CASSANDER

Thus some without appearance do procure, The most respected place where greatness stays: And some whose states seemed once t'all eyes secure, Thrown from their Fortune's height loose glorious bays. My father, lo, attain imperial place, Marched through impossibilities of late: And greater then the greatest, for a space, Was Monarch of the Macedonian state. But I his son, that as some would suppose, Might keep with ease, that which he God with pain: Can by no means my restless thoughts repose, Such raging tyrants over my fancies reign. I'll not believe that ever any ill, Was bred for me within my father's breast; Since children must suppose their parents will, (Though seeming bade) still purposed for the best. And yet my father's ghost must pardon me, Though when from us he minded to remove: I think the tenor of his last decree, Show lack of judgement, or at least of love. For what base course had ever been begun, To make me seem unworthy of his place, That he preferred a stranger to his son, And sought obscure the glory of his raze. Thus since in such a sort he did neglect, The son that should his name from death exempt: As disregarded for some great defect, All other men may have me in contempt. But ere his age expire th'expected date, He saw my brows with Laurel boughs arrayed: And spied my skill in war, and wit in state, Which grew as much as th'other men decayed. Nor can my courage so be brought to bow, But Polispercon shall experience soon: That in my father's will1, I will allow, Not what he did, but what he should have done. And since by him high dignities were won, I mind to prosecute what he began: For such a father's greatness from his son, Takes the security of a private man. Lo, Polispercon by our pour repelled, From Macedony hath retired dismayed: And for the fear of us hath been compelled, T'engage his glory for another's aid. Let him not think the shadow of the kings, Can match my pour with these his borrowed bans, For his faint flight that's framed with others wings, Will never bear him from Cassandra's hands. And though Olimpias countenanced once his cause, As from Epirus brought to ruin me: Now of her own mishap she most must pause, Since brought by us of late t'a low degree. Those were the means that did them first en trap, But have you herd how after they were thrall: To plague the world with honour and mishap, Th'enragde Olimpias tyrranizde over all. When thus the famished tygresse did surprise Those miserable souls, (as in a dream) Her heart at first seemed scarce to trust her eyes, She surfeited her sighed so with their shame. But when she saw by reason of her pour, That she might safely let her rage burst out: She caused about them both to built a tower, Within whose walls they scarce could turn about. And in that dungeon as entombed they stood, With high disgrace assuage more high disdains: Far from all comfort while a little food Their life prolonged, but to prolong their pains. But Pity for th'vnfortunate contends, As Envy still prosperity controls: The Macedonians doubtful of their ends, Would sometime murmur for those marterd souls. The peoples grudge Olimpias did perceive, And to prevent what fury might effect, She strait resolved life's remnant to bereave, From weakened powers that did no less expect. And when some barbarous Thracians bent for blood, As she appointed in th'excesse of spite: Had murdered Philip and his Queen imbrued, With purple streams that spoiled her husbands spright. She sent to her, whose soul in grief did sink, As messengers of death to assault her breast: A sword, a cord, and and empoisoned drink, A Tyrants presents, yet a wretches best. Those when the Queen perceived, unmoved she spoke As one that had embraced some great relief: Fit gifts for her to give, for me to take, Since she exceeds in hate, and I in grief. And tell the tyrant that I gladly die, That th'irritated gods avenge my death, May thunder forth that judgement, which I spy With blood must choke that bloody woman's breath. Then looking on her Lord that there lay slain, Once partner or his joy, then of his woe: While that his roses did her lilies stain, She kissed his wounds as taking leave to go. And lest her resolution were betrayed, Her snowy neck (not used with such a chain) She binding with her belt, died undismayed, And if she sighd, she sighd but for disdain. Those were but Fortune's gifts that made her great All was without herself that made her praised: Her imperfections did but stain the state, To which another's merits had her raised. For when she first with famous Philip matched, Then her behaviour was not free from blame: But even though she with Argos eyes was watched, As was supposed she forfeited her fame. At least, her husband feared for some disgrace, From her himself had publicly divorced: And entertained another in her place, Which, for the time, to suffer she was forced. Yet this in th'end did his destruction breed, For which her spiteful thoughts had laboured long, She was acquainted with Pausanias deed, And spurred him to perform th'intended wrong. She sought, that by such means t'ambitious will, Her husbands murder might enlarge the reins, While with authority she did all th'ill, Of which too late afflicted realm complains. Long suffered for the greatness of her son, She played the tyrant safely as she pleased: But by the course that I have else begun, I hope those whom she plagued shall now b'appeasde. Oh, but I can precipitate her fallen, Even by the means that might support her most: For pity shall spoil pity, while they all, Sighs for their friends that through her pride was lost. No doubt, since he that great advantage won, He hath within himself high things designed: For while prosperity transports a man, Nought seems difficult to ambitious mind. Then let us be resolved, what course t'intend; Lest out of time being wise we rue too late. Then let us send to Antigonus in haste, To redemand usurped bounds again; Since in this war we did our treasures waste, We should be likewise partners of the gain. But if against our suit his ears he bar, And do with scornful words contemn our claim, Then may our Messenger denounce the war, And we shall shortly intimate the same. But yet this sacrifice could not assuage, The boiling thoughts of her unbounded will: For entering thus she rioted in rage, (As dogs that once get blood would always kill.) Each light occasion kindling still her wrath, The sovereignty she shamefully abused: And put my brother Nicanor to death, Though for no crime condemned; no, not accused. Yea more, her hate extended towards the dead, Whose cruelty no flood of blood confined, The monument that to Iolas was made, She razed and rend his ashes with the wind. To be Cassandra's friend was such a crime, As none could escape that ever favoured me. Thus huge disorders did abound a time, Where nothing lawful is, all things are free. Then when I herd of this outrageous pride, That made my native soil contemned to be: I those indignities could not abide, The shame whereof redounded most to me. So that at last, moved by my countries care, As much as by particular respects: I with great speed and army did prepare, To punish, or prevent the Like effects. But when I was to Macedony comd To fortify a town she did dissigne: Which by my valour quickly was ore-comd, While famine forced the fortress to resign. Then pride unto necessity gave place, Her lofty courage was constrained to bow: So that she rests depending on our grace, To be disposed as it shall please us now. Since in this course that I can once but err, I shall be sure ere she herself withdraw. Oh but I mind to use the matter so, That both from hence shall further strife forbear. Death both can make his free, and make me sure. I, t'others evil, so that it do me good. And yet obey me if be most strong. Who ever wins the field must keep the spoils. But I have more, so long as I have might. All kingdoms rights are pleaded by the sword. But dare not stir while fear exceeds their hate. Think what they will that have not pour to do. Th'impetuous streams of a tempestuous flood, That drowns all th'olde, not yields the young relief? What fool that of his foes victorious stood, Would spoil and army, and yet spare the chief? No, since I must my self with murder stain, I'll by the roots raze all the royal raze, So that no pour shall spring from thence again, T'oregrow my greatness, and my plants displace. The strength hath left great Alexanders arm, Whose mother's fatal thread is now near spun; And I have means to keep my self from harm, Both of Roxane, and her tender son. But since this course may serve our states advance, By which a ground for great designs is lay de; I must entreat you now what ever chance, To lend your approbation, though not aid.