Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 3 (numps, numpes, blastfield, wares, parson, nidden…). Matches are highlighted.
some water that ran by, (A small request by such a monarch made) Which when that he had God: yet, ear I die This cross must come (said he) to kill me quite; Though Nations once to me as Sovereign sought, I have not now the power but to requite This little benefit, that thou hast brought: But Alexander shall reward thee well, And
Full speech
Sir, now your coming cannot do him good. Yet can not Darius be redeemed again. Now he enjoys a liberty at last; But ransomed is by offering up his breath. The boiling ardor of the rising Sun (All moisture gone) did breed so great a drouth, That from the way I had a little run, To find some fountain to refresh my mouth; There, by the borders of a rising brook, Which shadowed was from Titan's rising beams, From liquid crystals I a tribute took, Which seemed to murmur, that I forced their streams: When (lo) I saw (a lamentable sighed) Two wounded horses draw a bloody Coach, Which clad with skins, show horror at the height; And it to spy when as I did approach, One was within, who could not long time escape, The fatal passage of infernal gates; Yet Majesty triumphing over mishap, He seemed to brag both fortune and the fates, And to so base a state as first not born, Then while his blood abundantly did fallen, He bursted forth those words in Fortune's scorn, As one whose courage nothing could appall: You gaze to see (and have good cause wherefore) A man no man, a king no king: what change? Now less then nought who once was both, and more; This would seem wondrous; but no state is strange; And yet a amid my evils I must rejoice, That this last comfort does forgo my end. I speak to one who can conceive my voice, And not in vain my dying speeches spend; I am, but how? in name, and not in power, That wretched Darius (which I should suppress) Once happy (as was thought) but at this hour, A lively pattern of extreme distress. Then having paused (he said) my grief is great, Tell Alexander (as the world may spy) That though of me he never had but hate, Yet am I forced far in his debt to die: The favour passed extended to my Queen, And that poor remnant my surviving rest, (When weighing well what I to him have been) I wish continued, but can scarce request; They to his foe belong, and yet he strives To have them honoured now, as in times passed; But those who held of me both states, and lives, Of state and life have me deprived at last. Entreat him too that unrevenged below I wander not as hapless in all things: Let men his justice, and their treason know; This (as a common cause) does touch all kings. Beside the honour which he shall acquire In plaguing them who have betrayed my trust, His magnanimity men shall admire, And fear to grieve him whom they find so just. "As watery rounds which rise and reel in rain, "Do swell, and float, yet when they break (though bright) "Last, leave (when fallen) no token save a stain, Pomp quickly thus both courts and scorns the sighed: And since my glass is run, my glory gone, I dead unto the world, the world to me, I wish (save his) that earth adore no throne: For, from his reign what subject would be free? Then drooping down, faint, bloodless, and half dead, He prayed me for some water that ran by, (A small request by such a monarch made) Which when that he had God: yet, ear I die This cross must come (said he) to kill me quite; Though Nations once to me as Sovereign sought, I have not now the power but to requite This little benefit, that thou hast brought: But Alexander shall reward thee well, And him the Heavens, still yielding his desires, Since that his foes (though envy burst) must tell That courtesy which all the world admires. Now none hath power his pleasure to control, But if he use them well whom he retains, It will procure contentment to my soul, And make him famous while the world remains. When breath abandoned hath this brittle clay, Then cause some friend defray my funeral cost, That churlish Charon force me not to stray Where darkness dwells, and unregarded Ghost. Last, give my corpses to her who brought it forth, Who may it with my Ancestors entomb, And since she loved me much, though little worth, May wail this burden which once graced her womb; And to that Prince whose state I wish to stand, In sign of love which all my thoughts do send, My soul gives him my heart, it thee my hand: Thus though I lived his foe, I die his friend. I had but held his hand a little space, When dying Like a Torch whose wax is spent, In spite of pain, even with a princely grace, His hands still seemed directing as he went. Sir, may it please you to extend your care, That some his funeral offices perform.
Plot summary
Plot — Darius
Vanquished by Alexander, Darius fears for his mother, wife, and children, who have been taken captive. He offers a ransom for them, and Parmenio encourages Alexander to accept (the money can be used to finance future campaigns), but Alexander refuses. The women assume that Darius is dead and ask leave to bury him. Alexander gives them his personal assurance that Darius is alive and that they v.ill be treated honourably. Bessus and Narbazanes plan to betray Darius to Alexander in the hope of getting kingdoms for themselves. Darius learns that his wife has died, but is impressed by Alexander's honourable treatment of her. Narbazanes encourages him to resign the crown to Bessus, while others advise him not to trust the two traitors, and to rely on his mercenary troops if necessary. Darius meditates on tl1e inevitable fall of princes and accepts the coming of death. The traitors spread a rumour that he has committed suicide, then take him prisoner and offer him to Alexander. Darius dies with a speech honouring Alexander for his magnanimity in victory. Alexander vows to hunt down and dismember the traitors.