BESSUS

To Alexander one was sent of late, To speak of peace, whose speech was spent in vain, So that (thus tossed) most desperate is his state, Who peace cannot obtain, nor war maintain; To clear his thoughts which many doubts do sway, He now craves each men mind who squadrons leads; This for our purpose must prepare the way: "Those who would compass Kings, needs crafty heads: And that to gain which we so much esteem, We can upon no means more safe conclude, Then crooked counsels that do upright seem To mask our selves, and others to delude; He must (advised by some) renounce a space The show of power, and from affairs retire, That for a fashion one may use his place, Not as usurped, but at his own desire: So may he try if others can bring back That which his Fortune's ebb hath born away, Then he again his Diadem shall take, And (as before) the regal Sceptre sway. All that is one, which of us two receive it, Since every thing does equally belong us, I'll take it for the form, 'tis one who have it, For we will partly his kingdoms all among us. But if he condescend to this we crave, To judgements rash, which would at first seem good, Let him not think us two such fools to leave, That which so many else have bought with blood; "Who once advanced, would willingly go down, "And (propped with power,) not love in state to stand? "This not the custom is to quite a Crown, "When one hath known how sweet it's to command; "This name of faith but to get credit feigned, "Is (weighed with kingdoms) lighter then a Crown, "And even in them whose thoughts are most restrained, "A Sceptres weight would press all goodness down. To idle sounds and frivolous reports, Give straight a passport, for they last not long, And what thou dost allege, not much imports: "A Crown may cover any kind of wrong; "What heinous thing so odious is by nature, "Which for a Kingdom not committed is? "To be a King, let me be called a traitor, "Faith (if for ought) may broken be for this. "Those are but feeble brains which fancies load, "With timorous dreams which bore surmising brings; "Who fear vain shadows, must not walk abroad, "Too wary wits dare never work great things. If our brave project happily succeed, (As now I doubt not but it shall do soon) We straight will numbers find to praise our deed, And sooth us up in all that we have done. Let us henceforth for nothing be dismayed, But strive our selves courageously to bear. This dangerous Actium would not bedelay'd, Least time make him to doubt, and us to fear. Take heed in time (Sir) to this subtle Greek, The Grecian faith to all the world is known, I am informed he by all means does seek To gratify your foe, as born his own; "And marvel not, though mercenary men, "Who fell themselves, fell all, this is not strange, "They have no God but gold, nor house, how then "Can they be constant, who do live by change? Though this vain man preoccupy you thus, And such as would themselves abuse your grace, Faith shall be found untainted still in us, When our accuser dare not show his face. Well, Sir, you shall know shortly what we are, I will go see your Ensigns all displayed.