EUMENES

Though Macedonians tuned minds not scorn, That to Alexander strangers should succeed, Can men obey a babe, a babe not born? What fancies strange would this confusion breed? This could not well become our graven foresight, A doubtful birth t'attend so long in vain, That may b'abortiue, and though brought to light, Through Nature's error made not apt to reign. But if affection carry us so far, That of that raze we must be ruled by some: Though neither being practised in peace nor war, As those that have indeed by kind overcome. Then have we Hercules the eldest son, That t'our great Prince was by Barsines born: Who fourteen years of age hath else begun His princely birth by virtues rare adorn. Though silence I confess becomes me best, That am a stranger, and the less believed: Yet since a partner of your toils I rest, I must unfold my mind, a mind that's greeeu'd. And think you that a babe repairs our lose, How are the deep est judgements thus beguiled? This in all Countries hath been thought a cross, Woe to that soil whose sovereign is a child. Nor would these great men as is thought agree, They be too many bodies for one mind: Ah, pardon Ptolemy, it can not be, This union would all disunite I find. Thus would all Army from good order swerve, When many might forgive, all would offend: As thinking well though they did death deserve, Ther's none so bade but some man will defend. And when so many kings were in one court, One court would then have many humours too: Which fostering factions for each light report, Would make them jar as neighbouring princes do. No, let this strange opinion be suppressed, While equals all, all would unequal be: So that their minds by jealousy possessd, From pale suspicion never could be free. But ah, what needs contention at this time, Obscure a matter that was made so clear: And doye now account it for no crime, Impugn his will that once was held so deer? When that great Monarch marched encounter death, Whist all his captains were assembled there: And did demand while he might use his breath, Whom he himself adopted for his heir. Then that such doubtful questions should not needs, As loving valour more then his own raze: He that t'a brave man, brave men might succeed, Said, let the worthiest have the worthiest place. Nor did he speak this in a secret partly With Sphinx his phrase, a greater doubt to-have moved: As breathing thoughts in each ambitious heart, To have his worth in Vulcan's furnace proved For while you hedged the fatal bed about, With and unpartial care distracted long: Then he amongst you all did choose one out, That for so great a burden seemed most strong. He to Perdicca's did present the ring That used to seal the secrets of the state: By which it seemed that he designed him king, And so would seize him of the highest seat. Thus made this worthy man a worthy choice, That no new troubles might the state deform: And all the world now justly may rejoice, That thus prevented was a'mpetuous storm. For if this had not been his latest will, You Mars his Minions should have lived at jar: While emulation amongst equals still, Had made the trumpet found t'intestine wars. What huge disorders threatened to burst forth, If that our sovereign had no prince designed: That oft hath been a witness of our worth, And can weigh virtue in a virtuous mind. I see consenting signs applaud my speech, Rise, do Perdicas that which they decree, While modesty does majesty impeach, Though thou cravest not this crown, this crown craves thee. I hear a tumult made amongst the tents, And Arideus is proclaimde a King, To which th'inconstant multitude consents, That built on all that changes best do bring. The footmen all are t'indignation moved, That in assembly they God not a seat: That our proceedings they might have approved,. As knowing all that did concern the States. Their Princes memory rests soon despised, That they dare thus revolt, and unconstrained: Save but by too much liberty enticed, Which makes the giver still to be disdained. The want of discipline all things confounds, Their deeds want order and their pride all bounds. Yet of his fallen the form my mind appalls, At th'altar of the gods without regard: We were too rash to violate those walls, Which the most impious persons would have spared Lascivious Ajax by Minvera's spite, Erst for profaning such a sacred place, On the Capharian rocks did lose the light, And all his navy to his great disgrace. We should not irritate celestial powers, Then all beginnings are considered most: And by this sacrilegious act of ours, I fear that we the hearts of some have lost. I saw, how that advanced before your band, You first did check, then chase them in the end: And with what mighty courage you did stand Our Sovereigns corpse (though dead) bent to defend. Yet in this treaty all the world may see, Th'opinion of the multitude prevailed: He whom they did elect our prince must be, And our design hath altogether failed. But how comes this? that every captain gets, A certain realm assigned now to his charge: And with a warlike army forward sets, The limits of his government t'enlarge? Oh but your fancies may be much deceived, There is no bound that binds ungrateful minds: I fear advancement that they thus received, Have shown them ways to sail by other winds. So long of late as they had needs of you, To seem your constant friends they kindly sought: But since their greatness gives them freedom now, They do disdain what may abase them ought. To those all great men frankest friends do prove, Whom without cause they always favour still: And can not be as t'were compelled to love, Those whose deserts do challenge their good will. This would preiudge the freedom of their state, That any might claim interest in their hearts: No, kings can hold of none their kingly seat, None must upbraid them with so great deserts. And in my judgement you have greatly erred, Them thus t'exalt whose states you would surprise: Their common custom is that are preferred, That they may stand, not to let others rise. That prince magnanimous whom all admire Through his accustomed clemency proclaimed: That banishd Grecians might to Greece retire, Save only such whom murder had defamed. At this, some Grecian great men were common'd, Whose partial grudge occasioned their exile: Lest th'others restitution should have proved, A means to-have brought their state t'a lower style. And th'indignation that they had conceived, Did burst out in rebellion for a time: The which the king deep in his mind engraved, And thought by Athens spoils avenge that crime. But since that death ministered them relief, Grown bold to prosecute their proved attempt: To Athenians and the Aetolians were the chief, That brought Antipater first in contempt. And being by them constrained to quit the field, He in a little town enclosed at last: Was once reduced in dangers near to yield, And stain the glory of his actions passed. But yet by accident as while it falls, It's better to be fortunate then wise: And unsuspected shaft thrown from the walls, the Athenian captain happened to surprise. Then did Antipater his courage rear, That had almost his staggering Hope's betrayed: And yet not altogether freed from fear, He sent to Leonatus seeking aid. And he that seemed his friendship much t'affect, Did careful of his countrymen appear: But if he had prevailed some do suspect, Antipater had bought his succours deer. Yet by effect his purpose bent to show, What ever that he was, he seemed a friend: But when the Athenians did his coming know, Encounter him they did directly tend. And though their thoughts in depths of doubts did fleet, They, while alone, to match him thought it best: Then while they marched adventurous troops to meet, Hard was the welcome of unwelcome guest. For when both armies were t'a battle brought, And all the fruits of valour did afford: Rash Leonatus Like a Lion fought, Bent to prove worthy of his wonted Lord. But whist he bravely did his charge acquit, He lost himself that others came to save: And by their Captains fallen discouraged quite, His scattered troops great damage did receive. Yet when the news to Antipater were told Of their mishap that come for his relief: He not one sign of sorrow did unfold, A little gain does mitigate great grief. For he did know, though then his foes prevailed, That this great fight infeebled had their host: And then he took to him which much auai'ld, Those beaten bands that had their Captain lost. Yet that in which he did most comfort find, Was his delivery from a secret foe: Which did with jealousy torment his mind, Though outwardly not seeming to be so, This to your state, I think, might much import If to your self you chosen a virtuous mate: Whose beauty pleasure, birth might bring support, And both concur in one to bless your state. If you to make your high designs more sure, By Hymen's means with some your self alie: Thus of some Prince you may the pour procure, That will conjoined with you one fortune try. What grief were this if you have hap attain, That fair Idea which your fancies frame: If after you of yours none do remain, That may enjoy your conquests, and your name. Kings live most sure, that of their own have heirs, Whose sacred persons none dare seek to wound: Since though they die, yet there rest some of theirs, That are avenge their death by nature bound. I fear that this your purpose to prevent, A number now take arms all in one form: As those that have discovered your intent, And by the lowering clouds foreknow a storm. For lo how many else together run, That for our ruin wonderfully thirst. Hold still with you those of the sacred blood, Whom to protect you always must pretend: The countenance of the great may do much good, Whom still though weak, the world delights t'attend. No fortune passed so puffs up my conceit, That it contempt of further danger brings: Nor am I so dejected now of late, But I intend to do far greater things. He by prosperity made never proved, That knows the frailty of this earthly frame, Can hardly by adversity be bowed; The Sun (although eclipsd) remains the same. Think not that worth consists in the success, As essence did on th'accidents depend: The fault of fortune makes it not the less, On which ofttimes the hardest haps attend. For Fortune bears not still the badge of worth, Nor misery the signs of gallant minds: Which yet still Like themselves are sparkling forth, In every state some tokens of their kinds. Now at this time overmatched by numbrous powers, I kept my courage, though I lost the field: And vaunt no more of it, for some few hours May once to me the Like advantage yield. And it's not long since that to Fortune deer, The world had never me but victor spied; Though I protest before immortals here, Moved by Necessity, and not by Pride. Proud Neopolemus that traitor still, Not worthy of a Macedonians name, Bent to betray the host, and me to kill, Had labord long to his eternal shame. But of Craterus I lament the fallen, Whom for his virtue I did dearly love, And was constrained; (I Jove to witness call,) For my defence that last refuge to prove. When faithless Neoptolemus did spy, That all his treason was t'our knowledge brought, To enemies camp he suddenly did fly, A foolish traitor that was false for nought. There he informde, or mis-informde my foes, That haughty through my victories of late: I in my tent did carelessly repose, Though not by force, yet to b'orecomd by fate. And further then to Antipater he told, That if the Macedonians at that time, The countenance of Craterus might behold, They willingly would yield themselves to him. Now they had labord earnestly before, That I abandon would Perdicca's partly: And did protest, that they would give me more, Than yet I had, or hoped for in my heart. But Love born free, cannot be thralled, nor bought, More than a shameful peace I likde joust strife: To generous minds more deer than honour nought, And ere I leave my faith, I'll loose my life. Thus being despaired that I would prove their friend, They sought in time overthrow me as their foe, Where love could not begin, that hate might end, And came in haste bent to surprise me so. But I that knew Neoptolemus -his slight, Did him against the Macedonians bend: And to conceal Craterus from their sighed, Encounter him, caused troops of strangers tend. This policy which none could justly blame, I with my self in secret did conspire: And had my shirt been privy to the same, It should have been and offering to the fire. When once that the first game of death was passed, I Neoptolemus did toil to find, And he me too, which happened at the last, Two will do much to meet, being of one mind. Then while we met for whom both armies warred, Whose fortune then depended on our hands, All was performed that force or fury dared, Bent by revenge t'abate each th'others bans. And yet the heavens would not betray my trust, Foul treason never had a fairer end: The gods smiled on my cause because was joust, And did destruction to the traitor send. For forced by him whose force he did despise, Though fighting fiercely long he lost his breath: As one more strong than true, more stout than wise, Whose greatest honour was his honest death. But weakened with huge wounds, almost I dived In seas of blood, being quite from knowledge strayed, Yet by so great a victory revived, My courage grew more than my strength decayed. I having finished thus this fatal strife, Came where Craterus never his course had run: Even in the confines placed betwixt death and life, While th'one was gone and th'other not begun. He with great valour had resisted long, As all Briareus hands had moved his sword: And did his Masters memory no wrong, Being with his courage, not his fortune stored. What life refused obtain by death he sought, For life and death are but indifferent things: And of themselves not to be shunned, nor sought, But for the good or evil that either brings: With endless glory bent t'exchange his breath, Of desperate valour all the pour was proved: And for great Captains no more glorious death, Then to die fighting with a mind unmoved. When this days toils were drawn unto and end, While armies courage with their captain fell, That I might safely show my self a friend, I went where death his senses did cancel. And while I told how both to be betrayed, By Neoptolemus were brought about: My woe with tears I to the world bewrayed, Mild pity and true kindness must burst out. Ah, if the news of this my good success, Had comd in time unto Perdicca's ears: He might have lived their pride now to repress, That by his fallen were first deuorcde from fears. Yet majesty must not it self deject, A lofty carriage does procure respect. Those are indeed for such as raise their flight, They may do more whose course is at the height, A imperious from and empire must defend, As noughtsmells well to a distempered taste, So to conceits preoccupied before: Even good seems bade in them that they detest, Men must mislike when they can Like no more. To you that loathed Perdicca's and his state, What came of him could never yet seem good: And I not wonder though your soul did hate One that had right and pour to take your blood. For fled from him to whom you once belonged, His trumpet still breathed terror in your ear: Then all men hate those whom they once have wronged, And by no means can love them whom, they fear. I'll be your friend, while friend to right you rest, For without virtue friendship is but vain; Which cannot built in a polluted breast, Whose impious thoughts do sacred things profane. So long as oath is kept that once was sworn, Both to Alexanders self, and t'all his raze, Still shall this sword for your defence be born, But in my heart they hold the highest place. And do not thus as over one vanquished vaunt, Nor think me thralled though once by chance overthrown While ther's a world adventurers cannot want, I'll toss all states t'establish once mine own. One humorous head that does in braules delight, May poison thousands with the gall of spite. Though we our selves in strangers thrones instal, And having Asia to subjection brought: Make Nilus, Indus, and Euphrates thrall, Yet all those victories would serve for nought. While martial Macedony living free, The spring that still will pour new armies forth, Does not acknowledge you her king to be, Nor hath not proved your military worth. To those that would pursue a Prince in arms, His chiefest realm the greatest vantage gives: Where if the war hold out, t'is with his harms, Since that within his bowels enemy lives. And wars protracted with a peoples lose, Do from their sovereign alienate their love: They loose their hearts whom fortune once does cross, And foiled at home can no where else remove. He that hath Macedony, hath the best, Which of our Monarchy the Mistress is: That conquered hath courageously the rest, And but depends on Mars as only his. If you were Lord of that undaunted soil, And by Olympias conntenaunc'd but a while: Strait from Antipater all would recoil, And him as traitor to the state exile. To you that are a Macedonian born, If matched with Cleopatra great in powers: The Macedonians gladly would be sworn, And if commanding them, then all were yours. Though we not come to plead our birthright here, Let him (but warriors take not so their place) In whom best signs of nobleness appear, Be thought extracted of the noblest raze. Most noble he that still by virtue strives, To leave his name in minds of men engraved; And to his offspring greater glory gives, Than of his ancestors he hath received. Erst we by birth in war not marshalld stood, As at the table upon Ivory beds; A soldiers worth consists not in his blood, But in the blood of enemies that he sheds. What ever others of my lineage try, I am Eumenes, and I scorn t'accord, That there can be a greater man than I, While as I have a heart, a hand, a sword. The proud must still be plagued by prouder ones, There must be had sharp steel to smooth rough stones. Yet manners too submiss as much condemned, Do make kings scorned and captains be contemned. That worthy man had many fair designs, But virtue still by envy is pursued: Though as a candle in the night best shines, It in a vicious age may best be viewed. There was a man that scorned secure delights, As prodigal of pains, attemptive, bold: A strict observer of all th'antient rites, And uncorrupted discipline of old. He loved to have the soldiers of his band, Choosed at the musters, not in markets bought: And would not flatter where he might command, More meet enjoy, than seek that which he sought. But soldiers now in this degenerd age, Are fawnd on by faint minds, bribde in such sort: That having still the reins loosed to their rage, They cannot with so straight a course comport. For that which was misfortune known to all, Their malice as misgovernment did cite: All things must help unhappy man to fallen, They thus spewed forth the poison of their spite, For hating his frank form and naked words, By that occasion whetting their desires: They in their captains body sheathd their swords, A deed which even barbarity admires. Those traitorous troops may spot the purest bans, If for a fact so vile they be excused: This will set swords in all our soldiers hands, Against us, and not for us to be used.