had not come . Ant. Sir , hee 's your prisoner , but had made you his , Had all the rest pursu'd the chace like him ; He draue on like a fury ; past all friends , But we that tooke him quick in his engagement . Caes. O Vibius , you deserue to pay a ransome Of infinite rate , for had your Generall ioyn'd In your addression , or knowne how to conquer ; This day had prou'd him the supreame of Caesar. Vib. Knowne how to conquer ? His fiue hundred Conquests Atchieu'd ere this day , make that doubt vnfit For him that flyes him ; for , of issues doubtfull Who can at all times put on for the best ? If I were mad , must hee his army venture In my engagement ? Nor are Generalls euer Their powers disposers , by their proper Angels , But trust against them , oftentimes , their Counsailes , Wherein , I doubt not , Caesars selfe hath err'd Sometimes , as well as Pompey . Caes. Or done worse , In disobeying my Counsaile ( Vibius ) Of which , this dayes abused light is witnesse ; By which I might haue seene a course secure Of this discomfiture . Ant. Amends ●its euer Aboue repentance , what 's done , wish not vndone ; But that prepared patience that you know Best fits a souldier charg'd with hardest fortunes ; Asks still your vse , since powers still temperate kept Ope still the clearer eyes by one faults sight To place the next act , in the surer right . Caes. You prompt me nobly Sir , repayring in me Mine owne stayes practice , out of whose repose The strong convulsions of my spirits forc't me Thus farre beyond my temper ; but good Vibius , Be ransom'd with my loue , and haste to Pompey , Entreating him from me , that we may meet , And for that reason which I know this day ( Was giuen by Cato , for his pursutes stay Which was preuention of our Romane blood ) Propose my offer of our hearty peace . That being reconcil'd , and mutuall faith Giuen on our either part , not three dayes light May further shew vs foes , but ( both our armies Disperst in Garisons ) we may returne Within that time to Italy , such friends As in our Countryes loue , containe our splenes Vib. T is offerd , Sir , 'boue the rate of Caesar In other men , but in what I approue Beneath his merits : which I will not faile T' enforce at full to Pompey , nor forget In any time the gratitude of my seruice . Vi. salutes Ant. and the other , & exit . Caes. Your loue , Sir , and your friendship . Ant. This prepares a good induction to the change of fortune , In this dayes issue , if the pride it kindles In Pompeys vaines , makes him deny a peace So gently offerd : for her alterd hand Works neuer surer from her ill to good On his side she hath hurt , and on the other With other changes , then when meanes are vsde To keepe her constant , yet retire refusde . Caes. I try no such conclusion , but desire Directly peace . In meane space I le prepare For other issue in my vtmost meanes ; Whose hopes now resting at Brundusium , In that part of my army , with Sabinus , I wonder he so long delaies to bring me , And must in person haste him , if this Euen I heare not from him . Crass. That ( I hope ) flyes farre Your full intent , my Lord , since Pompeys navie , You know , lies houering all alongst those seas , In too much danger , for what ayde soeuer You can procure to passe your person safe . Acil. Which doubt may proue the cause that stayes Sabinus ▪ And , if with shipping fit to passe your army , He yet straines time to venture , I presume You will not passe your person with such Conuoy Of those poore vessels , as may serue you here . Caes. How shall I helpe it ? shall I suffer this Torment of his delay ? and rack suspitions Worse then assur'd destructions through my thoughts . Anth. Past doubt he will be here ; I left all orderd , And full agreement made with him to make All vtmost haste , no least let once suspected . Caes. Suspected ? what suspection should feare a friend In such assur'd streights from his friends enlargement . If t were his souldiers safeties he so tenders , Were it not better they should sinke by sea , Then wrack their number , King and cause ashore ? Their stay is worth their ruine , should we liue , If they in fault were ? if their leader ! he Sould dye the deaths of all ; in meane space , I That should not , beare all , fly the sight in shame , Thou eye of nature , and abortiue night Fall dead amongst vs : with defects , defects Must serue proportion ; iustice neuer can Be else restor'd , nor right the wrongs of man ▪ Exeunt . Pompey , Cato , Gabinius , Demetrius , Athenodorus , Porcius , Statilius . Pomp. This charge of our fierce foe , the firiendly gods Haue in our stregthen'd spirits beaten back With happy issue , and his forces lessen'd , Of two and thirty Ensignes forc't from him , Two thousand souldiers slaine . Cat. O boast not that , Their losse is yours , my Lord . Pomp. I boast it not , But only name the number . Gab. Which right well You might haue raisde so high , that on their tops Your Throne was offer'd , euer t' ouerlooke Subuerted Caesar , had you beene so blest To giue such honor to your Captaines Counsailes As their alacrities did long to merit With proofefull action . Dem. O t was ill neglected . Stat. It was deferr'd with reason , which not yet Th' euent so cleare is to confute . Pom. If t were , Our likeliest then was , not to hazard battaile , Th' aduenture being so casuall ; if compar'd With our more certaine meanes to his subuersion ? For finding now our army amply storde With all things fit to tarry surer time , Reason thought better to extend to length The warre betwixt vs ; that his little strength May by degrees proue none ; which vrged now , ( Consisting of his best and ablest souldiers ) We should haue found at one direct set battaile Of matchlesse valours ; their defects of victuall Not tyring yet enough on their tough nerues , Where , on the other part , to put them still In motion , and remotion , here and there ; Enforcing them to fortifying still Where euer they set downe ; to siege a wall , Keepe watch all night in armour : their most part Can neuer beare it , by their yeares oppression ; Spent heretofore too much in those steele toyles . Cat. I so aduisde , and yet repent it not , But much reioyce in so much saued blood As had beene pour'd out in the stroke of battaile , Whose fury thus preuented , comprehends Your Countreys good , and Empires ; in whose care ▪ Let me beseech you that in all this warre , You sack no City , subiect to our Rule , Nor put to sword one Citizen of Rome ; But when the needfull fury of the sword Can make no fit distinction in maine battaile , That you will please still to prolong the stroke Of absolute decision to these iarres , Considering you shall strike it with a man Of much skill and experience , and one That will his Conquest ●ell at infinite rate , If that must end your difference ; but I doubt There will come humble offer on his part , Of honor'd peace to you , for whose sweet name So cryed out to you in our late-met Senate , Lost no fit offer of that wished treaty . Take pity on your Countreys blood as much As possible may stand without the danger Of hindering her iustice on her foes , Which all the gods to your full wish dispose . Pom. Why will you leaue vs ? whither will you goe To keepe your worthyest person in more safety Then in my army , so deuoted to you ? Cat. My person is the least , my Lord , I value ; I am commanded by our powerfull Senate , To view the Cities , and the kingdomes scituate About your either army , that which side Soeuer conquer , no disordered ●traglers Puft with the Conquest , or by need impeld , May take their swinge more then the care of one May curb and order in these neighbor confines My chiefe passe yet resolues for Vtica . Pom. Your passe ( my truest friend , and worthy Father ) May all good powers make safe , and alwayes answer Your infinite merits , with their like protection . In which , I make no doubt but we shall meet With mutuall greetings , or for absolute conquest Or peace preuenting that our bloody stroke , Nor let our parting be dishonor'd so , As not to take into our noblest notice Your selfe ( most learned and admired Father ) Whose merits , if I liue , shall lack no honor . Porcius , Statilius , though your spirits with mine Would highly chere me , yet ye shall bestow them In much more worthy conduct , but loue me , And wish me conquest , for your Countreys sake . Sta. Our liues shall weale our loues , Sir , with worst deaths Aduentur'd in your seruice . Pom. Y' are my friends . Exeunt . Cat. Athen Por. Sat. These friends thus gone , t is more then time we minded Our lost friend Vibius . Gab. You can want no friends , See , our two Consuls , Sir , betwixt them bringing The worthy Brutus . Enter two Consuls leading Brutus betwixt them . 1 Cons. We attend ( my Lord ) With no meane friend , to spirit your next encounter , Six thousand of our choice Patricia● youths Brought in his conduct . 2 Cons. And though neuer yet He hath saluted you with any word Or looke of slendrest loue in his whole life , Since that long time since , of his fathers death By your hand authord ; yet see , at your need He comes to serue you freely for his Country . Pom. His friendly presence , making vp a third With both your persons , I as gladly welcome , As if Ioues triple flame had guilt this field , And lightn'd on my right hand , from his shield . Bru. I well assure my selfe , Sir , that no thought In your ingenious construction , touches At the aspersion that my tendred seruice Proceeds ●●om my despaire of elsewhere safety ▪ But that my Countreys safety owning iustly My whole habilities of life and fortunes , And you the ablest fautor of her safty , Her loue , and ( for your loue of her ) your owne Only makes sacred to your vse my offering . Pom. Farre fly all other thought from my construction ▪ And due acceptance of the liberall honor , Your loue hath done me , which the gods are witnesse , I take as stirr'd vp in you by their fauours , Nor lesse esteeme it then an offering holy ; Since , as of all things , man is said the measure , So your full merits measure forth a man . 1 Cons. See yet , my Lord , more friends . 2 Cons. Fiue Kings , your seruants . Enter fiue Kings . Hib. Conquest and all grace crowne the gracious Pompey , To serue whom in the sacred Romane safety , My selfe , Iberias King , present my forces . Thess. And I that hold the tributary Throne Of Grecian Thessaly , submit my homage , To Rome , and Pompey . Cil. So Cilicia too . Epir. And so Epiru● . Thra. Lastly I from Thrace Present the duties of my power and seruice . Pom. Your royall aides deserue of Rome and Pompey Our vtmost honors . O may now our fortune Not ballance her broad breast twixt two light wings , Nor on a slippery globe sustaine her steps , But as the Spartans say , the Paphian Queene ( The flood Eurota● passing ) laid aside Her Glasse , her Ceston , and her amorous graces , And in Lycurgus fauor ; arm'd her beauties With Shield and ●aueline , so may fortune now , The flood of all our enemies forces passing With her faire Ensignes , and arriu'd at ours , Displume her shoulders , ●ast off her wing'd shooes , Her faithlesse , and still-rowling stone spurne from her , And enter our powers as she may remaine Our firme assistent : that the generall aydes , Fauours , and honors you performe to Rome , May make her build with you her endlesse home . O●● . The gods vouchsafe it ; and our causes right . Dem. What suddaine Shade is this ? obserue my Lords , The night , me thinks , comes on before her houre . Thunder and lightning . Gab. Nor trust me if my thoughts conceiue not so . Bru. What thin clouds fly the winds , like swiftest shafts Along aires middle region . 1 Cons. They presage Vnusuall tempests . 2 Cons. And t is their repaire , That timelesse darken thus the gloomy ayre . Pom. Let 's force no omen from it , but avoid The vapors furies now by Ioue employd . Thunder continued , and Caesar enters disguisde . The wrathfull tempest of the angry night , Where hell flyes mufl'd vp in clouds of pitch , Mingl'd with Sulphure , and those dreadfull bolts , The Cyclops Ram in Ioues Artillery , Hath rousde the furies , arm'd in all their horrors , Vp to the enuious seas , in spight of Caesar. O night , O ielous night , of all the noblest Beauties , and glories , where the gods haue stroke Their foure digestions , from thy gastly Chaos , Blush thus to drowne them all in this houre sign'd By the necessity of ●ate for Caesar. I that haue ransackt all the world for worth , To forme in man the image of the gods , Must like them haue the power to check the worst Of all things vnder their celestiall Empire , Stoope it , and burst it , or breake through it all , With vse and safety , till the Crowne be set On all my actions ; that the hand of nature In all her worst works ayming at an end , May in a master-peece of hers be seru'd With tops , and state fit for his virtuous Crowne : Not lift arts thus farre vp in glorious frame , To let them vanish thus in smoke and shame . This riuer Anius ( in whose mouth now lyes A Pynnace I would passe in , to fetch on My armies dull rest from Brundusium ) That is at all times else exceeding calme , ( By reason of a purling winde that flyes Off from the shore each morning , driuing vp The billows farre to sea ) in this night yet , Beares such a terrible gale ; put off from sea , As beats the land wind back , and thrusts the flood Vp in such vproare , that no boat dare stirre . And on it is disperst all Pompeys nauy To make my perill yet more enuious . Shall I yet shrinke for all ? were all , yet more ? There is a certaine need that I must giue Way to my paste ; none , knowne , that I must giue . Enter Master of a ship with Sailors Mast. What battaile is there fought now in the ayre . That threats the wrack of nature ? Caes. Master ? come . Shall we thrust through it all ? Mast. What lost man , Art thou in hopes and fortunes , that dar'st make So desperate a motion . Caes. Launch man , and all thy feares fraight disauow , Thou carriest Caesar and his fortunes now .

Act III.

Scene I. Pompey , two Consuls , fine Kings , Brutus , Gabinius , Demetrius . NOw to Pharsalia , where the smarting strokes Of our resolu'd contention must resound , ( My Lords and friends of Rome ) I giue you all Such welcome as the spirit of all my fortunes , Conquests , and triumphs ( now come for their crowne ) Can crowne your fauours with , and serue the hopes Of my deare Country , to her vtmost wish ; I can but set vp all my being to giue So good an end to my forerunning Acts ; The powers in me that formd them hauing lost No least time since , in gathering skill to better ; But like so many Bees haue brought me home , The sweet of whatsoeuer flowers haue growne In all the meades , and gardens of the world . All which hath growne still , as the time encrease In which t was gather'd , and with which it stemm'd . That what decay soeuer blood inferr'd , Might with my mindes store , be suppli'd , and cher'd , All which , in one fire of this instant fight I le burne , and sacrifice to euery cinder In sacred offering to my Countreys loue , And therefore what euent soeuer sort , As I no praise will looke for , but the good Freely bestow on all ; ( if good succeed ) So if aduerse fate fall , I wish no blame , But th' ill befalne me , made my fortunes shame , Not mine , nor my fault . 1 Cons. We too well loue Pompey , To doe him that iniustice . Bru. Who more thirsts The Conquest , then resolues to beare the foile ? Pom. Said Brutus-like , giue seuerall witnesse all , That you acquit me whatsoeuer fall . 2 Cons. Particular men particular fates must beare , Who feeles his owne wounds lesse , to wound another ? Thess. Leaue him the worst whose best is left vndone , He only conquers whose minde still is one . Epir. Free mindes , like dice , fall sqare , what ere the cast . Ibir. Who on him selfe sole stands , stands solely fast . Thra. He 's neuer downe , whose minde fights still aloft . Cil. Who cares for vp or downe , when all 's but thought . Gab. To things euents doth no mans power extend . Dem. Since gods rule all , who any thing would mend . Pom. Ye sweetly ease my charge , your selues vnburthening . Return'd not yet our trumpet , sent to know Of Vibius certaine state ? Gab. Not yet , my Lord . Pomp. Too long protract we all meanes to recouer His person quick or dead , for I still thinke His losse seru'd fate , before we blew retreat ; Though some affirme him seene , soone after fighting . Dem. Not after , Sir , ( I heard ) but ere it ended . Gab. He bore a great minde to extend our pursuit Much further then it was ; and seru'd that day ( When you had , like the true head of a battaile , Led all the body in that glorious turne ) Vpon a farre-off Squadron that stood fast In conduct of the great Marc Anthony , When all the rest were fled , so past a man That in their tough receipt of him , I saw him Thrice breake thorow all with ease , and passe as faire As he had all beene fire , and they but ayre . Pom. He stuck at last yet , in their midst , it seem'd . Gab. So haue I seene a fire drake glide at midnight Before a dying man to point his graue , And in it stick and hide . Dem. He comes yet safe . A Trumpet sounds , and enters before Vibius , with others . Pom. O Vibius , welcome , what a prisoner ? With mighty Caesar , and so quickly ransom'd ? Vib. I Sir , my ransome , needed little time , Either to gaine agreement for the value , Or the disbursment , since in Caesars grace We both concluded . Pom. Was his grace so free . Vib. For your respect , Sir ▪ Pom. Nay , Sir , for his glory . That the maine Conquest he so surely builds on , ( Which euer is forerun with petty fortunes ) Take not effect , by taking any friend From all the most , my poore defence can make , But must be compleat , by his perfect owne . Vib. I know , Sir , you more nobly rate the freedome He freely gaue your friend ; then to peruert it So past his wisdome : that knowes much too well Th' vncertaine state of Conquest ; to raise frames Of such presumption on her fickle wings , And chiefely in a losse so late , and grieuous . Besides , your forces farre exceeding his , His whole powers being but two and twenty thousand : And yours full foure and forty thousand strong : For all which yet , he stood as farre from feare In my enlargement , as the confident glory You please to put on him ; and had this end In my so kinde dismission , that as kindely I might ●olicite a sure peace betwixt you . Pom. A peace ? Is 't possible ? Vib. Come , doe not shew this wanton incredulity too much . Pom. Beleeue me I was farre from such a thought In his high stomack : Cato prophecied then . What thinke my Lords our Consuls , and friend Brutus ? Omn. An offer happy : Bru. Were it plaine and hearty . Pom. I , there 's the true inspection to his prospect . Bru. This streight of his perhaps may need a sleight Of some hid stratagem , to bring him off . Pom. Deuices of a new fordge to entrap me ? I rest in Caesars shades ? walke his strow'd paths ? Sleepe in his quiet waues ? I le sooner trust Hibernian Boggs , and quicksands ; and hell mouth Take for my sanctuary : in bad parts That no extreames will better , natures finger Hath markt him to me , to take heed of him . What thinks my Brutus ? Bru. T is your best and safest . Pom. This offer'd peace of his is sure a snare To make our warre the bloodier , whose ●it feare Makes me I dare not now ( in thoughts maturer Then late enclin'de me ) put in vse the Counsaile Your noble father Cato ( parting ) gaue me , Whose much too tender shunning innocent blood , This battaile hazards now , that must cost more . 1 Cons. It does , and therefore now no more deferre it . Pom. Say all men so ? Omn. We doe . Pom. I grieue ye doe , Because I rather wish to erre with Cato Then with the truth goe of the world besides ; But since it shall abide this other stroke . Ye gods that our great Romane Genius Haue made , not giue vs one dayes conquest only . Nor grow in conquests for some little time , As did the Genius of the Macedons ; Nor be by land great only , like Laconians ; Nor yet by sea alone , as was th' Athenians ▪ Nor slowly stirr'd vp , like the Persian Angell ; Nor rockt asleepe soone , like the Ionian spirit . But made our Romane Genius , fiery , watchfull , And euen from Romes prime , ioynd his youth with hers , Grow as she grew , and firme as earth abide , By her encreasing pomp , at sea , and shore , In peace , in battaile ; against Greece as well As our Barbarian foes ; command yet further Ye firme and iust gods , our assistfull Angell For Rome , and Pompey , who now fights for Rome ; That all these royall Lawes , to vs , and iustice Of common safety , may the selfe-loue drowne Of tyrannous Caesar ; and my care for all Your Altars crown'd with endlesse festiuall . Exeunt . Caesar , Anthony , a Soothsayer , Crassinius , Acilius , with others . Caes. Say ( sacred Southsayer ) and informe the truth , What liking hast thou of our sacrifice ? Sooth. Imperiall Caesar , at your sacred charge , I drew a milke white Oxe into the Temple , And turning there his face into the east , ( Fearefully shaking at the shining light ) Downe fell his horned forehead to his hoofe , When I began to greet him with the stroke , That should prepare him for the holy rites , With hydeous roares he laid out such a throat As made the secret lurkings of the god To answer ecco-like , in threatning sounds : I stroke againe at him , and then he slept , His life-blood boyling out at euery wound In streames as cleare as any liquid Ruby , And there began to alter my presage , The other ill signes shewing th' other fortune , Of your last skirmish , which farre opposite now Proues , ill beginnings good euents foreshew . For now the beast cut vp , and laid on th'Al●ar , His lims were all lickt vp with instant flames , Not like the Elementall fire that burnes In houshold vses , lamely struggling vp , This way and that way winding as it rises , But ( right and vpright ) reacht his proper sphere Where burnes the fire eternall and sincere . Caes. And what may that presage ? Sooth. That euen the spirit Of heauens pure flame flew downe and rauisht vp Your offerings blaze in that religious instant , Which shewes th' alacritie and cheerefull virtue Of heauens free bounty , doing good in time , And with what swiftnesse true deuotions clime . Omn. The gods be honor'd . Sooth. O behold with wonder , The sacred blaze is like a torch enlightned , Directly burning iust aboue your campe ! Omn. Miraculous . Sooth. Beleeue it , with all thanks : The Romane Genius is alterd now , And armes for Caesar. Caes. Soothsayer be for euer Reuerenc't of Caesar. O Marc Anthony , I thought to raise my camp , and all my tents , Tooke downe for swift remotion to Scotussa . Shall now our purpose hold ? Anth. Against the gods ? They grace in th' instant , and in th' instant we Must adde our parts , and be in th' vse as free . Crass. See Sir , the scouts returne . Enter two scouts . Caes. What newes , my friends ? 1 Scou. Arme , arme , my Lord , the voward of the foe Is rang'd already : 2 Scou. Answer them , and arme : You cannot set your rest of battell vp In happyer houre ; for I this night beheld A strange confusion in your enemies campe , The souldiers taking armes in all dismay , And hurling them againe as fast to earth . Euery way routing ; as th' alarme were then Giuen to their army . A most causelesse feare Disperst quite through them . Caes. Then t was Ioue himselfe That with his secret finger stirr'd in them . Crass. Other presages of successe ( my Lord ) Haue strangely hapn'd in th' adiacent Cities , To this your army : for in Tralleis , Within a Temple , built to Victory , There stands a statue of your forme and name , Neare whose firme base , euen from the marble pauement , There sprang a Palme tree vp , in this last night , That seemes to crowne your statue with his boughs , Spred in wrapt shadowes round about your browes . Caes. The signe , Crassinius , is most strange and gracefull , Nor could get issue , but by power diuine ; Yet will not that , nor all abodes besides ( Of neuer such kinde promise of successe ) Performe it without tough acts of our owne . No care , no nerue the lesse to be emploid ; No offering to the gods , no vowes , no prayers : Secure and idle spirits neuer thriue When most the gods for their aduancements striue . And therefore tell me what abodes thou buildst on In an spirit to act , enflam'd in thee , Or in our Souldiers seene resolu'd addresses ? Crass. Great and firy virtue . And this day Be sure ( great Caesar ) of effects as great In absolute conquest ; to which are prepar'd Enforcements resolute , from this arm'd hand , Which thou shalt praise me for aliue or dead . Caes. Aliue ( ye gods vouchsafe ) and my true vowes For life in him ( great heauen ) for all my foes ( Being naturall Romans ) so farre ioyntly heare As may not hurt our Conquest ; as with feare Which thou already strangely hast diffusde Through all their army ; which extend to flight Without one bloody stroke of force and fight . Anth. T is time , my Lord , you put in forme your battell . Caes. Since we must fight then , and no offerd peace Will take with Pompey : I reioyce to see This long-time lookt for , and most happy day , In which we now shall fight , with men , not hunger , With toyles , not sweats of blood through yeares extended , This one day seruing to decide all iarres Twixt me and Pompey . Hang out of my tent My Crimsine coat of armes , to giue my souldiers That euer-sure signe of resolu'd-for fight . Crass. These hands shall giue that signe to all their longings . Exit Crass. Caes. My Lord , my army , I thinke best to order In three full Squadrons : of which let me pray Your selfe would take on you the left wings charge ; My selfe will lead the right wing , and my place Of fight elect in my tenth legion : My battell by Domitius Calvinus Shall take direction . The Cote of Armes is hung out , and the Souldiers shoute within . An. Heark , your souldiers shoute For ioy to see your bloody Cote of Armes Assure their fight this morning . Caes. A blest Euen Bring on them worthy comforts . And ye gods Performe your good presages in euents Of fit crowne for our discipline , and deeds Wrought vp by conquest ; that my vse of it May wipe the hatefull and vnworthy slaine Of Tyrant from my Temples ▪ and exchange it For fautor of my Country , ye haue giuen That title to those poore and fearefull fowles That euery sound puts vp , in frights and cryes ; Euen then , when all Romes powers were weake and heartles , When traiterous fires , and fierce Barbarian swords , Rapines , and soule-expiring slaughters fild Her houses , Temples , all her ayre , and earth ▪ To me then ( whom your bounties haue enform'd With such a spirit as despiseth feare ; Commands in either fortune , knowes , and armes Against the worst of fate ; and therefore can Dispose blest meanes , encourag'd to the best ) Much more vouchsafe that honor ; chiefely now , When Rome wants only this dayes conquest giuen me To make her happy , to confirme the brightnesse That yet she shines in ouer all the world ; In Empire , riches , strife of all the Arts , In gifts of Cities , and of kingdomes sent her ; In Crownes laid at her feet , in euery grace That shores , and seas , floods , Islands , Continents , Groues , fields , hills , mines , and metals can produce ; All which I ( victor ) will encrease , I vow By all my good , acknowledg'd giuen by you .

Act IIII

Scene I. Pompey in haste , Brutus , Gabinius , Vibius following . THe poyson steep't in euery vaine of Empire , In all the world , meet now in onely me , Thunder and lighten me to death ; and make My senses feed the flame , my soule the crack . Was euer soueraigne Captaine of so many Armies and Nations , so opprest as I , With one hosts headstrong outrage ? vrging fight , Yet fly about my campe in panick terrors ; No reason vnder heauen suggesting cause . And what is this but euen the gods deterring My iudgement from enforcing fight this morn● ? The new-fled night made day with Meteors , Fir'd ouer Caesars campe , and falne in mine , As pointing out the terrible euents Yet in suspence ; but where they threat their ●all Speake not these prodigies with fiery tongues , And eloquence that should not moue but rauish All sound mindes , from thus tempting the iust gods , And spitting out their faire premonishing flames With brackish ●heumes of ruderand brainsick number , What 's infinitely more , thus wild , thus mad For one poore fortune of a beaten few ; To halfe so many staid , and dreadfull souldiers ? Long train'd ▪ long foughten ? able , nimble , perfect To turne and winde aduantage euery way ? Encrease with little , and enforce with none ? Make bold as Lyons , gaunt as famisht wolues , With still seru'd slaughters , and continuall toyles . Bru. You should not , Sir , forsake your owne wise Counsell , Your owne experienc't discipline , owne practise , Owne god inspired insight to all changes , Of Protean fortune , and her ●●ny , warre , For hosts , ●nd hell of such ; What man will thinke The best of them , not mad ; to see them ra●ge So vp and downe your campe , already suing For offices falne , by Caesars built on fall , Before one stroke be struck ? Domitius , Spinther , Your father Scipio new preparing friends For Caesars place of vniuersall Bishop ? Are you th' obserued rule , and voucht example ; Who euer would commend Physitians , That would not follow the diseas'd desires Of their sick patients ? yet incurre your selfe The faults that you so much abhorre in others . Pom. I cannot , Sir , abide mens open mouthes , Nor be ill spoken of ; nor haue my counsels And circumspections ; turnd on me for feares , With mocks and scandals that would make a man Of lead , a lightning ; in the desperat'st onset That euer trampled vnder death , his life . I beare the touch of feare for all their safeties , Or for mine owne ? enlarge with twice as many Selfe-liues , selfe-fortunes ? they shall sinke beneath Their owne credulities , before I crosse them . Come , haste , dispose our battaile . Vib. Good my Lord , Against your Genius warre not for the world . Pom. By all worlds he that moues me next to beare Their sco●s and imputations of my feare For any cause , shall beare this sword to hell . Away , to battaile ; good my Lord lead you The whole six thousand of our yong Patricians , Plac't in the left wing to enuiron Caesar. My father Scipio shall lead the battaile ; Domitius the left wing ; I the right Against Marc Anthony . Take now your fils Ye beastly doters on your barbarous wills . Exeunt ▪ Alarme , excursions , of al : The fiue Kings driuen ouer the Stage , Crassinius chiefely pursuing : At the dore enter againe the fiue Kings . The battell continued within . Epir. Fly , fly , the day was lost before was fought . Thess. The Romans feard their shadowes . Cil. Were there euer Such monstrous confidences , as last night Their Cups and musique shew'd ? Before the morning Made such amazes ere one stroke was struck ? Iber. It made great Pompey mad , which who could mend ? The gods had hand in it . Tra. It made the Consuls Run on their swords to see 't . The braue Patricians Fled with their spoyled faces , arrowes sticking As shot from heauen at them . Thess. T was the charge That Caesar gaue against them . Epir. Come , away , Leaue all , and wonder at this fatall day . Exeunt . The fight neerer ; and enter , Crassinius , a sword , as thrust through his face ; he fals . To him Pompey and Caesar fighting : Pompey giues way , Caesar follows , and enters at another dore . Caes. Pursue , pursue ; the gods foreshew'd their powers , Which we gaue issue , and the day is ours . Crassineus ? O looke vp : he does , and shewes Death in his broken eyes ; which Caesars hands Shall doe the honor of eternall closure . Too well thou keptst thy word , that thou this day Wouldst doe me seruice to our victory , Which in thy life or death I should behold , And praise thee for ; I doe , and must admire Thy matchles valour ; euer euer rest Thy manly lineaments , which in a tombe Erected to thy noble name and virtues , I le curiosly preserue with balmes , and spices , In eminent place of these Pharsalian fields , Inscrib'd with this true soule of funerall . Epitaph : Crassineus fought for fame , and died for Rome , Whose publique weale springs from this priuate tombe . Enter some taking him off , whom Caesar helps . Enter Pompey , Demetrius , with black robes in their hands , broad hats , &c. Pom. Thus haue the gods their iustice , men their wils , And I , by mens wils rulde ; my selfe renouncing , Am by my Angell and the gods abhorr'd ; Who drew me , like a vapour , vp to heauen To dash me like a tempest 'gainst the earth : O the deserued terrors that attend On humane confidence ! had euer men Such outrage of presumption to be victors Before they arm'd ? To send to Rome before For houses neare the market place , their tents Strowd all with flowers , and nosegayes ; tables couer'd With cups and banquets ; bayes and mirtle garlands , As ready to doe sacrifice for conquest Rather then arme them for fit fight t' enfore it ; Which when I saw , I knew as well th' euent As now I feele it , and because I rag'd In that presage , my Genius shewing me clearely ( As in a mirror ) all this cursed issue ; And therefore vrg'd all meanes to put it off For this day , or from these fields to some other , Or from this ominous confidence , till I saw Their spirits settl'd in some grauer knowledge Of what belong'd to such a deare decision ; They spotted me with feare , with loue of glory , To keepe in my command so many Kings , So great an army ; all the hellish blastings That could be breath'd on me , to strike me blinde Of honor , spirit and soule : And should I then Saue them that would in spight of heauen be ruinde ? And , in their safeties ruine me and mine In euerlasting rage of their detraction . Dem. Your safety and owne honor did deserue ▪ Respect past all their values ; O my Lord . Would you ? Pom. Vpbraid me not ; goe to , goe on . Dem. No ; I le not rub the wound . The misery is , The gods for any error in a man ( Which they might rectify , and should ; because That man maintain'd the right ) should suffer wrong To be thus insolent , thus grac't , thus blest ? Pom. O the strange carriage of their acts , by which Men order theirs ; and their deuotions in them ; Much rather striuing to entangle men In pathlesse error , then with regular right Confirme their reasons , and their pieties light . For now Sir , whatsoeuer was foreshowne By heauen , or prodigy ; ten parts more for vs , Forewarning vs , deterring vs , and all Our blinde and brainlesse frenzies , then for Caesar ; All yet will be ascribde to his regard Giuen by the gods for his good parts , preferring Their glosse ( being starck impostures ) to the iustice , Loue , honor , piety , of our lawes and Countrey . Though I thinke these are arguments enow For my acquitall , that for all these fought . Dem. Y' are cleare , my Lord . Pom. Gods helpe me , as I am ; What euer my vntoucht command of millions Through all my eight and fifty yeares , hath woonne , This one day ( in the worlds esteeme ) hath lost . So vile is praise and dispraise by euent . For I am still my selfe in euery worth The world could grace me with , had this dayes Euen In one blaze ioyn'd , with all my other Conquests . And shall my comforts in my well-knowne selfe Faile me for their false fires , Demetrius ? Dem. O no , my Lord . Pom. Take griefe for them , as if The rotten-hearted world could steepe my soule In filthy putrifaction of their owne ? Since their applauses faile me ? that are hisses To euery sound acceptance ? I confesse , That till th' affaire was past , my passions flam'd , But now its helplesse , and no cause in me , Rest in these embers my vnmoued soule , With any outward change ▪ this dystick minding ; No man should more allow his owne losse , woes , ( Being past his fault ) then any stranger does . And for the worlds false loues , and ayry honors , What soule that euer lou'd them most in life , ( Once seuer'd from this breathing sepulchre ) Againe came and appearde in any kind Their kinde admirer still , or did the state Of any best man here , associate ? And euery true soule should be here so feuer'd From loue of such men , as here drowne their soules As all the world does ? Cato sole accepted , To whom I le fly now , and my wife in way ( Poore Lady , and poore children , worse then fatherlesse ) Visit , and comfort . Come Demetrius , They disguise themselues . We now must ●ute our habites to our fortunes ▪ And since these changes euer chance to greatest . Nor desire to be ( Doe fortune , to exceed it , what she can ) A Pompey , or a Caesar , but a man . Exeunt . Enter Caesar , Anthony , Acilius , with souldiers . Caes. O We haue slaine , not conquerd , Roman blood Peruerts th' euent , and desperate blood let out With their owne swords . Did euer men before Enuy their owne liues , since another liu'd Whom they would willfully conceiue their foe , And forge a Tyrant merely in their feares To iustifie their slaughters ? Consuls ? furies . Ant. Be , Sir , their faults their griefes ! The greater number Were only slaues , that left their bloods to ruth , And altogether , but six thousand slaine . Caes. How euer many ; gods and men can witnesse Themselues enforc't it , much against the most I could enforce on Pompey for our peace . Of all slaine , yet , if Brutus only liu'd , I should be comforted , for his life sau'd Would weigh the whole six thousand that are lost . But much I feare his death , because the battell Full stricken now , he yet abides vnfound . Acil. I saw him fighting neare the battels end ▪ But suddainly giue off , as be●t to fly . Enter Brutus . Anth. He comes here , see Sir . Bru. I submit to Caesar My life and fortunes . Caes. A more welcome fortune Is Brutus , then my conquest . Bru. Sir , I fought Against your conquest , and your selfe ; and merit ( I must acknowledge ) a much sterner welcome . Caes. You fought with me , Sir , for I know your armes Were taken for your Country , not for Pompey : And for my Country I fought , nothing lesse Then he , or both the mighty-stomak't Consuls ; Both whom ( I heare ) haue slaine themselues before They would enioy life in the good of Caesar. But I am nothing worse , how ill foeuer They , and the great authority of Rome Would faine enforce me by their mere suspitions . Lou'd they their Country better then her Brutus ? Or knew what fitted noblesse , and a Romane With freer soules then Brutus . Those that liue Shall see in Caesars iustice , and what euer Might make me worthy both their liues and loues , That I haue lost the one without my merit , And they the other with no Roman spirit . Are you empair'd to liue , and ioy my loue ? Only requite me , Brutus , loue but Caesar , And be in all the powers of Caesar , Caesar ▪ In which free wish , I ioyne your father Cato ; For whom I le haste to Vtica , and pray His loue may strengthen my fuccesse to day . Exeunt . Porcius in haste , Marcillius bare , following , Porcius discouers a bed , and a sword hanging by it , which he takes downe . Mar. To what vse take you that ( my Lord ? ) Por. Take you No note that I take it , nor let any seruant , Besides your selfe , of all my fathers nearest , Serue any mood he serues , with any knowledge Of this or any other . Caesar comes And giues his army wings to reach this towne . Not for the townes sake , but to saue my father . Whom iustly he suspects to be resolu'd Of any violence to his life , before He will preserue it by a Tyrants fauour . For Pompey hath miscaried , and is fled . Be true to me , and to my fathers life ; And doe not tell him ; nor his fury serue With any other . Mar. I will dye , my Lord , Ere I obserue it . Por. O my Lord and father . Cato , Athenodorus , Statilius . Cato with a booke in his hand . Cat. What feares fly here on all sides ? what wilde lookes Are squinted at me from mens mere suspicions That I am wilde my selfe , and would enforce What will be taken from me by the ●yrant . Ath. No : Would you only aske life , he would thinke His owne life giuen more strength in giuing yours Cat. I aske my life of him ? Stat. Aske what 's his owne ? Of him he scornes should haue the least drop in it At his disposure . Cat. No , Statilius . Men that haue forfeit liues by breaking lawes , Or haue euer beene ouercome , may beg their liues , But I haue euer beene in euery iustice Better then Caesar , and was neuer conquer'd , Or made to fly for life , as Caesar was . But haue beene victor euer , to my wish , 'Gainst whomsoeuer euer hath opposde ; Where Caesar now is conquer'd in his Conquest , In the ambition , he till now denide ; Taking vpon him to giue life , when death Is tenfold due to his most tyrannous selfe . No right , no power giuen him to raise an army , Which in despight of Rome he leades about Slaughtering her loyall subiects , like an outlaw , Nor is he better . Tongue , shew , falshood are , To bloodiest deaths his parts so much admir'd , Vaineglory , villany ; and at best you can , Fed with the parings of a worthy man . My fame affirme my life receiu'd from him ? I le rather make a beast my second father ▪ Stat. The gods auert from euery Roman minde The name of slaue to any Tyrants power . Why was man euer iust , but to be free , 'Gainst all iniustice ? and to beare about him As well all meanes to freedome euery houre , As euery houre he should be arm'd for death , Which only is his freedome ? Ath. But Statilius Death is not free for any mans election , Till nature , or the law , impose it on him . Cat. Must a man goe to law then , when he may Enioy his owne in peace ? if I can vse Mine owne my selfe , must I of force , reserue it To serue a Tyrant with it ? All iust men Not only may enlarge their liues , but must , From all rule tyrannous , or liue vniust . Ath. By death must they enlarge their liues ? Cat. By death . Ath. A man 's not bound to that . Cat. I le proue he is . Are not the liues of all men bound to iustice ? Ath. They are . Cat. And therefore not to serue iniustice : Iustice it selfe ought euer to be free , And therefore euery iust man being a part Of that free iustice , should be free as it . Ath. Then wherefore is there law for death ? Cat. That all That know not what law is , nor freely can Performe the fitting iustice of a man In kingdomes common good , may been forc't . But is not euery iust man to him selfe The perfect'st law ▪ Ath. Suppose . Cat. Then to himselfe Is euery iust man● life subordinate . Againe , Sir ; Is not our free soule infus'd To euery body in her absolute end To rule that body ? in which absolute rule Is she not absolutely Empresse of it ? And being Empresse , may she not dispose It , and the life in it , at her iust pleasure ? Ath. Not to destroy it . Cat. No ; she not destroyes it When she disliues it ; that their freedomes may Goe firme together , like their powers and organs , Rather then let it liue a rebell to her , Prophaning that diuine coniunction Twixt her and it ; nay , a disiunction making Betwixt them worse then death ; in killing quick That which in iust-death liues : being dead to her If to her rule dead ; and to her aliue , If dying in her iust rule . Ath. The body liues not When death hath rest it . Cat. Yet t is free , and kept Fit for reiunction in mans second life ; Which dying rebell to the soule , is farre Vnfit to ioyne with her in perfect life . Ath. It shall not ioyne with her againe . Cat. It shall . Ath. In reason shall it ? Cat. In apparant reason ; Which I le proue clearely . Stat. Heare , and iudge it Sir . Cat. As nature works in all things to an end , So in th' appropriate honor of that end , All things precedent haue their naturall frame ; And therefore is there a proportion Betwixt the ends of those things and their primes : For else there could not be in their creation , Alwayes , or for the most part , that firme forme In their still like existence ; that we see In each full creature . What proportion then Hath an immortall with a mortall substance ? And therefore the mortality to which A man is subiect ; rather is a sleepe , Then bestiall death ; since sleepe and death are call'd The twin● of nature . For if absolute death And bestiall sease the body of a man , Then is there no proportion in his parts , His soule being free from death , which otherwise Retaines diuine proportion . For as sleepe No disproportion holds with humane soules , But aptly quickens the proportion Twixt them and bodies , making bodies fitter To giue vp formes to soules , which is their end : So death ( twin-borne of sleepe ) resoluing all Mans bodies heauy parts ; in lighter nature Makes a reunion with the spritely soule ; When in a second life their beings giuen , Holds their proportion firme , in highest heauen . Ath. Hold you our bodies shall reuiue , resuming Our soules againe to heauen ? Cat. Past doubt , though others Thinke heauen a world too high for our low reaches . Not knowing the sacred sence of him that sings , Ioue can let downe a golden chaine from heauen , Which tyed to earth , shall fetch vp earth and seas ; And what 's that golden chaine , but our pure soules , A golden beame of him , let downe by him , That gouern'd with his grace , and drawne by him , Can hoist this earthy body vp to him , The sea , and ayre , and all the elements Comprest in it : not while t is thus concret , But fin'd by death , and then giuen heauenly heat . Ath. Your happy exposition of that place ( Whose sacred depth I neuer heard so sounded ) Euicts glad grant from me you hold a truth . Stat. Is 't not a manly truth , and mere diuine ? Cat. T is a good chearefull doctrine for good men . But ( sonne and seruants ) this is only argu'd To spend our deare time well , and no life vrgeth To any violence further then his owner And grauer men hold fit . Le ts talke of Caesar , He 's the great subiect of all talke , and he Is hotly hasting on . Is supper ready ? Mar. It is , my Lord . Cat. Why then let 's in and eat ; Our coole submission will quench Caesars heat . Sta. Submission ? here 's for him . Cat. Statilus , My reasons must not strengthen you in error , Nor learn'd Athenodorus gentle yeelding . Talke with some other deepe Philosophers , Or some diuine Priest of the knowing gods , And heare their reasons ▪ in meane time comes up . Exeunt . Cato going out arme in arme betwixt Athen. and Statilius .

Act V.

Scene I. Enter Vshers , with the two Lentuli , and Septimius before Cornelia ; Cyris , Telesilla , Laelia , Drusus , with others , following , Cornelia , Septimius and the two Lentuli reading letters . Cor. SO may my comforts for this good newes thriue As I am thankfull for them to the Gods . Ioyes vnexpected , and in desperate plight , Are still most sweet , and proue from whence they come ; When earths still Moonelike confidence , in ioy , Is at her full . True ioy descending farre From past her sphere , and from that highest heauen That moues and is not mou'd : how farre was I From hope of these euents , when fearefull dreames Of Harpies tearing out my heart ? of armies Terribly ioyning ? Cities , kingdomes falling , And all on me ? prou'd sleepe , not twin to death , But to me , death it selfe ? yet making then , These letters , full of as much chearefull life , I found closde in my hand . O gods how iustly Ye laugh at all things earthly ? at all feares That rise not from your iudgements ? at all ioyes , Not drawne directly from your selues ▪ and in ye , Distrust in man is faith , trust in him ruine . Why write great learned men ? men merely rapt With sacred rage , of confidence , beleefe ? Vndanted spirits ? inexorable fate And all feare treading on ? t is all but ayre , If any comfort be , t is in despaire . 1 Lin. . You learned Ladies may hold any thing . 2 Lent . Now madam is your walk from coach come neare The promontory , where you late commanded A Sentinell should stand to see from thence If either with a nauy , brought by sea , Or traine by land ; great Pompey comes to greet you As in your letters , he neare this time promisde . Cor. O may this Isle of Lesbos , compast in With the Aegae●● sea that doth diuide Europe from Asia . ( The sweet literate world From the Barbarian ) from my barbarous dreames Diuide my dearest husband and his fortunes . 2 Len. He 's busied now with ordering offices . By this time , madam , sits your honor'd father He looks in his letter . In Caesars chaire of vniuersall Bishop . Domitius Aenobarbas , is made Consull , Spynther his Consort ; and Phaoniu● Tribune , or Pretor . Septimius with a letter . Sep. These were only sought Before the battaile , not obtaind ; nor mouing My father but in shadowes . Corn. Why should men Tempt fate with such firme confidence ? seeking places Before the power that should dispose could grant them ? For then the stroke of battaile was not struck . 1 Len. Nay , that was sure enough . Physitians know When sick mens eyes are broken , they must dye . Your letters telling you his victory Lost in the skirmish , which I know hath broken Both the eyes and heart of Caesar : for as men Healthfull through all their liues to grey-hayr'd age , When sicknesse takes them once , they seldom scape : So Caesar victor in his generall fights Till this late skirmish , could no aduerse blow Sustaine without his vtter ouerthrow . 2 Lent . See , madam , now ; your Sentinell : enquire . Cor. Seest thou no fleet yet ( Sentinell ) nor traine That may be thought great Pompeys ? Sen. Not yet , madame . 1 Len. Seest thou no trauellers addrest this way ? In any number on this Lesbian shore ? Sent. I see some not worth note ; a couple comming This way , on foot , that are not now farre hence . 2 Lent . Come they apace ? like messengers with newes ? Sent. No , nothing like ( my Lord ) nor are their habites Of any such mens fashions ; being long mantles , And ●able hew'd ; their heads all hid in hats Of parching Thessaly , broad brimm'd , high crown'd . Cor. These serue not our hopes . Sent. Now I see a ship . A kenning hence ▪ that strikes into the hauen . Cor. One onely ship ? Sen. One only , madam , yet . Cor. That should not be my Lord . 1 Lent . Your Lord ? no madam . Sen. She now le ts out arm'd men vpon the land . 2 Lent . Arm'd men ? with drum , and colours ? Sen. No , my Lord , But bright in armes , yet beare halfe pikes , or bead hookes . 1 Lent . These can be no plumes in the traine of Pompey . Cor. I le see him in his letter , once againe . Sen. Now , madam , come the two I saw on foot . Enter Pompey and Demetrius . Dem. See your Princesse , Sir , come thus farre from the City in her coach , to encounter your promist comming About this time in your last letters . Pom. The world is alterd since Demetrius ; ( offer to goe by ▪ 1 Lent . See , madam , two Thessalian Augurs it seem●● By their habits . Call , and enquire if either by their Skils or trauels , they know no newes of your husband . Cor. My friends ? a word . Dem. With vs , madam ? Cor. Yes . Are you of Thessaly ? Dem. I , madam , and all the world besides . Cor ▪ Your Country is great . Dem. And our portions little . Cor. Are you Augures ? Dem. Augures , madam ? yes a kinde of Augures , alias Wizards , that goe vp and downe the world , teaching How to turne ill to good . Cor. Can you doe that ? Dem. I , madam , you haue no worke for vs , haue you ? No ill to turne good , I meane ? Cor. Yes ; the absence of my husband . Dem. What 's she ? Cor. Pompey the great . Dem. Wherein is he great ? Cor. In his command of the world . Dem. Then he 's great in others . Take him without his Addition ( great ) what is he then ? Cor. Pompey . Dem. Not your husband then ? Cor. Nothing the lesse for his greatnesse . Dem. Not in his right ; but in your comforts he is . Cor. His right is my comfort . Dem. What 's his wrong ? Cor. My sorrow . Dem. And that 's ill . Cor. Yes . Dem. Y' are come to the vse of our Profession , madam , Would you haue that ill turnd good ? that Sorrow turnd comfort ? Cor. Why is my Lord wrong'd ? Dem. We professe not that knowledge , madam : Suppose he were . Cor. Not I. Dem. You le suppose him good . Cor. He is so . Dem. Then must you needs suppose him wrong'd ; for All goodnesse is wrong'd in this world . Cor. What call you wrong ? Dem. Ill fortune , affliction . Cor. Thinke you my Lord afflicted ? Dem. If I thinke him good ( madam ) I must . Vnlesse he Be worldly good ; and then , either he is ill , or has ill : Since , as no sugar is without poyson : so is no worldly Good without ill . Euen naturally nourisht in it , like a Houshold thiefe , which is the worst of all theeues . Cor. Then he is not worldly , but truly good . Dem. He 's too great to be truly good ; for worldly greatnes Is the chiefe worldly goodnesse ; and all worldly goodnesse ( I prou'd before ) has ill in it : which true good has not . Cor. If he rule well with his greatnesse ; wherein is he ill ? Dem. But great Rulers are like Carpenters , that weare their Rules at their backs still : and therefore to make good your True good in him , y 'ad better suppose him little or meane , For in the meane only is the true good . Pom. But euery great Lady must haue her husband Great still , or her loue will be little . Cor. I am none of those great Ladyes . 1 Lent . She 's a Philosophresse Augure , and can ●urne Ill to good as well as you . Pom. I would then , not honor , but adore her : could you Submit your selfe chearefully to your husband , Supposing him falne ? Cor. If he submit himselfe chearfully to his fortune . Pom. T is the greatest greatnes in the world you vndertake . Cor. I would be so great , if he were . Pom. In supposition . Cor. In fact . Pom. Be no woman , but a Goddesse then ; & make good thy greatnesse ; I am chearfully falne ; be chearfull . Cor. I am : and welcome , as the world were closde In these embraces . Pom. Is it possible ? A woman , losing greatnesse , still as good , As at her greatest ? O gods , was I euer Great till this minute ? Amb. Len. Pompey ? Pom. View me better ▪ Amb. Len. Conquerd by Caesar ? Pom. Not I , but mine army . No fault in me , in it : no conquest of me . I tread this low earth as I trod on Caesar. Must I not hold my selfe , though lose the world ? Nor lose I lesse ; a world lost at one clap , T is more then ●oue euer thundred with . What glory is it to haue my hand hurle So vast a volley through the groning ayre ? And is 't not great , to turne griefes thus to ioyes , That breake the hearts of others ? Amb. Len. O t is Ioue - like . Pom , It is to imitate Ioue , that from the wounds Of softest clouds , beats vp the terriblest sounds . I now am good , for good men still haue least , That twixt themselues and God might rise their rest . Cor. O Pompey , Pompey : neuer Great till now . Pom. O my Cornelia : let vs still be good , And we shall still be great : and greater farre In euery solid grace , then when the tumor And bile of rotten obseruation sweld vs . Griefes for wants outward , are without our cure , Greatnesse , not of it selfe , is neuer sure . Before , we went vpon heauen , rather treading The virtues of it vnderfoot , in making The vicious world our heauen ; then walking there Euen here , as knowing that our home ; contemning All forg'd heauens here raisde ; setting hills on hills . Vulcan from heauen ●ell , yet on 's feet 〈◊〉 light ; And stood no lesse a god then at his height ; At lowest , things lye fast : we now are like The two Poles propping heauen , on which heauen moues ; And they are fixt , and quiet , being aboue All motion farre ; we rest aboue the heauens . Cor. O , I more ioy , t' embrace my Lord thus fixt , Then he had brought me ten inconstant conquests . 1 Len ▪ Miraculous standing in a fall so great , Would Caesar knew , Sir , how you conquerd him In your conuiction . Pom. T is enough for me That Pompey knows it . I will stand no more On others legs : nor build one ioy without me . If euer I be worth a house againe , I le build all inward : not a light shall ope The common outway : no expence , no art , No ornament , no dore will I vse there , But raise all plaine , and rudely , like a rampier , Against the false society of men That still batters All reason peecemeale . And for earthy greatnesse All heauenly comforts rarifies to ayre , I le therefore liue in darke , and all my light , Like ancient Temples , let in at my top . This were to turne ones back to all the world , And only looke at heauen . Empedocles Recur'd a mortall plague through all his Country , With stopping vp the yawning of a hill , From whence the hollow and vnwholsome South Exhald his venomd vapor . And what else Is any King , giuen ouer to his lusts , But euen the poyson'd cleft of that crackt mountaine , That all his kingdome plagues with his example ? Which I haue stopt now , and so cur'd my Country Of such a sensuall pestilence : When therefore our diseas'de affections Harmefull to humane freedome ; and stormelike Inferring darknesse to th' infected minde Oppresse our comforts : t is but letting in The light of reason , and a purer spirit , Take in another way ; like roomes that fight With windowes gainst the winde , yet let in light . Amb. Len. My Lord , we seru'd before , but now adore you . Sen. My Lord , the arm'd men I discou'rd lately Vnshipt , and landed ; now are trooping neare . Pom. What arm'd men are they ? 1 Len. Some , my Lord , that lately The Sentinell discouer'd , but not knew . Sen. Now all the sea ( my Lords ) is hid with ships , Another Promontory flanking this , Some furlong hence , is climb'd , and full of people , That easily may see hither ; it seemes looking What these so neare intend : Take heed , they come . Enter Achillas , Septius , Saluius , with souldiers , Ach. Haile to Romes great Commander ; to whom Aegypt ( Not long since seated in his kingdome by thee , And sent to by thee in thy passage by ) Sends vs with answer ▪ which withdraw and heare ▪ Pom. I le kille my children first ▪ Sep. Blesse me , my Lord . Pom. I will , and Cyris , my poore daughter too . Euen that high hand that hurld me downe thus low , Keepe you from rising high : I heare : now tell me . I thinke ( my friend ) you once seru'd vnder me . Septius only nods with his hand . Pom. Nod onely ? not a word daigne ? what are these ? Cornelia ? I am now not worth mens words . Ach. Please you receiue your ayde , Sir ? Pom. I , I come . Exit Pom. The draw and follow . Cor. Why draw they ? See , my Lords ; attend them vshers . Sen. O they haue slaine great Pompey . Cor. O my husband . Sept. Cyr. Mother , take comfort . Enter Pompey bleeding . O my Lord and father . Pom. See heauens your sufferings , is my Countres loue The iustice of an Empire ; pietie ; Worth this end in their leader : last yet life , And bring the gods off fairer : after this Who will adore , or serue the deities ? He hides his face with his robe . Enter the Murtherers . Ach. Helpe hale him off : and take his head for Caesar. Sep. Mother ? O saue vs ; Pompey ? O my father . Enter the two Lentuli and Demetrius bleeding , and kneele about Cornelia . 1 Len. Yet fals not heauen ? Madam , O make good Your late great spirits ; all the world will say , You know not how to beare aduerse euents , If now you languish . Omn. Take her to her coach . They beare her out . Cato with a booke in his hand . O Beastly apprehenders of things manly , And merely heauenly : they with all the reasons I vsde for iust mens liberties , to beare Their liues and deaths vp in their owne free hands ; Feare still my resolution though I seeme . To giue it off like them : and now am woonne To thinke my life in lawes rule , not mine owne , When once it comes to death ; as if the law Made for a sort of outlawes , must bound me In their subiection ; as if I could Be rackt out of my vaines , to liue in others ; As so I must , if others rule my life ; And publique power keepe all the right of death , As if men needes must serue the place of iustice ; The forme , and idoll , and renounce it selfe ? Our selues , and all our rights in God and goodnesse ? Our whole contents and freedomes to dispose , All in the ioyes and wayes of arrant rogues ? No stay but their wilde errors , to sustaine vs ? No forges but their throats to vent our breaths ? To forme our liues in , and repose our deaths ? See , they haue got my sword . Who 's there ? Enter Marcillius bare . Mar. My Lord : Cat , Who tooke my sword hence ? Dumb ? I doe not aske For any vse or care of it : but hope I may be answered . Goe Sir , let me haue it . Exit Mar. Poore slaues , how terrible this death is to them ? If men would sleepe , they would be wroth with all That interrupt them : Physick take to take The golden rest it brings : both pay and pray For good , and soundest naps : all friends consenting In those kinde inuocations ; praying all Good rest , the gods vouchsafe you ; but when death ( Sleepes naturall brother ) comes ; ( that 's nothing worse , But better ; being more rich ; and keepes the store ; Sleepe euer tickle , way ward still , and poore ) O how men grudge , and shake , and feare , and fly His sterne approaches ? all their comforts taken In faith , and knowledge of the blisse and beauties . That watch their wakings in an endlesse life : Dround in the paines and horrors of their sense Sustainde but for an houre ; be all the earth Rapt with this error , I le pursue my reason , And hold that as my light and fiery pillar , Th' eternall law of heauen and earth no firmer . But while I seeke to conquer conquering Caesar , My soft-splen'd seruants ouerrule and curb me . He knocks , and Brutus enters . Where 's he I sent to fetch and place my sword Where late I left it ? Dumb to ? Come another ! Enter Cleanthes . Where 's my sword hung here ? Cle. My Lord , I know not , Ent. Marcilius . Cat. The rest , come in there . Where 's the sword I charg'd you To giue his place againe ? I le breake your lips ope , Spight of my freedome ; all my seruants , friends ; My sonne and all , will needs betray me naked To th' armed malice of a foe so fierce And Beare-like , mankinde of the blood of virtue . O gods , who euer saw me thus contemn'd ? Goe call my sonne in ; tell him , that the lesse He shewes himselfe my sonne , the lesse I le care To liue his father . Enter Athenodorus , Porcius : Porcius kneeling ; Brutus , Cleanthes and Marcilius by him . Por. I beseech you , Sir , Rest patient of my duty , and my loue ; Your other children think on , our poore mother , Your family , your Country . Cat. If the gods Giue ouer a'l , I le fly the world with them . Athenodorus , I admire the changes , I note in heauenly prouidence . When Pompey Did all things out of course , past right , past reason , He stood inuincible against the world : Yet , now his cares grew pious , and his powers Set all vp for his Countrey , he is conquered . Ath. The gods wills secret are , nor must we measure Their chast-reserued deepes by our dry shallowes . Sufficeth vs , we are entirely such As twixt them and our consciences we know Their graces , in our virtues , shall present Vnspotted with the earth ; to 'th high throne That ouerlookes vs : for this gyant world Let 's not contend with it , when heauen it selfe Failes to reforme it : why should we affect The least hand ouer it , in that ambition ? A heape t is of digested villany ; Virtue in labor with eternall Chaos Prest to a liuing death , and rackt beneath it ▪ Her throwes vnpitied ; euery worthy man Limb by limb sawne out of her virgine wombe , To liue here peecemeall tortur'd , fly life then ; Your life and death made presidents for men . Exit . Cat. Ye heare ( my masters ) what a life this is , And vse much reason to respect it so . But mine shall serue ye . Yet restore my sword , Lest too much ye presume , and I conceiue Ye front me like my fortunes . Where 's Statilius ? Por. I think Sir , gone with the three hundred Romans In Lucius Caesars charge , to serue the victor . Cat. And would not take his leaue of his poore friend ? Then the Philosophers haue stoop't his spirit . Which I admire , in one so free , and knowing , And such a fiery hater of base life , Besides , being such a vow'd and noted foe To our great Conqueror . But I aduisde him To spare his youth , and liue . Por. My brother Brutus Is gone to Caesar. Cat. Brutus ? Of mine honor ( Although he be my sonne in law ) I must say There went as worthy , and as learned a President As liues in Romes whole rule , for all lifes actions ; And yet your sister Porcea ( his wife ) Would scarce haue done this . But ( for you my sonne ) Howeuer Caesar deales with me ; be counsailde By your experienc't father , not to touch At any action of the publique weale , Nor any rule beare neare her politique sterne : For , to be vbright , and sincere therein Like Catos sonne , the times corruption Will neuer beare it : and , to sooth the time , You shall doe basely , and vnworthy your life ; Which , to the gods I wish , may outweigh mine In euery virtue ; howsoeuer ill You thriue in honor . Por. I , my Lord , shall gladly Obey that counsell . Cat. And what needed you Vrge my kinde care of any charge that nature Imposes on me ? haue I euer showne Loues least defect to you ? or any dues The most iddulgent father ( being discreet ) Could doe his dearest blood ? doe you me right In iudgement , and in honor ; and dispence With passionate nature : goe , neglect me not , But send my sword in . Goe , t is I that charge you . Por. O my Lord , and father , come , aduise me . Exeunt . Cat. What haue I now to thinke on in this world ? No one thought of the world , I goe each minute Discharg'd of all cares that may fit my freedome . The next world , and my soule , then let me serue With her last vtterance , that my body may With sweetnesse of the passage drowne the sowre That death will mix with it : the Consuls soules That slew themselues so nobly , scorning life Led vnder Tyrants Scepters , mine would see . For we shall know each other ; and past death Retaine those formes of knowledge learn'd in life ; Since , if what here we learne , we there shall lose , Our immortality were not life , but time . And that our soules in reason are immortall , Their naturall and proper obiects proue ; Which immortallity and knowledge are . For to that obiect euer is referr'd The nature of the soule , in which the acts Of her high faculties are still employde . And that true obiect must her powers obtaine To which they are in natures aime directed . Since t were absurd to haue her set an obiect Which possibly she neuer can aspire . Enter a Page with his sword taken out before . Pag. Your sword , my Lord . Cat. O is it found ? lay downe Vpon the bed ( my boy ) Exit Pa. Poore men ; a boy Must be presenter ; manhood at no hand Must serue so foule a fact ; for so are calde ( In common mouths ) mens fairest acts of all . Vnsheath ; is 't sharpe ? t is sweet . Now I am safe , Come Caesar , quickly now , or lose your vassall . Now wing thee , deare soule , and receiue her heauen . The earth , the ayre , and seas I know , and all The ioyes , and horrors of their peace and warres , And now will see the gods state , and the starres . He fals vpon his sword , and enter Statilius at another side of the Stage with his sword drawne , Porcius , Brutus , Cleanthes and Marcilius holding his hands . Stat. Cate ? my Lord ? Por. I sweare ( Statilius ) He 's forth , and gone to seeke you , charging me To seeke elsewhere , lest you had slaine your selfe ; And by his loue entreated you would liue . Sta. I sweare by all the gods , I le run his fortunes . Por. You may , you may ; but shun the victor now , Who neare is , and will make vs all his slaues . Sta He shall himselfe be mine first , and my slaues . Exit . Por. Looke , looke in to my father , O ( I feare ) He is no sight for me to beare and liue . Exit . Omn. 3 O ruthfull spectacle ▪ Cle. He hath ript his entrals . Bru. Search , search ; they may be ●ound . Cle. They may , and are . Giue leaue , my Lord , that I may few them vp Being yet vnperisht . He thrusts him back , & plucks out his entrals . Ca. Stand off ; now they are not . Haue he my curse that my lifes least part saues . iust men are only free , the rest are slaues . Bru. Myrror of men . Mar. The gods enuied his goodnesse . Enter Caesar , Anthony , Brutus , Acilius , with Lords and Citizens of Vtica . Caes. Too late , too late ; with all our haste . O cato , All my late Conquest , and my life s whole acts , Most crownde , most beautified , are basted all With thy graue lifes expiring in their scorne . Thy life was rule to all liues ; and thy death ( Thus forcibly despising life ) the quench Of all liues glories . Ant. Vnreclaimed man ? How censure● Brutus his sterne fathers fact ? Bru. T was not well done . Caes. O censure not his acts ; Who knew as well what fitted man , as all men . Enter Achilius , Septimius , Salvius , with Pompeys head . All kneeling . Your enemies head great Caesar. Caes. Cursed monsters , Wound not mine eyes with it , nor in my camp Let any dare to view it ; farre as noblesse The den of barbarisme flies , and blisse The bitterest curse of vext and tyrannisde nature , Transferre it from me . Borne the plagues of virtue How durst ye poyson thus my thoughts ? to torture Them with instant rapture . Omn. 3. Sacred Caesar. Caes. Away with them ; I vow by all my comforts , Who slack seemes , or not fiery in my charge , Shall suffer with them . All the souldiers . Out base murtherers ; Tortures , tortures for them : hale them out . Omn. Cruell Caesar. Caes. Too milde with any torture . Bru. Let me craue The ●ase of my hate on their one curst life . Caes. Good Brutus take it ; O you coole the poyson These villaines flaming pou'rd vpon my spleen To suffer with my lothings . If the blood Of euery common Roman toucht so neare ; Shall I confirme the faise brand of my tyranny With being found a fautor of his murther Whom my deare Country chusde to ●●ght for her ? Ant. Your patience Sir , their tortures well will quit you . Bru. Let my slaues vse , Sir , be your president . Caes. It shall , I sweare : you doe me infinite honor . O Cato , I enuy thy death , since thou Enuiedst my glory to preserue thy life . Why fled his sonne and friend Statilius ? So farre I fly their hurt , that all my good Shall fly to their desires . And ( for himselfe ) My Lords and Citizens of Vtica , His much renowne of you , quit with your most . And by the sea , vpon some eminent rock , Erect his sumptuous tombe ; on which aduance With all fit state his statue ; whose right hand Let hold his sword , where , may to all times rest His bones as honor'd as his soule is blest . FINIS .