MARIUS

Sage and imperial Senators of Room, Not without good advisement have you seen, Old Marius silent during your discourse: Yet not for that he feared to plead his cause, Or raise his honour trodden down by age, But that his words should not allure his friends, To stand on stricter terms for his behoof: Six times the Senate by election hath, Made Marius Consul over warlike Room, And in that space nor Room nor all the world, Could ever say that Marius was untrue, hese silver hairs that hang upon my face, Are witnesses of my unfeigned zeal, The Cymbrians that erewhile invaded France, And held the Romaïne Empire in disdain, Lay all confounded under Marius sword, Fierce Scipio the mirror once of Room, whose lose as yet my inward soul bewails, Being asked who should succeed and bear his Rule, Even this (quod he) shall Scipios armour bear, And therewithal clapped me upon the back: If then graven Lords, my former passed youth, was spent in bringing Honours into Room, Let then my age and latter date of years, Be sealed up for honour unto Room. And Scylla hereof be thou full assure, The honour whereto mine undaunted mind, And this graven senate hath enhanced me, Thou nor thy followers shall derogate, The spence of years that Marius hath ore-past, Inforraine broils and civil mutinies, Hath taught him this, that one unbridled foe, My former Fortune's never shall oregoe. Scylla, Scylla, Marius years hath taught Him how to pluck so proud a younkers plumes, And know these hairs that dangle down my face, In brightness Like the silver Rodope: Shall add so haughty courage to my mind, And rest such piercing objects gainst thine eyes, That masked in folly, age shall force thee stoop. I take thy word: Marius will meet thee there, And prove thee Scylla a Traitor unto Room, And all that march under thy traitorous wings, Therefore they that love the Senate and Marius Now follow him. Lords of Minturnum when I shapd my course, To fly the danger of pursuing death, I left my friends, and all alone attained (In hope of succors) to this little town, Relying on your courtesies and truth. What foolish fear does then amaze you thus? Why Citizens, and what is Marius? I tell you not so base as to despair, Yea able to withstand ingratitudes. Tell me of foolish laws decreed at Room, To please the angry humours of my foe: Believe me Lords I know and am assure, That magnanimity can never fear, And fortitude so conquer silly fate, As Scylla when he Hope's to have my head, May hap ere long on sudden loose his own. Why sir Pausanius have not you beheld, Campania plains fulfilled with greater foes, Than is that wanton milksop nature's scorn. Base minded men to live in perfect hope, Whose thoughts are shut within your cottage eves, Refuse not Marius that must favour you: For these are parts of unadvised men, With present fear to loose a perfect friend, That can, will, may control, command, subdue, That braving boy that thus bewitches you. What? the Moonshine in the water. Thou wretched stepdame of my fickle state, Are these the guerdons of the greatest minds, To make them hope and yet betray their hap, To make them climb to overthrow them straight? Accursed thy wreak, thy wrath, thy bale, thy wheel, That makest me sighs the sorrows that I feel. Untrodden paths my feet shall rather trace, Than wrest my succours from inconstant hands. Rebounding Rocks shall rather ring my ruth, Than these Campanian piles where terrors bide. And nature that hath lift my throne so High, Shall witness Marius triumphs if he die. But S ee that gave the Lictors rod and axe, To wait my six times Consulship in Room, will not pursue where erst she flattered so, Minturnum then farewell for I must go, But think for to repent you of your no. You talk it now Like men confirmde in faith, well let me try the fruits of your discourse, For care my mind and pain my body wrongs. Be trusty Lords, if not I can but die. Exit Ma. Lectorius, friends are geason now adais, And grow to fume before they taste the fire: Adversities bereaving men a ails, They fly Like feathers dallying in the wind, They rise Like bubbles in a stormy rain, Swelling in words and flying faith and deeds. O stay him good Lectorius for me seem, His great post hast some pleasure should present. Sirrah leave off this foolish dalliance, Lest with my sword I wake you from your trance. what means this Peasant by his great rejoice. A happy labour worthy some reward, How fares thy master? whats the news at Room? A policy beseeming Cynna well: Yea Fortune, shall young Marius climb aloft, Then woe to my repining foes in Room, And if I live (sweet Queen of change) thy shrines, Shall shine with beauty amid the Capitol, Lectorius, tell me what were best be done. Yea Romans we will furrow through the foam Of swelling floods, and to the sacred Twins Make sacrifice to shield our ships from storms. Follow me Lords, come gentle messenger, Thou shalt have gold and glory for thy pains. Exeunt. Have these Minturnians then so cruelly, Presumed so great injustice gainst their friends? A Tantals present it will prove my friend, Which with a little smarting stress will end Old Marius life, when Room it self at last, Shall rue my lose, and then revenge my death. But tell me Jailer, couldst thou be content, In being Marius for to brook this wrong. Is Lordship then so great a bliss my friend? Are friends so faithful pledges of delight? Is wealth a mean to lengthen lives content? These stales of fortune are the common plagues That still mislead the thoughts of simple men. The shepherd swain that amid his country coat, Deludes his broken slumbers by his toil, Thinks Lordship sweet, where care with lordship dwelled The trustful man that builds on trothles vows, Whose simple thoughts are crossed with scornful nays, Together weeps the lose of wealth and friend: So Lordship, friends, wealth, spring and perish fast, Where death alone yields happy life at last. Oh gentle governor of my contents, Thou sacred chieftain of our Capitol, Who in thy crystal orbs with glorious gleam , Lendest looks of pity mixed with majesty, See woeful Marius careful for his son, Careless of lordship, wealth or worldly means, Content to live, yet living still to die: Whose nerves and veins, whose sinews by the sword Must lose their workings through distempering stroke: But yet whose mind in spite of fate and all, Shall live by fame although the body fallen. And must I wrestle once again with fate? Or will these Princes dally with mine age? You piteous powers that with successful Hope's, And gentle counsels thwart my deep despairs: Old Marius to your mercies recommends His hap, his life, his hazard and his son. Minturnians, I will hence, and you shall fly Occasions of those troubles you expect. Dream not on dangers that have faud my life: Lordings adieu, from walls to woods I weened, To hills, dales, rocks, my wrong for to commend. Exit. My countrymen and favorites of Room, This melancholy desert where we meet, Resembles well young Marius restless thoughts. Here dreadful silence, solitary caves, No chirping birds with solace singing sweetly, Are harboured for delight: but from the oak Leafless and sapless through decaying age, The sc tch-owle chants her fatal boding lays. Within my breast, care, danger, sorrow dwells, Hope and revenge fit hammering in my heart, The baleful babes of angry Nemesis Disperse their furious fires upon my soul. And what of this, what profit may I reap, That want my father to conduct us home. I thank you courteous Lords that are so kind. Go draw me hence. What no relent Octavius Ladies of worth, both beautiful and wise, But ere allied unto my greatest foe: Yet Marius mind that never meant disgrace, More likes their courage than their c mely face. Are you Cornelia Madame, Scillas wife? And is this Fulvia Scillas daughter too Cornelia wise unto my traitor foe? What gadding mood hath forced thy speedy slight, To leave thy country, and forsake thy friends? She is a woman Flaccus, let her talk, That breath forth bitter words in steed of blows, And easy boon, Ladies I condescend, Ladies I grant, for Marius nill deny, A suit so easy, and of such import: For pity were that Dams of constancy, Should not be agents of their misery. Lectorius, hark, dispatch. Exit. Lector. When tyrants rule does breed my care & woe Then will I say two Ladies told me so. But here comes Lectorius, Now my Lord, have you brought those things. And Marius lives to triumph over his foes, That train where warlike troops amid the plains, And are enclosed and hemmed with shining arms, Not to appa such princely Majesty. Virtue sweet Ladies is of more regard In Marius mind where honour is inthronde, Than Room or rule of Roman Empery. The bans that should combine your snow white wrists, Are these which shall adorn your milk white necks: The private cel S where you shall end your lives, Is Italy, is Europe, nay the world: Th'Lux nian sea, and fierce Sicilian Gulf, The river Ganges and Hydaspis stream, Sha'l level lie, and smooth as crystal ice: While Fulvia and Cornelia pass thereon: The soldiers that should guard you to your death's, Shall be five thousand gallant youths of Room, In purple robes cross barred with pales of gold, Mounted on warlike coursers for the field, Fetched from the mountain tops of Cortia, Or bred in hills of bright Sardinia, Who shall conduct and bring you to your Lord, I unto Scylla L die shall you go, And tell him Marius ho ds within his hands, Ho r for Ladies, for Ladies rich reward, But as for Silla and for his compears Who dare gainst Marius vaunt their gold n c ests, Tell him for them old Marius holds revenge, And in his hands both triumphs life and death. O endless course of needy men avail, What silly thoughts, what simple policies makes man presume upon this traitorous life? Have I not seen the depth of sorrow once, And then again have kissed the Queen of chance, O Marius thou Tilli jus and thy friends, Hast seen thy foe discomfetted in fight. But now the stars have formde my fin ll harms, My father Marius lately dead in Room, My foe with honour does triumph in Room, My Friends are dead and banished from Room, I Marius father Friends more blessed then thee: They dead, I live, I thralled they are free, Here in Preneste am I cooped up, Amongst a troop of hunger sta ved men. Set to prevent false Scillas fierce approach. But now exempted both of life and all. Well Fortune since thy fleeting change, hath cast Poor Marius from his Hope's and true desires, My resolution shall exceed thy power, Thy coloured wings steeped in purple blood, Thy blinding wreathe distainde in purple blood, Thy royal Robes washed in my purple blood Shall witness to the world thy thirst of blood, And when the tyrant Scylla shall expect To see the son of Marius stoop for fear, Then then, O then my mind shall well appear, That scorn my life and hold mine honour deer. Hark how these murderous Roman viperlike, Seek to betray their fellow Citizens, O wretched world from whence with speedy slight, True love, true zeal, true honour late is fled. What seeks this Roman warrior at our hands? My friends and citizens of Preneste town, You see the wayward working of our stars, Our hearts confirmed to fight, our victuals spent. If we submit, its Scylla must remit, A tyrant, traitor, enemy to Room, Whose heart is guarded still with bloody thoughts. These flattering vows Lucretius here avows, Are pleasing words to colour poisoned thoughts What will you live with shame, or die with fame? Words full of worth, beseeming noble minds The very Balsamum to mend my woes. O countrymen, you see Campania spoiled, A tyrant threatening mutinies in Room, A world despoiled of virtue, faith and trust. If then no peace, no liberty, no faith, Conclude with me, and let it be no life. Live not to see your tender infants slain, These stately towers made level with the land, This body mangled by our enemies sword: But full resolved to do as Marius does, Unsheath your poigniards, and let every friend, Bethink him of a soldierlike farewell. Sirrah, display my standard on the walls, And I will answer yond Lucretius, Who loves Marius, now must die with Marius Lucretius, we that know what Scylla is, How dissolute, how trothles and corrupt: In brief conclude to die before we yield: But so to die (Lucretius mark me well) As loath to see the fury of our swords Should murder friends and Roman citizens. Pie countrymen, what fury does infect Your warlike bosoms, that were wont to fight With foreign foes, not with Campanian friends? Now unadvised youth must counsel eld: For governance is banished out of Room. Woe to that bough from whence these blooms are sprung, Woe to that Aetna, vomiting this fire: Woe to that brand, consuming Countries weal: Woe to that Scylla, careless and secure, That gapes with murder for a Monarchy. Go second Brutus with a Roman mind, And kill that tyrant: and for Marius sake Pity the guiltless wives of these your friends, Preserve their weeping infants from the sword, Whose father's seal their honours with their bloods. Farewell Lucretius, first I press in place stab. To let thee see a constant Roman die, Prenestians, lo a wound, a fatal wound, The pain but small, the glory passing great. again. Prenestians see a second stroke: why so. I feel the dreeping dimness of the night, Closing the coverts of my careful eyes. Follow me friends: for Marius now must die With fame, in spite of Scillas tyranny. moritur. These threats against thy country and these Lords. Scylla proceeds from forth a Traitorshart, Whose head I trust to see advanced up On highest top of all this Capitol: As erst was many of thy progeny, Before thou vaunt thy victories in Room. I pre thee Jailer wouldst thou gladly die? Yet were you loath to try. Who calls for death (my friend) for all his scorns, With Aesop's slave will leave his bush of thorns. But since these traitorous Lords will have my head, Their Lordship's here upon this homely bed, Shall find me sleeping, breathing forth my breath; Till they their shame, and I my fame attain by death. Live gentle Marius to revenge my wrong, And sirrah see they stay not overlong. For he that erst hath conquered kingdoms many, Disdains in death to be subdued by any. What, breath I yet poor man, with mounting sighed Choking the rivers of my restless eyes? Or is their rage restrained with matchless ruth? See how amazed these angry Lords behold The poor confused looks of wretched Marius. Minturnians why delays your headsman thus To finish up this ruthful tragedy? Why Master Consul, are you grown so hight? He have a present cooling carded for you. Be therefore well advised, and move me not: For though by you I was exiled from Room, And in the desert from a Princes seat Left to bewail ingratitudes of Room. Though I have known your thirshe throats have longed To baine their selves in my distilling blood. Yet Marius Si S, hath pity joined with pour: Lo here the Imperial Ensign which I wield, That waveth mercy to my wishers well: And more see here the dangerous trote of war, That at the point is steeled with ghastly death. What plaintiff pleasant presents that Lady there Why soldiers, make you prisoners here in Room? Then think that some strange fortune shall ensue, Why my Lectorius, I have ever learned, That Ladies cannot wrong me with upbraids. Then let her talk, and my concealed hate, Shall heap revengement upon Scillas pate. Byr Lady Fulvia, you are gaily read, Your mother well may boast you for her own, For both of you have words and scoffs at will: And since I Like the compass of your wit, My self will stand, and Ladies you shall fit: And if you please to wade in farther words, Lets see what brawls your memories affords. Where constancy and beauty do consort, There Ladies threatenings turned to merry sport. How fare these beautiful, what well at ease? why think you Marius hath confirmed your death! In faith then Ladies, thus the matter stands, Since you mistake my love and courtesy, Prepare your selves, for you shall surely die. But Lady, they that dwell on Fortune's call, No sooner rise, but subject are to fallen. Now Ladies, you are resolute to die. No Ladies, Marius hath sought for honour with his sword, And holds disdain to triumph in your falls. Live Cornelia, live fair and fairest Fulvia: If you have done or wrought me injury, Scylla shall pay it through his misery. Ladies for that I nought at all regard, Scilla's my foe, I'll triumph over him, For other conquest glory does not win. Therefore come on, that I may send you unto Scylla, Exeunt Not fear my friend for I could never fly, But study how with honour for to die, I pray thee call the chiefest Citizens. I must advise them in a weighty cause, Here shall they meet me and until they come, I will go view the danger of the breach. Lucretius, I consider on thy words, Stay there a while thou shalt have answer straight. Thou that hast walked with troops of flocking friends, Now wanderest amid the Labyrinth of woes, Thy best repast with many sighing ends, And none but fortune all these mischiefs knows. Like to these stretching mountains clad with snow, No sunshine of content my thoughts approaches: High spire their tops, my Hope's no height do know, But mount so high as time their tract reproacheth: They find their spring, where winter wrongs my mind: They weep their brooks, I wast my cheeks with tears. O foolish fate, too froward and unkind, Mountains have peace, where mournful be my years: Yet high as they my thoughts some Hope's would borrow, But when I count the evening end with sorrow. Death in Minturnum threatened Marius head, Hunger in these Numidian mountains dwells: Thus with prevention having mischief fled, Old Marius finds a world of many hells. Such as poor simple wits have oft repinde, But I will quell by virtues of the mind. Long years misspent in many luckless chances, Thoughts full of wrath, yet little worth succeeding, These are the means for those whom fate advances: But I, whose wounds are fresh, my heart still bleeding, Lives to entreat this blessed boon from fate, That I might die with grief to live in state. Six hundredth sons with solitary walks, I still have sought for to delude my pain, And friendly Echo answering to my talks, Rebounds the accent of my ruth again: She (courteous Nymph) the woeful Roman pleases, Else no consorts but beasts my pains appeaseth. Each day she answers, in yond neighbouring mountain, I do expect reporting of my sorrow, While lifting up her locks from out the fountain, She answereth to my questions even and morrow: Whose sweet rebounds my sorrows to remove, To please my thoughts I mean for to approve. Sweet Nymph draw never thou kind & gentle Echo. Echo. What help to ease my weary pains have I? I. What comfort in distres to calm my griefs? griefs. Sweet Nymph these griefs are grown before I thought so? I thought so. Thus Marius lives disdained of all the Gods. Oads. With deep despair late overtaken wholly. Oly. And will the heavens be never well appeased? appeased. What mean have they left me to cure my smart? art. Nought better fits old Marius mind then war, then war. Then full of hope say Echo, shall I go? go. Is any better fortune then at hand, at hand. Then farewell Echo, gentle Nymph farewell. farewell. O pleasing folly to a pensive man. Well I will rest fast by this shady tree. Waiting the end that f to allots me. fit down. Whom see mine eyes, what is not yond my son? Cynna, you know I am a private man, That still submit my censures to your will. Thou dost me justice Cynna, for you see These peers of Room have late exiled me. Now see I Senators, the thought, the care, The virtuous zeal that leads your towards minds, To love your friends and watch your common good: And now established Consul in this place, Old Marius will foresee advenient harms: Scylla the scourge of Asia as we hear Is pressed to enter Italy with sword, He comes in pomp to triumph here in Room, But Senators you know the wavering wills, Of foolish men I mean the common sort, Who through report of innovatio S, Or flattering humours of well tempered tongues, Will change and draw a second mischief on: I Like your care, and will my self apply To aim and level at my countries weal. To intercept these errors by advice, My son young Marius, Cethegus and my friends, Shall to Preneste to prevent and stop The speedy purpose of our forward foe. Mean while ourselves will fortify this town, This beauty of the world, this maiden town, Where streaming Tiber with a pleasant tied, Leads out the stately buildings of the world. Marius my hope, my son, you know your charge, Take those Iberian legions in your train, And we will spare some Cymbrians to your use, Remember thou art Marius son, and dream On nought but honour and a happy death. Two welcome guests in whom the majesty of my conceit and courage must consist: What think you Senators and countrymen? See here are two the fairest stars of Room, The dearest dainties of my warlike foe, Whose lives upon your censures worser oh consist. My son, I quite thy travels with my love, And Lords and Citizens we will to Room, And join with Cynna have your shipping here? What are these soldiers bent to die with me? Then plam de in Consuls throne, you Roman states Recalled from banishment by your decrees, Enstald in this imperial seat to rule, Old Marius thanks his friends and favorites: From whom this final favour he requires, That seeing Scylla by his murthrous blade Brought fierce seditions first to head in Room, And forced laws to banish innocents: I crave by course of reason and desert, That he may be proclaimed as erst was I, A traitor and and enemy of Room: Let all his friends be banished out of town: Then cutting off the branch where troubles spring, Room shall have peace and plenty in her walls. Go thou as fortunate as Greeks to Troy As glorious as Alcides in thy toils, As happy as Sertorius in thy fight, As valiant as A chilles in thy might. Go glorious, valiant, happy, fortunate, As all those Greeks and him of Roman state. Marius thou art fitly met: Albinovanus and my other friends, What news at Room? what fortune brought you hither? Then let us sail unto Etruria, And cause our friends the Germane to revolt, And get some Tuscans to increase our power. Deserts farewell come Romans let us go, A scourge for Room that hath depressed us so, Exeunt. And have we God the goal of honour now, And in despite of Consuls entered Room? Then rouse thee Marius, leave thy ruthful thoughts: And for thy many toils and cares sustained, Afflict thy foes with twice as many pains. Go soldiers seek out Bebius and his friends, Attilius, Munitorius with the rest, Cut off their heads, for they did cross me once: And if your care can compass my decree, Remember that same fugitive Mark Anthony, Whose fatal end shall be my fruitful peace. I tell thee Cynna, nature armeth beasts With joust revenge, and dares in their kinds Sufficient warlike weapons of defence: If then by nature beasts revenge their wrong, Both heavens and nature grant me vengeance now, Yet while I live and suck this subtle air That dares breathing coolness to my lights, The register of all thy righteous acts, Thy pains, thy toils, thy travels for my sake, Shall dwell by kind impressions in my heart, And I with links of true unfeigned lone Will lock these Roman favorites in my breast, And live to hazard life for their relief. It is my son, these are my friends I see: what have forepining cares, so changed me? Or are my looks; distempered through the pains And agonies that issue from my heart? Fie Marius, frolic man, thou must to Room, There to revenge thy wrongs and weight thy tomb. My son he is a Consul at the least, And gravity becomes Octavius best. But Cynna would in yonder empty seat, You would for Marius freedom once entreat.