Several Poems, Poem 2
The Second Monarchy, being the Perſian, began under Cyrus, Darius being his Uncle and Father-in-law reigned with him about two years.
CYrus Cambyſes Son of Perſia King,
Whom Lady Mandana did to him bring,
She daughter unto great Aſtiages,
He in deſcent the ſeventh from Arbaces.
Cambyſe… was of Achemenes race,
VVho had in Perſia the Lieftenants place
VVhen Sardanapalus was overthrown,
And from that time had hel… it as his own.
Cyrus, Darius Daughter took to wife,
And ſo unites two Kingdomes without ſtrife.
Darius unto Man…a…a was brother.
Adopts her ſon for his having no other.
This is of Cyrus the true pedegree,
VVhoſe Anceſtors were royal in degree;
His Mothers dream, and Grand-Sires cruelty,
His preſervation, in his miſery,
His nouriſhment afforded by a Bitch,
Are fit for ſuch, whoſe ears for Fables itch.
He in his younger dayes an Army led,
Againſt great Creſſ… then of Lidia head;
Who over-curious of wars event,
For information to Apollo went:
And the ambiguous Oracle did truſt,
So overthrown by Cyrus, as was juſt;
Who him p…aſues to Sardis, takes the Town,
Where all that dare reſiſt, are ſlaughter'd down;
Diſguiſed Creſſus hop'd to ſcape i'th' throng,
Who had no might to ſave himſelf from wrong;
But as he paſt, his Son who was born dumb,
With preſſing grief and ſorrow overcome:
Among the tumult, bloud-ſhed, and the ſtrife,
Brake his long ſilence, cry'd, ſpare Creſſus life.
Creſſus thus known, it was gr…at Cyrus doom,
(A hard decree) to aſhes he conſume;
Then on a wood pile ſet, where all might eye,
He Solon, Solon, Solon, thrice did cry.
The Reaſon of thoſe words Cyrus demands,
Who Solon was? to whom he lifts his hands;
Then to the King he makes this true report,
That Solon ſometimes at his ſtately Court,
His Treaſures, pleaſures pomp and power d…d ſee,
And viewing all, at all nought mov'd was he:
That Creſſus angry, urg'd him to expreſs,
If ever King equal'd his happineſs.
(Quoth he) that man for happy we commend,
Whoſe happy life attains an happy end.
Cyrus with pitty mov'd, knowing Kings ſtand,
Now up and down, as fortune turns her hand,
Weighing the Age, and greatneſs of the Prince,
(His Mothers Uncle) ſtories do evince:
Gave him his life, and took him for a friend,
Did to him ſtill his chief de…igns commend.
Next war the reſtleſs Cyrus thought upon,
Was conqueſt of the ſtately Babilon,
Now treble wall'd, and moated ſo about,
That all the world they need not fear nor doubt;
To drain this ditch, he many Sluces cut,
But till convenient time their heads kept ſhut;
That night Belſhazzar feaſted all his rout,
He cut thoſe banks, and let the River out,
And to the walls ſecurely marches on,
Not finding a defendant thereupon;
Enters the Town, the ſottiſh King he ſ…ayes,
Upon Earths richeſt ſpoyles his Souldiers preys;
Here twenty years proviſion good he found,
Forty five miles this City ſcarce could round;
This head of Kingdomes Chaldees excellence,
For Owles and Satyres made a reſidence,
Yet wondrous monuments this ſtately Queen,
A thouſand years had after to beſeen.
Cyrus doth now the Jewiſh Captives free,
An Edict made, the Temple builded be,
He with his Uncle Daniel ſets on high,
And caus'd his foes in Lions Den to dye.
Long after this he gainſt the Scythians goes,
And Tomris Son and Army overthrows;
VVhichWhich to revenge ſhe hires a mighty power,
And ſets on Cyrus, in a fatal hour;
There routs his Hoſt, himſelf ſhe priſoner takes,
And at one blow (worlds head) ſhe headleſs makes
The which ſhe bath'd, within a But of bloud,
Uſing ſuch taunting words, as ſhe thought good.
But Xenopho… reports he di'd in's bed,
In honour, peace, and wealth, with a grey head;
And in his Town of Baſſagardes lyes,
VVhere ſome long after ſought in vain for prize,
But in his Tombe, was only to be ſound
Two Scythian boys, a Sword and Target round:
And Alexander coming to the ſame,
VVith honours great, did celebrate his fame.
Three daughters and two Sons he left behind,
Innobled more by birth, then by their mind;
Thirty two years in all this Prince did reign,
But eight whilſt Babylon, he did retain:
And though his conqueſts made the earth to groan,
Now quiet lyes under one marble ſtone.
And with an Epitaph, himſelf did make,
To ſhew how little Land he then ſhould take.
Cambyſes.
Cambyſes no waves like his noble Sire,
Yet to inlarge his State had ſome deſire,
His reign with bloud and Inceſt firſt begins,
Then ſends to find a Law, for theſe his ſins;
That Kings with Siſters match, no Law they find,
But that the Perſian King may act his mind:
He wages war the fifth year of his reign,
'Gainſt Egypts King, who there by him was ſlain.
And all of Royal Bloud, that came to hand,
He ſeized firſt of Life and then of Land,
(But little Narus ſcap'd that cruel ſate,
VVho grown a man, reſum'd again his State.)
He next to Cyprus ſends his bloudy Hoſt.
VVho landing ſoon upon that fruitful Coaſt,
Made Evelthon, their King with bended knee,
To hold his own, of his free Courteſie.
Their Temple he deſtroys, not for his Zeal,
For he would be profeſt, God of their weal;
Yea, in his pride, he ventured ſo farre,
To ſpoyle the Temple of great Jupiter:
But as they marched o're thoſe deſert ſands,
The ſtormed duſt o'rewhelm'd his daring bands;
But ſcorning thus, by Jove to be outbrav'd,
A ſecond Army he had almoſt grav'd,
But vain he found to fight with Elements,
So left his ſacrilegious bold intents.
The Egyptian Apis then he likewiſe ſlew,
Laughing to ſcorn, that ſottiſh Calviſh Crew:
If all this heat had been for pious end,
Cambyſes to the Clouds we might commend.
But he that 'fore the Gods himſelf prefers,
Is more profane then groſs Idolaters;
He after this, upon ſuſpition vain,
Unjuſtly cauſ'd his brother to be ſlain.
Praxaſpes into Perſia then is ſent,
To act in ſecret, this his lewd intent:
His Siſter (whom Inceſtuouſly he wed,)
Hearing her harmleſs brother thus was dead.
His wofull death with tears did ſo bemoan,
That by her husbands charge, ſhe caught her own,
She with her fruit at once were both undone
Who would have born a Nephew and a ſon.
Oh helleſh husband, brother, uncle, Sire,
Thy cruelty all ages will admire.
This ſtrange ſeverity he ſometimes us'd
Upon a Judge, for taking bribes accus'd,
I lay'd him alive, hung' up his ſtuffed skin
Over his ſeat, then plac'd his ſon therein,
To whom he gave this in remembrance,
Like ſault muſt look for the like recompence.
His cruelty was come unto that height
He ſpar'd nor foe, nor friend, nor favourite.
'Twould be no pleaſure, but a tedious thing
To tell the facts of this moſt bloody King,
Feared of all, but lov…d of few or none,
All wiſht his ſhort reign paſt before 'twas done.
At laſt two of his Officers he hears
Had ſet one Smerdi… up, of the ſame years,
And like in feature to his brother dead,
Ruling, as they thought beſt under this head.
The people ignorant of what was done,
Obedience yielded as to Cyrus ſon.
Toucht with this news to Perſia he makes,
But in the way his ſword juſt vengeance takes,
Unſheathes, as he his horſe mounted on high,
And with a mortal thruſt wounds him ith' thigh,
Which ends before begun his home-bred warr:
So yields to death, that dreadfull Conquerour.
Grief for his brothers death he did expreſs,
And more, becauſe he died Iſſueleſs.
The male line of great Cyrus now had end,
The Female to many Ages did extend.
A Babylon in Egypt did he make,
And Mero… built for his fair Siſters ſake.
Eight years he reign'd, a ſhort, yet too long time
Cut off in's wickedneſs in's ſtrength and prime.
The inter regnum between Cambyſes And Darius Hiſtaſpes.
Childleſs Cambyſes on the ſudden dead,
(The Princes meet, to chuſe one in his ſtead,
Of which the chief was ſeven, call'd Satrapes,
Who like to Kings, rul'd Kingdomes as they pleaſe,
Deſcended all of Achemenes bloud,
And Kinſmen in account to th' King they ſtood.
And firſt theſe noble Magi 'gree upon.
To thruſt th' impoſter Smerdis out of Throne:
Then Forces inſtantly they raiſe, and rout
This King with his Conſpirators ſo ſtout,
But yet '…ore this was done much bloud was ſhed,
And two of theſe great Peers in Field lay dead.
Some write that ſorely hurt they ſcap'd away,
But ſo, or no, ſure 'tis they won the day.
All things in peace and Rebels throughly quell'd,
A Conſultation by thoſe States was held,
What form of government now to erect
The old, or new, which beſt, in what reſpect.
The greater part declin'd a Monarchy
So late cruſht by their Princes tyranny,
And thought the people would more happy be
If govern'd by an Ariſtocracy:
But others thought (none of the dulleſt brain)
That better one then many tyrants reign.
What Arguments they us…d I know not well,
Too politick, its like, for me to tell,
But in concluſion they all agree,
Out of the ſeven a Monarch choſen be.
All envy to avoid, this was thought on
Upon a green to meet by riſing ſun,
And he whoſe horſe before the reſt ſhould neigh,
Of all the Peers ſhould have precedency.
They all attend on the appointed hour,
Praying to fortune for a kingly power.
Then mounting on their ſnorting courſers proud,
Darius luſty Stallion neigh'd full loud,
The Nobles all alight, bow to their King,
And joyfull acclamations ſhrill they ring,
A thouſand times, long live the King they cry,
Let Tyranny with dead Cambiſes dye:
Then all attend him to his royall room:
Thanks for all this to's crafty ſtable groom.
Darius Hyſtaſpes.
Darius by election made a King,
His title to make ſtrong omits no thing:
He two of Cyrus daughters then doth wed,
Two of his Neeces takes to Nuptial bed,
By which he cuts their hopes for future time,
That by ſuch ſteps to Kingdomes often clime.
And now a King …y mariage choice and blood:
Three ſtrings to's bow, the leaſt of which is good;
Yet firmly more, the peoples hearts to bind.
Made wholſome, gentle laws which pleas'd each mind.
His courteſie and aſſability.
Much gain'd the hearts of his nobility.
Yet notwithſtanding all he did ſo well,
The Babylonians 'gainſt their prince rebell.
An hoſt he rais'd the city to reduce;
But men againſt thoſe walls wore of no uſe.
Then brave Zopirus for his maſters good,
His manly face diſfigures, ſpares no blood:
With his own hands cutts off his ears and noſe,
And with a faithfull fraud to th' town he goes,
tells them how harſhly the proud king had dealt,
That for their ſakes his cruelty he felt,
Deſiring of the Prince to raiſe the ſiege,
This violence was done him by his Liege.
This told, for entrance he ſtood not long,
For they believ'd his noſe more then his tongue
With all the city's ſtrength they him betruſt,
If he command, obey the greateſt muſt.
When opportunity he ſaw was ſit
Delivers up the town, and all in it.
To looſe a noſe, to win a town's no ſhame;
But who dares venture ſuch a ſtake for th' game
Then thy diſgrace, thine honour's manifold,
Who doth deſerve a ſtatue made of gold.
Nor can Darius in his Monarchy.
Scarce find enough to thank thy I yalty:
Yet o're thy glory we muſt caſt this vail,
Thy craft more then thy valour did prevail.
Darius in the ſecond of his reign
An Edict for the …ews publiſh…d again:
The Temple to rebuild, for that did reſt
Since Cyrus time, Cambiſes did moleſt.
He like a King now grants a Charter large,
Out of his own revennues bears the charge,
Gives Sacrifices, wheat, wine oyle and ſalt,
Threats puniſhment to him that through default
Shall let the work or keep back any thing.
Of what is freely granted by the King:
And on all Kings he poures out Execrations
That ſhall once dare to raſe thoſe firm foundations
They thus backt by the King, in ſpight of foes
Built on and proſper'd till their houſe they cloſe.
And in the ſixth year of his friendly reign,
Set up a Temple (though a leſs) again
Darius on the Scythians ma…e a war;
Entring that larg and barren Country far:
A Bridge he made, which ſerv'd for boat & barge
O're Iſter fair, with labour and with charge.
But in that deſert 'mongſt his barbarous foes
Sharp wants, not ſwords, his valour did oppoſe,
His Army fought with hunger and with cold,
Which to aſſail his royal Camp was bold.
By theſe alone his hoſt was pincht ſo ſore,
He warr'd defenſive, not offenſive more.
The Salvages did laugh at his diſtreſs,
Their min…s by Hiroglyphicks they expreſs,
A Frog a Mouſe, a bird, an arrow ſent,
The King will needs interpret their intent;
Poſſeſſion of water, earth and air,
But wiſe Gob…as reads not half ſo fair:
(Quoth he) like frogs in water we muſt dive,
Or like to mice un…er the earth muſt live
Or fly like birds in un…nown wayes full quick,
Or Scythian arrows in our ſides muſt ſtick.
The King ſeeing his men and victual ſpent,
This fruitleſs war beg place to repent,
Return'd with little honour, and leſs gain
His enemies ſcarce ſeen, then much leſs ſlain.
He after this intends Greece to invade,
But troubles in leſs Aſia him ſtaid,
Which huſht he ſtraight ſo orders his affairs,
For At…a…a an army he prepares;
But as before, ſo now with ill ſucceſs
Return'd with wondrous loſs, and honourleſs.
Athens perceiving now their deſperate ſtate
Arm'd all they could, which eleven thouſand made
By brave Miltiades their chief being l…d:
Darius multitudes before them fled.
At Marathon this bloudy field was fought,
Where Grecians prov'd themſelves right ſouldiers ſtout
Tho Perſians to their gallies poſt with ſpeed
Where an Athenian ſhew'd a valiant deed,
Purſues his flying foes then on the ſand,
He ſtayes a lanching gally with his hand,
Which ſoon cut off, inrag'd, he with his left,
Renews his hold, and when of that bereft,
His whetted teeth he claps in the firm wood,
Off flyes his head, down ſhowres his frolick bloud,
Go Perſians, carry home that angry piece,
As the beſt Trophe which ye won in Greece,
Darius light, yet heavy home returns,
And for revenge, his heart ſtill reſtleſs burnes,
His Queen Atoſſa Author of this ſtirr,
For Grecian maids ('tis ſaid) to wait on her.
She loſt her aim, her Husband he loſt more,
His men his coyne, his honour and his ſtore;
And the enſuing year ended his Life,
(Tis thought) through grief of this ſucceſsleſs ſtrife
Thirty ſix years this noble Prince did reign,
Then to his ſecond Son did all remain.
Xerxes,
Xerxes, Darius, and Atoſſa's Son,
Grand child to Cyrus, now ſits on the Throne:
(His eldeſt brother put beſide the place,
Becauſe this was, firſt born of Cyrus race.)
His Father not ſo full of lenity,
As was his Son of pride and cruelty;
He with his Crown receives a double war,
The Egyptians to reduce, and Greece to marr,
The firſt begun, and finiſh'd in ſuch haſte,
None write by whom, nor how, 'twas over paſt.
But for the laſt, he made ſuch preparation,
As if to duſt, he meant, to grinde that nation;
Yet all his men, and Inſtruments of ſlaughter,
Produced but deri…ion and laughter,
Sage Artabanus Counſel had he taken,
And's Couzen young Mardonius forſaken,
His Souldiers credit, wealth at home had ſtaid,
And Greece ſuch wondrous triumphs ne'r had made.
The firſt dehorts and layes before his eyes
His Fathers ill ſucceſs, in's enterprize,
Againſt the Scythians and Grecians too,
What Infamy to's honour did accrew.
Flatt'ring Mardonius on the other ſide;
With conqueſt of all Europe, feeds his pride:
Vain Xerxes thinks his counſel hath moſt wit,
That his ambitious humour beſt can fit;
And by this choice unwarily poſts on,
To preſent loſs, future ſubverſion.
Although be haſted, yet four years was ſpent
In great proviſions, for this great intent:
His Army of all Nations was compounded,
That the vaſt Perſian government ſurrounded.
His Foot was ſeventeen hundred thouſand ſtrong,
Eight hundred thouſand horſes to theſe belong
His Camels, beaſts for carriage numberleſs,
For Truths aſham'd, how many to expreſs;
The charge of all, he ſeverally commended
To Princes, of the Perſian bloud deſcended:
But the command of theſe commanders all,
Unto Mardonius made their General,
(He was the Son of the fore nam'd Gobrius,
Who married the Siſter of Darius.)
Such his land Forces were, then next a fleet,
Of two and twenty thouſand Gallies meet
Man'd with Phenicians and Pamphylians
Cipriots, Dorians and Cilicians,
Lycians, Carians and Ionians,
Eolians and the Heliſpontines
Beſides the veſſels for his tranſportation,
Which to three thouſand came (by beſt relation)
Brave Artemiſia, Hallicarnaſſus Queen
In perſon preſent for his aid was ſeen,
Whoſe Gallyes all the reſt in neatneſs paſs,
Save the Z…donians, where Xerxes was:
But hers ſhe kept ſtill ſeperate from the reſt,
For to command alone, ſhe judg'd was beſt.
O noble Queen, thy valour I commend;
But pitty 'twas thine aid thou here didſt lend.
At Sardis in Lydia, all theſe do meet,
Whether rich Pythias comes Xerxes to greet,
Feaſts all this multitude of his own charge,
Then gives the King a king-like gift full large,
Three thouſand talents of the pureſt gold,
Which mighty ſum all wondred to behold:
Then humbly to the king he makes requeſt,
One of his five ſons there might be releas'd,
To be to's age a comfort and a ſtay,
The other four he freely gave away.
The king calls for the youth, who being brought,
Cuts him in twain for whom his Sire beſought,
Then laid his parts on both ſides of the way,
'Twixt which his ſouldiers marcht in good array.
For his great love is this thy recompence?
Is this to do like Xerxes or a Prince?
Thou ſhame of kings, of men the deteſtation,
I Rhetorick want to pour out execration.
Firſt thing he did that's worthy of recount,
A Sea paſſage cut behind Athos mount.
Next o're the Heleſpont a bridge he made
Of Boats together coupled, and there laid:
But winds and waves thoſe iron bands did break,
To croſs the ſea ſuch ſtrength he found too weak,
Then whips the ſea, and with a mind moſt vain
He fetters caſt therein the ſame to chain.
The work-men put to death the bridge that made,
Becauſe they wanted skill the ſame to've ſtaid.
Seven thouſand Gallyes chain…d by Tyrians skill,
Firmly at laſt accompliſhed his will.
Seven dayes and nights, his hoſt without leaſt ſtay
Was marching o're this new deviſed way.
Then in Abidus plains muſtring his forces,
He gloryes in his ſquadrons and his horſes,
Long viewing them, thought it great happineſs,
One king ſo many ſubjects ſhould poſſeſs:
But yet this ſight from him produced tears,
That none of thoſe could live an hundred years.
What after did enſue had he foreſeen,
Of ſo long time his thoughts had never been.
Of Artubanus he again demands
How of this enterpriſe his thoughts now ſtands,
His anſw… was, both ſea and land he fear'd,
Which was not vain as after ſoon appear'd.
But Xerxes reſolute to Thrace goes firſt,
His Hoſt all Liſſus drinks, to quench their thirſt,
And for his Cattel, all Piſſyrus Lake
Was ſcarce enough for each a draught to take:
Then marching on to th' ſtreight Thermopyle,
The Spartan meets him brave Leonade;
This 'twixt the mountains lyes (half Acre wide)
That pleaſant Theſſaly from Greece divide
Two dayes and nights, a fight they there maintain,
Till twenty thouſand Perſians fell down …lain;
And all that Army then diſmaid, had fled,
But that a Fugitive diſcovered.
How ſome might o're the mountains go about,
And wound the backs of thoſe brave warriors ſtout
They thus behem'd with multitude of Foes,
Laid on more fiercely their deep mortal blows.
None cries for quarter nor yet ſeeks to run;
But on their ground they die each Mothers Son.
O noble Greeks, how now degenerate,
Where is the valour of your ancient State?
When as one thouſand could a million daunt,
Alas! it is Leonades you want.
This ſhameful victory coſt Xerxes dear,
Among the reſt, two brothers he loſt there;
And as at Land, ſo he at Sea was croſt,
Four hundred ſtately Ships by ſtorms was loſt;
Of Veſſels ſmall almo…t innumerable,
The Harbours to contain them was not …
Yet thinking to out match his Foes at S…
Encloſ'd their Fleet i'th' ſtreight of Eube…
But they as fortunate at Sea as Land,
In this ſtreight as the other firmly ſtand.
And Xerxes mighty Gallyes battered ſo,
That their ſplit ſides witneſſ'd his overthrow;
Then in the ſtreight of Salamis he try'd,
If that ſmall number his great force could? bide:
But he in daring of his forward Foe,
Received there a ſhameful overthrow.
Twice beaten thus at Sea he warr'd no more,
But then the P…cians Country waſted ſore;
They no way able to withſtand his force,
That brave Themiſtocles takes this wiſe courſe,
In ſecret manner word to Xerxes ſends,
That Greeks to break his Bridg ſhortly intends:
A…d as a friend warns him what e're he do
For his Retreat, to have an e…e thereto,
He hearing this, his thoughts & courſe home bended
Much fearing that which never was intended.
Yet 'fore he went to help out his expence
Part of his Hoſt to Delphos ſent from thence,
To rob the wealthy Temple of Apollo,
But miſchief ſacriledge doth ever follow.
Two mighty Rocks brake from Parnaſſus hill,
And many thouſands of thoſe men did kill;
VVhichWhich accident the reſt affrighted ſo,
VVith empty hands they to their Maſter go:
He finding all, to tend to his decay,
Fearing his Bridge, no longer there w…uld ſtay.
Three hundred thouſand yet he left behind,
VVith his Mardonius Index of his mind;
Who for his ſake he knew would venture farre,
(Chief inſtigator of this hapleſs warr.)
He inſtantly to Athens ſends for peace,
That all Hoſtility from thence forth ceaſe;
And that with Xerxes they would be at one,
So ſhould all favour to their State be ſhown.
The Spartans fearing Athens would agree,
As had Macedon, Thebes, and Theſſaly,
And leave them out, this Shock now to ſuſtain,
By their Ambaſſador they thus complain,
That Xerxes quarrel was 'gainſt Athens State,
And they had helpt them as Confederate;
If in their need they ſhould forſake their friends,
Their infamy would laſt till all things ends:
But the Athenians this peace deteſt,
And thus reply'd unto Mardon's requeſt.
That whil'ſt the Sun did run his endleſs Courſe
Againſt the Perſians, they would bend their force;
Nor could the brave Ambaſſador he ſent,
With Rhetorick gain better Complement:
A Macedonian born, and great Commander.
No leſs then grand-Sire to great Alexa…d…r
Mardonius proud hearing this Anſwer ſtout,
To add more to his numbers layes about;
And of thoſe Greeks which by his Skill he'd won,
He fifty thouſand joyns unto his own:
The other Greeks which were Confede…ate
In all one hundred and ten thouſand made
The Athenians could but forty thouſand Arme,
The reſt had weapons would do little harm;
But that which helpt defects, and made them bold,
Was victory by Oracle foretold.
Then for one battel ſhortly all provide;
Where both their Controverſies they'l decide;
Ten dayes theſe Armyes did each other face,
Mardonius finding victuals waſt apace,
No l…nger dar'd, but bravely on ſet gave,
The other not a hand nor Sword would wave,
Ti…l in the …ntrails of their Sacrifice
The ſignal of their victory did riſe,
Which found like Greeks they fight, the Perſians fly,
And troubleſome Mardonius now muſt dye.
All's loſt, and of three hundred thouſand men,
Three thouſand only can run home agen.
For pitty let thoſe few to Xerxes go,
To certifie his final overthrow:
Same day the ſmall remainder of his Fleet,
The Grecians at Mycale in Aſia meet.
And there ſo utterly they wrackt the ſame,
Scarce one was left to carry home the Fame;
Thus did the Greeks, conſume, deſtroy, diſperſe.
That Army, which did fright the Univerſe.
Scorn'd Xerxes bated for his cruelty,
Yet ceaſes not to act his villany.
His brothers wife ſolicites to his will,
The chaſt and beautious Dame refuſed ſtill;
Some years by him in this vain ſuit was ſpent,
Nor prayers nor gifts could win him leaſt content;
Nor matching of her daughter to his Son,
But ſhe was ſtill as when he firſt begun:
When jealous Queen Ameſtris of this knew,
She Harpy like upon the Lady flew,
Cut off her breaſts her lips her noſe and ears,
And leavs her thus beſmear'd in bloud and tears.
Straight comes her Lord, and finds his wife thus ly,
The ſorrow of his heart did cloſe his Eye▪
He dying to behold that wounding ſight,
Where he had ſometime gaz'd with great delight,
To ſee that face where roſe, and Lillyes ſtood,
O'reflown with Torrent of her guiltleſs bloud,
To ſee thoſe breaſts where Chaſtity did dwell,
Thus cut and mangled by a Hag of Hell:
With loaden heart unto the King he goes,
Tells as he could his unexpreſſed woes;
But for his deep complaints and ſhowres of tears,
His brothers recompence was nought but jears:
The grieved prince finding nor right, nor love,
To Bactria his houſhold did remove.
His brother ſent ſoon after him a crew,
With him and his moſt barbarouſly there ſlew
Unto ſuch height did grow his cruelty,
Of life no man had leaſt ſecurity.
At laſt his Uncle did his death conſpire,
And for that end his Eunuch he did hire;
Who privately him ſmother'd in his bed,
But yet by ſearch he was found murthered;
Then Artabanus hirer of this deed,
That from ſuſpition he might be fre'd:
Accus'd Darius X…xes eldeſt Son,
To be the Author of the crime was done.
And by his craft order'd the matter ſo,
That the Prince innocent to death did goe:
But in ſhort time this wickedneſs was known,
For which he died, and not he alone,
But all his Family was likewiſe ſlain:
Such Juſtice in the Perſian Court did reign.
The eldeſt ſon thus immaturely dead,
The ſecond was inthron'd in's fathers ſtead.
Artaxerxes Longimanus.
Amongſt the Monarchs, next this prince had place
The beſt that ever ſprung of Cyrus race.
He firſt war with revolted Egypt made,
To whom the perjur'd Grecians lent their aid:
Although to Xerxes they not long before
A league of amity had firmly ſwore,
Which had they kept, Greece had more nobly done
Then when the world they after overrun.
Greeks and Egyptians both he overthrows,
And payes them both according as he owes,
Which done, a ſumptuous feaſt makes like a king
Where nineſcore dayes are ſpent in banquetting.
His Princes, Nobles, and his Captains calls,
To be partakers of theſe Feſtivals:
His hangings white and green, and purple dye,
With gold and ſilver beds▪ moſt gorgeouſly.
The royal wine in golden cups did paſs,
To drink more then he liſt▪ none bidden was.
Queen Vaſthi alſo feaſts, but 'fore tis ended,
She's from her Royalty (alas) ſuſpended,
And one more worthy placed in her room,
By Memucans advice ſo was the doom.
What Eſther was and did, the ſtory read,
And how her Country men from ſpoyle ſhe freed,
Of Hamans fall, and Mordicaes great Riſe.
The might of th' prince, the tribute of the Iſles.
Good Ezra in the ſeventh year of his reign,
Did for the Jews commiſſion large obtain,
With gold and ſilver, and what ere they need:
His bounty did Darius far exceed.
And Nehemiah in his twentieth year,
Went to Jeruſalem his city dear,
Rebuilt thoſe walls which long in rubbiſh lay,
And o're his oppoſites ſtill got the day,
Unto this King Themiſtocles did fly,
When under Oſtraciſme he did lye;
For ſuch ingratitude did Athens ſhow,
(This valiant Knight whom they ſo much did owe)
Such royal bounty from his prince he found,
That in his loyalty his heart was bound.
The king not little joyfull of this chance,
Thinking his Greſian warrs now to advance,
And for that end great preparation made
Fair Attica a third time to invade.
His grand-Sires old diſgrace did vex him ſore,
His Father Xerxes loſs and ſhame much more▪
For puniſhment their breach of oath did call
This noble Greek, now fit for General.
Proviſions then and ſeaſon being fit,
To Themiſtocles this warr he doth commit,
Who for his wrong he could not chuſe but deem
His Country nor his Friends would much eſteem:
But he all injury had ſoon forg it;
And to his native land could bear no hate,
Nor yet diſloyal to his Prince would prove,
By whom oblig'd by bounty, and by love;
Either to wrong, did wound his heart ſo ſore,
To wrong himſelf by death he choſe before:
In this ſad conflict marching on his wayes,
Strong poyſon took, ſo put an end to's dayes
The King this noble Captain having loſt,
Diſperſt again his newly levied hoſt:
Reſt of his time in peace he did remain,
And di'd the two and forti'th of his reign.
Darius Nothus.
Three ſons great Artaxerxes left behind;
The eldeſt to ſucceed, that was his mind:
His ſecond Brother with him fell at ſtrife,
Stil making war, till firſt had loſt his life:
Then the Surviver is by Nothus ſlain,
Who now ſole Monarch doth of all remain.
The two firſt ſons (are by Hiſtorians thought)
By fair Queen Eſther to her husband brought:
If ſo they were the greater was her moan,
That for ſuch graceleſs wre…hes ſhe did groan.
Revolting Egypt 'gainſt this King rebels,
His Gariſons drives out that 'mongſt them dwells;
Joyns with the Greeks, an… ſo maintain their right,
For ſixty years, maugre the Perſians might.
A ſecond trouble after this ſucceeds,
Which from remiſsneſs in …e…s Aſi… breeds.
Amo…ges, whom for Vice-Roy he ordain'd,
Revolts, treaſure and people having gain'd,
Plunders the Country, & much miſchief wrought
Before things could to quietneſs be brought.
The King was glad with Sparta to make peace,
That ſo he might thoſe troubles ſoon appeaſe:
But they in Aſia muſt firſt reſtore
All towns held by his Anceſtors before.
The King much profit reaped by this league,
Regains his own, then doth the Rebel break
Whoſe ſtrength by Grecians help was overthrown,
And ſo each man again poſſeſt his own.
This King Cambiſes like his ſiſter wed,
To which his pride, more then his luſt him led:
For Perſian Kings then deem'd themſelves ſo good
No match was high enough but their own blood.
Two ſons ſhe bore, the youngeſt Cyrus nam'd,
A Prince whoſe worth by Xenophon is fam'd:
His Father would no notice of that take
Prefers his brother for his birthrights ſake.
But Cyrus ſcorns his brothers feeble wit,
And takes more on him then was judged fit.
The King provoked ſends for him to th' Court,
Meaning to chaſtiſe him in ſharpeſt ſort,
But in his ſlow approach, e're he came there
His Father di'd, ſo put an end to's fear.
'Bout nineteen years this Nothus reigned, which run,
His large Dominions left to's eldeſt Son.
Artaxerxes Mnemon.
Murmon now ſet upon his Fathers Throne,
Yet fears all he enjoys, is not his own:
Still on his Brother caſts a jealous eye,
Judging his actions tends to's injury.
Cyrus on th' other ſide weighs in his mind,
What help in's enterprize he's like to find;
His Intereſt in th' Kingdome now next heir,
More dear to's Mother then his brother farr:
His brothers little love like to be gone,
Held by his Mothers Interceſſion.
Theſe and like motives hurry him amain,
To win by force, what right could not obtain;
And thought it beſt now in his Mothers time,
By lower ſteps towards the top to climbe:
If in his enterprize he ſhould fall ſhort,
She to the King would make a fair report,
He hop'd if fraud nor force the Crown would gain
Her prevalence, a pardon might obtain.
From the Lieutenant firſt he takes away
Some Towns, commodious in leſs Aſia,
Pretending ſtill the profit of the King.
Whoſe Rents and Cuſtomes duly he ſent in;
The King finding Revenues now amended,
For what was done ſeemed no whit offended,
Then next he takes the Spartans into pay,
One Greek could make ten Perſia …u… away.
Great eare was his preten…e thoſe Souldiers ſtout,
The Rovers in Piſidia ſhould drive out;
But leſt ſome blacker news ſhould fly to Court,
Prepares himſelf to carry the report:
And for that en… five hundred Horſe he choſe;
With poſting ſpeed on t'wards the …ing he goes:
But ſame more quick, arrives ere he comes there,
And fills the Court with tumult, and with fear.
The old Queen and the young at bitter jarrs,
The laſt accus'd the firſt for theſe …a… warrs,
The wife againſt the mother ſtill doth cry
To be the Author of conſpiracy.
The King diſmaid, a mighty hoſt doth raiſe,
Which Cyrus hears, and ſo fore…lows his pace:
But as he goes his forces ſtill augmen…s,
Seven hundred Greeks repair for his m…n…s,
And others to be warm'd by the new ſun
In numbers from his brother dayly run.
The fearfull King at laſt …uſters his forces,
And counts nine hun…red thouſand Foot & horſes▪
Three hundred thouſand …e to by … ſent
To keep thoſe ſtreights his brother to prevent.
Their Captain hearing but of Cyrus name,
Forſook his charge to his eternal …ame.
This place ſo made by nature and by art,
Few might have kept it had they had a heart.
Cyrus diſpair'd a paſſage there to gain
So hir'd a fleet to waft him o're the Main:
The 'mazed King was then about to fly
To Bactria and for a time there lye,
Had not his Captains ſore againſt his will
By reaſon and by force detain'd him ſtill,
Up then with ſpeed a mighty trench he throws
For his ſecurity againſt his foes,
Six yards the depth and forty miles in length,
Some fifty or elſ ſixty …oot in breadth;
Yet for his brothers coming durſt not ſtay,
He ſafeſt was when fartheſt out of th' way.
Cyrus ſin…ing his camp, and no man there,
Was not a little jocund at his fear.
On this he and his ſouldiers careleſs grow,
And here and there in carts their arms they throw
When ſuddenly their ſcouts come in and cry,
Arm, Arm, the King with all his hoſt is nigh.
In this confuſion each man as he might
Gets on his arms, arrayes himſelf for fight,
And ranged ſtood by great Euphrates ſide
The brunt of that huge multitude to 'bide,
Of whoſe great numbers their intelligence
Was gather'd by the duſt that roſe from thence,
Which like a mighty cloud darkned the sky,
And black and blacker grew, as they drew nigh:
But when their order and their ſilence ſaw,
That, more then multitudes their hearts did awe;
For tumult and confuſion they expected,
And all good diſcipline to be neglected.
But long under their fears they did not ſtay,
For at firſt charge the Perſians ran away,
Which did ſuch courage to the Grecians bring,
They all adored Cyrus for their King:
So had he been, and got the victory,
Had not his too much valour put him by.
He with ſix hundred on a Squadron ſet,
Of thouſands ſix wherein the King was yet,
And brought his Souldiers on ſo gallantly,
They ready were to leave their King and fly;
Whom Cyrus ſpies cryes loud, I ſee the man,
And with a full carreer at him he ran:
And in his ſpeed a dart him hit i'th' eye,
Down Cyrus falls, and yields to deſtiny:
His Hoſt in chaſe knows not of this diſaſter,
But treads down all, ſo to advance their maſter;
But when his head they ſpy upon a Lance,
Who knows the ſudden change made by this chance
Senſeleſs & mute they ſtand, yet breath out groans,
Nor Gorgons head like this transform'd to ſtones.
After this trance, revenge new Spirits blew,
And now more eagerly their Foes purſue;
And heaps on heaps ſuch multitudes they laid,
Their Arms grew weary by their ſlaughters made.
The King unto a Country Village flyes,
And for a while unkingly there he lyes.
At laſt diſplays his Enſigne on a Hill,
Hoping by that to make the Greeks ſtand ſtill;
But was deceiv'd▪ to him they run amain,
The King upon the ſpur runs back again:
But they too ſaint ſtill to purſue their game,
Being Victors oft now to their Camp they came.
nor lackt they any of their number ſmall,
Nor wound receiv'd, but one among them all:
The King with his diſperſt, alſo incamp'd,
With Infamy upon each Forehead ſtamp'd.
His hurri'd thoughts he after recollects,
Of this dayes Cowardize he fears th' effects.
If Greeks in their own Country ſhould declare,
What daſtards in the Field the Perſia…s are,
They in ſhort time might place one in his Throne▪
And rob him both or Sce…ter and of Crown;
To hinder their return …y craft or force,
He judg'd his wiſeſt and his ſafeſt Courſe.
Then ſends, that to his Tent, they ſtreight addreſs,
And there all wait, his mercy weaponleſs;
The Greeks with ſcorn reject his proud Commands
Asking no favour, where they fear'd no bands:
The troubled King his He… ſends again,
And ſues for peace, that they his friends remain,
The ſmiling Greeks reply, they firſt muſt bait,
They were too hungry to Capitulate;
The King great ſtore of all proviſion ſends,
And Courteſie to th' utmoſt he pretends,
Such terrour on the Perſians then did fall,
They quak'd to hear them to each other call,
The King perplext, there dares not let them ſtay:
And fears as much, to let them march away,
But Kings ne're want ſuch as can ſerve their will,
Fit Inſtruments t' accompliſh what is ill.
As Tyſſaphernes knowing his maſters mind,
Their chief Commanders feaſts and yet more kind,
With all the Oaths and deepeſt Flattery,
Gets them to treat with him in privacy,
But violates his honour and his word,
And Villain like there puts them all to th'Sword.
The Greeks ſeeing their valiant Captains ſlain,
Choſe Xenophon to lead them home again:
But Tiſſaphernes what he could deviſe,
Did ſtop the way in this their enterprize.
But when through difficulties all they brake,
The Country burnt, they no relief might take.
But on they march through hunger & through cold
O…re mountains, rocks and hills as lions bold,
Nor Rivers courſe, nor Perſians force could ſtay,
But on to Trabeſond they kept their way:
There was of Greeks ſetled a Colony,
Who after all receiv'd them joyfully.
Thus finiſhing their travail, danger, pain,
In peace they ſaw their native ſoyle again.
The Greeks now (as the Perſian king ſuſpects)
The Aſiaticks cowardi…e detects,
The many victoryes themſelves did gain,
The many thouſand Perſians they had ſlain,
And how their nation with facillity,
Might gain the univerſal Monarchy.
They then Dercilladus ſend with an hoſt,
Who with the Spartans on the Aſian coaſt,
Town after town with ſmall reſiſtance take,
Which rumour makes great Artaxerxes quake.
The Greeks by this ſucceſs encourag'd ſo,
Their King Ageſila…s doth over goe,
By Tiſſaphernes is encountered,
Lieftenant to the King, but ſoon he fled.
Which overthrow incens'd the King ſo ſore,
That Tiſſaphern muſt be Viceroy no more.
Tythrauſtes then is placed in his ſtead,
Commiſſion hath to take the others head:
Of that perjurious wretch this was the fate,
Whom the old Queen did bear a mortal hate.
Tyt…auſtes truſts more to his wit then Arms,
And hopes by craft to quit his Maſters harms;
He knows that many Towns in Greece envyes
The Spartan State, which now ſo faſt did riſe;
To them he thirty thouſand Tallents ſent
With ſuit, their Arms againſt their Foes be bent;
They to their diſcontent receiving hire,
With broyles and quarrels ſets all Greece on fire:
Ageſilaus is call'd home with ſpeed,
To defend, more then offend, there was need,
Their winnings lo…, and peace their glad to take
On ſuch conditions as the King will make.
Diſſention in Greece continued ſo long,
Till many a Captain tell, both wiſe and ſtrong,
Whoſe courage nought but death could ever tame
'Mongſt theſe Epimanondas wants no ſame,
VVho had (as noble Raileigh doth evince)
All the peculiar virtues of a Prince;
But let us leave theſe Greeks to diſcord bent,
And turn to Perſia, as is pertinent.
The King from forreign parts now well at eaſe,
His home bred troubles ſought how to appeaſe;
The two Queens by his means ſeem to abate,
Their former envy and inveterate hate:
But the old Queen implacable in ſtrife,
By poyſon caus'd, the young one loſe her life.
The King highly inrag'd doth hereupon
From Court exile her unto Babilon:
But ſhortly calls her home, her counſells prize,
(A Lady very wicked, but yet wiſe)
Then in voluptuouſneſs he leads his life,
And weds his daughter for a ſecond wife.
But long in eaſe and pleaſure did not lye,
His ſons ſore vext him by diſloyalty.
Such as would know at large his warrs and reign,
What troubles in his houſe he did ſuſtain,
His match inceſtuous cruelties of th' Queen,
His life may read in Plutarch to be ſeen.
Forty three years he rul'd, then turn'd to duſt,
A King nor good, nor valiant, wiſe nor juſt.
Dorius Ochus.
Ochus a wicked and Rebellious ſon
Succeeds in th' throne his father being gone.
Two of his brothers in his Fathers dayes
(To his great grief) moſt ſubtilly he ſlayes:
And being King commands thoſe that remain,
Of brethren and of kindred to be ſlain.
Then raiſes forces, conquers Egypt land,
Which in rebellion ſixty years did ſtand:
And in the twenty third of's cruel raign
Was by his Eunuch the proud Bagoas ſlain.
Arſames or Arſes,
Arſames plac'd now in his fathers ſtead,
By him that late his father murthered.
Some write that Arſames was O…hus brother,
Inthron'd by Bagoas in the room of th' other:
But why his brother 'fore his ſon ſucceeds
I can no reaſon give, 'cauſe none I read.
His brother; as tis ſaid, long ſince was ſlain,
And ſcarce a Nephew left that now might reign:
What acts he did time hath not now left pen'd,
But moſt ſuppoſe in him did Cyrus end,
Whoſe race long time had worne the diadem,
But now's divolved to another ſtem.
Three years he reign'd, then drank of's fathers cup
By the ſame Eunuch who firſt ſet him up.
Darius Codomanus.
Darius by this Bagoas ſet in throne,
(Complotter with him in the murther done)
And was no ſooner ſetled in his reign,
But Bagoas falls to's practices again,
And the ſame ſauce had ſerved him no doubt,
But that his troaſon timely was found out.
And ſo this wretch (a puniſhment too ſmall)
Loſt but his life for horrid treaſons all.
This Codomanus now upon the ſtage
Was to his Predeceſſors Chamber pag…
Some write great Cyrus line was not … run,
But from ſome daughter this new king was ſprung
If ſo, or not, we cannot tell, but find
That ſeveral men will have their ſeveral mind;
Yet in ſuch differences we may be bold,
With learned and …udicious ſtill to hold;
And this 'mongſt all's no Controverred thing,
That this Dari… was laſt Perſian King,
Whoſe Wars, and loſſes we may better tell,
In Alex…nder's reign who did him quell,
How from the top of worlds felicity,
He fell to depth of greateſt miſery.
Whoſe honours, treaſures, pleaſures had ſhort ſtay,
One deluge came and ſwept them all away,
And in the ſixth year of his hapleſs reign,
Of all did ſcarce his winding Sheet retain:
And laſt a ſad Cataſtrophe to end,
Him to the grave did Traitor Beſſus ſend.
The End of the Perſian Monarchy: