ANTIGONE

I see & mark each thing full well. Good father leave this mind. And take a better if you can: from this your self unwind. No force, no power, no violence, shall make me to withdraw My duty unto thee my Sire, to whom I vow mine awe. I will not be dissevered, ne pulled from thy side. I will assist thee, while that breath shall in this Breast abide. My Brother's twain let them contend, and fight for Princely sway Of wealthy Thebes: where whilom reigned King Labdacke many a day. The greatest share and portion that I do look to have Out of my Father's Kingdom, is my Father's life to save. Him neither shall Etheocles my elder brother take Away from me, who now by force the Theban realm does rake. Ne Polynices, who as now is Mustering men apace. From Argos Land: with full intent his brother to displace. No, though y world went all on wheels: though Jove should from ̄ above Hurl flashing flakes upon the Earth, all shall not quail my love. No, though his thumping thunderbolt (when we together stand) Should light between us, where as we are plighted hand in hand) Yet will I never thee forsake, but held my handfast still: Therefore its boateles father deer, to counter and my will In this my full resolved mind. Forbid me if you please. But surely I will be your guide in weal, woe, dole, & case. And maugre all your sharp reproofs (though much against your mind) I will direct your steps and gate, that you your way may find: Through thick & thin, through rough and smooth I will be at and ynch In hill and dale, in wood & grove, I'll serve at every pinch. If that you go where danger lies, and seek your own annoy, You shall well prove, that I to lead the dance will not be coy. Advise your self therefore, of twain to which I guide shall be: My count is cast, I am full bent with you to live and die. Without me perish can you not: but with me, well you may, It boots not, in other sort to move me ought to say. Here is and huyge Promontory that elbows into Sea Let us from thence throw down our selves, and work our last decay, If that you will. Here also is a flinty Rock beside, Which if you please shall serve our turns: Here beaten with the tied Be craggy Cliffs, let's go to them: Here runs a gulphy stream With force afore it driving stones as big as mountain beam. What say you? shall we drench our selves within this foamy Flood? Go where you will, take which you list, do as you deem it good. Conditionally that I may first receive the wound of death: I reck no whit, I ready stand to yield up vital breath. I neither draw you to nor fro: but even as best you think So do, so deal. Would you so fain Deaths bitter cup to drink? My lord and Father, take you death so great a boon to be? If that you die (this I assure) die first you shall me see. If life in show more pleasant seem, if so you rather choose, I am to wait upon you still and never will refuse. But change this mind wherein you rest, take heart a grace, and show The noble magnanimity that erst in you did flow: Resist these pangs, subdue these dumps by valour of the mind, Let manly courage qualify these your affections blind. 'Tis great dishonour thus to yield your self to dolour thrall, No storm of adverse hap thus ought a Princes heart t'appall. Undaunted Prince, must noble Sire, with humble mind. I sue That I your Daughter may be bold to use some S eech to you: And that you would with patience digest my poor duise: My suit is not to draw your mind to things, that erst in price You highly , me to the view of glittering Palace old Ne bravery of your noble Realm, scarce able to ee told: But that you would these ireful fits, by trace of time now quailed, W that patient mind sustain and bear: this virtue never faylde I any Prince of such a spright as in your noble Grace Appears bright: it S that not that such should once abase Themselves as thralls to Sorrows check the conquest yield To a verse like It is no praise, sir, though perhaps you so your reckoning cast To make of life so small account, and thus to be aghast At every wagging of a leaf, and cumbersome mischance: No, no, 'tis virtue in such case high courage to advance. And when things are at worst, to show true magnani city: Not like a Meycocke, cowardly at eke alarm to flee. He that hath tried all Fortune's spite and worldly wealth despised, And constantly hath born all brunts that are to be devised, Me thinks no cause hath, why he needs to end his b eething ayes Oh wish himself in graven: for why, stark cravens use such ways. But as for him, thats drenched in dole and wrapped in carking care, Whose pensius plighted can be no worse, nor taste of sourer fare, That man hath cause well pleasant to be: sith he in safety stands, And pikes hath passed, and now is free from fear of further bands. Put case the Gods would wra e the web of further woe to thee, What more can any of them do thy grieves to amplify? Nay, thou thy self, (although thou wouldst) canst add thereto no more, Unless thou think thy self, to have deserved death therefore. And yet, thou art not worthy death: my reason is, because Through ignorance thou didst a fact contrary to the laws. And therefore Father think your self most guiltless in the case, And (maugre Gods) stand on your Guard, my counsel found embrace: For doubtless you and innocent are deem'de and thought to be, And are in deed: what makes you thus in dumps and doleful glee? What cause so great should so enchant your conscience, and your wits, To seek your own decay and spoil? what mean faint hearted fits? That thus in hast you would so feign abandon this your life And go to hell, where torment dwells and grisly ghosts be rife. You would not see Sun, Moon, ne Star: no more you can: your eyes Are blind: you feign would leave your Court, and Countries Misery's. Why so you may, and so you do. These all are put to sack, That now alive, aswell as dead you feel of these the lack. You flee from Mother, Wife, and C ylde, you see no man live: What more can death dispatch away but life does now deprive? your lords, your knights, your courtly train, your kingly state & crown Your grand Affairs, your weighty charge is gone & brought abowne. From whom, from ̄ what, do you thus flee. Sir, banish these unpatient pangs, let plagues of Counterfeit ̄ mon wealth Entreat your Grace, sith upon you staithe all their hope and health. Procure your sons to reconcile themselves, as brother's ought, Establish peace between them both, let means of love be sought. The Standards are displayed in field, the Enemies are prove To fallen to fight: the clashing noise of weapons hear you may. Much murder, death, and dreadful dule, cannot be far away. Their stony hearts go mollify, with sugared terms persuade Their wilful minds Oh Oueene, before they f riously invade The one the other: yonder see how they in armour bright Bestir themselves from place to place: (Oh dire and dismal sighed.) My trickling tears, my blubbering Eyes, may put you out of doubt That all is true which I have said: look, look, how all the rout Oh either partly does slowly march as loath (belike) to try By dent of Sword so strange a case: But both my brother's High Apace, to grapple force to force, and join with handy blows: This day will breeede the bitter smart of ever during woes.