CHORUS

When settled stay does hold the royal throne, In steadfast place by known and doubtless right: And chiefly when dissent on one alone Make single and unparted reign to light. Eke change of course unjoints the whole estate And yields it thrall to r yne by debate. The strength that knit by last accord in one Against all foreign power of mighty foes, Could of it self defend it self alone, Disjoined once, the former force does loose The sticks, that sundered brake so soon in twain In faggot bound attempted were in vain. Oft tender mind that leads the perciall eye Of erring parents in their children's love, Destroys the wrongful loved child thereby: This does the proud son of Apollo prove, Who rashly set in Chariot of his sire: Inflamed the perched earth with heavens fire. And this great king, that does divide his land, And changed the course of his descending crown And yields the reign into his children's hand From blissful state of joy and great renown, A Mirror shall become to Princes all To learn to shun the cause of such a fallen. When youth not bridled with a guiding stay fray, Is left to random of their own delight And wields whole Realms, by force of sovereign Great is the danger of unmasted might Lest skills rage throw down with headlong fall Their lands, their states, their lives, them selves & all. When growing pride does fill the swelling breast And greedy lust does raise the climbing mind O hardly may the peril be repressed, Ne fear of angry Gods, ne Laws kind, Ne Country care can fired hearts restrain When force hath armed Envy and disdain. When kings of foreset will neglect's the rede, Of best advise, and yield to pleasing tales That do their fancies noisome humour feed He reason, nor regard of right avails Succeeding heaps of plagues shall teach to late To learn the mischiefs of misguydinge state. Foul fallen the Traitor false that undermines The love of Brethren to destroy them both Woe to the Prince, that pliant ear inclines, And yields his mind to poisonous tale, y to flows From flattering mouth, & woe to wretched land That wasts it self with ciuyll sword in hand. Lo, thus it is poison in gold to take, And wholesome drink in homely Cup forsake. The lust of kingdoms knows no sacred faith No rule of Reason, no regard of right No kindly love, no fear of heavens wrath: But with contempt of Gods, and men despite, Through bloody slaughter does prepare the ways To fatal Sceptre and accursed reign. The son so loathes the father's lingerynge days. Ne dreads his hand in Brother's Blood to stain Oh wretched Prince, ne dost thou yet record The yet Fresh Murders done within the Land Of thie forefathers, when the cruel sword Bereft Morgan his lief with Cousin's hand? Thus fatal plagues pursue the guilty raze Whose murderous hand imbrued w to guiltless blood Asks venge aunce before the heavens face, With endless mischiefs on the cursed brood. The wicked child this brings to woeful Sier The mournful plaints to wast his weary life: Thus do the cruel flames of Ciuyll fire Destroy the parted reign with hateful strife And hence does spring the well from ̄ which does slo: The dead black streams of mournings, plaints & woe. When greedy lust in Royal seat to reign Hath reft all care of gods and eke of men, And cruel heart, wrath, Treason and disdain Within the ambitious breast are lodged then Behold how mischief wide her self displays And with the brother's hand the brother slays. When blood thus shed, does stain this heavens face Crying to Jove for vengeance of the deed, The mighty God even moves from his place With wrath to wreke, then sends he forth with speed The dreadful furies, daughters of y e night With Serpents girded, carrying the whip of Ire, With hear of stinging snakes and shining bright With flames and blood, and with a brand of fire: These for revenge of wretched Murder done Do make the Mother kill her only son.