MIRZA. A Tragedie, Really acted in PERSIA, in the last Age.

Illustrated with Historicall Annotations.

The Author. R. B. Esq;

HORAT.
— Rex eris —
Si recte facies. Hic MURUS aheneus esto,
Nil conscire sibi, nulla pallescere culpa.

LONDON, Printed for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold at his Shop at the signe of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard: and for T. Dring at the George in Fleet-street neer Cliffords Inne.

TO HIS MAIESTIE.

SIR,
TO wait on YOU, the Persian MIRZA'S come
From the fair shades of his El [...]z [...]um:
If all the wrongs that's Innocence opprest
Obtain one s [...]gh from YOUR heroick Breast,
H [...]'l think them [...], having preferr'd Him to
[...]OUR Royall Know [...]edge; and perhaps done so
More then his Birth-right bad; for he hopes now
Not onely to del [...]ght, but profit YOU,
[...]n warning to eschew what spoild his Right,
The Flatterer, and too powerfull Favourite.
In old Time, sacred was the Po [...]ts Pen,
And usefull to eternize worthy men:
To Rescue Vertue from the Furies spight,
[...]d lift her Palm the h [...]gher for the weight.
[Page]And I could wish it the next Ages Song,
Had MIRZA not die'd, He'd not liv'd so long:
His (written) Ghost looks brighter in his Ba [...]
Then He had in the Crown of Persia.
So shall it be: Gain from His Losse shall flow,
And Life from Death, if YOU, Great SIR, say so.
BARON.

M. Spei Juveni, Rob. Baronio, Amico.

IN sese acervos mutuos fluctus cient,
Reddunque Nautis triste & intutum fretum:
Et aulici artes, abditi atque impervij,
Scelerisque pleni, Numinisque nescij,
Creant ruinam gentibus: Sic floridas
Segetes perurit ignis Aetnaei vapor.
At hos recessus ac Coeleste absconditus
Retexti, amoeni & floridi Genij parens!
Sic quippe magnum Scelera novisse;
At magis illa eleganter tradidisse posteris.
J. Hall.

Upon the incomparable Tragedy cal­led Mirza, written by my dear Friend Mr. Robert Baron.

ADvance Great Mirza, let the base world see
Vertue is Vertue though in misery.
Convince her of her madnesse, let her know
Goodnesse does still attend thee, high or low;
And that, which prosperous, wrought thy hate & scorn,
Commands our Adoration when forlorn.
Vertue's no Vertue while it lives secure,
When difficulty waits on't then 'tis pure.
The morning of thy life which soar'd so high
In acts of Valour Crown'd with Majesty,
Had nere attain'd that glorious pitch and height,
Hadst thou not falne a sacrifice at night;
This fall of thine thy Fame doth much advance,
And death thy valuation doth enhance.
So have I seen a much lamented herse
When 'twas departing, all bepinn'd with Verse.
And from the selfe same channell issuing forth
The livers sorrow, and the dead Mans worth;
'Tis this which makes us write, that 't may be known
Vertue is highly priz'd, though overthrown.
We mourn thy loss, admire thy worth, and grieve
Our Isle a Mirz' and Allybeg can give.
Thus Text and Time doe sute, and whilst you tell
Your Tale, wee'l easily find a Parallell.
Jo. Quarles; Fell. of Pet. House Camb.

To the most Ingenious Master ROBERT BARON, On his Masterpiece of Tragedy.

PYTHAGORAS sang truth, souls shift we see
For IOHNSON'S transmigrated into Thee:
Or if that Doctrines false, thy glory's more
Without his helpes to equal, whom before
We thought Sans peer: both are so very well,
So like, as mix them, and you cannot tell
Me which is which. Thou Fame enough hast won,
Thy name is u [...], n [...]w maist thou lie till Noon,
And rest thy strong Muse, having equall'd him
Whom sharpest wits did our best Poet deem:
I know thy Judgment's more then t' aim ought higher,
Thou mightest as well hope to drown PHOEBUS Lyre;
Yet write again, till all the world's agree'd
Thy P [...]GASUS has breath as well as speed.
Mean time, who'l number our best Playes aright
First CATALINE, then let him MIRZA write,
So mix your names: in the third place must be
SELANUS, or the next that comes from thee.
RO. HlLLS Esq;

To the best accomplish'd Author.

THankes noble Friend, thou hast given us a Play
This Age deserves not pray Heaven the next may,
A Play said I, I erre to call it so,
'Tis a laborious work, a great one too,
A work to which scarce even the ablest brain
So well, but in a wish, could ere attain;
So passing well it is as I no higher
Can ever hope to reach at then t' admire,
To praise I need not strive, since Praisers thou
Enough hast, though none it can praise enough.
JO. CARY, M. A.

To the Author.

WHen I read yours ( dear friend) I seem'd to see
In Persia acted this sad Tragedie,
But might we see it acted on the Stage
ABBAS in his, and MIRZA in his rage
Transported beyond pitty, and the love
Of Parents, then (O then) how it would move!
For then, transfixt, men should not onely see,
But should refent with such a Sympathy
As might extract a deluge from their eyes.
Persia would then seem but in theories
To Personate what you to life have dawn,
MELPOMENE was there but in the drawn▪
Here in full splendors. There spectators shead
But onely tears, yours acted, would strike dead.
Else, Stoick like, say there's an Apathie,
And that compassion is turn'd NIOBE.
No Marvail, since to her there have been shown
So many Tragick Acts, you bring but one,
But such a sprightfull one, that you may dare
To own what your name speaks, Born to be rare.
E. MANNYNG.

To the Reader.

READER,

THou hast here the Triumph of Revenge, Ty­ranny, Jealousie, and Hate, in a story sad and subl [...]me, however handled. But perhaps thou w [...]l [...] say, what needed I to have handled it at all, being already done? Indeed, I am not ignorant that there is a Tragedy abroad of this subject, intituled The SOPHY; but it may be said of me as TERENCE makes his Prologue to his Eunuchus speak of him (though in a cause somwhat different.)

— S [...]d eas fabulas factas priùs
Latinas scisse sese, id verò pernegat.

I had finished three compleat Acts of this Tragedy before I saw that, nor was I then d [...]scouraged from pro­ceeding, seeing the most ingenious Author of that has made his seem qu [...]te another story from this. In his ne [...] ­ther doth the Prince kill any of his Torturers; Nor doth FATYMA d [...]e, which I take to be one of the most important parts of the story, and the compleatest Con­quest that ever Revenge obtained over Vertue. In that K [...]ng ABBAS d [...]es too, when, 't [...]s known, that our King CHARLES [...]n the second year of his Reign, An. 1626. sent S [...]r DODMORE COTTON Embassadour to the same ABBAS, which was, some years after this Trage­dy was really acted there, From a Manuscript of which Embassadours Letter, to a friend of his in Cambridge, I had the hint of this story, as I propose it in the insu­ing Argument, and prosecute it in t [...]e whole. I have also [Page] the Authority for the most important passages of it, of Master HERBERT, Note: pag. 99.100.101, 102, 103, 104. who relates this story in his Travells. However, [...]t is no new thing for two pens to employ them­selves upon one Subject: nor need it seem other to the Reader, or Spectator, then if thou didst hear the same Song, sung first by a Tenor, next by a Base voice.

If thou exceptest against the length of the Play, I an­swer; If it be well written, all of it is worth thy Reading, if ill, none of it. However, I have said enough, when I have onely told thee,

—Neque, me ut miretur turba, laboro:
Contentus paucis Lectoribus.
R. B.

The Argument.

ABBAS King of Persia, already flesht in blood (as ha­ving made his way to the Crown by the murder of his eldest Brother, the compleatly valiant Emir-hamze-mirza, and posting his purblind Father MAHOMET Codoband into Paradise) grows jealous (so justly fea [...]ful are guilty minds) of his only (legitimate) Son, and indub [...]table heir, the victorious Mirza, who (while he had the command of his Fathers Armies) having much enlarged the Persian Territories (by his acquests from the Mogull, towards Candahor, fom the Arabian, near to Balsora, and the Tartar, east of the Hyrcanian Sea) grew great in the love and admiration of the people. This jealousie (of its self, a blood thirsty pas­sion, more cruel th [...]n the Grave) irrita [...]ed by some Cabinet Councellours, enemies to the Prince about the King, begat in him a fear of the Princes growth, that, a resolve to strangle him; which to effect securely, that is closely, he trains him from his Army, by dispatching a Post down to him (then sweating in bl [...]od, to redeem the honour of his Country-men against the Turk) with command to hast up to Court, where he should know his pleasure.

The Prince (being subject to that only disadvantage of honest hearts credulity) assures his Army of his quick return, and hasts (so bold is innocence) to attend his Father, from whom he is met by a Messenger, certifying him, that the King, being by reason of some indisposition of health, unfit for busi­nesse, willed him to repose where that servant should carry him, till himself came to welcome h [...]m. The credulous Prince (like other upright persons, fearing no hurt because he meant none) follows his guide to his appointed lodgings, whereinto (so soon as that false servant was departed) enter, at a trap door, seven lusty villains, dea [...] and dumb, armed with Bow­string [...] and bloody mind [...], whose habit and weapons needed no other interpreters to a [...]sure the amazed Prince that he was betrayed, and sealed to destruction. Oratory was in vain, they were deaf in soul and body, (and this perhaps is the Reason why the [...]urks and Persians use to employ Mutes in these bloody office [...]) resistance was bootless, he being single, and unarmed; yet (resolving not to go unattended to the Grave) with such weapons at his Rage and Sorrow yeeld­ed him; he flew upon them, offending them all by rare force and agility, a long time preventing the noozes to fasten on [Page] him, which they threw incessantly towards his neck, so that he sent three of them to the Devil, the other four reinforced their violence, and at last fastned on him, who, quite spent with rage and opposals fell down, as dead. The Canibals pursue their cruel cowardize, and had surely finished their intent, had not the King (who was a private spectato [...]) toucht with some remorse, stepped forth, and commanded only that his tired Arms should be pinnion'd; and ere he had fully re­covered his senses, made an hot flaming steel be drawn before his eyes, which (though giving no great pain) yet took a­way his eye-sight, forever forbidding him any more s [...]ght of what he loved, Wife, Children, Friends, and endea [...]ed Soul­diers. Then was he cast into Prison, together with his Lady, an Arabian Princess, of the best endowments, and their young Son Soffie, born to a brighter fortune.

Thus by the excessive impiety of an unnatu [...]al Father, has Asia lost her chiefest Jewel, Mars his Darling, and Persia her incomparable Treasure; at once undone, blind, imprisoned, and hopeless of any joy or honour ever after; the cruel re­membrance of which, soon drave the inraged Prince into madness, and thirst of revenge, all the effects whereof were frequent with him, till his afflicted friends and officers flock­ed about him, and dictated patience, which they bettered by relating their own quondam greatness in blood and offices, till by the same dislike, and mutability of King Abbas his hu­mours they were degraded, trod upon, mutilated, some their eyes put out, some their ears and noses cut off, others captivated, and near famished, so truly said it is ‘Solamen miseris so cios habuisse doloris.’

The grand enemy to the Prince, that infatuated King Abbas to this cruelty, was Mahomet-ally-beg his principall favourite, a person raised to that height from so obscure a descent, that he knew no further then his Father; yet (like most mean men hoisted to extraordinary preferment,) he grew so over ambi­tious, as to aim at the Crown; in order to which design, his first care was to remove the Prince, the Bulwark and Pal­ladium of Persia, and his family; next, to disband the Kings Armies, what dishonourable condititions soever were granted to the Turk, that no ready forces should be left to oppose him when he should break out. One of his Instruments to besot the King to this, was one of his Concubines, whom he knew to be strong in his affections; so dangerous Serpents are they in the bosomes of Princes.

The Kings unfortunate credulity, gave Ally-beg a pretence [Page] specious enough to take Arms, as but to obtain the Govern­ment of the young Prince Soffie, and to assure the people of his safety against the dangerous anger of his jealous Grand­father: So essential a beginning of all rebellions, is a smooth and fair pretence either of Reformation or safety. But here a while leave we Allybeg brooding over his design, co [...]rupting the great, buying the needy, and fawning upon all, especially insinuating with the discontented, who are ever ready to rebell.

In these unpleasant times, the King, (moving like Saturn in the highest Orbe) stood free and firm against all storms, giving himself all the variety of pleasures; but none took him so much, as the beauty and pretty discourse he observed in Fatyma, daughter to his blinded and inraged Son; which little Lady he took into his Court for his pastime; and though not above seven years old, she so captivated his doating mind, with her blooming, yet commanding Graces, that nothing re­lished well without Fatyma, none gave him mirth save Fatyma, and if inrag [...]d against any, no better reconcilement then by Fatyma; whom, when aged two years more, he had an inte [...]t to marry with an Arabian King.

Nor had King Abbas alone, all the favour and benefit of this little Princess; for though she had all possible pleasure at the Court, yet neglected she no part of duty, but came very often into the Cittadel to joy her Parents, and relieve their wants; for none, save she, durst ask the King for their allowances, without apparent danger of displeasure, and life w [...]thall; whereby the royal, but most miserable prisoners, were some­times near famished, none daring to relieve them, lest the jealous King might have them in suspition.

Thus by this child of virtue, and innocence, gained they what they pined for, food and comfort. But behold the effects of mad melancholy! it ex [...]sperates the blinded Prince to this strange resolve: He hearing of the immoderate joy and pleasure that the King his father took in his little Grandchild Fatyma, being incapable of obtaining any better revenge, vowes to rob him of that his Darling, though h [...] wounded him through his own sides: So strong and so sweet a passion is Revenge.

So that one time, when his sad W [...]fe and Son were sitting by him, in comes pretty Fatyma, with relief unto her Father, by all actions of love and duty, striving to sh [...]w her selfe obedient. Such time, (cu [...]sed time!) as this young Princess played about him, the Prince called h [...]r, who readily came to him to be m [...]de much of, but see, a h [...]rrid entertainment! [Page] for instead of the embraces of love, with admirable celerity, and rage, grasping her tender Neck with his strong and wrathfull hands, whirling her about, ere she could implore pitty, the inraged Son of a cruell Father, threw sta [...]k dead upon the floor his own daughter Fatyma, and in her the chief joy left to himself, and his distrested Princess (for the com­fo [...]t of his revenge, how sweet soever in the Act, van [...]shed with it) the excessive delight of the aged King, and sole ornament and comfort of all that Kingdom (that seemed to enjoy the greatest of their condition; for the Heir was with his Father buryed alive in a too early and unjust cap­tivity.) His poor Princess, with all the strength of her weakness, seeing the Act, struggled with him, crying out to him, that it was Fatyma that he killed, little thinking he therefore killed her, because Fatyma. But he hearing his Son Soffie cry out too, in blind sort pursued him, who, led by his better fate, escaped down the stairs, and was safe.

Fatyma dead, begat as much sorrow and rage in old Abbas, as alive she did love, who now sends threats of terrible satisfactions, as Famine, Chains, Strapadoes, and all sharp and exquisite tortures, to the inraged Prince his Son, who by his Messenge [...]s, returns his Father as many bitter curses, hopes of better, and more perfect revenge, and wishes of whole Cataracts of miseries to poure themselves upon him. In this Rage he spent two sad dayes, and in the third, with a Roman resolution, gave a period to his sufferings in this world, by quaffing off a cup of poyson, to the confusion of his unnatural Father.

The sad Princess his Wife (like a true Turtle) surfeiting with sorrow, mew'd her self up, and since that time, has seldom been seen by any.

Lastly, Allybeg's Treason being discovered by a woman, we end with the punishment of the Conspirators, the Kings reassuming of the Princes friends into his favour, and de­claring of his Son Soffie Heir to the Persian Dignity, after his Grandfather Abbas his decease, which happening in the year 1629. the young Prince took upon him the Empire; aged sixteen years, hopeful and ingenious: so fresh in memory is this sad story.

The persons of the Play. EMIR-HAMZE-MIRZA'S Ghost.

  • ABBAS, King of Persia.
  • MAHOMETALLY-BEG the Kings Favourite.
  • BELTAZAR, a privy Coun­sellour.
  • FARRABAN, Courtiers, creatures to Allybeg.
  • SELEVCVS, Courtiers, creatures to Allybeg.
  • ELCHEE, A Duke, vice-roy of Hyrcania.
  • MATZED, Collonels, and his creatures.
  • MOZENDRA, Collonels, and his creatures.
  • BENEFIAN, Collonels, and his creatures.
  • FLORADELLA, The Kings Concubine.
  • OLYMPA, Cou [...]t Ladies.
  • EARINA, Cou [...]t Ladies.
  • OMAY, Cou [...]t Ladies.
  • CLOE; Floradella's woman.
  • MIRZA, The Prince.
  • SOFFIE, a child, his Son.
  • EMANGOLY, Duke of Shiras, and Lievtenant Generall of the Army under the Prince.
  • METHICVLI, Noble men, & Officers in the Army, fast friends to the Prince.
  • HYDASFVS, Noble men, & Officers in the Army, fast friends to the Prince.
  • ALKAHAM, Noble men, & Officers in the Army, fast friends to the Prince.
  • DORIDO, a Page to the Prince.
  • VASCO, Page to Emangoly,
    • NYMPHADORA, The Princess.
    • FATIMA, Her Daughter, a Child.
    • IFFIDA, The Princesses woman▪
  • PAGES,
  • Seven MVTES, Executi­oners.
  • Two THEEVES.
  • OFFICERS.
  • SOULDIERS.
  • CHORUS.

THE SCENE, PERSIA.

MIRZA.

Act. 1.

EMIR-HAMZE-MIRZA'S Ghost.
AND dost thou swim in Pleasures, Tyrant, still?
Or hast thou got a Patent to do i [...]?
When will the date expire? hast thou not yet
Contracted guilt enough, that th' ponderous weight
Of all thy Tyrannies, Ra [...]ines, Murders fell,
May, like a Milstone, sink thee quick to Hell?
Are these too light? leave thy Adulteries,
Thy Rapes, thy Incests, heaps of Perjuries,
And Ghomorean sports, no sting behind?
Or are the Gods grown all, like Fortune, blind?
Or has dull IOVE no Thunder left? Doth not
(1.) The murder of our Sire (so soon forgot)
(2.) And Me, deserve a Bolt? Sleep'st thou? with what
Philtries is thy strange Pillow stuft? do not
Ten thousand Fur [...]es with their flaring hair,
And knotted whips of wire, at thee still stare,
And threaten stripes? Is our great Fathers Ghost
Weary with haunting thee? or us'd to't, do'st
Account it now familiar, and not quake?
If so, behold, I come, from the dark Lake,
To be thy evill Genius, and distill
Into thy darker bosom deeds shall fill
The measure of thy sins up, and pull down,
With violent hand, heavens vengeance on thy Crow [...].
[Page 2]The foul Fiend aid thy councells; and unto
Thee dictate what he would, but cannot do.
Discovers Abbas in his study.
Upon thy self, and thine own Princely line,
Revenge our Fathers wronged Ghost and mine.
Inherit all my fury, and obey
What jealousie shall prompt; mine did I say?
Alas! (vain voice!) how weak is that for thee!
The spirits of all unnaturall Fathers be
Doubled upon thee. (3.) Act what the Mogull
(4.) And Turk shall start to hear, what (5.) th' Tartar shal
Pitty, what (6.) BAHAMAN could not wish should be,
And (7.) the Arabian will lament to see.
Faulter not in thy course now, but pursue
New mischiefs, till no mischief can be new.
" No cruell actions, unlesse throughly done
" Are done secure. Let not thy gallant Son
Engrosse the subjects loves: all his brave parts
And deeds, are Privy seales to take up hearts.
How will he stick (arm'd with the strength o'th Land)
To snatch the Scepter from thy hated hand,
As thou didst from thy Father? "Such dire deeds
" Are still revenged with their like; no seeds
" So fruitfull are, as wrongs. Who doth not thirst
For Soveraign sway? or who, that may be first,
Is pleas'd with being second? then do thou
Begin with him, and wait not the first blow.
But with a Sons, and Grandchilds blood, appease
Fathers, and brothers Ghosts. What though thine ease
Be bought with razing out the family,
And strangling th' hopes of all Posterity?
What need'st thou care (so here thy race be even)
If when thou fall'st, the Poles and studds of Heaven
Be shiver'd, the starrs quench'd, thy house, great names,
And all the world too with thee sink in flames?
" Free villanies a hated reign assure:
" And swords still drawn: dire deeds, dire deeds secure.
[Page 3] ABBAS.
The vow is made, nor shall thy flattering Fate
O MIRZA contradict it; though thy Troops
Stood like a wall about thee, nay, though IOVE
Presse all the Gods to guard thee, and should arme
Them every one with Thunder, I would through:
I'l tear the groundsells of thy Towers up;
And make their nodding spires kisse the Centre,
But I will reach thy heart, thy heart proud Victor.
The power that I have climb'd to ere my time
Cannot be safe, if any reach too near it.
I feel my Crowns totter upon my head,
Me thinks, and see him ready stand to latch them.
Was I a Prince, born to the Persian greatnesse?
(8.) Set equall with the Gods? and as ador'd
As is (9.) the Sun our Brother? and shall I
Be bearded by a Son, a beam of me?
And like a Cypher add but to his value?
I will, hereafter, call thee viper, ever.
If thou canst lose thy filiall Duty, I
Can lose my Bowells, and on thy ruines build
A Pyramid to my revenge and safety.
I that would wrest an Empire from a Father,
And Brother, will not lose it to a Son.
" Still may he fear that dares not to be cruell.
ABBAS, FLORADELLA.

WHo's that?

Flo.

'Tis I.

Abb.

My FLORADELLA.

Flo.

Yes.

Abb.
Enter my sweet: welcom as earliest light
To th' infant world; and with thee ever bring
A thousand Comforts to my thoughtfull breast.
But why doth sadnesse invade Beauties Kingdom?
[Page 4]And these faire eyes eclips their glorious
He kisseth them.
splendour,
With vailes of melancholly? is't possible,
So firmly inthron'd in thy ABBAS Love,
That all the Gods should make thee know a grief?
Flo.
Alas! my Lord, the peoples common theam
Still grates mine ears; no other voice is heard
But MIRZA's praises: the Gods hear no vowes,
No prayers, but for MIRZA's safety: who's
So dull a soul that cannot, since he first
Led out your armies count his victories,
(As if all were Historiographers)
And for each blow he dealt return a statue?
Abb.
I'le kick their sandy fabricks into dust,
And rear a lasting one of their own heads,
(10) Higher then that in Spawhawn is to which
Their Idolls own shall be the Cupola.
Flo.
They all read Lectures on his actions
Till out of breath, they pause, and then admire.
Till his encomiums hit the starrs, and stick
His Idolized name amongst them swearing
The lustre of that one puts out the rest.
You, my dear Lord, they say, lie wallowing here
In pleasures, and will one day take a surfet.
A good effeminate Prince, whose only act
Of worth, is, that you gat so brave a son;
Whom as the rising they adore: for you,
They think, have passed your Meridian,
And now are nere your setting.
Abb.
Setting! yet
I've heat enough to scorch them all to cinders.
And see they not the Sun ne'r look so bloody
As when he sets.
Flo.
Ah! but my noble Lord,
How can I look upon this pompous Palace,
Furnished with spoiles of nations; the long train
Of early clients, that wear my Thresholds out:
[Page 5]Nay, on your honored selfe, my excellent Lord,
But as the Prisoner, late condemn'd to death,
Doth on the pleasant meads, the curled groves,
And silver brooks he passes by, as led
To execution? These he alass, must leave.
She weeps.
And well I know how dead Kings Paramours
Are dealt by, by their cruell successors.
Abb.
Why dead? why successour? but why these tears?
Which I'le drie up with kisses, and revenge
With as much blood of thy fea'rd enemies.
Be a good huswife of these pearles, (my dear)
Too pretious ere to spend, 'lesse when I die,
Thou'lt shed a few of them t'enbalm me with.
Who's that? It is the voice of Beltazar.
Flo.

Or Mahomet Allybeg, or both.

Abb.

Sit still.

ABBAS, MAHOMET ALLYBEG, BELTAZAR, FLORADELLA.

COme, come, my Lords, I've long expected you.

Mah.
We met i'th way a stop, a giddy stream
Of people, with broad eyes, and right-up ears,
Powring themselves from all parts to (11) the Buzzarr.
The novelty made us too mixe among them,
What then made all this concourse, [...]t to hear
A Panegyrick, sung by hired Eunuchs,
In adulation of the valiant Mirza?
Abb.

The mountain brought forth a ridiculous Mouse.

Flo.

Heaven grant it proves ridiculous.

Abb.
Heaven it selfe
Can't make it otherwise.
Bell.
There were all the deeds
Of (12) your great ancestors, from Mortys Ally
Recounted, not as copies to be followed,
But made as soiles, to set off his the better;
And brought but by comparison, to shew
[Page 6]How his green valour conquers all example.
So, said the flattering pamphlet, Peleus name
Stoops to ACHILLES, and so SATURN joyes
To be ore-topt by JOVE.
Abb.

O most felt flattery!

Mah.
And there exposed they his armed figure,
In a triumphall Chariot, drawn by (13) CYRUS
And great (14) DARIUS, yoak'd, with this inscrip­tion:
As the new Moon the light o'th old devours;
So do thy actions all thine Ancestours.
Abb.
No more, no more: seem'd any man of name
To countenance this fairy Pagentry?
Bel.
No lesse then great Duke ELCHEE, at whose cost
It was performed; he's hasting down to's charge,
I'th army, this was his farewell to's friends.
Abb.
There's musick in that voice, would many more
Of his rank durst oppose us. "There is gain
" In mighty rebells. Flies and moths may buz
About our beard, and are not worth the notice,
Or if we crush them they but foul our fingers.
"'Tis noble prey deserves a Princes stroak:
And by my Fathers soul, they shall not want it.
Flo.

Spoke lik [...] thy selfe!

Mah.

Heroick, god-like ABBAS.

Bel.
Let not my Soveraign doubt my proved faith,
(That (15) would ope MAHOMET's Shrine at your command)
If humbly I play the Princes friend,
And urge but their objections, as thus,
What ever glorious actions are atchiev'd
By him or his, redound to the Kings glory,
As all the souldiers to the generalls.
What common souldier ever gained a Triumph?
And yet, what Generalls single valour conquer'd?
[Page 7]How then are you made lesse if he grows great
Since all his greatnesse is not his but yours?
Do not the flourishing of the branches adde
To the Trees beauty?—
Abb.
But luxuriant boughs
Not prun'd suck too much moisture from the Tree.
Bel.
What cares the Sea how great the Rivers swell,
Since all their pride flow into her?
Abb.
But what
The Sea doth get in one place, in some other
It loses; and the more he wins upon
Th' affections of the people, the more I lose.
" Minions too great argue a King too weak.
Ma [...].
" Great Favourites should be set neare Kings as foiles
" To set them off, not to vie lustre with them.
" A Partner once admitted to a Throne,
" Soon justles out the other: th' snakes new skin
" Once come, she casts the old one. (16.) No where are
" Two Kings in safety but in Tener [...]ff,
" And there the one is dead, but one alive.
Bel.

But 'tis not known the Prince intends a danger.

Mah.

It is not prov'd.

Abb.
'Tis then too late, when prov'd,
To be prevented.
Flo.
Cockatrices eggs
Must not be brooded over till they're hatcht.
Mah.
" Kings fears are proof enough they that wil give
" Them cause to fear, give cause enough, to strike.
" A Treason is a kind of Hectique feaver,
" In the beginning it is most easily cur'd,
" But hardly known: But in the course of time,
" Not having been in the beginning known,
" To know it becomes easy, hard to cure.
Bel.

But he is modest—

Flo.
So are Whores at first,
[Page 8]Coynesse is the best Lure.
Be [...].
Blaming his friends
For doubling of his merit, and chides himself
For suffering of his acts so to be guilded,
Lest they might any way eclipse your splendour.
Abb.
Hee's Politick: "Seen nets are easily 'voided,
" And dangers threatned once, are half prevented.
" The curst dog bites before he barks, and Thunder
" Strikes ere it speaks. Treason still shuns the Sun.
Tha [...] female Vertue, Modesty, can't harbour
In such a masculine spirit, even that
He makes a bait to catch the vulgar with,
It gets him a respect: He's not to learn
" That honour, like a shadow, and love too
" Shuns the pursuer, follows him that flies it.
Mah.
Why if he means no Rape upon the State,
Doth he so fortifie himself in's Party,
Binding all men of action unto him
With all th' obligements of a Polititian?
Abb.

"He that will make a Faction means to use it.

Mah.
He studies every particular Gen [...]us,
And taketh every one in his own height.
Th' ambitious he makes his with honours, Titles,
And high commands; saying, "worth loses lustre,
" Like Gems in Quarries, if it be not set
" To publique view, like Diamonds well mounted.
The covetous he ties with chains of Gold
To his own purposes, extolling "bounty
" As th' most conspicuous vertue of a Prince,
" And gainfullest; saying, Vertue else will freeze,
" If it be not kept active with Reward,
" Valours best Nurse. Those that are discontented
"(And such are sure ones) he gains by favour,
And silken promises. The multitude
He stroaks with Popularity, and they
Like true dogs fawn, and crouch as much to him.
[Page 9]Though upon service he's austere enough,
Exacting each mans duty; out of Action
He courts the common souldiers by their names,
Lies with them on the Guard, fares as they fare,
And calls them all his fellows, sees them serv'd,
In time of want, ere he himself will take
The least refreshment.—
Abb.
What soules will not these
Strong arts allure, if he meant war with IOVE,
To storm even Heaven, and mak't a Colony!
Flo.

What, Heaven a Province!

Mah.
Noble Forts he builds,
And Cittadells, as if he meant to compasse
The Kingdom with a trench, and into these
He put's his Confidents. Huge hoords of wheat,
Munition Provision stuffe his Garrisons,
When no Foe threats the Confines. If these charms
Of Affability these knots of strength,
And preparations signifie but care,
And Arts of wisdom, which need 'wake no thought
Of Jealousie, and require no prevention;
Let's cast no Ramparts 'gainst the swelling Sea,
But tamely think the peaceful NEPTUNE meanes
Us no invasion but will sit content
I'th' old Boundaries of his watry Empire.
Cherish the speckled snake, and let him twine
About your leg, alas! poor loving worm!
It onely comes to kisse your foot, and means
To dart no poisonous sting into your flesh.
Bel.
Has he no filiall love? no noble nature?
Can't be that to him, to whom every Vertue
Seems in this dearth of Pietie, to run
For Patronage, Paternall duty should
Be, or a stranger, or a slighted Exile?
Mah
He is ambitious, and "Ambition knowes
" No Kindred, 'twas a maxim practised
[Page 10]"By IOVE himself upon his Father SATURN.
Abb.
No, no, my Lords, that somthing must be done
Is not the question but what? and how?
Bel.
Weaken him in his friends, call them from places
Of trust, and put in others or make them yours.
Abb.
No they are preingag'd, and will not come
But to great baits: So to reclaim them would
Cost much, to ruine them add more to us.
'For all Rebellions, throughly suppress'd,
" Make Kings more Kings, and Subjects still more Sub­ject.
Bel.
Then call him from his strength, lure him to Court.
And drown him here in pleasures and delights,
'Twill soften and enervate his great mind.
" There's little fear of Carpet Kinghts, rough beards
" And hairy men have still the working heads.
Mah.

And such is he.

Abb.
That were to crosse his Genius,
And force his Nature backward, he is made
For hardned steel, and not a masquing sute.
No Musick please him but the bellowing Drum,
No exercise but tossing of a Pike.
So stout a nature never will recoil.
Bel.
Confine him to some Iland, with a set
Of beardlesse Eunuchs, and soft Punks about him,
Prohibiting all martiall company.
Flo.
Pictures and Beauties are alike to him;
His soul's so full of's NYMPHADORA'S love,
As throw him into 'an Ocean of Beauties,
The vessel's full, and can take no more in.
Bel.

A brave truth from an Enemy!

aside
Abb.
Confine him,
That were to spur a fiery headstrong steed
And have no reines to hold him: or to 'wake
A sleeping Lion. "Persons of his rank
" If once disgrac'd, must not be left a tongue
[Page 11]"To tell it with, or hand to act Revenge,
" No, nor a heart to think it. He that strikes
" At mighty Enemies must do it throughly.
Say my beloved MAHOMET, "must not Kings
" That fear great subjects growth, and gathering strength;
" Or wink at all, and conquer them with kindnesse,
" Or, if they wil take notice, leave no need
" Of second blowes, but at the first cut off
" At once the fear they have, and cause of future?
" Who finds a Serpent couch'd, and at one blow
" Parts not his heart shall never fetch another.
Mah.
The Oracles are reviv'd, and speak in Abbas.
But how much more then pitty is it, that
So high a valour, Affabilitie
(Vertues of brightest lustre with the Persian)
And all the endowments of a Princely mind,
Should, like good seed in ground too fat, grow rank,
And make him fit to feel the sickle! which
Gladly I would disswade, were not the tree
More worthy then a wanton branch, or th' head
Then any corrupted limb, though ne'r so handsom.
Abb.
Ah my good Lords, the bowells of a Father
Have yearn'd in me, and no small strift I had
To gain a Conquest of my fond affection,
And bend my will to part with him, as with
A gangreen'd member to secure the whole.
But I have won the field of foolish pitty,
And swom (17) by the eight refulgent Orbs, his death.
Flo.
The young wolfes death can never come too soon;
For he that spares the wolves, destroyes the sheep.
Bel.
But think, my honour'd Lord, will not the soul
Of every subject bleed in his each wound?
The pledge of their succeeding happinesse!
The crown of their best hopes, hope of their Crown▪
And who will spare to damn for Tyranny
[Page 12](Pardon the speech, I act the Princes friend)
A deed, so without Justice, proof, or conscience?
Mah.
Not all the steel forg'd into swords and spears,
Nor all the Iron form'd to battering Rammes,
Have ruin'd so many Kings, as that round word.
" Conscience and Soveraign sway are things at odds,
"'Tis mischifes freedom holds up Tyranny,
" Which who so blushes t'own is no right King.
Abb.
No more debate; Sentence is justly pass'd,
The execution rests, which, what if acted
Vpon him i'th army?
Mah.
If the crueltie
Chance to disclose it selfe, on th' apprehension
O'th murderer, t'may raise some dangerous tumult.
" All cruell actions must be safely done,
" And all their safetie lies in privacy.
Abb.

Let's train him up to court, and do it here.

Mah.

That thought needs not a second.

Abb.
Cause you then
Our secretary t'indite letters to him
Here to attend us with all possible speed,
Where he shall be acquainted with the weight
Of the affair that urges his quick comming.
Provide a messenger of your own knowledge.
Mah.

I know my P [...]o [...]nce.

Abb.
You Lord BELTAZAR,
Who are not so well known his enemie
Though firme enough in our esteem, hast down
Unto the Army, where, till he, you know
Be on his journey hither, keep your mask on:
Then break to the Lievtenant Generall
Your power, and errand, which is to be set
With him in joynt commission ore that Army,
And be the noble partner of our care.
Bel.

My faith shall labour to deserve the trust.

Abb.
And thou my FLORADELLA shalt have work too.
[Page 13]Be frequent in your visits to the Princesse,
Extoll the vertues of her gallant Lord,
And set the wheeles a going. "Praise gets confidence,
That opennesse of speech, and women be
" Best spies of womens actions. Sift her then,
" What is intended, who, and where imployed.
Speak with such confidence, as if you meant
To force her think you know what never was.
" Tis no lesse service to detect close treason,
" Then to vanquish open and avoucht Rebellion.
Flo.
What arts will not my love unto my Lord
Infuse into me, and what subtle care?
Abb.
You've all your parts, act them but like your selves,
Ile in, any study more o'th art of King-craft.
Bel.

Madam I kisse your hands. Yours Lord MA­HOMET.

MAHOMET ALLYBEG, FLORADELLA.
THis was well carried, there's another step
To our great purpose whilst the Tyrant stood
Firmly propt up by his heroick son
And his brave Troopes, not all the Gods could shake him:
Now that he ruines him he but lies down
For me, and therefore thee, my FLORADELLA,
Upon his neck to rise to soveraignty.
Flo.
But what if the successe should thwart the platforme,
And something intervene to save the Prince?
Would not the ruine turn upon our selves?
'Such deeds are never safe till they be acted.
Mah.
Descend not from thy selfe so low as fear,
The blow meant him is guided by a hand
Sure and steady: but if he misses aime,
This very hand through wounds shall force his soul,
So doth the love of thee arme me, Ile wrest
The Scepter from JOVES hand but thou shalt have one.
Flo.

Why do you court your own Sir?

Mah.
[Page 14]
Therefore deerest
Because mine own and worthy a Gods courtship,
I never meant thee lesse, nor have I woo'd thee
To leave a Monarchs crowned love to grace
A subjects bed, but to adorn these Temples
With golden wreaths, more bright then AR [...]AD­NE's,
And make thy name the subject of all Poetry.
Then shalt thou trample on the under globe,
And chuse what part of heaven thou meanst to grace.
So great is the reward of MAHOMET's love.
Flo.
How growes your strength? what men of name, and fortunes
Espouse your interest?
Mah.
'Tis not yet my time
To tempt too many: when the heir is gone,
And all men in a maze, then is our houre.
No Fish shall 'scape us, when the water's troubled.
In the mean time get thee a party to thee
Of the male-spirited Dames, that may engage
Their sons and husbands, they are usefull evills,
" Bosome solicitours are most prevalent.
Flo.

Ile find, or make such: first I'me for the Prin­cesse.

MAHOMET ALLYBEG.
POor credulous Cockatrice! thinkst thou I'le rear
My selfe a Throne, and set a strumpet with me?
No, he that can crush Princes will not pick
Thee out, among the rubbish of their ruines.
Yet must ambition use such poor low things.
Thou art a good close spie, a bosome traitour,
And a fair bait for some smooth liquorish (18) Sultan,
Whom Ile perhaps buy with thy prostitution.
But a companion of my Soveraignty
Must boast a brighter vertue, higher descent,
One that in making nature toil'd, and sweat:
Such as the excellent Princesse NYMPHADORA,
[Page 15]Whom when industrious nature once had form'd,
She broke her mould, for never since could she
Produce her like; she'l fit our proudest height;
But her I'le not assay till I'me possessed
Of my new royaltie: then —a Princes Throne
Is a brave joynture, and the name of Queen,
To a young Widow lusty in her blood,
Will be a charme, hardly to be withstood.
FARABAN.
What curses are entaild on wicked pelfe!
With a bag of mony in his hand.
We, when we want it, scratch and plot to get it,
And when we have it, fear to lose it still.
I dreaded vildly those two craving souldiers
That met me at my Merchants dore they were
But meanly thatcht me thinks and seem'd to have
Sharp stomachs too. They watcht and waited on me
As Dogs do upon children for their victualls.
There lie ye—till my Tailors long long bill
Brings an indictment strongly proved a­gainst
He locks it up in a Trunk.
you.
Thus are we but the Gaolers of our wealth,
Which although most men make their God, is but
The Poets slave, and mine— And but for use—
Two THEEVES.
listning.

Wee'l rescue your rich prisoner presently.

They knock.
Far.

Come in— (Pox on yee, its your tattar'd Rogueships.)

1 Theef.

Your humble servant Sir.

2 Thief.

Your servant Sir.

Far.

Gentlemen, you'l excuse me, I know you not.

1 Thief.
You shall Sir know us better— Please you lend us
The key of that same trunk—Stir and
One of them pre­sents a dag to his breast.
you die.
Far.
[Page 16]

Nay Gentlemen.

1. Thief.
Nay, not a word y'had best.
Take the keys out of his pocket cōrade-so
Now we will eat boy and be warm again
The other takes his keyes out of his pocket, & his watch.
1. Thief.
Hang warmth and eating too,
Wee'l drink, drink deep.
2. Thief.
drink by the hower, and this same watch shall help us.
To 'scape the Constables.
Far.
But I dare hold
A rope of that—th' Devill!—rob'd!— and thus too
Rob'd in a Complement! —Theves!—
Whilst they go to plunder his Trunk, he runs out, and gives the Alarum.
Theeves! ho Theeeves!
1. The.

Pox o' your care, could you not stop him?

2. The.
Now
(Prethee leave chiding to another time)
We've no way but to follow him, and cry
Out Theeves as loud as he: so we ith' hubbub
They run af­ter him
May hap t'escape. 2 The. 'Tis best. Both. Theevs! Theeves! ho! Theeves!
SOFFIE, FATYMA, IFFIDA

IS this the story's to be acted?

Looking upon a Picture.
Iff.

Yes Sir.

Sof.
I love to see these Actions, they will put
Spirit into me. Is the Princesse ready?
Iff.

She will be presently. You stand on thorns now.

Fat.

Shall I see't too?

Iff.
Yes, yes, my pretty Lady,
If you'l sit patient there, and weep no more,
Fat.
Indeed I will not: but I could not hold
L [...]st day, they were so cruell; could you IFFIDA?
To see hard-hearted PROGNE stab her Son!
And all the while the boy cling to her breast,
And for each wound she gave return a kisse!
Sof.
[Page 17]

Go, y'are fainthearted.

If.

Nay Sir, she's good natur'd.

Fat.
This too is some sad story: tell me IFFIDA,
Why do's this woman look so angry here?
Sof.
What ailes that old man so to weep? I can't
Indure to see a man weep it showes cowardly.
Iff.
That fierce Lady MEDEA resolv'd to fly
With her new servant JASON from her Father;
To hinder his pursuit▪ she tore in pieces
Her brother ABSYRTUS, and bestrewd ith' way
His limbs which that old man, their father finding,
He stopt his vaine pursuit o [...]'s cruell Daughter,
To gather up by peace meal his torn son,
And seems to bath each piece with teares, as if
He thought them Cement strong enough to set
The tatter'd joynts and flesh again together.
Fat.
Was she a sister? O I could not do
So by you SOFFIE for all the world —
I care not now for seeing it presented,
I hate all cruelty so perfectly:
Yet could I bear a part with that old man,
And weep as fast as he; so infectious
Is a just sorrow, chiefly in old persons.
NYMPHADORA, SOFFIE, FATY­MA, IFFIDA, PAGE.
WHat ailes my FATYMA to drown her blos­somes
Of beauty thus in tears? Child art not well?
Fat.
Yes Madam, but this piece is limnd so lively,
As it doth strain tears from me to embalm
Poor torn ABSYRTUS with.
Nym.
Pretty compassion!
I like this tendernesse in thee: but we think
This a feign'd story. O may reall griefs
Ne'r touch thy breast, poor thing! — wilt see it acted?
Fat.
[Page 18]

It will, I fear, make me too melancholy.

Nym.

Do as thou wilt, my Heart.

Fat.
This piece shall be
My m [...]lancholly study, and sad Tutor.
When I have either cause or will to weep,
Ile take up this, and sit, and think, I see
The tender boy stretcht out his hands unto me
For help, and sigh, because I cannot rescue'him.
Then think again, the old man calls out to me
To help him gather up his sons limbs; and weep
Because I cannot.
Iff.

Pretty innocence!

S [...]f.
Pray Madam, let me wait upon your Highnesse
To th' Tragedy.
Nym.

Thou shalt sweet-heart.

Iff.

What now?

Pag.
If't please your grace, the Lady FLORA­DELLA
Is lighted at the gate, and means a visite.
Nym.

She's welcome.

Sof.
Pish, pish, now her idle chat
Will keep us beyond time.
Nym.

Soft my young Gallant.

NYMPHADORA, FLORADELLA, SOFFIE, FATYMA, IFFIDA.

HAil my good Lady.

Flo.

Mighty Princesse, hail.

Nym.

Please you to sit.

Flo.

How does my little Lady?

Fat.

I thank you Madam.

Flo.

And you my Lord?

Sof.
Madam,
At your service.
Flo.
Troth, an early courtier.
How happy are you, Madam, in these copies
Of your fair selfe, and your renowned Lord?
[Page 19]By which you've fild times sharp teeth, and secur'd
Your names, your formes, and natures, from the wast
Of death, and eating age; nor is it fit
So eminent a beauty, and cleer vertue
Should for lesse then eternity grace the world.
Nym.
Why, Madam, give you me the trouble to
Speak your words over? for these heights of courtship
Are but like sounds made in a hollow room,
In expectation of the Eccho's answer.
FLo.
No Madam, by your beauty and that is
The greatest Power that I can swear by, I
Oft lose my self in pleasing Contemplation
Of you as Natures, and as Fortunes darling.
By whose best gifts yet can you never be
So highly grac'd, as you do grace their gifts,
And them too by your bare receiving them.
What had the Gods in all their Treasury
O [...] greater worth or lustre then the Prince,
Your excellent Lord? A Prince that striketh dumb
Envy and slander! and gives Fortune eyes!
And who could they find worthy to bestow
This great result of all their sweat upon
But you? who yet deserve him every inch.
Nym.
In him indeed I am compleatly happy.
But he is so far above all deserving,
As I can plead no merit; yet the Gods
Themselves have sometimes deign'd a mortall love.
Flo.
In which of all the Gods fortunate Princesse,
Could you have been so happy as in him?
With better grace thou Phoebus dost not hold
Thy gorgeous rein, nor from thy glistring Throne
Scatter more beauty or more Majesty!
A Majesty indeed too great to know
Any Superior. And now that the King
Is bow'd down with the burden of old age,
The heavy weight of the unweildy Empire
[Page 20]Grow but a trouble to his aged shoulders.
His Crownes are to his head a load, no more
An ornament It's fitter his white Age
Should now indulge his genius, and release
His thoughts from all the ruffle of the world,
And give him time to contemplate the place
He tends to every day. So should the Prince
Make his few daies brigh [...]er and easier to him,
By taking on himself (now fit for labour)
That load of care we call the Soveraignty.
Nym.
Pray Madam give such thoughts no longer breath,
Thoughts that the loyall Prince and I detest.
'Tis the base viper gets a life by forcing
A violent passage through his Parents bowells;
(19) My Country Phoenix when he duly mounts
His Fathers spicie Throne, brings on his wings
His honour'd ashes, and his funerall odours,
To shew, he climb'd not, till his death, his seat:
Flo.
Your Highnesse rather should assist his rising,
By gaining more to's party, which is done
With but a gracious look or smile from you.
'So prevalent an Oratour is beauty.
Nym.
No, by his life, and all the love I bear him,
I'd rather follow him fairly to his Tombe,
Perfum'd with that unblemish'd stock of honour
He now stands in, then that so fouly broke,
See him untimely thrust into the Throne.
And justifie my self a loyaller wife,
In loving more his honour then his life.
Flo.
(Unconquerable Vertue if the Gods
in secre [...].
Give me a Plague 'twill be for th' injury
I do this noble pattern of all goodnesse)
Well Madam, you may feed upon that air,
But there are those wish the design on foot.
And promise to themselves a fair successe.
So great's the love they have for the brave Prince,
[Page 21]An exp [...]ctation of a braver King.
'For 'tis Authority declares the man.
Nym.

I'l thrive their trai'trous plots.

Iff.

My Lord, speak to her.

Nym.
But in his face I read my SOFFIE think's
This conference might be spar'd, as well as I,
For he was wooing me to carry him
To see MEDEA play'd, at Madam OMAY'S,
And I am loth to disappoint his hopes.
Flo.

I'le be no cause of that.—I'le wait you thither.

Nym.

You'l honour me.

Flo.

(I'le go before you one day.)

secret.
MAHOMET ALLYBEG, SELEUCUS.
I Need not tell thee, my SELEUCUS, what
Hast, secrecy, and care must wait you [...] journey.
Attend Duke EL [...]HEE first, but privately,
And with my letters give him high salutes,
To work in him a confidence of me.
When you have obtain'd Audience of the Prince,
Note with what gust he takes his call to court,
And ere he be upon the way, be sure
I have a Post, t'inform me of the minute
I may expect him here; that his arrivall
Anticipates not my provision for it.
Sel.
My Lo [...]d, no part of your instructions shall
Be unobserv'd, and what my care can more,
Rely upon.
Ma [...].
Be happy.—This will prove
His faith, and diligence, and those shall be
The rules by which i'l further trust or slight him.
All tooles are not for greatest works, they must
Be try'd, and 'bide the tryall must be made
Staves in the ladder we ascend a Throne by.
[Page 22] MAHOMET-ALLY-BEG, BELTAZAR.
HAil my Lord BELTAZAR, what, you are going
To take possession of your new command?
I wish your journey and that too prosperous.
You know you have a friend in Court, and I
Assure my self of one now in the Army.
Bel.
That your assurance will never fail you.
The King expecteth your Attendance.
Mah.
I
Am with his grace already;—Adieu my Lord.
BELTAZAR.
HOw quick's this Jack of state! if this my journey,
And th' whole project be not a web of his,
I misse my mark.—The Prince is grown too great
And must be fear'd, and presently remov'd,
Not 'cause he is too great for ABBAS, but
For ALLY-BEG: But this I must not see,
Because I cannot help. Should I suggest it
Unto the Prince, 'twere but to fall with him.
I'le rather save my self, and try if I
Can keep an even Path, 'twixt the two hills.
"'Tis be [...]ter give way to, then resist ills,
" And raging Lions, of too horrid might
" To be withstood by force of Law, or right.
" The Prince must fall: his ruines will be great
Enough many lesse Princes to create;
Why may not I be one of those? so from
A River stop't, many small runs do stream.
Vertue, I love thee, but with thee to stand
Were now to fall; 'Yet what the King commands
" That word makes Vertue, or at least Law; for he
" Can do no wrong, since 'gainst himself't must be,
" And to the willing nothing's injury.
[Page 23]How ere, 'tis wisdom to obey: "They who
" Will rise at Court, must not dispute, but do.
CHORUS.
O Misery of greatest states!
Obnoxious to unconstant Fates!
'Great and good Persons well may be
" From guilt, but not from envy free.
" They that stand high in Publique trust
" Expect the forked arrowes must
" Of such below, as deem their parts
" Lesse in employment then deserts.
These vapours yet may hap ore fly
So long as the helm is guided by
Temperate Spirits, and severe
Judges, that both know, and dare.
And whilst that Kings will, in things high,
Their action to good counsell tie.
And not by single advise be led,
Oth' passionate unsalted head.
" But since that flattery and ease
" Crept into Princes Palaces,
"'Tis dangerous to be good, or great,
" For such the Court's a slippery seat.
" Nor is it safe for Subjects since
" Too too much t' oblige their Prince,
" With mighty service, that exceed
" The Power of his noblest meed;
" For whom he cannot well reward,
" He'l find occasion to discar'd:
To which many a Parasite
His easie nature wil excite,
Things sold to riot, that still swell
With envy 'gainst such as do well,
Because their glory blazing higher
Then theirs, ecclipses their false fire:
[Page 24]So must he for their private ends
Divest himself of his best friends
Nor so their humour's fed, care they
If he and his become a prey
To's greatest fo [...], 'gainst whom their care
Def [...]nd him neither can nor dare.
" These are those ear-wiggs to a King
'Then hostile foes more ruine bring.
As Ivy seems the blooming spray
T' adorn but sucks his heart away:
So do they rob their Prince of's heart,
In making him his duty 'invert.
And the best Government Monarchy,
Degenerate into Tyranny;
Perswading him, his single will
His Realms are made but to fulfill.
They make a wolfe thus of whom Heaven
To th' flock hath for a shepheard given.
The Sun, they might as truly, say
Is vested with his flaming Ray,
To scorch and not assist the Earth
With gentle warmth, to naturall birth.
" The Flatterer merits worse of you
" O Kings, then whose pale Poisons brue.
" They kill but single Princes, he
" Assassinates even Monarchie.
Leave then with beasts your sportive war,
Or hunt no beast but th' Flatterer.

Act. 2.

MIRZA.
DOe, Fortu [...]e, doe, frown on, that th' world may see
My constant Vertue can orecome even thee.
And when thou pour'st out with full sea thy spite,
Swim with more strength against the angry tide.
Conspire with the Foe that not to you
The honour may, but to my self, be due.
But if thou bee'st the Mistresse of the world,
From whose mad wheel all our events are hurl'd,
Thank thee for being coy: It will improve
The pleasure of the Conquest, and my love.
" Slight favours are not for a Princes ware,
" The foulest ground the fairest crop doth bear.
'In a dull calm, a child may play with th' helm,
'But he's a Pilot can outride a storm.
Raise raise them, then, let loose the winds to rage,
And let this tumour with that warfare wage.
Block up the way that to Fames Palace lies,
To give my spirit nobler exercise.
Why am I more observ'd and courted too
Then other men unlesse I more can do
And suffer more? "'Tis not enough to be
" But born a Prince our greatest Royaltie
" Lies in our Acts if we have greatest parts
'In reverence, let's have so in deserts.
And though the bravest souldier at this day
(The whole worlds terrour) under me in pay,
Did never hear me saying yet, go thee
Where slaughter highest rag'd, but follow me,
Yet could he stronglier 'gainst the Torrent swim
Of War then I, I'd yield my Palme to him.
[Page 26]But Counsell must direct each martiall feat;
" Uncounsel'd force is crush'd with its own weight.
ELCHEE, PAGE.

I Study nothing here, so much as how to merit your h [...]gh favour, and do some­thing

Reading Ma­homets letters to him.

may fix me strong in your desired friendship.—

WHy this to me, that never yet could gain
More then a quarter face,—thus—or perhaps
An over shoulder look from this great MAHOMET?
This sole ingrosser of the royall aspect?
To me this! a disgrac'd cast Courtier!
Sure this is more then complement, yet not scorn?
It lookes like serious. He has his ends if he
But speaks, or bowes, or nods to any man.
His very looks and smiles are all design.
Had I best meet his courtesie half way?
Or shun it as a snare? Sure he thinks not
Me cheap enough to be his instrument
In a low matter? and in great his craft
Has not enough of confidence in me.
I'le not embarque too far, yet still egg on
His confidence to make my breast his closet.
Then either close in what may serve my self,
Or save my Head by vnraveling his Plots.
He hath somwhat ith' sorge and hopes my late
Disgrace and discontent will make me blow
The cole with him, though he'd but use my foot
But as the Cats to reach the nut out of
The fire for his tooth. He's not to learn
" That male-contents are tinder for a faction.
He may remember too, that "with great Persons
" New benefits blot not out old injuries.
He hopes I'le catch the spark, if not for love
[Page 27]To him, for hate to th' Tyrant, who yet perhaps
Bids him cast out his lures to tempt my stomach.
Yet will I see the bait, and play with it,
And since I see it, fear not to be hit.—
Who waits there?—
Pag.

My Lord?

Elc.
Desire the Gentleman
To enter, —Favours done to followers
Oblige their Lords; as he that did relieve
MINERVA'S weary Priests ingag'd the Goddess.
ELCHEE, SELEUCUS.
COme sir this masse of love your honour'd Lord
Is pleas'd to send me, flowes with such a tide
Of joy upon me, as I shall either die
This night, or else live forty years the longer.
Sel.
My Lord, his honour's covetous to find
Fit objects for his love, he's us'd to say,
But now he needs not seek abroad, your Grace
Deserves it all, and he is no lesse just
To pay desert her due, then wise to find it.
Elc.
Y'are too obliging, we know his judgement well
Wh [...]ch yet in nothing's more conspicuous,
Then in such prudent choice of followers.
Sel.

My Lord, when will the Prince—

Elc.
The Prince anon
Will be at th' Councell of war; there or expect
My entrance, or else by some attendant,
Give me but notice of your being there,
And I'le present you to his Grace, according
To your good Lords desire. The time draws on.
I'th interim, here's some will entertain you.
[Page 28] MOZENDRA, SELEUCUS, BENEFIAN.

SELEUCUS! hail.

Sel.

Well met dear Colonel.

Ben.

Welcome my better half, welcome to th' Camp.

Moz.

How looks the Court?

Sel.
As't uses, like a Lottery,
Where one may draw and draw till he exchanges
His whole stock but for blanks: and if by chance
A Prize do come, 'tis more by luck then skill:
And then the noise, the Drum, and generall cry
Follow the fortunate, when a thousand others
That ventur'd more, may sit and curse their starrs.
Moz.
A good Satyrick Metaphor; in them both
Blind fortune rules.
Ben.

But how are Ladies? reasonable?

Sel.
Even as they ever were, and ever will be.
Shaddowes, shaddows of us: pursue them and
You may pursue, and tire in the chace,
Seem but to fly, they'l follow, and be handled.
Moz.
'Twas ever so, keep them but sharp and they'l
Obay the lure.
Ben.

Watch them and they'l be tame.

Sel.
But with fr [...]sh oaths songs, kisses, Duells, (food
Strong and approv'd) gorge them, and they'l turne taile.
Ben.

A pretty truth: but who bears greatest price.

Sel.
Why, faith, the plainest, th' fairest ever are
Most kind and least proud —
Ben.
So, And what new loves?
How thrives the new sect of Platoniques? ha?
Sel.

Troth the best Pimp that ever enter'd Court.

Moz.
You need not fear the grouth of such a weed,
Nor hope we better fruit, since that (1.) the Persians
Begun to follow th' Lacaedemonians.
Ben.
[Page 29]
Then i'le up and turn Courtier, SELEUCUS
Wilt buy my Regiment?
Mox.
Prethee BENEFIAN
Wilt now turn fly, and spend the day in buzzing
In Ladies beams till thou hast sing'd thy wings?
Fie, fie, the Prince he [...]e shewes thee'nobler game,
Wilt thou, like an ill-handled kite upon
Her wings after a noble quarry, go
Away with paultry check? or leave a Partridge
To dop after a lark, or Robinred-brest?
B [...]n.
There is a Syren in that tongue.— well, i'le
Consider a while of't. But you SELEUCUS
Mean to stay with us, ha? and see some sport?
Moz.

Yes, yes you will not leave the stag at Bay.

Sel.
Well, i've a Mistrisse I would fain present
With a piece of a torn Banner.
Ben.
Well said my
Bully HECTOR,-but hold—The Lords o'th Coun­sell
EMANGOLY, METHICULI, HYDASPUS, ALKAHEM, MATZED
ANd now my Lords, what businesse calls loudest
To be the first discussed in our Counsell?
Met.
Exchange of Prisoners; many we hold of ther's
At needlesse charge, as many they of ours
Deserving men and stout, whom we much want.
Hyd.
Our Regiments and companies are thin,
Scarce one in ten of them amounts to half
The constitution: So the Guards are weaker
Then else they should: and thus hard duty comes
Oftner to the same men, till the poor souldiers
Grumble, and faint beneath the load, and scarce
Are held from mutiny; But which is worse,
A masse of Treasure daily is consum'd
On idle officers, Parchment Colonells
And titular Captains, that ne're saw four files
[Page 30]Vnder their Ensigns, or perhaps no more
Then their own groomes, or private servants, save
Some that they borrow'd upon daies of muster,
Or else pretended to lie sick in Quarters.
Ema.
Dead payes are not to be eschewed: tis grown
An abuse too strong for reformation.
The rest, the Prince has thoughts how to redresse,
And means it suddenly, by casheering and
Reforming idle officers, and filling all
His Regiments; which method he intends
To be exact to four times ith' year.
Mat.
All gentlemen that come as volunteers
Expect commands, which yet they measure by
The greatnesse of their states, not martiall skill.
A Troop, a Company, or a Regiment
Each novice claimes as due; lesse cannot answer
A full fortune: when, for a Princes selfe,
They that know any thing, know tis no disgrace
To traile a Pike under a known Commander.
Hyd.
But tis disgrace enough, and something more,
I'd almost said tis treason, t'undertake
More then a mans abilitie can perform,
Since the King suffers in it more then he;
The King, more in his work, then he in's credit.
Alk.
These in their times; but first, if you concur,
Some thoughts of the reducing of you City
Were seasonable: the seige is long and tedious,
And sicknesse and disease invade our camp,
As if the foe had made them of their party.
And that, my Lord METHICULI, makes good
Your proposition; that place won, we gain
Those prisoners, whose exchange will cost us dear.
Mat.
My Lord, I eccho you. What a disgrace
Would stick upon our names indeleble
As cowardise, if our great Princes standard,
That never yet was fixt in vain before
[Page 31]A hostile Fort, but useth to display
Its selfe still on the Enemies proudest Turret,
Should now be left alone, or which is worse,
Forc'd to remove?
Ema.
Though all the Gods were parties,
Our Princes stars are of a cleerer light,
Then so to be eclips'd by th' (2) Turkish Moon.
Hyd.
She's pale, and waines already, and his Arme
Shall pluck her from her sphear, or quench her in it.
Met.
Or daube her hornes with (3) Ottoman blood, till she
Sets red, or shrinks into her Cloud, and wasts.
Alk.
How can it be but so, when such a Sun
As this appears, drowning her sickly light!
MIRZA, EMANGOLY, ELCHEE, ME­THICULI, HYDASPVS, ALKAHEM, MATZED, MOZENDRA, BE­NEFIAN.
MY Lords, this City stands stiffe in our way,
But none I hope, have any other thoughts
Then tempting of our stars, till the proud Turrets
Bow to our feet, and sink in vengefull flames;
For why should she ere boast a brighter fate,
Then her as potent sisters, that now kisse
Our yoak, and humbly truckle under us?
Ema.
And so shall she, and glory in the bondage;
For to be slave to you, is next to win.
This my Lord ALKAHEM wisely advis'd,
Should be our first addresse unto your Highnesse.
Mir.

He spoke my thoughts, or rather I in him.

Alk.
This I the rather was induc'd to do,
Because, since the two Mines we sprung last day,
And five former assaults, prov'd unsuccessfull
And all your Messages met a Rejection:
I humbly now conceive, no storm or scale
[Page 32]So fit to be attempted, as some stratagem
To be advis'd of.
Mir.

Give us but a hint.

Alk.
An't please your Royall Highness, the last sally
'Twas my fortune to make two young men Prisoners,
Whom by their civill fashion and demeanour,
I judg'd and found to be men of the Book,
Rather engag'd by novelty to see
Something of war, then any way expert
In these rough meetings: these I had into
My Tent, where being well warm'd with (4.) Shiras wine,
They fell into a freedom of discourse,
And, among other things, assured me,
They in the City had receiv'd a Promise
From OSMANHELI, their old Governour,
Of succours within four dayes, for which service
He was prepar'd, and stay'd but for some Gallies,
And Frigots to convoy him, and inable him
To passe through our Fleet, which Navy he had
A good assurance would attend him shortly.
And these are th'onely hopes hold up their hearts,
And keep their Gates shut 'gainst your Royal Highness.
Neither is this discovery the effect
But of their drink, for, sober, they confirm it.
Elc.
The same, a Page of mine, lately their Prisoner,
Who mad's escape in the same sally, told me,
He learnt ith' Town.
Mat.
It is the generall voice
Among the meaner Prisoners, who hug their
Condition, and joy they are with us,
That they may eat again, famine within
Rages so strongly.
Moz.
Hopes of this supply,
They say, do onely keep the Town from uproar.
Ben.
The starved Souldiers fly upon their Leaders,
And cry with a half hollow voice, Bread! Bread!
[Page 33]For heavens sake Bread: when shall we eat again?
They answer, do but smell upon your Matches
Four dayes longer, then by th'life of (5) MORAT,
If no help comes, we'l make our best conditions.
Met.
It seems 'tis a conceit strongly believ'd,
That they shall have reliefe.
Alk.
Believ'd, my Lord,
They every hour trace the sands, the walls
They climb, and Turrets, peep through Prospectives,
And if they but descry a Sea-gull, 'tis
A Sail, and if a flock, O that's the Navy,
Till lost again they chide their credulous faith,
And curse the two crosse winds, till their own sighs
But make them stronger to defeat their joyes.
Hyd.
I had the guard last night, and intercepted
A messenger in disguise from the said OSMAN,
With Letters sown in's (6) Tulipant, spoke the same.
These be the Letters—, and the Postscript fixes
The time two dayes, or three at farthest.
M [...]r.
Good,
And you conceive now, we may send a Party
Fresh flourishing in the Enemies Colours, who
By this pretence, may gain perhaps admittance,
And so surprize the Town?
Ema.

'Tis probable.

Alk.

'Tis certain.

Mat.

Nay 'tis more, 'tis done already.

M [...]r.
Well, since you've such a confi­dence, we'l try it.
The Prince lightly peruses the Letters, then gives them to the Lords, who hand them from one to a­nother.
You, my good Lord, METHICVLI, shall command
In this design, to whom we'l joyne your Regiment,
HYDASPVS, and yours, ALKAHEM, and yours MATZED.
Met.

Our care shall not be wanting.

Mir.
[Page 34]
Have the Brigads
Ready t'imbarque by the first light o'th'morning:
In the mean time, we'l send unto our Admirall,
That riding in the gulph, blocks up the Town,
To bring ships down unto the Haven this night,
For to transport you in, those must you wing
With Turkish Flags and Streamers, and acquaint him
With the adventure, that you passe the Fleet
In the next night, yet not without some skirmish,
To work the greater confidence ith'City,
That you are foes to us, and their recruits.
Yet least discovery frustrates the project,
Keep your selves whole, that you may so make good
Your quick retreat. You, my Lord ELCHEE,
At the same time shall storm on the Land side,
To give the greater terrour and diversion
To the Towns strength: so fortune aid the attempt.
My selfe, and you, EMANGOLY, will be ready
Either to enter with the Horse, or succour
Our friends, if they be forc'd to a retreat.
Alk.
If this succeeds ' [...]is but our keeping up
The Turkish Colours on the Towers awhile,
And we shall so traine in the succours sent
For th'Towns reliefe, who ignorant of its taking,
Once landed, can't scape us.
M [...]r.

Grasp not too much.

Ema.

The Action promises well.

To Elchee in se­cret.
Ben.
My Lord, SELEVCVS
Attends without.
Elc.
Sir, you'l oblige me, if
You'l please to bring him in, and i'l present him.
M [...]r.
MOZENDRA, let it be your care to make
Our Admirall know our project, and desire
Of Ships from him.
M [...]z.

Sir, I am gone about it.

[Page 35] SELEVCVS.
To them.

ALl hail.

Elc.
May't please your Grace, this Gentleman
Is come from Court, with Letters for your Highnesse,
From your dread Father.
Mir.
He is welcome,—Sir,
How fares our Royall Father?
Sel.
By me he sends
Your Highnesse twenty thousand blessings: and
Is kept in health, if but by the relation
Of your renown, which gives him hourly musick,
So gratefull to his Majesty is your fame.
Mir.

We'l study to requite his love with duty.

Met.
My Lord HYDASPVS, and you ALKAHEM
He delivers his Letters to the Prince, kisses his hand, and retires. The Prince opens, & reads them to himselfe.
And you MATZED, will all be sure to bring
Down to the Haven, before the Moon arises,
Your Regiments, where you shall find me ready
To lead you aboard, the Ships I need not doubt,
They being my MOZENDRA'S care.
Hyd.

Do'nt doubt me.

Alk.

Nor me.

Mat.

Nor me.

He starts.
M [...]r.

Sure I red not right!

Hyd.

His message likes him not.

Mir.

O for an Augur!

Ema.
Good heaven! what an Oglio of thoughts
His Highnesse has in's face!
Mat.
He reads disturbance
In very line.
Ben.

What bold blind fate dares thwart him!

Mir.
'Tis so— Well, Souldiers may'nt dispute their orders.—
[Page 36]My Lord, I've here commands come from my Father,
Forthwith to wait upon him, and I dare
Think nothing but obedience.— But O in
What a Dilemma between duty and honour
Stand I? Honour calls to me from the house
Of Fame, built all of sounding Brass: and what
Wilt thou, sayes she, that hast given up thy name
To me, go wanton in the Courts soft pleasures?
When yet the field is cover'd with thy Army,
And new attempts resolv'd?
Alk.

Heare, heare her sir.

M [...]r.
Then filial duty calls loud from the Temple,
T'obey is your chiefe honour, the contrary
Would fix more staines upon your Name, then all
The Ottoman blood, could you set it a Tilt,
Could ever wash away. O strait! who sayes not,
To go is Cowardize, to stay, Rebellion?
Ema.
Excuse me sir, were it not blasphemy
'Gainst our great (7) MITHRA, to say the Sun wants light,
When he doth but keep state in gloomy dayes?
No, no your Highness have possess'd the world
Enough with your known valour, now no spot
Will stick to you; besides who knows your business?
Your Highness going may be necessary,
And so your journey give more honour to you,
Then kicking ope this Towns Gates with your foot.
Met.
O'th' other side, some handsome excuse may
Give satisfaction to the King, till this
Design be over, and not incur displeasure.
Ema.
It may so, yet, why should our Lord the Prince
Run that hazard? his stay may do him hurt,
In losing th' opportunity of some Action,
Sure of concernment, else the King would not
Have sent, knowing the weight of his work here:
Or worse, it may provoke his Fathers anger,
At least suspition: His going cannot harm him,
[Page 37]This Plot is so contriv'd as we may act it:
Nor need the common Souldier know he's gone;
Put one into his Armour to disguize it.
When he is there, if the affair be urgent,
'Tis well he went: if not, he may return
To us before the Action.
M [...]r.
I'm confirm'd,
Obedience possesses me all over.
Ile up, and down again, quick as your thought:
If I be forc't to stay, go on and prosper:
But duty bears me not faster to him,
Then Love and honour shall again to you:
And so adieu my Lords.
Ema.

Heaven keep your Highness.

Elc.

Go safe.

Met.

And safe return.

Hyd.

And well as safe.

BELTAZAR, EMANGOLY, ELCHEE, ME­THICVLI, H [...]DASPVS, ALKAHEM, MATZED, BENEFIAN.

HAil my Lord Duke of Shiras.

Ema.
My Lord BELTAZAR!
What wind wast drave hither trow?
In secret.
Elc.
No good one,
You may be confident.
Bel.

Save you my Lords.

Ema.
O my apprehensive soul! I'd give
Aside:
An eye my Lord the Prince were here again.
Bel.
'Tis thus, in short, my Lords, His Majestie
Dreading some sickness growing strong upon him—
Hyd.

He was in health even now.

Aside.
Alk.

Stay sir, observe.

Bel.
Thought good to send down for his Sonne the Prince
The staffe of his old age, to be about him:
And has done me the honour to command me
[Page 38]Hither, to stand in joynt Commission over
Th'Army, with you, My Lord EMANGOLY,
My honour'd Colleague.
Ema.

Your standing is my fall.

Aside.
Bel.
My Lords, methinks I see, and grieve to see,
Something like Discontent in all your faces.
Ema.
I'm justly proud sir, to be joyned with
So eminent a Vertue; but this, in this
Conjuncture of time, I think, was ill advis'd.
Now, when the Army is neer worried out
In a long war, to tear their darling from them,
Will rellish ill.
Ben.

I'l up, and turn Platonick.

Met.

And I Stoick.

Mat.
Ile to my Farm, and there
They whisper
Sow Mustard-seed: the Prince gone, farewell Arms.
Elc.

This is a trick, the Prince nere dreamt of it.

Alk.

A bait, to lure him up and lodge him—O.

Ema.
My Lord, his Highness ere we lost him, laid
The Plat-form of a Plot to gain this City
By a surprize; till that be done, wil't please you
To keep close your Commission, lest th'novelty
Disturbs the Action.
Bel.
Sir, I'l be advis'd
In this, and all things, by your better judgement.
Met.

We all do know our duties, let's attend them.

Ema.
Go then, my Lords, I'l follow:— or I thinke,
We had as good let this adventure fall,
'Twas but to please the Prince.
Bel.
Sir, as you please:
I've some dispatches, those over, I am yours.
[Page 39] EMANGOLY, ELCHEE, METHI­CULI, HYDASPUS, ALKAHEM, MAT­ZED. BENEFIAN.
THe Prince call'd up, to stay! and one sent down
To take his place? and that a Courtier too!
Plot of some Turk to ruine Persia
By striking her good Genius! Impudent head!
Worthy a thousand thunderbolts, that durst
Once mention it! why stay we in the Army?
There's not a Captains place now to be given
But some Court-Madam must dispose it, to
Perhaps some little leg'd Gentleman-Usher.
Ben.

Or decay'd Stallion.

Elc.
Though we toil'd and sweat
To purchase honour for the Prince, we will not
That BELTAZAR shall share with us.
Ema.
Shall I
Be coupled now, after so many Triumphs,
With a Court Spaniell? I'le let the Turk in first.
Say my good Lords what, can you shrug and fawn,
And complement? your Generall is a Courtier.
Now you must fight in method, exercise
Your men as in a Dance.—
Met.

Pox, let all fall.

Hyd.

Best call MOZENDRA back, and lets do nothing.

Mat.

But mutiny.

Elk.

Or at be [...]t, raise the Siege.

Ema.
The shame wil not be ours, but the dul Kings,
That knowes [...]ot how to prize a worthy Son.
Omne [...].

With all our hearts.

Met.
Let' [...]hold together then,
And we are safe.
Ema.
You are an Oracle.
The King shall know that nothing shall be done,
Lesse we be pleas'd, and have again, his Son.
[Page 40] BELTAZAR, SELEUCUS.
SELEUCUS, is thy Post upon his wings
T'inform thy master of the Princes coming?
Sel.

My Lord, I have dispatch'd him.

Bel.
Prethee stay him
For my Packet.
Sel.

My Lord, i'l after him.

Bel.
Do so,— and then the King shall know he must not
Pull down his Son and let these great ones stand,
That are but his dependents, pieces of him.
They're grown too great to obey any but
Their Prince, and will not brook my rising ore them.
And yet, to speak my conscience, they're but honest,
And do, but what I should; yet now that is not
The way to thrive, and so may well be lov'd
And wished, but not practis'd, without losse.
" As he that fells an Elm, must also fell
" The Ivy Vine, and under shrubbs that dwell
" Beneath his shade, and cling in loving sort
" About his bole some but for their support,
" Some to suck sap from him: So who'd remove
" A Prince, or great man, strong ith' Peoples love,
" Must strike his followers too. A mighty man
" Doth never fall alone, no more then can
" The beams and columns of a Palace and
" The Rafters and the sparrs unmoved stand.
CHORUS.
WHat dire effects evill Counsell workes
Even to unhinging greatest states!
It doth allure with specious baits,
But underneath foul Poison lurkes.
The Prince, to please a factious few
Must rob himself even of his best
Of friends, and discontent the rest,
[Page 41]Which he may ever after rue.
This happens when the Princes ear
Is open (dro [...]n'd in soft delight)
Unto the bosom Favorite,
Or undermining Flatterer.
How hard and difficult a thing,
Almost above the power of man,
Or even what the immortalls can,
Is it, to be a prudent King!
Almost with honour due to IOVE,
Such 'tis no Piacle to adore,
For sure, hourly lesse, or more,
He hath intelligence from above.
O what a narrow path doth lie
For him! what a straight neck of land?
'Twixt this dire Rock, and that Quicksand,
Here base contempt there flattery!
To escape flattery men must know
He loves the naked truth to hear;
B [...]t if these freedomes given are
To all, they to contempt will grow.
So dost thou loose thy reverence
Great TITAN, guider of the Day,
Because thou dost with equall Ray
Thy light alike to all dispence.
The wise Prince then some few selects,
And but to them gives libertie
To tell him all things as they be,
From th' rest he nought hears or expects.
Of such a prudent choice must be,
(Men wise and daring, that above
His Fortune do his Person love,)
Lest they fall into flattery.
Not chose for favour, but for parts,
Not so poor as they him must make
Their prey, nor should he any take
[Page 42]For the [...]r high Fortunes, but deserts.
Nor must he yet let them ingrosse
His love; keep them his Counsellors
Not Favourites, lest the gaining theirs
Of all hearts else becomes the losse.
Should SOL from one place ne'r remove
And starve the rest, scorch would that part
With curses, and his partiall Cart
Might more esteem get, but lesse love.
" Few Favourites were there ever seen
" But either wrought their Kings decay,
" And prov'd Usurpers, or else they
" Have by the People ruin'd been.
" O Kings, be sparing to make those
" Whom well you love, your Favourites;
" For them you give to vu [...]gar spights,
" Or else, for them, your selves, depose.

Act. 3.

MAHOMET ALLYBEG.
IS there not somthing more for me to do,
Then to gain Persia's Crownes, and Asia's too?
Must I end there? and after ages say
Here was the limits of great MAHOMETS sway?
Forbid it my bold Genius. Such a Head
Was never meant lesse then the whole worlds dread,
To coin new projects, and dilate my fame
Beyond (1) cold Caucasus, where the Roman name
Could never come, all knees must bow unto't
(2) From Ganges head to towring Atlas foot.
Cunning or force all waies shall open make,
Or that all locks shall pick, or this shall break.
[Page 43]Some would start now, and say, we can't dispence
With justice to do this, and Conscience.
Die all such thoughts in me. "Who great things dare
" Think all waies just that profitable are.
As long lives he that throws JOVES Temples down
As he that prostrates at his shrine his Crown.
" All Acts, in this world, good, that prosperous, are:
What, in the next I neither know, nor care.
This world then that I know i'le either have
My subject, or else mine and its own Grave.
If I fall, she shall: the loud crack will be
A Dirge fit for so great an Obsequie.
ABBAS, MAHOMET-ALLY-BEG.

WHere is my MAHOMET?

Mah.

He's here dread ABBAS.

Abb.
Hast set the Guards, and put a bit upon
The Mutinous Town? such acts as we intend
Are not safe in themselves, but onely made so
By the same power that doth them.
Mah.
I, my Leige
Have doubled all your Guards; and yet the more
T' oblige them, I have paid them all arrears.
Abb.
You did well to make that the first act of
Your Treasurership—Sit down my Confidence.
And now what say your letters from the Army?
Mah.
Even as we wish'd, the Prince is on the way,
But play'd loath to depart from his dear strength,
At first it was debated.
Abb.
Heavens! how far
Was this state Gangreen crept, that they durst make
Debates of my so positive commands!
Mah.
The wily Foxes yet advis'd his comming,
To gain your good conceit of his obedience.
BELTAZAR'S Power known once, all flew off
The hinges; every face, grew dull and misty;
[Page 44]All late resolves of Action recoil'd,
As if their bloods were cooled, and frighted back,
Either through fear, their Treason is smelt out,
And so they shall not stay long after him,
Or else for pure Love to him they mourn'd;
But 'twas not love, men of the blade and Action,
Us'd to quaffe blood for Healths, are too too rough
For that soft tender Vertue to inhabit.
Abb.
'Twas conscious guilt that flew into their faces,
Arm'd with her furies whipps and Harpy nailes.
Mah.
Was it not time then to disarm the Serpent
Of's sting? who now may hisse, but never bite.
Abb.
BELTAZAR writes EMANGOLY and ELCHEE
Seem most displeas'd, and slight his joyning with them.
Mah.
They know themselves, and know withall that hee
Or I, or any, whom your grace dares trust,
Have not the Art of war. They know you need them,
Therefore take boldnesse thus to nose and beard you.
Abb.
I'le ruine all mankind first. No, this war
Is but t' inlarge our Territories; honour,
Not need or Right is all the cause: I'le send
Commissioners down, and clap up peace with th' Turk,
And so disband this factious Army. Then
(3) Let th' haughty Duke of Sh [...]ras have a care
Lest I absolve my self of my rash oath,
Never to lop him shorter by the head.
By th' hands at least I will, that is the Power.
" The misery of rach oaths! yet in the cause
" Of Treason, no man hath a priviledge.
I'le thrust him from (4) his Government of Shiras,
(5) I'le turn his feast of Lillies into Cypresse.
And remove ELCHEE from Hyrcania too.
Mah.
To out EMANGOLY you've pretence enough.
Ha hath been long continued in his trust;
[Page 45]Places so high ar'nt onely for one Subject
Your Majestie have many to reward,
And honour is the cheapest way you have.
But ELCHEE has had no time in's Honour,
And been provok'd already; besides he
May still be usefull, and hee's yet too great
For such disgrace. "'Tis never safe to anger
" Too many great ones at one time, Sir, ELCHEE
Made yours once, will serve to ballance th' other.
Yet for a while, banish him from your presence,
'Twill make him conscious of his fault, and put him
Upon some thoughts how to regain your favour.
Then, to be reconciled is to win him.
" 'Tis better to gain one friend, then crush then foes.
But let EMANGOLY be clean cast off,
As uselesse quite, and not to be reclaim'd.
Abb.
Wise MAHOMET, thou shalt rule me, bee it thy care
To draw up Articles, find Commissioners
To fetch us peace, impowr'd with full instructions.
Mah.

Who mean you in EMANGOLY'S roome, ore Sh [...]vas?

Abb.
Who but thy self, companion of my Reign?
Who else is fit to be second in glory,
Or help to bear so many pondrous Crowns?
I now shall take sound sleeeps and no more start,
Or break my troubled slumbers, with conceit
Of sword, or Treason. The Hesperian fruit
Was not so safe under the Dragons guard,
Nor the golden Fleece kept by the brasse-hoof'd Bull
Half so secure, as I and th' Empire shall be
In thy care, Angell Guardian of Persia.
Mah.
Not all the Gods could so oblige me. Heavens!
What anxious care, what service, what endeavours,
Can ere requite such favours! But, Sir, I
Am conscious of mine own defects, for such
A Province, that requires the ablest man;
[Page 46]A man, A God Phoebus himself to rule it;
A rule as glorious as his flaming Throne.
Abb.
Thou art modest ALY-BEG. He is most fit
Who we dare trust, and that is thee my MHOMET
ABBAS, MAHOMET-ALLYBEG, FARRA­BAN, Two THEEVES, OFFICERS.
WHo have you brought into our presence (Dogs)
And are the sons of filth and povertie
Fit objects for our eye?
2 Theev.

Mercy, O mercy!

Far.
An't please your Majesty, these two were soldi­ers.
Ran from their colours hither, and turn'd Theeves,
They rob'd ith' Court it selfe, my chamber.
Theev.

Mercy.

Abb.
'Twere to disgrace our mercy to bestow her
Vpon such vagabond [...], who besides your Theft,
And cowardly sulking from the Camp, shall die,
If but for so disgracing, so prophaning
Our Court, with such base rags, and bands of vermine
Compounds of Oyle and stench! spawn of a Toad!
Are these weeds for a Court? Or is our Marble
To be polluted with your dust and sweat?
Rascalls! spued out of Gaoles and Charnel houses!
Rotten already! that bear graves about you!
Go, Officers, away with them to death.
'Tis plain they are Theeves, they've rob'd some of their fellowes
Long since hung up in chains, of those foul raggs,
That danc'd ith'air many a frosty night.
Yet, that they may die neatlier then they liv'd,
Give them new Coats, then dragg'd out of the Town
Impale them high on stakes, thrust through their bodies.
1 Thee.

This may thank you could keep the dore no better.

2 Thee.
T'may thank us both, for robbing without killing.
[Page 47]"They're wise that make sure work.
Mah.

Tis true.

Abb.

Away.

Mah.
(Tis a good Prologue this to his sons Tragedy.)
Aside.
Attend without there, FARRABAN, I've somewhat
To move the King, you may be usefull in,
Be within call.
Far.

I will, my honoured Lord.

ABBAS, MAHOMET-ALLYBEG.

DRawes not the time on, you expect the Prince in?

Mah.

Yes. How will you that he be entertain'd?

Abb.
How entertain'd? why, how, but with a bow­string?
Is't not decreed? Entice the trusty Son
From his Eccliptick line, he shall obey
Your beck, and wander from his sphear, ere I
From my resolves.
Mah.

Admired Constancy!

Abb.
Set you some spy of faith 'gainst his arrivall,
There let him stay him to attend my comming;
Then give us notice, and thou and I will plant
Our selves in secret to behold the justice;
To act which, get seven Executioners
Deaf, dumb, and dextrous to rush in upon him;
So all Rebellions shall be strangled in him:
Th'Hydra of Treason at one pluck shall lose
Her numerous heads▪ and we our fears, and be
For ever cured of all jealousie.
Mah.
Ile appoint FARRABAN to be his last
Master of Ceremonies. FARRABAN,
MAHOMET-ALLYBEG, FARRABAN.

WHich is the way to rise at Court, thinkst thou?

Far.

T'obey and please.

Mah.

Right, and thou art ambitious.

Far.
[Page 48]

What do I here else?

Mah.
Whither tends thy aime?
Give me the utmost height of thy aspiring.
Far.
Troth there you pose me; for "Our thoughts still rise
" As our estates and power; the avarice
" Of honour is no lesse insatiable
" Then that of gold. — But for the present, I
Know mine own wish, and so shall you my Lord.
When I walk by the Cittadell, so strong,
So stately, that claimes reverence from mine eye,
I think if I had but the government
0f that, I should be happy enough to pitty
(7) The grand Signior, and envy him no more.
Mah.
The government oth' Castle! is that all?
Thou art too modest.
Far.

Good my Lord, do'nt scoffe me.

Mah.
I am in earnest, —thou shalt have it FAR­RABAN,
The King has but one piece of Service for thee,
Do that, and thou art Governour.
Far.
If I
Can do't, tis done.
Mah.

Come, Ile instruct thee how.

FLORADELLA, CLOE.
COme, why staid you so long abroad this morning?
You'l never leave your Gossiping till you
Be double rib'd, as GLAVCA was, and then
You may go seek a Father for't: 'bove all things
Beware of a great belly; there is losse
Of time, and losse of sport in't, besides trouble.
Clo.
O Madam, I can make sirrup of Savin,
My selfe; and twenty tricks I have besides.
Here is the book EARINA promis'd you.
Flo.
What, ARETINE, so famous for his po­stures!
Let's see it.—Were you at ERINA's house,
Or sent she this?
Clo.
[Page 49]
I was there Madam, and
Had the luck too, to see her fine new servant.
Flo.

What for a creature is't?

Clo.

A pretty silk-worm.

Flo.
How happy am I therein 'bove the rest,
That dote on sleeked limbs, and finest bloud,
Looking but for couch comforts, not aspiring
The godlike ornament of a crown! let them
Melt in their youngsters armes, Ile sacrifice
To hair and bristles, cling to MAHOMET,
Or hug a coffin to arrive at honour —
Me thinks this Purruck leans to th'left hand somewhat,
Clo.
No Madam, 'tis well set, and rarely sented.
I would we'd more of the prepared Pomatum,
And powder I bought last.
Flo.
What talk's most rife
Abroad, wench?
Clo
That my Lord MAHOMET is sworn
Lord Treasurer, he's now the only Sun
Next to the King, of greatest light.
Flo.
He shall
Ecclips him one day. —What do you now?
Clo.
This fucus
Is laid too thick, Ile mend it with my scarlet.
Flo.

Have you got Puppy Dogs, and an after burden?

Clo.

Yes.

Flo.

Well—distill them then with care—my Lord▪

MAHOMET-ALLYBEG, FLORA­DELLA, CLOE.
WHy; this is as it should be, now my beauty
Displaies her lustre, throwing sweets and graces
About the place, her selfe being as the spring,
A box wherein all sweets compacted lie.
Flo.
This spring, Sir, owes it selfe but to your beams.
I wish you joy, Sir, of your treasurership,
Mah.
A step, that's but a step to a greater height.
[Page 50]I've something more to tell thee, that is fit
For thy ear only.
Flo.

CLOE, prethe leave us.

( Clo.
Now can't I for my soul but listen, I
Have such an itch of novelty)
Mah.
Come my dear,
Art ready to ascend thy throne? hast practised
Aside, she places her selfe behind the hang­ings to listen.
To Queen it with a Majesty? seest thou not
All creatures bow in homage to thy foot?
And Princes throng into thy set of servants?
( [...]lo.
This is fine Pageantry, would it were reall.
O how I should be courted!)
Flo.
Jeast not, jeast not,
How proceed you?
Mah.
Smoothly, the dreaded Prince
Is on's last journey; an hour brings him hither,
An other sends him El [...]zium.
The army kicks at BALTAZAR's command,
And pines for th'Prince; the two Dukes fume and fret
Like Lions caught in toiles or Buls in nets,
Where strugling but intangles them the more.
Since the King can't trust these men thus inrag'd,
Nor knowes he where to serve himselfe of others;
He means a league with th' Turk, so falls this army,
And leaves him no force to oppose my rise.
He shew'd me his thoughts of outing ELCHEE
From his vice-royship of Hircania,
And stout EMANGOLY from his of Shiras.
I having hopes of ELCHEE, knew to out him
Were to disable him to do me service;
So wrought him to continue (8) the gelden Duke,
But not without a spice of his displeasure,
Forbidding him the Court, and this will rub
His former wounds, and make him fitter for me
To work upon; for "Nothing like disgrace
" And discontent drive men into rebellion.
[Page 51] EMANGOLY I know too wise and haughty
For my use so did close with his suspition,
To lay him by; there I've disarm'd a foe,
(9) And the most Potent too in the whole Empire.
To hinder his gath'ring or abetting Factions,
We'l to this Town confine him, to have him in
Our eye, and keep his friends from herding with him.
( Clo.
Faire fall that Counsell, I shall see my Sweet­heart
Again then,—O dear VASCO!—Well, I'l venture
Catching th'other cold, with sitting up
To let thee in at the back door a nights.
Lord, I'm so marriage-minded o'the suddaine!)
Flo.
I'm mufing who shall be preferr'd to Shiras,
If any of that faction should step up,
T'were but the worse: be that your care to hinder.
Mah.
Who cleares a field of thornes, but meanes to reap
The crop? nor had I counsell'd his remove,
But that the King proffer'd his place to me:
Whereby th'best halfe of my designe is acted.
" For he that gives the means unto another,
" To become powerfull, undoes himselfe.
Flo.
That word gives me new spirits. O my joy!
Let me embrace thee, sweet; all our contrivements
That sounded hard before, are easie now.
Nor will we rest in our first project: we
Will stretch our conquest farther, till no names
But onely ours, be heard from Pole to Pole.
Mah.
This hand was never made for to grasp less
Then the whole world, one Scepter cannot fill it:
Thou shalt reward thy women all with Kingdoms—
( Clo.

Hei, ho, my heart! then I shall be a Queen.)

Mah.
And give whole Isles in dowry with thy Mai­dens:
The meanest drudge that toyleth in thy service,
[Page 52]Shall sweep his Oven with (10) MORAT'S Horse-tayle standard:
My Ganymeds and Lackies I'l prefer
To Provinces, and give a City to
My Grooms for every time they hold my stirrop.
I'l ride upon tame Unicornes, and thou
Shalt have thy Charriot drawn by yoaked Lions:
My slaves shall play at foot-ball with the crowns
Of their own conquer'd Kings, whose blooming daugh­ters
Shall sue to wait, some 'mongst thy maids, and some
To be entertain'd in my (11) Serraglio.
Flo.
Why should not I have a Serraglio too,
For men and boyes? I prethee let me build one.
( Clo.

That would be fine i'faith, I love variety.)

Mah.

No, no, my sweet, thou must keep all for me.

Flo.
Fie, this ingrossememt is but meer conceipt:
Do's the sweet spring lesse cool, less fair appear,
When many thirsts are quench'd in her, then when
But one has drank? find you not the same sweets,
When more besides your selfe have smelt your Rose?
Mah.
Well, I'l not press the Dove's example to thee,
Or geniall Vine, but give thee the free reins,
Let thy selfe loose to pleasures.
Flo.
We'l make poor
Ingenuous luxury in all her Arts.
Mah.
Mean while, we'l re-erect our marble City,
(12.) Persepol's, far fairer then her founder
SOSARINUS, or rather JAMSHET meant her;
Or then she was indeed when (12) the mad Greek
Swimming in riot, at fair THAIS Counsell,
Did wrapt her pride about with wastfull flames.
There our bright Pallace I'l repair, and give
(12) The forty Towers new Resurrection,
From their forgotten rubbish (12) Th'hundred Pillars
Of white and shining marble, shall again
[Page 53]Erect their pollish'd heads, not to support
APOLLO, as of old, but thy fair statue,
And mine, adored of the prostrate world.
Flo.
We'l lie on Beds of Gold and Ivory,
(13) Richer then that Bythinian PYTHIUS gave,
Our great DARIUS: Golden Vines shall shade us,
Studded with Pearls, whose artificiall clusters
Shall be the freshest Rubies. Thus we'l tyre
Nature and Art, and our selves too, with pleasures.
Mah.
I've a pretence shall gaine even MIRZA'S friends.
'Tis that I onely aim at, the Protection
Of young SOFFIE, whom they cannot think safe
In's Grandsires hands, seeing his hate to's Father:
Do you pretend no other to the Ladies.
At first, to name my selfe were gross, and open.
Flo.
Great soul of wit! that cannot chuse but take them,
Some oth' great Ladies I've with visits courted,
With presents some, all with unusuall favours:
So that they seem to stand expecting something
I'd have them doe, which when the Prince is gone,
They being thus prepared, they shall have.
T'were good you won the (14) Muft [...]e to your pur­pose;
And some o'th' (15) Abdalls, that at publique mee­tings,
And market Lectures, may expound the Text
Oth' (16) Alchora [...], according to your Comment.
Good cheer is bait enough for these poore spirits,
Fil them with that, and the bagpipes will sound
What Tune you'l turn them to, when they are full:
Bid them inveigh against the Tyranny
They now groan under: promise silken Yoaks,
And easie burdens in your Government.
Pretend a Reformation of the Law,
[Page 54]To take down all illegal Courts and Taxes:
(17 To make all Lands and goods Hereditary,
So that the Persian being rich in Marble,
Need never more to build with unburnt clay.
Promise a Toleration of all
Religions, to ease tender Consciences,
Or Jew or Christian, but yet persecute
The Christian still; it is a spreading Sect,
And where it gets a foot draws in the body:
What though your word's not kept? your ends ob­tain'd,
Y'are too great to be taxt with breach of promise.
Mah.
'Tis true, great wit, these mercenary Priests
Are the best fire-brands, such I've ready kindled,
They are at work in every Conventicle,
Their empty heads are Drums, and their hoarse voyces
Are Trumpets to the war: then, when no longer
The people will believe, I shall be able
To force them to't: Power and Policy,
" Are the two Poles a Kingdom turns upon.
Flo.
More Policy not MERCURY can boast;
O that your power were equall! as to that:
What think you of the Horse-guard I propounded?
Mah.

I do intend it, when I've money for't.

Flo.

I've twenty thousand (18) Tomaynes towards it.

Mah.
(This want of money now was well preten­ded.)
aside.
As many thanks, my sweet, I will returne thee,
For every piece a Crown, (a nooze I should
aside.
say.)
Clo.

Base man! well, I'l prevent thy treachery.

Mah.
By this the King expects me, but my deare,
First let me leave my soul upon thy lips.
( Clo.

Out Crocodile! he'l lick off all her paint too.)

Mah.

Adieu my Queen, my Goddess, more, my Love.

Flo.
[Page 55]
My Prince, my MAHOMET, my best of wishes,
And their accomplishmens attend thee ever.
FARRABAN.
ANd must the brave Prince die? who would love vertue!
That sure has no reward, and is but name!
Could vertuous valour, and all daring goodnesse,
A noble scorn of Fortune, and her frowns,
Whole Hecatombes of Vowes and Prayers, sent
Climbing to Heaven on pious breath, enough
To scale it, and force blessings from the Gods:
Could Countries love, or Persias Genius wrest
From ruthless ATROPOS the impartial sheares,
Then had'st thou liv'd, great MIRZA, and out-liv'd
The smooth-tongu'd Greek. O let not this be knowne
In (19) Balsora, nor publish'd in (20) Bizantium,
Lest the Arabian triumphs, and the daughters
Of ACHMET, sing the fall o'th' Persian glory.
But why waile I his fall that is my rising?
" Kings great intents are to be serv'd, not searcht:
But would he'd us'd some other instrument:
Yet th'Cittadell is worth the paines I take for't.
He comes,— I'm hardly bad enough for this service.
MIRZA, FARRABAN, PAGE.

NOw FARRABAN.

Far.
Long live your Highnesse, you
Are well return'd. Sir, I am sent from th'King,
To let you know, that since 'twas private businesse
Urg'd him to call you up, he thinks it best
You'd not appear in Court, or make your comming
Publique, now when your Army so much needs you:
[Page 56]And since a suddaine griefe late fallen upon him,
Makes him unfit for businesse; he desires
You'd repose here, till himselfe comes to visit,
And give you your dispatch, which he assures
Your grace shall be as soon as he can get
Leave of's Disease to venture into th'air.
Mir.
Thou giv'st me joy and sorrow FARABAN;
Sorrow, to heare his Majestie wants health;
And joy, in hope of quick dispatch, because
My Army's need of me, and my desire
To be with them are alike great and urgent.
My humble duty to his Majestie
I'l here attend him, and imploy the time
In prayers for his health.
Far.
Heavens keep your highness,
For Earth sha'nt long I'm sure.
Secret.
Pag.
Your Highness said,
You'd have your Scimitar, new set on edge,
Whilst here you stay, if't please you, 't may be done.
Mir.
That's well remembr'd, the stout trusty blade,
That at one blow has cut an (21) Asinego
Asunder like a threed, is drunk and glutted
With Ottoman blood; it cuts not now, but bruises.
Take it, and giv't an edge, but be'nt long absent,
Mean while a nap shall settle my toss'd
He lies down upon a Couch to sleep.
braine,
ABBAS, MAHOMET, ALLY­BEG
They peep in from be­hind the hangings.
MIRZA.

HE sleeps.—One blow will make you sleep e­ternall.

Mah.
He is the fitter for your purpose, farther
From opposition.
Abb.
But 'tis cowardly,
To strike a man sleeping.
Mah.
We that stick no [...]
[Page 57]For vertues selfe must not regard her shadow,
Fame and repute; no heed what honour saies,
State saies it, and state is the power we serve.
Abb.

A handsome man! 'tis pitty!

Mah.

Do you soften?

Abb.
Relent a little; 'las, against a showre
Of so great blood, what Marble but relents!
Mah.
You have your choice yet, whether you or he
Shall passe the Stygian sound first. Do, do, strain
Courtesie with him; say, my flower of youth
Has shed the leaves, thine flourishes in glory:
Live thine own time out MIRZA, and mine too.
Abb.
No, he must fall; yet falls he not my crime,
But Tyrant Necessities, that knoweth
No law, not those of justice, nor of nature.
Mah.

Now y'are your selfe again.

Mir.
Skirt all along
The trenches with the Horse.
Mah.
Hark! hark! he dreams
Nothing but war; talks sleeping or awake,
Nothing but blood and wounds.
Mir.
Remember but
That I am MIRZA, you Persians.
Mah.
Is this
Nothing?
Abb.

An overflow of dangerous valour.

ABBAS, MAHOMET-ALLYBEG, MIRZA,
The King, and Mah. still behind the hang­ings.
seven Mutes.

AH!

Mah.
See your selfe and crowns rescu'd from danger.
The Mutes with bow-strings in their hands, they make softly towards the Prince.
Deaths journey-men ready to seize your fear.
Abb.

Sad necessary evill!

Mah.
[Page 58]
Shut but your eye
And when you op't again. you'l see no Rivall.
Mir.

Where, wher's the oppositi­on

He starts up, the ex­ecutioners fly back.

made?

Mah.

He wakes.

Abb.
There's danger in his fury, and quick death
In every look.
Mir.
Blesse me! what do I see!
I am betrayed!
Mah.

I warrant you.

Mir.

Treason! Treason!

Mah.

I, I, call till your lungs crack.

Mir.
Hell, and furies!
What Devill made me send away my sword,
To fall a tame dull sacrifice to treason?
Mah.

Persia's good Genius.

Mir.
Yet the lower shades
Shall never see my Ghost
They fly upon him, and throw their noozes towards his neck.
come unattended.
" Fury nere wanted weapons.
He taks up a stool to ward and fight with.
Abb.
O that I
Could save him, and be safe my selfe!
Mah.

You cannot.

Mir▪
Go you dull dog, tell RADAMANTH
He knocks down one of the executioners.
I come—
And you— bid CHARON wait me
He kils another.
with his boat.—
How will it yrk my Ghost to fall without
My full revenge?—could every blow I deal
Light on my cruell Father —the curs'd cause
Of my base murder— I should die contented—
As in th'embraces of my dearest friends.
Mah.

You see Sir, what you were to trust to from him.

Abb.

would I had nere deserv'd it.

Mir.
And you too,
[Page 59]Go you, —and tell my Grandsire, and my
He kills another.
Vncle
I come—to keep them company, —we'l sit
On A harons banks,—under a fatal yew, —
Counting the murders— of my Tyrant Father.—
Ah too unnaturall Father! —Our pale Ghosts
By turnes shall vex thee.—Is this private businesse!
Curses and horrour dog thee to thy Hell.—
ABBAS!— O ABBAS— forget not—that I die—
Wearied with resi­stance, he fals, and faints, the other 4 executioners proceed to strangle him, when the King comes out, and takes them off.
I die— the complement of thy Tyranny.
Abb.

I can no longer hold, I feel his torment.

Mah.

Inconstant!

Abb.
MAHOMET, help me rescue him,
And call him back from the infernall shades.
Ma [...].

Faith Sir, I'me deep ith' gout I cannot struggle.

Abb.

MIRZA, O MIRZA, speak, thy father calls.

Mir.

My murderer.

Abb.

O he lives he lives, help! help!

Mah.
I am very lame —Pox o'these
Aside.
bunglers, would
He had kil'd them all.
Abb.
He faints again! the soul
Is coy, and will not stay, help! help! who waits there?
FARRABAN, SELEUCUS.
To them.

SIR.

Abb.
O help me redeem my hasty errour,
And be a Father again.
Mah.
'Las Sir, we cannot
Bring him again oth' sudden; he's but swounded,
His spirits must have time to Rally. But what
[Page 60]Will do with him? do you think this injury
Will ever be forgotten? will you restore him?
Ab [...].
No, yet he lives, though in a dungeon. —Bind him
Lest he recovers.— Now to make him henceforth
Incapable of giving me more trouble,
Ile have a flaming steel be drawn before
His eyes, to take away his sight.
Mah.
Do't then
Ere he recovers, you'l not rule him else.
Abb.

Be it your care FARRABAN and SELEU­CUS.

Sell.

It shall.

Abb.
Then guard him to the Cita­dell.
Stay FARRABAN, you I've made
Seleucus and the Mutes carry out the Prince, still in his swound.
Governour.
Where's his commission MAHOMET?
Mah.
Here my Liege.
You see Sir I was mindfull of my word.
Far.

Your trust shall never be deceiv'd by me.

Abb.
Ward the Prince up, but hinder not his friends
Th'accesse of visits; yet observe who comes;
So shall we know the faction by degrees.
He fast, fetch his wife to him, and young SOFFIE.
Let little FATYMA be brought to me,
Ile have her in my Court to play withall.
Far.
All your commands are done.— Now I grow strong.
Secret.
In villany, and fit for any service.
At first I startled, and my blood recoil'd.
" None are oth' sudden highly good or bad;
" By time and practise are crafts-masters made.
Abb.
MAHOMET, compile a Proclamation
Declaring my just fears and jealousies
Of his exorbitant rise, and growing faction.
This timely mercy will possesse the wo [...]ld
That I am only carefull, and not cruell.
And that 'tis not the person but the treason
[Page 61]I punish. "Tyranny may be gilt with reason.
MAHOMET-ALLYBEG.
INconstant dotard! canst thou never sleep
And wake again, firm in the same resolve!
Well, thou but leav'st for me to do, what thou
Wouldst have, but could'st not; nor shall this faint rub,
Thy cowardise cast in my way, impede
My strong-cast bowl, but the more surely lead
It to th'intended Jack, that is, thy head.
NYMPHADORA, FATYMA, IFFIDA.
WHat mists are these that dwell about mine eyes
To cheat me into slumbers! as if rest
(The cure of troubled minds) meant to compose
The tumults of my brain, and sleep repair
My broken senses, softly by distilling
Her gentle balm upon my wounded thoughts!
When I no sooner do obey, and throw
My cares on her, but melancholy keeps
Sad orgies in my head, shuffling again
My senses with pale frights, and gastly dreams,
Full fraught with horrour and black Tragedie,
Turning to poyson what soft sleep meant balsom!
Iff.
Why weeps her grace, as if she'd
To Fatyma.
wash the world
To its old innocence? accost her Madam.
Nym ▪
Alas! poor heart! my load of grief's too hea­vie
To be remov'd by thee; —mine eyes no sooner
Close, but I start in frights, visions and Ghosts,
Pale wandring Ghosts still shake their funerall brands
Before me, and invite me to their shades.
Me thought I saw my Prince with gastly looks,
Squallid and bloody, beckon me away.
And then the Sun with bloody countenance seem'd
To set upon his head, and a thick cloud
[Page 62]Invelop'd him in her dark misty womb.
Portents! portents of some dire fate to come.
Fat.
Madam, alas how oft have you chid me
For crying at sad dreams? last night, me thought
I saw an eagle pick his chickens eyes out,
And could have wept for't, but I soon forgat it.
Nym.
'Tis true, sweet-heart, our sleeping thoughts are oft
Idle and imperfect, but most commonly
They're either Histories of something past,
Or dark presages of what is to come.
Iff.
For heavens sake, Madam, torture not your selfe
With dreams, but let some (22) Magus read them to you,
Or else consult with some wise woman 'bout them.
Nym.
No IFFIDA, "Wisdome and vertue be
" The only destinies set for man to follow.
" The heavenly powers are to be reverenced,
" Not searcht into; their mercies rather be
" By humble Prayers to be sought, then their
" Hidden counsells by curiosity.
SOFFIE, NYMPHADORA, FATY­MA, IFFIDA.
MAdam, the Court is full of armed men,
They've planted guards at every door, and make
Apace towards the presence.
Iff.
Hark — Madam, let
A noise without.
The Prince be hidden.
Nym.
No, he has innocence
Enough to guard him.
Fat.

O they come!

Nym.

Let them.

[Page 63] FARRABAN, NYMPHADORA, SOFFIE, FATIMA, IFFIDA, SELEUCUS, Guards.
YOur Grace will please to pardon us, whilst we do
Onely our Offices, and the Kings commands,
In removing you, and my Lord your Son,
To th'Cittadell, where Madam, I assure you,
You shall find all the liberty and service
Is in my power to afford.
Sel.
You, Madam,
To Fatyma.
The King expects at Court, where all delights,
And studied pleasures, shall be spread before you.
Iff.

O Heaven!

Nym.
Why this oth'suddain? if there's ought
Amiss [...] in me, his gentlest check could have
Reform'd it soon, without this strict confinement.
Far.
Madam, no cause of this is from your selfe,
As we conceive, but from the Prince, who is
Already there.
Nym.
O my oraculous soule!
My dreames are read without a Magus, come,
Come, lead away, if he be there, the place
Is not a Prison, but a Court, a Palace,
A Paradise; this is my Prison, 'cause
He is not here: I goe not to restraint,
But to inlargement. Is my Lord there say you?
I'm sure unjustly, since nothing deserves
A punishment but evill, and all evill is
Repugnant to bright honour, and her dictates,
And no dishonorable thought had ever
The confidence to thrust into his mind.
Adieu, my FATYMA, thou must to Court,
But I to riper pleasures, if allow'd
Thy Fathers presence in what ever place.
Fat.
[Page 64]

'Las, Madam, may not I wait on you the

Sel.

No Madam.

Fat.
I'l not be long from your Grace:
Farewell my Princely Brother.
Nym.
Alas! I cannot
She turnes and weeps.
See thee torn from me thus.
Sof.
What insolence
Is this! and whither will you hurry me?
Far.

My Lord, onely to see your Royall Father.

Nym.
Go, Childe, the Gods of Persia are thy guard:
Wilt thou partake my fortunes IFFIDA?
If.
Willingly, Madam, as i'd entertaine
My Bridall.
Nym.
Come then, glad Brides do not meet
Their longing Grooms, more eagerly then I
Embrace my Prison, if that be a Prison
Where MIRZA is: the joy of meeting him,
Devours all thoughts o'th'place which must appear
Both noble and convenient, he being there.
ABBAS, OLYMPA.
WE knew his Parts, but know with all, "No Vertue
" Can merit praise, once touch't with blot of Treason:
Yet since 'tis not himselfe we chastize, but
His crime, the innocence of his children shall not
Share ith'reward of his offence, and therefore
We commit FATYMA to your Governance:
She is of the best blood, yet betters it
With all the Graces of an excellent spirit:
Mild as the infant Rose, and innocent
As when Heaven lent her us. Her mind, as well
As face, is yet a Paradise untainted
With blemishes, or the spreading weeds of vice.
Oly.
[Page 65]
My care sir, shall preserve those glories green,
To grow with her, and flourish as her beauty.
Abb.
When aged some two years more, we me [...]ne a marriage
'Tween her and an Arabian King: Her goodnes [...]
Can brook no meaner fortune then a Throne.
ABBAS, OLYMPA, FATIMA, SE­LEUCUS.

SEe where she comes, waited by all the Grace!

Oly.
With Innocence cast about her as a Dresse:
Yet wears she sorrow in her face.
Abb.
But mixt
With such a sweetnesse, as gives sorrow beauty.
Come my faire Grand-childe, welcome to our Court:
We mean to have thee here, as a choice Jewel
Set to th'advantage, to be seen and prais'd;
Madam OLYMPA is your Governesse.
Fat.
Then sir, my first suit to her is; that I
May see my Father, if not still wait on him.
Abb.
Deny her nothing, but make quick [...]
A Prison is no shrine for such a good [...]es [...]e.
Oly.

Come Madam, I'l attend you to hi [...] Highnesse.

Abb.
Doe— and SELEUCUS, hast thee down to (23) Larr,
Be happy in thy Government let us know
What's fit more to be done there? and how they
Take this great change of state.
Sel.

I will my Leige.

SELEUCUS.
YOu soon will know what you have done, and what
You should have left undone, wh [...]n 'tis too late.
What Prince would have disarm'd himself of so
Trusty a str [...]ngth! and to his watchfull [...]o [...],
[Page 66]Laid himselfe open thus but one in whom
Strict justice would have that impartiall doom
Of Tyrants to be proved, "Him whom fate
" Meanes to destroy, she doth infatuate.
MIRZA, PAGE, FARRA­BAN.
Blinded and led by his Page.

THe empty nothing of our worldly greatnesse!

Pag.
O that your trusty Scimiter had stuck
Acrosse my heart, when I depriv'd you of it▪
Arm'd but with that, the Sons of earth had felt
Their brothers fortune that made head 'gainst JOVE.
Mir.
Remember it no more sweet youth, alas!
Hell and dire Treason call'd, call'd in the voyce
Of love, the fiend ith'Cherubins disguize,
(Safest disguize, but cruellest!) I came led
By powerfull Fate to my destruction,
And this by chance the wrathfull Powers made joyne
To pluck me down. So, "To a falling man,
" Every thing gives a thrust to hast his ruine.
Who's that?
Pag.

'Tis FARRABAN your Goaler sir.

Mir.
The Devills setting Dog! guide me but to him,
My wrathfull arms shall crush out his black soule.
Pag.
Alas! Sir, your revenge is toothlesse, hear him
'Twill lesse exasperate.
Far.
NYMPHADORA, sir,
Your Princesse comes to see you.
M [...]r.
Can that name
Come in thy mouth, and not convert thee? wretch!
MIRZA, NYMPHADORA, SOFFIE, IFFI­DA, PAGE.
O Heavens! and has the Kite got that Dove too
Into his fangs▪ the Gods have sure forgot
[Page 67]All justice, and hurle plagues about at random!
Nym.
Goodness! what do I see! — O, that I still
Did not onely dreame! — O—
Iff.
Ah! alas! sweet Madam!
She's swounded! help me DORIDO.
Mir.
What Tyrant
Frighted to see the Prince blind, she swounds. They chafe her.
Planet did rage, not raign, at my curs'd birth!
Too cruell heavens, to ply me thus with wounds?
Do harsh JOVE, do, shoot, shoot again, but know,
If thou spendst many Darts upon me more,
Thou'lt soon disarm thy selfe.— Is not my woe
Enough, without addition of hers
To sink me to the Centre! Lead▪ O lead me
To her, my comfort once, but now my sorrow,
That I may revive her with fervent kisses,
Or mix with hers my dying breath.
Pag.

Take heed sir.

M [...].
O NYMPHADORA speak, thy MIRZA calls,
Still MIRZA, and still thine. O speak, speak quickly,
Lest griefe before thou speak'st, puts me past hearing.
My name was once belov'd, and powerfull with thee.
Nym.

Who, O who calls me from the pleasant shades?

Mir.

Thy MIRZA dearest, 'tis thy MIRZA calls thee.

Nym.
O the vast power of that Charm! where is he?
Bless me— what see I?— Heavens, let me returne
To that sweet Grove, there stood my MIRZA for me,
Glorious and bright, and ile to him againe.
Iff.
Alas, She's gone againe— sweet SOFFIE
Speake to her.
Mir.

Ah! and is he here too!

Sof.
Madam, ah Madam, SOFFIE never ask'd
[Page 68]Ought yet of you in vaine.
Mir.
Heaven is proud
T'have got so pure a soule, and vowes to keep it.
Iff.

Here comes poor FATIMA too.

Sof.

Madam,— FATIMA.

MIRZA, SOFFIE, NYMPHADORA FA­TIMA, IFFIDA, PAGE.
O ye infernall Powers! your conquest is
Compleat ore me, why kill you me no faster?
But crucifie me thus with lingring tortures?
I'l do't my selfe— and never be beholding
To you for my last rest (24) BA [...]AZET'S Cage
Arm'd him with high resolves: my woe's as great,
As powerfull.
Fat.

O Gods!

Pag.
Sir, sir, the Princesse.
H [...] throwes him­self downe, and be [...]ts h [...]s head on the f [...]o [...]re.
Sweet FATIMA cling you to him, to hinder
His violence to himselfe.
Fat.

O eyes! what see you.

Sof.

O choice of bitter sights.

Fat.
Wer'nt one enough,
To break so soft a heart as mine. O Father!
O Mother! whither shall I turne me first?
Which first bewaile, or add my losse to yours?
O that I could redeem his life with mine!
Sof.
Or I with my blood randsome hers 'twould be
A noble payment for the breath she lent me.
M [...]r.

Oh—oh! —

Nym.

Ah! what strong groans are those?

Sof.
'Tis MIRZA dies, Madam, 'tis MIRZA dies,
Infected with your griefe.
Nym.
No M [...]RZA is
Immortall as his Vertue!— O what cheats
[Page 69]Are these! even now I left him in [...]lizium,
Yet now I find him here squallid and blo [...]dy,
As in my dream—
Iff.
Madam, put off your fright,
Assist now his recovery.
Nym.
O my MIRZA!
Which wound shall I first kiss? here? this? or that?
In silent streams below now dost thou bath
Thy bleeding wounds— but, ah! why dost thou seek
To wash them any where but in my eyes?
See! see! they flow! These tears when once I dropt
Into thy hurts, when thou cam'st hot from conquest,
Thou didst call balme. Ah! they are still as warm,
As clear, and flow as free. See, see! I'de weep
All my whole moisture into cures couldst thou
But feel it, yet I'l weep because thou dost not.
Ah, ah! thou dost not!—Thou art now possess'd
Of thy fresh Grove, and there to fame deliver'st
Thy N [...]MPHADORA' [...] Name; or on the rind
Of some faire Tree, perhaps thou now ingrav'st it,
Then hugg'st thou the fresh bark, and askest pardon
For wounding it with thy beloved Letters.
O'wake, 'wake dearest, and embrace the substance.
M [...].

Where,-O-where am I?

Fat.

O thank Heaven he lives.

NY [...].
Th'art in my Arms, thy N [...]MPHADO­RA'S A [...]mes;
Where, O that thou hadst ever been, or now
At least may ever be.
M [...].
No, no, I am not,
I'm in the Torrid Zone, right O right under
The vehement Line. — Water-O-water quickly.—
What Devill has in my sleep, thrown me to Affrick?
O for a River, though 'twere Acheron,
Or S [...]yx its selfe to bath in.
Nym.
Alas he burns,
[Page 70]He's high in a strong feavour.
Iff.
Madam that
Will find an easie cure, get him to rest;
That's the first step to health in a distemper.
M [...]r.
Ah me! What COLCHIS, what Thessalian Hag
Thus tortures me, poor wretch, with Magick charms,
And boyles my guts in such a scorching flame,
Melting my marrow as her wax dissolves!
Nym.

Alas dear Prince! best try to rest my Lord.

M [...]r.
To Lyb [...]an Lions TITAN is more mild,
Then thus to rage. VULCAN feeles! no such heat
At's glowing forge. Neither is Aetna's selfe
So scalding, when she vomits burning coles.
Nym.

O, I will sigh my soul to air to cool thee.

M [...]r.
O, who put HERCULES shirt on me? I feel
The poison work, and all my veins boyl high
With Centau [...]'s blood.
Fat.
That I could weep, till like
AEGIRIA I thaw'd into a fountain
To cool him!
Sof.

Might I ACIS like melt to a stream.

M [...]r.
Pretty obedience!— Fortunate PROME­THEUS,
Though thy eternall entrailes still should feed
A thousand Eagles! the kind Caucasus
Benums with cold; O that I might with thee
Vnder that hill, handle eternall frost,
Roul in perpetuall snow, to quench my fires,
And slake my parch'd soul with continuall Ice!
Iff.

Dear Madam, get him in.

Nym.

O that I could!

M [...]r.
Or might I still thirst, TAN [...]ALUS with thee,
So I might alwaies bath in thy cool River,
For O I burn, I burn, the dog-star rules me,
And feeds his raging fires on all my joynts.
Nym.

Wilt in to rest?

Mir.
[Page 71]
'Tis dog-daies every where,
And Affr [...]ck.—Here ye BELIDES, here powre
On me, kind sisters, your perpetuall [...]ialls.—
There is an impious nation that is said
To stuffe with human flesh their greedy womb,
O they expect me, and are now devouring
My roasted Liver; all my members broile,
And ready be [...]HYESTES for thy Table.—
Nym.

Page, try to lift him up, softly, O softly.

M [...]r.
O I am stifled in hot glowing brasse!
I low, shut up in dire PERILLUS Bull.—
Away Dragons, you scald me with
He struggles
your breath.
Nym.

Stay yet.

M [...]r.
Nought see I'fore mine eyes but flames,
And towring Pyramids of eternall fire.
What food can serve such flames! alas! what mines
Of Bitumen and Sulphur have I in me,
That thus my loyns consume without a pile.
Iff.

Alas! this talking heightens his distemper.

Nym.
It does,—come try to bear him quickly in.
Once well, he will forgive it.
Mir.
I melt! I melt!
Ah! mine own selfe am mine own funerall fire.
FLORADELLA, MAHOMET-ALLYBEG.
BUngling Puppies! could not twitch hard enough
When once they'd got him down! What will you do now?
Step on, or back, or alter the whole ma [...]hin
Of the contrivement?
Mah.
On, my fair,
" These little difficulties indear great actions
" To noble minds; they are weak soules fall or stumble
" At rubs cast in their way to [...]ry their s [...]ength.
The peace I know by this time is patcht up,
[Page 72]And the bold factious Troops disbanded all.
The Town anon will swarm with idle Souldiers,
That will, like fish lie basking in the Sun,
And die, when all the water, their element,
Is let out from them. I'me for ELCHEE first.
Flo.

I for OLYMPA, and EARINA.

Mah.
Presse hard
For liberall lones of money, plate, or Jewells,
Or any of their fine superfluities,
They'l help t'augment the heap. Possesse them strongly
That I intend to rescue the brave Prince
And SOFFIE.
Flo.

You've instructed me enough.

"Mah.
Keep hid the Serpent, Lure with the Dove:
" No Treason is like that goes mas'kd like love.
CHORUS.
WHat is it Heavens, you suffer here?
As if that vices malice were unbounded,
All vertues Laws inverted are,
And the just be by the unjust confounded.
'Tis punishable to speak reason,
Now reason and loyaltie are out of fashion,
And Tyranny and Treason
Have all the vogue in this besotted Nation.
He that our great Palladium was,
No lesse our strength and bulwark, then our glory,
A pray to rampant malice lies,
Whose fall almost, the doers selves makes sorry.
His innocent issue suffer too,
Not laid so close up as a priz'd treasure;
But to shew what their rage can do,
And that reason ruleth not their acts, but pleasure.
His noble friends, that whilst they wore
I'th field his purple, could deaths selfe have daunted,
Men, that a crime, then death, fear more,
[Page 73]Suffer for crimes wherewith they'r unacquainted.
Some to strickt bounds confined are,
Some to remote; all judg'd without due tryall:
The cause, fond jealousie and fear,
Strange state, that fears such subjects as are loyall!
Whilst they that mean the rape o'th state,
Swim in smooth oyle, and wallow in all riot,
Intit'ling their black deeds to fate,
And put bad men in armes, to keep good quiet.
O whither doth the precipice
Of evill hurry men of base condition!
Made drunken with unjust successe,
They all the world grasp in their vast ambition.
Seest thou not JOVE rebellions scope?
'Lesse thy quick vengeance stopps their sudden rising,
They'l, like their elder brothers, hope
To depose thee too, and dare heavens surprising.
Hear, O JOVE, hear their blasphemies,
How all their wickednesse on thee they father.
Cheating the world with pious lies,
Saying, their rules from thy instinct they gather.
Dost thou not hear it boldly said,
JOVE bids us break all antient laws a sunder?
(At the dire speech ASTRAE fled)
Or hearing it, why sleeps so long thy Thunder?
Was it not worth one bolt to save
Him, who the world thy truest copy deem'd?
Whom all good men in reverence have,
Who thy laws highly, as we his, esteem'd?
Whom wilt not tempt, when these, they see
The great prosperitie of evill secures,
Away from down-trod right to flee?
When wrong, with the fair bait, successe, allures?
So would it be, but that there are
A wiser few, that know on high there fitteth
O'th world, an upright Governour,
[Page 74]And every thing is best that he permitteth.
" We know a punishment it be
" To evill to prosper, nor shall long endure.
" The wicked's false prosperitie,
" Though justice slowly moves, she striketh sure.

Act IIII.

ABBAS, BELTAZAR.

COme BELTAZAR, how have you us'd your power?

Bel.
May't please your Majestie, a mutuall league
Offensive and defensive we could not
Obtain, but upon tearmes too low for us.
The [...]urk is yet too high, and stands upon
Rendition of those Townes you hold of his,
Which would disfurnish you of many men
Fit for your other wars; so'a Truce is all
We've made, but so long, 'tmay be call'd a peace,
'Tis for three years.
Abb.
'These truces yet in war
" Are only like the well daies in an Ague,
" Short intervalls of health, that flatter us
" Into debauch, and make the next fit worse.
" Nor should we suffer a disorder follow
" To save a war, because that war's not sav'd,
" But only put off to our disadvantage.—
But how took our stout Captains their casheering?
Bel.
full heavily and mutter'd mutiny.
EMANGOLY here at the Town was met
With your arrest, and seisure of his places.
Which he seem'd to put off with no more trouble
Then he would do his Armes after a march,
Or a hard charge, to take a nap of sleep.
Abb.
Cunning dissembler! How took ELCHEE
[Page 75]His banishment from Court?
Bel.
As a school-boy
That has plaid treuant, and hears his Master's angry.
Abb.

There's hopes of him; but th'other is quite lost.

ABBAS, FATYMA, BELTAZAR.

WHat's that my FATYMA.

Fat.
'Tis a petition
From a poor subject, wrong'd by a great Lord.
Too strong for him to struggle with at Law,
Nor has he wherewithall to pay for justice.
Bel.

The case holds in himselfe, and his

aside.

brave Son.

Abb.
Our justice, FATYMA, shall be given, not sold.
Twas wisely done, who ere he be, to send it
[...]y thy hand, (sweet) of all the deerest to me.
Tis granted.
Fat.

Heaven will pay the early mercy.

Abb.

Take you the scrowle, BELTAZAR, and see right done.

ABBAS, FATYMA.
BUt child thou shew'st thy selfe as unconcern'd
At all the pleasures of the Court, and seemst
A discontent.
Fat.
Alas Sir, how can I
Relish these toyes, when my poor Father pines
And raves, mewd up in Prison? Is the daughter
Fit for a Court, and Father, Mother, brother
But for a dungeon?—
She weeps.
Abb.
Come, these thoughts will over,
As time and more discretion wins upon thee.
[...]ts fit thou be as free from the reward
Of his foul treasons, as thou wert from them.
He may be yet restor'd; how ere, his Name,
Though stain'd with this one blot, shall ever stand
[Page 76]Full and Majestick in great Historie,
For noble acts yet shall those Histories
And after times boast thee his chiefest Act,
That fame him most. — But which of all the pleasures
That court thee here, dost thou most favour child?
Fat.
Musick; it feeds my melancholy, and
Brings Paradise into my thoughts. OLYMPA
Tells me the soul is only harmony,
And Musick built the world.
Abb.
Come child, within
Thou shalt have some shall please thee.
Fat.

'Tmust be sad then.

MAHOMET-ALLYBEG, ELCHEE.
HE was indeed the very soul of war,
The thunderbolt: had TYPAEUS fought like him,
Great JOVE had been his Prisoner.
Elc.
Heavens! whose ears
Have not his Trumpets tingled in! what fears
In Persia's foes, have his brac'd Drums awak'd!
What enemies face has not his hand besmear'd
With blood and glorious dust! what land, what fields
Has not his sword manur'd with hostile blood!
Whose triumphs have not his deafned! his, heard
To, and beyond (1) Byzantiums walls of fire!
Mah.
But now, O lost, lost is our hope, our glory,
And fortune of our name, except—
Elc.
Except!
My Lord, and can yet all the Gods, if they
Should sit in counsell, form a remedie?
Mah.
Yes, yes, dear ELCHEE, there's a way yet open
To rescue Persia's glory, and our comfort.
Elc.

O speak it, and be our good Genius.

Mah.
And 'tis, my Lord, a way wherein the Love
I bear to you, would have you high and eminent.
Nature and vertue have done their parts in you,
[Page 77]And Art and education better'd both,
The dignities and honours that you hold
Are no more then your birth assign'd you to,
Were your parts lesse. I'd have those scores of merit
You've put upon the age, paid double to you,
But how the course the King now takes, will do it,
Your new disgrace at Court assures you;
So that if justice, honour, or endearments,
Were silent all, the many disobligements
The King has given you, call you loud enough
To th'Princes Party.
Elc.
I, my Lord, have studied
Not to divide my soveraigne from himselfe,
His interest, and the Princes, I count one,
How ere his anger has now sever'd them.
And were I once assured in my reason,
That his dis-favour of the Prince were just,
I'd onely mourn his fall, as much from Vertue,
As from his honours.
Mah.
'Tis but the jealousie
Of's guilty mind, perswades this cruelty
To th'Prince, and to himselfe, he being his hope.
Good JOVE! what fears, what doubtful apprehensions
Do wicked Actions leave in cruell minds!
His Fathers Ghost, and Brothers haunt him daily,
And MIRZA he thinks, must needs requite the blows
He gave to them. Nor will this humour cease,
But grow upon him still with its fond Nurse,
Old testy age, that's subject in its self,
To fears and doubts, and sees all dangers double.
Elc.

That's his disease, my Lord, but now the cure?

Mah.
What, but a hard, and seeming violent one?
Why may'nt you martiall men, rally your powers,
Free the brave Prince, secure his hopefull Son,
And then maintain't, and force his frenzy from him?
Elc.

That looks too like Rebellion.

Mah.
[Page 78]
O successe!
" Is a rare paint, that which succeeds is good,
" When the same Action, if it failes, is naught.
Elc.

Indeed would the young SOFFIE were safe.

Mah.
To wish it onely is but womanish,
Attempt it, and he is. Think but my Lord,
The innocent Babe calls from his prison to us,
And are these hands that never could deserve them,
So soon for fetters? Believe it, DAMOCLES sword
Hung not by a less threed, then the Kings doth
Ore that sweet hope of Persia, one mad fit
Destroyes the race and glory of the Empire.
He grows apace, and the old Tyrant knows,
" The children, whose Parents have been wrong'd,
" Inherit all their hatred, and are dangerous:
What factions then, what numbers of Pretenders
Will not with force assert their fancied Titles?
And shalt thou, fairest Mother Persia, be
Torn by the factious hands of thine own Children?
Forbid it Heaven.
Elc.

MIRZA'S deserts plead too.

Mah.
Yes, and that loud: shall I that spar'd no blood,
No toyl, dear quondam Souldiers, to adorne
Your heads with Palm, your memories with fame,
Now pine, and find no courteous hand will knock
My unworthy shackles off? Is Honour, Love,
And Gratitude, all blinded with me too?
Elc.

Who should begin?

Mah.
(It works, it works) why you,
Or Lor any body; well begun,
The work's more then halfe ended. A small force,
And handsome Declaration, will find none
Such Enemies to themselves as to oppose:
Nor do the Princes high deserts, his Sons
Apparant danger, or our Honours call
[Page 79]Louder then our own safeties, they are too
At stake: He whose wild rage could reach a Father,
Brother, Son, and I may say, a Grand-child,
Will not spare us: but you, or I, or any,
May daily feed the monster of his fury.
Elc.
'Tis but too probable: like a mad man he'l
Hurl stones at all alike.
Mah.
And like a mad man
His present state appears, with sorrow, I
See him like one distracted, about to murder
His best friends, and himselfe; and doth not this
Condition call for helpe? O let us pitty
The Father of our Country, and interpose
Betweene his fury and his violence
'Tis Duty, not Rebellion: We'l restore him
To's wits againe, and then he'l thank us all,
For hindring's making of himselfe away.
How would the young mad Greek have hugg'd that servant,
Had hindr'd him in's drunken frolick, from
Murdering his friend?
Elc.
Our ABBAS jealousie,
Is no lesse wild then. ALEXANDER'S wine,
Both perfect madnesse, and the fit once over,
He'l see his error, and be sorry too.
Mah.
Then how shall they appeare lovely in story,
Firm in the Kings, the Princes Peoples loves,
That like good Angels, sav'd all that was deare
Mong us, to Gods, to Honour, and the Empire?
An Action no lesse glorious then is ATLAS,
His bearing up the sinking Globe from ruine.
Elc.
My Lord, EMANGOLY, is well belov'd,
And now enough incens'd to make the head
Of the design, 'twill work his reconcilement
With the King too.
Mah.
No, no, my Lord, why should you
[Page 80]Thrust from your selfe so fair a fortune? do't,
And let me serve you in't: your hand, my head,
Our Purses, and our friends together, do it.
Besides, EMANGOLY is too much disgrac'd,
And men will say his hatred to the King,
And not his love, or to the Prince, or Empire,
Put him in Armes.
Elc.
They'l say the same of me.
Bear you the name, head both the act and Plot.
Mah.
(I ne'r meant other (2) good
aside.
Gelden, but to ride you.)
Elc.

I shall have honour enough in serving you.

Mah.
Well Sir, Ile be no courtier with you then,
But do what JOVE shall envy, and wish his.
You'l hold the second place, Lievtenant General.
Elc.

Yes.

Mah.

Then what friends can you oblige to us?

El [...].
Ile try them all, but MATZED, young BENEFIAN,
And Stout MOZENDRA, I promise to my selfe.
Mah.
Those are sure cards; what banks have you ith'City
Will push out freely to a contribution?
" These publick works need many private purses.
Elc.

Some we shall find.

Mah.
The beautious FLORADELLA
Has promis'd largely, her I have ingaged:
We shall proceed the merrier for the Ladies.
Elc.

We'l give them back their gold to buy their silence.

Mah.
The best way to assure our selves of that,
Is to engage them deep enough; we need them
To work their friends, and to augment our treasure.
" All wars are chargeable, but civil most,
" And we that mean the publick good, must not
'Lie heavie on the people. I intend
A guard of horse, my Government of Shiras
[Page 81]Will bear it out, thither I have sent SELEVCVS
To govern Larr, and raise three Regiments there,
Of horse one, two of foote. This Cittadell
Is mine and that is all that readily
Could give me any trouble; another force
Ile pick up here, the Town and Country swarm
With casheer'd souldiers, thirsting for employment.
Elc.

My Lord, what if I levyed in (3) Hircania?

Mah.
'Tis fit, call all your friends about you here
To cast your strength up, but avoid all listing.
" Listing is dangerous in secret Plots,
" One paper lost, discovers all; take only
The great ones names, and what they promise, trust to.
El [...].
We can have no resistance suddenly,
The first must be by forreiners call'd in,
Nor can the King trust to those mercenaries,
Nor will the Persian like their comming in.
Besides My Lord, our powers may be ready
To be with us, ere they can reach the fron [...]iers:
How ere they'l hinder the Kings levies there.
Mah.

Thou art my Oracle of war.

Elc.
But why
May we not seize the King, and cut the fear
Of all resistance off? the Princes friends
Are ours already, the rest we'l find, or make so.
Mah.
Of that at our next Councell, mean time work
Your friends as I will mine; but above all
Provide what money, and what armes you can:
" Who has the gold shall never want the man.
Elc.

Enough. Farewell my Lord, my good Lord Generall.

MAHOMET-ALLYBEG.
HOw shall I fall in love with mine own parts,
That have so conn'd all cunning mistique Arts!
On every side have I set wheeles a going
[Page 82]Shall work my purpose with their own undoing.
Torches, shall spend themselves to give me light;
Stages, for me to climb by to my heigh [...].
Then down go they then my hot credulous Lord,
And then my fine soft wench will I discard.
" The Lovers and the Courtiers Master-piece,
" And the states-mans, dissimulation is;
" High favour and sure friendship to pretend
" To him whose Throat he'l cut, to gain his end:
" This must he do, will rise, and then its best
" To swear most love, when he intends it least.
OLYMPA, FLORADELLA, EARINA [...]LOE.
THis, and much more we'l do, to let men see
That we can help as well as they, to save
A sinking State.
Flo.
And happy are we Madam,
In putting obligation on the present
And future ages. For this act the Prince,
The Princesse, SOFFIE; nay the King shall call us
Their Patroness [...], that did timely bring
An arme to save them from their hasting ruines.
Ear.
Children unborn, and Priests not yet begotten
Shall sing our names upon high festivalls.
Oly.
And many a happy Pen shall toyle to keep
Our memories as fresh when time himselfe
Grows old and halts as now our beauties are.
Ear.
But why sha'nt we improve the debt, the State
Owes us, by injoying offices, and sitting
In councell with the men!
Flo.
Madam y'are happy
In that conceit. Indeed we are fram'd by nature
With th'same parts o'th mind for th'exercise
Of vertue as men be.
Ear.
And if men boast
Such exellencies, it is reason to think
[Page 83]Those no lesse excellent of whom they are:
Since timerous Doves, did never yet hatch E [...]gles;
But men, and beasts, and all the whole creation,
Inherit th'minds and spirits of their Parents.
Flo.
'Tis no hard task to patern in our sex
All excellent things that ever men performed,
Not arts excepted nor that active valour
That lift so many Demi-gods to heaven.
(4) The valiant Amazons are proof enough.
Ear.

Nor do others fairnesse take away their force.

Oly.
True vertu's not oblig'd to live with beards
Alone, she may chuse the smoother edifice.
But the rough part of vertue, skill in armes
I am content to let the men ingrosse.
(4) I have no mind to lose a breast, to wear
A shield the better Yet state offices
And to be Counsellors would become us well.
Our Witts are sharpest, and we fittest made
For Embassies, as having smoothest tongues.
Fl [...].
And should our Rhetorick fail, we'l but employ
Our lookes to plead, and conquer with our eyes.
Ol [...].
Besides, the novelties and varieties
We meet ith'state will yeeld us strange delight.
Ear.
We'l have them both; the Buffe and Fur shall be
A new and fashionable dresse, and every
Lady appear a PALLAS, with an Aegis
Vpon her breast.
Flo.
This, Madam, and what else
Our Cabinet thoughts can dictate to us shall be
All in our powers.
Ear.
Pluralitie of husbands
Would be thought on.
Flo.
Yes, and Seragl [...]o's too
For downy, peachy chins: This, and all el [...]e
If we but ply the work. There's Madam OMAY
Is worth the winning, who has interest in her?
Oly.
[Page 84]
There has been long a league between us, strong
Enough I hope to make her hear reason from me.
Far.
She has her share too of ambition, that
Will work.
Flo.
Ambition! Madam, what are we
Without it? 'tis necessary as beauty
To a great Lady.
Ear.
What sounds high in others,
And is pride, is but needfull state in us,
And the true knowledge of our selves.
Flo.
She's rich,
And young and handsome, and you say ambitious;
Then She's well qualified
Ear.
Handsome, in troth
At first she presents well, but then she loses
Her selfe presently.
Flo.

She does indeed—what now.

Clo.

Madam, my Lord.

[...]n secret
Oly.
Well, Madam, your great friend
Expects you.
Flo.

No.

Oly.

Come, come, deny him, do.

Ear.

Well, we all know our parts,, and will no [...] loiter.

Flo.

The pains will pay it selfe. —Now where's my Lord?

MAHOMET-ALLYBEG, FLORADELLA
HEre, where he would be, Dearest, in thy armes,
The Centre my soul tends to.
Flo.
Welcome, ah
Welcome hither, as conquest to the souldier.
Mah.

How do the Ladies take thy proposition?

Flo.

as their best wishes.

Mah.
Good, good, ELCHEE too
Has swallow'd the hook, and promis'd his Allies.
I feel the Crown warm on my head already.
[Page 85]My guard is rais'd, I want but the Kings license
For their attendance; for that plead thou strongly,
Possesse him wi [...]h the need of't for my safetie,
This last service having pul'd envie on me.
Flo.
It shall be granted, or I'le lowre the dotard
To death, it shall, I'le kisse it out of him.
M [...]h.
My better Angell! ah! how poor am I
That there are not more worlds then one, that I
Might cast their crownes into thy lap for this!
Flo.
Your love my Lord shall set me higher, then if
I rode with HECATE in her ebon Charriot,
Or held the reins of JUNO's yoaked Peacocks.
To hold that heart is above all dominion.
FLORADELLA, CLOE.
HOw stately a thing it is to be a Queen!
O that I now could but look into Heaven,
To see how our great sister IUNO shakes
Her Scepter ore the world, and learn her carriage!
We now must speak ith' plurall number CLOE,
Dost thou not see new Majestie spring in us,
And all our looks speak Queen?
Clo.
Madam, I would
Fortune had been as free to you as nature
Then had that honour long ago rewarded
That beauty which did ever merit it.
Flo.
CLOE, bestow thy wishes on the needy.
Fortune has humbled her selfe to us, and
Ask'd pardon for so long keeping our right
From our possession, a fault she'l now amend,
And be our servant ever. Go, provide
State Ornaments, and regall Robes for us,
Jewells will cost whole Provinces to purchase,
And yet receive new lustre from our wearing.
Hast any sisters, friends or kinswomen?
Prefer them to us, thou shalt have the favour
[Page 86]T' appoint our maids of honour, and a set
Of servants for us, 'gainst our Coronation. —
Dull and insensible! what, didst thou meet
Thy Mothers Ghost this morning fasting, that
Thou starest so! do not our eyes proclaime it?
And all our steps say, they are towards a Throne?—
The poverty of thy soule!—
( Clo.

She's mad, and raves!)

aside.
Flo.
Have we not taken care for all events
That can betide us? Have not we remov'd
All that stood stiffe, and many in our way?
Goes not the levy's on? flow not friends to us?
Is not the Castle ours, and Shiras too?
Is not all ours? Or shall be, when I've given
Th'old Dotard King his pasport in a kisse
To th'other wor [...]d; thither a Dag, or draught,
Shall send the Prince, and a Plumb SOFFIE,
Who then is Emperour, wench, but MAHOME [...]
His head has laid it, and his hand shall act it,
His ready Army shall crush all gain-sayers.
( Clo.

Perhaps you too.)

aside.
Flo.

What mutter you? me too!

( Clo.
O how her Plumes would fall now, should I tell her
aside.
What I ore-heard!)
Flo.

What is't you mumble, Gossip?

Clo.
Madam, you'l pardon me, at your last meeting
But one, with my Lord MAHOMET, I was curious
To listen, and ore-heard some doubtful words,
As if he'd onely serve his turn of you.
Flo.
Pish, pish, He knew you listned, therefore spoke so,
If so he spoke, to try my confidence
Perhaps, or mock your curiosity.
No, well, he knows he never can requite
My love with a lesse dowry then the Empire;
I have deserv'd it of him, and i'l never
[Page 87]Be jealous of his love.
( [...]lo.
What toyes doth fancy
aside.
Suggest to us, in favour of our selves!
Well, I had best comply.)—Indeed perhaps
His great wit play'd with me; but could he see me?
Flo.

Yes, my selfe saw you.

Clo.
Then 'twas so: but yet
Me thought the maner spoke him serious.
But sure the Army do's not mean his rule,
But to restore the Prince.
Flo.
Tush, Soldiers know not
Their own intents, 'tis as the Generall pleases,
Who has an Army up, and a strong Purse
May work them easily unto any thing:
'Tis done, 'tis done, my CLOE,— 'tis high time
For us to practice Queen-ship; thus do we
Indulge our hand, our trusty maid of honour.
Clo.
May't please your Majestie, then
Cloe kisses her hand.
must I begin
To know my selfe, and set a higher price
Upon my beauty.
Flo.
'Tis indeed a virtue,
To prize our selves enough— CLOE, as we passe,
Bear up our traine—so -Not so neer our Grace.
[...]lo.

High ho! my Heart! I shall have a sweet place.

MIRZA, NYMPHADORA, SOFFIE, IF­FIDA, PAGE.
O The seven Bandogs are let loose againe
Upon me! HERCULES! HERCULES! canst not heare!
Prethee lend me thy club — the Lubber's sore
With's labours still, and sleeps, and hears me not.
Nym.

Why let you him come out thus?

Sof.
[Page 88]
Alas Madam,
He broke through's all, and cals us all his Hangmen.
Mir.

See! Lightning flashes from their eyes.

Sof.

Hark, Madam.

M [...]r.
Every one of them is a match for CYCLOPS,
Yet will I charge them all alone.—O —O.
Nym.

O.

Iff.

Help! help!

Sof.

Page, hold him from violence.

Mir.

Th'hast hit me right TY­PHAEUS,

He runs his head a­gainst a Post, and falls. The Princess turns away astonish­ed, and weeps, the rest fall down a­bout him.

thou hast Centaure.

Nym.
O heavens! if there be any powers that pitty
The miseries of their Creatur [...]s, look down on him;
The fight's enough to move a heavenly nature.
Mir.
So MIMAS, hold PORPHYRIO, strike no more,
I am TYPHAEUS Prisoner.
Nym.
Lay not hands
Upon him, keep him but from farther hurt.
Mir.

CHARON! oh, CHARON!—

Pag.

Nay my Lord.

Mir.
Come CHARON,
Quick, sirrah, Sculler, row me to Elyz [...]um.
Nym.

Alas! the frenzies high talk not much to him.

M [...].
But now ha'nt I a halfe-penny for the waftage,
No matter though, I'l snatch the slaves Oare from him,
And if he grumbles, knock his brains out with it,
And CERBERVS his too, if the Cur snarls at me —
So— I am pas't without a Sop— now which
Of all my friends shall I first meet?
Nym.
O Gods!
Give me more ease, or else more punishment,
For I with this can neither die nor live.
Mir.
Who's that?— That's PROSERPINE be­wailing of
[Page 89]Her Rape, the silly wench would faine be with
Her Mother again.
Nym.
O make me either happy
Again, or wretched till you can no more!
Mir.
'Tis so, tis she— she's warm, and
Takes her hand.
sof [...] as air.
Sweet PROSERPINE.
Sof.
Madam, apply your selfe
A little to his passion.
M [...]r.
Beauteous Queen
O'th'under world, do'nt men when they come hither,
Though blind above, have here their eyes restor'd?
Nym.

Alas! I cannot flatter his wild frenzy.

Sof.

Pray Madam seem to be what he conceits you.

M [...]r.
What art thou, GANYMED? and if thou bee'st,
Good yellow-tressed Boy, intreat thy Master,
When next he thunders, to bestow a bolt
On ABBAS head, 'twill not be cast away,
The man deserves it; —but that plague's too quick,
Desire him rather, send him (5) PHINEVS, Harpyes,
He merits them as much as the Arcadian,
He've put out his Sons eyes too: hear'st small skinker?
Sof.

Yes, and when next I wait, I'l do the errand.

Iff.

He wants no Furies, he has all in's breast.

Mir.
Hah art thou a Furie? good TISIPHONE
Get thee to Persia then, and take thy sister
ERINNYS with thee and torment the Tyrant.
Iff.

Well sir, he shall not want for torments.

Mir.
Hark yet,
Prethee new wire thy whip before thou goest,
And tie more knots on't, take fresh Snakes too with thee;
He is my Father, I'd have him want nothing.
(6) May all the Scorpions of Cushan sting thee.
Nym.

Ah! cruell Father!

M [...].
[Page 90]
First TISIPHONE,
Lead me to TANTALVS, I'd faine talk with him.
Iff.

Why TANTALVS?

M [...]r.
'Cause he kill'd his Son too,
I'd see if's punishment be great enough,
Then I'l Petition PLVTO, my hard Father,
May have the same.
Nym.
O that the Comparison
Held whole in thee! He murdered his PELOPS,
To entertaine the Gods but ABBAS thee
To feast the furies of his frantick mind:
To PELOPS too, the yellow Goddesse gave,
A whiter shoulder for his own she tasted,
And with new better life requited him.
O that some Deity would thine eyes restore,
Or close up mine!
M [...]r.
Hah! that's PROSERPINA,
She's in love with me, and condoles me too,
But I'l not wrong my NYMPHADORA, though
PROSERPINA, where's (7) my Uncle, and (7) my Grandsire
Two Persian Princes, murdered by their Son,
And brother? I'd faine speak with them, and sit
Comparing fortunes with them.
Nym.
O they are
Bathing themselves in blisse, in their sweet Grove.
M [...]r.
And shall I be there too, CERES bright daugh­ter?
Let me sweet Empresse.
Nym.
Yes, if you will rest
Your head here in my lap, and there lie still.
M [...]r.

But will not PLVTO then be jealous of me?

Nym.

No.

Mir.

Come then— (8) Now tell me more of Para­dise.

Nym.
[Page 91]
There'midst the fragrant flowre-enammell'd fields,
Do golden Pallaces their shining heads
Erect, with richest Arras each one floor'd,
Christalline Rivers flow to moat them round,
For state, not strength, and with their wanton mur­murs,
Lull every sence, and make soft sleep yet softer;
Their banks are fring'd with Trees of Gold, that feast
With goodly forms the eye, with fruits the tast;
Fruits that pluck't ne'r so oft, straight spring againe,
So the rich boughs still with like mettall shine
Under whose fragrant shades they spend their course
Of happy time with amorous Virgins, who
Regard alone their own particular loves,
Not such as tyred out in the world a life,
But there created for it, with best form,
(9) Cows eyes, and beauteous as the Hyacinth!
Still their Virginities return, and still
Their beauties flourish as their Paradise,
For ever young, yet ripe and fresh; full blown,
Yet alwaies free from naturall pollutions,
Still as in their third lustre, men ith'fixt.
Their Boyes of divine feature minister
To them, and proffer hourly to their choices,
The most delicious Viands, Drinks, and Voyces.
Mir.
But when, but when, dear Queene of darknesse, shall I
Inherit all this bliss?
Nym.

When thou art fit for't.

Mir.

And how shall I make my selfe fit?

Nym.
By sleep.
Sleep will much purge thee from thy earthy humours.
Mir.
Sweet PROSERPINE, there is in Persia,
The fairest Lady that ere blest the Earth,
[Page 92]Sweet NYMPHADORA, thou must needs have heard
Of her, many worthy Hero's have
Dyed for her love; one frown (if such a face
Can frown) of hers, have given a hundred Princes
Their Pasport hither: didst nere heare them sit
And sigh her name? or see't carv'd in the rind
Of some faire Tree?
Nym.
Yes. O that love should last
Longer then reason!
Mir.
She PROSERPINA,
Will be with you ere long the noble heart
Has taken such a griefe, for her wrong'd MIRZA,
It can't last long unbroke, but when she comes,
Let not thy PLUTO see her, lest he falls
In love with her and so turn thee away,
He will PROSERPINA, let him not see her.
Nym.

Well then,—he sha'nt.

Mir.
You talk of women too,
That we shall have in Paradise; when she comes
Let me have her, she was mine own above,
And I'le not change her for all natures store.
Nym.

Admired constancy! sleep, and you shall.

M [...]r.
Boy, GANYMED, give me a draught of Lethe
To make me sleep,—wilt not?—I'le try without it.
Nym.
Alas! what noise is that?—
A noise witho [...]t.
Look IFFIDA.
Iff.
Madam, here comes my Lord EMANGOLY,
And three or four with him.
Nym.
He were welcome,
If's comming now could be without disturbance.
[Page 93] MIRZA, NYMPHADORA, SOFFIE, E­MANGOLY, METHICULI, HYDAS­PUS, ALKAHEM, IFFI­DA, PAGE.

HAh! hah! who's that? do's. PLUTO come?

Nym.
No, no,
Lie still.
Ema.

We'd best retire.

Nym.
No, joyn your help
With me to calm his fury.
Ema.
O that my selfe
Had bit my unhappy tongue from th'panting ro [...]
And spit it in the Tyrants face, which falling
Had (trembling) murmur'd curses at hs foot,
When I gave counsell to my Lord t'obey
His cruell message.
Met.
O who ever yet
Saw the returning steps oth'credulous beasts,
That visited the counterfeit sick Lion?
Hyd.
And yet, O ABBAS, what fierce ravenous Lion
Did ever Lyb [...]a's fiery womb produce,
Or what fell Tyger, thy Hyrcania,
Of so prodigious cruelty, as thou art?
Alk.
Lions are tame as Lambs, and Tygers mild
As frisking kids, to that outragious monster.
Ema.
There is no perilous desart but his breast,
Where teeth and armed fangs do tear the strong
And treacherous toiles t'insnare the innocent,
Are ever ready set.
Met.
O th'cruelty
Of hate, disguis'd like love!
Ema.
And how, O Gods,
Is vertue dear to you, if thus the Serpent
Of Treason, be permitted to turn Dove,
To flatter it, by unsmelt means to ruine!
Mir.
[Page 94]
I knew on earth a voice like that, —sure 'tis
My good EMANGOLY's —and is he here too?
Ema.
Here, my deer Lord; but O that I had been
Under the earth, when my unlucky judgment
Advis'd you hither.
Sof.

O you've spoil'd all my Lord.

M [...]r.
Why are we still ith'upper world? I thought
I'de past the ford.—Cheats! cheats!
He starts up.
and fantasies!
Quick then, EMANGOLY, go muster all
Our force, and see them paid, I'le march to morrow,
And never make a halt till I have kickt
Bizant [...]um's selfe to dust. (10) Let an Iron Cage
Be made to carry with us, for proud MORA [...].
I'le try yet if his stomach be as stout
As BAJAZET'S; but line it all with furrs,
To hinder him from the pleasure of a death.
Nym.
Would he but cool with sleep his high distem­per,
All these wild thoughts would vanish with his frenzy.
Em [...].

Repose Sir till the Army needs your conduct.

Nym.
Yes, my dear Lord, restore thy selfe again
Unto my care, and make my lap thy pillow.
M [...]r.
I will, my sweet, and ne'r would rise from hence,
Did not dear honour call as loud as thunder,
Such is my love to thee, yet could I not
Love thee so much, lov'd I not honour more.
Nym.
IFFIDA call for musick, and a song,
Gentle and soft, as Notes of dying Swanns,
To woo him into slumbers.
Sof.

That will charm him.

Mir.
The Turks already made thy Prisoner, when
I next return my selfe to thy soft breast,
His head's a present for thee.
Nym.
Hark! my Lord,
soft musick.
How gentle rest courts thee in her best language.
[Page 95]

SONG.

HE's great that masters his own soul,
As he whose nod shakes either Pole.
Not he that Kings in chains can bring,
But that subdues himselfe's a King.
That's ever in himselfe at home,
And ne'r lets his Queen Reason roam,
On whom all passions waiting stand,
As hand-maids on their Ladies hand.
He ore himselfe triumphing first,
Dares chance and envy doe their worst;
And keeping still his own even height,
Fall Fortune heavie, fall she light,
He'l never make to th'standers by
Too low a moan, or haughty cry;
But wisely can her fawning slight,
And then as bravely scorn her spight.
Who can deny that such a one
Possesses all things, or wants none?
And which oth'two would you wish first
Still to have drink, or ne'r to thirst?
Ema.
Excellent morality! O the vast extent
O'th Kingdome of a wiseman! Such a mind
Can sleep secure when th'brine kisses the Moon,
And thank the curteous storm for rocking him.
Sof.
Come my good Lord METHICULI, you and I
Will sit, and tell sad stories; pray begin.
Nym.
Ah me! what storie canst thou hear can vie
For sadnesse with our owne? run ore the Roule
Of Tragedies, and write but NYMPHADORA
And MIRZA (for let's nere be parted more)
And that's the sum of all that grief can do.
Met.

But my Lord SOFFIE, I've a plot to free you.

Sof.
[Page 96]

Speak it, and be my Deitie.

Met.
And once out,
I can secure you, where not all the force
The Tyrant, or the world can make shall reach you.
Sof.

But how shall I get out?

Met.
Your sister, Sir,
Has won much on your grandsires best affections,
So that if he love ought that's good, 'tis hers:
And she comes often here to pay her duty
To her dear Father, (O too much wrong'd Father!)
Sof.

Nay, pray, no circumstance, she comes, what then?

Met.
I'd have your grace change cloaths with her, and so
You vailed, may easily passe the guards, and come
Where I'le receive you.
Sof.
How shall she get out
Again?
Met.
Sir, 'twill be quickly known to the Tyrant,
Who loves her so, he'l not be long without her,
He'l send for her, and with a chiding passe it.
Sof.
But wilt not turn his rage on my dear Mother.
He'l not think this plot only FAT [...]MA's
And mine, but hers.
Nym.
I'd suffer for thy good
All th'Tyrant now can do, the wasp has stung
Me already, and disarm'd himselfe: if rest
Restores the Princes senses, we'l advise
With him about it—How sweet securitie
He now enjoyes! O pleasant dreams! slide softly
Into him, that he takes no wounds from you.
Present his silent thoughts with purling streams
And hushing winds, such as perfume the morn.
Then mildly as thou seiz'd him gentle Goddesse,
Resign him perfect: so what was the gift
Of relenting heaven, we'l ascribe to thee.
M [...]r.

Ah! wher [...] am I?

Iff.
[Page 97]

He wakes.

Nym.
Pray heaven to health.
Here my deer Lord, In thy sad spouses lap,
Yet compass'd with a ring of t [...]y best friends.
M [...]r.
That Ring is sorrows Crown,—and can it be
That any will be friends to wretchednesse?
High mounted in the Courts and Armies head,
The Sun had not more Atomes dancing in
His beams, then I had followers in mine.
But even from him ecclips'd, all shadowes vanish,
And shall mine then continue?
Nym.
These are such
As vertue, not your fortune, made your friends,
And will though fortune failes, continue such,
Since your high vertue cannot ever leave you.
Em.
If we lov'd and obey'd you, when you stood
In power, both to do us good and honour,
Which then we never could requite unto you,
We ought to publish now our gratefulnesse,
When the world sees no hopes induce us to it.
M [...]r.

There gratitude spoke in her Angels voice.

Met.
We have lost in you a Prince for to defend us,
A Father to care for us, a Companion
In all our joyes, a Friend in all our wants;
And if we owe to your sad memory
The pious dutie of our love and honour,
Shall we not pay them to your selfe yet living?
M [...]r.

Not living, say, but buried alive.

H [...]d.

Treasure ith'mind, is treasure still, though trod­den.

Ema.
Should we desert you now, 'twould basely prove
We never lov'd your highnesse, but your fortune.
Alk.

Rather, we never lov'd his Grace, but High­nesse.

Ema.
Like vermine that suck of the living blood,
But leave the body soon as life.
Alk.
[Page 98]
The'more Love
We ow'd you, the more should we shew our hate
To the accursed Author of our losse.
Let's rouze revenge, and arme all her dire hands
With Thunder, to discharge upon the Tyrant.
M [...]r.
Act, act, brave friends, and leave complaints to women;
'Twill be more honourable for my Tombe
To be sprinkled with my murderers blood,
Then with the tears of you my constant friends.
Nym.
Now have I time to shed some,
Iffida follows her out.
but in private.
" They truly mourn, that mourn without a witnesse.
MIRZA, SOFFIE, EMANGOLY, METHI­CULI, HYDASPUS, ALKAHEM, PAGE.

O Let me not lie long in this sad durance

Met.
This justice to the world, This duty to
Our injur'd Prince, This honour to our selves,
And terror to our foes, do strongly plead for.
Alk.
This will restore our glories lost, and put
A muzzell upon Tyrannies black jawes.
Hyd.

How shall we effect it?

Mir.
How? and have not you
The Power of the sword, the Souldiery
Ema.
Alas! not we, my Lord, we're all casheer'd.
Your highnesse was no sooner cheated from us,
And decoy'd up to Court, to be undone,
But BELTAZAR comes down strong in commission,
To be my Collegue, that is, my superior.
We vexed at our injuries, and losse
Of you, threw up all diligence, and quitted
Counsell or action, when the minion shew'd
Power to clap a peace up, which was quickly
Done, on conditions fit for slaves, not souldiers;
[Page 99]The Army all disbanded, I call'd up,
Met with Arrest and banishment from Court.
Thus is their wrong secur'd by our weaknesse.
Mir.
Shall we then tamely suffer? my blind self
Will grope out Vengeance yet, and in deep makes
[...]ncize it on the Tyrants own dull head.
Ema.
O foolishnesse of Tyranny! that the King
Should arm his foes, and thirst his own undoing!
He studies evill, and seems lost to all goodnesse,
But for his love to your sweet FATYMA.
Mi [...].

And loves he her? can vice then affect vertue?

Ema.
Sir, her he doth embrace with all the powers
Of a doting soul.
Hyd.
Has her still in his eye,
Nor ere seems pleas'd with ought but what she does.
Alk.

He talks of marrying her to th' King of Arabs.

M [...]r.

Soft, I've a better match for her in store.

Ema.
We met his Proclamation as we came
Stuft with invectives 'gainst your Grace and us
Your Highnesse grew too great, wee too much lov'd you,
Therefore the King must fear, yea, and remove you.
(11) My treachery to the English it alledg's
That help't me to take Ormus, when 'tis known
Themselves first broke conditions, and enjoy
Still Priviledges for their service there.
This is (12) the Costermonger ALLY-REG,
For his smooth tongue must the old King go mad
And doat upon his foes, when there is never
A Jewell in's Crown but is enamell'd
Both with your Highnesses brave blood and mine.
Mir.
I that so oft displai'd his bloody colours
[...]'th' martiall field, and bearded his proud foes,
[...] that have so inlarg'd his Territories,
And stretch't his line beyond (13) the Caspian Sea,
[...]14) Driv [...]n the Mogul into his Candahor,
[Page 100]To stand and see me wast his other lands.
(15) Made Balsora th' Arabians utmost bound,
And (16) bounded th' Tartar with th' Hyrcanian Ocean.
(17) I that check't CYCALA'S insulting Progresse,
Torturing th' Georg [...]ans, our Confederates
With eighty thousand men, I that first chased
His bulkie Army to th' A [...]menian bounds,
Then forc't him fight, and gave my selfe the pleasure
To paddle ith' blood of thirty thou [...]and [...]urkes:
I that did still pursue that flying General
Into I [...]eria, and slaughter'd all
The Turkish Garrisons in Testis, Tauris,
Cazbeen and Babylo [...] (17) that year regaining
No lesse from ACHMAT to ungratefull ABBA [...]
Then our TAMAS lost to their SOLYMAN.
(17) I that since that, beat that stout CYCALA
Oft as he could recruit, till the Foe vow'd
Never to follow more that lucklesse Chieftain,
Must now be th' Martyr of the Insolence
Of slaves, and a besotted Tyrants wrath.
Ema.
(18) I that gave Ormus scepter to his hand,
(18) And brought her Captive King to live upon
His slender Pension of five Markes a day.
(19) I that subdued Larrs sandy Kingdom for him,
Mangre her wall of Rock, am now accused
By him for killing her King treacherously,
When he himself angry I gave him quarter
Commanded it: I now must tire out
My life in exile, or, as bad, disgrace.
Met.
And (20) I that won the Realm of Larry Jo [...]
Am taxt with a perfidious Victory,
When I had died, had I return'd without it.
Ema.

Why mur [...]ur subjects when his Son escapes no [...]

Mir.
And how could I hope other, when his Natu [...]
Thirsts after blood as food! O when so many
[Page 101]Innocent subjects fell, they warned me.
What signified (21) his wrong to the poor Chr [...]stians,
(22) His murdering of his Embassadour
To th' [...]rk as he'd kill all can't work his ends.
Me [...].
(23) His Treachery to the Magician, set him
On work, then hang him up for conjuring.
[...]ma.
(24) His murder of the sleeping Traveller,
Beca [...]se his pamper'd horse but startled at him.
Hyd.
(25) His coupling of the souldiers lustful wife
To an Asinego.
Alk.
(26) His cutting a Clerks hand off
But for not writing fair. (27) His wrath to th' two
Pilfering Souldiers, more for their raggs then theft.
Met.
But above all, (28) his ore-ambitious murder
Of his brave Father, and far braver Brother.
Mir.
His Torture, Poysons, strangling with bow­strings;
(29) Men eating Doggs, and Arts of Tyranny
Proclaim his nature, that it must be glut [...]ed
With blo [...]d, and why not ours, since 'tis best?
M [...].
What better promises (30) his irreligion,
In taking needlesse Journeies still in Lent
T' avoid fasting, under pretence of Travell?
Ema.
Our misery is his inconstancy
Like the weather about the Equinoctial,
Now a quiet breath, and gentle gale, and then
A storm so fierce, a ship can feel no helm?
(31) Thus he'l forbid and tolerate the same thing
Oft in one year, not as his interest,
But as his variable humour swaies him.
Mir.
Go my EMANGOLY, take my bank at Or­mus,
Rally with it a Troop of your old Souldiers,
And give me liberty: take my SOFFIE
Into your care, and make him safe in private.
Sof.
Sir, here's a way propounded for my freedom,
To change cloaths with my Sister FATYMA,
[Page 102]And go like her out hence.
M [...]r.
Let it be done.
Be ready to receive him, and be to him
As much a Father as thou 'hast friend to me.
Ema.

So Heaven be mine, as I his faithfull friend.

M [...]r.
'Tis no small benefit that this rough fortune
Discovers yet my friends, severs the doubtfull
From the assur'd, for Prosperity
At her departure took away with her
Those that were her's, and left me still mine own.
O at how vast a rate would I have bought
This fair discovery before my fall!
And when I thought my self most fortunate!
If Heaven again will my lost state restore
And wealth, i'le use them better then before!
If not, my soul not at the losse repines,
Having found friends, a greater wealth th [...]n Mines.
VASCO, CLOE.
LAdy, but that no fault or disrespect
In me to your sweet Beauties merit it,
I should afflict my self to see your Countenance
Estranged thus to your best servant.
Clo.
Sir,
I know no fault, nor is my countenance chang'd
But with my state, due gravitie increas'd,
Vas.
As how, dear Lady, since I left the Court
Is our state chang'd? I hope the cloud upon
My Lord shall not obscure me?
Clo.
No, but you
Think then I am the same you left me?
Vas.
Yes
Lady, I see no change, your lip, your eye
Has the same lustre, the same tincture on't.
If there be any change, 'tis for the better.
Clo.
Better, I know that marry; yes my hopes,
[Page 103]Nay certainties, are higher then before.
And shall my thoughts then bear no correspondence?
Is it no more to be chief Maid of Honour
To the Empresse of Persia, then woman to
My Lady FLORADELLA?
Vas.
(Sure she's mad!)
Empresse! we have none.
Clo.
But we shall have soon.
Follow me in, and I'le unriddle to you.
Since we are one, the secret is safe still,
And were the fortune mine, it should be yours.
Vas.

Love and amazement! what will this produce?

ABBAS, FATTYMA, FARRABAN.
'TIs granted, pretty heart, they all shall have
Their just desires, and I truly wish
I could as safely give them liberty
As necessaries in their just restraint.
FARRABAN, see your royall Prisoners have
What they desire, fit for their condition.
Wait my fair granchild to them.
Fat.
Sir, my thanks.
Come FARRABAN
Far.

Madam, your humble Servant.

ABBAS.
O Strength of vertue! how dost thou shine forth
In this sweet Innocent! how dutifull,
How carefull, how solicitous is she
For her Parents! and shall not nature then
As well descend, as ascend? am not I
As well his father, as she his daughter? but
Here's she will turn these thoughts another way.
[Page 104] FLORADELLA.
to him

INtrude not I upon your privacies?

Abb.
No, my best love, for what is more impor­tant
Then thy embrace? and what affair shall not
Vanish at thy approach, as mists at daies?
But I see businesse in thy face; come speak it.
Flo.
Though hither chiefly, love and duty brought me,
Which puts me strongly forward to your pleasure,
I have indeed somewhat to ask your Grace,
'Tis for your servant MAHOMET, his last ser­vice—
Has render'd him most odious and envy'd.
The factious threaten in private, and in publick
Beard him to's face.
Abb.
There's lightning in his eyes
Shall blast all his maligners.
Flo.
They are great,
Strong, and increast much by th'cast Officers,
Most now in Town, all of the Princes faction,
So that without a guard he can't with safetie
Attend your person, or follow your affairs
Which ask his publick presence: and you know
How much your service needs him.
Abb.

He shall have part of our guards assign'd him.

Flo.
(Those can't we
aside.
Trust) that your state permits not—see himselfe.
ABBAS, MAHOMET-ALLYBEG, FLORADELLA.
COme MAHOMET, what need hadst thou t'em­ploy
Any tongue but thine own in thy just suit?
Thou maist do more with me, my MAHOMET, raise
For thy securitie, what guards thou pleasest.
Mah.
I willingly could have spar'd this needlesse state,
Could I securely attend your service:
But though arm'd with my innocence, I fear not
JOVES Thunder-bolts yet, "Wise prevention
[Page 105]"Is the first point of wisdome in a Peer.
Sir, here is a commission, please you hear
It read, and sign it?
Abb.
Give me it, MAHOMET,
We'l sign it without reading, we dare trust thee,
Farther then this.
Flo.

Your Highnesse may.

Abb.

We know it.

Flo.
Dear, thou knowest when to
They whisper.
meet at Madam OMAY's.
The consultation's there, you had the watchword?
M [...]h.
I know the time, and will not loiter, deerest.
Since 'tis for thee I work.
Flo.

And I for thee.

Abb.
A Masque attends me, thou shalt sweet par­take it:
Thou MAHOMET hast something else to do.
MAHOMET-ALLYBEG.
YEs, I have that to do, shall undo you,
I erre, 'tis done not Heaven can hinder it.
But should th'whole Machine oth' design crack, which
Would more amaze the world then brutish thunder,
The pleasure I have given my selfe to see
To what a height I've wound this strumpets soul,
Would almost pay my pains: How sure she makes
Her selfe, of what I never mean her fortune!
Then when I rise fresh in my summer glory,
And throw her off, like a course robe I wore,
Only to shield me from my colder winter.
Who will not say, I cunnings Master am,
That can deceive, and that in their own game,
Greatest deceivers when they me shall know
Out-cheat a woman, and a strumpet too.
[Page 106] VASCO.
AM I awake! or do I live! what torrent
Of evills have over spread thee Persia?
Is justice cripled? and the furies all
Let loose to act their Gambols in the world?
Dire secret of the direst Treason! how
It swells within me till I be delivered
Of it at my Lords ear! He happily
May stop its course: then was my love well plac't
To sift out this; and though I die this night,
I've liv'd to be most happy, and the ages
To come shall pay thanks to my memory.
MIRZA.
[...]n his Couch alone.
BLinded! imprison'd! pining here for want
Of what each debaucht Ruffian spends in riot!
And by command of my own Tyrant Father!
A proper Patrimony! If the Turk
Had us'd me thus, my fall had been with honour,
And heart held up with hope, whilst I had had
A Father to command Reveng [...], and friends
To act it home: But when those friends are thus
Fetter'd, disgrac'd, and torn from my assistance,
And nature too turn'd backward in my Father,
What have I left me, but to curse my starrs?
Starrs! ignes fatu! glittering Meteors!
That made a show of greatnesse, and in snuff
Now loose their glimmering false light, and stink!
Unnaturall Monster! have I left so oft
For thee, and for thy safety, the embrace
Of my fair Princely spouse? abandoned
My self to all the sufferings and hazzards
Of bitter and long war, to have this Triumph?
O that I could relieve my soul with vengeance!
In my last sleep I saw the wandring Ghosts
Of my great Uncle, and wrong'd Grandfather
[Page 107]Squallid and pale, attended with an Army
Of murder'd spirits, all my Fathers crimes,
Calling loud to me for revenge, revenge,
Both for the love I bear them, and my self.
I' [...]h' head of these gnashing her teeth with ire
Came frowning NEMESIS, offering a whip
Of folded snakes to my impartiall hand.
My soule's now like a boistrous working Sea
Swelling in billows for disdain of wrongs,
And tumbling to and fro from Bay to Bay,
Nothing can calm it but full wrought Revenge.
Stern Goddesse! I adore, and give my self
To thy dispose. O point me but a way
To work thy ends and mine! My arm is short
And shackled thus with Irons, I can't reach
The Tyrants heart, how shall I serve thee then?
When strait she calls to me with bended brows,
Reach him in's Favourites:'las! ALLYBEG
Is strong ith' Courts and Tyrants affections,
But he has Marble walls, and Iron barrs
T'ween him, and me. But FATYMA comes to thee,
She sai [...]s: and she's the Idoll of his soul,
Rob him of her. Shall I through my own sides
Wound him? and to deprive him of a Grandchild,
Tear from my self a daughter, no lesse dear
And dutifull to me, then she's to him?
But I am great with child of indignation
And cannot be delivered but by vengeance,
And no revenge but this is in my reach.
I shall but send her to the pleasant Groves,
Give her at once Heaven and the Tyrant Hel,
Hell in his thoughts, Hell in his Conscience,
And that same Hell of his is Heaven to me.
It is decreed: She dies to make him do so.
O sweet revenge! how I thirst now for blood,
And burn more then I lately did for drink,
[Page 108]In my wild feaver hottest fit? —who waits there?
SOFFIE, MIRZA, NYMPHADO­RA, IFFIDA.

CAll'd you my Lord?

Mir.

Yes child, is FATYMA come.

Sof.

Not yet Sir,

Mir.
SOFFIE, art thou prepar'd
For freedom when she comes.
Sof.

Sir, as you please.

Mir.
yes, thou shalt go to Libertie, though I
Repent thy absence.—O, my great resolve!
in secret.
If I must fall, I'l pul down Persia with me,
And have no lesser Monument then an Empire.
Nym.
And when th' art free, and in EMANGO­LY'S care
Think oth' restraint thy Parents here endure,
And seek with all discreet care to redresse it.
Sof.

I shall not rest till then.

Iff.

Here's FATYMA.

MIRZA, NYMPHADORA, SOFFIE, FA­TIMA, IFFIDA.

COme child.

Fa [...].

Fate is not yet all cruelty.

Nym.

What's this I see child in thy face of mirth?

Fat.
Madam, I have got Licence of the King
For all you can desire but Liberty.
Mir.
And without that what can we here desire
Worth satisfying?—Come hither FATYMA,
Stand here between my knees.—(Sweet
in secret.
innocent!
Ah! that I could but now forget all Father,
Or else be like mine own, and leave all goodnesse!)
Sweet child, art thou contented to stay here,
[Page 109]And let thy Brother'scape in thy attire?
Fat.

Most willing Sir.

Nym.
Thy Grandsire will not let
Thee lie here long in misery like us.
Fat.
Would I might still stay here to wait on you,
I'd rather so.—My Lord METHICULI
Is at the Castle gate waiting for some body.
Sof.

That is for me.

Fat.

Come Brother let's change cloaths.

Mir.
Stay FATYMA, suppose thy Grandfather,
Why say I so? thy Fathers Murderer,
Should now grow angry with thee for this change,
How wilt thou bear his wrath? child, canst thou die?
Fat.
Yes Sir, if you will have me; to die and sleep
They say is one and after Death we wake
In a fresh Paradise where joyes abound.
Mir.
All joyes are there, there once, for all the world
Thou wouldst not be a minute here again.
Fat.
But Sir, shall I not want your Presence there?
And my dear Mothers? and my Princely Brothers?
I love you better then all joyes beside.
M [...]r.
Pretty ignorance! thou goest but before,
Wee soon will follow thee. In the mean time,
There shalt thou meet thy Uncle and great Grandsire,
They will make much of thee, and shew thee all
The glories there, the green and fragrant fields,
Ripe fruits that ne'r decay. Soft melting songs
And Carolls of the Golden-feather'd birds
Shall lull thee asleep: then shalt thou wake agen
To see the Nymphs and Virgins dance about
The silver Rivers, they shall take thee in,
And make thee Mistris of their sprightly Revells.
Fat.
Would I were there, if you would follow, but
I'l not be there without your company.
Mir.
I'l follow thee sweet heart, when I have got
Revenge enough upon the doting Tyrant:
[Page 110]Mean while— ( ONEMESIS [...] see! I obey thee!
in secret.
Act thou my shaking hands, and be my Goddesse.)
Go thou before me, and prepare my way.—
Iff.

O Heavens!

Sof.

O Gods! what fury's this!

He takes Fatyma by the neck, breakes it, and swings her a­bout. The Princesse Soffie and Iffida in vain hang about him to save the child.
Nym.
My Lord, my Lord, 'tis
FATYMA you kill.
Mir.
I therefore kill her because FATYMA.
She could not die more innocent, nor I
Get better vengeance on the Tyrants head
Lie thee there till another comes.—
Fat.

O— O—

He throws her down. She dies.
Nym.

Ah me! sweet babe! is all the world turn'd Monster?

Sof.

Ah! my dear Sister!

Mir.
SOFFIE, come hither,
No?—
Nym.

Fly dear SOFFIE.

Iff.

Fly, fly, my Lord

Mir.

Come hithe [...] or be wretched.

The Princesse and Iffida fall a cl [...] ­fing of Fatyma, till se [...]ing the Prince groap af­ter Soffie too, they rise, & hold him, till Soffie escape.
Nym.
O my Lord,
Why will you wrong your vertue thus to murder
These pieces of your selfe?
Mir.
Because the Tyrant
Loves them and lov'd he me I'd kill my self too,
But since he doth not, I will live to spigh [...] him.
The'world too little to satiate my revenge.
Sof.

Page! Guard ope, ope, O ope the doors and save me,

[Page 111] FARRABAN, PAGE. Guard.
To them.

RUn down, sir, run that way.—Ho [...]ror and Furies!

To Soffie.
Mir.

Take you all.—dogs! wher's SOFFIE?

Far.
Escap'd
From your wild rage,
Mir.

My curse shall overtake him.

Far.

We'd best bind him.

Pag.

Hold gently, gently, sir.

Nym.
Ah! the sweet soul is fled, fled,
She chafes Fa­tyma again.
never, never,
O never to return.
Iff.

Ah. sweetest Mistris!

Mir.
Then carry her to my Father as my Presen [...],
'Twil make my peace with him, he'l love me now
For doing this Act, 'tis so like his own.
Far.

'Twill make all good men—

Pag.

Pray sir speak not to him.

Mir.
Look down, look down great Uncles Ghost, and see
Where ABBAS Jewell lies! (32) the sight will give thee
A riper joy then thou dist feele, when thy
Dread hand struck off CARAEMIT's proud head.
'Tis I that must revenge my self and you.
Come Page, attend me to my Dungeon,
There will I boast my parcell Vengeance,
And study more, and ruine th' whole Creation
But I will make the Tyrant hang himself.
Far.

Good Heavens! how rage Bears men out of them­selves.

Nym.
Bring in the precious body IFFIDA,
I cannot yet bewail her fate nor mine,
Too great for words is my vast misery:
" Small Griefes make men lament, Great stupify.
[Page 112] SOFFIE, METHICULI.
O My good good Lord! the saddest accident!
My Father has kill'd with his own hands my Sister,
The Castle is all in an uproar at it,
In which I escap'd, else he had kill'd me too.
Met.
Thank Heaven you have so- come my Lord, this is
No place for talk, quick, let us hast away.
Sof.

Fast as you please my honour'd Lord, & whither

EMANGOLY, VASCO.
He muffles Soffi in his Cloak, and carries him away
WHat horrours seize me! that the world should thus
Be all abandon'd to the furies envy!
Sure this is but to cheat us!
Vas.
No my Lord,
Though CLOE told it with such confidence,
The horror was not able to perswade me,
Till first I ran to OMAY'S Garden House;
There the Conspirators are all to meet,
The house preparing and the entertainment.
Ema.
Dire discoveries! VASCO, this you'l swear,
And with your blood maintain?
Vas.

I will sir.

Ema.
Come then,
Though banished, I'l venture to the King,
And break his hasty order for his good.
How happy art thou to discover this?
Thou shalt be Persia's Genius, she shall pay
Devotions to thee: and how blest am I
To be an instrument to save my Country!
O Heaven! how bounteous art thou to mankind!
When we rush on to ruine, mad, and blind,
[Page 113]Thou cast's a bit upon our furious hast,
To curb us for our good, and from our wast
Preserve us 'gainst our wills! Whence is it, whence
That the world stands but from thy providence,
Truth-loving JOVE? Thou wilt not suffer wrong,
However great, to go unpunisht long;
Or although long to us, and to sense past
All hope, yet full-paid vengeance comes at last.
" Thy certain Justice ever ready stands,
" And though she 'has leaden feet, she 'has Iron hands.
CHORUS.
A Passion stronger then the rest
No more call love,
Since dire revenge in a wrong'd breast
More strong doth prove.
She breaks all bands for her desire,
Blood is her food,
She treads down all things in her ire,
Though just or good.
Ore love it selfe she triumpht hath,
Oft having forc't
Fierce hands in the dear bloud to bath
Which they lov'd most.
The fierce Odrysian Queen to take
Revenge upon
Her husband, for her sisters sake,
Butcher'd her son.
As to the wood a Tygresse wild
A Fawn doth trail:
She drag'd to a close room the child.
Where nought avail
His tears, his banishments, or both
To calm her blood,
Revenge stood by gnashing her teeth,
Expecting food.
[Page 116]O rage of women! though the boy
T' her bosom clung,
She him (nor turn'd her face away)
Stab'd as he hung.
He kis't, she stab'd O dire reward
His kisses got!
The pavements blusht with blood besmear'd
Though she did not.
This proves not she her sister priz'd
Before her Boy,
But that all are by rage despis'd
For cruell joy.
And that revenge might ore men too
Her Triumphs see,
We have a Father late did doe
As much as she.
A Father, by his held in thrall,
His daughter kill'd
'Cause her the Grandsire above all
Things precious held.
Since his revenge could reach no more
O rages sway!
The Jewell of this soul he tore
From him away:
Carelesse, so him, himself to strike,
Hope flatter'd so,
What that to PROGNE's, this the like
T' his Sire would doe.
Go innocent Princesse, Martyr go
Of Rage and Fate,
And in thy checker'd Grove below,
Embrace thy Mate.
ITYS and FATYMA there shall cling
Into a pair,
Him sweetest birds shall ever sing,
And MUSES her.
[Page 115]Impute not thou the crime, O JOVE,
And breach of Lawes
To th' Actor, but to them that gave
The cruell cause.

Act. V.

FATYMA's Funerall passes over the Stage; Six Vir­gins [...]earers.
ABBAS, MAHOMET ALLY-BEG, BELTA­ZAR, FLORADELLA, OLYMPA, EARINA, &c. Chief Mourners.
A Funerall ELEGIE, sung to the Harp.
GRief and Horror seize on all,
From the Suns rise to his fall.
But in in sighs no breath be spent,
No voice heard but to lament,
In each face the cause is read,
FATYMA and Beauty's dead.
SOL, disturb not sorrows night
She gone, none deserves thy light.
And ther's none now whose eye may
Bright as hers did, gild thy Ray.
Birds, that did your songs forbear,
Hers with more delight to hear,
And did still expecting stand
Notes from her voice, meat her hand,
You again may sing alone,
You'l be heard now she is gone.
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[Page 116]To her name your voices set,
And ne'r sing a note but that.
Flower [...], droop your leaves and wither,
You no more her hand shall gather.
Wither, wither, for there's none
Worth a Garland, she being gone.
Water Nymphs, that in a maze
Oft have stopt your sports to gaze
At her sitting on your banks,
Or else tripping ore their cranks,
In a Dance, with odorous feet,
And a grace as VENUS sweet,
Weep her losse: weep, more you'l ne'r
See your selves out-done by her.
Weep till you thaw: melting, mourn,
Till into your streams you turn.
Winds, let sighs henceforth consume yee,
Her breath shall no more perfume yee.
Be astonish'd thou O Earth,
Thou hast lost thy fairest birth.
See! see! all the charm obey!
Into night is shrunk the day.
The Sun mourns, or, to judge right
He wants her to give him light.
Birds have learnt her name, and now
Hark! they sing't on every bough.
Of the flowers some decay,
Others wither quite away,
Or if any beauty have
Still, they keep it for her grave.
Grief has turn'd the Primrose pale,
Lillies droop, and all bewail:
Down the Violet hangs her head,
All the Roses tears have shed;
Cups full have each Daffadil:
Down along the cheeks they trill
[Page 117]Of the rest, and trembling there
Hang, true Pearles for sorrows wear.
Fountains weep, winds sigh her fall:
Earth is stupified withall.
Onely Gods from grief refrain,
Since earths losse is Heavens gain.
For since she arriv'd at Heaven,
Now the Graces number's even.
Abb.
No more let bold Philosophers denie
That Vertues are from Nature since here [...]ies
An heap of Beauties, with more graces born
Then Education or Art ere gave
The longest liver. Once a divine soul
[...]nform'd that curious Body, and so acted
[...]t to all good, that Heaven envied Earth
Th' enjoyment of it, therefore took it home
As bright as when she lent it the fair modell,
And now it shines the brightest star she has.
But why, so soon, good Heaven, hast dispossess'd
Earth of her glory? Is't because you mean
To call the Chaos back again, and she
The soul oth' world must first be tane away?
Day must depart before soul night can come?
Or fail'd your Power? could you not make the summer
And Autumn of her Age as glorious
As her sweet Spring, and so destroy'd it quite?
Or doubted you she would engrosse all hearts,
All loves? and make us think there was no Heaven,
No Paradise but her, and her sweet favour,
So, jealous of your Honour, took her hence?
No, but now that her viper Father had
Given up his name to mischief and Rebellion,
That all that's good of him might fall, she must:
And fall his crime: but O that crime alone
Had he no more, should sink his monstrous head
Below the deepest Hell, I punish him
[Page 118]Not now for crimes committed against me,
But 'gainst himself▪ these I could have forgiven,
And Nature almost now had won me to it,
But this dire murder of my joy and comfort,
Has chas't away all pitty from my thoughts,
And arm'd my heart and hand with torments for him.
Who will not crush the worme that eats his Rose?
Goe FARRABAN, lade the inhumane Monster
With pondrou [...] chains as heavy as his guilt:
Remove all comforts from him: pine his carkasse,
Till his own flesh be his abhorred food,
He may as well devour that as this
Tell him we'l study Torments for him, Torments
Witty and requisite, as he wishes us.
Deliver th' message to him in words, fit
For a just anger▪ great as ours is
'Twill be some comfort to this innocents soul
To see her murderers blood poured upon
Her divine ashes: Pardon, glorious Ghost,
(For now devotion's due to thy bright lustre)
That we mix with thy sacred dust a blood
So tainted: yet 'tis but thy sacrifice.—
You FARRABAN, see SOFFIE be regain'd
Again, you'd best: I wonder at your neglect
Of care to guard so great Prisoner.
Far.
My Liege, I'th aproar when the guards were all
Employ'd to stop the Princes frantick rage,
He made escape.
Abb.
Well, see he be sought out.
Lead on, and enrich Earth with Heavens envy.
[Page 119] MIRZA, PAGE.
GReat NEMESIS! now have I sacrific'd
To thee the best of Creatures Persia had;
If the old Tyrant feeleth but the wound,
I have mine ends, and thou a feast of blood.
Pag.
But sir, I fear the blow you gave through her
Will fall most heavy on your self: and make
Him more incens'd.
Mir
So he but feels a grief,
I'l triumph in my pains, and scorn his worst.
MIRZA, PAGE, FARRABAN.

WHo's that?

Pag.
'Tis FARRABAN, in his looks
I see Revenge and Torments threatned.
Mir.

Tut!

Far.

Sir, the King-

Mir.
Peac [...], thou most impudent tongue,
Call him not King, but dotard Tyrant, Serpent,
Go on.
Far.
Commands me to deliver's wrath
To you in thunder: Pardon the messenger,
He threats you with Strapadoes, Famine, Tortures
Cunning and cruell, for your dire deed.
M [...]r.
I thank his Tyrantship; return thou him
From me many curses: but how took he
His minions death?
Far.
As he would do the sight
Of his own Executioner, heavily.
His life-blood seem'd to stream from's aged eyes,
Horror to seize his Limbs, and grief his soul.
He tore his silver hair, beat's reverend breast,
Threw himself prostrate on the loved body,
[Page 120]And curs'd his starrs: the killing newes is like
To do as much for him, as for the old
PANDION the like act of PROGNE's did.
He slights his meat, seems wholly given over
To sorrow and revenge.
Mir.
Io, Io, PAEAN!
Sing victory, sing victory, my soul,
I'm Conquerour: I've vanquish't the stern Tyrant
In a great deed, 'bove th' horror of his own.
Now I can make him grieve, I'l make him bleed,
Bleed next, dog Goaler, bleed his damned soul
To air, which will turn to Pestilence,
And poyson, and infect the cursed world.
He has but yet a tast of what i'l do.
Far.

Sir, sir, we'l keep you from all further outrage.

Pag.

Be civill, villain, to your Royal Master.

Far.

He must excuse me, I'm but an Officer.

M [...]r.

O'th Devills.—Traytor, do thy drudgery.

Far.
He has commanded me to load your limbs
With weighty gyves, and famish your stout stomach.
Pag.

The Devill has.

Mir.
His gyves are ornaments,
To me: and Famine, that I fear not slave,
I'l feed on my revenge. Come bring thy fetters,
I will adore them as a lover does
His Ladies favours.
Pag.
Sir, Exasperate
Not Tyranny.
Mir.
Sweet youth, be patient,
I'l teach thee courage. Hangman come, your chaines,
I'le follow you by your sent, Beare-ward, to have them.
[Page 121] EMANGOLY, HYDASPUS, VASCO,
HOrror! that the brave Prince should ever do
So cruell a deed! but what can't sense of wrongs
And thirst of revenge force a great mind to!
Yet shall this stop our grand design no longer.
Now for the King. HIDASPUS, you say SOFFIE
Is at METHI [...]VLI's Farme, without the Town?—
What is't you study of?
Hyd.
My Lord?—yes, yes,
He is.—My Lord, I was even stricken dumb
With the discoveries you've made.
Ema.
O great, and
Horrid they are: by this the hellish Counsell
Is upon meeting; sure their hour's near?
Vas.

'Tis come my Lord.

Ema.
Come then HYDASPUS you'l
Accompany me to th' King.
Hyd.
You know, my Lord,
We are forbidden.
Ema.
What th [...]n? for his good,
And to save Persia, what is our lives hazard?
Hyd.

They can't be better spent, i'l wait your Grace.

Ema.

But not a word where SOFFIE is as yet.

ABBAS, PAGE.
FATYMA murder'd! all my joyes are fled!
Fled in a moment! Pageant of Earths greatnesse!
I that was erst ador'd, great in an Army,
Strong in a valiant Son, and happy in
The fair hopes of two brave Grandchildren,
Am now forlorne in all: my Army broken,
A base peace made for which all brave men loath me,
One of my Grandchildren, hope of my Crown,
Fled, but O whither? that's unknown to me.
[Page 122]The other dead, dead, and worse, murdered
By her own Father, ah unnaturall Father!
But yet not more unnaturall then my self,
Us'd I not him so? and should he not be
As dear to me as she to him? I did,
I did, O mischief of credulity!
And causelesse jealousie! would all my fears
Had happened, so I were guiltlesse still.
It then had been his fault, not mine. O heart!
Pag.
May't please you, sir, my Lords, EMANGO­LY
And HYDASPUS do strongly plead without
For Audience of your Majestie, shall they enter?
Abb.
Have I not banish'd them my Presence? well,
They die for breach of the command, if they
Prove not their innocence: Let them enter, i'l
Have now an ear for both parts; I will never
Punish more on bare hearsay,—Guard, attend us.
ABBAS, EMANGOLY, HYDASPUS, GVARD.
HOw dare you thus intrude into my presence?
Must I forbid you, and my strict commands
Be slighted thus? you rush upon your ruine.
Ema.
Sir, were we conscious to our selves of any
The least neglect unto your-just commands,
We'd fly your sight as doth the Owl the Suns,
And seek out corners for our Treasons safety,
But when we dare defie black Calumny,
We know not why we should not venture to you
To warn you of your safety, now at stake.
Abb.

At stake! as how?

Hyd.
If there be any fault
In us, examine it in fitter time,
And spare it not, but study punnishments
New and exemplary to plague us with,
[Page 123]At least, at present, mind to save your Crown,
Your Realms, your life, and all your Progenie.
Abb.

What Pageant's this!

Ema:
No Pagean [...], Sir in short.
You are betray'd, and MAHOMET's the Traytor.
Abb.
What envy dares traduce him? then my heart's
False to my head.
Ema.
Sir, if I prove it not,
Dissect me into Atomes, torture me,
And fix eternall infamy on my name.
Abb.

Produce your proofes.

Ema.
Your Highnesse lately stood
A Bulwark to your friends, a terror to
Your Enemies, you had a Royall Army
Commanded by a noble Son, and though
I say't, a faithfull Generall, and Officers
Trusty as truth it selfe, while these stood firm
In your esteem, as they deserved well,
(For what have your brave Son, and my poor self
Not done, that men could do, for your just honour?
You do not hold one Scepter in your hand,
But such as we have put there, or else kept
From being torn away:) whilst these I say
Had power with you, not your proudest foes
Or Treason had a tongue or hand to hurt you;
But we must fall, that they may rise, upon
Yours, and our ruines, and your credulity
Has given them way: pardon the plainnesse, sir.
Ab [...].

Go on, go on.

Ema.
Sir, it was your misfortune
T'advance the impudent pleasant ALLYBEG
To such a dangerous height as made him giddy,
And mad with pride: he is the very person
That having got your ear, wrought all our ruines,
Intending yours: which thus he acts; first having
Obtain'd the Princes fall, disbanded th' Army;
[Page 124]He has consulted with the mal [...]-contents
T'advance himself: has rais'd a bank of money,
And now is levying of a Guard—
Abb.
That Guard
On second thoughts I fear'd.
Hyd.

As well you might.

Abb.

Well, who are of his party?

Ema.
His pretence
Is specious (as all Traytors must be) so
He has allured some innocent Persons to him
(For such we yet are willing to believe them)
As ELCHEF, who yet owes you a Grudge,
And so's the fitter for his purpose; he
Ingag'd MATZED, MOZENDRA, and BENEFIAN,
MATZED is levying in Hyrcan [...]a,
But privatly, as the rest here in Town.
These credit his pretence, which onely is
To rescue th' Prince, and be made Guardian
To SOFFIE, when he indeed intends
To murder you, the Prince, and SOFFIE—
Abb.

What's this, you say?—

Ema.
Nay, good sir, hear me out.
He means himself our King too and his Queen
FLORADELLA, (she at least believes so)
For she was usefull for him to gain you
To this advancement, and the Princes fall,
And rich to help his bank, and has engag'd
OLYMPA, EARINA, and Madam OMAY,
All these we know, besides who else as yet
We've not discovered. But his confidents
Are FARRABAN and the smooth tongu'd SE­LEVCUS
He at this present gathers force in Shiras
The other holds the Castle at his pleasure.
Abb.
If this be so, themselves convey'd away
Young SOFFIE, I pray JOVE not to Heaven.
Hyd.
[Page 125]
That, time will prove, we speak but what wee know.
Abb.

How came you by the knowledge of thus much?

Ema.
My Lord, my Servant VASCO has made love
Long time to CLOE, FLORADELLA'S woman,
And she has heard him not unwillingly:
It first came out by her, who boasted it
To him, as an addition to her fortune.
Abb.
This makes me doubt the rest: sure ALLY­BEG
Has more brain then to trust such high designes
To whores and waiting women; Sives, that let
All things run through them, be they ne'r so precious.
Ema.
Sir, she's the closet of her Ladies secrets,
'Tis like she had this knowledge from her chiefly.
Abl.
By some especiall providence: O Gods!
How have we sinn'd! that you upbraid us thus
T' indebt us for our safeties to such low
Vile things! as if the basest instrument
Were good enough to save so corrupt a state!
But Rome thrice ow'd her life to as vile trash,
Once to a common Harlot, twice to Geese.
Wise Heaven can make good work with any tool.
But this me thinks requires pregnant proof,
Ere it gains my belief, as now my horror.
Ema.
First, we attest it sir, next, your own eyes
And ears may be your certain witnesses.
Fail you they cannot: clap a Guard on us,
Send but another Guard to OMAY'S House,
There may you apprehend most of the Traitors,
There at this instant hold they their black counsell.
Abb.
No lie can bee avouch't with thus much fore­head.
EMANGOLY, thou hast deserv'd much of me,
And you HYDASPVS; first we cry you mercy,
For our too much rigour to you both,
Wee'l study an amends, if this be true,
[Page 126]If not, you both die without further process.
Ema.

Sir, be it so.

Hyd.
Yes, so my Liege we'd have it.
Abb.
Come then, our selfe will goe to OMAY'S house,
'Tis worth our pains, you shall attend me thither.
Ema.

Your Majestie still meets our wishes neerer.

Abb.

Is BELTAZAR engag'd?

Ema.
No surely sir,
We believe him too honest, and a spirit
Too great to truckle to base ALLYBEG,
Though he had the mis-fortune to be us'd
I'th Princes ruine, we might see regret,
And an unwillingnesse in him to th'action.
Abb.
He did indeed, I think obey for fear;
Nor did he more then what our own commands
Did urge, so we've no ground for wrath to him;
Him then we'l keep in favour still, and call
T'attend us to unkennell the base Fox.
First send for FARRABAN, and make him sure,
Then plant a Guard upon the Cittadell.
Ema.

It will be best sir.

Abb.

Guard attend us here.

FLORADELLA, OLYMPA, EARINA, OMAY, CLOE.
WOmen are still most forward in great actions,
I wonder yet none of the Lords are come.
Oly.
All in Good time Madam— 'tis a close day,
Me thinks it'bodes not well, I like it not.
Flo.
The day is as it should be, close and dark,
And fittest for our Plot that must be secret.
Ear.

The Sun perhaps mourns for poor FATYMA.

Oly.
O that sad accident takes up my mind,
I'm almost statue still.
Oma.
[Page 127]

'Twas sad and cruell.

Flo.
Ladies, you see 'tis more then time we help
Poor Persia from ruining her selfe,
To which she hasts amaine.—
Clo.

Madam, my Lords.

MAHOMET-ALLY-BEG, ELCHEE, MO­ZENDRA, BENEFIAN, FLORADEL­LA, OLYMPA, EARINA, OMAY, CLOE.

SAve you Ladies.

Elc.

Hail beauties all a [...]row.

Flo.

Hail Persia's Genius.

Oly.

Hail my honour'd Lord.

Mah.

Are we all here?

Moz.

I see not FARRABAN.

Elc.

FARRABAN wanting!

Mah.

What makes him so slow!

Flo.
Slow, y'are all Snails to us, you must confesse
The Ladies still most active: we'l not lose
Our shares of glory.
Elc.
FARRABAN not here!
I like it not.
Flo.

My Lord, he's gain'd already.

Ear.

So we are all I hope.

Flo.
I'l engage for him,
What you here order him, he shall be ready
Upon first intimation to perform.
He may be busie searching SOFFIE up,
You heard the Kings threats if he were not found.
Mah.

Would he were found.

Flo.
Let not that trouble you.
(1) If we cannot recover him, give out
He is baptiz'd, and so incapable;
'Tis no new way, in India, ASSAPH did it,
And well it took. —My Lord, you are not cheerfull.
Elc.
[Page 128]

MAHOMET'S troubled.

Oly.

'Tis for PARRABAN.

To Olym.
Ben.
What! doe's my Lord Court her,
To Mo [...]
to be her Guardian?
Now had I rather talke of Love and Court-ship
To EARINA then these state-affaires.
How well she looks!
Moz.

Fie, Flesh-flie, hold your peace.

Secret
Flo.
My Lord, I hope you flag not?
To Ma [...]
will you saile
Bravely three quarters of your course, out-ride
Many a storm, break thousand raging waves,
And then sink in the Haven?
Mah.
My soul is dull,
And dreads some treachery; never till now
Knew I what 'twas to fear.
Flo.
Come, sacrifice
To confidence, she'l carry you through all;
I'l promise largely when we come to th'Loane,
More then you must expect to bring them on.
Ear.

But sure we came not here to whisper, sirs.

Oma.

No, I did think our businesse had been pub­lique.

Mah.
Rouze my dull soul— Publique indeed it is,
And private too it must be, the Consult
Private, the benefit most publique shall be—
Flo.
Now he's himselfe againe. Death!
aside.
dead ith'nest!
Mah.
And reach to all: old men shall owe that short
Portion of life by natures course they hold,
And reverend Matrons their white age, to us:
Those shall thank us, they see their manly Sons,
Spend in soft exercise their peacefull time,
And that themselves sit in their chimny-corners,
Telling the loved stories of their youth,
[Page 129]And feel not at their wither'd throats the swords
Of foes, to force them to detect their wealth;
And these, that they enjoy their blooming daughters
Unravished, and see their Grand-children
Come skipping on their aged knees, and not
Sprawling upon the Enemies hostile Speares.
The Nurse shall owe to us, that her dear childe
Doth suck her milk still, and not she its blood,
So to sustaine a while her famish'd soul.
The Gods shall be indebted unto us,
That still their Temples stand, and do not crack
In sacrilegious flames; the Genius
Of every City, that he is not forc'd
To leave his walk, or wander ' [...]out the ruines:
The dead that fury ransack not their Urnes,
And puffe their ashes in the face of light:
Th'unborn, that we procur'd them time to ripen,
And that they fell not, blasted ere they blow'd.
The benefit shall to the meanest Swaine
Extend, that toyls in the Parmenian fields,
And farthest parts the Persian name doth reach,
To us his morning, and his evening thanks,
Shall he ere pay, for that his wretched eyes
See not the battering hoofs of wastf [...]ll Troops
Trample his hopefull Corne, and springing grasse,
For that the sheafes ar'nt from his reaping hand
Torn by the Foe, nor his full Barns blaze high
With dreadfull flames, nor stalled Cattel low
Under the plundering Souldiers hungry blade;
For that the hated noise of bellowing Drums,
Fright him not from his Plough with fear of pressing.
Ber.
He shepheardesses thanks might promise too,
For having time to sing still, and make
To Moz. in secret.
Chaplets.
Moz.

Those thanks shall you reap.

Ben.
[Page 130]
Those I chiefly covet,
I soon can tell them how they may requite me.
Mah.
This generall good must unto all accrue,
By our incountring of that violent torrent
Of ruine, that flows strongly towards all,
And will ore-whelm us, if not stopt in time.
Is not our aged King (alas!) given up
To dotage, and unneedful jealousie?
Has he not cast down his chiefe prop, the Prince?
Disbanded his strong Armies? so the Empire
Lies open to her Foes, like as a Vineyard
To the wild beasts, its fence being trodden down.—
Elc.
Princes were given to defend their subjects,
If he'l quit the Protection of us,
Yet must not we quit our own safeties.
Mah.
True,
Doth not the royall stock decay apace?
One of the best and fairest branches of it,
Is torn away to death—
Oly.
O that the Tyrants
Selfe had excused her!—
Mah.
An act so horrid,
The Sun ne'r shin'd out since, but hid for shame
His face with clouds; the other forc'd to hide,
Perhaps in some foul shed, poor and forlorn,
His innocent head, from his hard Grand-father,
And injur'd Sire, and yet he is our hope.
Pines not the Prince, whose fight no foe could 'bide,
Without his fight, in a condition
Beneath the merit of the greatest foe?
Melts not the sweetest Princesse in the world,
In her own tears? she, worth a brighter fortune
Then Earth can give her, yet abides the worst.—
Ear

So much the worse, as fallen from best.

Mah.

You Ladies should resent this most of all.—

Oma.

Who doth not, hath no sence.

Ear.
[Page 131]

No soul.

Flo.

No honour.

Mah.
Yet the old King's so fast in his dead sleep,
So lost in his strong Lethargy, he feels,
Nor sees, at least regards, nothing of this.
I'st then not time to 'wake him, and to stop
The gulph of ruine that thus opes and gapes
To swallow us all in its hollow entrailes?—
I see it in your faces, you all think
It more then time; nor let the cure seem harsh:
No lesse then fire, cauterizing, searing,
Can salve this sore; tis Arms I mean must do it;
We must cast Rampants 'gainst so strong a tide,
Nor think't at all unjust; "That War is just
" That's necessary, and those arms religious,
" When there's no hope left otherwise but in them.
The Prince restor'd, the King once shewn his error,
SOFFIE return'd to safety, how will all
Applaud the Actors! what is there you wish,
But will flow in unto you with advantage!
Your greatest thoughts will be accomplished,
As easily as desir'd. (2) Would you my Lord
ELCHEE, requite your selfe for th'injury
Late done to you? now, now's the time to do it.
Elc.

I see, nor will let slip the fair occasion.

Mah.
Would you, MOZENDRA, arrive at th'hopes
You, I know, have, of things worthy your merit,
And daring soul? this, this is the way.
Moz.

I shall improve the opportunity.

Mah.
Would you, BENEFIAN, render your self
Worthy, as the addition that honours,
And fair estate can make you, (and they're great
In womens eyes) to teach the bravest Lady
Ith' Persian Court to give and take a flame,
(For you, they say, are amorous) now's the time.
Ben.
And I will strike, Sir, whilst the Iron's hot.
[Page 132]He 'has taken me in the right vein i'faith.
Ma [...].
And is there any thing that you, sweet Ladies,
Can on your Pillows wish for? now command it.—
Flo.

As ther's no Lady sure but has her longings.

Ma [...].
Is there a seat in all the Empire
Fairer then other? or an air cooler?
Before your feet that place shall spread its self,
And court you to accept it. Is there ever
A Knight, or smooth chin'd youth your eye commends
Unto your heart? he is your ready servant.—
Oma.

And we may had employ that priviledge.

Mah.
Are your thoughts higher? would you make your fortunes
Even with your beauties, equall unto Princes,
Fit for to meet with crowned Monarchs loves?
This is the way t' atchieve all these, and more:
To be, alive great Queens and dead, bright starrs.
You shall be cal [...]'d the Saviours of your Country,
A name more dear then Monarch, the sole honour
O'th' present age, the grand obligers of
The next, and MAHOMET, your humble servant.
Flo.

Admir'd height of Policy, and Courtship?

Mah.
Cast then, sweet Beauties to so great a work
But your lose Ornaments, and receive greater.
Borrow but of your fair ear a Pendent,
A Garkane [...] of your Neck, or of your brest
A Gem, and be return'd more then a Crown.
And you brave Knights, shine forth in brandish'd steel,
Like to so many Gods of war, and be
Ador'd as he is Nor can I expresse
(Such is the dearth and poverty of words)
With how much dearnesse of affection
You'l be received of all loyall hearts.
With what resolution of fidelity!
With how great Piety! with what tears of joy!
Will any Gates dare to be shut against you?
[Page 133]Or any Envy to oppose your Progresse?
Up then, and undertake this brave exploit
With that courage, and those fair hopes, wherewith
Such just great actions are to be attempted,
That under your colours, and protection
Of your Fortune Persia may be
Again ennobled, and made more then free.
Elc.
My Lord, whilst uttering this, I wish't your voice
Had been as loud as STEN [...]OR'S, or ram'd thunder,
That' t' might been heard through (3) ABBAS thirty Kingdomes,
And strike upon the Centre with an Eccho
Loud as the acclamation it deserves,
It would have done more good then forty Troops
To our great purpose, of which men and money
I take to be chief elements: for men,
My MATZED's Levies prosper as our wishes
Design'd them in Hyrcania.
Mah.
And in Larr
SELEVCUS grows as fast: once on their March,
They'l gather like a snow-ball.
Elc.
Here I've gain'd
As many friends as when I can appoint them
A Rendevouz, will make a Regiment.
M [...]h.
I have as many too, besides my Guard,
To help up which the bounteous FLORADELLA
Disbursed freely.
Flo.
I have yet my Lord,
Fifty thousand Crowns towards the service.
Mah.

And is your purse, sweet Mine, as fathomlesse as is your wit?—this is a brave example.

Flo.

Sir, my good will.

Oly.
(Shall I go lesse then she?
secret
I will not, though it half undoes me)—Sir,
I have as much at your command.
( Flo.
I knew
[Page 134]She would not behind me)
Mah.
Excellent Lady!
All I can say, is, you shall pay your self
For your great bounty, with your own desires.
Ear.

(Shall we go below these? they'l scorn us then.)

Oma.
Faith Madam, I can't spare such
To Madam Omay.
sums, let you
And I go halfes, and mak't betwixt us then.
secret.
Ear.
Content.) — My Lord, this Lady, and my selfe.
Between us will bring fifty thousand Crownes.
What we will more we have in our own brests.
(Flo.

Pish, ther's a Jewell at your breast would do't)

( Oly.

They that least need are still the greatest hold-fasts)

Oma.

'Till be the welcomer that comes unlook'd for.

Mah.
Y'are bounteous Ladies, and shall shine for this,
Below in story, 'above ith' Firmament.
Ben.
You, Ladies, have done well, but we'l yet more,
Not to extoll our selves, or slight your bounties,
You give but part, we all: you hazzard gold,
We bloud, and sweat, and life, and our gold too.
Mah.
Brave Colonell! this toil shall buy you rest,
And furnish you with stories for your age:
Each skar you get esteem of as a favour
From warrs great Goddesse sent to win you hearts:
Men are not more enamour'd of their beauties,
Then fairest Ladies are of mens known valours.
( Oma.

How hee takes every bird with its owne lure!)

aside.
Moz.

Where, where shall we begin? I would be at it.

Flo.

Spoke like an Angell!

Mah.

Here in Town I think.

Elc.

Do you intend to seize on the Kings person?

Mah.

What else?

Elc.
[Page 135]
Then it were easier done abroad,
If you could train him to some house of pleasure.
Flo.

For that, let me alone; i'le undertake it.

Mah.
He cannot, though they grew, pick up a Force
That can make head 'gainst us in time; but should he,
Which is unlike, sure he'd give us conditions.
If we get him, we'l give him Articles
To signe, the effect you know, what else we then
Think fit, we can cast in.
Elc.
Resist! my Lord,
Wrong not your Judgement once to think it can be
Are we not strong enough to force the Guards?
Mah.

Yes sure.

Elc.
Then let JOVE and HERCULES
Come take his part, they too, shall be our Prisoners.
Flo.

Brave fiery Hero!

Mah.
I've a Proclamation
Already drawn, luring as words can make it.
Oly.

Now for the time?

Elc.
What if we presently
Dispatch advice unto our friends abroad
To put themselves upon their march towards us,
And when we know the time they can be with us,
Give our friends here the watchword, and to horse?
All this, I hope, may be sometime to morrow.
M [...]z.
It may, it may, we by to morrow night
May all be ready, and night's the best time too.
Ben.
The Sun shall see us Conquerors when he rises.
Mah.
Your Counsel's good.
Ben.
But at the hour we rise
The Citadel here must advance your colours.
Mah.
It shall.—Chear up sad mother Persia
We will retrive again thy age of gold,
ASTRAEA shall come down once more, and fix
In thee her fair Tribunall: those impostumes
Rather then children, that broke from thee,
[Page 136]Thy factious sons, I mean shall fall in ruine,
Whilst thy true births shall grace thy happy bosome,
And thou on them bestow a thousand blessings.
Then Treason—
Elc.

Hark! what noise is that?

a noise w [...]thout
Oma.

Look out.

Clo.

O heaven! the King and FARRABAN!

Mah.
My soul!
Is he a Traitor!
Ben.
Well, I only came
To contemplate the Ladies beauties.
Oly.
Fly!
Fly all!
Clo.

Alas! the Guards spread all about.

to them
ABBAS, EMANGOLY, BELTAYAR, H [...]DASPUS, VASCO, FAR­RABAN [...]n irons, GUARD.

HOrror! what a dire Conventicle's here!

Ema.

Sir, now you'l credit us.

Abb.
My faithfull friend!
embraces him
Th'art my good Genius: I must do thee Homage
Both for my life and Crown, I owe all to thee.
Ema.

I'm happy sir, in being usefull to you.

Mah.

Let's yet fall bravely.

Abb.
Stand we here a while
Looking of Treason out of Countenance.
Since we have seen the Basilisk first, no danger
Can he bolt from his fiery eyes: see now
How bloud-shotten! how red with rage they be!
Oly.

We've innocence enough to trust to yet.

Om.

We meant nothing but well to the whole Em­pire.

Hyd.
So sculks the owle 'fore the Suns golden ray,
[Page 137]As these black souls do at the face of justice.
Elc.

Death! that I saw thee, yet could not scape it.

Bel.
I'me looking on what Rock of Diamond
This house stands, that the weight of so much treason
Hath not yet sunk it.
El [...].

Ah! unhappy me!

Ben.
Madam, if you get free, for sure
to Earina.
the King
Will not extend his wrath even to the Ladies.
Beg me to be your Servant.
Ear.
I my selfe
Would serve in any qualitie to be free.
Oly.

Sure Madam, there was treason among our selves.

Flo.

You may swear it.

Moz.

O I am thunder-struck!

Mah.
A vengeance on the Traitor! this was you
Damn'd Cockatrice.
To Floradella.
Flo.

Varlot 'twas thy self.

Abb.

So, peal, do, do,

Elc.

I yet fear FARRABAN.

Far.

Alas! my Lord, will not these chains resolve you?

Elc.

Craft, craft all.

Hyd.
Faith, this is no fashion;
He has confess'd enough to hang you all,
But not discover'd.
Mah.

Confess'd!—

Far.
Why should I spend
My last breath in avouching lies and Treason?
Mah.
A bowstring stop that breath—my Liege, we were
Designing—
Abb.
Mischief.— ball not, impudent head!
Ungratefull Monster! cause I raised thee
From they foul dunghil, will no meaner seat
Then a Throne please thee? and mine own too? wretch!
Guard apprehend them, to close Prison with them—
Flo.

Mercy sir, mercy sir.

Oma.
[Page 138]

Pardon, mighty Prince.

Abb.

Lest they consult, or pack lies, sever them.

Ear.

Favour at least sir, till our cause be heard.

Ben.

(I'l second her.—Sir, please to hear us speak—

Ab [...]

Yes, on the rack you shall.

Mah.
Let him put me
In PHALARIS Bull, he shall hear nought but curses.
Clo.

What will become of me! I'm lost on all sides.

Vas.

No, fear not, the discovery shall save you.

Moz.
(I aim'd at a great name, and to
secret.
transmit
My fame down to Posterity, and my fall
Shall do it for me, since my rising failes.
As long the memory of him shall last
That burnt DIANA's Fame, as his that built it.
" Fame follows great deeds be they good or bad.
I'l slight his rage then, and speak boldly to him.)
Sir, who ere was your spie upon our Actions,
Make much of him he, did you timely service—
Hyd.

O unheard impudence!— slit his windpipe some.

Moz.
The truth is, we intended to take arms,
Not to disthrone you, as you intimate,
But to restore the Prince, and make you see
Your error in your unjust anger to him.
Abb.

Peace impudence, the rack shall squeeze out more.

Moz.

Not more then truth, and that you have already.

Elc.
So may we find your favour, as 'tis truth
He tells you, and no farther stretcht our aim.
Abb.
Others did then Guard, bind them, and away.
You may EMAN [...]OLY, and BELTAZAR
Take their Confessions: force from that
Pointing to Floradella.
base serpent
Whom I detest to name, the truth by tortures.
Flo.

Would I'd a sting, thou shouldst not fail to feeel it.

Mah.

She's open enough, you need not press her much

Abb.
Use CLOE gently, and perswade her, VASCO,
To detect all.
Vas.
[Page 139]

I'l do my best, my Liege.

Abb.
Away with them. HYDASPUS, wait on us,
Double our Guards: we will to sacrifice
To gracious Heaven, and make publique prayer,
That sav'd us from what we knew not to fear
MIRZA, PAGE.
THe Cittadell beset with armed Guards,
Upon what interest as yet unknown!
And I still pining here! and still the Tyrant
Wallows in Luxury! (4) surfets with delights
As far fetcht as dear bought! Hell and Confusion!
DORIDO, faithfull DORIDO, there is yet
A way for thee to help me.
Pag.
For me, sir?
Speak't and enjoy it.
Mir.

Give me a draught of Poyson.

Pag.

Forbid it Heaven.

Mir.
I promis'd FATYMA
[...]'d follow her, and I will keep my word,
'Twil in some part excuse the wrong I did her,
The sweet soul claims it of me: I ne'r sleep
But still I see her beckning me away.
However DORIDO, had I not better
Die bravely like a Roman, then pine here
A slave? I'le die too, though thou dost not help me,
And bequeath thee a Curse for thy unkindnesse.
In vain they'r forct to live that vow to die,
This CATO Uticensis taught, this PORCIA
His noble Daughter too: and shall the Prince
Of Persia goe to school t' Italian Lad [...]es
To learn Courage? think but of that sweet youth.
Lead me to rest.—
Pag.
Shall I do this, and bear
All his friends curses? no, they'l rather blesse me
For rescuing him from torment; and his foes
Will feel the pangs gnaw them of their own envy.
[Page 140] ABBAS, EMANGOLY, BELTAYAR, METHI­CULI, HYDASPUS. ALKAHEM. VASCO.
MAHOMET-ALLYBEG, ELCHEE, MOZEN­DRA, EARINA, OLYMPA, OMAY, CLOE,
Officers, Souldiers, Guard.
FIrst, my EMANGOLY, and you, my Lords METHICULI, HYDASPUS, ALKA­HEM,
We here revoke our sentence against you
Of Banishment, and impower you to sit
With us in judgment, on these dire Delinquents.
Ema.
We thank your Majesty, and glory more
In that we are capable of serving you,
Then in the honour which you grace us with.
( Oly.

They'l complement our lives away at last)

( Ben.
Then we are judg'd already;-wel, th' other day
I studied speeches for the Ladies, now
secret.
I want one to the People; but, —lets see—
The common place is to avoid ill company.
A curse on these state matters!)
Abb.
Next we here
Degrade that Viper ALLY-BEG from all
Those places, or of publique trust, or Honour,
To which too rashly we advanced him.
Those which he held of yours, EMANGOLY,
We do to you restore.
Ema.
Your Grace shall find
Me faithfull as at first.
Abb.
The Treasurer-ship
We do conferr on you, METHICULI.
Met.

My service, as i'm able, shall requite it.

Mah.
[Page 141]

May they requite you as I would have done.

Alk.

Bold Traytor! cannot armed justice awe thee?

Abb.
Now BELTAZAR, produce your proofs a­gainst
These criminals.
Bel.
They're guilty all of Treason:
CLOE accuses that impostum'd monster
MAHOMET, to have forg'd the whole conspiracy,
But not without the help of FLORADELLA—
( Flo.

A curse on that loose Gossip.

Mah.

And you too.)

Abb.

Give them no name but Traytors.

Bel.
First they meant
To shift away the Prince, dissolve the Army,
That no force might oppose the Traytors rising.
You Majestie— (the horror of it choaks
My utterance) — your sacred Majestie—
Mah.

So, try again.

Bel.
This viperous woman should
Have poysoned.—
Mah.

So, now 'tis out— would she had.

Bel.
And FARRABAN, SOFFIE, then held the Castle,
At the devotion of this monstrous man,
Who aim'd to set the Crown on his own head,
Having already gotten a strong Guard,
Towards which that strumpet did disburse a Mass
Of ready Treasure, making still her Purse
As common to him, as her wicked body.—
Flo.

You might preserve the modesty of the Court.

Bel.
To this end be their Levies afoot too;
In Larr SELEUCUS, MATZED in Hyrcania,
Are raising Forces; so that this lewd woman,
And FARRABAN, and sly SELEUCUS, were
Chiefe complices, that knew his utmost aime;
The other we believe drawn in, as onely
[Page 142]Crediting his pretence to free the Prince,
And MATZED'S Levies are on ELCHEE'S score.
E [...]c.

Urge that my Lord.

Oly. Oma. Ear.

Yes, yes, sir, urge that home.

Abb.
Monster, what say you? knew the rest yo [...] meant
Your selfe their King?
Mah.

They knew as much as I did.

Oly.

'Tis false.

Moz.
That thou wert worthy but to bear
A Sword, that I might claim the combat 'gainst thee
I'd write it on thy heart, in stabbes, thou lyest.
Mah.

A brave Rodomantado!

Hyd.
This vile man,
Given up to Treason late, and now despaire,
Accuses these but to have company
In's fall.
Ben.
True my good Lord.—Come, you and I
Were Comrades once.
Ema.

This I indeed believe.

Mah.

The more the merrier.

Moz.
Hear my gracious Lord,
He intimates as much before your Grace.
( Elc.
What if I say I levyed in Hyrca­nia,
To Mozen­dra.
With an intent to help the King, and ballance
MAHOMETS strength, having the greater hopes
For doing him service so unexpected?
Moz.
'Twill gaine no faith: and then
Secret.
'twas Treason too,
To list without Commission: know your doom first,
If you fall, urge it: some will credit you,
'Twill beget pitty to your memory
I' [...]h' vulgar, who are still fond of the wretch [...]d.)
Alk.
These persons could not be so lost to sence,
Being noble, as t'advance so vile a thing
[Page 143]Over themselves.
O [...]y.

We scorn him for our Groom.

Hyd.
His envy and his rage will peal us too
Anon, I think.
Met.
How strong is malice in thee,
Pernicious wretch! thou car'dst not how foul
Thy Treasons were on earth, nor weighst thou now
How great thy plagues for them shall be in hell.
Bel.
Disburden yet thy soul of so much guilt,
And speak these innocent in what they are so.
Mah.

Your selfe's not innocent, good Rhetorician.—

Hyd.

I thought so, slit his impudent throat some body.

Mah.
You did, as much as I, exasperate
The King against his Son.
Bel.
If this be true,
I here beseech your Grace command me stand
Among the Traytors:— Come come, Officers, bind
My hands, I am accused here of treason
Abb.
You, more then feignedly, did act his friend,
And O that I had heard your pregnant reasons,
So urg'd to save him with an equall eare!
Bel.

Heaven knows, I urg'd them strongly as I durst.

Mah.

The Tyrant's selfe's not innocent.—

Alk.

Bold head!

Mah.
He's guilty of his Sonnes blood, and FATY­MA'S too.
I was but's instrument.
Met.

O extasie!

Abb.
Varlet, the guilt is thine, though the grief mine,
That I gave faith unto thy forgeries.
Proceed Lord BELTAZAR.
Bel.
Sir, hoping these
May yet be worthy of your timely mercy;
What have I but t'inveigh against those other?
Look up, fair Mother Persia, and see
[Page 144]Thy selfe redeem'd, put off the horrid fright,
Thy plotted ruine late amaz'd thee with.
Now shall not thy fair breast be stained with
Thy best Sons blood, but freed of thy worst.
Had this gone on, th'hadst been but thine own prey,
Th'hadst seen thy Prince that toyl'd so oft for thee,
Groaning his soul out into empty air,
The hopeful blossom nipt as soon as blown;
Thy aged King swell'd up with deadly poyson,
And burning as in Aetna till he'd burst:
And impious MAHOMET upon thy Throne,
Unworthy of thy Gallies; and this strumpet,
His fine loose Queen.—
Mah.

That yet I never meant.

Flo.

The more wretch thou, so oft to swear it to me.

Mah.

The more fool thou though, ever to believe me.

Bel.
Thy noblest Sons torn, some to cruell death,
And some to servile misery, worse then that;
This was the sight prepared for thine eyes.
Mah.

And it had been a brave one.

Abb.
Cursed monster!
No sence of guilt? no teares! can no remorse
Touch thy scar'd Conscience?
Mah.
Yes, I see my guilt;
Guilty of folly I am, to trust a woman
To keep for me, what for her self she cannot,
A secret; tears I could profusedly shed,
Tears of just wrath, and for each one that drops,
Afford a curse too, that I sped no better.
I'de spend my soul in sighs, could they but scald thee:
To be so near a Crown, and reach it not!
O Hell and Furies!
Abb.

In thy soul they're all.

Ema.

Proceed to judgement sir.

Mah.
Tyrant, remember,
[...]n me thou judgest thy own Cause; I meant
[Page 145]No more to thee, then thou didst to thy Father,
And brother too, and that for the same reason.
Ema.

Prodigious boldnesse! sir, regard him not.

Abb.
Monster, since thou hast toyl'd to be ungrateful,
And with thy Treasons to out-vie my favours,
To let thee die were too much pitty to thee,
Nor is there a death equall to thy guilt;
Besides, we having so much honoured thee,
And sworn thou ne'r shouldst feel death from our hand,
We'l keep our Oath, but leave it to our Heir,
A strict command, that on my funerall day
Thou dyest (5) the ancient death of boats.
Ma [...].
Then have I
Great MITHRIDATES for my pattern.
Abb.
Mean while,
Officers, lead him to the publique market,
There let the common Hangman bore his eyes out.
In a Dungeon shall he sustain his life,
With what he gets by begging onely.
Mah.
Nay,
I'l then sustain my soul with full mouth'd curses,
To thee meant, and the rest of my undoers,
Especially that open Sex, whose souls are
So loose, they cannot keep them in their breasts,
But they will still swim on their lips.
Abb.
VASCO,
To thee we do decree his whole Estate,
And our best thanks for thy discovery.
Vas.

I humbly thank your Majestie.

Abb.
Let Souldiers
Go pull down all his Palaces and Statues,
And make a Jakes there where his chief house stood.
Ema.

Admired Justice!

Omnes,

Equall, equall, Justice!

Mah.

Do, do, ball on.

Abb.

You, strumpet, are the next.

Mah.
[Page 146]
But that I scorn to ask it, might I heare
Her sentence, and I'de triumph in mine own.
Flo.

Envious villaine.

Abb.
Away with him, he shall not
Give so much pleasure to his envious soul.
Mah.
Write on my dust, IN HIGH ATTEMPTS HE DY'D.
All ills betide you.—
Abb.
Lead that impious wretch
To th'publique Market, & there (6) beat her brains out,
Ith' ancient way ordain'd for Poysoners:
As for the murder of her Queen STATIRA,
Base GIGIS dy'd, then (7) burn her limbs with Cats dung.
Flo.

Mercy! great sir.

Abb.
Thou hast too much in dying,
But that we are not rigorous to thy Sex.—
Away with her.
Flo.

O this is a sad fall.

Abb.
All her Estate to CLOE we confer;
'Tis fit she have reward t'incourage others,
Though she not meant to do us good, she did it.
Clo.
Indeed my Gracious Lord, I ever meant it,
I humbly thank your Majestie.
Vas.
See now, CLOE,
Secret.
I counsell'd you for th'best. Come, I'm still constant,
Our businesse here is over, we'l to better.
Abb.

Take FARRABAN with the rest, and stran­gle him.

Far.

O mercy, mercy!

Abb.

Quick, away with him.

Far.

The Citadell cost me faire; O dire ambition

Abb.

The Citadel we give thee ALKAHEM.

Alk.

I hope to do you better service in it.

Abb.

We doubt it not.— Now ELCHEE.

Ben
(Now, now,
I feel the Bow-string at my throat.
Moz.
[Page 147]
Nay sure,
Secret.
He'l let us die like Souldiers.)
Abb.
Though we credit
The good of your intention, yet your life,
Is by your hasty error forfeited,
But that we give you, and confine you onely
To th' Ile of Ormus, whence on good behaviour,
We may recall you.
Elc.
Thanks dread Soveraigne.
I hope my carriage will induce you to it.
My feare was never so great of your justice,
As griefe for the rash error I ran into,
And so insnar'd my friends.
Met.

Troth, I believe him.

Ben.
Sure he'l send us thither too? MOZENDRA,
Are there any handsome Ladies there, canst tell?
Moz.
I care not, so there be a Book, I'l
Secret.
never
Converse but with the dead hereafter I.
Ema.

This true repentance speaks him noble.

Abb.
Yes,
Your two friends shall attend you.
E [...]c.

A noble mercy.

Moz.

Long live the Gracious ABBAS!

Ben.

More then live!

Met.
My Lord, my love to you re­maines
To Elchee.
still firm,
And eggs me on to prompt a way unto you,
How you may happily avoid exilement.
Secret.
The Kings rigour, I know, will not extend
To th'Ladies lives, yet in the fright they stand in,
They will do any thing may get them mercy:
Urge them to promise, if they have their lives
To give the King in gratitude, those summes
They ingag'd for to the Traytors; then be you
Their speaker to him, and he can't in honour
[Page 148](Urg'd by my meditation) but receive
The favour as from you, and shew you grace.
Elc.

My Lord, my humble thanks, I will atttempt it.

Abb.
But MATZED, for exam­ples
Elchee, whispers w [...]th the Ladies
sake must die,
Being ith'very act of Treason, raising
Of Arms against us: You my Lord HYDASPUS,
Take a Brigade of our own Guards, and hast
Down to Hyrcania to apprehend him,
Strike off his head, to you the Government
Of that fair Province we assigne, until
If he deserves it, we recall Duke ELCHEE.
Hyd.

I wish he may, mean while, I shall be carefull.

Abb.
EMANGOLY, send you some trusty person
To Shiras, arm'd, to seize SELEUCUS there,
And strike off his head too.
Ema.

My Liege, I will.

Abb.

These Ladies still expect,— how shall we use them?

Ear. Oma.

O my good Lord.

Oly.

There's mercy in his looks.

Ema.
Sir, they'are beneath your anger, they can't hurt you,
Nor stands it with the honour of great States,
To take strict notice of vain womans actions.
Abb.
Well, mercy is no lesse a virtue royal,
Then justice, and 'tis fit we shew some, since
Heaven has shewn us so much: we pardon you
Ladies, hereafter pray avoid state-matters.
Oma. Ear.

We will we will, my Lord.

Oly.

Our humble thanks.

Omnes,

Long live King ABBAS! long, long-live the King!

Elc.

You'l keep your words.

To the Ladies.
Oly: Ear. Oma.

Yes, yes, my Lord, we will.

Elc.
May't please your Majestie, these noble Ladies,
[Page 149](Not to say by my instinct) do resent
So heartily your royal favour to them,
As to their powers, to attempt gratitude,
Whereas their error late involv'd them in
A promise of considerable summes,
To'advance what they thought duty, but proves trea­son,
As testimonies of their thankfulnesse
For pardoning them that fault, they humbly pray
Your sacred Majestie to accept those sums,
Towards the raising of your force again.
Tis 'mong them all an hundred thousand Crowns.
Em.

A brave amends!

Alk.

A noble gratitude!

Abb.

Ladies, we thank your loves.

Oly.

And we your mercy.

Abb.

METHICULI'S Treasurer.

Oly.
My Lord, we will
Attend you anon at the Exchequer.
Met.
Now
They do deserve their Pardon, and I'd almost
Said, ELCHEE merits his too, for procuring
These donatives, it proves his loyalty.
Ben.

Hark! hark!

Abb.
ELCHEE, for improving thus
Your interest with the Ladies to our service,
We do revoke your sentence of exilement.
Elc.

My best thanks and indeavours, still shall serve you.

Met.
These two offended, sir, but on his score,
They're his dependents.
Abb.

Them we pardon too.

Ben.

Our humble thanks.

Moz.

We'l labour to deserve it.

( Elc.

My Lord, I am your Creature for

To Methi­culi.

your hint.

Met.
[Page 150]

I joy my love could prove behooffull to you)

( Moz.

A fair escape!

Ben.
A Resurrection! i'le
Ne'r hazzard more so high a member as
My neck; VENUS is my star.
Abb.

This were a happy day, were SOFFIE found.

Ema.

And the brave Prince restor'd.

Abb.

That he shall be.

Ema.

Then SOFFI's safe sir—

Abb.
Thou wert born t' oblige me.
Where, my good Genius?
Ema.
In METHICV [...]'s care
And mine; and now forth comming, at your service.
Abb.
Go METHICULI, bring him to th' Castle.
Wee'l meet thee there, whither we now will hast
To rescue our Son, and make our self deserve
This benefit the Gods were pleas'd to give us.
Met.

My Liege I will.

Abb.
O who can be a Tyrant,
And plague the innocent on bare surmises,
When gracious Heaven passe by our reall ills,
And oft to gain us, save us 'gainst our wills.
MIRZA, PAGE.
FIe DORIDO, and did I ever think
I should check thee for disobedience?
Now I importune thee, sha'nt I obtain
My last draught of thee!
Pag.
I can hold no longer
'Gainst his command—Sir, here's a bowl well spic'd
Will send you to your Paradise in a moment.
M [...]r.

Give me it DORIDO.

Pag.
Ah, my hand trembles
In the delivery.
M [...]r.
[Page 151]
Thankes, good faithfull youth.
Now that my Father could see me quaff this!
A health to the confusion of the Tyrant.
he drinks.
Pag.

Sir, leave some, and i'l pledge you.

M [...]r.
As thou wilt.
Now call my wife to take her last farewell.—
I come sweet FATYMA, i'm coming to thee,
And doubt not but thou'lt thank me for releasing
Thee from this Prison, the world calls a life.
NYMPHADORA, IFFIDA,
to him.
PAGE.

WHat would my Lord?

Mir.
Be reconcil'd to thee.
I know th' art angry with me for the losse
Of FATYMA.
Nym.

Not angry sir, but grieved.

M [...]r.
Come I have sent the child t' a place fit for her,
A sacred place of rest, worthy her goodnesse,
This world was not, it was her Hell and mine;
And I am following her; I sent for thee
To take my last leave.
Nym.

I conceive you not.

Mir.

Thy eyes shall make it plain—I have drunk poy­son.

Nym.

O Heavens forbid!

Iff.

O Gods! how came he by't?

Pag.

I gave it him, he drank, and here I pledge him.

He drinkes.
Iff.

O wretch!

Nym.

Wer't lawfull, would i'd pledge him too.

Pag.
I still was us'd t' obay all his commands,
And this was one, nor could I abide to see
Him miserable, my duty did gainsay it.
Mir.

And my own honour, faithfull youth, and cou­rage

Nym.
Self-murder's a false colour of true courage,
" Rising from fear of torment, or of shame,
[Page 152]"T' out-face ill Fortune, and malicious Fat [...].
And this I hop'd from you: then should the Heaven
First have dissolv'd, but you should have been righted.
" Heaven sets us Captains of our bodily Forts,
" Which without Treason, cannot be delivered
" Till redemanded.
M [...]r.
Sure if Heaven had made us
Masters of any thing, 'tis of our lives?
Which if we may not without leave lay down,
We must not without warrant leave a joynt.
If in these little Castles we be Heavens
Lieutenants, sure we may give up our charge,
When He [...]ven leaves us void of good means to keep it.
" Nym.
We must not doubt Heavens goodness, who is nothing
" But goodnesse, nor limit it, since the last
" Instant is scope enough for th' heavenly Powers
" To revoke all things to ones own desire.
Why pluck'st thou then their work out of the hand
Of Justice, and become thy own revenger,
When she would surely have don't, and better?
Mir.

I feel the poyson working —O— be happy.

Nym.

Hast IFFIDA, some antidote may help yet.

Pag.
Nay, spare that paines, not natures self can help him.
'Twas strong enough.
Nym.

To break my heart, I hope.

Pag.
It works with me too: my eyes swim in death,
And dizzinesse tosse over all my braines.
Iff.
Fie, DORIDO, thou art the greatest Traytor
Of all, to poyson thy dear Lord.
Mir.
Peace fool,
He's faithfull, and my good deliverer.
[Page 153] ABBAS, EMANGOLLY, BEL­TAZAR,
to them
ALKAHEM, Servants.
NO, that is yet my part, I'm thy deliverer.
Rise injur'd Son, arise and meet thy freedom.
M [...]r.

Who's that?

Iff.

The King.

M [...]r.
The Tyrant: in good time
He comes to see me rescu'd from his rage.
Nym.
His eyes blast me; I can't, with patience, see him.
But what means this yet? why are these friends with him?
Pag.

All are prov'd false and mock our misery.

Nym.
And is this then a spectacle of pleasure?
That I could form a curse great as his guilt!
Abb.
Spare them, sweet daughter, if I yet am worthy
So near alliance to so bright a vertue—
M [...]r.

O death, why com'st no faster?

Ema.

Heavens! what means he?

Bel.

He thinks he comes to torture him.

Alk.

He looks ill.

Abb.
No art of words can now more aggravate
My guilt then mine own Conscience: nor dost thou
Feel sharper pangs of Grief then I of horror.
I'm undeceived, I see my hasty error,
And hadst thou now a window into my brest,
Thou wouldst confesse th' unfeign'd integrity
Of my repentance, when thou seest my soul
Weep (freely) tears of blood to bath her crime in.
Mir.

Cro [...]odiles tears.

Ema.

Indeed, my Lord you erre.

Abb.
Thou err'st, brave Son, for yet i'l call thee so,
And will henceforth appear a Father to thee,
I've been a Tyrant, nay a Monster long,
Which as I have bewail'd, I will redresse,
[Page 154]Repentance has made Rivers of mine eyes,
My eyes weep themselves blind for loss of thine.
My breast is hardened as brawn with strokes,
My head turn'd grey, with sorrow more then age.
Insense makes the offended Gods relent,
For that, i'l spend my very soul in sighs.
" To be penitent bears a pardon with it:
A pardon, I that yet ne'r beg'd of any,
Now beg of thee: A Father of a Son,
Let the relation at least obtain it.
Nym.
So when the house is burnt the fire goes out.
O that this true remorse (for so I think it)
Had come before, when yet it had been usefull!
Bel.

Madam, 'tis ne'r to late to redresse wrongs.

Nym.
Yes, when the wrongd's not capable of redress.
The Prince (alas!) inflamed with despair,
Got his unhappy Page to give him poyson.
Abb.

O Heaven▪ and slightest thou our Penitence?

Mir.
Poyson so strong defies all remedies,
As it will soon make me all injuries.
Ema.

O Act of Horror!

Bel

Dire event of wrongs.

A [...]k.
Which when in time we'are carelesse to redresse
We justly, when we would do't, are deny'd it.
Abb.
I mourning to my grave must ever go then.
At least, before thou leav'st this upper world,
O speak thy self but reconciled to me.
M [...]r.
I freely do it, and implore your pardon,
If I, exasperated with my wrongs,
Have vented any undecent words of you.
Of other crimes towards you my soul acquits me.
Abb.
And mine own too: this piety adds load
Unto my grief, and melts my very soul.
[Page 155] METHI [...]VLIE, SOFFIE.

SEe sir, their joy has drown'd them all in tears.

Sof.

This looks not yet like joy.

Iff.
Ah! no, my Lord.
All joyes have fled us.
Alk.
The brave Prince, tir'd out
With suffering wrongs, took poyson.
Sof.

O just Gods!

Met.
Not just, they are grown Tyrants too, & mock
Our best intentions—O—
Abb.
What a blest day
Had this been, had not this draught clouded it!
That balefull draught descends in a di [...]e storm,
And not ecclipses but our Sun-shine onely,
But batters with fierce dropps our springing hopes!
How mightst thou else have triumph'd in the Justice
Done on the cursed causers of thy ruine!
Base ALLYBEG, and impious FLORADELLA,
And all the rest of their dire Complices
This day fell sacrifices to thy wrath.
SOFFIE is found too, and doth here attend thee.
M [...]r.
Turn then your love to him, to him requite
My wrongs, and from him too expect my duty.
Now shall I die with much a lighter heart,
Since I have liv'd to hear those Traytors fall.
Nym.
O this I ever hop'd for from heavens Justice,
And grieve the more that thou despairedst of it.
Mir.
I come sweet FATYMA-Father, farewell—
Use SOFFIE like a Son.—
Abb.
O that Heaven would
Let me excuse thee!
Mir.
SOFFIE,—Farewel
Obey thy Grandfire—as thou wouldst do me—
Forget my wrongs—and eschew Tyranny—
Sof.

Ah! that I could forget sense, and turn stone!

Mir.
[Page 156]

Adieu sweet Spouse.—

Nym.

O!

Mir.
From thee I hardliest go!—
But thy grief will not suffer thee, I know,
To be long from me. —
Nym.
O my wretched ears!
Do you heare this, and will you ever hear
Any thing after it! O woefull eyes!
Why at this wailfull sight drop you not out!
Or, frighted, recoile deep into you holes!
O stubborn heart! can't all this shiver thee?
Am I turn'd Rock too!
M [...]r.
Friends adieu— make ore
To my young Son, the love to me you bore—
Ema.

O that I could not hear!

Met.

Or I could help!

Mir.

Yet love my memory.—

Bel.

O Grief!

Alk.
O Anger!
That griefe is all we can!
Mir.
Thou DORIDO,
Art to attend me- to the shades below—
Pag.

Yes my dear Lord.

Iff.

O that he'd gone before.

M [...]r.
I shall again live— and on some sad Stage
Be mourn'd.—"Great wrongs reach further then one Age.—
O—O.
D [...]es.
Abb.

He's gone, he's gone, break heart and follow!

Omnes,

O Heavens!

Nym.
Stay winged spirit, stay and take
Me with thee, at least (8) let me suck thy last breath.
Bel.

Madam, forbear, you will infect your self.

Nym.
O Gods! what have been my deserts, to be
Thus punished! or if such be my deserts,
Why am I yet not punish'd more, with death?
Yet that were to give end unto my woes:
[Page 157]To joyne me with him, were to make me happy:
That happiness I shortly will obtain
In spight of fate, if not from thy kind hand
O ATROPOS, from mine own grief at least:
Mean while— lie soft, O loved Corps, and thou
Adored soul, if love to earthly creatures
Remain in death, think of me in thy shade,
And oft Petition Fate to send me to thee.
Sof.
Unhappy DORIDO! how hast thou wrong'd
All Ages!
Alk.

And shalt still be curs'd by all.

Pag.
Is't not too late to say, forgive pass'd errors?
I h [...]st to follow him to his shade, I'l there
Wait on him too, and try to be more happy:
They that behold the Sun, must see his shaddow,
And who remembers my brave Lord, must cast
A thought on me, and may they say thus of me;
I was his faithfull servant, waited still
On him in life, and death, good state and ill,—
So used to obey his each command,
I did it, though it to his hurt did tend.—
If any fault—of mine—be known to time—
Service mistaken—was my onely crime.—
O—O.
Dyes.
Iff.

He dyes.

Ema.

Would 'twere our greatest losse!

Abb.
Our losse (alasse!) is above words to ease,
And we must more then mourn it: Do thou see
METHICULI, all rites of pomp and sorrow,
Perform'd to that brave body: This vile trunk
Of DORIDO'S, for giving his Lord poyson,
We will have burnt upon his Tomb.
Met.

Sad office.

Nym.

Ah sadder sight! that 'twere

Methiculi and Al­kahem, carry out the Princes body, and the Servants, the Pages.

my last!

Abb.
SOFFIE,
[Page 158]Thou now art our, and the Empire's hope,
EMANGOLY, be thou his Governour,
And breed him such as you intend to serve.
Ema.

My care shall labour to requite the honour.

Sof.

And mine t'improve your honour by my profit.

Abb.
Daughter, your losses we can ne'r requite;
Yet, as we can, let us attempt amends:
But that must come from you; look ore your wishes,
And be the Mistress of your own desires.
Nym.
'Las! sir, what is there left for me to wish,
But a short term of wretched life? mean while,
Some humble Country seat shall be my Cell,
Free from the trouble of all tongues and eyes,
I being unworthy either waiting their
Kind deaths cold hand, to lead me to my Lord.
Abb.
If that be your desire, you must enjoy it,
But we could wish we could deserve you still.
Nym.

Wilt thou partake of my retirement, IFFIDA?

Iff.
Madam, it would seem hard to me, to spend
My years, which my youth promise willbe many,
In solitude—I'm an ill comforter,—
And then, my fortunes ar [...] before me too.
Nym.

Be happy in them.

Ema.

Poor ingratitude!

Nym.
Farewell, great sir, if ever you remember
You had a Daughter-in-law deserv'd your love,
Pay it to my poor Son, at least forget not,
You had a Son that did deserve it well.
Abb.
To him we'l pay the love we ow'd his Father
Adieu sweet Princesse— BELTAZAR, attend her.
Nym.
I thank your Grace:— Farewell my dearest Boy;
But that thou still wilt dwell in my best thoughts,
I would I could forget I ere was happy,
Be thou so ever.
Sof.
Madam, if you please not
[Page 159]To stay still with us, you'l, I hope, admit
Me in your solitude to do my duty.
Nym.
Things of more weight will take thee up, be happy
And so shall I, when sighs have spent this breath
" A mortalls happinesse begins in death.
Abb.
Com [...] SOFFIE, and lea [...]n to be a Prince▪
But (9) when thy hand shall close mine aged eyes,
And on thy head my Diadem shall shine,
Learn by my harms to eschew Tyranny;
It was thy dying Fathers Legacy,
And shall be mine too; and I leave thee more
In that, then in my splendid wreath of Oare▪
" For cruell Acts in them their torment have,
" Guilt on our souls, blots on our names they leave.
THE END.

ANNOTATIONS

READER,

IF, by perusing the former pages, thou de­servest that name, Thou hast in them perhaps met with divers historicall matters, which, unexplained, may de­fraud thee of the content I wish thee, therefore I here offer thee a Key for every Lock, ANNOTATIONS, which, if thou shalt find usefull, I am glad I inserted them, if superflu­ous, they cost thee nothing, for they are so few, the [...] have not swell'd the Play to a much greater rate. I will not trouble thee with tedious digressions upon the Poetick Names and [...]gments strew'd up and down the Poem; those, if thou beest Learned, thou knowst already, if not, a Dictionary may inform thee, and spare my paines. I only touch, and that lightly, upon such historicall con­cernments, and customary rites of the Persians (essenti­all to our Scene) as every Scholar is not bound to know, for to such chiefly I wrote this Tragedy.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE FIRST ACT.

[(1.) THE Murder of our Sire,] This King Abbas, being a younger Son, was onely King of Heri (near Tartaria) by birth; but, aiming at the Persian Empire, he, to make his way to it, privily murdered his Father, Ma­homet Cod [...]band, or purblind. Herbert's Travells. pag. 89.127. &c.

[(2.) And me] viz. Emir-hamze-Mirza, King Abbas his Elder Brother, whom also he murdered, as standing between him and the Crown. A crime most usuall in these Eastern Princes, especially, in Persia, in this line of Guzpan Acuculu, (or white sheep) of whom few attended patiently the death of their Predecessours, but, by impious means, la [...]oured their own untimely establishment. Herb. p. 100. &c. Of Emir-Hamz's bravery and prowesse, See more in the 32. note upon the fourth Act.

[(3.) The Mogul,] Emir-hamze mirza's Ghost irritating his Brother Abbas to revenge him upon himself, bids him act those things upon his Son, which his very enemies shall pitty, (not without the example of the matchless Johnson, who, in his Catiline (which miraculous Poem I propose as my pattern) makes Sylla's Ghost perswade Catiline to do what Hannibal could not wish,) of the Persians Enemies, I set the Mogull in front, against whom our Prince Mirza served in Person, [Page 162] in his Fathers wars, and gained much from him, towards Candahor; The great Mogul, according to others, Mogor or Emperour of East India, bo [...]ders upon the Persian by the River Oxus, and is at continual enmity with him, somtimes for Religion, somtimes for Empire; though it is no smal let to the accquests of the Mogul against him that the Frontiers of Persia are on every side hem'd in with those outstreatches & branch­es of Caucasus, which the Grecians call Paropamise, more defen­sive then any artificiall rampire to Persia, making it inac­cessible to the Moguls horse, wherein the chief sinewes of his force consist. About the year 1300. (as Barros writes) the great Sanosardin King of Delos, conquered much of these parts, and attempted the Conquest of all Asia, but died by the Persian Powers. The present Mogul boasts himself of the race of Tamberlain (which abridgeth his antiquity) and saie [...] he is the tenth from him. The probable opinion indeed is; that they descended of the Tartar, or from the antient Massa­getae from whose coasts they came, whose chief City is Shamas­cand, from whence came Tamberlain. A word of this Princes Puissance may not seem superfluous, because it magnifies our conquering Mirza; his bounds are one way divided from the Persian by the River Indus, betwixt which, and Ganges hee swaies far and wide? a territory no lesse puissant then pleasant, a temperate air, over a fertile soyl, abounding with all sorts of commodities, rich and curious; stately beasts, as the best horses, Elephants and Dromedaries; precious stones, especi­ally Diamonds and Cornelians; most delicious spices and fruits, among which is most of note a Tree they call Moses, whose fruit is so delicate, as the Jewes and Mahometans (which are the religions of those parts, the last swaying the first) believe to be the same that tempted Adam. This Prince en­joyes 47. Kingdomes, the chief are Mandao, Citor, Bengala, Delly, (where he keeps his Court) and, to name no more, Cambaia; a Kingdom enjoying a City of the same name, consisting of 130000 houses, this one Province is also repor­ted to have 60000. Burroughs; a number great and admi­rable, if we compare it to the best of our European Kingdomes: to name but two: Ptome saith there are in France (excepting Burgundie, and, as I take it, Normandie) 27000. Burroughs, having parish Churches; though D' Juigne will have the number of Parishes 132000. Guiccardine recounts that in the Netherlands within the Territory of the 17. Provinces, are 208▪ walled Townes, and 150. Boroughs, enjoing the privi­ledges [Page 163] of Cities, and 6300. Villages having parish Churches. In Bohemia are 780. Towns, and 32000. Villages. But because no absolute judgement can bee made of the power of any Province by the number of parishes, see the forces of Cambaia: Maffeus writes that Bandurius, who, about the year 1536, ruled in Cambaia, (by what right he d [...]termines not,) had under his standard 150000. horse, wher of 35000. were barbed, and 500000. foot among these only 15000. were forraigners, & some 80. Christians, French, and Portugals. The force that this Prince can on a short warning bring into the field, are reputed 300000. horse, infinite foot, proportionable ships, and 50000. Elephants; beasts which they yet find usefull in war, so that in the year 1571. Idalcano had 60000. of them at the Siege of Goa. Nor let any wonder that this Prince ingrosses not all the Orient, for he has as potent neighbours as himself; as the King of Barma, the Persian and others: besides, he is so shut up with Rocks, as he has no good egresse for his Armies; nor have those vast multitudes of men so much true strength as they carry terror; they sink with their own weight, are long gathering together, but not long held together; the numberlesse Army Marhumedius led against Cambaia, did not onely wast the regions where through it passed, but by devou­ring all things that the earth yeilded, bereaved its selfe of sustenance: against such mighty impressions the way is to draw the warre out in length, and onely to stand upon the defensive: for such armies will soon waver, either for want of provision, scarcity of coin, infection of the air, or infirmities of their own bodies; as the inundations of Attila into Italie, and of Tamberlain into Asia, were but as running marches in comparison of what the Romans, Grecians, Macedonians, Cartha­ginians, English, Guales, and Portugals, have done with more nimble power [...]; 800. onely of which last named, at Demain upon the Coast of Cambaia, setled in spight of this mighty Mogor, as another small number of them did at Diu, at which two places they have built, and do maintain two most invin­cible Citadells, th [...]t shut up the whole gulf of the Cambaian Sea; a greater detriment to him then the losse of an inland, Kingdom; for on one side he has no haven, and on the other the Portugals are his jealous neighbours.

[(4) And Turk] He is another, and the greatest of the Persians Enemies. He enjoyes an Empire the greatest that is, or perhaps that ever was from the beginning, comprehend­ing the better part of the antient, threefold division of the Earth. His government is like his Neighbours Tyrannycall, [Page 164] his strength lies in his Janizaries, as the Moguls do in his Nairs. His Religion is Mahumetan, of which sect he is the chiefe patron, and more then slights the Persian, for being lesse zealous then himselfe, so that in ballancing the state of Christianity with Mahumetism; I have heard these two Princes, compared to the two Kings of France, and Spain, the French to the Persian, the Spaniard to the Turk. For the state of those differences, and for the quality of the Ottoman Empire, I refer the Reader to the most elaborate, and accurate discourse of M. Sandys, and M. Knolles his Turkish History, &c. See more of the Turk in the third note upon the second Act.

[(5) The Tartar] or great Cham, against whom also our Mirza had wat [...]es, and gain'd much from him, east of the Hyrcanian Sea. Herb. p. 9 [...]. Of this Princes Empire, larger then strong, see Paul Venetus, who first broke the Ice in describing of those parts, Monst. l. 5. Cosmogr. Ortelius, Mer­cator, &c.

[(6) BAHAMAN] A Prince that had reason to wish as ill to the Persian, as any of the rest, and deserves to live again in a Tragedy; his story is briefly this: About fifty years since, King Meleck Bahaman raigned in Larry Joon, a small and crag­gy territory, in the straits of Mount Taurus; his onely a [...]me tending to preserve his birth right, and that his grey hairs might go in peace to an eternall dormitory: but Abbas the victorious Persian, set wholly upon conquest, and now at leasure, having subdued Hyrcania, pret [...]nded that this moun­tainous Prince, took opportunity to [...]ansack his Caravans, anticipate his progresse to the Caspian Sea, &c. Reasons though but conjecturall, of fo [...]ce enough to make Abbas send Methiculi with 30000 chosen men against him: Bahaman hear­ing it, plants Garrisons in places of defence, leaves the rest, being not able to take the field, & secures himself, his Queen their two Sons, and 10000 Souldiers in his Castle of Ryna, before which inaccessible fortress, when the Persian came, de­spairing by reason of its incredible height, and perpendicular ascent to expugne it, he turns force to fraud, desires a parley, presents offertures of amity, s [...]conds them with presents, and strong invitations to the aged King to come down, as well to banquet, as strike a league with him, engaging all the Gods he knew, for his safety; which strong allurements so wrought upon the old King, as he broke through all the teares, per­swasions, and prayer, of his Queen, Sonnes, and Souldiers, strongly carryed by his destiny, to the Enemies Tent, where [Page 165] indeed he was feasted all day, but deteyned prisoner at night; then summons the Persian, the two young Princes to yeeld the Castle, and descend, or their Father should die: they refuse, the Persian assaults, is forc'd to retreat with losse, so sore to his Army that it mutined, and vow'd to return home; the Generall knowing his Masters severity, considered, that to return without victory, were to run into the nooze; first he releases Meleck Bahaman, perswades him, he used this dis­courtesie but to try him, and gives him his choice of returning up to his Sonnes, or perswading them to come down too, and seal the easie Articles, a Copy of which were with their Fathers doting Letters sent up to them; the Souldiers disswade them from crediting the Persian, but the Queen, to enjoy her husband, provoked them down, where they are entertain'd with all the greatnesse, and feign'd affection, that so great an intended treachery could devise: whilst they were here congratulating with their Father, (the Generall then in company) at sight of a private token, three Souldiers in an instant whipt off their heads with their Scimiters, and ere it was divulg'd abroad, by inviting the Queene and the rest, by counterfeit seals and tokens, to come down and partake of their joyes, for the new contracted league, they made them descend and yeeld the Castle, some of which received destru­ction, others mercy. Herbert. p. 110. &c.

[(7) The Arabian] the last of the Persians Enemies that I here recount, though not the least, against whom our Mirza expressed most heroick prowesse, in distressing of their Bassora, (among other atchievements) a Towne where Tygris and Euphrate, empty themselves into the gulph of Persia. Herb.

[(8) Set equal with the Gods] Plutarch writes, that the Persians honour their King as the Image of the God of nature; his words are these, recounting that Themistocles desired Colonell Artabanus, to help him to the presence of the King, he makes him answer thus: Amongst all the good Lawes and Customes we have, we esteem this above the rest, to reverence and honour our King, as the image of the God of nature, who keepeth all things in their perfect life and state: wherefore if thou wilt fashion thy selfe after our manner, to honour the King, thou maist both see him, and speak with him: but if thou hast any òther mind, then must thou use some third person as thy meane. Plut. in vita Themist. & Justinus. lib. 2.

Ismenias being sent by the Thebans, after their defeat of [Page 166] the Lacedaemonians, at the battel of Leuctres into Persia, to King Artaxerxes, to desire his compliance, being commanded to keel to the King, he let fall his Ring at his feet, and stooped to [...]ake it up, whereby it was thought of some, that he did it to kneel to the King. P [...]utarch, in vita Artaxerx.

[(9) And as ador'd, as is the Sunne our Brother] That the Persians adored the Sun, is as clear as the Sun, if any doubts it, to be informed, he needs but open any Book that treats of that Kingdome; but, to point to one, let him consult Justines first Book, there where he treats of the fortunate choice of Darius, Sonne of Hystaspis to the Monarchy, his horse (which beast they hallow to the sun) seeming first to salute their rising God: see more in the seventh Note, upon the second Act. That the Kings of Persia yet took upon them so great state, as to claim kindred to this adored Planet; I find by their inscriptions, and directions of Letters and Pattents. Sapores, Sonne to Mizdates, Monarch of Persia, in the yea [...]e after our Saviour 315. w [...]ote thus to Constantius the Empe [...]our: I Sapores, King of Kings, equal to the starres, and Brother to the Sunne and Moon, &c. And Chozroes (Father of Ormizda) who ruled Persia, Anno Dom. 542. Enstiles himselfe thus to the Emperour Mauritius: I Chozroes, great King of Kings, Begler beg, ( or Lord of Lords) Ruler of Nations, Prince of peace, salvation of men, among the Gods, (a man good and ever) among men (a God most glorious) the great conquerour, arising with the Sunne, giving lustre to the night, a Hero in discent, &c. As blustring and blasphemous Titles and Epithites, gives the great Turk to himself, as witnesseth M. Sandys. Tra. l 1. p. 47. Nor do any of these Oriental Monarch go less, everyone think­ing himself greatest, so good opinions have they of themselves for particulars see Herb. p. 129.130.

[(10) Higher then that in Spawhawn] Spawhawn, though it stands in Parthia, is the imperiall City of all the Persian Monarchy, and the best built; 'tis by some called Spaan, by others Spahan, Jespaa, and Hispahan, as their severall Dialects concord; in her infancy she was called Dura, (but whether that Dura, wherein Nebuchadnezzar erected his golden Coloss, I know not) the ancient Greeks called it Hecatompiles, from its hundred Gates, (as the Isle of Crete Hecatompolis, as having so many Cities) the Persians Hyperbolically term her for her greatnesse, Half the world, though her circuit is not now much above nine English miles, and in that the better halfe is Gar­dens; her form is near round, like Paris, the number of inha­bitants [Page 167] 300000. at most. In this City is a monument of our Abbas his mercilesse cruelty; being a Pillar, compact of severall heads, of men, Antilopes, Bucks, Goats, Buffols, Elephants, and Camels; 'tis at the base about 20. foot in compasse, in height about 60: It was erected upon this occa­sion; when Abbas was proclaimed King, the Spawhawnians would not admit him, but charged him with the death of Mahomet his Father, and the murther of Emir-hamze the Prince, his elder Brother. This netled Abbas who stoutly swo [...]e for this Rebellion he would chastise them bravely, and cut off 40000. of their heads, to raise a Pillar of terrour and admiration, as a ready Sacrifice unto Mahomet. At length he Conquers, and ransacks the City, kills 1000. of them, and mi [...]dfull of his oath, gives order to behead 40000. A lamen­table cry is raised, but to small purpose, (the vow of the Per­sians never alters,) nor could he be disswaded, till the Mufti (or sacred Messenger) assures him, Mahomet by reve­lation told him his oath might be dispensed with, so 40000. were beheaded, no matter what; at length he consented, whereupon ensued a massacre of all sorts of beasts, of whose heads this barbarous Columne was reared, higher then any Mosque in that City, though now grown ruinous, Herbert. p. 89. &c.

[(11) The Buzzarr] In our language the Market place, H [...]rbert. p. 147.

[(12.) Your great Ancestors from MORTYS ALLY] the present King of Persia will have himself of true discent from Mortys-al [...]y, or Haly, an honor he conceives so great as he puts it among his titles. This Ally was Cosin to Maho­met, the Persian Prophet, to whom he gave in marriage his daughter Fatyma born of his first wife, and made him his heir, and head of his superstition, by the title of Caliph: but after his death Abubacer Father of Aissa, Mahomets 2d. wife, taking ill the preferment of Ally, by the aid of Omar and Ottomar Mahomets kinsmen (whose desires were, in hope of succession, by rea­son of the old mans years, and for kindreds sake, rather to see Abubacer then Haly Caliph) resisted Haly, and set up himself, after him Omar and Ottomar succeeded; Omar was slain by a slave, Ottomar in a private Quarrell; after them Haly reigned; against him arose Mavius, who accusing him as accessary to the death of Ottamar, caused him to be slain, near Cafe, a City some two daies journey from Babylon, where he lies buried; and there, in his honour, the Persian Kings have [Page 168] ever since used to be consecrated; the place is called Massa­dell, or the house of Haly. Ossan or Hussan his Son was p [...]o­claimed, but resisted by Mavius, and by him poisoned, about the year 657. He had twelve Sons, eleven whereof were murdered with him, and with him lay buried at Cafe, or Massad; the twelfth Son escaped, from whom the now King derives his pedegee, his name was Mahomet Mahadin, alias Musa, or Prince Cherisim. The Persians so highly honour Mor­tys-ally, as still they place him in their devotions with Mahomet, and sware by his name; their usuall oaths be­ing by Serrey Mortys Ally, the head of Mortys-Ally or Serrey Shaw, by the Kings head; and putting one finger upon their eye, and then you may beleeve them, if you list, they honour no less his son Hussan, whose death they yearly celebrate with many ceremonies, nine severall daies, in great multitudes, in the streets altogether, crying out Hussan! Hussan! so long, and so fiercely, till they have spent their voices; on the ninth day they find him (whom they imagine lost in a Forrest) or one in his place, and then in a tumult, crying out Hussan! Hussan! with drums, fifes, and all sorts of loud Mu­sick, they bring him to the Mosque, where after some adora­tion and thanks giving, their Orgie end. Most believe that Hocem, or Mahomet Mahadin, is not dead, but strongly expect his return to convert the world, wherefore, their Prophet Mahomet also having promised them his second glorious coming after 1000. year (which they seriouysl late looking for and seeing themselves gulled by such credulity, began to stagger, till the Mufti assured them the figures were mistaken, and that upon better view of the Originall he found 2000. when he would not fail to visit them) till the first thousand years end the King of Persia, ever kept in the Mosque of Massadella, a horse ready sadled, richly camparison'd, and well attended, which, with one of his daughtrs, he reserved for Mahomet the Prophet, or for Mahadin his Nephew, first come, first sarved. The lineal descent of this King of Persia from Mortys Ally (superfluous and tedious here to insert) as also of the difference in religion between the Persian and Turk raised by his family. An. 1375. or at least by Syet Guynet who pretended to be so, read at large in Mr. Herberts Travells, and Mr. Sandies his Relation.

[(13 & 14) CYRVS and DARIVS] The Alpha and Omega of the Persian Monarchy, when it was the second and greatest in the world: and stretched from East to West, from India to [Page 169] Ethiopia, if it can be that any is not yet acquainted with the memory of these two m [...]ghty Princes, they may soon be so, by the means of Quintus Curtius and Iustine. They were both the most fortunate and unfortunate; the one overcome by Thomyris Queen of Scythia, the othor by great Alexander. The two examples they w [...]re of the fragility of mundane g [...]eatnesse, whe [...]eof the last, that led an Army of 1000000. fighting men against Alexander, professed it his mishap at his death, that hee had not werewith to requite Polystratus for a draught of cold water, but was forced to leave it to his noble Enemy to do. And the first, that possessed so large a Domini­on, and had 200000. men to attend his fall, was content with this modest Epitaph over his narrow do [...]mitory: O man whatsoever thou art, and whencesoever thou comest, for I know thou shalt come: I am Cyrus that conquered the Empire of Persia, I pray thee envie me not for this little earth that covereth my body. Words powerfull enough to pierce even the heart of Alex­ander, considering the instability of worldly things, as wit­nesseth Plutarch in vit. Alex.

[(15) Would ope MAHOMETS shrine] Mahomet the Saracen Law giver died in his 63. year (his great Cly­macterick) giving his seduced sect a promise of his Resur­rection the third day after; till when they kept him unburied, and as Anthonius writes, 30. daies after the reckoning; till smelling he was a lier, the air being infected with the mon­strous stink of his carkass, by Abubecher (or Ebbubecher) his Father in law, he was purified, entomb [...]d, and laid in a new Sepulcher, at Medina Talnby, some two daies journey from Mecha; to which place is daily resort, by such of his sect as have zeal to Pilgrimage; and those not onely are ever after accounted Syets, or holy men, and cannot lie from that time forward, but their Camels and apparell also are of such esteem, that they never after do them service in vile carria­ges or servile occasions. The lay people are not permitted to approach, much lesse to look into his Monument. But the vulgar Tradition that he hangs in an Iron Chest attracted to the roof of a Mosque by a loadstone there placed, I find approved of by few good Authors, therefore wave it. Sandys, Herbert. &c.

—No where are

[(16) Two Kings in safete but in Teneriff] Teneriff is one of the Canary Ilands, in the Atlantique Sea, in former ages called Fortunate. Plinie counts onely six of them, others ten, [Page 160] but the moderns reckon their number 7. viz. Grand Canaria, La Palma, Teneriffa, Lancerota, Hierro, La Gomera, and Forte ventura, their commodities are Honey, Wax, Sugar, and the best Sack; They were unknown to Romes greatnesse, being first discovered (as Galvano writes) by a French Gentleman, called John de Betancour, An. 1417. though some report it of another, and in the year 1330. at which time the inhabi­tants were rather monsters then men; they knew no God but Nature, were ignorant of the use of fire, they shaved their heads with flints, their Children were given to Goats to suck, they cultivated the earth with hornes of Goats and Oxen. In Gomera, they had their wives in common, they gave adorati­on to all Aetheriall Bodies. Their Dead they washed exceed­ing clean, then put the carkasse into a Cave, standing up­right, with a staff in his hand, and a pale of Milk and Wine placed by him; good Coadjutors to his imaginarie Pilgrimage. They were conquer'd by Don Henerico Infant of Spain, Anno 1418. De' Juigne saies long before, viz. in the year 1346. or thereabouts. But my purpose was onely to speak of that one of them, Teneriffa equall to the rest in circuit, or if not, ex­ceeding them in height; allowing it's immediate ascent from the Ocean, the high peak is by most Geographers reputed 15. miles high, happily the highest in the world; by reason of its affinitie with the middle aerie Region, seldom without snow, it is seen by Seamen in a Serene skie, 120. English miles, and serves as an apt Sea-mark. In this Ile they had a Custome, and I think among the Natives continued, (which occasioned this note) to have ever two Kings, one dead, the other living, keeping him that died last unburied all the reign of his Successour, pe [...]haps to be to him a memento of Mortality, and so a Monitor to rule well. Herb. p. 3. &c.

[(17)— Sworn by the Eight Refulgent Orbes] This (though a ranting one) was one of King Abba's usuall oaths when hee was serious. Herbert recounts more of this strein, as by his Crown, by the eleven hundred names of God, and the honour of his Prophet Mahomet, and by his Fathers soul, which last I made use of (170. lines) before. To swear by the souls and ashes of the deceased was no lesse frequent among the Antients then Moderns: to instance but in one example: Ovid making Briseis avouch to Achilles her own chastity, and Aga­memnos civility towards her, makes her take these imprecati­ons.

[Page 161]
Per tamen ossa viri subito mala tecta sepulcro,
Semper judicis ossa verenda meis.
Perque trium fortes animas, mea numina, fratrum,
Qui bene pro patria, cum patriaque jacent, Epist. 3.
[...]or by my Fathers bones, too ill interr'd,
Bones by me ever to be honour'd,
By my three valiant Brothers souls, my Pride,
That bravely for, and with, their Country dy'd.

[(18) Sultan] in our language as much as an Earle. Herb. p. 171.

[(19) My Country Phoenix] Mirzas wife, who speaks this, was (according [...]o Master Herbert) an Arabian Princesse, of which Country Plinie (L. 6. c. 28.) with the consent of all or most Authors, makes the Phoenix: nor could any land bring forth such a Princesse as we would have her seem, but that which produces the Phaenix, a bird Claudian calls Far Superis, equall to the Gods; but because his rare Epigram of this rare Bird is too long to be inserted here, I will shut up these Annotations upon our first Act, with what Ovid sings of this precious Fowl, in as precious numbers.

Vna est, quae reparet. se (que) ipsa reseminet ales,
(Assyrii Phoenica vocant) nec fruge, nec herbis,
Sed thuris lacrymis, & succo vivit amomi.
Haec ubi quinque suae complevit saecula vitae,
Ilicis in ramis, tremulae (que) cacumine palmae,
Vnguibus & duro nidum sibi construit ore.
Quo simulac casias, & nardi lenis aristas,
Quassa (que) cum fulva substravit cinnama myrrha;
Se super imponit: finitque in odoribus aevum.
Inde ferunt, totidem qui vivere debeat annos;
Corpore de patrio parvum Phaenica renasci.
Cum dedit huic aet [...]s vires; on [...]ri (que) ferendo est;
Ponderibus nidi ramos levat arboris altae:
Fertque pius, cunasque suas, patrium (que) Sepulchrum.
Perque leves auras Hyperionis urbe potitus
Ante fores sacras Hyperionis aede reponit.
Ovid. Met. l. 14.
[Page 159]
One Bird there is repairs and sowes agen
Her self, call'd Phoenix by th' Assyrian.
Frankincense tears her happy life (not grain
Or herbes) and juyce of Amomum sustain.
On Oak or Palm, when the
Five hundred years.
fifth age is past
She with horn'd beak and tallons builds a neast.
This strew'd with Cassia, bruized Cinamon
Delicious Nard, and yellow Myrrh; thereon
She sitteth, and her age in odors ends.
A little Phoenix thence, 'tis said, ascends,
To live as long; Grown strong, and fit to bear
So sweet a load, her Parents Sepulcher
And her own Cradle loosing from the Tree,
Upon her wings with devout Piety
She to
Haeliopolis in Aegypt.
the City of the Sun conveighs,
And it in's Fane, before his Altar laies.

See the Tradition of the Phoenix excellently enquired into by Doctor Brown, in his Pseudodoxia Epidemica. l. b. 3. cap. 12.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE SECOND ACT.

[(1) NOr hope we better fruit since that the Persians Begun to follow the Lacedaemonians.—]

Bringing in a Persian, taxing the Lux­ury of his Countrymen, I make him bewail that [Page 160] that the Persians followed the Lacedaemonians, when indeed nothing is truer then the contrary; the Grecians being then (exemplarily) valiant and wise, Martiall and Learned; the Persians (as Plutarch taxeth them) wholy bent upon softnesse [...]nd ease, riches, pomp and vanity, curiosity and fair women: Yet is the Antiphrasis antient, and recorded by Plutarch, the occasion this: In the time of the reign of Artaxerxes over Persia, the Lacedaemonians seeing the Persians lost in riot, de­termined to deliver the Grecians that dwelt in Asia from the Persian bondage, and to that end perswaded their King Agesi­laus to undertake the expedition. He invaded, and at his first conflict overthrew Tisaphernes, Artaxerxes his Lievtenant, and made most of the Cities held by Grecians rebell against him. Artaxerxes to divert the war, sent into Greece Hermocrates, a Rhodian (of great credit with him) with a marvellous summe of mony to bestow in raising a faction in Greece to in­vade Lacedaemon, now their powers were abroad; Hermocrates so wisely executed his commission, as he raised the chief Ci­ties of Greece against Lacedaemon, so that all Peloponnesus being up in armes, the Ephori (or controllers of the Senate) at Lacedaemon were forced to intreat Agesilaus home again: so much sharper, even in those daies, was gold then steel, and that Agesilaus sorrowfully leaving Asia, said to his friends most wittily: that the King of Persia had driven him out of his Realme with 30000 Archers: (the Persian Coin being then stamped with an Archer, having a bow in his hand) He gone, Artaxerxes takes armes, and by the revolt of Conon, Generall of the Athenians, won that memorable Sea-fight near to the Ile of Gnidus, by which he drove the Lacedaemoni­ans from their whole jurisdiction by Sea, which made him formidable to all Greece. Then rose up Antalcidas a corrupt Grecian, (being a Citizen of Sparta, the Son of one Leon) who being impowr'd by his Country, made between them that fa­mous infamous league called Antalcidas peace; for he favou­ring Artaxerxes his affair, procured by this treaty, that the Lacedaemonians left unto Artaxerxes all the Cities of Greece in Asia and all the Iles, to enjoy quietly, and tax at his Plea­sure; Peace thus concluded with the Grecians, (if so shameful a Treason, reproach, and common Infamy to all Greece may be called a peace (saith Plutarch) as never war fell out more dishonorable for the vanquished) Artaxexes, that otherwise hated the Lacedaemonians to the death, (as Dinon writes) did yet seem highly to favour Antalcidas, insomuch [Page 174] as once he took a Garland of flowers, wet it with the mos [...] precious and sweet Oyls prepared for the feast, and sent it to Antalcidas, a person well deserving such a Garland, who wa [...] so bold to dance before, the Persians, mocking and counter­feiting Leonidas and Callicratidas, two of the valiantest men o [...] Greece, wherefore one said at that time, in the presence of King Agesilaus, O how unhappy is poore Greece at this day, when th [...] Lacedaemonians come to follow the Persians? But Agesilaus pre­sently answered: Not so, but rather the Persians follow the La­cedaemonians; so wisely taxing the levity of Antalcidas, whom (though the businesse of this Note is now over) I will trace to his end, being it cannot be far off, nor fair: shortly after the Lacedaemonians lost the battel of Leuctres, and therewith the signiory they had kept so long over all Greece, though they had lost their reputation before, for consenting to so dishono­rable a peace. Whilst Sparta flourished, Artaxarxes continued to make much of Antalcidas, and called him his friend, but af­ter this losse, he being sent into Persia, to request aid for the Lacedemonians; the King so disdained him, denying him, and his request, that he returned back to Sparta, as a man knock­ed on the head; and there also, seeing that his enemies mock­ed him, and fearing that the Ephori would call him to ac­count for abusing his Country, he starved himselfe: so just reward found his treachery from a Prince, wise enough to to slight the Traytor, when he had serv'd himself of the Trea­son. Plut. in vit. Artax.

[(2) The Turkish Moon] The half moon, or Crescent, is the Turks Armes, nor do they honour that Planet onely in their Ensignes, but also in their devotions, superstitiously gratulating the discovery of the new Moon, esteeming him happy that discovereth it first, and by the course thereof, do reckon their year. Sandys l. 1. p. 56.

The Persian Emperours Coat Armour, is a Lion passant Gardant, the sun orient upon his back. Herbert. p. 151.

[(3) Ottoman blood] Ottoman is the name of the family of the Grand Signior. The Turks arriv'd to the dominion of the goodli­est portion of the Earth, from so obscure an original, as the same is rather conjectured at, then positively delivered by any. Some (after the manner of most Nations) derive them from the Troians, led thereunto by the affinity of the names Turci and Teneri, Philip of Mornay, the noble & learned Frenchman, (in his work of the truth of the Christian Religion) deduce them, and the Tartars from the Jewes, viz. from the ten Tribes [Page 175] which were by Salmanaser King of Assyria, in the time of Oseas King of Israel, carried into captivity, and by him confined in­to Media, and the other unpeopled Countries of the North, (2 King. 17.) His reasons are probable, and worthy of consi­deration, but to long for this note. Indeed themselves boast, that they are of the seed of Abraham, & his servant Hagar, and call themselves Ishmalites; this is also assured by their Alcoran, which calls them Hagarens, but that is such a fardel of forge­ries, as it is no argument to beget credit, and themselves are so ignorant of their own antiquities, that their Histories are rather confused notes, then perfect Chronicles. Others will have them of the legitimate off-spring of Abraham, by his wife Sarah, and from her called Saracens. But the most probable op [...]nion, grounded upon the Authority of the greatest Cosmo­graphers, (as Pomponius Mela (l. 1. cap. ult.) Plin. secun­dus (lib. 6. cap. 7.) and Ptolomy (in the description of Sar­matica Asiatica) is that they were a people of Scythia, at what time, and for what causes they left their cold and barren seat, to seek a better more Southerly, is no lesse controverted: Blondus, and Platina, will have them enforced with want to follow their better fortune, Anno Dom. 755. with whom Se­gonius agrees in the cause of their remove, but not in the time or place when, or whereby they departed: he will have the yeare 844. and that they issued by the streights of Caucasus, the others by the Caspian streights, which (saith Sabellicus (Eunead 9. lib. 2.) some of themselves report. With Segoni­us, our most exact Mr. Sandys agre [...]s in the time, with the o­thers in the way they took for their remove. So that ming­ling the currents of Opinions and Authors, in the seventh or eighth Century of years after our Saviour, these people of Scythia, then called Turcae or Tusci, expelled, or by force of ill neighbours, or famine, entring by the streights of the Caspian Mountaines, by strong hand possest themselves of Armenia the greater, called thereupon Turcomania, as it is at this day, multiplying by the daily accession of their Countrimen, being in Religion Pagans, and living in wandring troops, like the people about Techoa, or Dea-chow (which signifies the Towne under a hill) in the Kingdom of Larr, (of which see more in the 23 d Note upon the 3 d Act) whom the Persians call Vlo­ches, or Shepheards, or as of old did the Scythian Nomades, a people about Maeotis, thus described.

Nulla domus, plaustris habitant, migrare per arva,
Mos, at (que)errantes circumvectare penates.
No house, but wains have they; their mode's to range
The fields, and oft their Gods new seats to change.

Now the Saracen Empire waining by the division of the Mahometan Princes, Mahomet Sultan of Persia, distressed by the Caliph of Babylon, and the Indians, intreated aid of the Turkes, who sent him 3000. souldiers under the conduct of Tangrolipix, Prince of the Selzuccian family (for so the Greeks call him, though others Togra Mucalet, the Son of Mikeil, others Sidoc, or Sadock names (its like) corrupted of his Family) Mahomet by his aid vanquished Pysastris the Caliph, the Arabi­ans not being able to endure the Turkes Archers. The Turk now desires to leave the Persian, and return over Araxis; but the Sultan, desiring to compell his father service, denied it; whereupon Tangrolipix not being able to keep the field against such numbers, betook himself to the Carmanian Deserts, spoil­ing the Persians Subjects; Against him Mahomet sent 20000. soldiers, who were soon defeated by stratagem; which victory so flesht the Turk's as (being now increased by fugitive) hee fought Mahomet soon after with 60000. men: which battell Mahomet seeing lost, betook himself to flight, intending for Spawhawn, but between it, and Rustans Tomb, fell and brake his neck; So by the consent of both Armies was Tangro­lipix elected Sultan, and founded the Scythique or Turkish Em­pire. To Persia he added the jurisdiction of Babylon (or Bagdat now) which continued in the Ottoman Tyranny till the year 1625. When ABBAS the victorious King of Persia, (or ra­ther MIRZA his Son) beat them out of it, as also out of Tauris, Van, and the greater Asia (of which see more in the seventeenth note upon the fourth Act) yet continued Tran­grolipix the spirituall jurisdiction to the Caliphs successour, in honour of their false Prophet, the Turke having now em­braced the Mahometan superstition, as the best means to esta­blish his new Empire, begun about the year 1030. such time as Edward the Confessor ruled England, and about 200. yeares after the Turkes eruption out of Scythia. Axan succeeded his Father Tangrolipix, after him the Empire fell into petty divi­sions, till Ottoman head of the Oguzian family no lesse by f [...]aud then force united it under himself; who taking advan­tage [Page 177] of the jarrs between the Christians, and some wrongs they did to him exasperating him, in those 27. years that he reigned, he annexed Bythinia, Cappadocia, and most of those strong holds that border on the Euxine Sea to his Empire, and left it intire to his Son Orchanes, who also much augmented it, and l [...]ft it to his Son Amurath, &c. since which, with marvellous fortune it has grown to that stupendious bulk, that I hope will ruine it, for so long as the Christian armes are thus mise­rably imploy'd against themselves, so glorious a work is more then we can hope from them. Ottoman atchieved the Sultan­ship Anno 1300. in him began the race still continued, called in his honour the Ottoman Race, though they are indeed the Oguzian family; give me leave to shut up this long note with a short poeticall summary of this Ottoman, a man vigilant and hardy, and happily the best, as well as the first, of the Turkish Emperors of that name.

Multiplici lassatae Asiae res clade premuntur,
Hinc Sarracenus, Tartarus inde ruit.
Mutua Christicolae gladios in vulnera stringunt:
Graecia funesta seditione perit.
Impiger interea nova concipit Ottomannus
Concilia, & valida surgit in arma manu.
Et vasta Turcis regno fundamina turbae
Ponit: & in multo sanguine Sceptra levat.
Phi. Lonicerus Hist. Turc. lib. 2.
On Asia, torn, and tir'd with endlesse war
Here rush'd the Saracen, the Tartar there.
In mutuall wounds the Christians force is spent,
And poor Greece falls with civill discord rent.
Mean while quick Ottoman new Counsells takes,
And at the world his armed hand he shakes.
The basis of the Turkes vast sway did found,
And his new Scepter bath'd in many a wound.

Philip du Mornay, Pliny, Blondius, Platina, Pomponius Mela, Sabellicus, Segonius, Ptolomie, Sandys, Herbert, Turkish History, D'Juigne.

[(4) Shiraz wine] Shiras is the Metropolitan City of Persia,) for Spawhawn is in Parthia) she arose out of the [Page 178] ruines of Persepolis (of which read in the 12th. note upon the third Act) some confound the name, and think the Ci­tie's the same; others, that they once joyned, though they are now 30. Eng [...]ish miles distant; which distance, and the high craggy Mountains interposing them, seem to confute that opinion. It's seated upon the River Bindimire, the Persians pronounce it Sheiras, some Syras, and such will have her built by Cyrus, and from him called Cyropolis: others from Jamshet, fifth King of Persia, and so from Noah. But its most probable, its derivation is from Sheir or Milk (being fruitfull in Pasto­rage) as Aleppo from Halip; which Synonymies are taken for plenty and pleasure; many Towns in thes [...] parts ag [...]eeing so, as Whormoot, a Town of Dates, D' Achow, a Town upon a Hill, De Gardow, a Town of Walnuts, Eri the head City of Aria, so abounding with Roses, it may thence take the name. That Shiras arose of the ruines of Persaepolis at least, most agree, though built in a distant place; as wee see Tauris from Echatane, Bagdat from old Babel, Jerusalem towards Mount Calvary, Cairo from Memphis, Tunis from Carthage, Constanti­nople f [...]om Bizantium, Rome now in Campus Martius, and many other Cities which altering their seate, though but a league, some have got other denominations, some to eternize their repairers, some from their scite. The compasse of Sh [...]ras is about nine miles, pleasantly seated, and well adorned with beautifull Mosques, and most delicious Gardens. It is a Proverb among the Persians, Quando Suars erat Siras, tunc Caiarus erat ejus Pagus. A twinkling Tradition, and implies much; For best fruits, gallant men, handsom women, and good wine Shiras bears the bell; especially for wine; for about it growes the best grape in Asia, so that the name of Shiraz wine is every where famous, being no lesse cry'd up in Persia, then the Lesbian or Thracian wines were in Greece, or then in Italy were the Falernian or Massican, or now is that they call Lachrymae Christi (which made the Dutch man wish Christ had wept in his Country) or that of Monte Fascone, which made the German Bishop immortall, as the story goes, and as you may read it in Mr. Raymonds Mercurio Italico. pag. 62. The Shiraz wine is chiefly a Meat wine, somewhat like the French, but better tasted, though more intoxicating, Herbert, &c.

[(5.) By the life of MORAT] The Turkes also swear by the life of their King, a Custome antient, in all places: Joseph in Aegypt learnt to swear by the life of Pharaoh, or as [Page 179] some render it, by the health of Pharoah, so the Remish, Gen. 42.15. This Morat or Amurath the 4 th of that name, and 11 th Emperour of the Turkes, reigned when this Tragedy was really acted in Persia, from him our Mirza won Babylon or Bagdat, in the 3 d or (as some say) 4 th year of his Raigne, (see the third Note upon this Act.) He was one of the Sons of the greet Achmat, and came to the Empire in the yeare 1623. (aged fifteeen yeares) after the murder of his elder Brother Osman, and the short troublesome Raign of his Uncle Mustapha.

[(6) Tulipant.] Tulipants, Turbants, & Shashes, are the head Ornaments of the Turks and Persians. The Turks all of them wear white Shashes & Turbants, the badge of their Religion; as is the folding of the one, & size of the other of their vocations and quality. Shashes are long Towels of Calico wound about their heads: Turbants are made like great Globes, of Calico too, & thwarted with rolles of the same, having little copped Caps on the top, of green or red velvet, being onely worn by per­sons of rank, and he is the greatest that wears the greatest, the Mufties (or Prelates) excepted, which over-sizes the Em­perours; yet is his bigge enough according to Mr. Sandys, who reports, that Sultan Achmet, wore a Turbant, in shape like to a pumpion, but thrice as great. And though many Orders have particular ornaments appointed for their heads, yet wear they these promiscuously. It is yet an especiall fa­vour in the Turk to suffer the Christian tributary Princes, and their chiefest Nobles, to wear white heads in the City. The Persians also wind about their heads great rolles of Calico, but some of silk and gold, somewhat higher, but not so bulkie as the Turkish Tulipants; a little fash of gold, or fringe, hangs down behind, as do our skarfes, which ornament they lately borrowed of the Arabian. In Triumphs they wreath about their Turbants long chaines of pearles, Rubies, Tur­quoises, and Emeralds of no small lustre and value. The King wears the contrary side of his Tulipant forwards, which is all the difference in habit 'twixt him and others. These Turbants they keep on continually, it being a shame with them, to be seen bare-headed: (perhaps because generally they wear no haire on the head or chin, (but on the upper lippe they have very long whiskers, and turned down-ward) some onely re­serve a lock of haire upon the top of the head, as a certaine note that Mahomet at Doomes-day, will distinguish them from Christians, and by it lift them up to paradise) so that Mr [Page 108] Herbert remembers as a singular favour, the civility of this King Abbas, to Sir Dodmore Cotton, Embassadour from our late King Charles to him, Sc. When the King drank to the Embassadour his royall Masters health, seeing the Embassa­dour put off his Hat, the King put off his Turbant, and bare-headed took off his cup, to the admiration of all the Court, to see so unusuall a Grace from so haughty a Prince, bestow'd upon a Christian Embassadour: another of his favours to him was, that whereas he thinks it honour enough to let the great Turkes Embassadour kiss the hem of his Garment onely, and perhaps by especiall Grace, his foot; he gave the English Embassadour his hand, and with it, pull'd him downe, and seated him next to himselfe crosse-legged, after the Asian mode.

[(7) MITHRA] the same with the Suns, or rather the Idol of the Sun, anciently adored by the Persians, nor have Ma­hometisme yet justled out that old superstition, but only mixed with it, so that Mr. Herbert affirms, that in Spawhawne its selfe the Imperiall City (of which before in the tenth Note upon the first Act) at the appearing of every new Moon, they go out to worship it, and each day at Sun set in every ward of the City, they beat their Kettle Drums, till he arises with the Antipodes: at that time, and at his first looking into our Horizon, a well voyced Boy from the Tarrass, or top of their Temples, sing Eulogies to Mahomet and Ally, and then each layick Pagan falls to his devotion, whatsoever hee is about. Their prayers are in the Arabique, their Negotiations in other Languages. Of old, in a Cave were the Rites of Mithra solemnized; from whence they drew an Ox by the hornes; which, after the singing of certaine Paeans, was sacrificed to the Sun. Zorastes placeth him between Oremazes and Arimanius, the good and bad Daemon, for which he took that denomination. His image had the countenance of a Lion, with a Tiara on his head, depressing an Ox by the hornes. I find him mentioned by Grotius, in his Tragedy of Christ's passion, but more to our purpose by Statius, Theb. l. 1.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE THIRD ACT.

[(1) CAucasus] This is the highest mountain in Asia, yet was it in the generall Deluge fifteen Cubits under water, Gen. 7.20. Its of long extent, and serves for limits to Scythia, to separate it from India, dilating it selfe almost through the whole North, but under divers names; that part which stretches from Maeotis in Scythia, towards the Indian Sea where it arises, Pliny will have called Tau­rus, (lib. 5. cap. 27.) Some parts of it, the Indians call Imaus, other Paropamissus, Circius, Coatras, Niphates, Sarpedon, Coragus, &c. These out-stretching branches of this Mountaine, en­co [...]pass some whole Kingdoms, of some they [...]unne by the sides, to others are a defensive Rampire; sometimes they wholly shut up passages, sometimes make them inaccessible: Difficulties more injurious to the Morgor, then any other Prince, rendring his Horse, his chiefe strength, of small service, of this quality are the frontiers of Persia, and the Kingdome of Sa [...]lastan, on every side hem'd in with that part which the Grecians call Paropamis (as I said before in the third Note upon the first Act. Segestan is likewise so invironed, that the River Il [...]mento (were it not for searching out infinite crooked windings through naturall vallies) could hardly find passage to pay his tribute to the famous Ganges. Notwith­standing all these excrescencies of this Mountaine, all agree that the highest part of it is Caucasus, so called quasi Cas­pius, as being neer the Caspian Sea. By reason of the height, and and so snow perpetually on it, it is uninhabited, producing little but salvage Trees, and poysonous herbs, and is barren even to an expression: so that Virgil making Dido exclaime against Aeneas, for his unkind attempt to leave her, could not put better words into her mouth, then

[Page 182]
Nec tibi diva parens, generis nec Dardanus auctor
Perside; sed duris genuit te cautibus [...]orrens
Caucasus, Hyrcanaeque admorunt ubera Tigres.
Aeneid. 4.

Thou art not Venus Son, nor Dardans seed,
But faithlesse, thee dire Caucasus did breed
On churlish cliffes, and Hyrcan Tygers feed▪

(At the Hyrcanian Tygers I glance in the eighth Scene of the fourth Act) Caucasus by reason of the stupendious height administers much ease and certainty to the observati­on of the stars, which have given so great a reputation to the Scythians to bee good Astronomers; this according to Lactantius and Cicero (lib. 5. Tusc) is the reason the Poets feigned Prometheus to be chained here, and to feed an Eagle with his breast, for stealing fire from Heaven (not here to dilate any further upon the Mythology of that Fable) mean­ing by him a studious man, and Astrologer; his name imports wisdome and fore-sight, (as Epimetheus the contrary) hee passes for Son of Japetus, and Father of Deucalion, though some will have him begotten by Mercury, of Reason, upon Mount Caucasus, because of the commodiousness of the place, for the aspection of Stars. But the occasion of this Note, was what I find noted by Boetius in his Philosophicall comfort (lib. 2.) Out of Cicero his Scipio's Dream, speaking of the narrowness of Fame, viz. that in his time the name of the Roman, Common­wealth had not sworn over the River Ganges, (of which in the next note) nor reached over this hill Caucasus; and yet it was then in the most flourishing estate, fearfull even to the Parthians, and the rest of Asia minor.

The same I find in Plutarch, who indeed makes Pompey (in vit. Pomp.) in chase of Mithridates passe by those Nati­ons that inhabit about Caucasus, and conquer the Albanians and Iberians, but they are still of this side of the hill, the Iberians (as himself say) stretch out unto Mount Moschium, and to the Realm of Pontus, the Albanians lie towards the East & mare Caspium. So true is it that the greatest Empires have hidden fates allotted them, and certain periods both of time and place. Nor doth Lucan in his muster roll of Pompeyes forces set down any from beyond the hill, nor over Ganges, though just up to them; in that agreeing with Plutarch, who [Page 183] also agrees with him, where hee makes Ganges the utmost bounds of Alexanders Conquests; no small fame to this hill and river to bound the Roman and Macedonian Empires, to remember the Poets words is not superfluous, at least so much of them as concern Ganges the subject of the next note.

Movit & Eoos bellorum fama recessus,
Qua colitur Ganges, toto qui solus in orbe
Ostia nascenti contraria solvere Phaebo
Audet, & adversum fluctus impellit in Eurum.
Hic ubi Pellaeus post Tethyos aequora ductor.
Constitit, & magno vinci se fassus ab orbe est. Phars. l. 3.
The farthest East range of these famous warrs,
Where Ganges flowes, the onely stream that dares
Crosse rising Phaebus, and with horrid might
Force 'gainst the Eastern wind his rouling tide.
Here the Pellaean, stop'd, was forc'd confesse
His boundlesse mind then this one world was lesse.

[(2) From Ganges head to towring Atlas foot] The strange and unusuall course of this River Ganges, crosse to the Sun, you have seen well described by Lucan. It takes its source in the Mountains of Scythia, as most believe, though some say in the Mountains of Tartarie, others, that it is uncertaine, as that of Nile. It traverseth the East Indies, giving a name to the Country. Gangeticus, id est, Indicus: So Lucan speaking of the arrivall of the [...]pring, and of the Suns drying up of the winter fogs, saith,

Et quas sentit Arabs, & quas Gangetica tellus
Exhalat nubulas. Phars. l. 4.

—He doth exhale
The fogs that India, and Arabia feel.

It was (as many write) one of the four Rivers that bounded Paradise, and the first mention'd in holy writ, by the name of Pishcon, or Phison. (Gen. 2.) It was called Ganges from a King of Aethiopia of that name, so saies Suidas. It is very large in all its course; Pliny (lib. 6. cap. 18:) makes the narrowest part of it to be eight miles over, the broadest twenty, and the depth more then 100. foot. [Page 184] Arrianus in his History of Alexander, assigneth the first place unto it, making it excell Nilus; which must be granted (ac­cording unto later relations) it doth, at least in depth and breadth, if not in length: For the Magnitude of Nilus con­sisteth in the dimension of Longitude, and is inconsiderable in the other; what stream it maintaineth beyond Scyene or Asna, and so forward unto its originall, relations are very im­perfect, but below these places and farther removed from the head, the current is but narrow; and the History of the Turks relates, that the Tartar horsemen of Selimus, swam over the Nile from Cairo, to meet forces of Tonombeius, last Sultan of Aegypt, more then the valiant Macedonians durst under take to do at Ganges (though they had before done as much as the Tartars did at Nile, in wading through Hydaspes, up to their breasts with their harnesse on their backs, to meet King Po­rus) not so much deterr'd by the report of the Kings of the Gangarides and the Praesians on the other side ready to receive them (with 80000. horse, 200000. foot, 8000. Chariots, and 6000. Elephants) for numbers were not terrible to them, but gave hopes of the richer prey and brighter fame,) but they were dishartened to combate the waves, understanding by the Countrymen, that it was 32. furlongs over, and 100. fadom deep. So Plutarch (somewhat differing from Pliny, though their measure will admit an easie reconcilement.) With an impetuous tide it rages; for which I must quote Lucan again, who speaking of Caesars going to assault Corsi­nium a Town of the Peligni, when L. Domitius the Gover­nour had cut off the bridge of the River, three miles from the Town, makes him thus bravely encourage his Cohorts to passe it, despising the petty difficulty, and vaunting that hee would do, if need were, now he had begun the War, what Alexander could not,

—Non si tumido me gurgite Ganges
Submoveat, stabit jam flumine Caesar in ullo,
Post Rubiconis aquas: equitum properate catervae.
Ite simul pedites: ruiturum ascendite pontem.
Phars. l. 2.

I'd ore; though Ganges here row'd all his might:
Now Rubicon is past; no rapid tide
Shall Caesar stop; on wing'd Troops, like hail,
Follow brave Foot, the sinking bridge assail.

[Page 185]A speech worthy Caesar. This River is by the Indians held so sacred, as many of them drown themselves in it, esteeming it efficacious to wash away their sins; and the Princes whose dominions it washes, exact great Tributes of such as bath in it; well therefore might Lucan in the fore cited Verses, mea­ning India, say ‘Qua colitur Ganges.’ ‘Where Ganges is ador'd—’

Atlas is a mountaine in Mauritania (now called Barbaria) or the Country of Marisco, towards the Gaditan streights, and the west Ocean. It was anciently called Adirim, according to Martian, Durim saith Solinus, as also Anchisa, and the Pillar of heaven, by the inhab [...]tants, being so high, that a man cannot discern the top thereof. It was called Atlas from a King of Mauritania of that name, the Sonne of Jupiter and Clymene, or of the Nymph Asie, say the Poets; others, of Japet, and Brother to Prometheus; He having been advertized by the Oracle of Themis, that the Sonne of Jupiter (prophesied by Hercules) should carry away golden Apples, which grew in his Hesperian Hortyard, inclosed the same with a mighty wall, and committed it to the custody of a sleepless Serpent, ad­mitting no Forrainer into his confines; and so being unhos­pitable unto Perseus (the Sonne of Jupiter and Danae) was at the sight of Medusas head, turned into that Mountaine which carries that name, on whose high shoulders the Starres are feigned to take their repose. So Ovid in his Metamorphosis, upon the fourth Book of which M. Sandys in his Mythologicall commentary observes, that some alluding this to a History, will have those apples flocks of large and beautifull sheep belonging to Atlas, whose fleeces were of the colour of gold; as because a River invironed those pastures, they were said to be guarded by a Serpent, or in that they were kept by one Ladon, a churlish and inhumane shepheard, or feigned perhaps of the store of gold wherewith Mauritania abounds, digged up at the foot of that Mount; the wakefull Dragon, those restless cares which afflict the covetous in the [...]uition of their riches. Now Atlas flying thither, from the invasion of Perseus (figuring a Masculine and heroical virtue) and there lurking, was said to have been converted into that Mountaine, and in regard of the altitude thereof, to have [Page 186] sustained the heaven on his shoulders. But Astronomically those Apples are taken for stars, shining like gold, and in figure orbicular, said to grow in the West, in that they appear not before sun set; the Zodiack, or our Hemispheare, being the Serpent: all of them supported, in regard of his excel­lency in Astronomy, by Atlas. Some say, that ascending aloft, the better to observe the course of the stars, he fell headlong into the Sea from this Mountaine, called for this by his name, as of that aspiring height, the celestiall Columne: all agree that he is said to sustaine the Heaven with his shoulders, because he was the first Astronomer in those quarters, and a famous Mathematitian, who invented the spheare, (though others make that. Archimedes his device) and held the first light to the discovery of the motions and qualities of the celestiall bodies. Homer makes Calypso, that deteyned Vlysses seven years in her Isle of Ogygia, Atlas, his daughter, and thus sings of him and her, whilst he makes Pallas at the councell of the Gods, call her

[...]
[...]
[...].
[...].

Daughter of Atlas, that knew every where
The Oceans inmost gulfes, he that doth beare
The two long poles that earth and heaven up rear.

I here put Ganges and Atlas, in opposition one to another, to express the divers ends of the world; to wit, East and West; though indeed to speak strictly, (as D r Brown observes in his Pseudodexia Epidemica: lib. 6. cap. 7. There is no East and West in Nature; nor are those absolute and in variable, but respective and mutable points, according to different Longitudes, or distant parts of habitation, whereby they suffer many and considerable variations. For first, unto some, the same part will be East or West, in respect of one another; that is, unto such as inhabite the same parallel, or indifferent­ly dwell from East to West. Thus as unto Spain, Italy, lyeth East, unto Italy, Greece, unto Greece, Persia, and unto Persia, China, so again unto China, Persia lyeth West, unto Persia Greece, unto Greece Italy, and unto Italy, Spain: so that the same Country is sometimes East, and sometimes West; and [Page 187] Persia, though East unto Greece, yet is it West unto China. But laying the Scene in Persia, 'tis as proper to express the East by Ganges, as China, or any floud in it, as well because of their affinity, China bordring upon the Brachmans that adore Ganges, as that Ganges is the most celebrated name. These places to express the same meaning, Du' Bartas makes use of; in the first day of his first Week, he saith, That the Trumpe of the Angel in the last day, shall be heard from Atlas to Gan­ges, meaning from the West to the East.

[(3) Let the haughty Duke of Shiras have a care, left I absolve my self of my rash oath, &c.]

Emangoly Chawn, great Duke of Shiras, and Persepolis, and Viceroy of them and Larr, got an oath from King Abbas, that he never should be beheaded, a recompence for small reason too usuall from that Emperour. ( Herbert, p. 62.) Mahomet­ [...]lly beg had the like oath, as I hint towards the end of the Play. See more of the greatness and state of this Emangoly, in the 9th. Note upon this Act, of his martiall acquests in the 18th. and 19th. Notes upon the fourth Act. See Persepolis described in the 12th. and Larr in the 23 d Note upon this third Act.

[(4) I'l thrust him from the Government of Shiras.]

This Duke Emangoly, was Governour of Shiras, where he kept his Court in a splendid manner, when he was out of Armes. Shiras you have seen enough of, in the fourth Note upon the second Act. Herbert.

[(5) I'l turn his feast of Lillies into Cypress.]

Shushan, in the Province of Elam, or Persia, (according to Nehemiah and Daniel) was one of the three royall Palaces of the Median Monarchs, one at Babylon, another at Echatan, now Tauris, the third at Susa, or Shushan. This Palace is mentioned in Hester, Cap. 1. That Ahasuerus, An. mundi 3500. ruling over the Medes and Persians, and over 127 Provinces, made a feast in Shushan to all his Nobles and Officers, lasting 180 dayes, which custome it seemes, is yet amongst them, for yearly to this day, the King of Persia celebrates a feast of Roses, and the Duke of Shiraz, or Persepolis, (who is Lord of Susiana, or Shushan) a feast of Lillies, or Daffadillies of like continuance. Herbert. p. 140. Susa, signifying a Lillie, a Rose or Joy, and so called from the Kingdom of Susiana, in which it stands.

[Page 188][(6) Hyrcania] Is a noble Kingdome of Asia, now called Mozendram, it was called Corca, and Girgia (meaning perhaps Georgia, which is Iberia, 'twixt the two Seas) by some again Caspia (from its sea) and Steana, and Myrach, and by Mercator, Diargument. Tomasius will have it bounded on the East with the Caspian sea, on the South with Armenia, on the North with Albania, on the West with Iberia. M. Herbert, and most of the moderns, limit it on the North, with the Caspian sea, on the South with Mount Taurus, on the East with Zagathia, (which is part of Scythia intra Imaum) and on the West with Media, or rather some part of the lesser Armenia, upon whose tops the Ark rested. Araxis from the Turisian Mountaines (as Ptolomy writes, from Sagapene, Colthyan, Seducene) waters and fattens this peaceful Country; to perfect which, she is divided, and subdivided so oft into so many rivolets, that from an am­ple River, ere she kisses the Caspian, she loses her pride, and gives one leave to wade through her deepest channel. The Country is full of Woods, so that the people of old, thinking to hinder Alexanders entrance, twisted one Tree to another; but he that had dissected Gordions knot, though very mystical, with the same sword annihilated their policies, and subdued them; yet with no small difficulty, not so much from their Woods, as their Wolves, Lions, Bores, Panthers, Leopards, Tygers, (so fam'd by the Poets, and remembred in the fore­cited Ve [...]ses out of Virgil) and Scorpions, with which they are stored; Scorpions especially, not more small in bulk, then fierce in their venemous disposition. He that is stung, if he escapes death, is frantique twenty hours at least, and no bet­ter remedy then (like Achilles's Speare) to turn a Scorpion into Oyl, and apply it to the place offended. The Hyrcanians think to prevent their poyson by charms, which they tie about their Armes, yet they sometimes fail them; then to excuse their charms, they lay the cause on their that dayes sinne. Though their woods could not hold out the Macedonians, yet their noxious inhabitants of them, defended them from the Romans, in some sort recompencing to the Country in generall, the hurt they do to its particular inhabitants: for Plutarch reports (In vit. Pomp.) That Pompey going to invade Hyrcania, as far as Mare Caspium, he was compelled to turne back againe into Armenia the lesse, for the infinite numbers of deadly venemous Serpents which he met with, being come within three dayes Journey of it. These Woods yet befriend them against winter colds, and shade them from the parching sun, both which in [Page 189] [...]heir seasons are there extream; and besides hurtfull creatures they are plentifully stored with Apes for European Merchan­dise; and Antilopes, and Red and fallow Deere for food. The [...]rime Cities of this Kingdom are Farrabant, Asharaffe, Peris­ [...]w, Omoall, Barsrushdea and Derbent, most watered by the Rivers Araxis, Connack, Osbel, Cyre, Rha, and Cheisell, who from the deserts of Larr, and together with the 70. mouthed Volga from Muscovia, empty themselves into the Caspian Sea. These Rivers abound with fish, and are furnished with little Canoes or Boats made of one Tree, capable to receive eight men in fair weather. In the River of Farrabant (which bears a stream of 40. paces over) are some long deep prams, sowed toge­ther with hemp and cord (but unpitcht or calk't) in these the Muscovian Merchants sail down Volga, over the Caspian Sea, to Farrabant, to traffique for raw silkes, which they trans­port to Mosco, and through Russia. These ships ordinarily come thither in March, and return in July. This Country be­ing both pleasant and rich, viz. a fine Plain abounding with Corn (chiefly Rice, Barley and Ric) Wine, Honey, and [...]ll sorts of fruits; and being an usefull passage into Tartarie and Turcomania, allured Abbas of Persia to attempt it, who had the fortune to win it: To hold it the better, he oft affor­ded it his presence, residing much at Farrabant, (where hee built a sumptuous Palace) and Asharaff (where Master Herbert tells you he was when he received Sir Dodmore Cotton Embassadour from our King Charles) and in his absence there resides the Vice-roy. The people speak the Language of Persia; their apparell is like the Irish trooses; their heads have a high woollen Cap, furred with their owne sheeps skinns. They are affable, and delight in Noveltie, being much civilized (as say the Persians) since they called Abbas their Conqueror, and had the honour to afford him a Mother and a Wife, which, though not the least, shall bee the last praise of Hyrcania which I will here remember, that it produced the Grandmother and Mother of MIRZA.

[(7) The Grand Signior] The Great Turk, so called in the same sense as we call the Great Mogor, the Great Japan, the Great Duke of Muscovie, the Great Cham, the Great Duke of Tuscany, &c.

[(8) The Gelden Duke] King Abbas his Vice-roy for Hyrcania (whom I call Elchee) liking a Boy, whose Father [Page 190] was poor, and under his command; against the boyes wi [...] his Parents knowledge, and the Law of Nature, made him Sodomite, which crying sin, though licensed by their Alcora [...] yet force is not to be used, and therefore are Ganymeds [...] each great City tollerated. The Father of this wronge Child prostrates himself before the King, and acquaints hi [...] with that villany: The King seeing sor [...]ow and truth in th [...] Peasants look, demanded of the Duke, who then was sittin [...] there, how true it was; his countenance bewrayed him. Th [...] King having at that instant a knife in his hand, gave it to th [...] poor Father, and bad him Eunuchize him: The Duke dur [...] not startle or intercede, the Law of the Persian never alters the poor man executed as was enjoyned him. The King ye [...] continued to the Duke his jurisdiction. His Seraglio onel [...] lost most by it. Herbert. p. 99.

[(9) — There I've disarm'd a Foe, and the most poten [...] too in the whole Empire] This foe of Ally-Beg's was the above mentioned Duke Emangoly, the greatest subject in Persia; hi [...] Father and Grand-father were Dukes before him, a Genealo­gie of that Antiquity as many Sultans and Dukes in India and Persia cannot equall it, they know so little that way. Hee was one of the Kings four great Dukes, each of which hath under him 12. Sultans, each Sultan 5000. Gouzel-Bashaws, no worse warriers then the Janizaries. His Titles without ostentation were these; Emangoly Chawn, Lord of Persia, (which they call Farsee) Great Duke of Shiras, Sultan of Larr, and the Mountains of Jaaroon, Lord of Ormus, Ruler of Carmania, Mergiana, Susiana, Gedrozia, Aria, and Sigestan, Prince of the Gulph of Arabia, Great Beglerbegg (or Lord of Lords) Commander of twelve Sultans. Flowre of Cour­tesie, second in Glory, Protector of Mussullmen, Nutmeg o [...] Comfort, and Rose of delight. He was very martiall and fortu­nate, he subdued all Larr, Ormus, and unto Jasques for his Soveraign, (of which in the 18. and 19. notes upon the 4th. Act) He got footing in Arabia for himself, in this manner: Two Arabian Princes contending for Soveraignty, he that was vanquished demanded succour from this Duke, who enter­tained him, and with 20000. Horse fought and kill'd his Adversary, and became Lord of both their Tertitories. The relieved Prince thanks him, and desires to return home; Emangoly refused, could he with any honesty leave him that had so succour'd him; The Prince must stay, and in fine, be­comes [Page 191] his Son in Law and Father at once; for he wedded the Dukes Daughter, and the Duke his Signiory, and kept him Prisoner; the usuall fruit of Auxiliary or mercenary forces. When he hunts the Tygre, Lion, Bores and such like (which he did once in four years) hee set 20000. men to rouze them; and when they were herded together on some Mountain, he impaled it with a huge toil, of wire, cords, and wood; a toil and burden for 600. Camels, and so commanded them. Answerable to his State was his Estate, his plate and Jewells were valued at 300000. pounds. He had 300: wo­men in his Seraglio (called there Haram) at Shira, His Re­venues (according to the Merchants computation) were 400000. Tomaynes a year, (a Toman is 3. l. 6. s.) So Her­bert, which of our money comes to 1328000. l. a year, a Re­venue equall to some European Kings, not superfluous here to be [...]emembred, because it shews the greatnesse of Subjects in those parts.

[(10) MORATS Horse-tail standard] The Turkes royall Standand (born by the Janizaries) is no other then a horse-tail tied to the end of the staff. So Sandys; which though seeming rude, and answerable to their Originall, doth smell much of Antiquities; Coloured Horse-hairs being a most anti­ent Ornament for Crests; Homer sticketh the like in the Hel­met of the gallantly a [...]med (though not so spirited) Paris being to fight the great deciding Combate with Menelaus for Helena.

[...]
[...]
[...].
Then on his head his well wrought Helm he set,
Plum'd with Horse-tail, that horribly did threat.

Hear how this passage sounds in French, rendred by the great Poitique and much admired Abbot of Saint Cheron, Salel.

[Page 192]
—Et puis couurit sa teste
D'vn riche armet, ayant vne grand' oreste
Faite du poil qu'on voit prendre en la queuë
D'vn grand cheval: tant horrible à la veuë
Qu' aussi souuent que sa teste il hausoit.
On eust pense que cela menacoit.

[(11) Seraglio] Those Palaces or Bawdy houses royal [...] are called Seraglio's, in which the noble men and Princes in Persia, Turkie, and indeed all over Asia keep their Concubines; every great Man has one, commonly plentifully stored; E­mangoly (as I have said) had 300. women in his: But that belonging to the Great Turk in Constantinople excells all in the world, yet his Predecessours did not more exceed others, then of late years Sultan Achmat did them in this point, ha­ving his furnished with 1500. women, whereof more then 500. of the choicest were Virgins, all of them his slaves, ei­ther taken in the Warrs, or from their Parents, Christian or others, but the chosen Beauties of the Empire; onely a free woman is not to be made a Concubine unlesse she consents, and herein onely is the Grand Signiors power limited. They were attended onely by women and Eunuchs, nor were they presented to the Emperor untill certain months after their Entrance, in which time they were purged and dieted accor­ding to the custom of the antient Persians; when it was his pleasure to have one, they stood rankt in a Gallery, and she prepared for his bed to whom he gave his handkercher. This custom is still continued, and the Grand Signior sometimes bestowes some of his cast Concubines upon some of his Bassas, and principall Favourites, as rewards of prime services, which is taken for a transcendent favour; a certificate that they have pleased him, being accounted a noble Dowry. In so besot­ted a subjection are the minds as well as the bodies of those people to the Ottoman Tyrants. For more of this subject, I re­ferre you Mr. Sandys his Relation, and to a description of the Grand Signiors Seraglio in particular, lately published, &c.

[(12) Persepolis was the head City of Persia (according to Pliny) and of the whole Orient (according to Curtius) so called from Perseus its founder (say some) and father of the Nation. The Persians say Jamshet was the founder, whose Image is frequently carved in most places; hee ruled over Persia in nine descents from Noe, and is by Historiographers [Page 193] supposed son of Ouchange, fourth King of Persia. Others will have her built by Sosarinus, who lived in the Median Dynasty, and was the third Emperor from Arbaces, who gave end to Sardanapalus and the Assyrian Monarchy, which had continued from Belus, Father of Ninus 1480. years, in succession of 41, Monarchs: Howbeit she was most beautified by Cambyses. Son to Cyrus, and second K. of the second Monarchy; and con­tinued the mightiest City in Asia from Cambysses to Darius Codomanus Son to Arsamus, in the line of 13. Monarchs, 230. years, at which time it fell under the Macedonian Victor; whose Historiographer Q. Curtius reports her built of Cedar Trees, but improbably; for the Country produces none; if hee meant Cypresses, 'tis credible; for they every where crown the bankes of the River Byndamir, which waters this City: Adjoyning are whole Mountains of black Marble, of which the imperiall palace was extracted and cut out, in which the Kings Throne was Gold and Orientall Gemms; the Roof shined with Gold and Silver, Amber and Ivory, now a heap of ruines, by the Inhabitants called Chil-manor, or forty Towres; their Ancestors may have seen so many, [...] now there are but ninteen standing, and one below to the East, though the ruines of eighty more are yet extant. The Hall was cut out of black shining Marble, wherin were placed 100. white Marble Pillars, each Pillar fifteen foot high, and forty squares round, each square three inches: From hence is a Prospect of all the Plains thirty miles about. The ascent to it is hewn out of the Marble Rock, (as if the structor presa­ged fire and defied it) the stairs reserving their durance and beauty to this day are 95. So broad that 12. horsmen may ride up a breast. The immediate ascent is 22. foot high, at which is the Gate in breadth six paces; in height 30. foot ve­ry elegantly hewn out of the Marble, fixt, and durable for e­ver; engraven with a mighty Elephant on the one side, and a Rhynoceros on the other. A little further from the Entrance are two Towers or Pillars of like shape and bignesse to the former, near which is another part of the Gate, wherein is engraven a Pegasus; these are the Portalls to that Apollo sup­ported by 100. white Marble Pillars. Adjoyning to this was another four-square Room, each square 90. paces, 360 round; it had eight doors, four of which are six paces broad, the other half so much, each door has still seven engraven Marble stones, fixt one upon another, each stone four yards long, and five quarters high, all which eight doors are ex­quisitly [Page 194] carved with Lions, Tigers, Griffins, and Bulls of rar [...] sculpture and proportion; on the top of each door is in ston [...] the Image of an Emperour in State, holding in his hands [...] staff and Scepter, this was the Dyning room: The next wa [...] the Queens and her Ladies room, 'tis Quardrangular, but no [...] equall in form, 2 sides being 60, the other 70. paces. The fourth Room not yet quite obscured, was the Nursery, two sides 20 the other 30. paces long; the black Marble wals are rarely wrote with Images of huge stature, and have been illustrated with Gold, yet in some places visible: the stones so well polished they equall in lustre a steel mir [...]our▪ At the highest of thi [...] Palace is cut, out of the pependicular Mountain, the Image of a King (perhaps Cambyses) adoring three Deities, the Fire, the Sun, and a Serpent. So far Master Herbert, of whose exact description I have used the more, because none have so well done it as he; as also for the worthinesse of the subject, this having been saith Diodorus Siculus the richest (which you may guesse at anon, when you see what wealth Alexander found in it) and the most lovely City under the Sun; It had (saith the Historian) a high stately [...]ower, environed with a threefold wall; the first wall was sixteen Cubits high, b [...]au­tified with battlements, the second was as high again, and the third as much exceeded that, to sixty Cubits, composed of hard Marble (polished like a looking-glasse and as bright) fixt with brazen gates: To the East of which was a Hill of four Ac [...]es, wherein were Entombed the Monarchs of the world. Nor was the glorious Temple of Diana here of lesse credit, being (as Josephus writes) covered with refined gold. Arist. lib. de mundo, averreth the admirable ingenuity of the Persian Magi such, combined with the immense cost of those Emperours, that by well disposing of pipes in a wall, reaching to this City, they could hear in one day of all affairs, though that bulkie Empi [...]e, even from the Hellespont unto India. Magin in Geogr. makes this City still in circuit 28. miles, and to contain 60000 Families, notwithstanding all the injuries it hath suffered of war and fire, the one having so much wrong'd her beauty, the other diminished her In­habitants and Treasure; for Alexander himself writeth (saith Plutarch) that he caused many of the Persians Prisoners and others to be put to the sword to secure himself against muti­nies; and with the Kings wardrobe, and Treasure which hee found here, he laded 10000. Moyles and 5000. Camels, of which the Citizens, after his souldiers had spoiled what they [Page 195] pleased in the sack, gave him in ready Gold 120000 Talents to spare the rest, yet felt it the flames of his wrath, or rather Luxury, he saying it was to revenge the injuries done by the Princes thereof to the Greeks, (so Strabo. lib. 15.) for mea­ning to refresh his Army, he stayed here, making it his win­ter Quarters, then preparing to go againe against Darius, he would needs revell and banquet at the Palace one day, where was the famous Thais, the Athenian Curtezan, his Concubine, (and after his death, King Ptolomies of Aegypt) she flattering of Alexander, began to utter her affection to her Country, saying, that now she held her self fully recompenced for all the paines she had taken in following of his Army over all Asia, now that she had the fortune to be merry with him in the proud Palace of her Persian enemy; but yet it would doe her much more good for a recreation, to burn Xerxes his house with the fire of joy, who had burnt the City of Athens, and her selfe to give fire to it, before so noble a Prince as A­lexander, that it might ever be said, that the women following his Camp, had taken more dreadful revenge of the Persians, for the injuries they did to Greece, then all the stoutest Cap­taines of Greece could obtaine, or by Land or Sea. His Courtiers accorded, and perswaded him to it; so Alexan­der putting a Garland of flowers upon his head, led all his traine of Courtiers and Concubines, following and dancing about the Palace, whilst it burnt, his Souldiers thence taking hopes that he would return home, seeing he burnt the Kings Castle. Some Writers think, that it was not burnt with such spo [...]t, but by determination of the Councel; however they all grant, that Alexander did presently repent him, and comman­ded the fire to be quenched. So Plut. in vit. Alex. such and no other is the bitter fruit of deboistnesse and Curtezans, repen­tance, oft too late.

[(13) Beds of Gold, &c:] The aforesaid Writers speaking of Persepolis, say, that in his Bed-chamber, in the Palace Roy­all, Darius had a golden Vine, so disposed, as it served for the Tester of his Bed, it was studded with Pearls, the artifi­ciall clusters were Pearls and precious Rubies; his Beds pillow was bolstred with 5000 Talents of Gold, the feet, with 3000. Both Gold and Vine were given to Darius by Pythius of Bythinia: a Bed more for state then ease, and sure the richest in the world (the ready Gold exceeding a million sterling, if (as M. Peacham observes) in all Authors, where a Talent is [Page 196] put absolutely, and without any other circumstance; the lesser Attique Talent is meant, which was of 6000 drams, and so worth 187 l 10 s.) The next Bed in worth that I find to this, (though infinitely behind it) is that in Prince Ludovisio's Palace neer Rome, mentioned by my friend Mr. Raymond, in his Mercurio Italico, built all of precious stones, to the value of 80000 Crowns; if this, (as his friend said) is fit to get none but an Alexander the great upon, the other was fit for none but an Alexander to enjoy.

[(14) The Muftie] The high Priest or Patriark. The Dominion both spiritual and temporal, rested for a long time after their Prophet Mahomets death in the Caliphs, till they growing great, and intending only their temporall Signiories; and the difference arising between the Turks and Persians a­bout the succession, the first adhe [...]ing to Ebbubecher, the last to Haly, (as hath been pointed at in the 12th Note upon the first Act) the Princes kept in themselves onely the lay great­nesse, and devolved the Ecclesiastical dignity (though with much abatement) upon the Mufti, or sacred messenger. Of these the Turks have one, and the Persians another, but their power in both Empires being alike, I shall speak in the singu­lar number. He is the soveraign of their Religion, and ever resideth in the City Royal, or followes the person of the Em­perour, who still doth rise at his approach to salute him, and sets him by him, and undertakes no high designe without his approvement. He hath power to reverse both his sentence, and the sentence of the Divan, or great Councell, if they be not adjudged by him conformable to the Alcoran; but his own is irrevocable. In matters of difficulty they repaire to h [...]m, and his exposition standeth for a Law. He is supream Judge and Rectifier of all Actions, as well civill as Ecclesiastical, and an approver of the justice military. The choice of him is in the Emperour, whom to please and gratifie, he usually flatters by wresting all Expositions to his mind. He is very grave in look and carriage, seldom seen abroad, and never admitting of impertinent conversation; for when any come to him for judgement, they deliver him in writing the state of the Question, who in writing, briefly returnes his oracu­lous answer. He has his Seminary of Boyes, whom he instructs in the mysteries of their Law; nor is he restrained, nor doth he restrain himself from plurality of women, and the de­lights of a Seraglio, a commendable recreation surely for so grave and infallible a Prelate. There are among the Turks [Page 197] and Persians, under the Mufti, abo [...]e 70 several sorts of Reli­gious Orders. (The Persians led by Gunets Reformation, em­bracing the Imamian sect, which is their own from Haly; the Turks, the Melchian, following Abbubecher) as Morabits, Ab­dals, Dervisses, Papassi, Rafadi, Cobtini, Cadileschiers &c. But I shall only need to mention the Abdals, of whom next. Sandys, Herbert, &c.

[(15) The Abdals] Are an order of mendicant Monks a­mong the Persians. They take their name from Abdala father of Mahomet. They have no abode, vow poverty, lodge in Churches, and have provision brought them by the charitable and superstitious, of whom they are reputed holy and vene­rable, but by the wiser wolves in sheeps skins, wherewith they go covered with the wool on: about their necks they weare hornes (like our Bedlams) which they use to blow in Mar­kets and publick places, to assemble the people to hear them preach lying wonders, and expound the Alcoran according to their occasions or inventions, supposing their spiritual gifts [...]uperiour to others in that exercise. They travell with dan­gerous barbed staves, with which they oft rob, and do other villanies. Mr. Herbert tells you a pretty pimping story of one of them. p. 196. and 197.

[(16) The Alcoran] The Book of the Mahumetan Law. In Arabic the word imports, a gathering together of precepts: or Alfurcan, which is Redemption. It is divided into Azoara, or Chapters, which word signifies Faces, because as by the face you know the man; so by these, as by Titles, you know the contents of that division. It was composed by Mahomet their Prophet, with the help of Abdalla a Jew, & Sergius, a Nestorian Monk, who for embracing the Heresies of Arrius, Cedron, Sabellin [...]s, and others, was banished from Constantinople, and comming into Arabia, fell acquainted with Mahomet, whom (though formerly circumcised) he baptized, and taught to misinterpret many places of the Scriptures; out of which false glosses of theirs, they coined a new Religion, neither wholly Jewish, or wholly Christian, but rejecting in both what they disliked, and this newest Religion from him, was called Mahumetisme. So Pomponius Laetus, Joan. Baptista, Eg­natius, &c. But the Glossers of the Alcoran, and their Book Azar (which is a History of Mahomet, authentique among the Moores, as the Gospel among us Christians) say, that those that helped Mahomet in compiling his Alcoran, were two Sword-Cutlers (Christian slaves unto one of Mecca) who [Page 198] knew much confusedly of the new Testament, and out of their imperfect informations, he gleaned what served his turn, not looking for antecedents, subsequents, or coherence any where. So observes Joannes Andreas Maurus (who was once an Alfaqui (or Bishop) among the Moores, of the City of Sciatinia, in the Kingdom of Valentia, and afterwards (Circ. An. 1487.) a Christian Priest) and probable it is, that the com­posers of that rapsody of errours, were illiterate persons, be­cause they contradict all philosophy, sciences, History and Reason; the Alcoran being a Fardel of Blasphemies, Rabini­cal Fables, Ridiculous Discourses, Impostures, Bestialities, Inconveniences, Impossibilities, and Contradictions. To speak a word of the chief Author Mahomet, his pe [...]son; he was born about the year 600 (not to mention any pa [...]ticular yeare, I find Authors so differ about it, and I want room he [...]e to reconcile them, or shew reason for ad [...]ering to any one) some say in Itrarip, a Village of Arabia; others, in the City of Mecca; others, in Medina Alnabi, of obscure parentage; some, that name his Father, call him Abdalla, a Pagan, p [...]rhaps mistaken him for one of his Tutors, such make his Mother a Jewess, and of ill repute, whom they call Emina. So uncertain was the beginning of this Impostor. Baudier saith, that his Father dying, and his Mother being left very poor, she not able to keep him, committed him to an Uncle, but he casting him off, young Mahomet was a prey to Theeves, who put him in chaines among other slaves, and in that quality being set to sale, a rich Merchant, named Abdemonople, bought him; he dying, Mahomet by marriage of his mistresse, (the Merchants wife, not effected, as was thought, without Witch-craft) attained to much riches; whereupon, leaving the exercise of Merchandize, he became a Captain of certain voluntary Arabians, that followed the Emperour Heraclius in his Persian Wars, who falling into a mutiny, for that they were denyed the military Garment, and incensing the rest of their Nation, with the reproachful answer given them by the Treasurer, which was, that they ought not to give that to Dogs, which was ordained for the Roman Souldiers; a pa [...]t of them chose Mahomet for their Ring-leader; but being dis­dained by the better sort, for the basenesse of his birth, to avoid ensuing contempt, he gave it out, that he attained not to that honour by military favour, but by divine appointment. That he was sent by God to give a new Law unto man, and by force of armes, to reduce the world to his obedience; then [Page 199] wrested he every thing to a divine honour, even his naturall defects, calling those fits of the falling sicknesse wherewith he was troubled, holy trances; and that Pigeon which he had taught to feed out of his Ear on pease, the holy Ghost. So went he on, to feign his messages from heaven by the Angel Ga­briel, and to composse his Alcoran. A man of a most infamous life he was; Bonsinus writes, that he permitted adultery and Sodomy, and lay himselfe with beasts; and M r. Smith (in his Confutation of Mahumetism) arraigns him of Blasphemy, Prid [...], lyes, Sodomy, Blood, Fraud, Robbery, (for he was a common Thief, usually robbing the Caravans of Merchants as they travelled) as entitles him Heir apparent unto Lucifer; no lesse then 12000. falshoods being contained in his fabulous Alcoran.

To particularize a little: what higher blasphemy could he be guilty of, then to prefer himselfe as far before Christ, as he was above Moses? He also denyes the divinity of our Sa­viour, and affirms, that the Holy Ghost is not distinct in pe [...]son, but onely an operative virtue of the God-head that inspires good motions: Many other absurdities he is guilty of concerning the Trinity, as not comprehending that glo­rious mysterie. The Alcoran impugnes both the divine Law, and naturall Reason at once, in that assertion, lib. 4. Cap. 2. viz. That at the end of the world a Trumpet shall blow, and the Angels in Heaven, and men on Earth shall fall downe dead, and at the second sounding rise again. So it makes the Angels mortal, when who knows not that the Angels are Spir [...]ts, having no bodies, so cannot die, for death is no­thing but the separation of the soul from the body? Adams sinne was the cause of his death, and his posterity; whence it followes, had he not sinn'd, neither he, nor we, had dyed. And surely the good Angels, being not guilty of the cause of death, sin must be exempt from the effect. Lucifer, and the evill Angels that sinn'd with him, by their Pride, were de­prived of the glory of heaven, and cast into the bottomlesse pit for ever, but not condemned to die, because they were spirits. And if the Devils that sinned dyed not, how is it that the Alcoran saith, that the Angels that sinned not, shall die? Another fable concerning Angels, is in the first Chaper, lib. 1. Sc. That God sent two Angels, called Harod and Marod, as Judges to do justice in the City of Babylon, where in a Cave, for soliciting a Ladies chastity, they hang by the eye­lids, and must so hang till the day of judgement, and the wo­man [Page 200] was transformed into the morning star. O divine Meta­morphosis! It's like Mahomet might have heard somewhat of the story of Susanna and the Elders, and so ignorantly shuffled it into this. But to follow his Text; I would ask a Moorish Astrologer, whether the morning star be not more ancient then the City of Babylon; how then could an inhabitant of that City be turned into that star? And I would know of their Divines, why, if the Angels have bodies, the Alcoran in many places (contradicting it selfe) calls them Roch, Spirits? if they be spirits, and uncorporeal, how were they capable of knowing women, or hanging by the eye-lids? If they be Corporeal, where abouts in Babylon may one see them hang­ing? and why doth the Alcoran confesse them to be Spi­rits?

Another ridiculous assertion of the Alcoran, concerning Angels, is s. 1. cap. 1. and l. 2. c. 1. &c. viz. That God made man of all sorts and colours of earth, and being formed, for some thousand of years laid him a baking in the Sun, untill he was pleased to breath life into him. Then commanded he all the Angels to fall down and worship Adam, which all did but Sathan, then an Angel of light, saying he was created of a more excellent nature, fire, and man of durt; then God cursed and cast out Sathan, who has ever since continued an Enemy to man. How did the Angels fall for not reverencing of man, when they were fallen before man was made, and en­vying his standing, tempted him to his fall? and how could man lay a baking some thousand of yeares in the Sun, when the Sun was made but two dayes before man? Gen. 1. The Alcoran failes in point of History and Time, l. 3. c. 1. where it mistakes Mary the Prophetesse, for the B. Virg [...]n Mary, making Mary the sister of Moses, Mother of our Savi­our, when there were above 1500. years between them. The reason of this mistake, might be Mahomets ignorance in Anti­quities and Chronology, finding in Arabic, Moses his Father called Hembram, by which name Joachim our Ladies Father is also called. But by what infallible Spirit was this Scrip­turist led, that could admit to grosse a mistake?

Another errour in Time and Reason, is l. 3. c. 3. Where he affirms, that God sent the Alforcan, which is the same with the Alcoran, (as Andreas Maurus proves) unto Moses and Aaron, for a light and admonition to the just: and yet, l. 1. c. 2. He sayes, God inspired the Thora, the Gospel, and the Alforcan (or Alcoran) unto Mahomet: how can this agree [Page 201] with the former? or with what followes in the Book called Sunè, (or way of Mahomet) viz. That David read all the Alcoran, whilst they saddled his Mule, unlesse Moses, David, and Mahomet, had been contempora [...]ies? and yet again in a­bove 300. places in his Alcoran, he sayes, that God gave the Athorata or five Books, to Moses, the Gospel to Jesus Christ, the Azabor or P [...]alter to David, and the Alcoran to Ma­homet. He also faulters in the time wherein he was composing of his Alcoran, in one place telling us he was twenty yeares about it; in another place he sayes, that it was revealed to him in one night, in the City of Mecca, by the Angel Gabriel: so frequent a [...]e contradictions with him, though neither of these assertions are absolutely true; for he was 23 yeares com­posing of it, ten y [...]ars at the City of Mecca, eleven at Almedi­na, and two in the cave of Mecca. He dyed in the 63 d year of his age, and he began to call himself a Prophet, and to compile his Alcoran in his fourtiteh year. But how could David, if the Alcoran had been made in his time, have read it all over in the time that his Mule was saddled? when (as Andreas Maurus reports) when the Caliph, because of the multiplicity of papers that Mahomet left, summoned all the Doctors to Damascus, and out of them, chose six to Epitomize all his Books of the Alcoran and Sune; each of those six com­posed one Book and the rest of his writ [...]ngs were thrown into the River, even so many Books and bundles of Papers, as loaded 200 Camels? For Mahomet, because he was illiterate and could not write, kept a Secretary, who wrote the Chap­ters of the Alcoran for him, giving out that God sent them by the Angel, as occasion required. These he kept in a Chest, and that he might alter, expugne, or add at pleasure what served his turn, he would never have collected and reduced into Books, as they were by his Son in law Hozman, after his death King and Caliph, who made the foresaid Epitome: at which time, the Papers being sought for, many were: found in his house, having lain behind Chests, so spoiled with damp, and eaten with Mice, as nothing could be made of them. A good­ly Scripture! when the power that inspired it, could not pre­serve it from Mice! or if nothing Materiall was lost, the Author was guilty of superfluity, and so of vanity. The Moores took scandall, as well they might, at those revocations and alterations of above 150 Verses of the Alcoran, annulled by others, called [...]evocatory Verses.

If they were inspired by God, it was unjust they should be [Page 202] abolished by a man. That Mahomet made his Religion serv [...] his occasion, appears by this: Baheira a King of the Jacobit [...] presented unto Mahomet one Marine, a young beautifu [...] Jewesse, with whom the old Leacher was taken in Adulter by two of his wives, whom Andreas Maurus calls Axa an [...] Hafeza; they re [...]uked him, having done an Act unwo [...]thy [...] a Prophet, or holy man. He promised to abandon her, if the [...] would passe by this one slip, and keep his credit; but bein [...] by them surprized the second time with her, they went f [...]om him to their Fathers houses as repudiated wives: upon the publishing of it the Moors murmured, the Pagans jeered, and Mahomet was disgraced and troubled, his wives Fathers being potent men, so he had no way but to have recourse to his old remedy for all sores, the Alcoran, wherein he razed out of th [...] 6. Ch. of the light, in the 3d. Book that verse that comman­ded that married persons taken in Adultery should be stoned▪ called the ver. Lapidation, & composed a new Ch. the content [...] wherof are; that it is lawful for all Mussulmen (or true believe [...]s) to lie with their slaves, & that their wives ought not to repine at it: and that Mahomet did not sin in his late Act, knowing thi [...] Law would come, but his wives sinned in publishing what he did in secret, and that God warned them to return to him So he cleared himself, repaired his credit, pleased his sect by this Licentious liberty, and got his wiv [...]s again, who returned well satisfied and very penitent, and now might hee use his young slave by the Law. Th [...]s Chapter is called the Chapte [...] of Prohibition. l. 4. because his wives would have prohibited him his freedom. Most insatiable he was in this point, and made particular Laws for himself; as that he might repudiate any of his wives at pleasure, and none might marry them; which kept them in obedience: but he might take any ones repudiated wife, or any that profered her self, or admitted of his sollicitation; and whereas others might marry two, or three, or four at most, hee might have as many wives as hee pleased. The Book Assamiel (or the Book of the good customs of Mahomet) praising him, and speaking of his virile strength, saith, that in one hour, he lay with all his wives, which were 11. The Book Azar saith he married fifteen wives, and had 11. together, besides four who proffered themselves by Vertue of the foresaid Law. Caelius reports hee had forty wives, yet took he away his servant, Zeideus his wife, and whose else he pleased; saying it was fit he should do so, that the greater number of Prophets and holy men might issue from him. A life worthy or such a Prophet! and author of [Page 203] [...]uch a Religion! a good Religion sure when hee affirmes the Divells were converted to it, l. 4. c. 8. and in the Chapter of Devills, he saith, that a company of Devils came one night to hear Mahomet read the Alcoran, and took such de­light in it, that they presently believed in him, and became Moores, and shall go in to Paradise, and return to their first Stations, and in the mean time imploy their powers to con­vert men to Mahumetism; there onely he saith true; But since the Devills are Mahomets friends, why doth he in his Alcoran command his sect to apply themselves unto God for defence against evill and cursed Devills? and will them to say when they begin to read it, O ahudu billehi mine Saytani ragini, i. e. Preserve me O God from the wicked Devill! Repugnances all along! The Alcoran s. 2. c. 11. speaking of Mahomets wondrous journey to Heaven, saith that he passed through the eight Heavens, whereof the first is made of Silver, the second of Gold, the third of a Pearl, the fourth of an Eme­rald, the fifth of a D [...]amond, the sixth of a Carbuncle, the seventh indeed of light. But if the six lower Heavens be Metalline, why doth the Alcoran say in another place, that they were made of smoak? It saith, that the starrs are bound to the first Heaven with Chains of gold, and that the great­est of them is as big as a Mountain, set there to stone the De­vills with fiery da [...]ts (perhaps meaning the gellies wee se [...] fall sometimes) when they come to listen to hear Gods secrets. Mahomet might go in, but his friends and Disciples (or ra­ther tutors) the Devills may not listen at the door. But I would hear any Moorish Ast [...]ologer that has read Ptolomy, and understands the Sphear and Astrolabe, deny that each star is as big as the earth; why saith Mahomet then as a Mountain onely? he was indeed a modest Person, and would not say more then he knew. What can any of his Disciples, seeing him tie all the starrs to the first Heaven, think of him, that knows the Planets are in seven Heavens, each having a particular orb? The Moon is the first and nearest to us, Mercury is in the second, Venus in the third, the Sun in the fourth, Mars in the fifth, Jupiter in the sixth, Saturn in the seventh, highest of all, and all the starrs in the eighth Hea­ven, in which are the twelve signes: which starrs how should we see if the Heavens under them were metalline and not diaphanous? When the moon many times interposing Eclipseth, and hideth the Sun from us; because the Moon is an obscure body, as the clouds somtimes hide her; much more would she [Page 204] first Heaven if it were of Silver, being not transparent, hide all the stars from us for ever. So that all that are not blind may here confute Mahomet, He saith in his Sune that the earth is fixed upon the top of an Oxes horn, and that this Oxe stirring his head causes Earthquakes. But where then doth the Oxe himself stand, or what eats he? or if the Prophet starves him he must die, and then the Earth must be destroy­ed. O brutish Atlas! I had almost said, more brutish Pro­phet! It had been kindly done of him to have given this la­borious Ox Pastorage in Paradise, as he doth the sheep his Priests kill at their Passeover, and as hee did the Ram that carried him on this strange Celestiall discovery, whom he names Alborac, and sometimes calls a white ram, sometimes a black, the small difference betwixt black and white breakes no squares with him; well, Alborac boggled, and would not let Mahomet bestride him, till he promised he should be the first beast that should enter into Paradise; and yet he saith the Ram that Abraham sacrificed was fed forty years there; how then could Alborac be the first? yes, otherwhere he makes him the same beast; how then did Abraham sacrifice him? or if hee was fed forty years in Paradise, Andreas Maurus would fain have him give him by the rule of Multiplication, an Arith­meticall account how many thousand Trickles hee cast in Paradise during those forty years: but the illiterate Impostor was not accountant good enough to tell him. Horrid and ridiculous are the Blasphemies and fooleries hee recounts of that his voyage to Heaven; as that he approached to God within little lesse then two shots of a Crossebow; and that God gave him many Lawes and Priviledges; as that he should be the most excellent, and select Creature that ever hee created in Heaven or Earth; and that he should be the gene­rall Redeemer, so that he had the impudence to call himselfe Almebi. i. e. He that takes away sins. But leaving these, I had rather make my self sport with his fopperies; He saies he saw Angells in the first Heaven of all shapes, of Birds, Beasts, and what not, especially many Cocks; and t [...]ere was one grand Cock whose feet stood upon the first Heaven, and his comb reached to the second Heaven. This Cock and the other Cocks in Heaven prayed for the Cocks on Earth (as the Oxen in Heaven for the Oxen, and Asses in Heaven for the Asses on Earth, &c.) and when this great Cock crowed all the Cocks in Heaven answered him, and all the Cocks on Earth crowed too. In the third Heaven he saw the Atropos [Page 205] or fatall Angell, so big, that from one eye to the other was 70000. daies journeies. Such stuff is his whole web, tolera­ble for mirth, did not the consideration that he hath seduced so many Nations, and his Blasphemies, and abuses of the Patriarks and Prophets distast the Christian Reader. But of all Antients Solomon is least beholding to him: indeed hee makes him a wise man, but, (as ignorant people take the name,) a most notorious Conjurer, being carried up and down by Devills frequently, and having them as familiar as himselfe had. This impostor ventured at miracles too, affirming divers of himself, but hath no witnesse for any one of them. To give a tast of them. Alc. l. 4. in the Chapter of the Moon, and in the Book Azar he saith that at his Uncle [...]ugellins request to confirm his Doctrine, he made the Moon come to the midst of Heaven and be at the full, (whereas she was then but 21. daies old) then she divided her self in the midst, and fell to the Earth, and one of the pieces went through the hole of one of his sleeves, the other piece through the hole of the other sleeve, and both pieces came out of the collar of his Coat; speaking and saying that he was the Pro­phet of God, then joyned, and returned to Heaven. Yet, as this divine Jugler confesses, could not all this convert his Uncle, nor doth he bring his Uncles testimony or any others for the truth of it. Some will have the Turkes give a Crescent from hence, in honour of their Prophet: many others of his lying wonders I might recite, as that of the Angels lancing of his brest, and pulling out of the black Coar out of his heart, That of the Trees bowing to him, and that of the other two Trees comming at his command to shade him, when in the fields, in a hot day, he had occasion to untruffe; and infinite other of his contradictions and repugnances I might remember, as that of King Alexanders Journey from the East to the West, where he daily saw the Sun set in a hot Fountain; which oppugneth Philosophy, as the journey doth History, &c. But with these I have tired my self, and I am sure the Reader much more. Yet give me leave to remember one of his absurdities more, though none of the least. viz. That at doomes-day he shall turn himself into a great Ram, and all Mussulmen into Fleas, they shall hide themselves in his spacious fleeces, and thus burthened, shall he travell till hee comes where he can skip into Paradise; there he assumes his proper glory, and gives them new shapes, new strength, Wine, brave women, &c. as you may read at large in the [Page 206] eighth note upon the Fourth Act: and this absurd fooler is generally credited by his whole Sect; so just with God i [...] it to give them up to believe lies and Doctrine of Devills, fo [...] that they accounted Christ crucified to be but foolishnesse. Thi [...] Legend of lies they say was written upon the skin of th [...] Ram that Abraham sacrificed; an absurd Tradition; for neither could that skin hold it, nor was that Ram flead; or if h [...] had, how could their Prophet so many years after have rod [...] upon him to Heaven and Hell, &c. It is held by the Mahumetans in no lesse veneration, then the old Testament by the Jewes, and the New by us Christians. They never touch it with unwasht hands, and a capitall crime it is, in the reading thereof to mistake a letter, or displace the accent They kisse it, Embrace it, and swear by it: calling it the book of Glory, and director unto Paradise. It is written in Arabic Rhime, without due proportion of Numbers: and must nei­ther be written nor read by them in any other Language. It containeth according to Hozmans reformation four books: the first Book has five Chapters, the second twelve: the third 19. and the fourth 175. in all 211. Mahomet the second is also said to have altered it much; he and many others seeking to reconcile those repugnances wherewith it so abounds, even in the Positive Doctrine; which inclines me to Andreas Mau­rus his opinion, that they were ignorant Persons that helped Mahomet to compose it; Sergius had more knowledge then to have err'd so grossely, whether it was that Sergius that was Patriarch of Constantinople and author of the Monothelites He­resie (as some contend) I determine not, or whether hee was onely a banished Hereticall Monk from thence. An [...] yet the coherence betwixt Mahomet and the antient Here­tiques, of all whose puddle streams Sergius had drank deep, (and its like the poor Cutlers were free) leads me to think him his Tutor. I will onely briefly give you a touch of the harmony betwixt their Discords, and leave you to judge who composed the Lesson. Mahomet denies the Trinity with Sabellius. He said it was ridiculous to think that Christ was God, and therefore with Arrius and Eunomius he calls him a Creature, and with Carpocrates a holy Prophet. He maintain'd with Cedron that it was impossible that God should have [...] Son, because he had no wife. He denyed with the Manichees that Christ was crucified, but (saith he) one was crucified in his place, who was very like him; with the Originists he will have the Devills to be saved at the end of the world; with [Page 207] the Anthropomorphites he will have God to have the form and members of a man; with Cerinthus he places the chiefest feli­city of man in carnall pleasures; with Ebion he doth admit of Circumcision. In imitation of Menander he calls himselfe the Saviour of the world; with Nicolas of Antioch he taught and practised Luxu [...]y; Yet with the Eucratitae he forbids the use of wine, &c. yet like his predecessors he baited his hooks speciously enough in some places, commanding upright dea­ling, amity, Reverence to Parents, Charity, to hate conten­tion and Murder, &c. and speaks reverently of our Saviour, and B. Lady, and indeed of all in some [...]laces: excluding no Religions out of his Paradise, hee is so kind; Moses he saies shall bring the Jewes, Christ the Christians, and he his Mahu­metans; but the chief place & glory must be theirs; theirs the b [...]st Gold, sweetest Rivers, and most beatifull Damozels; and good reason he should be master in his own house. But I have swell'd this note to a rambling Treatise, and have yet much adoe to take my pen off, yet I will force my self to it; and refer you that would know more of the Alcoran to Car­dinall Nicolas de Cusa, his examination of the Alcoran. Lod. Vives. l. 4. de veritat. Relig. Christ. Ricoldus in his computati­on of the Lawes of Mahomet. Barthol. Hungarius. Johannes de terra Cremata, and Guil. Postells, in their books against the Mahumetans, Saracens, &c. Sandys, Herbert, D'Juigne, Johan­nes Andreas Maurus his confutation of Mahomets sect, and the Alcoran its self, t [...]anslated out of the Arabic into Latin by Theod. Bibliander; for the late published English Translation I cannot commend its faithfulnesse. I had almost forgotten, (though quoted above) Baudier his History de la Religion des Turcs, &c.

[(17) To make all Lands and Goods hereditary, &c.] The Turks and Persians content themselves with very mean low buildings, few above two stories high, some of rough stone, some of timber, some of Sun-dryed brick, the Marble being used onely about the Princes Palaces and the Mosques, though the Countries in some places are plentifully stored with it, (especally about Persepolis,) the people rather choosing to hoard their wealth, then by making a magnificent show to tempt their Princes to take it from them, or at best from their Children when they die; for no Possessions are hereditary, but all at the wil of the Emperour, so absolute is his Tyranny and the peoples slavery. Sandys, &c.

[Page 208][(18) Tomaynes] A Toman is a Persian coine, worth 3 l. 6 s. sterl. Herbert.

[(19) Balsora] A Town where Tygris and Euphrates emp­ty themselves into the gulph of Persia. This Town is famous for the birth of Elhesin-Ibnu-Abilhasen, the greatest Doctor of Antiquity, he taught the Persians and Arabs 80 years after Mahomets death. Herbert.

[(20) Bizantium] A Maritime City of Thrace, the seat of the Turkish Empire. Eusebius saith, it was built by Pausanias King of Sparta, 663 years before the incarnation of our Savi­our: others will have Pausanias onely to re-edifie this City, then called Bizantium of Biza the founder, and taken by assault but a little before from the Persians, since which it still increased in fame, but by nothing more then by the two fa­mous sieges she endured, both times holding out three years, once taken, once not; the last was in the time of her 31 Em­perour, Leo Isauricus, about the year of our Lord, 718, when Caliph Zulciman besieged her, and after three years space, and the losse of 300000 men desisted. At this siege was that fire invented, which we for the violence of it, call wild fire; and the Latines, because the Greeks were the Authors of it. Graecus ignis, by which the Saracen ships were no lesse molested, then the Romans were at the siege of Syracusa by Archimedes his engines, or military burning-glasses, the like stratagem was used at this Town of Constantinople, about the the year 500. in the reign of the 14th Emperour Anastatius, in whose time the City suffered much by the Scythians, till Proclus, a famous Mathematition, with artificial Glasses, fired 3000 of their Gallies.

The first siege was long before, when she sided with Pescennius Niger, against the Emperour Severus, and held out three yeares against him, and almost all the forces of the world, During this time, she endured such a famine, that men meeting in the streets, would (as it were) with joynt consent, draw & fight, the victor stil eating the vanquished. For want of Artillery to discharge on the assailants, the Citizens flung at them whole statuas of brasse, and the like curious Imagery. Houses they plucked downe to get Timber for shipping, the women cut off their hair to inch out their tacklings; and having thus patched up a Navy of 500 sayle, they lost it all in one Tempest. When (starved out) they had yeelded, the Conqueror (having put to the sword the chiefe of the No­bles, and given the rest as a spoile to the Souldiers) disman­tled [Page 209] the Towne, and left it almost in Rubbish: yet there appeared such signs of beauty and strength in the very ruines, Vt mireris, (saith Herodian) an eorum qui primi extruxerunt, vel horum qui deinceps sunt demoliti, vires sint praestantiores. About 106 years after this, she was rebeautified by the Christian Emperour Constantine the Great, who called it after his own name Constantinople, and removed the seat of his Empire hither. He called it also New Rome, enduing it with the priviledges of Rome, the Citizens of one being free of the other, and ca­pable of the dignities of either. But the chief cause of his re­move was, that by being near, and drawing into those parts his principal forces, the Empire towards the East might be the better defended, then greatly annoyed by the Persian. He intended first to have built at Chalcedon, on the other side of the Thracian Bosphorus; in view of this, and a little below it, whereof the Megarians were the builders, called blind by the Oracle, for that first arriving at that place, they made choice of the worse, and lesse profitable site. It is reported, that when the workmen began to lay the platform at Chalcedon, certain Eagles conveyed their lines to the other side of the streight, and let them fall right over the old Bizantium, whereupon Constantine altered his determination, and re-edified that City, as if appointed so to do by the Deity; finished it was on the 11th of May, Anno 331. and consecrated to the blessed Virgin. Rome he bereft of her Ornaments, to adorne it, fetch­ing from thence in one yeare more Antiquities, then twenty Emperours had brought thither before in 100. among others the Placation, that huge obelisk of Theban marble; the brazen statue of Dedalian work, supposed the image of Apollo, tran­slated from Ilium; the Trojan Palladium, &c. according to the Omen of the Eagles, this City was by destiny appointed, and by nature seated for soveraignty; it was first the seat of the Roman Emperours, then of the Greek now of the Turkish. Built by Constantine the Sonne of Helena, and lost by another Constantine, the Sonne of a Helena also, (a Gregorie then Bishop, whose first Bishop was a Gregory) to Mahomet the second, Anno 1453. 1121 years after Constantine the great had finished it, and the succession of eighty Emperours, and they have a Prophesie, that a Mahomet shall lose it; such fatal contrarieties in one and the same name may be observed. So a Baldwin (Anno 1200.) was the first of the Latines Emper­ours in her, and a Baldwin (Anno 1260) the last. So Philip the Father of Alexander, laid the first foundation of the Macedo­nian [Page 210] Monarchy; and Philip, the Father of Perseus, ruined it. So Augustus was the first established Emperour of Rome, and Augustulus the last. Darius the Son of Histaspes the restorer, and Darius, the Son of Atsamis the overthrower of the Persian Monarchy. Warner in his Albions England, l. 8. cap. 44. ob­serves the Letter H. to be ominous to this Iland, producing much good or ill, too long here to remember; but to return to Constantinople: Saint Andrew first preached here the Christian faith, to whom succeeded 23. Bishops, untill Saint Alexander, who was her first Patriarch or Met [...]opolitan; for hee alone presided over all the Greek Churches dispersed through the Orient; his Diocesse grew ample enough to inable his suc­cessor John to contend for the Primacie with the Pope of Rome, about the year 608. in the time of Boniface the third but by the Judgement of Phocas the Emperour, the Church of Rome carried the Supremacie. Blond. l. 9. deca [...] 1. Plat. Onuphr. In the time of Nicolas the first, about the year 860. Photius the Patriarch separated himself from the Roman Church, withall denying that the Holy Ghost proceeded from the Son at all, but onely from God the Father, drawing to his errou [...] the whole Greek Church, in which it still per­severeth. Zonar. Tom. 3. But since the invasion of the Turk his Patriarkship is much lessened by three Patriarchs more set up, though under him, one at Jerusalem, one at Alexandria, and one at Antioch. Here have been held many of the Generall Councells, as the second, by Pope Damasus, against Macedoni­us, for the Divinity of the Holy Ghost. An. 381. The fifth by Vigilius, against the Origenists and Theodore, An. 553. The sixth, by Agathon against the Monothelites, An. 680. The eighth, by Adrian the second, against Photius, the iconiclast. Many brave spirits has this City produced, as Gennadius, Cassian, and that Golden Mine of Eloquence, Saint John Chrysostom, her Archbishop. It stands on a Cape of Land near the Entrance of the Bosphorus. In form triangular: on the East side washed with the same, on the North with the Haven, adjoyning on the West to the Continent, walled with brick and stone, intermixed orderly, having four and twenty Gates and Posterns; wherof five do regard the Land, and ninteen the water; being about thirteen miles in circumference. The no­blest Structure was Saint Sophias Church, once a Christian Temple, twice burnt, but happily (in that so sumptuously) reedified by the Emperour Justinian, excceding not onely the pattern, but all other fabricks in the world; one of the Gates [Page 211] thereof is by the superstitious people thought to be made of the planks of Noahs Ark: It is now a Mahometan Mosque. It fronteth the Sultans Seraglio, where formerly stood the anti­ent Bizantium, divided from the rest of the City by a lofty Wall, three miles in circuit. That Palace, (not to describe it, but say onely it wants nothing for Luxuriousnesse or State) however enlarged by the Ottomans, was first erected by Justi­nus, and called Sophia of his Empresse, so Agathius. Next, the Ottoman Mausoleas require regard, built of white Marble. The seven Towers called antiently Janicula, now the Arsinal. The Seraglioes, The Hippodrom for exhibiting of Horseraces are remarkable: of the antiquities, the chif are the Emperour Va­lentinians Aquaeduct, The Column of wreathed Brasse. The ruinated Co [...]osse, The Historicall Pillar in the Aurathasar, (or market of women,) far surpassing both Traians, and that of Antoninus at Rome; the workman having so proportioned the figure, that the highest and lowest appear of on [...] bigness. Constantines Pillar, and the reliques of his Palace, now made a stable of wild beasts. The many others are perished, so little regard the Greeks their own Antiquities, nor can they satis­fie the inquirer of the History of their own calamities: So supinely negligent are they, or perhaps so wise, as of passed evils to endeavour a forgetfulness.

The Turkes now call this City Stambul. The ordinary hou­ses are low and mean, of Sun-dryed brick, (as has been said) the possessions being not hereditary, they care not for sump­tuousnesse; as also being oft subject to fires, whereof a most horrible one befell in the daies of Leo; and another not long after, in the reign of Basilicus; when amongst other infinite losses, that famous Library perished containing 120000 vo­lumes; where in the inward skin of a Dragon, Homers Iliads and Odysses were written; a losse beyond that of Pallas's Sta­tue. Another hapned on October. 14. An. 1607. in wh [...]ch 3000. houses were consumed. Nor is it a wonder, the Citi­zens not daring to quench the fire that burneth their own houses; or pull down some to preserve the remainder: an office that belongs to the Aga and his Janizaries: who nothing quick in their assistance, do often for spite or pillage beat down such houses as are farthest from danger. So that the mischief is not onely wished for the booty, but prolonged; and not seldom they themselves begin it, by setting the Jewes houses on fire. So that the Citizens made wearie by the exam­ple, build rather under then above ground, for the safeguard [Page 212] of their goods, furnishing themselves with arched Vaults, which are not to be violated by the flame. A great part of the City is taken up in Gardens and Orchards (as Gaunt in Flanders) so that it shews from the Sea or adjoyning Moun­tains like a City in a wood. The streets are for the most part exceeding narrow, and filled with dead walls belonging to great m [...]ns Seraglioes. It hath been much infested with Earthquakes; and though the air is pretty serene, yet that boystrous Tramontan from the black Sea most violently rages here, bringing often with it such stormes of snow, that in September, the Trees then flourishing, are so overcharged therewith, that their branches break, accompanied with bit­ter frosts. The plague for the most part miserably infecteth this City, brought more by the concourse of strangers then the badnesse of the clime, and encreased by the negligence of the Mahometans, who slight and shun it not, but putting their fingers to their foreheads, say, their destiny is written there, so they boldly frequent infected Persons, and converse with them promiscuously. The populousnesse of this City we may guesse at by what Lipsius relates out of Benjamin a Iew his dis­course of Europe. viz. That the customes due to the Emperor, out of the victualls and Merchandise sold at Constantinople onely, did amount to 20000. Crowns a day; this argues them either great eaters, (though I know it being a maritime Town, much is exported) or their number must be more then Botero accounts, sc. 700000. soules. Which though a multi­tude, yet is no whit admirable considering its compasse; when we know there are far more in Paris, though that beautifull City is three miles lesse in circumference then Constantinople. There were counted in Paris long since 500000. Citizens besides stranges and soldiers (and those were no few that could maintain it against 100000. men led by the Dukes of Berry, Burgundy and Bretagne;) but si [...]ce the number is much increased; so that the Commentator upon Du Bartas will have the inhabitants to be divers millions. Yet enjoyeth she health with her pleasure and prosperity, seldom feeling pestilence, never s [...]rcity, so that in the better part of a years residence there, I never heard of one person dead or sick of the plague; a besom that sweeps Constantinople, of her people; To these adde a Scepter of a Mahometan Tyrant, with the insolencie of slaves: and then O new Rome how are thy thus balanced pro­fits and delights to be valued! saith our excellent Sandys; to whose exquisite Relation I refer you for a more exact and [Page 213] ample description of Constantinople or Bizantium. And though after him (he is so copious, authentique and transcen­dent in all he did) I need name none other, you may also see others that helped me in this, and do faithfully describe Constantinople: as Sir Walter Rawleigh, Heylin, D' Iuigne, Euse­bius, Boterus, Merc. Bellon. Onuper. Causin. &c.

[(21) Has cut an Asinego asunder, &c. This is the usuall triall of the Persian Shamsheers or Cemiters, which are crooked like a crescent: of so good mettall, that they prefer them before any other, and so sharp as any Rasor. The hilts are without ward, most have them of steel, some of Gold, the poor of wood. The Scabbards in solemnities they beset with stones of value. Herbert.

[(22) Some Magus] The Magi among the Persians, were those Philosophers that held the place of Priests and sacri­ficers, reputed so cunning as they attributed more then na­turall knowledge unto them, in expounding of dreams, and presaging of good or evill events. There were some of this order in all nations; The Greeks called them onely Philoso­phers; The Indians, Brachmanes, and Gymnosophists; the Gauls and Britons (amongst whom they had their chief seats in Anglesy in Wales) Druids, Bardes, and Semnotheans; The Aegyp­tian, Priests; The Italians, Augurs, and Aruspices; The Jews, Prophets, and Cabalists, from their Caballa or book of Do­ctrine and Traditions, which the Rabbines say was together with the Law of Moses, delivered to the Hebrews; The Baby­lonians and Assyrians called their Southsayers, Chaldeans (as our vulgar do all they account cunning women, Gypsies or Aegyptians) not that they all were of that Country, but because Belo [...]hus Frisc. 5. Monarch of Chaldea was the Author of divination by the flying of birds, called Auspicium; to these I might adde the Scottish weirds and many more. But to leave the names of the Professors, and say somthing of the art its self; of Southsaying there were four kinds among the Romans, Ovid alludes to them in this Distic.

Hoc mihi non ovium fibrae, tonitrusve sinistri,
Linguave servata, pennave dixit avis.
Trist, l. 1. Eleg. 8.
[Page 214]
Nor left hand thunder taught me this, nor sight
Of a sheeps Entrailes, nor Birds noise, or slight.

1. Auspicium the Auspices, quasi Avispices ab aves aspiciendo, fore­told things by obse [...]ving the flight of Birds, either on the right or left; hence is avis sinistra interpreted, good luck; because the givers right hand, in bestowing a benefit, [...]s opposite to the receivers left hand. So that in that place of Virgil ‘Saepe sinistra cava praedixit ab ilice cornix Ecleg. 1.’ ‘Th' ill boading Crow croak'd this f [...]om th' hollow Elm’ the Epithet Sinistra is not to be applyed to the Crow as flying on the left hand (for that had been lucky) but as the word is in other things received; so it presages evill; for vice versa to the common acception, in these preposterous rites of south­saying, the left hand is taken for the best: So Intonuit laevum is rendred, it hath thundred luckily: So Ovid speaking of Romulus his prayer for successe in building of Rome, makes him receive this prosperous answer.

Ille precabatur: tonitru dedit omnia laevo
Jupiter: & laevo fulmina missa polo.
Augurio laeti jacient fundamina cives,
Et novus, exiguo tempore, murus erat.
Fast. lib. 4.
So pray'd he: Jove with left hand Thunder sign'd
And lightning flash'd from th' left of Heaven, his mind.
All, at the Omen joy'd, foundations laid,
And the new wall, in a short time, was made.

Perhaps Sinistra avis is accounted lucky à sinendo, because the gods thereby did suffer them to proceed in their purposes. Therefore Tully saith, lib. 1. de divinatione, A sinistrâ cornice ratum & firmum augurium fieri: and in the Law of the twelve Tables it is said, Ave sinistrâ populi magister esto. The Grecians from hence in the judgement of Lipsius called the left hand [...] from [...], signifying, the best. They also made [Page 215] great Judgement from the number of birds that appeared in the time of divination; hence Romulus was promised the Em­pire before his brother Remus, because hee had seen the double number. Of this Ovid, speaking of the contest between them, which should build the City,

Nil opus est, dixit, certamine Romulus, ullo.
Magna fides avium est; experiamur aves.
Res placet, alter init nemorosi saxa Palati:
Alter Aventinum mane cacumen init.
Sex Remus, hic volucres his sex videt ordine, pacto
Statur: & arbitrium Romulus urbis habet.
Fast. l. 4.

There nee [...]s, quoth Romulus no strife at all,
G [...]eat faith to Birds is given; on Birds lets call.
Of G [...]ovy Palatine this climb [...] the height,
And that of Aventine, with springing light.
Remus saw six birds, th'other twelve, good stil,
The compact holds, and Romulus builds at will.

Much was guessed from the nature of the birds that appear­ed, whence the same Romulus, seeing the Vultures, was, saith Florus; (cap. 1.) plenus spet urbem bellatricem fore: ita illi assue­tae sangùini & pre [...]ae aves pollicebantur; of which Stadius, Florus his commentator; Vultures ideo potissimum in auguriis observatos [...]e [...]tatur Plutarchus, quod rarissimè & nisi fortuito conspiciantur; quòd innoxij sint, nec xerapto vivant, & sui generis cadavera non devorent. Hence comes the Phrases, bonis avibus & auspiciis, with good luck, malis avibus, with ill luck; and because they would begin nothing inauspicatò, id est, without the counsell of the Augures, hence auspicari rem hath been t [...]anslated, to begin a matter. Fr. Sylvius in orat. pro Cluentio.

2. Aruspicium. The Aruspices did divine by beholding the Entrails of beasts sacrificed, and were so called ab aras aspi­ciendo, as also Extispices, ab exta inspiciendo; the Entralls of a beast being in old Latine called Exta. They observed whe­ther the beast to be sacrificed came unto the Altar willingly, without plucking and haling; whether he died without much strugling, and loud bellowing; at one blow, or many; whe­ther any unlucky object was seen or heard by them, whilst they were sacrificing. When the beast was slain, they obser­ved whether the bowels were of an unnaturall colour, whe­ther [Page 216] they were not ulcerous, exsiccate, or impostumated; or whether there was any part wanting or superfluous: as at Ju­lius Caesars last sacrifice the beast wanted a heart, the worst of signes, and was followed with as ill luck. Augustus found two galls in his sacrifice, whereupon the credusity of the City concluded a hope of peace with Antonius; and the conjunction of persons in choler with each other. (Not that the one beast did live without a heart, or that the other had two galls; but the Devill to keep up this Tuscan superstition, foreseeing, or at least guessing at the fate of the Emperours, stole away the heart from Julius Caesars breast, and convey'd another gall into Augustus's) Moreover they would divide the bowells into two parts, in partem familiarem, whence they foretold what should fall to themselves and their friends, and in par­tem hostilem, whence they gathered predictions touching their enamies. Hence Manto in Seneca describing the entralls of the sacrifice, saith,

Hostile valido robore insurgit latus.
Oedip. Act. 2. Scen. 2.

‘The enemies side with swelling tumours rise,’ meaning by Hostile latus Partem hostilem. As the sacrifice was burning, they considered whether the flame of the fire was smokie, whether the smoak rolled and tumbled in the air; wheth [...]r it were of any continuance or no: these were unfortunate tokens. These last which observed the fire and smoak, were called by a more peculiar name, Capnomantes, Smoak-Augurers, from [...] fumus, and [...] Vates. The Romans were taught this art by the Hetrusci, Hetrurians or Tuscans; They learnt it of one Tages a little Devill (boy I should say) who arising to certain Plowmen out of a fur­row, taught them this skill, and vanished. So Cicero, de divi­nat. and Ovid Met. l ult.

3. Tripudium. This kind of conjecturing is called Auspicium coactum, quoniam necesse erat offa objectá cadere frustum ex pulli ore, cùm pascitur. Cic. de divinat. l. 1. The word Tripudium is used by a Syncopation for Terripudium, as much as Terripa­vium, i. e. rebounding of any thing cast on the ground: for pavire is the same with ferire: Others say, Tripudium quasi tritio pedum. So Hubert. in lib. 60. Ep. fam. Cic. It was a [Page 217] Divining by the rebounding of crummes cast to Chickins in a Coop by the Pultarius or Bird-Prophet, in the morning: If the Chickens came slowly to them, or not at all, but walked up and down, or set sullen, neglecting the bread; the enterprise inquired of was displeasing to the Gods: but if they came hastily, and eat greedily of the crummes, so that some fell out of their mouths again, the design should bee prosperous; and this was called Tripudium Solistimum. The Chickens were sullen the same day that Tiberius Gracchus was slain, and again they had the pip, in the first Punick war, when Publius Claudius unde [...] went the same fate; who, as Val­erius Maximus records, so contemned the Tripudary Augurati­ [...]ns, as he commanded the holy Poultry to be cast into the Sea, saying, Quia esse nolunt, bibant, seeing they will not eat, they shall drink. These men died, not because the Pullets would not feed; but because the Devil foresaw their death, he contrived that abstinence in them. So was there no natu­ [...]all dependence of the ev [...]nt upon the s [...]gn, but an artificiall contrivance of the sign unto the Event. An unexpected way of delus [...]on, and whe [...]eby he more easily led away the incir­cumspection of their beliefe. And perhaps their own despair [...]nervated them and rendred them the more easily their enemies prey; as Machbed the usurper of the Kingdom of Scotland, and murderer of his Master King Duncan, about the year of our Lord 1040. being told by some witches, that he should never be slain by any man born of a woman, was rega [...]dlesse of dangers, till comming to charge Mackduffe, (Governour of Fife, f [...]ghting for the right heir, Malcolm Conmor) understanding that he was cut out of his mothers womb, she dying before her delivery, and so not naturally born, he was so daunted th [...]rewith, as, though otherwise a man of good performance, he was easily slain by Mackduffe. So strongly do the Devills amphibolous oracles or riddles work with them, in whom they gain credit, commonly to their overthrow. This Tripudary Soothsaying seems to have its ori­ginall from the Lycians, who to know future Events went to the Fountain sacred to Apollo, into which they cast baits, of which the fishes neglect was a sign of ill luck, as the contrary of good.

4. Augurium. This kind of soothsaying was said to be inven­ted by Cara King of Caria a Province in Anatolia, west of Lycia. It was called Augurium ab avium garri [...]u, from the chirping and chattering of birds. The Colledge of the Augures at Rome [Page 218] was first appointed by Romulus himself, being very expert in South-say [...]ng, There were at first but three Augures, of each Tribe one. So Pomp. Laetus. The word Augure by the Trope Synecdoche, signifying all sorts of divining; Servius Tullius, the sixth Roman King when he divided Rome into four Tribes or Wards, added the fourth Augure, all elected out of the Patritij or Nobility. Quintus & Oneius Ogulinus, being Tribu­nes got five others to be chos [...]n out of the Commonalty, at w ch the Senate decreed, that the number should never exceed nine, notwithstanding Sylla being Dictator, added six more; the eldest was called Magister Collegij, or Rector of the Col­ledge. The custome was, that if any other Priest was convict­ed of any notorious offence, he should be d [...]scharged of his Office, and another constituted; but the Augures for no crime could be dismissed. When he divined, he sat upon a Tower, in a clear day (holding in his hand a crooked staffe, called Lituus) in his Soot [...]- [...]aving Robe, called Laena, and in Greek [...], à calefa [...]iendo, f [...]om heating, be­cause it was well lined within, being garded on the out-side with purple and crimson gards; his head was covered, and face towards the East, so his back was West, his right hand South, and his left Northward. He quartered out the Heaven with his staffe into certain Templa, or Regions, observing in which the Birds did appear; then killing his sacrifice, and muttering certain prayers called Effata, he pronounced sen­tence. Nothing was confirmed without two lucky tokens, one after another; nor was any thing gain-sayed by the appea [...] ­ance of one onely evil token. Although Plutarch tells us ( in vit. Pyrr.) that when Antipater, Lysimachus, and Pyrrhus, met to be sworn upon the sacrifices, to articles of peace betweene them; there were three beasts brought to be sacrificed, a Goat, a Bull, and a Ram, of which, the Ram fell down dead of himself before he was touched, whereat the standers by derided, but the South-sayer Theodotus, perswaded Pyrrhus not to swear, saying that this Omen d [...]d threaten one of the three Kings with suddain death, for which cause Pyrrhus concluded no peace. The distinctions of south-sayings have been taken some from the event, thence called Prospera, or Adversa; some from the manner of their appearing, and that was either wish­ed, called Impetrativa, or unwished, or Oblitiva; some from the diversity of things that offered themselves in time of divining, and so there were five distinct sorts. Observations first, Of Thunder; Second, Of flying, or chattering of Birds; third [Page 219] of Crummes cast to Pullets; Fourth, Of Quadrupeds, which either should crosse the way, or appear in some unaccustomed place; Fifth, Of those casualties whereby the Gods testifie their anger to us, called Dira, because thereby, Dei ira nobis innotescit, as falling of salt towards us at the Table, shedding of wine upon our Cloathes, bleeding so many drops, &c. as also voyces heard none know whence, or unnatural to the to the speakets, as the Buls crying in the second Punick War, Cave tibi R [...]ma, and such voices as Cadmus heard when he overcame the Serpent; Val. Maximus gives you many of those P [...]odigies, and Iosephus among the signs of the distruction of Je­rusalem, and Lucan recounting the Omens that threatned Rome with civil wars. So Iulius Caesars death was divined by the clattering of the A [...]mour in his house, and the poysoning of Germanicus, by the sounding of a Trumpet of its own accord, an Owl schreeching in the Senate house, was deemed omi­nous to Augustus, and a company of C [...]owes accompanying home Seianus with great clamours, unlucky to that high Favourite; so was the shole of Ravens that hovered over the French Host at Cressy, (a little before our King Edward 3 d and his brave Sonne the black Prince engag [...]d and routed it) too much observed by some there present. So, as Homer sings, ( Iliad. l. 12.) The Trojans storming the wall, or Rampir [...] which the Greeks had cast up to secu [...]e their Ships, saw an Eagle trusse a Serpent, but the Serpent so stung her, that she let her fall among them; which Omen daunted most of them, especially Polydimus; but how causelesly appeared by Hectors slighting the Augury, and his successe that day, though afterwards in the grosse, the Omen proved true. They also observed what Objects they met fasting, and stumbling at the Threshold at going forth, and a thousand such fooleries; so because Brutus and Cassius met a Blackmore, and Pompey had a dark or sad coloured Robe on at Pharsalia, these must needs be presages of their overthrow, which are scarce Rheto­rical sequels, concluding metaphors from realities, and f [...]om conceptions metaphorical, inferring realities again. But I am too tedious, for more of this, I refer you to Cicero de divinatione. Fenestella. Pomponius Laetus. L. Florus. L. Ampleius, Godwin. D' Juigne, &c.

Of the Indian Sooth-sayers, or Gymnosophistae, Plutarch tells us Alexander took ten, whose discreet answers to his hard Questions, argued their wit no less then their judgement. The Brittish Bards were accounted very cunning, and the [Page 220] Aegyptian Barchmans most famous, so that Pythagoras left his Country to converse with them; nay, his thirst and passion after this excellent commerce was so admirable, that he made nothing of circumcising himself, that he might with the more freedom and lesse suspition, pry into their profoundest myste­ries. The same design led Thales, Eudoxus; Apollonius, nay Plato himself into Aegypt, and Democritus, Empedocles, and the same Pythagoras and Plato into Persia, to comprehend (saith Plutarch) the Arcana of Philosophy and Divinity. For Magic in those dayes, was nothing else but that perspective science by which the hidden works of Nature were brought to light, and things natural distinguished from miraculous, good from bad, which made the worthiest Princes, especially those of Persia studious in it; nor were they permitted to go­vern that had not some light therein; But as it is the course for all things to degenerate, so was this divine and excellent science corrupted. It was, say they, taught by Adam to his Sonne Seth, it was polluted and depraved by Cham, and his posterity, led by an impious curiosity to patch out Philosophy with Necromancy, and by charm; and spells, to inquire that of evill Spirits, that by study they could not obtaine by na­ture. The Hebrewes according to S. Clement (l. 4. Recog.) at­tribute the invention of evill Magick to Mizraim the Son of Cham, others to Cham himselfe, who raigned in Bactria, called by prophane Authors Zoroastres. He wrote divers Books of Enchantment, containing 200000 Verses, burnt by Ninus King of Assyria after his Conquest. Pliny, l. 30. cap. 1. It took its source from three principal Arts, Physick, judicial Astro­logy, and Religion. Some divide it into infinite sorts, but as the Mountaine Caucasus running through many Countries, takes of every one a name, yet is still the same mountaine: So is this the same science, however called by its several pro­fessors. But the chiefe were three sorts.

1. The Persian, invented by Zoroastres, Zorad [...]s, or Cham.

2. The Judaic introduced as they say by Moses, but more probably by Jamnes and Jotapa or, Mambres (Syrus calls them Jannis and Jambaris) who were with reason thought to be the Inchanters of Pharoah, we finding in 2 Tim. 3. mention made of Jannes and Jam [...]res (or as some render it, Jamnes and Mam­bres) that withstood Moses. The third was the Grecian Ma­gick, mentioned by Homer in his descriptions of Proteus, Circe, and the Syrenes. It was brought into Greece by Hosthanes a [Page 221] Persian, that accompanied Xerxes, and afterwards published by another Hosthanes, at the suit of Alexander the Great. But of all, the Persian Magi were most renowned, no lesse for their stanch Religion and lives, then curious search into the se­crets of Nature; they assisted at the service of the Gods, made prayers and sacrifices, believed the Resurrection and Immortality of the soule; they thought the world subsisted by their prayers, rejected Idols, busied themselves in presaging events, believing the Gods obeyed them, and that the aire was filled with Spirits, with the Manichees, making two prin­cipal, the one good, whom they call Iupiter and Horosmades, the other bad, named Pluto and Arimanis. They held promis­cuous Copulation lawfull, otherwise lived in great austerity, rejecting exteriour ornaments, and and the use of Gold. They ever held a wand in their hands, and went cloathed in white, as a mark of the candor and simplicity of their lives, they lay hard, eat ill, drank worse; bread, hearbs, and cheese, being their food, and their drink water, as having a touch of the Pythagorian sect, they abstained from all food that had life, or rather Pythagoras learnt that of them. Diog. Laert. l. 1. de vit. Philos.)

This Sci [...]nce once of such esteem for its sublimity, and being so farre elevate from the common, and by the exercise of per­sonages of greatest honour and antiquity, is now by superstiti­on joyned with the invocation of infernall spirits rendred odious. Some make two sorts of Magick, Naturall and Divine, one lawful, the other unlawful; [...]he natural consists in the searching of the causes of all things, which is no more then the consummation of Philosophy. The Divine part is diabolical, being the abuse of natural things, joyned with the familiarity of wicked Spirits, so Iamblique (Livre des mysteries des Aegyptiens) with whom agree Proclus & Porphyri­us, lib. de Sacrif.) he calls the first Theurgie, which is good and approvable, and may be termed the white or natural; the other Geotie, or Necromancie, which is evil and damnable, vulgarly termed The black Art, and is divided into divers Classes, comprehended in these five, by Hugues de Saint Victor, (Liu. 6. chap. 5. De Son Erudition Didascalque.) The first he calls La mantique, or Divination, which is thus subdivided.

1. When it is applyed to the dead, it is called Necromancie.

2. When to the Earth, Geomancie.

3. When to the Water, Hydromancie.

4. When to the Air, Aeromancie.

[Page 222]5. When to the Fire, Pyromancie: It is practised with divers ridiculous Utensils, as Bas [...]ns, Looking-glasses, Hatchets, &c.

The second sort he calls Mathematique Ma [...]ic, comprehend­ing three Species. 1. Aruspicium 2. Auspicium (of b [...]th which before) and 3. L'Horoscope, when by the Con [...]tellation or Ascendent of any one, and Calculating his Nativity, we make judgements of his Fortune; this is judicial Astrology. The third he calls Sortilege, or a Lot, when people cast D [...]ce for their fortune, as in the Shepheards Calender, or any other way. The fourth Witchcraft; when by Ligatures, Charmes, Spells, ung [...]ounded Amulets, Philters, or compacts people make use or evil Spirits to serve them: and the fifth, Les Prestiges, which we may render Legerdemain, or Deceptio visus, Phantasmes and illusions, when by the artifice of the Devill, things seem as they are not, as Witches to be turned into Cats, Wolves, to which to give credit, is perhaps as great an errour, as to affirm there are no Witches at all. One Ingre­dient in their Rites, is the blood of Infants, which to obtain, Ovid seems to believe, that they turn themselves into the shapes of such familiar and houshold creatures as Cats, Owls, &c by a ce [...]tain Oyntment; and this themselves have con­fessed upon examination at Pompelona, Anno 1583. yet surely but illuded by the Devill, and their melancholy to their own destruction; for if the Devil cannot annihilate or destroy, how can he contract a body? therefore wise Judges have ad­monished, that men should not give too rash a beliefe to the confessions of Witches, nor yet to the evidence which is b [...]ought against them, because Witches themselves are imagi­native, believing oft times, that they do what indeed they do not. It was repo [...]ted of the Neuri, a Nation of Scythia, that they could turn themselves into Wolves, and again assume their true shapes when they pleased. And Sabinus reports, how one accustoming to change himself into a Woolf, and again into a man, was taken and brought before the Duke of Prusia, accused by the Peasants for worrying their Cattel: a deformed fellow, and not much unlike a beast. He had a scar on his face, the mark of a wound which was given him by a Dog, when he was a Woolf, as himself reported. He confessed, that twice every year he was converted into that shape, first about Christmas, and again at Midsummer; at which times h [...] grew salvage, and was carried with a certain natural desire to converse with Wolves in the woods, afflicted with pain and hor [...]or, while the hair was breaking out of his [Page 223] skin, and befo [...]e he was throughly changed. For a tryall, he was shut up in prison, & carefully guarded, but continued un­altered; by which it appeared that this, as the like, proceeded from a kind of distraction, and strength of the abused imagi­nation; the Devill doubly deluding both themselves and such as behold them, with phantastick resemblances, although Bodin affirms and strives to maintain the contrary. For the other ingredients of witchcraft, as the Spume of the Moo [...], (their fautresse) or the dew of the Night, soperiferous herbes, pollutions of holy thing [...], &c. I refer you to Ovids Met. l. 7. treating of Medeas bath for Aeson, and Master Sandys his learned Comment thereon: To Father Lewis Ri­cheome, his Pilgrim of Loretto, cap. 7. of the Pilgrims return, &c. To Delrius disquis. Magic. and to our elaborate Poet Laureat, Johnson, his Masqve of Queens, in which inimitable Poem he has treasured up all the knowledge of the Antients, of this Theam, of which all or most of the Antient Poe [...]s wrote something, bringing in some Witch; Homer Circe in the Odyssi; Theocritus, Simatha in Pharmaceutria; Virgil Alphesibaeus; Ovid, Dipsas, in amor. Medea and Circe in Met. Titul [...], Saga; Horace, Candida, Sagana, Veia, Folia; Seneca, [...] and the Nurse, in Herc. Oete; Petr. Aubiter, Saga in frag; Lucan, Ericto; and Claudian Megaera. lib. 1. in Rufinum; still attributing to them such diabolicall and odious qualities as are sufficient to render them detested, and deter others from their wretched society, were it but for the penury, sluttish nastinesse, and deformity in which the Devill commonly keeps these his servants.

That grand enemy of man not being able to draw many to this grossenesse of evill, willing rather to play at small game then to stand out, have won them to a conceit of his smaller wares, though they will not seem to drive a solemn bargaine with the Merchant, such are Philtres, Charmes, Ligatures, Characters, and other superstitious waies in the cure of com­mon diseases; what naturall effect [...] can reasonably be expected, when to prevent the Ephialtes or Night-mare we hang up an hollow stone in stables? when for warts we rub our hands be­fore the Moon, or commit any maculated part unto the touch of the dead? when for Amulets against Agues we use the chips of Gallows and places of Execution? which kind are most frequent in Germany and Flanders, where when one is sick, all his acquaintance bring him their medicinall charms, so usuall there, as I was there cred [...]bly informed, that a Prea­cher [Page 224] sitting himself powerfully to inveigh against Witchcraft, about the beginning of Lent, found so good successe, as that before Easter, more then 500. persons brought him their charmes and renounced them, Of this sort (no lesse then the Familiars, in some of those parts sold in shops) is the custom among some of their soldiers to be made Hard, Spit-free or Shot-free, &c. the Devill seconding hereby the expectations of men with Events of his own contriving, to obtain a bloody advantage, for he begets not onely a false opinion that his deceits are naturall causes, but such as leadeth the open way of destruction. Of this sort the Sympathetick, Powder and Weapon Salve seem to me, unlesse I could salve that Action in Philosophy, Non datur actio indistans. Though they be sometimes successefull, tis not to be imputed to the beliefe of the Patient, or efficacy of the ingredients, which can have none at distance, but rather to some previous compact with the Devil; to whom rather then to be beholding for my life, I would choose to die; and however it be approved by many, yet not being plain to me; I should rather trust my body, if wound [...]d, to the care of an ordinary Chirurgion, knowing, what [...] of Faith is Sin; and might expect more comfort of my health procured by a known lawfull, then if it had been obtained by a doubtfull means. Under this head may I put Palmistry and Judiciall Astrologie, which not seldom fail: but if they be grounded onely upon naturall Causes and peo­ple that have the same Ascendent and Lines must have the same fate, how came Jacob and Esau to have so different For­tunes, when their Births were so connexed, as the one had hold of the others heel? if in that short time the whole revolution of the Heaven changed, what certain Judgment can be made? And in Palmistry, why should it be confinable unto man, when the rules of it are common to beasts? as in the forefoot of the Moll, especially of the Monkey, there is the Table Line, that of Life, and of the Liver? This prying into the Arcana Dei let the wise counsell of Cato the prudent Heathen disswade.

Quid Deus intendat, noli perquirere sorte.
Quid statuat de te, sine te deliberat ipse.
lib. 2. de Morib.
[Page 225]
Seek by no Divination Gods intents:
He without thee has fixt all thy events.

To say something of the Sortilegium or Divination by Lots. To determine doubfull matters by the opening of a book, and letting fall a staff, are ancient f [...]agments of Pagan supersti­tion. The first an imitation of Sortes Homericae or Virgilianae, drawing determinations from Verses casually occuring. The same was practised by Severus, who entertained ominous hopes of the Empire, from that Verse in Virgil, Tu regere impe­rio populos Romane memento; and Gordianus who reigned but few daies was discouraged by those words, Ostendunt terris hunc tantum fata nec ultra esse sinunt. Nor was this onely performed in Heathen Authors, but upon the sacred Text of scripture, as Gregorius Turonensis hath left some account; and as the practise of the Emperor Heraclius, befo [...]e his expedition into Asia minor, is delivered by Cedrenus. The decision from the staff is an Augurial Relique, and the practise thereof is accu­sed by God himself; Hosea 4.12. My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them. Of this kind of Rhab­domancy was that practised by Nabuchadonosor in that Caldean Miscellany, delivered by Ezekiel. cap. 21. The King of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two waies, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with Images, he looked in the liver. At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem; That is, and Estius expoundeth it; the left way leading unto Rabbah the chief City of the Ammonites, and the right unto Jerusalem; he consulted Idols and Entrails, he threw up a bundle of arrowes, to see which way they would light, and falling on the right hand, he ma [...]ched towards J [...]rusal [...]m. A like way of Belomancy or Divination by Arrows hath been in request with the Scythians, Alanes, Germans, Africans, and Turks of Algier. And (though by a more obvious witchcraft) Cingis the first great Cham of Tartary, about the year of grace, 1162. b [...]fo [...]e he joyned battell with Vncham, one of the Kings Tenduch, consulted with his Divi­ners of the successe: they taking a green reed, cleft it asunder, and wrot on the one part the name of Cingis, and Vn­cham on the other, and placed them not farre asunder. Then fell they to muttering their Charms, and the two reeds a fighting in the sight of the whole Army, Cingis reed over­came the other, whereby they foretold the joyfull newes of [Page 226] Victory to the Tartar, which accordingly happened. So Theodatus the Gothe (about the year 534.) being in warrs with the Romans, and willing beforehand to know his suc­cesse; was advised by a Jew to shut up a number of swine, and to give some of them Roman names, the others Gothish. Not long after, the King and the Iew going to the sties, found the Gothish Hoggs all slain, and the Roman half un­bris [...]ell [...]d: whereupon the Iew foretold that the Gothes should be discomfited, and the Romans much weakened, and so it fell out. This kind of Divination some call [...], and hath been prohibited by a generall Councell, and is with its other kinds often condemnd and threatened with punishments by God himself, by the mouths of his holy Prophets, especially Ezekiel. If any think that Elisha p [...]actised Belomancy when by an arrow shot from an Eastern window, he presignified the destruction of Syria, and when according unto the th [...]ee stroaks of Ioash, with an arrow upon the ground, he foretold the number of his victories, 2 Kings 13. they may know that that was done by the spirit of God, who particular'd the same, and determined the stroaks of the King unto three, which the hopes of the Prophet expected in twice that num­ber. From the same spirit proceeded those cures in Scripture, by means not to us effective. The Divine power either procee­ding by visible means, or not, unto visible effects, is able to to conyjoyn them by his cooperation. And the [...]efore those sensible waies which seem of indifferent Natures, are not idle ceremonies, but may be causes by his command, and arise unto productions beyond their regular activities. If Nahaman the Syrian had washed in Iordan without the command of the Prophet, its like he had been cleansed by them no more then by the waters of Damascus. There is no cause to doubt if a­ny besides Elisha had cast in salt, the waters of Iericho had not been made wholesom. There was some naturall vertue in the plaster of figs applyed to Ezechias, and gall is very mundifi­cative, and was a proper medicine to clear the eye of Tobit; which carrying in themselves some action of their own, they were additionally promoted by that power, which can extend their natu [...]es unto the production of effects beyond their cre­ated efficiencies. And thus may he operate also from causes of no power unto their visible effects; for he that hath deter­mined their actions unto certain effects, hath not so emptied his own, but that he can make them effectuall unto any other. So cannot the Devill, having no power of his own, as a crea­ted [Page 227] essence, but that onely that is permitted to him, all which he stretches to make himself seem equall with God; so that we may call him Gods Ape, assuming the annexes of divini­ty, and the prerogatives of the Creato, [...]rawing into delusive practise the operation of miracles, and the prescience of things to come. See more of this in Doctor Browns [...]seu. Epid. l. 1. cap. 10. & 11. lib. 5. cap. 21. & 22. The Devill hath also made men believe that he can raise the dead, that he hath the key of life and death, and this leads me to Necromancie, which is divination by the dead; when to foretell some event, some dead body is called up: as Lucan. lib. 6. makes Pompeyes Son Sextus go to the witch Erictho, to enqui [...]e the issue of the war, she quickens a dead carkasse that informes him, then by a spell laies it again. The like was acted in the body of Sa­muel by the W [...]tch of Endor, when King Saul went to learn of [...]er what event his war with the Philistines should have, al­though whether done by divine permission, or diabolicall illusion, is as yet in controversie. But more probable it seems, since the Divell can transform himself into an Angell of light, that he assumed the shape of Samuel. Insomuch that the apparitions of Saints and Angells (of no small danger to the credulous and unstable) are not secure from deception. For to me it seems hard, that the Devill should have power of of the body of a Saint, and holding that the dead do rest in the Lord, that we should yet believe they are at the lure of Devill: that he who is in bonds himself, commandeth the fetters of the dead; and dwelling in the bottomle [...]e Lake, the blessed from Abrahams bosom. The opinion of the reall Resurrection of Samuel is chiefly grounded upon that in Ec­clesiasticus (praising Samuel) cap. 46. v 2. After his death he prophesied, and shewed the King his end, and lift up his voice from the Earth in Prophecie. Such expound those words in the story. 1. Sam. 28.19. To morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me, in the Grave, onely, in the state of the dead: farther they cannot go; for if it were the Prophet, had he [...]poken o [...] the particular place wherein he was, he would not have spo­ken so generally, take the place either for Heaven, or Limbus patrum. for the [...]e we may fear Saul and his two Sons Abina­dab and Malchishua never came: If it were the Devill, and meant local Hel; to have spoken plain, he should have said thou and thy two sons; for Ionathan the Eldest and friend of David, was flain too, but left us pious hopes of his better [Page 226] [...] [Page 227] [...] [Page 228] condition: but that plainnesse of speech he might wave to keep up the controversie, making it his work to sow dissenti­on; as also to speak here like himself, elsewhere, all whose answers and Oracles were amphibolous and misticall: But for more of this I refer you to Saint Augustine, lib. 2. q. ad Sim­plician: where he proposeth both the opinions as pro­bable.

But to reassume the businesse of note, the Magi: Magus sig­nifies as much as [...], Sapiens, a wise man: so were the Philosophers in Persia and the East named, though now by the corruption of the Science, its an odious name, Magician aliàs Conjurer, though we might as well deprave the name of Divine, it certainly comming à Divinando, from those antient Diviners or Sooth-sayers. So Tyrannus at first did onely signi­fie a Monarch and absolute King, but came afterwards by the abuse of Royall Authority to be taken for a cruell and evill Prince; In like manner the word Lacrones signified of old such as were the guards of Princes; but grew in time by their disloyalty to be understood of Robbers and Thieves. Out of the Magi the antients chose them Kings, and chief officers; Cambyses second Monarch of the Medes and Persians, at his expedition into Aegypt, constituted Patizithes, one of the Magi, Vice-Roy in his absence. And the Magi or wisemen led by the star to Bethelem to adore our Saviour were Kings, as say Saint Hierome, Saint Augustine, Saint Chrysostom, Saint Anastasius, Saint Isidorus, Tertullian, and Remigius: perhaps Kings of Cities or some narrow Territories or Topacks, such as the Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, the Kings of Ierico and Ai, the 31 Kings that Ioshua subdued, and such as the friends of Iob are thought to have been; but their number is not ex­pressed, much lesse their names, in Scripture; Saint Augustin saith they were three, perhaps led thereunto by the number of their gifts. For their names Franciscus Maurelicus hath them in his Martyrologe, agreeing with the written Tables annexed to their reputed Tombes in Collein in Germany, viz. The first was called Melchior, an old grave Person, who offe­red Gold as unto a King. The second Gasper, a young man, who presented Frankincense as unto God. The third Beltha­zar, a Blackmore, who offered Mirrh, as unto a Man ready for his Sepulchre. That they were Kings of Collein is the vulgar opinion; but though Collein was the chief City of the Vbii, then called Vbiopolis, and afterwards Agrippina, in [Page 229] honour of Agrippa, Nero's Mother, and lastly Collein by the by French, who there planted a Colonie, yet do no story say there were three Kings thereof. Besides, then they after their return would probably have converted their Sub­jects, it being their proper vocation, they being (saith Chry­sostom) baptised and made Bishops by Saint Thomas the Apostle; but according unto Munster their Conversion was not w [...]ought untill seventy years after, by Maternus a Disciple of Saint Peters. Lastly, the wise men came from the East; but but Collein is seated West from Ierusalem; for Collein hath of Longitude 34. degrees, but Ierusalem 72. A more probable opinion it is, that they were of Arabia, descended from Abra­ham by his second wife Keturah, and this the aforesaid Table allowes; Fi [...]st, because they came f [...]om the East, and so is Arabia in respect of Ierusalem; as also, because in them was fulfilled the Prediction of the royall Prophet, Psalm. 72. The Kings of Arabia shall bring gifts. Their bodies are said by Eckius and others to have been translated by Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine, unto Constantinople: From thence by Eustorphius Bishop of Millain unto Millain; and finally brought unto Collein by Rainoldus Bishop thereof, An. 1164. of which place they may be called Kings rather from their Sepulchre then Territory.

The Brittish Magi also, or Druides were their Magistrates, they took their name and beginning (as some will) from Druis, fourth King of Britain, great Grandchild to Samothes, (supposed to be Mesech Son of Iaphet, who some make the first King here, saying he here first of any arrived and peo­pled this Ile, An. Mundi 1787. after the Flood 131. years, and before the Incarnation of our Saviour 2158. He came into Europe together with Gomer and Fuisco or Aschenas foun­ders of the Western and Southe [...]n Gauls and Germans. He in­habited the North and East parts of Gaul and Germany, from the Alpes to the Rhene, from the Pyrene Hills to the River Seine, and so to the Brittish shore, and the Iland it selfe) such will have Poets called antiently Bardes (and among the Welsh Barthes to this day) from Bardus the royal Orpheus of this Isle, fifth King thereof, and Son to Druis.

They also will have the Magi of all Nations of Brittish ex­traction, taking the science of divine Philosophy, and the Name too, from Magus Sonne of Samothes, and second King of Brittaine, the same man that to perpetuate his name, built [Page 230] among the Gauls, Neomagus, Sitomagus, Rhotomagus, Novio­magus, &c. though his Science shall out-last his Towns. These Brittish Magi, might as well send their Name as Learn­ing, to the East, their King Sarron (say they) Sonne to Magus, and third King of Brittaine (to whom they impute the first foundation of Schools and Vniversities in this Isle, and elsewhere) by them perswaded, sent by Timagen, and others of them, the first knowledge of Lite [...]ature, to Athens and Aegypt. But it seems the Brittish learning, like their wool, thriveth better in a hotter Cl [...]me then their own; for they tell us, that Bladud (8th King of England, then called Leo­gria of Locrine, Son of Brute, first King of that Division) studied at Athens, and brought thence four Philosophers, who professed the Sciences at Stamford, where he founded an Vniversity which flourished till S. Augustines time, when the Pope did interdict it for Heresies (perhaps that of Pelagius) that then sprung amongst the Saxons and Brittaines. So M r Harding, Slatyer, Palae-Albion, &c. (though in our more au­thentique [...]ecords, I find not any thing like an Vniversity at Stamford, till in the Raign of King Edward 3 d upon some contention between the Southern and Northern men in Oxford; many of the Scholars removed thither, and there held publique Schools of all sorts of learning, but left it again, and returned, being commanded so to do by the Kings Proclamation, & thereupon it was ordained in the Vniversity, that the Scholars in taking of their degrees, should make oath, not to read publiquely at Stamford to the prejudice of Oxford.) This King Bladud, was held so great a Magician, as that he founded Bath, and the three hot medicinable springs there by his Art, then called Caer Badon, by the old [...]rittons, from Badon or M [...]ns [...]adonicus not far off, [...] Hot waters, by Ptolomy, and by Antoninus, Aquae Solis, respecting their nature. Here Bladud one day practising Necromancy, decked himself with feathers, and presum [...]ng (Icarus like) to fly, fell, and brake his neck upon the Temple he had the [...]e built to Apollo, He raigned 863 years before the incarnation of our Saviour; from this Bladud, many will have Magic (his great Masterpiece) called the Black Art, a far fetch'd Etymo­logy, but perhaps as well Black Art from Bladud, as Magick from Magus K [...]ng of Brittaine. These relations are not altoge­ther to be derided, though they seem to have been composed by some more affectionate to the honour of their Country, [Page 231] then the purity of story; they are attested by learned and worthy [...]ens, and (though none need to feign any thing to honour Great Brittaine (as she lately stood) it's just such should find more credit, then that impudent Detractor Poly­dore Virgil, that maliciously compiled her story to abuse her, by leaving out, nay burning and embezling her best and most ancient Records, Monuments, and Legier Books, that his own might not be contradicted, (having a large Commis­sion under the Great Seal, to make search for all Antiqu [...]ties that might make for his purpose;) yet for all this, he hath ill luck to write nothing well, save the life of King Henry the seventh, wherein he had reason to take a little more paines then ordinary, the Book being Dedicated to Henry the eight his Sonne, though even in that piece he is so far excelled by our eloquent Lord Verulam, as I must either retract that Poly­dore wrote well, or allow it but to make him the better foyle to Bacon, who shews there was no need of Italian help to the Brittish History.

One great Art of the Magi, was the Exposition of Dreams amongst them, believed of gran [...] importance, holding, that though sleep be the Image of death, Dreams are the portrai­ture of [...]ife; though Cassius reasoning with Brutus about the apparition to him in Sardis, laboured according to his Epicu­rian sect, to Father all upon deception, and the strength of imagination; ( Plut. in vit. Brut.) And though Dreams are more often Histories then presages, grounded upon things that are in being, and which we have seen; for the imag [...]na­tion which is the Couch and Nursery of Dreams, rep [...]esenteth commonly what she hath received; yet Dreams are not al­wayes of nature, but also of the inspiration of God, as Jacob's Ladder, Joseph's Sun and Moon, and 11 Stars, Pharoahs fat and leane [...]ine, &c. So Rich [...]ome Pilg. Loret. and as D' Brown observes, Rel. Med. There is surely a neerer apprehension of any thing that delights each of us in our Dreames, then in our waked senses, & Paulò post, The slumber of the body, seems to be but the waking of our soules: It is the ligation of our sense, but the liberty of Reason. With him, seem to agree Galen and Aristotle, in their singular Tracts of Sleep. And M. Sandys, in his Com­mentary upon Ovids Met. l. 11. Defines Dreams, those Images which are formed in our sleeps by the various discursion of the spirits in the brain (the spirits being the Chariot of the soul) which follow concoction, when the blood is least [Page 232] troubled, and the phantasie uninte [...]rupted [...]y ascending va­pours. These the Poet divides into three kinds, the one im [...] ­tating the Rational, the other the Animal, and the third the Inanimate: the first called Morpheus, which signifies Form; the second Icelos by the Gods, which is similitude; but Phobe­tor or fear, by Mortals, in regard of the terrors apprehended by beasts and Monsters; and the last Phantasius, of the Ima­gination. And as the Cogitations of Princes, far differ from those of the vuigar, so their Dreams are unvulgar and diffe­rent: to this purpose M. Howel in his vocal Forrest, Oftentimes the conceptions of Kings, are as farre above the Vulgar, as their condition is, for being higher elevated, and walking upon the bat­tlements of soveraignty, they sooner receive the inspirations of hea­ven.

As sleep was created to recreate the body, and free the mind from care for a season; so, Dreams are sometimes sent to ter­rifie the guilty (as those that the Usu [...]per Richard the third is reported to have had, the night before the great deciding battel at Bosworth field). Sometimes they are to confirm the good (as those that the Earl of Richmond (afterwards King Henry the seventh) had on the aforesaid night) and they are not seldom prophetical (as they proved to those two Prin­ces.) So Ovid (it being the businesse of Poets, in the contem­plation of Nature, to represent things that are not as if they were) makes Morpheus present her d [...]owned Husband Ceyx, to Alcyone in a Dream, and [...]aesars wife Calphurnia, foresaw her Husbands Tragedy in he [...] sleep, but examples are innumer­able; yet such divine Revelations w [...]re often imitated by Spirits of darknesse, to beget a superstition, which in the end so increased, that Aristides compiled an Ephemerides of his own Dreams; and Mithridates of those of his Concubines. But the Romans finding the inconveniences thereof (because all Dreames without distinction of Causes, were drawn to Divi­nation) forbad the same by a publique decree, though they, more politiquely then wisely, made their Religion and Au­guries ever serve their occasions, as Machiavel observes at large in his discourses upon Livie. Much ado I have to take off my hand from describing their method in expounding of Dreams, as to dream of the dead, signified receiving of Money, to dream of waters and green fields, the d [...]ath of friends, &c. As also their manner in procuring of Dreams, as wrapping themselves up in beasts skins, and lying on their backs before [Page 233] the T [...]mples, with a branch of Misletoe in their hands, or laying of an odd number of [...]ay-leaves under their pillows, which they held efficacious to produce t [...]ue D [...]eams, &c. But such superstitions I had [...]ather [...]mit, s [...]eing I need not tell them to the lea [...]ned; nor am I willing to teach them to the ignorant, whom I refer to the Text, where they shall see (bor­rowed of the inc [...]mparable Sir Philip Sidney) that

— Wisdom and virtue be,
The only Destinies set for man to follow, &c.

[(23) Larr] Larr is a sandy Kingdom, adjoyning upon Susiana, almost wholly a Dese [...]t, being for 400. miles toge­ther sterile, full of loose sand and danger, having high hills on each side without Grasse, River, or Herbage. It hath for the seat of justice, a City of the same name, seated under the Latitude of 27 degrees and forty minutes North, fourteen dayes jou [...]ney distant from Shiras. This City is ancient, and had about fifty years since 5000 houses in her, of which 3000 were overturned by an Earth quake. 'Tis now famous onely for a strong Castle, and handsome Buzzar; the Castle is built at the No [...]th end, upon an high aspiring Mountaine, well stored with Ordnance brought f [...]om Ormus: the order and Scituation of this Fort and Fabrick, equalizing, if not preceding any other in Persia. Here is a Mosque or Temple, framed in some part with Mosaique work, and round in figure; at the entrance hangs a Mirror or Looking glasse, wherein Mahometans behold their defo [...]mities. This Church lodges the g [...]eat long named, long buried P [...]ophet Emyr-ally-saddey-a­meer, whose sleep (they say) has been 1500 years long in that Sepulcher; they expect his Resurrection shortly to wait upon Mahomet, of whom he prophesied 500 years before his birth.

This Town affords Dates, Orenges, Aqua-vitae, or Arack, &c, but is very ill watered; some Maps place it by a great River, wherein they mistake so exceedingly, that the [...]e is not any River within 100 miles of it: Rain is also a great stran­ger here, not a shower somtimes in five years, when it falls, it brings incredible joy and profit to the people, and sun-burnt Country, though sometimetimes no lesse detriment; for not long since, such a violent storm of Rain unburthened it self near to Techoa, that caused such a suddain deluge and Cata­ract, as a Caravan of 2000 Camels perished by it. The people are black and needy, amongst whom many miserable [Page 234] Jewes inhabit, and have their Synagogues. This City and Province, were under the great Duke of Shiras, of whose re­ducing of it to the Persian Crown, see the 19th Note upon the Fourth Act. Herbert. &c.

[(24) BAIAZETS Cage] see the 10th Note upon the Fourth Act.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE FOURTH ACT.

[(1) BIzantiums walls of fire] The ancient walls of Bizantium, or Constantinople, were said to be of a just even height, every stone so cemented together with brass Couplets, that the whole wall seemed to be but one entire stone. Some affirm the same of the outmost wall of Jerusalem. The Epithet Fiery, I ascribe to Bizantiums wall, it being built of brick and stone intermixed orderly. So was Thebes said to be walled with fire, being walled with flint-stone, in which that fierce element is most predominant.

[(2) Good Gelden] meaning Elchee. See the 8th Note upon the third Act.

[(3) Hircania] See the sixth Note upon the third Act.

[(4) The valiant Amazones] In Cappadocia, about the Ri­ver Thermodon, which runs through Anatolia, into the Euxine Sea, the Amazones were said to inhabit, so called, either quasi [...], because they used to fear, or cut off their right paps, that they might be no impediment to their shooting, or throw­ing of their lavelins; or from [...], sine pane, because they used not bread: or from [...], because they used to live together, or from a Queen of Ephesus, Priestesse to Diana, called Amazona.

They were, according to Pliny, Justin, &c. a people of Scy­thia, that valiant Nation, which at several eruptions, dilated its self over the whole world, (therefore stiled by divers [Page 235] Authors, the Mother of all inundations, Vagina Gentium, & Officina generis humani) famous it was in both Sexes, the men being founders of the Parthian and Bactrian, and the women of the Amazonian Empire, about the year of the world, 2100. the occasion this, in the time of Sesostris King of Egypt, the Scythians b [...]oke into Asia, b [...]inging with them their wives, and houshold Gods; but there happening a quarrell between the rest of the Nobility, and Plinos and Scolpythus the Ge­nerals, those two separated themselves, and their faction f [...]om the [...]est, and s [...]ated between the Rive [...]s [...]anais, and Therm [...]don in Cappadocia, a long t [...]me they combated, and oft defeated the Themiscyrii, who were the inhabitants of that Region, but at last, by a st [...]atag [...]m of th [...]irs▪ lost their Army. Their wives now doubly vexed, (both with [...]xile and wid­dowhood, and the extr [...]mity of g [...]ief,) and fear, producing the usuall effect, despe [...]atenesse, they not only def [...]nded their bo [...]ders against but set upon the Con [...]ue [...]ors (weal [...]ed be­fore by their Husbands) and not onely overcame them, but infinitely inlarged their [...]ominions, under the conduct of Marpesia and Lampedo, their two Queens, late wives to the two forenamed Captaines; then finding the sweetnesse of Rule, they not only resolved to continue Widdows, but made so such as yet were not, by mu [...]dering all the men in the Coun­try, pe [...]mitting none either to stay the [...]ein, or to enter in, but some [...]ew for drudges. They proclaimed themselves Daughters of Mars, and defied the wo [...]ld, of which they conquered a g [...]od part, acco [...]ding to Justin, lib. 2. Their two Queens, Marpesia and L [...]mpedo, made war by turns, they sub­dued the better parts of the continent of Europe, and many Cities in Asia, where they built Ephesus, (though it was per­fected by Andronicus the Sonne of Codrus) and many other Cities.

Part of the Army they sent home with a noble booty, the rest that stayed to defend Asia, was overpowred by concourse of the barbarous Nations, and put to the sword, together with their Queen Marpesia, in whose place succeeded her Daughter Orithya in the Throne, famous no less for her martial a [...]chieve­ments, then her inviolate chastity. At length having by War obtained peace, for successions sake, they used during two months in the spring to accompany with their Neighbours, especially with the Sarmates, saith Pliny, (lib. 6. cap. 7.) who were their subjects, with the Gelae and Leleges, saith Plutarch (in vit. Pomp.) The female issue they trained up [Page 236] to war, searing the left breasts of the noble women, lest they might hinder their wearing of shields; and the right breast of the common women, that they might not impede the [...]r drawing of Bows. The Male issue (say some) they killed, others say they sent them to their Fathers when they were weaned, breaking the leggs and arms of those few whom they reserved for drudgery, that they might be uselesse for war, and fit only for procreation and husbandry. Grown thus fa­mous, it was fit they should be honour'd with the contention of Hercules, which happened thus: The King for whom that stout Hero performed his twelve Labours commanded him, as a thing impossible to fetch him the Armour of the Amazonian Queen; He with Theseus, and the choice youth of Greece, shipt in nine Gallies, and assail'd their Country, at such time as their valiant Queen Orithya was making war abroad, so that he found the lesse trouble in over-coming the other Queen An­tiope: Theseus took Hippolyta Antiopes sister prisoner, married her, and of her begat Hippolitus. Hercules took the other sister Manalippe, and for her Ransom, took the Queens Ar­mour, and returned to the King that sent him. Orithya to re­venge it upon the Greekes, demanded aid of Sagillus, King of the Scythians, who sent her a Noble Army of Horse, led by his Son Panaxagoras, but then the Athenians vanquished. To Orithya succeeded Penthesilea, who got fame before Troy: She being slain, her people continued their feminine Empire till Alexanders time, their Queen Minthia, alias Thalestris, after she had obtained 14 days company with him to have issue by him, dyed, and with her, the name of the Amazones: so Justin. Plutarch in vit. Thes. (agreeing with Seneca) calls the Amazon that Theseus took Antiopa, and alledgeth the authorities of Hellacanus, Menecrates, Pherecydes, and Herodotus for it, that he made that voyage alone, after Hercules's. Dion saith, he brought her away by stealth, not force, invited her to his Ship, then hoisted sayl. Clidemus the Historiographer, agrees with Justin; but which sister soever it was, either Antiope, or Hippolyta, (though Theseus his naming his Son by the Amazon Hippolitus, as most say (though Pindarus saith he called him Demophon) rather inclines me to believe it was Hippolyta) it's certain the Amazones invaded Greece to revenge it; to do which, that they passed over the arm of the sea called Bosphorus Cimmericus, being frozen, as Hellacanus reports, is scarce cre­dible, more like it is that they came by Land; for in Thessaly, (through which they could not passe without fighting) there [Page 237] are seen some of their Tombs, about the City of Scotusa, hard by the Rocks called the Dogs head: that they subdued the Country about Athens, and much of the City too, is evident in that they pitched their Camp in the very City, and fought Theseus in the place (called Pnyce) adjoyning to the Tem­ple of the Muses: This also the Graves of the women that dyed there do testifie. Theseus having sacrificed unto the Goddess Feare (according to the advice of the Prophesie he had received) gave them battel in the month of August, on the same day on which the Athenians do solemnize the feast Boe­dromia. Clidemus writes the circumstances of the fight, which was fierce and hot, in which the Athenians were repulsed se­verall times, and at last it proved little more then a drawn Battel. After four months, peace was made, by the meanes of Hippolyta, (though some say she was slain fighting on Theseus's s [...]de with a Dart, by Molpadia) in memory whereof, the Pillar which is joyned to the Temple of the Olympian ground, was set up in her honour. However it's certain, the war was ended by agreement; for a place adjoyning to the Temple of Theseus bears record of it, being called Orcomosium, because the peace was there by solemn Oath concluded; and the sacrifice also doth truly verifie it, which they made to the Amazons before the feast of Theseus, time out of mind. That of the Poets, that the Amazones made war with Theseus, to re­venge the injury he did to their Queen Antiopa in refusing her, to marry Phaedra, seems but fiction, though indeed after the death of his Amazonian Queen he married Phaedra, whose violent lust was the ruine of his noble Sonne by his Heroine Lady, to wonder expressed by Seneca in his excellent Tragedy, Entituled Hippolitus. What ever was the cause of the War; it was so well managed, as it seemed not the enterprise of a Woman; so Plutarch. Others Epitomizing the story of the Amazones, say, they were a Race of warlike women in Cappa­docia, managing couragious Horses, expert themselves, and instructing their Daughters in military exercises, and became so famous and formidable, that in the end it drew on the courage of Hercules, together with the desire of Hippolita's rich Belt to assail them; and that Hippolita and Manalippe, sisters to the Queen Antiope, challenged Hercules and Theseus to single Combat, and were at last (to their eternall credits) hardly vanquished. Hercules (say they) slew Antiope, and took Hippolyta prisoner. whom he gave to Theseus his companion, as the reward of his merit in that service. In this War he so [Page 239] weakned their forces as they became a prey to their Neigh­bours; who after a while extinguished in those parts both their name and Nation. Penthesilea with the remainder fly­ing her Country, assisted Priamus in the warrs of Troy (for the innate hatred which her nation bore to the Greeks) of which Virgil.

Ducit Amazonidum lunatis agmina peltis
Penthesilea furens: mediis (que) in millibus ardet,
Aurea subnectens exertae cingula mammae
Bellatrix; audet (que) viris concurrere Virgo.
Aeneid. 1.
Penthesilea on the numerous Bands
Rusht with her Crescent-shielded Amazons ▪
A golden Bend swathing her seared Breast.
Bold maid! that durst with armed men conte [...]t

She was there slain by Achilles or by Pyrrhus his son. Pliny reports that she was the first that invented the Battellax [...]. Plutarch saies part of the Amazones did inhabit on the side of the Mountain Caucasus that looketh towards the Hyrcanian Sea. And Plato affirms that there was a Nation of Amazons in his time in Sarmatia Asiatica, at the foot of Caucasus: from whence it should seem their Queen Thalestria came into Hirca­nia unto Alexander, that she might have a Daughter by him, who participating of both their spirits might conquer and de­serve the world. But Strabo doubts by the uncertainty of Au­thors (though in the story of no Nation do Historians punctually ag [...]ee) and the unlikelinesse thereof, that there ever were any such women: And Palephates writes, that the Amazones were a People couragious and hardy, who wore linnen shashes on the [...]r heads, and gowns to their heeles (as now the Turkes do) suffering no hair to grow on their faces; and therefore in contumely were by their Enemies called women. This opinion may be made yet more prob [...]ble by that of Plutarch, in vit. Pomp. viz. that in the battell that Pompey fought with the Albanians by the River Abas. there were cer­tain Amazones, on the barbarous Generall Cosis his side, who came from the Mountains that run along the River Thermo­don; for after the Victory, the Rom [...]ns spoiling the dead, found [Page 238] Targets and Buskins of the Amazons, but not one womans bo­dy. Goropius a late Author conceives them to be the wives and sons of the Sarmatians, who invaded Asia, together with their Husbands, and after planted in Cimbria; which he endea­vours to prove by ce [...]tain Dutch Etymologies: This conceit some will have arise from what others write, viz. that they were called Sauromatides, from their feeding much upon Lizards, in Greek [...]. Francis Lopez and Vlrichus Schimdel find them in the Riv [...]r Orellana in America: called thereof the River of Amazones: and Edward Lopez affirms, that there are of these in Monomotapa in Africa, ninteen degrees South­ward of the line; the strongest guard of that Emperour as the East Indian Portugalls acknowledge. Some of the antients place Amazones in Lybia, among whom were the Gorgons under their Queen Medusa, subdued by Perseus. Cael. l. 6. cap. 12. Silius Ital. l. 2. The Moderns send us to the Islands of Japan; next to the Taupinamboaus to find women that burn their right breasts not to hinder their combating. Possidonius a­grees with Strabo l. 4. Geogra. in making mention of a cer­tain Iland of the Ocean near to the River Loir (which some think to be Noirmoustier near Poictou) where were women that permitted no men amongst them, but went by Troopes to acccompany with the Samnite Gauls, and after conception returned to their Ile. So D' Juigne.

[(5.) Phineus Harpyes] Phineus the son of Agenor, some make King of Phoenicia, some of Thrace, some of Paphlagonia, but most of Arcadia; he having pulled out the eyes of Cram­bus and Orythus his Sons by Cleopatra (otherwise called Har­palyce) his first wife, daughter to Boreas and Orythia, at the instigation of their Step-mother Idaea, the daughter of Darda­nus King of Scythia, was himself st [...]uck blind by the divine Vengeance for his unnaturall cruelty, the ravenous Harpyes being sent to devour his food, and contaminate his Table: but the Argonautes in their Journey to Colchos being curte­ously entertained by Phineus (a Prince of their blood and [...]lliance, he having likewise informed them concerning their voyage, and given them a Pilot,) sent the Boredes, Calais [...]nd Zetes the winged Issue of Boreas (now reconciled for the [...]njury done to his innocent Nephewes) to chase them away; who pursuing them as far as the Strophades (two small Ilands [...]n the Ionian Sea, now called Strivalii) were there com­manded by Iris to doe no further violence to the Doggs of Jupiter, whereupon they desisted, and the Ilands of their re­turn [Page 240] were named Strophades (a [...] Conversio) being before called Plotes. So the Fable, of which Virgil.

—Strophades Graio stant nomine dictae
Insulae Ionio in magno; quas dira Celaeno,
Harpyae (que) colunt aliae: Phineïa postquam
Clausa domus: mensas (que) metu liquere priores.
Tristius haud illis monstrum, nec saevior uila
Pestis, & ira Deûm stygiis sese extulit undis.
Virginei volucrum vultus faedissima ventris
Proluvies, uncae (que) manus, & pallida semper
Ora fame.— Aeneid. l. 3.
—Isles I'th' Ionian Sea, in Greek
Call'd Strophades, did dire Celaeno seek,
And th' other Harpyes when they'd (frighted) flown
Phineus barr'd gates, and Table once well known.
No Monster's worse then they, a fiercer Plague
The wrath of Gods ne'r rous'd from Stygian Lake.
They're Foul with Virgin faces, purging ere
Their Paunches, arm'd with tallons bent to tear,
And still with famine pin'd.—

The Harpyes are feigned to be the daughters of Neptune and Tellus, of old esteemed the Parents of Monsters, some lay them to Neptune alone, the Sea (for the most part) being Father of Prodigies; and not without cause, for according to Thales Milesius, all things are ingendred of Humour, whence it commeth that the Ocean is called Father. Some will have them take their name of Harpalyce Phineus his wife, being sent to revenge the wrongs done to her Sonns; but it seems more probable that they were so called of of [...] Rapio, be­ing the Emblemes of Rapine and wrong. They are said to be Virgins, in that barren; because goods so gotten descend but seldom to posterity. To fly, in that they are swift in extorting; to be covered with plumes, for cloaking their prey; and to have talons of vultures, for griping and fast holding of their ill gotten riches. These qualities are also charactered in their names, Aello, Ocypetes and Celaeno, signifying a taking away that which is anothers, celeritie in the Act, and subtilty in concealing: those three Virgil mentions, Hesiod names but the two first; Homer calls the last Podarge, and saith that of her the wind Zephyrus engendred the Chariot Horses of A­chilles, [Page 241] named Balius and Ximphus. The Harpyes are said to have the faces of women, in that Avarice, of which they are the Hieroglyphicks, allures with a beauteous pretence, but ends in a Serpent; to this allusion some Mythologists, and a­mong them our excellent Sandys, restrain the whole Fable, ma­king Phineus said to have put out his sonnes eyes, in having abandoned wisdom and Liberality; to have lost his sight, and to suffer perpetuall Famine, in that so blinded with Ava­rice, that he could not see into h [...]m [...]elf, nor afford himself the necessaries of life. The Harpyes (called elsewhere his Daugh­ters) are his covetous desires, not suffering him to eat of the meat that was set before him, himselfe polluting it with his sordid disposition, being infected with Solomons evill, to have riches, and not a heart to use them; therefore tormented with furies, those being said (as Servius observes) to be afflicted with Furies, who covetously abstained from the use of their own, excellently expressed by Virgil in the punish­ment of Tantalus Aen. l. 8. Calais and Zetes import a calling of himself to account, and a diligent inquiry into his own condition, by a speedy Reformation, expelling those ravenous Harpyes, though forbidden utterly to destroy them, in that they are the Dogs of Iupiter, the Ministers of his wrath upon the covetous, who are ever their own Tormentors. Neither is this Fable of the Harpyes unnaturally wrested to Flatte­rers, Delators, prodigall Sycophants and greedy Officers, who devour the Treasure, and pollute the fame of Princes, abused in their trust, and blinded in their understandings: Calais and Zetes are no other then timely advice and swift execution (they are therefore winged) in freeing Courts of such Monsters. Natales Comes makes a somwhat different My­thologie, understanding by the Harpyes, the winds, l. 7. My­thol. Du Bartas (in his third day) called the petty fogging Lawyers Harpyes; it being a common Metaphor to expresse any by, that are rapacious, injurious, or blood-suckers of poor people. The misery Phineus sustain'd by them, and his happy deliverance from them, are wittily described by Ronsard in his Hymn of Calais and Zethes.

[(6) M [...]y all the Scorpions of Cushan sting thee.] Cashan (or for the better sound, Cushan) is a famous City in Parthia; some six miles distant from Spawhawn the Metropolis. The people are orderly, and more given to trade then in the [...]eighbour Cities. Silkes, Sattens, and cloath of Gold are her [Page 242] ordinary Commodities, plentifull, and at a reasonable [...]. She is well seated, well peopled, and well built. Here is a Carravansraw or common Inne, which exceeds all in Persia, and is fit to entertain the greatest Prince in Asia, yet built by King Abbas onely for Travellers to lodge in, upon f [...]ee cost. 'Tis two large stories high, the material Brick, varnished and coloured with knots and Arabian Letters, Po [...]es of Azure, red, and white. From the Basis 'tis built six foot high of good stone. The Fabrick is Quadrangular, and each proportiona­ble Angle 200. paces. In the middle is a fair large Court, whereof in the midst is a foursquare Tanck, or Pond of pu [...]e Water, about it are spacious and fragrant Gardens. This civi­lity of the King to strangers is second [...]d (as they say there) even by the stinging Scorpions and Serpents that infest this City and the neighbour Country in great abundance, whose Love and understanding the inhabitants report to be such to Travellers, as that they never hurt them. Th [...]se Scorpions so numerous here, as it is a frequent curse throughout all the Persian Empire, May a Scorpion of Cushan sting thee. Herbert.

[(7) My Vncle and my Grandsire] meaning Emir-hamze-Mirza and Mahomet Cadoband. See the fi [...]st and second not [...]s upon the first Act.

[(8.) Paradise] The Paradise which Mahomet p [...]omises to his sect exceeds the vanity of a Dream, and all old wives Fables; though it is to be more then conj [...]ctured that he took his Pattern from the P [...]ets Elyzium, but hath so far misto [...] his copy, as of an ingenious Fancy, to present an absurd ex­travagancy. Thus Tibullus describes Elyzium.

Sed me, qui facilis tenero sum s [...]mper amori,
Ipsa Venus c [...]mp [...]s ducet in Elysios.
Hic choreae, cantus (que) vigent, passim (que) vagantes,
Dulce s [...]nant tenui gutture carmen aves.
Fert cassiam n [...]n culta seges, totos (que) per agros,
Floret odoratis terra [...]enigna rosis.
Ac juvenum ser [...]es teneris immista puellis
I [...]it, & assiduè praelia miscet amor.
Il [...] est quicun (que) rapax mors venit amanti,
Et gerit insigni myrtea serta coma.
Fleg l. 1. Eleg 3.
[Page 243]
But me, whose heart to soft Love easily yields,
Venus shall lead to the Elyzians fields.
Here Song and dance abound: Their slender throats
The tripping Birds still strain for pleasing notes.
The wildest shrub doth odorous Casia yeeld,
And Roses each where paint the beautious field.
Youths mixt with tender Virgins there disport,
And still encounter in an amorous sort.
What Lover e're untimely dies is there,
A Myrtle wreath crowning his glorious hair.

And thus Virgil, speaking of Aeneas his going thither to visit his Father Anchises:

Devenere locos laetos, & amaena vireta,
Fortunatorum nemorum, sedes (que) beatas.
Largior hic campos aether, & lumine vestit
Purpureo: Solem (que) suum, sua sidera norunt.
Pars in gramineis exercent membra palaestris;
Contendunt ludo: & fulva luctantur arena.
Pars pedibus plaudunt choreas, & carmina dicunt.
Nec non Threicius longa cum veste sacerdos,
Obloquitur numeris septem discrimina vocum.
Jam (que) eadem digitis, jam pectine pulsat eburno.
Hic genus antiquum Teucri, pulcherrima proles;
Magnanimi heroës, nati melioribus annis.
Ilusque, Assaracus (que), & Troiae Dardanus author.
Arma procul, currus (que) virum miratur inanes.
Stant terrae defixae hastae: passim (que) soluti
Per campos pascuntur equi, quae gratia currum,
Armorum (que) fuit vivis, quae cura nitentes
Pascere equos eadem sequitur tellure repostos:
Conspicit ecce alios dextra, laeva (que) per herbam
Vescentes, laetum (que) choro paeana canentes,
Inter odoratum lauri nemus; unde supernè
Plurimus Eridami per sylvam volvitur amnis;
Hîc manus ob patriam pugnando vulnera passi:
Qui (que) sacerdotes casti, dum vita manebat,
Qui (que) pij vates, & Phaebo digna locuti:
Inventas aut qui vitam excoluere per artes;
Qui (que) sui memores alios fecerè merendo:
Omnibus his nivea cinguntur tempora vitta:
AEN. l. 6.

[Page 244]
Fair Greens they reacht, places of joyfull rest,
Sweet Groves, and happy Mansions of the blest,
Here larger air with purple rayes the fields
Of their own Sun and stars possessed, guilds.
In flowry meads some strive with foot and hand,
Some try their strength upon the golden Sand.
Some dance, and chear their measure with a song.
The Thracian [...]oet, in [...]obes grave and long,
Renowns on seven sweet strings his sacred skill,
Now stopps his hand, now strikes his Ivory quill.
Teucers old stock, a noble race, here stood,
Magnanimous Hero's, born when times were good.
Ilus, Asaracus, and who Troy did found.
Their empty Chariots he admires: ith' ground
Their spears stuck fast, their bruised Arms laid by
And charging Horses grazing carelessely.
Look what delight steeds Arms o [...] Chariots were
To them alive, they still the same were here.
Others he saw on either side advance
Themselves, and sing glad Paeans in a dance,
Shaded with odorous Lawrel Groves, whose sides
Silver Eridanus wash with frequent tides.
Here triumph those did for their Country die,
And Priests that kept their vow of Chastitie.
Poets that sung layes worthy of their God,
Such as invented Arts for humane good,
And those whose merits have their names renownd,
All their blest heads with snowie Garlands bound.

Again, in the person of Musaeus,

Nulli certa domus: Lucis habitamus opacis,
Riparum (que) toros, & prata recentia rivis
Incolimus. — ibid.

No certain seats have we: curld shadie woods
Cool Banks, and meads stil fresh with Chrystal floods
We do enjoy.—

[Page 245] Mahomets Paradise, according to the Alchoran, lib. 1. cap. 2. is as big as Heaven and Earth, which is all the world: but where is it then? or else we must say, that God hath created another world besides this; but it were end lesse as bootlesse, to question Mahomet for absurdities. The Alchoran in another place, saith, that God created seven Paradises, or seven Man­sions, each of which is called a Paradise: these are all wrought with Gold and Silver, Pearls and precious stones, and have divers Palaces Halls, Chambers, and Gardens, stored with fruit Trees, two of each sort; under which Palaces runne Fountains and Rivers of water, milk, hony, & most sweet wine. In the midst of Paradise (as the Alcoran affirms, and the Sunè describes) is a Tree called Tuba, as big as all Paradise, whereof some leaves are of Gold, others of Silver, and the branches thereof cover the walls of Paradise. The Sunè sayes, that in every l [...]af of it, the name of Mahomet is written, joyntly with the name of God, running thus, Le ilche ille allah Mahumed razolloa, (i. e.) There is no other God but the Lord, and Mahomet is his Messenger. The Al­choran (l. 3. c. 19. in the Chapters of Sacrifices, of Mount Sinai, of the Glorious, of the Falls, and of Man, l. 4.) describes how these Paradises are furnished, and adorned with Ta­pestries and B [...]ds, with Curtains and Vallens of Cloath of Gold, of Purple, of silk, not forgetting the Quilts, Chairs of Gold, and precious stones, &c. Together, after what manner the Moores shall sit and lie on these Beds and Couches, ever jocund and merry, not knowing Care or Grief. The said Chapters describe a Fountain in Paradise, called Celzebile; and another called Zengebila, the waters whereof are whiter then snow, and sweeter then honey; but more especially, there is the rare fountain called Alcauzar, (by a singular Chapter Al. l. 4.) reserved for Mahomet alone, though a strange ingrossement; for he saith it is 70000 days journeys in length and breadth (70000 is a frequent number with him) and the water hereof purer and sweeter then of the rest. In this Fount are many Bowls, Glasses, and drinking Vessels, as the [...]e a [...]e stars in the firmament. The said Chapters men­tion and describe the Pages which are alwaies in Paradise, called in Arabick, Guildemin Mohalledun, (i. e.) eternal Pages, not of the race of men; they are as beautiful as precious stones set in Gold, and are cloathed in silk, green, purple, and Zun­duz. (i. e.) Tissue upon Tissue. These wait continually with [Page 246] full Cups, Flaggons and Beakers of Gold and Silver. The said Chapters treat of the chast Virgins which God hath created for Paradise, called Horhim, and in the singular num­ber Hora; they are reclused, well watched, and guarded in their Palaces; their Garments are wonderfull, and their beauty is as the light: Nay, Mahomet in the Sunè saith, that if any one of these Virgins should appear at Midnight, she would enlighten all the world like noon-day: and if she should spit in the Sea, all the water in the Sea would become as sweet as hony.

Furthermore, the said Chapters mention their Carkanets, Rings, Jewels, Coronets, and Trinkets of all sorts, which are prepared in Paradise for them, and that these Virgins are not of humane race, but are continually created for the Musselmen, they dayly have their lost Vi [...]ginities restored, continue ever young, (there, as here at 15. and the men as at 30.) and are ever free from natural pollutions. The Sunè mentions a feast, which God will make to men and wom [...]n in Paradise, which it calls Hadrate Alcoduz, God makes this feast in the Paradise, called Genetu Alcoduz, (i. e. The Para­dise of the Holy, and is the sixth in order among the seven hin­ [...]ed at before. Mahomet sayes also, that after a time, he will by virtue of his generall Redemption release the Moores who have deserved Hell fire; they shal come out of Hell black & burnt, and he will bring them to his fountain Alcauzar, wherein they shall wash and become white as snow; being so purified, he will lead them to the other Moores that never deserved Hell. After this he saith, that God shall command the Angel Gabriel to take the keyes of the Paradise of the Holy, for to make his feast there, which keyes are kept by another Angel, of whom when Gabriel demands them, the said Angel shall put his hand to his mouth, and shall draw forth thence 70000 keyes, each of which is 70000 leagues in length: and when the Angel Gabriel shall assay to take up the keyes, he shall not be able to lift them, because of their great weight, hereupon he shall return to God, and say, Lord, I cannot lift the keyes from the ground because of their great weight, and God shall say unto him, go again, and call upon my holy name, and the name of my friend Mahomet, and then take the keyes and bring them hither: then shall Gabriel call upon those names, and take up the keyes and bring them unto God, with which keyes he shall open the said Paradise of Alcoduz, where they [Page 247] shall find a Table made ready, of a Diamond 7000000 dayes journeys in length and breadth, with seats of Gold and Silver about it, and on it spread Napkins and Table-cloaths richly wrought and woven. Then shall God command all the Moores to sit down at the Table, and the foresaid Pages shall attend them with their golden Bowls, and set before them most delicious Cates and Fruits of all sorts, and skenk unto them the Wine and Water of Paradise. They having eaten and drunk, the Pages shall come with rich apparel for every Moore, wherewith they shall deck themselves, and put their Jewels and Bracelets on their Arms, Legs, and Hands, and Rings into their ears; then the immortall Pages shall enter again, every one with a dish in his hand, and in the dish a Citron, and shall present to every Male of the Moores; as soon as they shall smell every one to his Cit [...]on, one of the aforesaid Virgins shall issue out of it most gallantly attired, and pe [...]fumed as the sp [...]ing, and beautifull as the morning; she shall imbrace her Moore, and he her, and so shall they continue in that sweet Act, embracing each other the space of fifty years together, without rising or separating from each others body, all the while [...]ioting in the sweets of youth and beauty. After they shall have thus taken their pleasure (saith Mahomet) God shall say, O my servants, now ye have eaten and drank, and are cloathed, and adorned with [...]ewels, and have taken your pleasure in my Paradise and glory, I will now shew you my glorious face; he sayes, that God shall remove the vails which he hath on his face, and shall shew his glorious visage to all the Moores, and they shall all fall to the ground, through the brightnesse which shall proceed from the face of God, and then God shall say, O my servants, arise, and rejoyce in my glory, without fear of ever dying, much lesse of being sad or discontented to eternity; Then (sayes he) they shall lift up their heads, and behold God face to face, in which vision they shall take unspeakable solace. Then shall they all go from this to the other Paradises, to wit, every one accompanied with his Virgin, shall go into his own Palace or Mansion, there eternally eating, drinking, and taking his pleasure, joyful, and void of fear, of death, or hurt.

Lastly, Mahomet promises, that he himself, at his own cost and charges, will make another feast to all Musselmen, at his sweet fountain Alcauzar, with his own hand, giving to every one of them to drink of the water thereof, whereof who so [Page 248] drinks (he saith) shall never thirst; the greatest truth a­mong so many Gulleries, wherein Andreas Maurus makes him­self sport with these two defects. The first is, that whereas Mahomet holds forth so magnificent Palaces, and is so careful of contriving and furnishing of them with all sorts of conve­niences, he makes no mention of Easements; especially ha­ving spoken of so much eating and drinking, and of such laxative things too as Hony and sweet Wine. The second defect is, that he that loved Women so well▪ doth not make thei [...] gl [...]ry & pleasure equal to the mens; he gives the men fine easie Wenches, and why should not the women in like man­ner, have their eternal servants? They must needs take it discourteously; nay instead of Glory and Pleasure, he gives them anger and sorrow, which they must necessarily feel when they see their Husbands which they had in this world, embracing other women fifty years together, and they left comfortlesse like Widows. Such is the absurd glory of Ma­homets delusive Paradise; yet with these fooleries is half the world bewitched, the impostor cunningly debelling and forbidding all learning, lest the light thereof should discover the grosseness of his absurditi [...]s, as it surely doth in those few that can attain it, under so strict a restraint: as Avicen that great Philosopher and Physitian, who flourished about 500 years since, when Mahometisme had not yet utterly ex­tinguished all good literature, who was by linage an Arabian of a Royal house, in Religion a Mahometan, but by Country and Habitation a Spaniard, and Prince (as some write) of Corduba, he (fo [...]ced by the strength of his Reason) in his Books De Anima, & De Almahad, strives to vindicate the most intelligent of his Sect, from the literal belief of this Elyzium, and excuses his Prophet for proposing it so fraught with sen­sual delights, as meerly allegorical, and necessarily fitted to [...]ude and vulgar Capacities; for (saith he) if the points of Religion were taught in their true form to the ignorant dull Jews, or to the wild Arabians, employed together about their Camels, they would utterly fall off from all belief in God. But its like he here makes his Prophet (as some Com­mentators do their Authors) speak more then he ever meant, being ashamed of him in grosse, as appears Tract. 9. cap. 7. & se [...]. where laying down for a while his outward person of a Mahometan, and putting the habit of a Philosopher; in his Metaphysicks seemeth to make a flat opposition between the truth of their faith received from their Prophet, and the [Page 249] truth of understanding by demonstrative Argument. But how­ever Avicen and the Learned may see into the folly of their Doctrine (to which they are yet held by Interest, and that strong charm, Reason of state) the vulgar and illiterate look no further then the Letter, swallowing all with an implicit faith, so strong in them, as that the poor Azapi or foot soldi­ers being covetous of these delights in Paradise (promised (by an high policie) most eminently to such as die for their Country) make nothing to p [...]ecipitate themselves into the most horrid gulphes of eminent danger, nay, even to fill up ditches with their bodies for the Janizaries to march over, and mount the walls of assaulted fortresses. See the Alcoran, Johannes Andreas Maurus his confutation thereof. Sandys. Herbert. &c.

[(9) Cowes eyes] Mahomet promises that the Virgins in his imaginary Paradise shall have great Cow eyes (as big as eggs) which they have in principall repute; affected both by the Persians, Turks and Grecians, as it should seem from the beginning. Homer attributes it, as an especiall excellency unto Juno;

[...]
[...].

‘Then Iuno with the Cowes fair eyes replied.’

So Master Sandys, (the exactest of all Translators) and Mr. Chapman render it, and the Latin Heroic Translation [...]eads, Juno oculis veneranda bovinis: though in the vulgar version it is but magnis oculis praedita Iuno. We meet with the same verse again in Homer, Il. 4. as if the best of Poets knew not a more honourable attribute then this to ascribe to the Queen of Gods; the Cow of all beasts having the fairest eye, fullest of spirits, and of their true colour too, black, which hue they ever preferr'd in womens eyes and hair. Anaceron bids the Pain [...]er draw his Mistresse so, Ode 38. & 39. with hair black and shining; dark arched, eye browes, circular and almost meeting; and Eyes black and sprightly. And Ovid Loves chief Priest, his judgement is

Est etiam in fusco grata colore Venus.
Amor. l. 2. Eleg. 4.

‘ [Page 250]The Nut-brown beauties ever taking were.’ And again, ‘Leda fuit nigra conspicienda coma. ibid.’ ‘ Leda was lovely shaddow'd with black hair.’

The Turkish and Persian Ladies dresse themselves still as after these patterns: they put between the eye-lids and the Eye a certain black Powder with a fine long pensil, made of a minerall brought from the Kingdom of Fez, and called Alcohole; which by the not disgracefully staining of the lids, doth better set forth the whitenesse of the eye: and though it troubles for a time, yet it comforteth the sight, and repelleth ill humours: Into the same hue (but likely they naturally are so) do they die their eyebreis and eyebrowes: (the latter by Art made high, half circular, and to meet, if naturallly they do not) so do they the hair of their heads as a foyl that maketh the white seem whiter, and more becoming their other perfections. So Mr. Sandys, Tra. l. 1.

[(10) An Iron Cage &c.] Bajazet fourth King of the Turkes (having possessed himself of the greatest pa [...]t of Thrace, subdued much of Greece, with the Country of Phocis; and twice, though in vain, besieged Constantinople) An. Dom. 1397. (having an Army of 500000. men) encountred with Tamberlan [...] (whose force consisted of 800000. Tartarians, or, as some write, more, viz. 400000. horse, and 600000. foot) near unto Mount Stella in Bythinia, a place destined for Conquest to strangers, Pompey having there vanquished Mi­thridates: Bajazet (with the losse of 200000. of his People) was overthrown, and being brought before Tamberlane, was by him asked, what he would have done with him if it had been his fortune to have faln into his hands? He answered, he would have inclosed him in a Cage of Iron, and so in Triumph have carried him up and down his Kingdom: Tam­berlane commanded the same to be done to him; professing that he used not that rigour against him as a Prince, but ra­ther to punish him as a proud ambitious Tyrant, polluted with the blood of his own Brother Jacup. Bajazet (late one of the greatest of Princes, now the scorn of Fortune, and a by-word to the world, shackled in fetter and chains of gold, [Page 251] and as some dangerous wild beast) coop'd up in an Iron Cage, made open like a grate, that he might be seen on eve­ry side, and so carried up and down through Asia, to be of his own Subjects scorned and derided; and, to his further dis­grace, being upon festivall daies used by his g [...]eatest [...]n [...]my as a footstool to tread upon when he mounted his Horse; and at other times scornfully fed, like a dog, with c [...]u [...]s fallen from his Table;) having for two years, with g [...]eat impati­ence, linge [...]d out this most miserable th [...]aldom, finding no better means to end his loathed life, he did violently beat out his b [...]ains against the barrs of the Grate wherein he was inclosed. An. 1399. Yet of his death are divers other reports; some say that he dyed of an ague, proceeding of sorrow and grief: others, that he poisoned h [...]mself: The Turks affirm, that he was set at Liberty by Tamberlane, being by him beforehand poysoned, whereof he dyed three daies after his inla [...]gement; but the fi [...]st is the most generally received opinion concer [...] ­ing his death. His dead body, at the request of his Son Ma­homet, was by Tamberlane sent to Asprapolis, from whence it was afterwards conveyed to Prusa, and there lieth buried in a Chappell near unto the great Mahometan T [...]mple, without the City, Eastward, by his beloved wife Despina, and his el­dest Son Erthogrul; and ha [...]d by in a little Chappell lieth his crime, his brother Jacup, whom he in the beginning of his reign murdered. Turc. Hist. &c.

[(11) My treachery to the English it alledges; That helpt me to take O [...]mus &c.]

Ormus is an Ile within the Gulfe of Persia, about twelve miles from the Continent, in old time; known by the name of Geru, before that Ogiris, some say from the famous Theban of that name. Its circuit is but small, about fifteen miles; nei­ther doth it procreate any thing note-worthy, salt excepted, of which the Rocks are participant, and the silver shining sands promise sulphur; but however bar [...]en, its much famed for a safe ha [...]bour, and for that it standeth conveni­ently for the traffick of India, Persia, and Arabia; so that the customes onely afford the King thereof (who is a Mahome­t [...]n) no lesse then 140000 Xeraffes yearly (a Xeraffis is as much as a French Crown, or 6. s. sterling.) Some will have appertaining to the Crown of it, a part of Arabia foelix, and all that part of Persia that is environed with the Rivers of Tabo, Tissindo, and Druto, together with the Iland of Bolsaria, not far fom it, and divers other Iles in the Gulf. An. 1506. [Page 252] it became tributary to the Portugals (still permitting the King, but as their Liege-man) who first fortified it, and built a City of the name of the Iland, about the bignesse of Exeter, with some Monasteries and a fair Market-place, though now little; but the Castle retains that former beauty which gave occasion to that universall saying of the Arabians.

Si terrarum orbis, quaqua patet annulus esset,
Illius Ormusium gemma decus (que) foret.
If quaint Art could into a Ring compile
The world, the Diamond should be Ormus Ile.

Abbas King of Persia finding himself bearded by the Portu­gall commanded Emangoly Duke of Shiras to assault the Ile, who with 15000. men wan it, sackt and depopulated the City, but not without the help of some English Merchants ships, commanded by the Captains serving the East India company, Captain Weddal, Blyth, and Woodcock. Their Articles with the Persian Duke were, to have the lives of the Christans therein at their dispose, some Cannons, and half the spoil: and accordingly when the City was enter'd, after a brave and tedious resistance (forced to yield by Plague, Fluxes, and Famine) every house of quality, Magazen, and Monastery was sealed up with the signers of the Duke and Merchants; By which good o [...]der the Company might have been enrich [...]d with 2000000. l. sterling) though but their share) had it not been prevented by a base Saylers covetous­nesse, who, regardlesse of the danger of his life, or the Christi­ans credit, stole into a sealed Monastery, committed sacri­ledge upon the Silver Lampes, Chalices, Church-stuffe, Cru­cifixes, &c. and came forth laden with so big a pack as dis­covered his theft, wh [...]ch, being led to the Duke, he confess'd, and was right handsomly corrected; but the greatest redoun­ded hereby to the English; for hereby the Persians took ad­vantage to repine before the Duke, that they sat idle whilst the English purloined away their hopes; The Duke (glad of the occasion) bad them be their own carvers, which they soon were so liberally, as they left nothing for the second commer, the confident. English all this while carrousing a­board their ships, and bragging of their Victories and hopes; Onely Captain Woodcock had good luck and bad, lighting upon a Frigot laden with Treasure, which he made his owne [Page 253] prize, worth 1000000. of Rials, but soon after, hard by the Swally Road without the Barr, he lost the Whale, his own ship (swallowed by the sands) and then his life by sorrow. The poor City is now disrobed of all her bravery, the Persi­ans each moneth conveighing her ribbs of wood and stone to aggrandize Gombroon, not three leagues distant, out of whose ruines she begins to triumph. Ormus has no fresh water, but what the clouds weep over her in compassion of her desolation, that is preserved in urnes, or earthen Jarrs for drink, and to cool sleeping places. The priviledges which the English enjoy for their service at Ormus are, they have a Staple at the new Port Town Gombroon or Bander, (as the Natives call it) their houses, and the Dutch Merchants be­ing apparent from the rest, by their Ensignes flying a top their Tarrasses. In Ianuary here yearly arrive English and Dutch ships from India, and here the English are not onely Custome free themselves, but their Agents receive Custom of all strangers, in recompence of their service at Ormus. D't Juigne, Heylen. Herbert.

[12) The Costermonger ALLY-BEG] The birth-place of this great Persian Favourite Mahomet Ally-beg, was Parthia, (called so from Parah, to fructifie) and near Spawhawn; his parentage so worshipfull, that he knew no farther then his Father, a man both mean and poor, Mahomet had no stomach for the warrs, and having a large bulk to maintain, and no Camelion, his education being simple, he became Coster­monger, and by that made an hard shift for a poor living; till in a happy hour the King (then in the Hippodrom in Spaw­hawn) in a good humour, took notice of him, viewed him, lik't him, and preferr'd him, so as in a short time he became sole Favourite, and was feared, and for that honoured every where among the Persians; for so shall it still be done to him whom King honours: Nor was their Prince, Duke, Sultan, or other, but in an awfull complement sent him yearly some wealthy present to cherish his favour, to the great increase of his possessions, though in their hearts they despised him, and undervalued the King for preferring him; as ever in such cases it happened unto Princes, but most eminently unto Lewis the 11. the French King, who advanced Cottier from a mender of stockings to be Lord Chancellor of France. Herbert. Peacham. &c.

[(13) The Caspian Sea] This Sea is so called from the Caspii a people of Scythia, whose Southern Coast it washes, [Page 254] its also called the Hircanian Sea, of bounding Hircania, and Maridi Baccu, of the City Baccu; Therbestan and Mari di Sala, and many other names it takes of the places it washes. It hath on the North Media; on the West and South the Turks Empire, and the Mascovites; on the East Persia; the Moors and Arabians therefore call it Bohar Corsum, i. e. the inclosed Sea. It is absolutely the biggest of all them which have no commerce wi [...]h the Ocean, being near 3000. miles in com­passe, from North to South 700. from East to West 600: the form ovall. Some say it hath a subterranean Commerce with the Euxine Sea, as the flood Zioberis was by Alexander found to have with Rhodago: At this Caspian Sea Plutarch makes Alexander astonished, deeming it not lesse then the Sea of Pontus, though much calmer (it alwaies keeping at one height without Ebbe or reflux) yet could he not imagine whence it had it sourse, but thought it some eruptive Torrent from the lake of Meotis. Over this Sea did Prince MIRZA oft make navall expeditions, into his Enemies Countries, ever returning with wealthy booties, and not seldom leaving Garrisons behind him: D' Juigne. Heylen. Herbert. &c.

[14) Driven the Mogul into his Candahor] Candahor and much of Arachosia, now Cabull (once Alexandria, (for distin­ons sake, Arachosiae) belong [...]d to the Mogul, till MIRZA first distressed him in them, then drave him out, Herbert. &c.

[(15) Made Balsora, &c.] See the 19. Note upon the Third Act.

[(16) And bounded th' Tartar with the Hircanian Ocean] By regaining what ever he had gotten upon the continent of Persia, even to the Hircanian Sea, which is the same with the Caspian Sea, of which before.

[(17 I I that check't Cycala's insulting Progresse, &c.] Cy­cala Bassa was a renegado Christian, son of a Christian Gentleman of Messina in Sicily, and his wife Lucrece, both per­fect enemies to Mahumetism. In the Christian quarrell the Fa­ther sacrificed his life, but the son through an unhappy am­bition became Turk, and was circumcised by the perswasion of Ozman Baffa, Great Generall against the Persian for Amu­rath the third; Cycala's aim was to succeed his Patron Ozman in that charge; however al Amuraths reign hee never was put up­on any valuable employment. Mahomet the third put him in the head of a Regiment at Karesta in Bulgaria, after the famous siege of Buda in Hungary. After this he insinuates far [Page 255] into the favour of Achmat son and successor to Mahomet, pre­sumptuously promising to ruine, and utterly swallow up the Persian; being constituted Generall, he made many unfortu­nate attempts against King ABBAS and his Son; but I over­passe as many of his defeats by them given, to come to that most memorable in or about the year 1604. when he like a violent Torrent with 80000 men, resolved to overwhelm Persia, first powred himself upon the Georgians, (a Christian People, so called (say some) of their Patron and first Conver­ter Saint George, Bishop of Cappadocia and Patron of England; others will have their Province (which is a part of the grea­ter Armenia) named Georgia from the Georgi its antient in­habitants; The people (say they) received the Gospell in the time of Constantine the great; consenting in most Doctrinall Points with the Grecians, but not acknowledging the Patri­arch of Constantinople, having a Patriarch of their own, who is for the most part resident in his Monastery on Mount Sinai in Palestine, and hath under his jurisdiction 18. Bishops. Their Religion was since much reformed by Lodovic Gangier of the society of Jesus, and some othe [...]s, who in charity departed from Pera near Constantinople, crost the black Sea, and landed in Mengrellia, with intent to rectifie what was erroneous in their Religion; and were to that end curteously entertained by Th [...]ebis Prine of Georgia; for though the Province be under the Persian, it enjoyes its Prince of the antient race, and he his Nobility, but tributary to King Abbas.) Cycala found a stout opposition from the Georgians alone, to whose aid our MIRZA the admired Prince of Persia, by his Fathers com­mand joyned himself with 12000 Horse, and prosecuted Cyca­la as in the Text. First chased him to the utmost confines of Armenia, and there in a bloody battel slew 30000 of his Turks, with the losse of 9000 Persians and Georgians; and though Cyca­la himself hardly escaped by flight, the Persian recompenced missing of him with the mas [...]acres of the Turkish Garrisons, regaining all that in the sad year 1537 King Tamas of Persia lost to Solyman the Magnificent 4th Emperour of the Turkes; Cycala to redeem his honour if possible (after his Apolo­gie to the grand Signior) the very next year invades the Per­sian again; but the Prince, hearing that the Bassa of Caramania had expresse Command to joyn with him, to prevent their conjunction, fell upon Cycala first, with 30000. men. His suddain charge and unexpected comming, routed the whole body of the Turks, of whom he slew 15000, and took [Page 256] all their great Ordnance and Baggage. Cycala himself with but 300 Souldiers, with much ado escaped to Adena, to which City the brave Persian pursued him, and sat down before it. This news distressed Sultan Achmat beyond measure, who vowed to Cycala his reward, but first sent command to the Bassa of Trebezond, with all speed to succour him: The Bassa resol­ved to try all wayes of recovery, with a vast but hastily ga­thered Army, put himself upon his march towards the City. Cycala having got notice of his approach, the better to direct him, caused himself with 10 of his Souldiers, whom he best trusted, secretly by night to be let down over the wall of the City; having given order to the Governour, that as soon as he perceived the battel to be joyned, he should salley out upon the rear of the Persians, so by holding them in a doubtful bat­tel to further the Victory; all which the valiant Persian doubting, he divided his Army, and leaving one body to maintain the siege, led the other against the Succours, where­in he used so incredible expedition, as falling upon them be­fore they could rank their battel; he made of the Turks (now confusedly and without all order, fighting more for the safe­guard of their lives, then for any hope they had of victory) such an exceeding great slaughter, that few of them escaped his sword. Cycala himself, with only 2 or 3 more, made hard shift by getting into a little Boat, to change the danger of the Land, for that of the Water. The Persian returned to the Town, which (after many a sharp assault) he had cast in to augment his honour. Others write, that this was not a surprise, but a well fought Battel for 7 hours together, victory doubt­fully hovering between either Champion, till (by an ambush of the Georgians) towards night she rested upon MIRZA's head. However, all agree, that the Turks that survived this day, bound themselves by oath, never to follow more so un­fortunate a Leader as Cycala, and upon the rehearsal of his overthrow, the great Turk was so transported with rage, as he gave Cycalas Treasure to be rifled by the Janizaries & Spaheis, and to extirpate his memory, bad them pull down his Palaces; though, to have been just, he should have punished his For­tune, for upon her lay the blame of his defeat, and not upon the mans ill conduct or cowardize. Turk. Hist. Herbert, &c.

[(18) I that gave Ormus Scepter to his hand, and brought her captive King, &c. The description of the Isle of Ormus, with the taking thereof by Emangoly, you have in the 11th Note upon this Act. It rests only to tell that he brought thence [Page 257] captive, the King thereof (then Tributary to the Portugize) and the two Princes his Sons, to all whom King Abbas allowed only 5 Marks sterling by the day for their maintenance. Herb.

[(19) I that subdu'd Larrs Sandy Kingdom for him, mauger her wall of Rock, am now accus'd, &c.] As to the description of the Kingdom of Larr, enough hath been said in the 23. Note upon the 3 d Act. It remains only, to say that she was confined by a huge wall, cut by incredible labour out of the solid Rock, as a secure defence against the invading Persian, notwithstanding Abbas (to whose fortune all things were possible) commanded Emangoly to subdue it, which he did, after all the sufferings and toyls imaginable in so difficult an enterprize. He ruined one Castle, and built another, slew many of the Citizens; Ransackt the Town, and sent home to Shiras, as much Treasure as bur­thened 700 Camels. As for the poor King thereof, though his life was granted him, when he was forging of others matters, an unexpected Scimiter (to end his stratagems) took off his head, and by the extirpation of his progeny, established the so­veraignty unto the conquering Abbas. Herbet.

[(20) — I that won the Realm of Larry Joon, &c.] See the 6 Note upon the first Act.

[(21) What signified his wrong to the poor Christians?] About the ye [...]r 1609. Some envious person, in spight to the Armenian and Georgian Christians, feigned Letters as from their Patriarch to the Pope (knowing well the hatred that King Abbas bore to the Sea of Rome,) that they were willing to become obedient to the Church of Rome, and to acknowledge him head of the Ca­tholick Church: entreating him to write to the King of Persia in their behalf, that they might freely enjoy their Conscienc [...]s under him: These Letters their Authors intercepted, and pre­sented to King Abbas, who (saying, that if they would be obe­dient to the Pope, he could expect no further service or obedi­ence from them,) grew thereat so inraged, that no lesse then the lives of 1000 (some say 1200) of those innocent Christia [...]s could slack his fury, threatning to take further revenge if [...]e could prove the Letters a [...]thentick, as some still affirm they were, but most believe them suppositions. Turk. Hist. Herb. &c.

[(22) His murdering of his Embassadour to the Turk. &c.— About the year 1612. after many conflicts between the Turke and Persian, they were both so prest by neighbour Countries, as they propounded Articles for peace; to w ch end King Abbas sends his Embassadour to Constantinople, who returning but with mean conditions, his Master denyed the Turks Agent to confirm them, and in a rage struck off the head of his ill-advised Embassadou [...] for consent in to them. Herb.

[Page 258][(23) His treachery to the Magicians, &c.] Betwixt Chilmanor and Mogown in Persia, is a high inaccessible Mountain, on whose top stood a Castle, so fortified by nature and industry, as it was held impregnable; a Rebellious Sultan weary of slavery, man'd it against his Prince, the victorious Abbas, who in person came to reduce him, but after six months fruitlesly spent, could per­ceive no sign of Victory, whereat inraged, he proposed a con­siderable Reward to him that could by any means enter it; an old covetous Magician undertakes it, and wrought so by his Spels, that the Sultan came down, forced by the Devil, who as­sured his pardon; but for all that, the block rewarded him for his Rebellion; and the old wizard (ignorant of his end) demanded his Reward, which the King grudgingly gave him; but then (with a forfeit of his estate) put him to death for conjuring; a quality he allowed of to compass his ends by, but condemned to recover his beloved Gold again. Herbert.

[(24) His murder of the sleeping Traveller, &c.] A peasant having travelled from India into Hircania, affecting the coolness of the grasse, fell there asleep, but by ill fortune near the path by which King Abbas rod a hunting; the King saw him not, but his Horse startled at him, whereat in his anger, he imme­diately sent a broad arrow into the poor mans heart, and ere all his train was past, the wretch was killed a hundred times over, if he could forfeit a life to every shaft, all striving to imitate the King, as if the deed were good and laudable, in shooting nearest his heart, which many hit; so dexterous at archery are the Per­sians, well deserving of Virgil the Epithet of Quiver'd. Her­bert.

—Pharetratae vicinia Persidis.—
Virg. Geor. l. 4.
—Near quiver'd Persia.—

[(25) His coupling of a Souldiers lustful wife to an As [...]nego.] A Souldiers wife making complaint to King Abbas, of her Hus­bands insufficiency, he made her be coupled to an Asinego. whose brutish lust soon took away her life. Herbert.

[(26)— His cutting his Clarks hand off, but for not writing fair.] A Souldier presented a Petition to King Abbas, whereof, only because the writing did not please him, he sent for the Clark, [...]ut off his hand, and made the Petitioner be almost drubb'd to leath, for daring to present foul writnig to his eye. Herbert:

[(27) — His wrath to th'two Pilfering Souldiers, more for [...]heir rags then theft.] See that presented, as it happened in the [...]irst Act, and (among these other cruelties) asserted by M. Her­ [...]rt. p. 98.

[Page 259][(28)— His ore ambitious murder of his brave Father, and far braver Brother.] See the 1 & 2 Notes upon the first Act, &c.

[(29) Men eating Dogs,] As the old Romans made it their pastime to behold condemned persons combat with wild beasts in their Amphitheaters, and then be devoured by them: so did King Abbas keep fierce Mastiffe Dogs, which he bought of the English Seamen for that purpose; for the same end also ha [...] he men from their infancy educated to Canibalism. Herbert.

[(30) What better promises his irreligion, in taking needlesse jour­neyes still in Lent, to avoid fasting, under pretence of Travel.] The fift among Mahomets 8 Commandements is, See that thou observest yearly a moneth Lent, and a Byram: in obedience whereunto the Mahometans fast one month in the year, which they call Ramazan, wherein they say, the Alcoran was delivered unto Mahomet by the Angel Gabriel: But very wisely they observe their Lent, for though during the day time they abstain from all kind of suste­nance, yet as soon as the Sun sets, they add a double proportion of Lamps about their Prophets Tombs, and stick all their stee­ples round with lights, which burn till the Sun rises (affording an object of great solemnity) the Kettles beat, and Trumpets sound, Eunuchs sing, and they bouz it lustily, and feast all night, with all variety of meats and pleasure. Such as in stead of ab­staining from meats in the day time, during this holy month, do abstain from their Mosques, they carry about in scorn, and se­verely chastise; but such as drink wine then, they punish with death. This day fast is observed by all but the infirm, & Travellers, who are obliged to fast so long, when they recover health, or come to the end of their journey; but King Abbas during this month, did use to ttavel upon purpose to be priviledged from fasting, being nothing careful to compensate for it at other times. Two more religious feasts they have, the Byram and Now­rowz: the Byram begins on the 7 of Decemb. and lasts 3 dayes, observed by them as Easter is with us: then kill they their sheep or Passover, in memory of the Ram which Abraham sacrificed, in stead of his Son Isaac; but nothing else dyes, during those dayes, no not so much as a Louse or Flea, bite they never so shrewdly. This Feast of Byram, was instituted by Caydar son of Ishmael, Grandfather of the Arabians. The Nowrowz is their New-years-day, beginning (with the spring) March 10. such time as the Sun is in the Equinoctial, at which feast the Nobility have the custom of gratifying one another with gifts & presents, by them called Pishcashes. Johannes Maurus. Sandys, Herbert, &c.

[(31) — He'l forbid and tolerate, &c.] It was usual with King Abbas, to forbid and tolerate the same thing oft in one [Page 260] year, as his humour, or the gain of any Minion Courtier promp­ted him to it: among other examples, M. Herbert tells us, that at his being there, Mahomet-ally-beg (having got the monopoly thereof) hearing of 40 Camels loaden with Tobacco (with them called Tewton) comming from India to Carbeen, he cut off the Noses and Ears of the Camel-men, and put the Tobacco (now prohibited, but from his Warehouse) into a la [...]ge earthen pipe in the ground, and there burnt it in gross.

[(32) When thy dread hand struck off CARAEMITS head.] The Sultan of Caraemit General for Amurah the 3 d Emperour of the Turks, fought a battel neer Van, with Emirhamze-Mirz a, Prince of Persia, and elder Brother to King Abbas; wherein the Prince carried away so compleat a Victory, as with little losse on his side: there then dyed the Bassaes of Trepizond, and five Sanzacks, with 20000 Turkes; the Prince in person incountred the General Caraemit, worsted him, and with his own hand struck off his head, and mounting it upon the top of a Lance, gave it to one of his followers to be carried as a royal ensigne of Triumph to him, and terror to the Enemy. By this, and many other victories, did that excellent Prince renown himself, espe­cially by his defeats given to the Tartars, and that most memo­rable one given to Ozman the Turkes General, Anno 1586. at Sancazan near Cazbeen, wherein fell 23000 Turkes by his sword, and the General by grief, giving way to the brave Prince to go on in pursuit of his victory, in which he did wonders, that for the qualitie of the Countries, Towns and Enemies, the length of the Marches, and shortnesse of time, hold parallel with the Acts of no modern, so much as with them of Gustavus Adolphus, the late victorious King of Sweden. But as no violent course lasteth long, the irresistible torrents of both their Trophees were stopp'd by the dire hand of destiny; both dyed Conquerors, both in the strength of their years, both in the midst of their own strengths, and both (its fear'd) by Treason. The valiant Persian even then, when he was fair (for ever) to have free'd his Fathers Territories of the Turk and when he least feared any Treason, in the night, as he was sleeping upon a pallet, he was suddainly struck through the body with a dagger, by an Eunuch that waited upon him in his Chamber, incited to this Treason (as is generally believed) by his next Brother Abbas, who had formerly (but in vain) conspired to have betraid him to the Turkish General. Turk. Hist. Herbert, &c.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE FIFTH ACT.

[(1) IF we cannot recover him, give out he is baptiz'd, and so in­capable, 'Tis no new way, in India, ASAPH did it] Duke Asaph chief Favorite and Brother in Law to Shaw Selyn (or Jangheer) the Mogul, he having married (for his la [...] wife) Normal, Asaphs Sister; and his Son Sultan Curroon (who af­terwards (because by that name he was proclaimed Traytor by his Father) changed his name to Shaw Iehan, or King Iohn) having married Asaphs Daughter, he sent his Powers to set the Crown upon his Son in Law Curroons head; but the old Mogul, Selym made the Nobles swear not to accept Curroon, because he mu [...]dered his elder Brother, but Bloche the young son and law­full heir of that murdered Prince. Selym being dead (not with­out suspition of poyson given him by Asaph, Blockee is set up: The Queen Normal pretends for her Son Seriare, youngest Son to Selym: Her brother Asaph for his Son in Law Curroon, and two Sons of the old Kings elder Brothers Morad or Amurath for themselves: The other two young Princes, Asaph found meanes to murder outright, but these two last by circumstance, causing them against their wills) by some Portugals to be baptized into the faith of Christ, so making them utterly uncapable of the Crown or Kingdom (for the Alcoran forbids a Christian to wear a Crown where Mahomet is worshipped) though afterwards, for his further security, he destroy'd them at Lahore, and without further difficulty set up his Son in Law Curroon. Herbert.

[(2) The Injury, &c. See the eighth note upon the 3d. Act.

[(3) ABBA'S Thirty Kingdoms] King Abbas his title over 30. Kingdoms runs thus: The most high, most mighty, most invin­cible Emperor, Abbas, King of Persia, Farthia, Media, Bactria, Chorazon, Candahor, Heri of the Ouzbeg Tartar, Hircania, Draconia, Evergeta, Parmenia, Hydaspia, Sogdiana, Aria, Paropaniza, Draw­ginna, [Page 262] Arachosia Mergiana, Carmania (as far as stately Indus) Ormus Larr, Arabia, Sufiana, Chaldea, Mesopotamia, Georgia, Armenia, Sarc [...]hia, and Van. Lord of the imperious Mountains of Ararat, Taur [...]s, Caucasus and Periardo, commander of all Creatures from the Sea of Chorazen to the Gulfe of Persia. Of true descent from Mortys-dly. Prince of the four Rivers, Euphrates, Tygris, Araxis, and Indis, Governour of all Sultans, Emperor of Mussulmen, Bud of Honour, Mirrour of Vertue, and Rose of delight: Though the R [...]der may know that among these he claims some Kingdoms which he enjoyes not, as the Turk and others of his neighbours do sone others of these in his Poss [...]ssion: An usuall, thing with all Princes▪ Herbert. Lodovic. De Wellen, de Reg. Pers. &c.

[(4)— Delights as far fetch't as dear bought.] It was an anti­en nicitie among the Persian Monarchs (still continued) that n [...] wine could please their palate but the Chalydonian in Syria; [...]or no bread but what grew at Assos in Phrygia; no salt but what was brought from Aegypt, (though Ormus nearer hand by much, afforded much better) nor no water but that of the River Copa [...]paes, the same which Pliny calls Euleus, and Daniel (cap. [...].) Vlai; it waters Shushan (now called Valdack) in Susiana, and at length imbowells her selfe into the Persian Gulfe, not far from Bals [...]ra; one stream of it runs 'twixt Shiras and old Per­saepolis, over which there is a well-built bridge, called Fully­chawn. Herbert &c.

[(5) The antient death of Boats.] Mithridates vainly boasting in his drink that it was he that had slain Cyrus (whom indeed he wounded) in his rebellious competition with his elder Bro­ther Artaxerxes the second (surnamed Mnemon, of great Me­mory) for the Crown of Persia, was accused to the King, who was desirous of the honour to have it believed that it was hee himself that slew him; wherefore esteeming himself touched in his credit by Mithridates his report, he condemned him to the antient death of boats, usuall among the Persians for hainous offendors, the manner this; They took two boats made of pur­pose so even, that the one exceeded not the other neither in length nor in breadth; then laid they the offendor in one of them upon his back, and covered him with the other; then did they fasten both boats together, so that the Malefactors feet, hands and head came out at holes made purposely for him, the rest of his body being all hidden within. They gave him meat as much as he would eat, which if he refused, they forced him to take, by thrusting aules into his eyes; having eaten, they gave him to drink honey mingled with milk which they did [Page 263] not onely pour into his mouth, but also all his face over, turn­ing him full against the Sun, to tempt the flies and waspes to his face; and of his excrements in the bottom of the boat en­gendred worms that fed upon his body, so that being dead they found his flesh consum'd with them, even to the entrals. Seaven­teen daies together did Mithridates languish in these torments, and then died, for his folly in not contenting himself with orna­ments and gifts which the King had given him for wounding of his rebellious Brother, but he must rob him of the honour of his death (which he knew he most desired) so procu [...]ing his own, Crimine laesae Majestatis. Plutarch. in vit. Artaxerx.

[(6)— Beat her brains out Ith' antient way ordain'd for poyso­ners, &c. Parysatis the mother of Ataxarxes King of Persia, took a grudge against his wife because she thought she exaspented him too much against his Rebellious Brother Cyrus, insom [...]ch as in her revengfull mind she plotted the death of her daugh [...]er in Law the beautious Statira; the wicked determination was exe­cuted by poyson, by the help (saith Dinon) of Gigis, one of the women of her Chamber; The King was so favourable to hi [...] Mother, as he onely confined her (according to her own Peti­tion) to Babylon; swearing that whilst she lived he would never see Babylon; but Gigis he condemned to suffer the paines of Death ordained by the Persians for poysoners; in this manner; They lay the head of the Malefactor upon a large plain stone, and with another stone they presse and strike it so long, til they have dashed the brains out; so died Gigis. Plutarch in vit. Artax.

[(7) Then burn her limbs with Cats dung.] This may seem a ridiculous kind of Punishment, but 'tis very antient, and fre­quent all over Asia; sometimes (but by favour) it is perfor­med with Dogs dung; So Mr. Herbert tells us that when it was told King Abbas that Nogdibeg his quondam Embassadour into England had poisoned himself (wilfully for four daies feeding onely upon Opium, not daring to see his Master, or justifie him­self against his adversary Sir Robert Sherley, then on his journey to the Court to purge his honour before the King, of the staines which the aspersions of Nogdibeg had thrown upon him) the King said it was well he had poysoned himself; for had he come to Court, his body should have been cut in 365. pieces, and burnt in the open market place with dogs dung; but for the grea­ter terror and shame its usually performed with cats dung, the Cat being the baser beast, as only used to destroy vermine.

[(8) Let me suck thy last breath.— &

[(9)— When thy hand shall close mine aged eyes.

[Page 264]The [...]e two concluding notes I put together because they re [...]ate to customes about the same subject, viz. the parting office of friends to friends, observed by the antient Romanes and o­thers and still retained by the Persians and Grecians; when any one was dying the next of the Kin used to receiue the last gaspe of breath from the sick person, into his mouth, as it were by kissing hi [...]; (to shew thereby how unwillingly and with what regret t [...]ey parted with their friend) and closed his eyes be­ing deceased. Virgil makes Anna say of her Sister Dido newly dead,

—Vulnera lymphis
A [...]luam, & extremus si quis super halitus errat,
ore legam.— Aen. 4.

—Some water, I the wound may bath,
And if yet wanders any of her breath
My lipps shall gather it:—

And Ovid makes Penelope (wishing that her Son Telemachus might outlive her self and his Father, write thus to her husband

Di' precor hoc jubeant, vt euntibus ordine fatis,
Ille meos oculos comprimat, ille tuos. Aepist. 1.

This may Heaven grant, whilst fate in order goes,
That his hand mine eyes, and thine too may close!

Statius hath both the customes together,
—Socios (que) amplectitur artus.
Herentem (que) animam non tristis, in ora mariti
Transtulit, & charae pressit sua lumina dextra. Stat. Silv. l. 5.

She him imbrac't, delivering (in glad wise)
Between his lips her cleaving soul, and dies,
With his dear [...] closing her sinking eyes.
FINIS.

Errata.

PAg: 13. l. 14. for any r. and. p. 24. l. 24. for whose, r. who. p. 47. l. 14. for Son r. Sun. p. 67. l. 3. dele not. l 30. for for r. fore. p. 93. l. 24. for do. r to. p. 97. l. 29. for mind. r. mine. p. 98. l. 9. r. besprinkled. p. 112. l. 1. dele good. p. 119. l. 23. after me, add as. p. 123. l. 31. for pleasant, r. peasant. p. 137. l. 2. add, not, p. 144 l. ult. r. in. p. 152. read in the beginning these two lines.

" And fear is contrary to noble Courage
" The passive valour is the greatest still.

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