The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, Part 5 · Section 3

The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America · Part 5 · Section 3

p. 119The third Monarchy was the Grecian, beginning under Alexander the Great, in the 112 Olimpiad.

GReat Alexander, was wiſe Phillips ſon,

He, to Amintas, Kings of Macedon;

The cruell, proud, Olimpias, was his mother,

Shee to the rich Moloſſians King, was daughter.

This Prince (his father by Pauſanias ſlain)

The twenty firſt of 's age, began to reign.

Great were the guifts of nature, which be had;

His Education, much to theſe did adde.

By Art, and Nature both, he was made fit,

T'accompliſh that, which long before was writ.

The very day of his nativity,

To th' ground was burnt, Diana's Temple high,

An Omen, to their near approaching woe;

Whoſe glory to the Earth, this Prince did throw,

His rule to Greece, he ſcorn'd ſhould be confin'd:

The univerſe, ſcarce bounds his large vaſt minde;

p. 120This is the hee-goat, which from Grecia came,

Who ran in fury, on the Perſian Ram,

That broke his hornes, that threw him on the ground,

To ſave him from his might, no man was found.

Phillip, on this great conqueſt had an eye;

But death did terminate, thoſe thoughts ſo high.

The Greeks had choſe him Captain Generall,

Which honour to his ſon, now did befall.

(For as worlds Monarch, now we ſpeak not on,

But as the King of little Macedon)

Reſtleſſe both day and night, his heart now was,

His high reſolves which way to bring to paſſe:

Yet for a while, in Grecce is forc'd to ſtay,

Which makes each moment ſeem, more then a day:

Thebes, and old Athens, both 'gainſt him rebell,

But he their mutinies, full ſoon doth quell.

This done, againſt all right, and natures laws,

His kinſmen puts to death without leaſt cauſe;

That no combuſtion in his abſence be,

In ſeeking after Soveraignity:

And many more, whom he ſuſpects will climbe,

Now taſte of death, (leaſt they deſerv't in time)

Nor wonder is't, if he in blood begin,

For cruelty, was his parentall ſin.

Thus eaſed now, of troubles, and of fears;

His courſe to Aſi…, next Spring he ſteers.

Leaves ſage Antipater at home to ſway,

And through the Helliſpont, his ſhips make way.

Comming to land, his dart on ſhear he throwes,

Then with alacrity he after goes:

Thirty two thouſand made up his foot force,

To theſe were joyn'd, five thouſand goodly horſe.

p. 121Then on he march'd, in's way he veiw'd old Troy;

And on Achillis Tombe, with wondrous joy,

He offer'd, and for good ſucceſſe did pray

To him, his mothers Anceſtor (men ſay.)

When newes of Alexander, came to th' Court,

To ſcorn at him, Darius had good ſport:

Sends him a frothy, and contemptuous letter,

Stiles him diſloyall ſervant, and no better;

Reproves him, for his proud audacity;

To lift his hand, 'gainſt ſuch a Monarchy.

Then to his Lieutenant, in Aſia ſends,

That he be tane alive, (for he intends)

To whip him well with rods, and then to bring,

That boy ſo mallepart, before the King.

Ah! fond vaine man, whoſe pen was taught ere while,

In lower termes to write a higher ſtile,

To th' river Granicke, Alexander hyes,

Which twixt Phrigia, and Propontis lyes.

The Perſians for encounter ready ſland,

And think to keep his men from off the land,

Thoſe banks ſo ſteep, the Greeks, now ſcramble up

And beat the coward Perſians from the top,

And twenty thouſand, of their lives bereave,

Who in their backs did all their wounds receive

This Victory did Alexander gain;

With loſſe of thirty ſour, of his there ſlaine:

Sardis, then he, and Epheſus, did gaine,

Where ſtood of late Diana's, wondrous Phane,

And by Parmenio (of renowned fame)

Miletus, and Pamphilia overcame,

Hallicarnaſſus and Piſidia

He for his maſter takes, with Lycia,

p. 122Next Alexander marcht, t'wards the black ſea;

And eaſily takes old Gordium in his way;

(Of Aſſe-eard) Midas, once the regall ſeat,

Whoſe touch turn'd all to gold, yea even his meat:

There the Prophetick knot, he cuts in twain;

Which who ſo did, muſt Lord of all remain,

Now newes, of Memnons death (the Kings Vice-roy)

To Alexanders heart's no little joy.

For in that Peer, more valour did abide;

Then in Darius multitudes beſide:

There Arſemes was plac'd, yet durſt not ſtay;

But ſets one in his roome, and ran away.

His ſubſtitute, as fearfull as his maſter,

Goes after too, and leaves all to diſaſter.

Now Alexander all Cilicia takes:

No ſtroake for it he ſtruck, their hearts ſo quakes.

To Greece he thirty thouſand talents ſends;

To raiſe more force, for what he yet intends.

And on he goes Darius for to meet;

Who came with thouſand thouſands at his feet,

Though ſome there be, and that more likely, write;

He but four hundred thouſand had to fight,

The reſt attendants, which made up no leſſe;

(Both ſexes there) was almoſt numberleſſe.

For this wiſe King, had brought to ſee the ſport;

Along with him, the Ladyes of the Court.

His mother old, beautious wife, and daughters,

It ſeemes to ſee the Macedonians ſlaughters.

Sure its beyond my time, and little Art;

To ſhew, how great Darius plaid his part:

The ſplendor, and the pompe, he marched in,

For ſince the world, was no ſuch Pageant ſeen.

p. 123Oh 'twas a goodly ſight, there to behold;

The Perſians clad in ſilk, and glitt'ring gold;

The ſtately Horſes trapt, the launces guilt;

As if they were, now all to run at tilt.

The Holy fire, was borne before the Hoſt:

(For Sun and Fire the Perſians worſhip moſt)

The Prieſts in their ſtrange habit follow after;

An object not ſo much of fear, as laughter.

The King ſat in a chariot made of gold,

With Robes and Crowne, moſt glorious to behold.

And o're his head, his golden gods on high;

Support a party coloured canopy.

A number of ſpare horſes next were led,

Leaſt he ſhould need them, in his chariots ſtead.

But they that ſaw him in this ſtate to lye;

Would think he neither thought to fight nor fly,

He fifteen hundred had like women dreſt,

For ſo to fright the Greekes he judg'd was beſt,

Their golden Ornaments ſo to ſet forth,

Would aske more time, then were their bodys worth.

Great Siſigambis, ſhe brought up the Reare;

Then ſuch a world of Wagons did appear,

Like ſeverall houſes moving upon wheeles:

As if ſhe'd drawne, whole Suſhan at her heeles.

This brave Virago, to the King was mother;

And as much good ſhe did, as any other.

Now leaſt this Gold, and all this goodly ſtuffe,

Had not been ſpoile, and booty rich enough,

A thouſand Mules, and Came…ls ready wait.

Loaden with gold, with Jewels and with Plate,

For ſure Darius thought, at the firſt ſight,

The Greekes would all adore, and would none fight.

p. 124But when both Armies met, he might behold,

That valour was more worth then Pearls, or gold,

And how his wealth ſerv'd but for baits t' allure,

Which made his over-throw more fierce, and ſure.

The Greeks come on, and with a gallant grace,

Let fly their Arrowes, in the Perſians face;

The cowards feeling this ſharp ſtinging charge,

Moſt baſely run, and left their King at large,

Who from his golden Coach is glad t' alight,

And caſt away his Crown, for ſwifter flight;

Of late-like ſome immovable he lay,

Now finds both leggs, and Horſe, to run away;

Two hundred thouſand men that day were ſlaine,

And forty thouſand Priſoners alſo tane;

Beſides, the Queens, and Ladies of the Court,

If Curtius be true, in his report.

The Regall ornaments now loſt, the treaſure

Divided at the Macedomans pleaſure.

Yet all this grief, this loſſe, this over-throw,

Was but beginning of his future woe;

The Royall Captives, brought to Alexander,

T'ward them, demean'd himſelf like a Commander;

For though their beauties were unparalled

Conquer'd himſelf (now he had conquered)

Preſerv'd their honour, us'd them courteouſly,

Commands, no man ſhould doe them injury,

And this to A'exander is more a fame,

Then that the Perſian King he over-came;

Two hundred eighty Greeks he loſt in fight,

By too much heat, not wounds (as Authors write)

No ſooner had this Captaine won the field,

But all Th…nicia to his pleaſures yeeld;

p. 125Of which, the Government he doth commit

Unto Parmenio, of all, moſt fit;

Darius now, more humble then before,

Writes unto Alexander, to reſtore

Thoſe mournfull Ladies, from captivity,

For whom he offers him a ranſome high;

But down his haughty ſtomach could not bring,

To give this Conquerour, the ſtile of King;

His Letter Alexander doth diſdaine,

And in ſhort termes, ſends this reply againe;

A King he was, and that not only ſo,

But of Darius King, as he ſhould know.

Now Alexander unto Tyre doth goe,

(His valour, and his victories they know)

To gain his love, the Tyrians do intend,

Therefore a Crown, and great proviſions ſend;

Their preſent he receives with thankfulneſſe,

Deſires to offer unto Hercules,

Protector of their Town; by whom defended,

And from whom alſo, lineally deſcended:

But they accept not this, in any wiſe,

Leaſt he intend more fraud, then ſacrifice,

Sent word, that Hercules his Temple ſtood,

In the old town (which now lay like a wood)

With this reply, he was ſo ſore enrag'd,

To win their town, his honour he engag'd;

And now, as Babels King did once before,

He leaves not, till he makes the ſea firme ſho…r;

But far leſſe coſt, and time, he doth expend,

The former ruines, help to him now lend;

Beſides, he had a Navie at command,

The other by his men fetcht all by Land;

p. 126In ſeven months ſpace he takes this lofty town,

Whoſe glory, now a ſecond time's brought down;

Two thouſand of the cheif he crucifi'd,

Eight thouſand by the ſword now alſo dy'd,

And thirteen thouſand Gally-ſlaves he made,

And thus the Tyrians for miſtruſt were paid,

The rule of this he to Philotas gave,

Who was the Son of that Parmenio brave;

Cilicia he to Socrates doth give,

For now's the time, Captains like Kings may live;

For that which ea…ily comes, as freely goes;

Zidon he on Epheſtion beſtowes:

He ſcorns to have one worſe then had the other,

And therefore gives this Lord-ſhip to another.

Epheſtion now, hath the command o' th' Fleet,

And muſt at Gaza, Alexander meet;

Darius finding troubles ſtill increaſe,

By his Embaſſadours now ſues for peace:

And layes before great Alexanders eyes,

The dangers, difficulties, like to riſe;

Firſt, at Euphrates, what he's like to abide,

And then at Tigris, and Araxis ſide:

Theſe he may ſcape, and if he ſo deſire,

A league of friendſhip make, firm, and entire;

His eldeſt Daughter, (him) in marriage offers,

And a moſt Princely Dowry with her proffers;

All thoſe rich Kingdoms large, which doe abide

Betwixt the H…lleſ…ont, and Hallis ſide;

But he with ſcorn, his courteſie rejects,

And the diſtreſſed King no way reſpects;

Tels him, theſe proffers great (in truth were none)

For all he offered now, was but his owne;

p. 127But, quoth Parmenio, (that brave Commander)

Was I as great, as is great Alexander,

Darius offers I would not reject,

But th' Kingdoms, and the Ladies, ſoone accept;

To which, brave Alexander did reply,

And ſo if I Parmenio were, would I.

He now to Gaza goes, and there doth meet

His favourite Epheſtion, with his fleet;

Where valiant Betis, doth defend the town,

(A loyall Subject to Darius Crown)

For more repulſe, the Grecians here abide,

Then in the Perſian Monarchy beſide;

And by theſe walls, ſo many men were ſlaine,

That Greece muſt yeeld a freſh ſupply againe;

But yet, this well defended town is taken,

(For 'twas decreed, that Empire ſhould be ſhaken)

The Captaine tane, had holes bor'd through his feet,

And by command was drawn through every ſtreet,

To imitate Achilies (in his ſhame)

Who did the like to Hector (of more fame)

What, haſt thou loſt thy late magnanimity?

Can Alexander deale thus c…uelly?

Sith valour, with Heroyicks is renown'd,

Though in an enemy it ſhould be found;

If of thy future fame thou hadſt regard,

Why didſt not heap up honour, and reward?

From Gaza, to Jeruſalem he goes,

But in no hoſtile way (as I ſuppoſe)

Him in his Prieſtly Robes, high Jaddus meets,

Whom with great reverence Alexander greets;

The Prieſt ſhews him good Daniels Propheſie,

How he ſhould over-throw this Monarchy;

p. 128By which he was ſo much incouraged,

No future dangers he did ever dread.

From thence, to fruitfull Aegypt marcht with ſpeed,

Where happily in's wars he did ſucceed;

To ſee how faſt he gain'd, is no ſmall wonder,

For in few dayes he brought that Kingdom under.

Then to the Phane of Jupiter, he went,

For to be call'd a god, was his intent;

The Pagan Prieſt through hire, or elſe miſtake,

The Son of Jupiter did ſtraight him make:

He Diabolicall muſt needs remaine,

That his humanity will not retaine;

Now back to Aegypt goes, and in few dayes,

Faire Alexandria from the ground doth raiſe;

Then ſetling all things in leſſe Aſia,

In Syria, Aegypt, and Phoenicia;

Unto Euphrates marcht, and over goes,

For no man to reſiſt his valour ſhowes;

Had Betis now been there, but with his Band,

Great Alexander had been kept from Land;

But as the King is, ſo's the multitude,

And now of valour both were deſtitute;

Yet he (poore Prince) another Hoaſt doth muſter,

Of Perſians, Scithians, Indians, in a cluſter;

Men but in ſhape, and name, of valour none,

Fit for to blunt the ſwords of Macedon;

Two hundred fifty thouſand by account,

Of Horſe, and Foot, this Army did amount;

For in his multitudes his truſt ſtill lay,

But on their fortitude he had ſmall ſtay;

Yet had ſome hope, that on that eeven plain,

His numbers might the victory obtaine.

p. 129About this time, Darius beauteous Queen,

Who had long travaile, and much ſorrow ſeen,

Now bids the world adieu, her time being ſpent,

And leaves her wofull Lord for to lament.

Great Alexander mourns, as well as he,

For this loſt Queen (though in captivity)

When this ſad newes (at firſt) Darius heares,

Some injury was offered, he feares;

But when inform'd, how royally the King

Had uſed her, and hers, in every thing,

He prayes the immortall gods, for to reward

Great Alexander, for this good regard;

And if they down, his Monarchy wil throw,

Let them on him, that dignity beſtow:

And now for peace he ſues, as once before,

And offers all he did, and Kingdoms more;

His eldeſt Daughter, for his Princely Bride,

(Nor was ſuch match, in all the world beſide)

And all thoſe Countries, which (betwixt) did lye,

Pheniſian Sea, and great Euphrates high,

W…th fertile Aegypt, and rich Syria,

And all thoſe Kingdoms in leſſe Aſia;

With thirty thouſand Tallents, to be paid

For his Queen-Mother, and the royall Maid;

And till all this be wel perform'd, and ſure,

Ochus his Son a hoſtage ſhall endure.

To this, ſtout Alexander, gives no eare,

No, though Parmenio plead, he will not heare;

Which had he done (perhaps) his fame had kept,

Nor infamy had wak'd, when he had ſlept;

For his unlimited proſperity,

Him boundleſſe made, in vice, and cruelty;

p. 130Thus to Darius he writes back again,

The Firmament two Suns cannot contain;

Two Monarchies on Earth cannot abide,

Nor yet two Monarchs in one World reſide;

The afflicted King, finding him ſet to jar,

Prepares againſt to morrow for the war;

Parmenio, Alexander wiſht, that night,

To force his Camp, ſo put them all to flight;

For tumult in the dark doth cauſe moſt dread,

And weakneſſe of a foe is covered;

But he diſdain'd to ſteale a victorie,

The Sun ſhould witneſſe of his valour be:

Both Armies meet, Greeks fight, the Perſians run,

So make an end, before they well begun;

Forty five thouſand Alexander had,

But 'tis not known what ſlaughters here they made,

Some write, th' other had a million, ſome more,

But Quintus Curtius, as was ſaid before.

At Arbela, this victory was gain'd,

And now with it, the town alſo obtain'd.

Darius ſtript of all, to Media came,

Accompani'd with ſorrow, fear, and ſhame;

At Arbela left, his ornaments, and treaſure,

Which Alexander deals, as ſuits his pleaſure.

This Conquerour now goes to Babylon,

Is entertain'd with joy, and pompous train,

With ſhowres of Flowers, the ſtreets along are ſtrown,

And Inſence burnt, the ſilver Altars on;

The glory of the Caſtle he admires,

The firme foundations, and the lofty ſpires;

In this a maſſe of gold, and treaſure lay,

Which in few hours was carried all away;

p. 131With greedy eyes, he views this City round,

Whoſe fame throughout the world, was ſo renown'd;

And to poſſeſſe, he counts no little bliſſe,

The Towers, and Bowers, of proud Semiramis:

Though worn by time, and raz'd by foes full ſore,

Yet old foundations ſhew'd, and ſomewhat more;

With all the pleaſures that on earth was found,

This City did abundantly abound;

Where four and thirty dayes he now doth ſtay,

And gives himſelf to banqueting, and play:

He, and his Souldiers, wax effeminate,

And former Diſcipline begins to hate;

Whilſt revelling at Babylon, he lyes,

Antipater, from Greece, ſends great ſupplyes;

He then to Suſhan goes, with his freſh bands,

But needs no force, 'tis rendred to his hands;

He likewiſe here a world of treaſure found,

For 'twas the ſeat of Perſian Kings renown'd;

Here ſtood the Royall houſes of delight,

Where Kings have ſhown their glory, wealth, and might;

The ſumptuous Palace of Queen Heſter here,

And of good Mordecai, her Kinſman dear;

Thoſe purple hangings, mixt with green, and white,

Thoſe beds of gold, and couches of delight,

And furniture, the richeſt of all Lands,

Now falls into the Macedonians hands.

From Suſhan, to Perſapolis he goes,

Which newes doth ſtill augment Darius woes;

In his approach, the Governour ſends word,

For his receit with joy, they all accord;

With open Gates, the wealthy town did ſtand,

And all in it was at his high command;

p. 132Of all the Cities, that on Earth was found;

None like to this in riches did abound.

Though Babylon was rich, and Suſhan too;

Y… to compare with this, they might not do.

Here lay the bulk, of all thoſe precious things;

Which did pertain unto the Perſian Kings.

For when the Souldiers, had rifled their pleaſure,

And taken mony, plate, and golden treaſure;

Statues of gold, and ſilver numberleſſe,

Yet after all, as ſtories do expreſſe.

The ſhare of Alexander did amount,

To a hundred thouſand Tallents by account.

Here of his own, he ſets a Garriſon,

(As firſt at Suſhan, and at Babylon)

On their old Governours, titles he laid;

But on their faithfullneſſe, he never ſtaid:

Their charge, gave to his Captains (as moſt juſt)

For ſuch revolters falſe, what Prince will truſt:

The pleaſures and the riches of this town,

Now makes this King, his vertues all to drown.

He walloweth now, in all licenciouſneſſe,

In pride, and cruelty, to th' higheſt exceſſe.

Being inflam'd with wine upon a ſeaſon,

(Filled with madneſſe, and quite void of reaſon)

He at a bold, baſe Strumpets, lewd deſire;

Commands to ſet this goodly town on fire.

Parmenio wiſe, intreats him to deſiſt,

And layes before his eyes, if he perſiſt

His names diſhonour, loſſe unto his State.

And juſt procuring of the Perſians hate.

But deafe to reaſon, (bent to have his will;)

Thoſe ſtately ſtreets with raging flames doth ſil,

p. 133Now to Darius, he directs his way,

Who was retir'd, and gone to Media.

(And there with ſorrows, fears, and cares ſurrounded)

Had now his fourth, and laſt Army compounded,

Which forty thouſand made; but his intent,

Was ſtraight in Bactria theſe to augment,

But hearing, Alexander was ſo near;

Thought now this once, to try his fortunes here,

Chuſing rather an honorable death:

Then ſtill with infamy, to draw his breath.

But Beſſus falſe, who was his cheife Commander;

Perſwades him not to fight, with Alexander.

With ſage advice, he layes before his eyes,

The little hope, of profit like to riſe.

If when h…'d multitudes, the day he loſt;

Then with ſo few, how likely to be croſt.

This counſell, for his ſafety, he pretended,

But to deliver him to's foes, intended.

Next day this treaſon, to Darius known,

Tranſported fore, with griefe and paſſion;

Grinding his teeth, and plucking off his haire,

Sate down o'rewhelm'd, with ſorrow, and deſpair,

Bidding his ſervant Artabaſſus true;

Look to himſelfe, and leave him to that crew;

Who was of hopes, and comfort quite bereft;

And of his Guard, and Servitors now left.

Straight Beſſus comes, and with his traiterous hands,

Lays hold on's Lord, and binding him with bands.

Into a cart him throwes, covered with hides;

Who wanting means t'reſi…, theſe wrong's a bides.

Then draws the Cart along, with chaines of gold;

In more diſpight, the thrawled Prince to hold.

p. 134And thus to Alexander, on he goes,

Great recompence, in's thoughts, he did propoſe;

But ſome deteſting, this his wicked fact,

To Alexander fly, and told this act;

Who doubling of his march, poſts on amain,

Darius from thoſe Traitors han…s to gain;

Beſſus gets knowledge, his diſloyalty,

Had Alexanders wrath incenſed high;

Whoſe Army now, was almoſt within ſight,

His hopes being daſht, prepares himſelf for flight:

Unto Darius, firſt he brings a Horſe,

And bids him, ſave himſelf, by ſpeedy courſe:

This w…full King, his courteſie refuſes,

Whom thus the execrable wretch abuſes:

By throwing Darts, gives him his mortall wound,

Then ſlew his ſervants, that were faithfull found;

Yea, wounds the beaſts (that drew him) unto death,

And leaves him thus, to gaſpe our his laſt breath.

(Beſſus, his Partn…r in this Tragedy,

Was the falſe Governour of …edia)

This done, they with their Hoaſt, ſoon ſpeed away,

To hide themſelves, remote, in Bactria;

Da…ius b…th'd in bloud, ſends out his groanes,

Invokes the heavens, and earth, to heare his moanes;

His loſt felicity did greive him ſore,

But this unheard of injury much more;

Yea, above all, that neither eare, nor eye,

Should heare, nor ſee, his groans, and miſery:

As thus he lay, Pol ſtratus a Greeke,

Wearied with his long march, did water ſeek,

So chanc'd theſe bloudy Horſes to eſpy,

Whoſe wounds had made their skins of purple dye;

p. 135To them he goes, and looking in the Cart,

Findes poore Darius, peirced to the heart;

Who not a little chear'd, to have ſome eye,

The witneſſe of his dying miſery:

Prayes him, to Alexander to commend,

The juſt revenge of this his wofull end;

And not to pardon ſuch diſloyalty,

Of treaſon, murther, and baſe cruelty.

If not, becauſe Darius thus did pray,

Yet that ſucceeding Kings in ſafety may

Their lives enjoy, their crowns, and dignity,

And not by Traitors hands untimely dye.

He alſo ſends his humble thankfulneſſe,

For all that Kingly Grace he did expre…e,

To's Mother, Children deare, and Wife now gone,

Which made their long reſtraint, ſeeme to be none;

Praying the immortall gods, that Sea, and Land,

Might be ſubjected to his royall hand;

And that his rule as farre extended be,

As men, the riſing, ſetting Sun ſhall ſee.

This ſaid, the Greek for water doth intreat,

To quench his thirſt, and to allay his heat;

Of all good things (quoth he) once in my power,

I've nothing left, at this my dying houre;

Thy pitty, and compaſſion to reward,

Wherefore the gods requite thy kinde regard.

This ſaid, his fainting breath did fleet away,

And though a Monarch once, now lyes like clay;

Yea, thus muſt every Son of Adam lye,

Though gods on earth, like Sons of men ſhall dye.

Now to the Eaſt great Alexander goes,

To ſee if any dare his might oppoſe;

p. 136(For ſcarce the world, or any bounds thereon,

Could bound his boundleſſe, fond ambition)

Such as ſubmits, he doth againe reſtore,

And makes their riches, and their honours more;

On Artabaſus more then all beſtow'd,

For his fidelity to 's Maſter ſhow'd;

Thaleſtris, Queen of th' Amazons, now brought

Her traine to Alexander (as 'tis thought)

Though ſome of reading beſt, and ſoundeſt minde,

Such country there, nor yet ſuch people finde.

Then tell her errand, we had better ſpare

To th' ignorant, her title may declare.

As Alexander in his greatneſſe growes,

So daily of his vertues doth he loſe;

He baſeneſſe counts his former clemency,

And not beſeeming ſuch a dignity;

His paſt ſobriety doth alſo hate,

As moſt incompatible to his ſtare;

His temperance, is but a ſordid thing,

No wayes becomming ſuch a mighty King;

His greatneſſe now he takes, to repreſent,

His fancied gods, above the firmament,

And ſuch as ſhew'd but reverence before,

Are ſtrictly now commanded to adore;

With Ferſian Robes, himſelfe doth dignifie,

Charging the ſame on his Nobility;

His manners, habit, geſtures, now doth faſhion,

After that conquer'd, and luxurious Nation;

His Captains, that were vertuouſly enclin'd,

Griev'd at this change of manners, and of minde:

The ruder ſort, did openly deride

His fained Deity, and fooliſh pride:

p. 137The certainty of both comes to his eares,

But yet no notice takes, of what he hears;

With thoſe of worth, he ſtill deſires eſteem,

So heaps up gifts, his credit to redeem;

And for the reſt new wars, and travels findes,

That other matters may take up their minds.

Then hearing, Beſſus makes himſelfe a King,

Intends with ſpeed, that Traitor down to bring;

Now that his Hoaſt from luggage might be free,

And no man with his burden, burdened be,

Commands forth-with, each man his fardle bring,

Into the Market-place, before the King;

Which done, ſets fire upon thoſe coſtly ſpoyls

The recompence of travels, wars, and toyls;

And thus unwiſely, in one raging fume,

The wealth of many Cities doth conſume:

But marvell 'tis, that without muteny,

The Souldiers ſhould let paſſe this injury;

Nor wonder leſſe, to Readers may it bring,

For to obſerve the raſhneſſe of the King.

Now with his Anny, doth he haſt away,

Falſe Beſſus to finde out, in Bactria;

But fore diſtreſt for water, in their march,

The drought, and heat, their bodies much doth parch;

At length, they came to th' River Oxus brink,

Where moſt immoderatly theſe thirſty drink;

This more mortality to them did bring,

Then did their wars, againſt the Perſian King.

Here Alexmder's almoſt at a ſtand,

How to paſſe over, and gaine the other Land;

For Boats here's none, nor neare it any wood,

To make them rafes, to waft them o're the floud;

p. 138But he that was reſolved in his minde,

Would by ſome means a tranſportation finde;

So from his carriages the Hides he takes,

And ſtuffing them with ſtraw, he bundles makes;

On theſe, together ty'd, in fix dayes ſpace,

They all paſſe over, to the other place;

Had Beſſus had but valour to his wil,

He eaſily might have made them ſtay there ſtil;

But coward, durſt not fight, nor could he fly,

Hated of all, for's former treachery,

Is by his owne, now bound in Iron chaines,

(A coller of the ſame his neck containes)

And in this ſort, they rather drag, then bring,

This Malefactor vild, before the King,

Who to Darius Brother gives the wretch,

W…th wra…ks, and tortures, every limbe to ſtretch.

Here was of Greeks, a town in Bactria,

Whom Xerxes from their country led away;

Theſe not a little joy'd, this day to ſee,

Wherein their own had ſoveraignity.

And now reviv'd with hopes, held up their head,

From bondage, long to be infranchiſed;

But Alexander puts them to the ſword,

Without cauſe, given by them, in deed, or word:

Nor ſex, nor age, nor one, nor other ſpar'd,

But in his cruelty alike they ſhar'd;

Nor could he reaſon give, for this great wrong,

But that they had forgot their Mother-tongue.

Whilſt thus he ſpent ſome time in Bactria,

And in his Camp ſtrong, and ſecurely lay,

Down from the mountains twenty thouſand came,

And there moſt fiercely ſet upon the ſame;

p. 139Repelling theſe two marks of honour got,

Imprinted deep in's legg, by Arrowes ſhot;

And now the Bactrians 'gainſt him rebel,

But he their ſtubbornneſſe full ſoone doth quel;

From hence he to Jaxartis river goes,

Where Scithians rude, his valour doth oppoſe,

And with their our cries, in a hideous ſort,

Beſets his Camp, or Military Court;

Of Darts, and Arrowes, made ſo little ſpare,

They flew ſo thick they ſeem'd to dark the aire:

But ſoone the …recians forc'd them to a flight,

Whoſe nokedneſſe could not endure their might;

Upon this Rivers banck in ſeventeen dayes,

A goodly City doth compleatly raiſe;

Which Alexandria he doth alſo name,

And furlongs ſixty could not round the ſame.

His third ſupply, Antipa…er now ſent,

Which did his former Army much augment,

And being an hund ed twenty thouſand ſtrong,

He enters now the India… Kings among;

Thoſe that ſubmit, he doth reſtore again.

Thoſe that doe not, both they, and theirs, are ſlain;

To age, nor ſex, no pitty doth expreſſe,

But all fall by his ſword, moſt mercileſſe.

He t' Niſa goes, by Bacchus built long ſince,

Whoſe feaſts are celebrated by this Prince;

Nor had that drunken god, one that w…uld take

His liquors more devoutly in, for's ſake.

When thus, ten dayes, his brain with wine he'd ſoak'd,

And with delicious meats, his Pallat choak'd,

To th' river Indus next, his courſe he bends,

Boats to prepare, Epheſtion firſt he ſends,

p. 140Who comming thither, long before his Lord;

Had to his mind, made all things now accord:

The Veſſells ready were, at his command;

And Omphis, King of that part of the land:

Through his perſwaſion Alexander meets;

And as his Sovereign Lord, him humbly greets.

Fifty ſix Elephants he brings to's hands:

And tenders him the ſtrength of all his lands,

Preſents himſelfe, there with a golden Crowne,

And eighty Tallents to his Captaines down.

But Alexander, caus'd him to behold;

He glory ſought, no ſilver, nor yet gold;

His preſents all, with thanks he doth reſtore;

And of his own, a thouſand Tallents more.

Thus all the Indian Kings, to him ſubmit;

But Porus ſtout, who will not yeeld as yet;

To him doth Alexander thus declare,

His pleaſure is, that forthwith he repaire

Unto his Kingdoms borders, and as due,

His Homage unto him as Soveraigne doe.

But Kingly Porus this brave anſwer ſent,

That to attend him there, was his intent;

And come as well provided as be could,

But for the reſt, his ſword adviſe him ſhould.

Great Alexander vext at this reply,

Did more his valour then his Crown envie;

Is now reſolv'd to paſſe Hilaſpes floud,

And there his Soveraignty for to make good;

But on the banks doth Porus ready ſtand,

For to receive him, when he comes to land;

A potent Army with him, like a King,

And ninety Elephants for war did bring;

p. 141Had Alexander ſuch reſiſtance ſeen,

On Tygris ſide, here now he had not been;

Within this ſpacious river, deep, and wide,

Did here, and there, Iſles full of trees abide;

His Army Alexander doth divide,

With Ptolomy, ſends part o' th' tother ſide.

Porus encounters them, thinking all's there,

Then covertly, the reſt gets o're elſe-where;

But whilſt the firſt he valiantly aſſayl'd,

The laſt ſet on his back, and ſo prevail'd:

Yet work enough, here Alexander found,

For to the laſt, ſtout Porus kept his ground.

Nor was't diſhonour, at the length to yeeld,

When Alexander ſtrives to win the field,

His fortitude his Kingly foe commends;

Reſtores him, and his bounds further extends;

Eaſt-ward, now Alexander would goe ſtill,

But ſo to doe, his Souldiers had no will;

Long with exceſſive travailes wearied,

Could by no means be further drawn, or led:

Yet that his fame might to poſterity,

Be had in everlaſting memory,

Doth for his Camp a greater circuit take,

And for his Souldiers larger Cabins make;

His Maungers he erected up ſo high,

As never Horſe his Provender could eye;

Huge Bridles made, which here, and there, he left,

Which might be found, and ſo for wonders kept:

Twelve Altars, he for Monuments then rears,

Whereon his acts, and travels, long appears;

But doubting, wearing Time would theſe decay,

And ſo his memory might fade away,

p. 142He on the faire Hidaſpis pleaſant ſide,

Two Cities built, his fame might there abide;

The firſt Nicea, the next …u…ephalon,

Where he …ntomb'd his ſt…tely ſtallion.

His fourth, and laſt ſupply, was hither ſent,

Then down t' Hidaſpis with his Fleet he went;

Some time he after pent upon that ſhore,

Where one hundred Embiſſadours, or more,

Came with ſubmiſſion, from th… Indian Kings

Bringing their Preſents, rare, and precious things:

Theſe, all he feaſts in ſtare, on beds of gold,

His furniture moſt ſumptuous to behold;

The meat, and drink, attendants, every thing,

To th' utmoſt ſhew'd, the glory of a King;

With rich rewards, he ſent th…m home again,

Acknowledg'd for their Maſters Soveraigne;

Then ſayling South, and comming to the ſhore,

Theſe obſcure Nations yeelded as before;

A City here he built, cal'd by his name,

Which could not ſound too oft, with too much fame;

Hence ſayling down by th' mouth of Indus floud,

His Gallies ſtuck upon the ſand, and mud;

Which the ſtout Macedonians mazed ſore

Depriv'd ar once, the uſe of Saile, and Oare;

But well obſerving th' nature of the ti…e,

Upon thoſe Flats they did not long abide;

Paſſing faire Indus mouth, his courſe he ſtear'd,

To th… coaſt which by Eu…hra…es mouth appear'd;

Whoſe inlers neare unto, he winter ſpent,

Unto his ſtarved Souldiers ſmall c…ntent;

By hunger, and by cold, ſo many ſlaine,

That of them all, the fourth did ſcarce remaine.

p. 143Thus Winter, Souldiers, and proviſion ſpent,

From hence he to Gedroſia went,

And thence he marcht into Carmania,

So he at length drew neare to Perſia;

Now through theſe goodly countries as he paſt,

Much time in feaſts, and ryoting doth waſt;

Then viſits Cyrus Sepulcher in's way,

Who now obſcure at Paſſagardis lay;

Upon his Monument his Robes he ſpread,

And ſet his Crown on his ſuppoſed head;

From hence to Babylon, ſome time there ſpent,

He at the laſt to royall Suſhan went;

A Wedding Feaſt to's Nobles then he makes,

And Statirah, Darius daughter takes,

Her Siſter gives to his Epheſtion deare,

That by this match he might be yet more neare.

He fourſcore Perſian Ladies alſo gave,

At the ſame time, unto his Captains brave;

Six thouſand Gueſts he to this feaſt invites,

Whoſe Sences all, were glutted with delights:

It far exceeds my meane abilities,

To ſhadow forth theſe ſhort felicities:

Spectators here, could ſcarce relate the ſtory,

They were ſo wrapt with this externall glory.

If an Ideall Paradiſe, a man ſhould frame,

He might this feaſt imagine by the ſame.

To every Gueſt, a cup of gold he ſends,

So after many dayes this Banquet ends.

Now, Alexanders conqueſts, all are done,

And his long travells paſt, and over-gone;

His vertues dead, buried, and all forgot,

But vice remaines, to his eternall blot.

p. 144'Mongſt thoſe, that of his cruelty did taſte,

Philotas was not leaſt, nor yet the laſt;

Accus'd, becauſe he did not certifie

The King of treaſon, and conſpiracy;

Upon ſuſpicion being apprehended,

Nothing was found, wherein he had offended;

His ſilence, guilt was, of ſuch conſequence,

He death deſerv'd, for this ſo high offence;

But for his Fathers great deſerts, the King,

His Royall pardon gave, for this ſame thing;

Yet is Philotas unto Judgement brought,

Muſt ſuffer, not for what he did, but thought:

His Maſter is Accuſer, Judge, and King,

Who to the height doth aggravate each thing;

Enveighs againſt his Father, now abſent,

And's Brethren, whom for him their lives had ſpent;

But Philotas, his unpardonable crime,

Which no merit could obliterate, or time:

He did the Oracle of Iupiter deride,

By which his Majeſty was deifi'd.

Philotas thus o're-charg'd, with wrong, and greif,

Sunk in deſpair, without hope of releif;

Faine would have ſpoke, and made his owne defence,

The King would give no eare, but went from thence;

To his malicious foes delivers him,

To wreak their ſpight, and hate, on every limbe.

Philotas after him ſends out this cry,

Oh, Alexander, thy free clemency,

My foes exceeds in malice, and their hate,

Thy Kingly word can eaſily terminate;

Such torments great, as wit could firſt invent,

Or fleſh, or life could bear, till both were ſpent

p. 145Are now inflicted on Parmenio's Son,

For to accuſe himſelf, as they had done;

At laſt he did: So they were juſtified,

And told the world, that for deſert he dyed.

But how theſe Captaines ſhould, or yet their Maſter,

Look on Parmenie, after this diſaſter,

They knew not; wherefore, beſt now to be done,

Was to diſpatch the Father, as the Son.

This ſound advice, at heart, pleas'd Alexander,

Who was ſo much engag'd, to this Commander,

As he would ne're confeſſe, nor could reward,

Nor could his Captaines bear ſo great regard;

Wherefore at once all theſe to ſatisfie,

It was decreed Parmenio ſhould dye:

Polidamus, who ſeem'd Parmenio's friend,

To doe this deed, they into Media ſend;

He walking in his Garden, too and fro,

Thinking no harme, becauſe he none did owe,

Moſt wickedly was ſlaine, without leaſt crime,

(The moſt renowned Captaine of his time)

This is Parmenio, which ſo much had done,

For Philip dead, and his ſurviving Son,

Who from a petty King of Macedon,

By him was ſet upon the Perſian Throne:

This that Parmenio, who ſtill over-came,

Yet gave his Maſter the immortall fame;

Who for his prudence, valour, care, and truſt,

Had this reward moſt cruel, and unjuſt.

The next that in untimely death had part,

Was one of more eſteem, but leſſe deſart;

Clitus, belov'd next to Epheſtion,

And in his cups, his chief Companion;

p. 146When both were drunk, Clitus was wont to jeere;

Alexander, to rage, to kill, and ſweare,

Nothing more pleaſing to mad Clitus tongue,

Then's Maſters god-head, to defie, and wrong;

Nothing toucht Alexander to the quick

Like this, againſt his deity to kick:

Upon a time, when both had drunken well,

Upon this dangerous theam fond Clitus fell;

From jeaſt, to earneſt, and at laſt ſo bold,

That of Parmenio's death him plainly told.

Alexander now no longer could containe,

But inſtantly commands him to be ſlaine;

Next day, he tore his face, for what he'd done,

And would have ſlaine himſelf, for Clitus gone,

This pot companion he did more bemoan,

Then all the wrong to brave Parmenio done.

The next of worth, that ſuffered after theſe,

Was vertuous, learned, wiſe Caliſt…ines,

Who lov'd his Maſter more then did the reſt,

As did appeare, in flattering him the leaſt:

In his eſteem, a God he could not be,

Nor would adore him for a Deity:

For this alone, and for no other cauſe,

Againſt his Sovereigne, or againſt his Lawes,

He on the wrack, his limbs in peeces vent,

Thus was he tortur'd, till his life was ſpent.

Of this unkingly deed, doth Sene…a

This cenſure paſſe, and not unwiſely, ſay,

Of Alexander, this th' eternall crime,

Which ſhall not be obliterate by time,

Which vertues fame can ne're redeem by farre,

Nor all felicity, of his in war;

p. 147When e're 'tis ſaid, he thouſand thouſands ſlew,

Yea, and Caliſthines to death he drew,

The mighty Perſian King he over-came,

Yea and he kild Caliſthines by name;

All Kingdoms, Countries, Provinces, he won,

From Helliſpont, to th' furtheſt Ocean;

All this he did, who knows not to be true,

But yet withall, Calisthines he ſlew;

From Macedon his Empire did extend,

Unto the furtheſt bounds of th' orient;

All this he did, yea, and much more, 'tis true,

But yet withall, Caliſthines he ſlew.

Now Alexander goes to Media,

Findes there the want of wiſe Parmenio,

Here his cheif favourite Epheſtion dyes,

He celebrates his mournfull obſequies;

For him erects a ſtately Monument,

Twelve thouſand Tallents on it franckly ſpent;

Hangs his Phiſitian, the reaſon why,

Becauſe he let Epheſtion to dye.

This act (me thinks) his god head ſhould aſhame,

To puniſh, where himſelf deſerved blame:

Or of neceſſity, he muſt imply,

The other was the greateſt Deity.

From Media to Babylon he went,

To meet him there, t' Antipater had ſent,

That he might next now act upon the Stage,

And in a Tragedy there end his age.

The Queen Olimpias, bears him deadly hate,

(Not ſuffering her to meddle in the State)

And by her Letters did her Son incite,

This great indignity for to requite.

p. 148His doing ſo, no whit diſpleas'd the King,

Though to his Mother he diſprov'd the thing;

But now, Antipater had liv'd thus long,

He might well dye, though he had done no wrong;

His ſervice great now's ſuddenly forgot,

Or if remembred, yet regarded not;

The King doth intimate 'twas his intent,

His honours, and his riches, to augment

Of larger Provinces, the rule to give,

And for his Counſell, ne're the King to live.

So to be caught, Antipater's too wiſe,

Parmenio's death's too freſh before his eyes;

He was too ſubtile for his crafty foe,

Nor by his baits could be enſnared ſo:

But his excuſe with humb…e thanks he ſends,

His age, and journey long, he now pretends;

And pardon craves, for his unwilling ſtay,

He ſhewes his grief, he's forc'd to diſobey:

Before his anſwer came to Babylon,

The thread of Alexanders life was ſpun;

Poyſon had put an end to's dayes 'twas thought,

By Philip, and Caſſander, to him brought,

Sons to Antipater, bearers of his Cup,

Leaſt of ſuch like, their Father chance to ſup:

By others thought, and that more generally,

That through exceſſive drinking he did dye.

The thirty third of 's age doe all agree,

This Conquerour did yeeld to deſtiny;

Whoſe famous Acts muſt laſt, whilſt world ſhall ſtand

And Conqueſts be talkt of, whilſt there is Land;

Hit Princely qualities, had he retain'd

Unparalel'd, for ever had remain'd;

p. 149But with the world his vertues overcame,

And ſo with black, be-clouded all his fame.

Wiſe Ariſtotle, tutour to his youth,

Had ſo inſtructed him in morall truth.

The principles of what he then had learn'd

Might to the laſt (when ſober) be diſcern'd.

Learning, and learned men, he much regarded,

And curious Artiſts evermore rewarded.

The Illiads of Homer he ſtill kept,

And under's pillow laid them when he ſlept.

Achille's happineſſe he did envy,

'Cauſe Homer kept his Acts to memory;

Profuſely bountifull, without deſert,

For thoſe that pleas'd him: had both wealth and heart:

Cruell by nature, and by cuſtome too,

As oft his Acts throughout his reigne did ſhew:

More boundles in ambition then the skie,

Vain thirſting after immortality:

Still fearing that his Name might hap to die,

And fame not laſt unto Eternity:

This conquerour did oft lament ('tis ſed)

There was no worlds, more, to be conquered:

This folly great Auguſtus did deride,

For had he had but wiſdome to his pride,

He would have found enough for to be done,

To govern that he had already won:

His thoughts are periſh'd he aſpires no more,

Nor can he kill, or ſave as heretofore,

A God alive him all muſt Idolize;

Now like a mortall helpleſſe man he lies;

Of all thoſe kingdomes large which he had got,

To his poſterity remain'd no jot,

p. 150For by that hand, which ſtill revengeth bloud,

None of his Kindred, or his Race, long ſtood;

And as he took delight, much bloud to ſpill,

So the ſame cup to his, did others fill.

Four of his Captains, all doe now divide,

As Daniel, before had Propheſied;

The Leopard down, his four wings 'gan to riſe,

The great Horn broke, the leſſe did tytannize;

What troubles, and contentions did enſue,

We may hereafter ſhew, in ſeaſon due.

Aridaeus.

GReat Alexander dead, his Army's left,

Like to that Giant, of his eye bereft;

When of his monſtrous bulk it was the guide,

His matchleſſe force no Creature could abide;

But by Ulyſſes, having loſt his ſight,

Each man began for to contemn his might;

For ayming ſtill amiſſe, his dreadfull blowes

Did harm himſelf, but never reacht his foes:

Now Court, and Camp, all in confuſion be,

A King they'l have, but who, none can agree:

Each Captain wiſht this prize to beare away,

Yet none ſo hardy found as ſo durſt ſay.

Great Alexander had left iſſue none,

Except by Artabaſus daughter one;

And Roxan faire, whom late he married,

Was neare her time to be delivered;

By Natures right, theſe had enough to claime,

But meanneſſe of their Mothers bard the ſame:

p. 151Alleadg'd by thoſe, which by their ſubtill plea

Had hope themſelves, to beare the Crown away;

A Siſter Alexander had, but ſhe

Claim'd not, perhaps her Sex might hindrance be.

After much tumult, they at laſt proclaim'd

His baſe born Brother, Aridaeus nam'd,

That ſo under his feeble wit, and reign,

Their ends they might the better ſtill attain.

This choyſe Perdicas, vehemently diſclaim'd,

And th' unborn babe of Roxan he proclaim'd;

Some wiſhed him, to take the ſtile of King,

Becauſe his Maſter gave to him his Ring,

And had to him, ſtill ſince Epheſtion dyed,

More then to th' reſt, his favour teſtified:

But he refus'd, with fained modeſty,

Hoping to be elect more generally;

He hold of this occaſion ſhould have laid,

For ſecond offers there were never made;

'Mongſt theſe contentions, tumul…s, jealouſies,

Seven dayes the Corps of their great Maſter lyes

Untoucht, uncovered, ſlighted, and neglected,

So much theſe Princes their owne ends reſpected.

A contemplation to aſtoniſh Kings,

That he, who late, poſſeſt all earthly things,

And yet not ſo content, unleſſe that he

Might be eſteemed for a Deity;

Now lay a ſpectacle, to teſtifie

The wretchedneſſe of mans mortality.

After this time, when ſtirs began to calme,

The Egyptians, his body did enbalme;

On which, no ſigne of poyſon could be found,

But all his bowels, coloured well, and ſound.

p. 152Perdicas, ſeeing Aridaeus muſt be King,

Under his name begins to rule each thing.

His chief opponents who kept off the Crown,

Was ſtiffe Meleager, whom he would take down,

Him by a wile he got within his power,

And took his life unworthily that houre:

Uſing the name, and the command o'th' King

To authorize his Acts in every thing.

The Princes ſeeing Perdica's power and Pride,

Thought timely for themſelves, now to provide.

Antigonus, for his ſhare Aſia takes,

And Ptolomy, next ſure of Egypt makes.

Seleuchus afterward held Babylon;

Amipater, had long rul'd Macedon,

Theſe now to govern for the King pretends,

But nothing leſſe: each one himſelf intends.

Perdicas took no Province; like the reſt,

But held command o'th' Armies which was beſt;

And had a higher project in his head,

Which was his Maſters ſiſter for to wed:

So, to the Lady ſecretly he ſent,

That none might know, to fruſtrate his intent;

But Cleopatra, this ſuitour did deny,

For Leonatus, more lovely in her eye,

To whom ſhe ſent a meſſage of her mind,

That if he came, good welcome he ſhould find:

In theſe tumultuous dayes, the thralled Greeks

Their ancient liberty, afreſh now ſeeks,

Shakes off the yoke, ſometimes before laid on

By warlike Philip, and his conquering ſon.

The Athenians, force Antipater to fly

To Lamia, where he ſhut up doth ly;

p. 153To brave Craterus, then, he ſends with ſpeed,

To come and to releaſe him in his need,

The like of Leonatus, he requires,

(Which at this time well ſuited his deſires)

For to Antipater he now might go,

His Lady take i'th' way, and no man know.

Antiphilus the Athenian Generall,

With ſpeed his forces doth together call,

Striving to ſtop Leonatus, that ſo

He joyn not with Antipater, that foe.

The Athenian Army was the greater far,

(Which did his match with Cleopatra mar)

For fighting ſtill, whilſt there did hope remain,

The valiant Chief, amidſt his foes was ſlain,

'Mongſt all the Captains of great Alexander,

For perſonage, none was like this Commander:

Now to Antipater, …raterus goes,

Blockt up in Lamia, ſtill by his foes;

Long marches through Cilicia he makes,

And the remains of Leonatus takes;

With them and his, he into Grecia went,

Antipater releas'd from's priſonment,

After this time, the Grecks did never more

Act any thing of worth, as heretofore,

But under ſervitude, their necks remain'd,

Nor former liberty, or glory gain'd;

Now dy'd (about the end of th' Lamian warre)

Dimoſthencs, that ſweet tongu'd oratour.

Craverus, that Antipater now joyn

In love, and in affiaity combine:

Crete…us doth his daughter Phiſa wed,

Their friendſhip may the more be ſtrengthened:

p. 154Whilſt they in Macedon doe thus agree,

In Aſia they all aſunder be.

Perdicas griev'd, to ſee the Princes bold,

So many Kingdoms in their power to hold,

Yet to regain them, how he did not know,

For's Souldiers 'gainſt thoſe Captains would not goe;

To ſuffer them goe on, as they begun,

Was to give way, himſelf might be undone;

With Antipater t' joyn, ſometimes he thought,

That by his help, the reſt might low be brought:

But this again diſlikes, and would remain,

If not in word, in deed a Soveraigne.

Deſires the King, to goe to Macedon,

Which of his Anceſtors was once the throne,

And by his preſence there, to nullifie

The Acts of his Vice-royes, now grown ſo high:

Antigonus of Treaſon firſt attaints,

And ſummons him, to anſwer theſe complaints;

This he avoyds, and ſhips himſelf, and's Son,

Goes to Antipater, and tels what's done;

He, and Craterus, both with him now joyn,

And 'gainſt Perdicas, all their ſtrength combine.

Brave Ptolomy, to make a fourth now ſent,

To ſave himſelf from dangers eminent;

In midſt of theſe, Garboyles, with wondrous ſtate,

His Maſters Funerals doth celebrate;

At Alexandria, in Aegypt Land,

His ſumptuous monument long time did ſtand;

Two years and more ſince, Natures debt he paid,

And yet till now, at quiet was not laid.

Great love did Ptolomy by this act gain.

And made the Souldiers on his ſide remain;

p. 155Perdicas hears, his foes are now combin'd,

('Gainſt which to goe, is troubled in his minde;)

With Ptolomy for to begin was beſt,

Near'ſt unto him, and fartheſt from the reſt.

Leaves Eumenes, the Aſian coaſt to free,

From the invaſions of the other three;

And with his Army into Aegypt goes,

Brave Ptolomy to th' utmoſt to oppoſe.

Perdicas ſurly carriage, and his pride,

Did alienate the Souldiers from his ſide;

But Ptolomy by affability,

His ſweet demeanour, and his courteſie,

Did make his owne firme to his cauſe remaine,

And from the other, daily ſome did gaine.

Pithon, next Perdicas, a Captaine high,

Being entreated by him ſcornfully,

Some of the Souldiers enters Perdica's tent,

Knocks out his braines, to Ptolomy then went,

And offers him his Honours, and his place,

With ſtile of the Protector, would him grace;

Next day into the Camp comes Ptolomy,

And is of all received joyfully;

Their proffers he refus'd, with modeſty

Confers them Pithon on, for's courteſie;

With what he held, he now was well content,

Then by more trouble to grow eminent.

Now comes there newes of a great victory,

That Eumenes got of the other three,

H…d it but in Perdicas life arriv'd,

With greater joy it would have been receiv'd;

Thus Ptolomy rich Aegypt did retaine,

And Pithon turn'd to Aſia againe.

p. 156Whilſt Perdicas thus ſtaid in Africa,

Antigonus did enter Aſia,

And fain would draw Eumenes to their ſide,

But he alone now faithfull did abide:

The other all, had kingdomes in their eye,

But he was true to's maſters family,

Nor could Craterus (whom he much did love)

From his fidelity make him once move.

Two battells now he fought, and had the beſt,

And brave Craterus ſlew, amongſt the reſt,

For this great ſtrife, he pours out his complaints,

And his beloved foe, full ſore laments.

I ſhould but ſnip a ſtory into verſe,

And much eclipſe his glory to rehearſe

The difficulties Eumenes befell,

His ſtratagems, wherein he did excel,

His policies, how he did extricate

Himſelf from out of labyrinths intricate.

For all that ſhould be ſaid, let this ſuffice,

He was both valiant, faithfull, patient, wiſe.

Python now choſe protector of the State,

His rule Queen Euridice begins to hate,

Perceives Aridaeus muſt not king it long,

If once young Alexander grow more ſtrong,

But that her Husband ſerve for ſupplement,

To warm the ſeat, was never her intent,

She knew her birthright gave her Macedon,

Grandchild to him, who once ſat on that throne,

Who was Perdicas, Philips elder brother,

She daughter to his ſon, who had no other;

Her mother Cyna ſiſter to Alexander,

Who h…d an Army, like a great Commander.

p. 157Ceria the Phrigian Queen for to withſtand,

And in a Battell ſlew her hand to hand;

Her Daughter ſhe inſtructed in that Art,

Which made her now begin to play her part;

Pithons commands, She ever countermands

What he appoints, She purpoſely withſtands.

He wearied out, at laſt, would needs be gone,

Reſign'd his place, and ſo let all alone;

In's ſtead, the Souldiers choſe Antipater,

Who vext the Queen more then the other farre;

He plac'd, diſplac'd, controld, rul'd, as he liſt,

And this no man durſt queſtion, or reſiſt;

For all the Princes of great Alexander

Acknowledged for chief, this old Commander:

After a while, to Macedon he makes;

The King, and Queen, along with him he takes.

Two Sons of Alexander, and the reſt,

All to be order'd there as he thought beſt:

The Army with Antigonus did leave,

And government of Aſia to him gave;

And thus Antipater the ground-work layes,

On which Antigonus his height doth raiſe:

Who in few years the reſt ſo over-tops,

For univerſall Monarchy he hopes;

With Eumenes he divers Battels fought,

And by his ſleights to circumvent him ſought;

But vaine it was to uſe his policy,

'Gainſt him, that all deceits could ſcan, and try:

In this Epitomy, too long to tell

How neatly Eumenes did here excell,

That by the ſelfe-ſame traps the other laid,

He to his coſt was righteouſly repaid.

p. 158Now great Antipater, the world doth leave

To Poliſperchon, then his place he gave,

Fearing his Son Caſſander was unſtay'd,

Too young to beare that charge, if on him lay'd;

Antigonus hearing of his deceaſe,

On moſt part of Aſſyria doth ſeize,

And Ptolomy, now to encroach begins,

All Syria, and, Phenicia he wins;

Now Poliſperchon 'gins to act in's place,

Recals Olimpias, the Court to grace;

Antipater had baniſht her from thence,

Into Epire, for her great turbulence;

This new Protector's of another minde,

Thinks by her Majeſty much help to finde;

Caſſander could not (like his father) ſee

This Poliſperchons great ability,

Slights his commands, his actions he diſclaimes,

And to be great himſelfe now bends his aymes;

Such as his father had advanc'd to place,

Or by his favour any way did grace,

Are now at the devotion of the Son,

Preſt to accompliſh what he would have done;

Beſides, he was the young Queens favourite,

On whom ('twas thought) the ſet her chief delight;

Unto theſe helps, in Greece, he ſeeks out more,

Goes to Antigonus, and doth implore,

By all the Bonds 'twixt him and's father paſt,

And for that great gift, which he gave him laſt;

By theſe, and all, to grant him ſome ſupply,

To take down Poliſperchon grown ſo high;

For this Antigonus needed no ſpurs,

Hoping ſtill more to gaine by theſe new ſtirs;

p. 159Straight furniſht him with a ſufficient aide,

Caſſander for return all ſpeed now made:

Poliſperchon, knowing he did relye

Upon thoſe friends, his father rais'd on high,

Thoſe abſent, baniſhed, or elſe he ſlew

All ſuch as he ſuſpected to him true.

Caſſander with his Hoaſt to Grecia goes,

Whom Poliſperchon labours to oppoſe,

But had the worſt at Sea, as well as Land,

And his opponent ſtill got upper hand,

Athens, with many Townes in Greece beſides,

Firme to Caſſander at this time abides:

Whilſt hot in wars theſe two in Greece remaine,

Antigonus doth all in Aſia gaine;

Still labours Eumenes might with him ſide,

But to the laſt he faithfull did abide;

Nor could Mother, nor Sons of Alexander,

Put truſt in any, but in this Commander;

The great ones now began to ſhew their minde,

And act, as opportunity they finde:

Aridaeus the ſcorn'd, and ſimple King,

More then he bidden was, could act no thing;

Poliſperchon hoping for's office long,

Thinks to enthrone the Prince when riper grown;

Euridice this injury diſdaines,

And to Caſſander of this wrong complaines;

Hatefull the Name, and Houſe of Alexander,

Was to this proud, vindicative Caſſander,

He ſtill hep… freſh within his memory,

His Fathers danger, with his Family;

Nor counts he that indignity but ſmall,

When Alexander knockt his head to th' wall:

p. 160Theſe, with his love, unto the amorous Queen

Did make him vow her ſervant to be ſeen.

Olimpias, Aridaeus deadly hates,

As all her Husbands children by his Mates;

She gave him poyſon formerly ('tis thought)

Which damage both to minde and body brought:

She now with Poliſperchon doth combine,

To make the King by force his ſeat reſigne;

And her young Nephew in his ſtead t' inthrone,

That under him ſhe might rule all alone.

For ayde goes to Epire, among her friends,

The better to accompliſh theſe her ends;

Euridice hearing what ſhe intends,

In haſt unto her deare Caſſander ſends,

To leave his Seige at Tagra, and with ſpeed

To come and ſuccour her, in this great need;

Then by intreaties, promiſes, and coyne,

Some Forces did procure, with her to joyne.

Olimpias now enters Macedon,

The Queen to meet her, bravely marched on;

But when her Souldiers ſaw their ancient Queen,

Remembring what ſometime ſhe had been,

The Wife, and Mother, of their famous Kings,

Nor Darts, nor Arrowes now, none ſhoots, nor flings;

Then King, and Queen, to Amphipolis doe fly,

But ſoone are brought into captivity;

The King by extreame torments had his end,

And to the Queen, theſe preſents ſhe doth ſend;

A Halter, cup of Poyſon, and a Sword,

Bids chuſe her death, ſuch kindneſſe ſhe'l afford:

The Queen with many a curſe, and bitter check,

At length yeelds to the Halter, her faire neck;

p. 161Praying, that fatall day might quickly haſte,

On which Olimpias of the like might taſte.

This done, the cruell Queen reſts not content,

Till all that lov'd Caſſander was nigh ſpent;

His Brethren, Kinsfolk, and his chiefeſt friends,

That were within her reach, came to their ends;

Digg'd up his brother dead, 'gainſt natures right,

And throwes his bones about, to ſhew her ſpight.

The Courtiers wondring at her furious minde,

Wiſht in Epire ſhe ſtill had been confin'd;

In Pelloponeſus then Caſſander lay,

Where hearing of this newes he ſpeeds away,

With rage, and with revenge, he's hurried on,

So goes to finde this Queen in Macedon;

But being ſtopt, at Straight Tharmipoley

Sea paſſage gets, and lands in Theſſaly;

His Army he divides, ſends part away,

Poliſperchou to hold a while in play,

And with the reſt Olimpias purſues,

To give her for all cruelties her dues:

She with the flow'r o'th Court to Pidna flyes,

Well fortified, and on the Sea it lies;

There by Caſſander ſhe's block'd up, ſo long,

Untill the Famine growes exceeding ſtrong.

Her Couſen of Epire did what he might,

To raiſe the Seige, and put her foes to flight;

Caſſander is reſolv'd, there to remaine,

So ſuccours, and endeavours proves but vaine:

Faine would ſhe come now to capitulate,

Caſſander will not heare, ſuch is his hate.

The Souldiers pinched with this ſcarcity,

By ſtealth unto Caſander daily fly;

p. 162Olimpias wills to keep it, to the laſt,

Expecting nothing, but of death to taſte;

But he unwilling longer there to ſtay,

Gives promiſe for her life, and wins the day:

No ſooner had he got her in his hands,

But made in Judgement her Accuſers ſtand,

And plead the blood of their deare Kindred ſpilt,

Deſiring Juſtice might be done for guilt;

And ſo was he acquitted of his word,

For Juſtice ſake ſhe being put to th' ſword.

This was the end of this moſt cruell Queen,

Whoſe fury yet unparalleld hath been;

The Daughter, Siſter, Mother, Wife to Kings,

But Royalty no good conditions brings;

So boundleſſe was her pride, and cruelty,

She oft forgot bounds of Humanity.

To Husbands death ('twas thought) ſhe gave conſent,

The Authours death ſhe did ſo much lament,

With Garlands crown'd his head, bemoan'd his Fates,

His ſword unto Apollo conſecrates:

Her out-rages too tedious to relate,

How for no cauſe, but her inveterate hate;

Her Husbands Wife, and Children, after's death

Some flew, ſome fry'd, of others, ſtopt the breath;

Now in her age ſhe's forc't to taſte that Cup,

Which ſhe had often made others to ſup:

Now many Townes in Macedon ſuppreſt,

And Pellas faine to yeeld amongſt the reſt;

The Funeralls Caſſandra celebrates,

Of Aridaeus, and his Queen, with ſtate;

Among their Anceſtors by him there laid,

And ſhewes of lamentation for them made.

p. 163Old Thebes he then re-built (ſo much of fame)

And raiſ'd Caſſandria after his name,

But leave him building, others in their urn,

And for a while, let's into Aſia turn,

True Eumenes endeavours by all skill,

To keep Antigonus from Suſha ſtill,

Having Command o'th treaſure he can hire,

Such as nor threats, nor favour could acquire;

In divers battels, he had good ſucceſſe,

Antigonus came off ſtill honourleſſe,

When victor oft had been, and ſo might ſtill,

Penceſtas did betray him by a wile,

Antigonus, then takes his life unjuſt,

Becauſe he never would let go his truſt:

Thus loſt he all for his fidelity,

Striving t' uphold h…s Maſters family,

But as that to a period did haſte,

So Eumenes of deſtiny muſt taſte.

Antigonus, all Perſia now gains,

And Maſter of the treaſure he remains;

Then with Seleuchus ſtraight at ods doth fall,

But he for aid to Ptolomy doth call.

The Princes all begin now to envie

Antigonus, his growing up ſo hye,

Fearing their ſtate, and what might hap ere long,

Enter into a combination ſtrong:

Selcuchus, Ptolomy, Caſſander joynes,

Ly…mac us to make a fourth combines:

Antigonus, deſirous of the Greeks,

To make Caſſander odious to them, ſeeks,

Sends forth his declaration from a farre,

And ſhews what cauſe they had to take up warre.

p. 164The Mother of their King to death he'd put,

His Wife, and Son, in priſon cloſe had ſhut;

And how he aymes to make himſelfe a King,

And that ſome title he might ſeeme to bring,

Theſſalonica he had newly wed,

Daughter to Phillip, their renowned head;

Had built, and call'd a City by his name,

Which none e're did but thoſe of royall fame;

And in deſpight of their two famous Kings,

Th' hatefull Olinthians to Greece re-brings;

Rebellious Thebs he had re-edified,

Which their late King in duſt had-damnified;

Requires them therefore to take up their Armes,

And to requite this Traytor for thoſe harmes:

Now Ptolomy would gaine the Greeks likewiſe,

For he declares againſt his injuries;

Firſt, how he held the Empire in his hands,

Seleuchus drove from government, and lands;

Had valiant Eumenes unjuſtly ſlaine,

And Lord o'th' City Suſha did remain.

So therefore craves their help to take him down,

Before he weare the univerſall Crown;

Antigonus at Sea ſoone had a fight,

Where Ptolomy, and the reſt put him to flight.

His Son at Gaza likewiſe loſt the field,

So Syria to Ptolomy did yeeld;

And Sclcuchus recovers Babylon,

Still gaining Countries Eaſt-ward goes he on.

Demetrius againe with Ptolomy did fight,

And comming unawares put him to ſlight;

But bravely ſends the Priſeners back againe,

And all the ſpoyle and booty they had tane;

p. 165Curtius, as noble Ptolomy, or more,

Who at Gaza did th' like to him before.

Antigonus did much rejoyce his ſon,

His loſt repute with victorie had won;

At laſt theſe Princes tired out with warres,

Sought for a peace, and laid aſide their jarres:

The terms of their agreement thus expreſſe,

That each ſhall hold what he doth now poſſeſſe,

Till Alexander unto age was grown,

Who then ſhall be inſtalled in the throne:

This touch'd Caſſander ſore, for what he'd done,

Impriſoning both the mother, and her ſon,

He ſees the Greeks now favour their young Prince,

Whom he in durance held, now and long ſince,

That in few years he muſt be forc'd or glad

To render up ſuch kingdomes as he had

Reſolves to quit his fears by one deed done,

And put to death, the mother and her ſon,

This Rexane for her beautie all commend,

But for one act ſhe did, juſt was her end,

No ſooner was great Alexander dead,

But ſhe Dariu's daughters murthered,

Both thrown into a well to hide her blot,

Perdicas was her partner in this plot:

The Heavens ſeem'd ſlow in paying her the ſame,

But yet at laſt the hand of vengeance came,

And for that double fact which ſhe had done,

The life of her muſt go, and of her ſon

Perdicas had before, for his amiſſe,

But from their hands, who thought not once of this.

Gaſſander's dead, the Princes all deteſt,

But 'twas in ſhew, in heart it pleas'd them beſt.

p. 166That he was odious to the world, they'r glad,

And now they are, free Lords, of what they had,

When this foul tragedy was paſt, and done,

Poliſperchon brings up the other ſon,

Call'd Hercules, and elder then his brother,

(Bur, Olymptas, thought to preferre th' other:)

The Greeks touch'd with the murther done ſo late,

This Prince began for to compaſſionate.

Begin to mutter much 'gainſt proud Caſſander,

And place their hopes o'th heire of Alexander,

Caſſander fear'd what might of this inſue,

So Poliſperchon to his Counſell drew,

Gives Peloponeſus unto him for hire,

Who ſlew the prince according to deſire:

Thus was the race, and houſe of Alexander

Extinct, by this inhumane wretch Caſſander;

Antigonus for all this doth not mourn,

He knows to's profit, all i'th end will turn,

But that ſome title he might now pretend,

For marriage to Cleopatra, doth ſend

Lyſimachus and Ptolomy, the ſame,

And vile Caſſander too, ſticks not for ſhame,

She now in Lydia at Sardis lay,

Where, by Embaſſage, all theſe Princes pray,

Choiſe above all, of Ptolomy ſhe makes

With his Embaſſadour, her journey takes,

Antigonu's Lieutenant ſtayes her ſtill,

Untill he further know his Maſters will;

To let her go; or hold her ſtill, he fears,

Antigonus thus had a wolf by th' …a…s,

Reſolves at laſt the Princeſſe then'd be ſtain,

So hinders him of her, he could not gain.

p. 167Her women are appointed to this deed,

They for their great reward no better ſpeed,

For ſtraight way by command they'r put to death,

As vile conſpiratours that took her breath,

And now he thinks, he's ordered all ſo well,

The world muſt needs believe what he doth tell:

Thus Philips houſe was quite extinguiſhed,

Except Caſſanders wife, who yet not dead,

And by their means, who thought of nothing leſſe

Then vengeance juſt, againſt the ſame t' expreſſe;

Now blood was paid with blood, for what was done

By cruell father, mother, cruell ſon,

Who did erect their cruelty in guilt,

And wronging innocents whoſe blood they ſpilt,

Philip and Olympias both were ſlain,

Aridaeus and his Queen by ſlaughters ta'ne;

Two other children by Olympias kill'd,

And Cleopatra's blood, now likewiſe ſpill'd,

If Alexander was not poyſoned,

Yet in the flower of's age, he muſt lie dead,

His wiſe and ſons then ſlain by this Caſſander,

And's kingdomes rent away by each Commander:

Thus may we hear, and fear, and ever ſay,

That hand is righteous ſtill which doth repay:

Theſe Captains now, the ſtile of Kings do take,

For to their Crowns, there's none can title make.

Demetrius is firſt, that ſo aſſumes,

To do as he, the reſt full ſoon preſumes,

To Athens then he goes, is entertain'd,

Not like a King, but like ſome God they fain'd;

Moſt groſſely baſe, was this great adulation,

Who incenſe burnt, and offered oblation.

p. 198Theſe Kings fall now afreſh to warres again,

Demetrius of Ptolomy doth gain;

'Twould be an endleſſe ſtory to relate

Their ſeverall battells, and their ſeverall fate,

Antigonus and Seleuchus, now fight

Near Epheſus, each bringing all their might,

And he that conquerour ſhall now remain,

Of Aſia the Lordſhip ſhall retain.

This day twixt theſe two foes ends all the ſtrife,

For here Antigonus loſt rule, and life,

Nor to his ſon did there one foot remain,

Of thoſe dominions he did ſometimes gain,

Demetrius with his troops to Athens flies,

Hoping to find ſuccour in miſeries.

But they adoring in proſperity,

Now ſhut their gates in his adverſity,

He ſorely griev'd at this his deſperate ſtate,

Tries foes, ſince friends will not compaſſionate,

His peace he then with old Seleuchus makes,

Who his fair daughter Stratonica takes,

Antiochus, Seleuchus dear lov'd ſon,

Is for this freſh young Lady-half undone,

Falls ſo extreamly ſick, all fear his life,

Yet dares not ſay, he loves his fathers wife;

When his diſeaſe the skilfull Phyſician found,

He wittily his fathers mind did ſound,

Who did no ſooner underſtand the ſame,

But willingly reſign'd the beauteous dame:

Caſſander now muſt die, his race is run,

And leaves the ill got kingdomes he had won,

Two ſons he left, born of King Philips daughter,

Who had an end put to their dayes by ſlaughter.

p. 169Which ſhould ſucceed, at variance they fell,

The mother would the youngeſt ſhould excell,

The eld'ſt enrag'd did play the vipers part,

And with his Sword did pierce his mothers heart,

(Rather then Philips child muſt longer live)

He, whom ſhe gave his life, her death muſt give)

This by Lyſimachus ſoon after ſlain,

(Whoſe daughter unto wife, he'd newly ta'n)

The youngeſt by Demetrius kill'd in fight,

Who took away his now pretended right:

Thus Philips, and Caſſander's race is gone,

And ſo falls out to be extinct in one,

Yea though Caſſander died in his bed,

His ſeed to be extirpt, was deſtined,

For blood which was decreed, that he ſhould ſpill,

Yet muſt his children pay for fathers ill.

Jehu in killing Ahabs houſe did well,

Yet be aveng'd, muſt th' blood of Jeſreel.

Demetrius, Caſſanders kingdomes gains,

And now as King, in Macedon he reigns;

Seleuchus, Aſia holds, that grieves him ſore,

Thoſe … untries large, his father got before,

Theſe to recover, muſters all his might,

And with his ſon in law, will needs go fight:

There was he taken and impriſoned

Within an Iſle that was with pleaſures fed,

Injoy'd what ſo beſeem'd his Royalty,

OnelyOnly reſtrained of his liberty;

After three years he dyed, left what he'd won

In Greece, unto Antigonus, his ſon,

For h s poſterity unto this day,

Did n…'r regain one foot in Aſia.

p. 170Now dyed the brave and noble Ptolomy,

Renown'd for bounty, valour, clemency,

Rich Aegypt left, and what elſe he had won

To Philadelphus, his more worthy Son.

Of the old Heroes, now but two remaine,

Seleuchus, and Lyſimachus; thoſe twaine

Muſt needs goe try their fortune, and their might,

And ſo Lyſimachus was ſlaine in fight.

'Twas no ſmall joy, unto Seleuchus breaſt,

That now he had out-lived all the reſt:

Poſſeſſion he of Europe thinks to take,

And ſo himſelfe the only Monarch make;

Whilſt with theſe hopes, in Greece he did remaine,

He was by Ptolomy Cerannus ſlaine.

The ſecond Son of the firſt Ptolomy,

Who for rebellion unto him did ſly,

Selencbus was as Father, and a friend,

Yet by him had this moſt unworthy end.

Thus with theſe Kingly Captaines have we done,

A little now, how the Succeſſion run:

Antigonus, Seleuchus, and Caſſander,

With Ptolomy, reign'd after Alexander;

Caſſanders Sons, ſoone after's death were ſlaine,

So three Succeſſors only did remaine;

Antigonus his Kingdoms loſt, and's life,

Unto Seleuchus, author of that ſtrife.

His Son Demetrius, all Caſſanders gaines,

And his poſterity, the ſame retaines,

Demetrius Son was call'd Awigonus,

And his againe, alſo Demetrius.

I muſt let paſſe thoſe many battels fought,

Between thoſe Kings, and noble Fyrrus ſtout,

p. 171And his ſon Alexander of Epire,

Whereby immortall honour they acquire.

Demetrius had Philip to his ſon,

He Perſeus, from him the kingdom's won,

Emillius the Roman Generall,

Did take his rule, his ſons, himſelf and all.

This of Antigonus, his ſeed's the fate,

Whoſe kingdomes were ſubdu'd by th' Roman ſtate.

Longer Seleuchus held the Royalty

In Syria by his poſterity,

Awiochus Soter his ſon was nam'd,

To whom Ancient Beroſus (To much fam'd)

His book of Aſsurs Monarchs dedicates,

Tells of their warres, their names, their riches, fates;

But this is periſhed with many more,

Which we oft wiſh were extant as before.

Antiochus Theos was Soters ſon,

Who a long warre with Egypts King begun.

The affinities and warres Daniel ſet forth,

And calls them there, the Kings of South, and North;

This …cos he was murthered by his wife,

Seleuchus reign'd, when he had loſt his life,

A third Seleuchus next ſit… on the ſeat,

And then Antiochus ſurnam'd the great,

Seleuchus next Anttiochus ſucceeds,

And then Epiphanes, whole wicked deeds,

Horrid maſſacres, murders, cruelties,

Againſt the Jewes, we read in Macchabees,

By him was ſet up the abomination

I'th' holy place, which cauſed deſolation;

Antiochus Eupator was the next,

By Rebells and impoſters daily vext;

p. 172So many Princes ſtill were murthered,

The Royall blood was quite extinguiſhed.

That Tygranes the great Armenian King,

To take the government was called in,

Him Lucullus, the Romane Generall

Vanquiſh'd in fight, and took thoſe kingdomes all,

Of Greece, and Syria thus the rule did end,

In Egypt now a little time we'l ſpend.

Firſt Ptolomy being dead, his famous ſon,

Cal'd Philadelphus, next ſat on the throne,

The Library at Alexandria built,

With ſeven hundred thouſand volumes fill'd,

The ſeventy two interpreters did ſeek,

They might tranſlate the Bible into Greek,

His ſon was Evergetes the laſt Prince

That valour ſhew'd, vertue or excellence.

Philopater was Evergete's ſon,

After Epiphanes, ſat on the Throne

Philometer: then Evergetes again.

And next to him, did falſe Lathurus reigne,

Alexander, then Lathurus in's ſtead,

Next Auletes, who cut off Pompey's head:

To all theſe names we Ptolomy muſt adde,

For ſince the firſt, that title ſtill they had,

Fair Cleopatra next, laſt of that race,

Whom Julius Caeſar ſet in Royall place,

Her brother by him, loſt his trayterous head

For Pompey's life, then plac'd her in his ſtead,

She with her Paramour Mark Antony,

Held for a time the Egyptian Monarchy:

Till great Auguſtus had with him a fight,

At Actium ſlain, his Navy put to flight.

p. 173Then poyſonous Aſpes ſhe ſets unto her Armes,

To take her life, and quit her from all harmes;

For 'twas not death, nor danger, ſhe did dread,

But ſome diſgrace, in triumph to be led.

Here ends at laſt the Grecian Monarchy,

Which by the Romans had its deſtiny.

Thus Kings, and Kingdoms, have their times, and dates,

Their ſtandings, over-turnings, bounds, and fates;

Now up, now down, now chief, and then brought under,

The Heavens thus rule, to fill the earth with wonder.

The Aſſyrian Monarchy long time did ſtand,

But yet the Perſian got the upper hand;

The Grecian, them did utterly ſubdue,

And Millions were ſubjected unto few:

The Grecian longer then the Perſian ſtood,

Then came the Romane, like a raging flood,

And with the torrent of his rapid courſe,

Their Crownes, their Titles, riches beares by force.

The firſt, was likened to a head of gold,

Next, armes and breaſt, of ſilver to behold;

The third, belly and thighs of braſſe in ſight,

And laſt was Iron, which breaketh all with might.

The Stone out of the Mountaine then did riſe,

And ſmote thoſe feet, thoſe legs, thoſe arms and thighs;

Then gold, ſilver, braſſe, iron, and all that ſtore,

Became like chaffe upon the threſhing floor;

The firſt a Lion, ſecond was a Beare,

The third a Leopard, which four wings did rear;

The laſt more ſtrong, and dreadfull, then the reſt,

Whoſe Iron teeth devoured every beaſt;

And when he had no appetite to eate,

The reſidue he ſtamped under's feet:

p. 174But yet this Lion, Bear, this Leopard, Ram,

All trembling ſtand, before that powerfull Lambe.

With theſe three Monarchies, now have I done,

But how the fourth, their Kingdoms from them won;

And how from ſmall beginnings it did grow,

To fill the world with terrour, and with woe:

My tired braine, leaves to a better pen,

This taske befits not women, like to men:

For what is paſt I bluſh, excuſe to make,

But humbly ſtand, ſome grave reproof to take:

Pardon to crave, for errours, is but vaine,

The Subject was too high, beyond my ſtraine;

To frame Apologie for ſome offence,

Converts our boldneſſe, into impudence.

This my preſumption (ſome now) to requite,

Ne ſuter ultra crepidum, may write.

AFter ſome dayes of reſt, my reſtleſſe heart,

To finiſh what begun, new thoughts impart

And maugre all reſolves, my fancy Wrought

This fourth to th' other three, now might be brought.

Shortneſſe of time, and inability,

Will force me to a confus'd brevity;

Yet in this Chaos, one ſhall eaſily ſpy,

The vaſt limbs of a mighty Monarchy.

What e're is found amiſſe, take in beſt part,

As faults preceeding from my head, not heart.