Francis Beaumont

“ Such a bright gem, brought to thee, wouldst thou not
Most greedily accept?
Sce. Not as an Emperour,
A man that first should rule himself, then others;
As a poor hungry Souldier, I might bite, Sir,
Yet that's a weakness too: hear me, thou Tempter:
And hear thou Cæsar too, for it concerns thee,
And if thy flesh be deaf, yet let thine honour,
The soul of a commander, give ear to me,
Thou wanton bane of war, thou guilded Lethargy,
In whose embraces, ease (the rust of Arms)
And pleasure, (that makes Souldiers poor) inhabites.
Cæsar. Fye, thou blasphem'st.
Sce. I do, when she is a goddess. ”

“ Enter Cæsar, Ptolomy, Antony, Dolabella, Achoreus, Apollodorus, Souldiers.
Cæs. The fire has took,
And shews the City like a second Troy,
The Navy too is scorch'd, the people greedy
To save their Wealth and Houses, whilst their Souldiers
Make spoil of all; only Achillas's Troops
Make good their Guard, break through them, we are safe;
I'll lead you like a Thunder-bolt.
Sept. Stay, Cæsar.
Cæs. Who's this? the Dog, Septimius? ”

“ Cæsar. For the young King I know not
How he may be misled; but for his Sister
(Unequall'd Cleopatra) 'twere a kind
Of blasphemy to doubt her: ugly treason
Durst never dwell in such a glorious building,
Nor can so clear and great a spirit, as hers is,
Admit of falsehood.
Ant. Let us seize on him then:
And leave her to her fortune.
Dol. If he have power
Use it to your security, and let
His honesty acquit him: if he be false
It is too great an honour he should dye
By your victorious hand.
Cæsar. He comes: and I
Shall do as I find cause.
Enter Ptolomy, Achoreus, Apollodorus. ”

“ Enter Photinus, Achillas, Septimius, Souldiers.
Pho. There's no retiring now, we are broke in:
The deed past hope of pardon: if we prosper
'Twill be stil'd lawful!, and we shall give laws
To those that now command us: stop not at
Or loyalty, or duty: bold ambition,
To dare and power to do, gave the first difference
Between the King, and subject, Cæsars Motto,
Aut Cæsar aut Nihil, each of us must claim,
And use it as our own.
Achil. The deed is bloody
If we conclude in Ptolomies death.
Pho. The better,
The globe of Empire must be so manur'd. ”

“ Let not those cankers of this flourishing Kingdom,
Photinus, and Achillas, (the one an Eunuch,
The other a base bondman) thus raign over me.
Seize my inheritance, and leave my Brother
Nothing of what he should be, but the Title,
As thou art wonder of the world.
Cæsar. Stand up then
And be a Queen, this hand shall give it to ye,
Or choose a greater name, worthy my bounty:
A common love makes Queens: choose to be worshipped,
To be divinely great, and I dare promise it ”

“ Cæsar. You are deceiv'd in all this,
Upon my life you are, 'tis your much tenderness.
Cleo. No, no, I love not that way; you are cozen'd:
I love with as much ambition as a Conquerour,
And where I love, will triumph.
Cæsar. So you shall:
My heart shall be the Chariot that shall bear ye,
All I have won shall wait upon ye: By the gods
The bravery of this womans mind, has fired me:
Dear Mistress shall I but this night?—
Cleo. ”

“ Pompey is much superiour.
Achil. I could give you
A Catalogue of all the several Nations
From whence he drew his powers: but that were tedious.
They have rich arms, are ten to one in number,
Which makes them think the day already won;
And Pompey being master of the Sea,
Such plenty of all delicates are brought in,
As if the place on which they are entrench'd,
Were not a Camp of Souldiers, but Rome,
In which Lucullus and Apicius joyn'd,
To make a publique Feast: they at Dirachium
Fought with success; but knew not to make use of
Fortunes fair offer: so much I have heard
Cæsar himself confess. ”

“ When they are ours, they are worth our admiration.
Enter Cleopatra.
Ant. The young Queen comes: give room.
Cæsar. Welcom (my dearest)
Come bless my side.
Sceva. I marry: here's a wonder,
As she appears now, I am no true Souldier,
If I be not readie to recant.
Cleo. Be merry Sir,
My Brother will be proud to do you honour
That now appears himself.
Enter Ptolomy, Achoreus, Achillas, Photinus, Apollodorus.
Pto. Haile to great Cæsar
My Royal Guest, first I will feast thine eyes
With wealthy Ægypts store, and then thy palate,
And wait my self upon thee. ”

“ Enter Cæsar, Antony, Dolabella, Sceva.
Cæs. Keep strong Guards, and with wary eyes (my friends)
There is no trusting to these base Egyptians;
They that are false to pious benefits,
And make compell'd necessities their faiths
Are Traitors to the gods.
Ant. We'll call ashore
A Legion of the best.
Cæs. Not a Man, Antony,
That were to shew our fears, and dim our greatness:
No, 'tis enough my Name's ashore. ”

“ Your Earth shall now be bless'd to hold a Roman,
Whose braverys all the worlds-Earth cannot ballance.
Sce. If thou bee'st thus loving, I shall honour thee,
But great men may dissemble, 'tis held possible,
And be right glad of what they seem to weep for,
There are such kind of Philosophers; now do I wonder
How he would look if Pompey were alive again,
But how he would set his face?
Cæsar. You look now, King,
And you that have been Agents in this glory,
For our especial favour?
Ptol. We desire it.
Cæsar. And doubtless you expect rewards.
[pg 320]
Sceva. ”

“ And the poor glow-worm light of some faint Jewels,
Before the life of Love, and soul of Beauty,
Oh how it vexes me! he is no Souldier,
(All honourable Souldiers are Loves servants)
He is a Merchant; a meer wandring Merchant,
Servile to gain: he trades for poor Commodities,
And makes his Conquests, thefts; some fortunate Captains
That quarter with him, and are truly valiant,
Have flung the name of happy Cæsar on him,
Himself ne're won it: he is so base and covetous,
He'l sell his sword for gold. ”

“ Pho. For I may employ thee
To take a rub or two out of my way,
As time shall serve, say that it be a Brother?
Or a hard Father?
Sept. 'Tis most necessary,
A Mother, or a Sister, or whom you please, Sir.
Pho. Or to betray a noble Friend?
Sept. 'Tis all one.
Pho. I know thou wilt stir for Gold.
Sept. 'Tis all my motion.
Pho. There, take that for thy service, and farewel;
I have greater business now.
Sept. I am still your own, Sir.
Pho. One thing I charge thee, see me no more, Septimius,
Unless I send. ”

“ And let me be a story left to time
Of blood and Infamy, how base and ugly
Ingratitude appears, with all her profits,
How monstrous my hop'd grace, at Court! good souldiers
Let neither flattery, nor the witching sound
Of high and soft preferment, touch your goodness:
To be valiant, old, and honest, O what blessedness—
1 Sold. Dost thou want any thing?
Sep. Nothing but your prayers.
2 Sol. Be thus, and let the blind Priest do his worst,
We have gods as well as they, and they will hear us.
3 Sol. Come, cry no more: thou hast wep't out twenty Pompeys.
Enter Photinus, Achillas. ”

“ Enter Antony, Dolabella, Sceva.
Dol. Nay there's no rowsing him: he is bewitch'd sure,
His noble blood curdled, and cold within him;
Grown now a womans warriour.
Sce. And a tall one:
Studies her fortifications, and her breaches,
And how he may advance his ram to batter
The Bullwork of her chastitie.
Ant. Be not too angry,
For by this light, the woman's a rare woman,
A Lady of that catching youth, and beauty,
That unmatch'd sweetness—
Dol. ”

“ With all her Oracles, and Miracles,
She were fitter for your turn.
Ant. Would I had, Sceva,
With all her faults too: let me alone to mend 'em,
O'that condition I made thee mine heir.
Sce. I had rather have your black horse, than your harlots.
Dol. Cæsar writes Sonnetts now, the sound of war
Is grown too boystrous for his mouth: he sighs too.
Sce. And learns to fiddle most melodiously,
And sings, 'twould make your ears prick up, to hear him Gent.
Shortly she'l make him spin: and 'tis thought
He will prove an admirable maker of Bonelace,
And what a rare gift will that be in a General! ”

“ With noble eyes look on the Princely Ptolomy,
That offers with this head (most mighty Cæsar)
What thou would'st once have given for it, all Egypt.
Ach. Nor do not question it (most royal Conquerour)
Nor dis-esteem the benefit that meets thee,
Because 'tis easily got, it comes the safer:
Yet let me tell thee (most imperious Cæsar)
Though he oppos'd no strength of Swords to win this,
Nor labour'd through no showres of darts, and lances:
Yet here he found a fort, that faced him strongly,
An inward war: he was his Grand-sires Guest ”

“ A danger of this precipice: but note Sir,
For what Rome ever rais'd her mighty armies;
First for ambition, then for wealth: 'tis madness,
Nay more, a secure impotence, to tempt
An armed Guest: feed not an eye, that conquers,
Nor teach a fortunate sword the way to be covetous.
Ptol. Ye judge amiss, and far too wide to alter me,
Yet all be ready, as I gave direction:
The secret way of all our wealth appearing
Newly, and handsomely: and all about it:
No more disswading: 'tis my will.
[pg 340]
Ach. I grieve for't.
Ptol. I will dazel Cæsar, with excess of glory. ”

“ To trust these base Egyptians, that proclaim'd
Their perjuries, in noble Pompeys death,
And yet that could not warn me.
Dol. Be still Cæsar,
Who ever lov'd to exercise his fate,
Where danger look't most dreadful.
Ant. If you fall,
Fall not alone: let the King and his Sister
Be buried in your ruines: on my life
They both are guilty: reason may assure you
[pg 358]
Photinus nor Achillas durst attempt you,
Or shake one Dart, or sword, aim'd at your safety,
Without their warrant. ”

“ Enter Sceva.
All. Was never such a man.
1 Sold. Dear honour'd Sir,
Let us but know your name, that we may worship ye.
2 Sold. That we may ever thank.
Sep. Why, call me any thing,
No matter for my name, that may betray me.
Sce. A cunning thief, call him Septimius, Souldiers,
The villain that kill'd Pompey.
All. How?
Sce. Call him the shame of men. ”

“ I spit at thee, and scorn thee.
Pho. I will tame
That haughty courage, and make thee stoop too.
Cleo. Never,
I was born to command, and will dye so.
[pg 369]
Enter Achillas, and Souldiers, with the Body of Ptolomy.
Pho. The King dead? this is a fair entrance to
Our future happiness.
Ars. Oh my dear Brother!
Cleo. Weep not, Arsino, common women do so,
Nor lose a tear for him, it cannot help him;
But study to dye nobly.
Pho. Cæsar fled!
'Tis deadly aconite to my cold heart,
It choaks my vital Spirits: where was your care?
Did the Guards sleep?
Achil. He rowz'd them with his Sword ”

“ To Cæsar, for our means, Sir.
Sep. And 'tis fit Sir.
3 Sol. We are poor men, and long forgot.
Sep. I grieve for it:
Good Souldiers should have good rewards, and favours,
I'le give up your petitions, for I pity ye,
And freely speak to Cæsar.
All. O we honour ye.
1 Sol. A good man sure ye are: the Gods preserve ye.
Sep. And to relieve your wants the while, hold Soldiers,
Nay 'tis no dream: 'tis good gold: take it freely,
'Twill keep ye in good heart. ”

“ I fear the Souldiers, for they look as if
They would be nibling too.
Cleo. He is all honour,
Nor do I now repent me of my favours,
Nor can I think that Nature e'r made a Woman
That in her prime deserv'd him.
[pg 371]
Enter Cæsar, Sceva, Antonie, Dolabella, Souldiers, with the Heads.
Ars. He's come back,
Pursue no further; curb the Souldiers fury.
Cæs. See (beauteous Mistris) their accursed heads
That did conspire against us.
Sce. Furies plague 'em,
They had too fair an end to dye like Souldiers,
Pompey fell by the Sword, the Cross or Halter
Should have dispatch'd them. ”

“ What's yours, (Photinus?)
Pho. Achoreus (great Ptolomy) hath counsell'd
Like a Religious, and honest man,
Worthy the honour that he justly holds
In being Priest to Isis: But alas,
What in a man, sequester'd from the world,
Or in a private person, is prefer'd,
No policy allows of in a King,
To be or just, or thankfull, makes Kings guilty,
And faith (though prais'd) is punish'd that supports
Such as good Fate forsakes: joyn with the gods,
[pg 310]
Observe the man they favour, leave the wretched,
The Stars are not more distant from the Earth
Than profit is from honesty ”

“ The Scepter, that strives only to be good,
Since Kingdomes are maintain'd by force and blood.
Ach. Oh wicked!
Ptol. Peace: goe on.
Pho. Proud Pompey shews how much he scorns your youth,
In thinking that you cannot keep your own
From such as are or'e come. If you are tired
With being a King, let not a stranger take
What nearer pledges challenge: resign rather
The government of Egypt and of Nile
To Cleopatra, that has title to them,
At least defend them from the Roman gripe,
What was not Pompeys, while the wars endured,
The Conquerour will not challenge ”

“ Sce. No parley: they are deaf to all but danger,
They swear they will fley us, and then dry our Quarters:
A rasher of a salt lover, is such a Shooing-horn:
Can you kiss away this conspiracy, and set us free? ”

“ And in their safety we are sunk; for Cæsar
Prepares for War.
Pho. How fell the King?
[pg 370]
Achil. Unable
To follow Cæsar, he was trod to death
By the Pursuers, and with him the Priest
Of Isis, good Achoreus.
Ars. May the Earth
Lye gently on their ashes.
Pho. I feel now,
That there are powers above us; and that 'tis not
Within the searching policies of man
To alter their decrees.
Cleo. I laugh at thee;
Where are thy threats now, Fool, thy scoffs and scorns
Against the gods? I see calamity
Is the best Mistress of Religion,
And can convert an Atheist. ”

“ A sleeping Cæsar is enough to shake them;
There are some two or three malicious Rascals
Train'd up in Villany, besides that Cerberus
That Roman Dog, that lick'd the blood of Pompey.
Dol. 'Tis strange, a Roman Souldier?
Sce. You are cozen'd,
There be of us as be of all other Nations,
Villains, and Knaves; 'tis not the name contains him,
But the obedience; when that's once forgotten,
And Duty flung away, then welcome Devil.
Photinus and Achillas, and this Vermine
That's now become a natural Crocodile
Must be with care observ'd.
Ant. And 'tis well counsel'd
No Confidence, nor trust—
Sce. ”