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1607

Date of earliest known edition 1607

(From the Dyce copy at South Kensington.)

Reproduced in Facsimile 1913

JFacahttik

Under the Supervision and Editorship of JOHN S. FARMER

(Standing

1607

Issued for Subscribers by the Editor of

THE TUDOR FACSIMILE TEXTS MCMXIII

?R

CHS

Ciaubma terras Jtmr

1607

This facsimile of " 3(ero " is . from the T)yce copy at South Kensington.

The play was licensed at Stationers' Hall on <April loth. 1607. The Title in some copies reads " The Statelie Tragedie . . . " 6ft. instead of as herein. ${o satisfactory attribution of authorship is forthcoming.

The reproduction from the original is pronounced to be "first-rate, 'virtually faultless"

JOHN S. FARMER.

THE cn; Tragcdic of Clau

dius Tiberius

»

+ greateft Tyrant.

Truly rcprcfented outofthepureft Records ff 'thofc ttmes.

Et Stuclio,ct Laborc.

'•

P L O N DO

Printed for Francis B«^o»,dwel!ing m Paules

'church -yardtt thefigne of the flower- Ac- lint

and Crownc. I 6 o 7

To the Right Wor/hip foil Sir Arthur Man-'

nering Knight, (Sonnt and Heyrc vnto Sir George Manncrwg ojEithfeldin the Countieof Salop) Car- ucr MitoPiixicelicmyfiis Grace,

? C ufl owe( Right worfhip full jadf ogre tte a Prerfi. gatiue AS that nothing cr of sing it , we re at all alow* able, then might 1 iujtlyefe&rt: reprthcnjion for this tnyDedic.ition.hattwg(to mykn<rwledge)butsifwgu- ler Pr {fide fit heeretn \ and the reajon 7? her ef ore jo many Plates haue jotwerl) btenepubhfljedwthcut Iv/cripticns vvto f articular Patrons Contrary to Cufcwem dtuulging other Socket) although ferbAps Icouldnerelyguejjeyet bccaufe Iwouldwillwgly of- fend none ^will now cenceale. Thu young Sihoi!fr>as bit proportion is €omelye fo are bis garments graue, his laxgKflgefure>a*d by hisfyeech itjhottldfeeme that hif fatner vea& an Actdcm'hin : his tongue if tipt with Eloquence and hu face ii louely : hettlsftrange(bitttrue)ftortes: ke if tner nations wittfe, and nctTXtthftanding bit Orphmt-agejfor ey- ther hee hath lojl his Father, orbit Father hath loji him] yet it fioutd feeme that he hath read mu(h,for be if wcll/eene in dntiq nines , but mof efiecially inward with Cornelius Tacit M} our beft approtted Hijh- fian. which cannot cbuje but i, cqture bimjc&efauour . / will (ay no ntoreinhi* commendation let his own r ood part spr rife him. but in te~ gnrdhe isfatherles,yourWoift>tfi(Itbifike)may dee A decdcotchari- t/e to be bis Guardian, andhoppiiy bis oivne father rncy c; ce be tbs.nk • * fuli'Ktoyouforfucbkindnes. In the me. ne-fatr.asJwy ftife urn partly by dvettealready bound vnto your Wtrjbifje my hue fial make vp that which in attette is waHtifigj reafter Iwdiv engine your Worjbiys denoted.

A'*

-.

tony Obferuc this one tkwg

I vfe no Sceane fuppos'd as many doe,

But make the Truth my Sceane, and A£ors to<x

Ft

Of Romes great Tyrant I the ftorie tell,

Arrd what vnto that State in Ncrocs Raigne bcfel

The Tragieall life and death of

Claudius Tiberius Nero. •

ftfftr mourners t» thefuncrall: f {? Cocce IMS Nernapith other Flaminijinextythe hearfe ofdHguftui : then Ti- beritUi with IU/M on hit right hand : then Itrufm T*« bcritUiAnd Luna-Then A^npina alone', next thcr three fonncstDrufttstNcro*and Caligula '.next two Consuls, df*iw GA/lttst and Tttitu Savinttt , with other Sen** torst'Tkfy fafe oner the Jl*£C Mid^oe in : then found to the Coronation land enter firft two C.onfttU yhen Tf- beriuf Nerot Nerutt with the crown e Emperiatl : then *s4fimtutS*binust andSeieintts , Senators : then^ru- fMsTtberiutjDrttfusyNcrOtAttdQtli&ttla : Ttkrttu Nero tfcindetk*

Ttb.\ 71^>orioti$ Conful$,ancl »raue Senators,

V My noble kinfmen anddeerc Countrime> D care Friends to dcarc Auguftus happinefle : Happietohaucfuchfriencw,andConntrirncn: Could I but fliadowoutinm-'kcofwords, The forrowing^languageofiny groaning foulc, Orwithaftrcameoftearesalay the flame, . "Wherewith my heart doth like an jfitna burne, Yea Gods 1 call to witnefle ofmy thoughrs^words: Aly tongue fliould fpcake,and fpeake in wcepirg Mine eyes ftiould well out vvords,& fpeak in tcares, Wordes in my vvecping,wceping in my words, Tofympathizcmy dear e affection, But iinccv • Hefrignetk tofrroMrtd;

Seta. \Vhat ayles my Lord? how Tares your noble /f Scehow the inundation ofhis^rief (2,ract?

'Doth

.

7*ragicalirtfi and death

Doth flop thefountaineofhis vtterance.

/Iftn. Somicagricfcexprcllwith fuch trueloue, V.'. uldninkcaniantobcinloiicwithiincfc.

'Dru.7ihe.My Lord andfatherjwhatcicepcpaiTiott Your i!ecp-en*;raucn forrowes hath furpriz'd?

Tib. All Drufus,Drufus,chelatememoric, Of great Auguftus honorable deedcs, Compared with this new priuation, <; Doth nuc my heart twixt contraritics. Now would my tongue remember his faire dccdes^ But then my heart fwels with remembrance. Sweet Druius,thou whcfe young experience, Hath not fuch deepe impreHion ofthcfc woes, Our honorable buryall rights vnfould, A smoflc befits theft folomnc Exequies.

f£>ru.Tib,M.y Lord my duetie bindcs metoobey^ Againft my reafon,and my budding ycarcs, Yet for to checke my ycares,my reafon faics, My duet?c muft be reafon tomy y tares. Therefore great States of this fad Parliament, Fathcrsof iXomc partakers of our woes, Vouchfate to wafh your filucr haircs more white* \Vith flowing tearcs of true companion*

The true fucceffbr of great !uliu«,

\Vhowhilorae glittering in his Sunne-bright rales

Surpaft the glorie ofyong Phaeton:

Nowinthedarkeeclipfmsrofhisdaies,

Lies lower then Apolloesbrcathleflc Sonne-

Ofttnhath KomefeencmansfiMgillicic,

But ncre before the Gods mortallitie,

lie pleadc his luftice.loc his mercie fliincst

lie call him mcrcifull, yet iuftwiihall:

In mercy nift in fultitcmerdfull :

lie picadc his honour.then his meekcnes calls,

llepraifehismcckcnei.yetin honours robes;

^"ClaudiusTiBerms Nero.

In honour mcckc, in meckencs honourable,

lie plead his \vifdomc, but his wit me checks,

Ilcpraifehiswifcyetlincktinwifdoincschninc,

In\vitticwifdorne,andinwifdomcwit,

lie plead his beautic,but his llrcngth bids (lay;

Ilcpraifchisftrengthbutin a beautiousmanlion,

Beauteous in valour.and in beauticllroiii;.-

So if ye rcakc not mans rragilitie,

Yctwccpe to fectheGodl mortalitte.

l"0M.i.Nomorefweet />r*/*j in to pleating tea? im, Aftorietodifpleaiing thoureljt'tt.

COH.Z. Cn>od7'r«/x//,addcnot water to the fea, To nuke our i'eaof roirov\csoiicrl]o\v.

Nftu.t. In vaincjii vainc, thefc puling fignei of cricfc,

rilciiMnate w.iywardnc<,incon(}ant mimic ^v VaiV.ulcs toiortunc,flaucs to natures com (r,

So vvorkc the hltcrs of ncccllitic.

No pcrlon Inunaiic can ctcrnall be,

Butmfncccllionlijtli cternitie.

Since then thc'fci nail prouidcnccofhcatien,

Hath ratified //«£*///M Dcitic,

We mull piouidc for liis poorc \Viddow IcTr,

Left to our patronage (the Common* wealth)

And you my Lord Tfatm* the true laeirc Or«j;rcat AU<\H(IHS by adoption , * \Vithloyall homage and true Icaltie, We doc create our«;rarious Etnpcrour«

Tiber* And mulV my iilcnccbicalcc or hc.irr Intheacceptint;ofadoubicyoakc? (difoluc

Not fo ficctiKs tis impofsiblc Poore foulcfornicoi tormy modcdie* To fway th' impcriall Scepter of the world, That of this world am not my Kinpcrour, Ouconcly Tboritixia slr*l>t.t9

J} Prclcnt*

agtcall life and death

Prtfcnts a faci ifkc to Hea«ens eye,

One oncly Atl/u bj his prouidencc

Theglitterin2:ftarrsofHcatiencanfupport.

Oneonely.oae /f04qjfatf,onc1yhc

Our R'jriKine '/;) ' ttrtx fit for fcmperic,

\VhoI? no,no, i know not what you mcane,

Anliir.pcroujinuftvvakejdrowficam:

An Emperourmuftbe valiant,! am old: .

Hcmuitbeiuftjlmay be ouer-rul'd:

SokMonarchniuftiicbc,niy mother Ihies-

And muft,and ili^H be honoured while (heliues»

An Lmpcrour mull be able to endure,

In warrc the winters frofts,and fummcrsheatc,

1 feele a palfie rooted in my bones,

He muft ha uehonic- dropping eloquence*

I for my partnerc play d the Orator.

By this my»Tnbunrs power well I know,

How many doubtful! cares he rouft endure

That takcth care to bean Emperour.

An Empire(Gods forfcml.^a goodly bait,

To fifh for witlefTe high afpiring fbolcs*

Humilitiepcrfwades me to auovdc

A droppc of honie in a flood of GaJl.

Lords trouble not'iny refolution,

I dare nor,cannot,will'not take the crowne.

Sfu. By W^moft gallantly diflembled: tsffidt. Alas my Lord let tribute of our tcares, Plead for the orphant of our country esftate. We know

7V» What do ye know ?I know wel what ycknovr Youle fay the frate isdolefull: fo am 1. The ftate is now an orphan :,fo am I, The ftate hath loft his hcad,andfo haue I My dearc A*g*ftits* Htfatuetb »et]>in%t

Sab. Why weepes Tibfriw and will not ceafcJ And yv ill not ceafe the weeping; of the (late?

Yes

ero.

will help my part,

There is Germanicus the hope of Roojmc, Nero and <Z>r#/«s,and Ca/igda. Thcfe gallant bloflbmes of the goodly ftemme, *

The fpotlcfle records ofanticjuitie,

Thefe are fit aftors for our empires f

Ifotmypart will aft fomc little part,

Fit for my barren wittc and leaden tongue,

And you my Lords (hare in equaltie,

The glorious Sceanes of Roomcs raircEmperie.

Aji» Why th en my Lord Tiberius , choofe y o u part The fruitful! Sjf'# or gold of Spaine, The Arabian fpiccs,or the Indi ,n pcaries, The English wels,or Vines of Italic : The Palmes of Iury,orthe Sithian Bathes, Either >£giptian Ids, or Roomes loue, Memphis or Rome,Athens or Troj nouantt Lar»e Cittics^ fertile foile,andgratious Gods, If theftjor any other may content; "Within the Circuit of our Empire, My Lord,choofe out your part,and leaue the reft To be aflign'd at our difcretion. Scttntts a$dc*

O for a fhift,now Lyon roufe thy fclfe, Orelfcforeucrloofethy Lyons head. Tib. May I AjtMius choofe ? then this I choofe, To take no charge,for all I know is care, S.cilians mutinus and Spaniards proud, Arabians (implcfooles,and Indeans droyles, Britons too rude, Italians too too wife, Difloyall Serians/uperftitious lewes, Ifis too far,and loue is plac'd to ne:tr^ Memphis,and Rome, Athens and Troynouant, All godly Cittics,but all dangerous, By loue my hate hce deadly fliall obtainc, That bids me but to take a part againe.

'S z AH* Not

Tragtcatllify and death

A$. Not foe my Lord,y on did raifconfter me, Ididnotmeanetomakcdcuifion In the vnircd Vnion of theRealmc? I did not mcane to feparate thcSunne, To nmncby peccc-meale in the Zodiacke: Nordreameofmultiplicitieoffoules, Which one continued dTcncc animates, The heat ens cannot moouc without a Sunne ; Nor can the heauens haue more Sunne* then ooc.

Ttbtr. Afliniui I percciue I did you wrong, So to inrcrprct your oration, J am forryXtroui I am)and if I Hue He recompcnce your migh tie imuries*

JVrr*« Will not TtbfrttM then accept the Crownc?

Tiber. Why lhould7V£*r«Mr libcxtic be ceafedj

Ntr*. No,Princeshanethc rule oflibertie.

Tiber. Iflibertiein ercatnefle did relic.

Ncrtt* My Lord,my Lord,it is no time to left, Nor daliie it out in quoiu'd Anti thefts, EmperourornoEmperour,vvill you the Crowne of N*™, fpeake plainest is high time to knowe. (no>

Ti^.Taice heed my Lords,bc wane in your choiic, Leaft after ftormes controle your rafh attempt, You are to choofe, but once confider well After,ali Subiec^es to your Emperour* If you conftraine me to this doubtfiill taske, And 1 (as God forbid) fhould change my minde> . Turning my pittic to a Lyons rage, My fnow w hite confcience to a Scarlet dye, Would not the Nations of the leffer world That are not fubiecl to our Empcric, Deride your lunatickc election, Andifyefliouldbutthinkcarnifleofme, Would they not laugh at your inconlhncie ? Take heede,takehcede,invame ye will repent, Being fore- waind,and yet would not preuent.

My

My Lord, how long fliall w« wigjit in sht Or plough the ayre with vaine dclufScnsl (fands, Our tongues are tyred, and our throat ts aye hoaifc, And all in vaine we bond our fuply ant knees, Vaflaile oundlc thoughts of reuercnce, Subdue our mounting fancies to your Ioue5 And will not ail this mooue 7*£*r*Mr? (quefK

Nt,Ger. Good Grandfire graunt the Senatours r«. 2?r*. gtf- GranSfirc, they fpeakein earned, uk« the Crc wnc.

Ca!i£*gcr* Grandfireaccept this golcie,!ooke how itihinesl

My thinkes it would become you pafling fine, Tikr* DeareChildren,(oid7itfww eldeft care) My heart doth daunceto heare the melody, That heauenly Confer t turned to mine cares, Thanks my kinde kinf-men^noble Remains thalcs £uen from my heart^although my cares increafe, Conftraiad,yct gratefull foi your kinde conftraint, Bound to receiue that which my (oule abhors, Enforc'd to honour which my yeares denyy Inchain'cl to rul e,bane to my modedie* Yet were my cares in number infinite, (For who can number all his cares hath none) Should they ihowre downc m droppcs offtrcamin Mufter in troups of languifhing diipaire, (bloo Svvannc hke toBees}fting like to Scorpions %, Or like a fiocke of Vultures gnaw rny heart* Yet thefe and more,and twice Jen thoufand morcj Old Nero will for Countries caufeindure, For you my Fathers,and for you my Sonncs.

$o*ndTr*mp*titNer**cro*netk hint* Ner. Moft mightie C^/Jcr, great Tibtruut Euer is4uo*fttu Tribune of the State, Per petuail Di&acor, Lord of Rome,

R *

The Tragicall ye and death

Sole Conful! for our conquered Prouinccj,

Prince ot the Senate in our policies,

Wee heere imteft your facred Majcftie,

In allthe Ornaments jmperiall,

Uoomcs and the worlds raoft glorious Emperour*

0 ;»«;/• Long Hue Tiberiw Roomcs great Emperor.

Tiber. Like as anhartlcsfawnc, cnuironed With in the circuit of the hunters eric, So (land I Romaine« wondring at your rtiowtcs, Thefe new alarum's qucl my ilumbring thoughts; Ch.rft to the Bay,! breatheldTe panting mufe, To view the vncjuoth glorie of the hunt* Neuer could Sparta glorie of fuch pray, As for to haue an'Emperour at bay. But noble Komaines, there's another Dcarc, A gallant Roebucke, branc qermnnicur. Roomcs Oiining Beacon in rnde Germany, Our dcarc adopted SonnCjOiirbleffcd care, To him my Lords(as zeale of my affection) A nd figne of ductic to the common ftatc, "We doe prorogue ei»ht ycares proconfulihip. On you Afimtu we doe impofc, To be our Legate to Germanicus. Tel ! h im ive louc him,(and be furc you doe) Tell him we honour him(doenot rorgct) V. c lone and honour dearc Germanicus, And would be ioy full to bcholdeour Sonn«, Honoured in triumph a theCapitall. H.:rt1ut'.vc knowc the honour ofhis mindc, pifdaincstocropthebloflbmcsofhisramc, Till it be flowrcd in his Summers pride, And all the barbarous Gcnnamcs be fubdu'd* 7'his doe v//JW.-w and returnc with loue, In our n.wgloric,wethv honour proue.

///?»•• My Lord,what ere AJimms honour proueth I I;s expedition (hail declare he loueth.

Ttt. Now

Nero.

Tiber, Now Fathers, we will to the Sacrifice, Saluting all the Gods in yifitation : Let Lettiftfrnta three daics be proclaimed* The Sihbels counfel s and Fbmtnies,

Into the middle region of the a vie,

Wee all my Lords will to the Cappitall, ,

Inliluer f eale,our records to enrol e. Exeunt omnet*

i Did you not fee our new Emperour how brauel y be came from his Corronation.

a Ycs,twa's a gall at fight furc,but did you mark his countenance? my thought tismightilyaltred with in this fiue or fix quarters of a yere tince I faw him lair:

3 Land I faw him goc to the Senate, and as you fay,my thinks hce is much altered,and loo kes more terrible a great deal e.

a I that fame lookcs I promife is an ilfigne.pray God all be well.

4 Well, wecmufthopethebcft, andthinketisa |r eat change from a fubiecUobecome a fulTicient, For fimplc as I (land hcere,if 1 /hould chaunce to bee chofcn Emperour, I fhould aflault my felfe highly I can tell y ou,or any of vs all.

3 Auguftus was a goodly man,and I hopchee has left fuch a gracious fample,that Tibenw w il not for get himfclfe.

i Ncuer talkc of Attjruftus more,wc (lial ncuer fee his Ukcm Rome, vnlcile Germantcttt might bee our Emperour.

Ow«O worthy Germtnicus \ hee's arlower indeed .

1 My maifters.let talk nomore of thcfc State- niat- ters,forlamafiraidwehaue faid too much already, if the Emperor fljOuld know of it.

2 You hauefaid wifely neigbour,for Emperors fee &heareall that they dcfirejhaue hearcf my father tel BW mother fo ,thcy haue millions a Spirits that tell them all. 3 Icave

TheTragtcafl Ijjfe andJeai

3 I care not,! faide nothing, but praide God hee niiajht be no worfe the" ,40g«/?««,that was no harme :

4 VVcl 1,1 ct vs part vpon this that hath been (aid, and lets keepe one another* counfels,and take, heed hecrcafcer.

Enter Cerm*ic*twith CentHrie* Soldttrt*

Qer. Well followed TribuncSjgallant Gentlemc, Thus are thefe hearts chac'd to their lurking dens, T hat brayed like Afles in their Lyons skinne* Worthy Centurion,thou whofc might did br cake The triple ranges ofout dangerous foes, Whofe well wayed buckler tooke fo many darts9 . As feem'd to cloud the funne with multitudes Accept the honour of a Gentleman, Crown'd with the triumph of victorious fpo vies, This Crowne thuspleatedof the verdant graflc, Thy hizh vplifced head (hall more adorne,

Then all the honour of proud Germany. * Noble GtrmtnicMs a Romaine h

eart,

Hath by inheritance a mounting fpirit, Did not great ConoUw fo aduaance, The mellow fruite of his old withered ftockc? Did not three hundeth F*bj all at once, In one day brcath,war,vanquu}i, fight and dye, All to maintainc the honour of their name } So did Mtruuin NmmidU, And happie ScylU vnder Scipi*. With what alacritie did Sce*ol*, Encounter J^*rA«// torture, death and fire, All to maintaine the honour of their name, AndOiouldnotlhazardthis blaze of life, This riling bubble.this imprifoned foule, This changing matter,this inconftant aft, For Co untne^icnds^uid honour of my name ?

>Iandms\Tiberius Nerd.

. My Lord,h cere is a Legate fcnt from Rome, \Vhich craues accede vntoyour Majeftie* Ger. Let him draw nearc : Cofcn Aff.

Enter AJimttt. Welcome jny noble friend to G

ex#fo, All happinefie vnto Getmatttcttt, Ihauea fccrtt mellagc to impart, If pleafe your Grace of priuate patience .

tj*r. Tribunes lookc to the 4. gates of the Campc See that the trenches beeinchaneld deepe, Send outo jr (couts,if they can fpie the Focf Number their Cohorts and their Legions: Comfort the maimed .burie ail the dead , Refrefh your bodies, for to morrow morne Wemeanc to ftxwrc this vanquiiht region: away • '< Lxtttnt.

Now good A$m*!lt\\Gtrm&nieHt The fibltancc that your meffage doth import*

A fa. Were 1 not now to fpeake vnto your Grace My tongue Ihould play the Rethoritian, And in graue precepts flriue to moralize, Or make alongdifcourfeofpatiei.ce, Adding a crooked fign'd Parenthefis, Of pulmgforro.vtwixt each (ipred line* But for 8/y/Tw»/,kno wes your fetlcd mindc So nurd in flowing ftrcames of conftancie , Afaw doth reporte Au^ttfiut death, J will not common place of mortal I men, Nor of his vertiH^nor his NoblcnciTe, Nor SofoM graucaduife ftall be my Theame: I k n o w I Ipeakc vnto Gtrmaniatf,- Bt'fide.^ / itreriHt is our Emperour. He faith helouesyo«,andtofliew his lone, Hath) our p-roconiul (hip -eight y«rcs prorogu'd. .

C Enter

eand death

fnter fa****** which was crowned*

fint. Germtnicw and graue > wake from counfcll,all are mvprorcf Our Germane Legions are all mutinous. And eric Germanic*! our Emperour, Cj'rmtHtcHt our noble Emperour. They make a Throne of tufts,and then they GermAnictts (hall be our Emperoflr. Germ. A world of cares at once aflault ray foul* I «im oUftrafted.harke, the mutinies*

crte withintand exeunt omnet.

Impute it not vnto vngratcfuliiefle, pcrious Angufta of great Rome, And which doth touchme nearer dcarcftmothcrj ThatJSfrr* ha*n deferd indebted thankcs^ Eqiualcnt vnto your high deferts. I can not (mother) fct your praife to fale, Or Or ator it with a glofing tongue, Graced with picked phrafes glorious fpecch^. Choice Svnommies, pleafmg Epithites, Paged bA apiili action, toying eefture, Mother I hate this tip-tongued Battciie, Better is me ,be as you fee me now, Thankfull in outward deeds>than outwardflicw^ But for ward mother with your former tale. \Mita. No (ooner the vncon trolled fates, xxildchis life,and with his life our care, But that Set anus from w hofc faith full tongue^ (Asfrom>fp«//0/ tru-fcnt Oracles, "Wcchiefedcriuc the drift of our affaires) Po idled like to the Palphraies of ihe Sumic,

To

gf Claudius Tiberius Nero,

To Roacles where thou in exile didft rcmaincj There to cnforme thee ofdttguftaes death, The Empires vacancie,andthyrepeale.

T#.My tongue denies to blazon in harfh worck Deare friends the thaukrulneflemy heart affords.

httia. Mcane while had Inot with great policir, Buried in filcncc great ^tt^ttfttts death, * And in the clofet of my carc-fwornc brefr, Embofomed the notice of the fame, She wne vnto th^ejfmoothered to vulgar famc^ liar'dfrom the bale Plebeians itching cares, A Caftrcll had pofleft thy Eagles nefl. And thou the Ea^le hadft becne difpofleft.

Seta. But now that Caftrel in his courfeis (tope, " Clipt are his pinions of ambitious flight.- Nor fliall he hope to fit where Nero loarcs.

Ttb. Were he t he iflu e of eternal I Iotte9 Or farre more fortunate in his fuccefle, Then was Alcidett or faire Tlsetit fonne, More happie inthe ofspring of his loync ' Then Trtam in hischildrcns multitude, Yet would 1 bridle his afpiring thoughts, And curbethcreynes of his ambition.

Seta. Wei can he braue it in his barbarous armes, AgainU th* oppugning force of Germanic, Andftrangcr nations of the far theft North, Whofe hearts like to their Climate hard congcald^ Arefrozen cold to Romcs felicitie. A crelred Burganetto more fits him, Then to ingirthis Tempks with a Crowne.

Tii. Therefore in policie by thine aduife, Vnder pretext of honourable mnidc, \Veddigatcdto Gcrmanicust A.fi*ws Gal/us into Germanic, "With twice foureycares prorogued ConfulHiip. Ittlta, "Which of neccfTi tie he muft Accept.

C ^ Sitb

Sith hope of higher honotr is fdrcftald. T b<-r. Tis true,tor what he aim'd ar,I enioy : This war tlV attradi' cMagncsofhis hopes. Set*. To which how haroTy did you fecmcallurM Vuth (uch denyall you rcfiifcd it : Making aCommentaric on the Crowne, \Vithor!ihed»etieofanEmperour, Kowwam,watchfull,wifc he ought robe, Howdrowfie,and improuidcnt you were, "With heaping vp a ftoric of what cares They vndergoe.that vndertakc to-rule, So £rac'd with fundric fquenuih fubttltics, As ^fercftrse himfelfe(theGod of witte) Mighthaueadmir'd,butnothauematchcdiC.

Tiber. Yctdidthat ^rf */ eyed Aflinttn, Both marke and bluntly matcme in my drift; Wither heofeyonrptrt my L ord in T?rit*nj, Orheyday^whereyouwill/onotinRome, but by my Genius ile remember— — Julia. l,had not wife Afin:ttt vttcred it, Tiber. Hadmenohad.nots,nor/^ft*/«* Can foore cannopie his dole concrite, But I will know the Panther by hisskinne. Nor am I ignorant of his .ercatlouc He bcares vnro the proud Gt manicur, HOW euerclowcdm hippoerdre. Stb*.\J:k&<jtrmnrF*i hcldsal their hearts, (hopt l^/».Nomcruaile,for they call him Roomes chiefc S.'M. And fi me did fay hcfhouldbcEmperour, In fpite of lulia and hir exild Sonnc,

Ttb-r. But neither \nltu nor liet cxilcicSonne, \Vould haue endured fuch competitors* Nero will brookc no riuall in his rule, Vnli ite it be th' emperious I»/M, Towhome the law of nature bindcs Tibfrim So £rme obiciged in obedience,

As

•

-.

0/Oatidms Tiberius Ner

As all the attributes of Majeftie, Komc,or the world, or Nt r& can afToord, 1 dccmc too mean r a tribute for h er loue. Wiofe loue firft lent the eflcncc of my life, "Whofc life doth ond y make me loue to liuc.

\Hiia. Enough my fonae. SuflRcientprcfidcnts of dutiousminde, We oft haue proued and approued oft, Andforourpartncucrdid Hecuba Btarefoereat loue to all the formes iljebare, As Itt/ta doth to one Ttfariitt*

lib. Moth cr ,1 do confcflc and know it true, Butintheinfancieof our cftate, More priuate Confutation better fits, We and Sd***}t will into our ftudic. And we into our walkin

Enter Gcrm*iticnsfo/ttt.

Germ. Ihauedifpatcht^f»/*/toRon]e, \Vith thankes to AV0and the Senators. ORoomc!

The Romainc Senate glozmg flatterers, The Legions difvon tent antt mutinous: The Pretors tyrants in ik<vt Provinces : The'Natiie fpoird,vnng'd dilmcuibred? The Cittie made a brothcld houfe of fmnc', Italians valour turn d to hixurie. The field of Mars, turn d to a Tenets-court, Mwerttatt Oiiuc to the Mir tie tree^ \Apfolots Laurel-ljVnto 'Btcvhns Vi ne, High loftf contenni^nd Vtfaes Tapers fcorndi The Oracles ciifpis'd^hcS^/v^bookes Eftccm'das fuperfVitiouscklufionb : ThcQiioit Ypinarinesaiid 7 i>ficd,

C.3

The Tragicall life and death

The Gulbfrttis'M proud for to rcbcll,

siffricks in vprore, AJia in braulcs.

AndtheferudcGcrmaine kernes notyet fubduc<?.

Belidcs a ne,v deuis'd Religion,

OfthcinconftantlcwescardChrifHans:

Our facred Oracles fomc arc ftrokedumbej

And fomcfortoldcof Romes deltru&ioa: .

Vocall 'Boftiain deepc miferics,

And Delphian gloricin obfcurcncfTe lies,

A Gemrnicd7J^«/'«^ three doubled moone,

A whirling Commet,fla(hing in the ayre,

A Wolfe a(c ended to the Cappitoll:

The Temple blaftcd of fidelitic :

A conijnoii Harlct to bring foorth aBcarc»

0 Gods I my heart doth quake,my fouledoth fcarc.'

Enter a Page.

Qi£t. My Lord, the fcoutcs difcoucred the wood, "Wherein the Gennaincs doe in ambufti lie.

Gcr. Sirra,^oc tell them I will fcarre the Crowes.

P*ge. My Lord. Exit.

Gcr. Boy,troublc not my Meditations, \Vhatfliouldl fpcndmy time tofcarrethefc crovrcs, When there's a coJc-blackcRaucn pearcht fohigh? Grrwrfwnrr/oarc thou an higher pitch, TovvrclikcaLarke,andlikcanEaglemount, Till thou hall feaz'd vpon thy pray: for why? The Legions loue thce,hate Itberittsi HonourtUy vcrcnes/coraehis cowardifc, Extol I thy mcckc«cfle,and reuilc his pride :

Pray for thy happineffe and curfle his daies, My Fadicr Caws : his was CUudiHtt

1 am of Ctfar, he of Ittlia :

I hcircby nature hebut by adoption:

Rome fa w thce honour, ed,/?/;^/ him banni/licd.

He

^Claudius Tiberius Nero.

He tam'd the Foxes of Illiria,

But I the Lyons of proud Germanic,

And this were caufe enough, were there no other:

I by /Jujruftxt made, he by his mother*

But thou art heire imperall to the (late:

But he that lookes for death may hope to late.,

Yet hope G?r*M#/f #s,good hopes a trcafurc,

But he that hopes for meatCjinay ftaruc at plcafurc,

I, but Tiheriut Neroi vcri« olde,

Butyoung enough to Hue to fee thee fold;

J,buth,eloues thce for Aft^ttfltn fake,

Augufttts ^onejthe match ts new tomakc*

Butftncehis death, thy power he hath augmented,

I, that at Rome my power might be prcucn ted:

He fent thee wordneloues thce,fo 1 thinke :

\Vho would not louc the wine he meancs to drinke \

He honours thee (hefaid)and fo 1 deeme>

Who would not ofthe fartcft Goate.efteemc?

Impatient furieflye Gcrmanicus^

How is thy reafon dimn'd with clowdie paffion I

Proud fwelling dropfie,euer gnawing worrae,

Infatiatc vulture, vile ambition,

DeludingSircne^where's Germanicus ?

The Legions loue thce-no t for to afpirc,

Thy vertue fliines not in oppreflicn > i

No honourin ambitious aray :

KO mcekenesin a tray tors happines>

Thy Father got thee not for to rcbell,

NorCe/^ did abet thy treacheries,

By nature heire,then be thou naturall,

Rome faw thy honour,changenotliuene^

But make frhy harueft vp inGermanie.

lave. My Lord the Tribunes fent me to your grace To know your roy all pleafure in the cafe.

icaHR/e and death

gen What,hauethey chas'dthcfoe,andl delay? Runnc £u*/,flicfor ha£r,away,away.

A below. I*liA*to»cetui*l»fttioU Ttberint N#r* at the otbtr.

C*t. I am a foolc, I am d&jpv/h, Suppos'dandidiot>and am fo indeed, ForhcthatwiUliucfatcrnultfecmcafoote

I*/w- Am not 1 Empr c(le,and (hall I be control'd. Am I Autufa and fliall I not rule ? Haue I made him to raigne, aad fliall I floope? Js hemyfonnc.andamnotlhismotherj TtlxtiHs thou (halt know a woman $ hate, Exccedeth bounds,and ncu<r can bane date.

lib. Ho w am I Emoerour and my mother rule} 1$ flic the Sunne.fhall I the fliadow b«? I but the fmoake^nd (hallihe be the fire? I but a bare imagination, A ndfhe the image that is honoured? I butthc^f£0,fhf»ll fhc be the found ? A plague vpon hcr,I will her contound,

Sti*. Thus will I do; nay thus, nay villaine thus Poi Ton T !.berinr.\ bu c Grrm*nicMf9 The Emperour and his mother Teemetoiarre* Fight Dogjfi^ht Cat,forboth your fportsilcmarrc ButN«roloucsnic; fodidmy niotlierto, And yet I brake her necKcin honelbc. Mother forgiucmcjilcdocfonomore, Yet if a thoufand'Tvithm necks would fcrue To get me to be Cinperour oi'R unc. By heauens I would not leaue one neclccaliue, And jo be fjrcthat.t-hey fcouidall be broke, Ide hire fomc h-'neft ioynter them to fet, And breaks them oucr twtutiethoufaad times,

An<f

Andfrr torecompence his worthy paine, Ide make him fee his o wne nine times agame.

CdtgM* I laugh to fee how I can counterfeitCj And I ihould blu{h,if that Germanic us, My father, my diflenibling ihould beholde He knowes I am a Soldier, not a fooie : My mother was dehuered in the Campe, And in my fwadling cloarhes ,1 chac'd the Foe, My Cradle was a Corflet, and for milke I battened was w j th bioodjand fed fo fad That in ten y cares I was a Collonell. My mother knew this,but (he detmes me chang'i Poorc woman in the loathfome Romiili tiewes, ' O Mother, Jam chang'd; but wherefore foe? fcltgftla of CV«|*/* muft not kno we. /»/» Shall I call him a Baftard ? true it is,

But \ului, then thou cioo'ft thy feife the. w rong»

Say that he was Autufttti murthcrer,

Yet therein iWiut tnou wcrt coun feller,

How then? a vengeance on his cur fed head,

So he vere mutther'd would that 1 were dead.

VileMonficr that I am, to pcrrifh loath,

Yet heau en's raine brimitone and confuxne vs both,'

I am impatient,yet I mull difTemble* Tito. She is my Mother,! mud honour her;

She is my Ladie, I mult (hew h er duetie :

Sheis-moft wife,worthieofreuerence :

I but the hag is mode ambitious,

Sheemufthaue Pri edes for (both, and Plaminia»

To facrifice vnto her Majeftie*

She mull checke Nfro,lznd fchoole him too >

As he were prentife to hir tutorilnp,

She mail incorporat free Denizens :

Or clfe /lie el e f cold and raile,& fnarlc and bite,

And uke vp Nero for hisJ uftmefle.

\VeiLlct her fcolde,and ray le,and inarle and byte,

D

' The Trtgicatt life and death

AVo will itnnnigc wcl! the hazard kite, J will l»y I^',lwill,ytclm irtfccmc As though my mother ldidmofteftccme.£r4rT4. .9«i* I !c(l'at\vilclin-!C,anda-nic at honours vvliite> Mult be .1 v\- heeling turning polhtttian : A changing Prowui and a (coning all* Yet a di (coloured Camelion Frair'dofanayriecotnpofitiaiit As tickle and vnconftantasthcayrA Fit for t'le Sunnt to make a Rame-Low ifc, Jiv cai h new fcnglcd reflection, Rul ci by the influence of each vvandring ftarrcj Vuxcaj-tto take each ncwimprcllion. \\'itli \\ifcmcn foberjWithlicenciouSjlioiht* \Vich proud mot itatcly, humbkwich thcrncekc: \Vi tli olil men thirftic.and with young men vainc* Withan£iie,fiinous.and with mildmen calmc: t\ umcrous .vitli one, and fato with another; Effeminate with fome,with other chafte, Drink with tlicGennain.vvith the Spaniard brauei Brag with the French, with the jE?iptian lie, Hatter in Creet,andfawnemGr2ecia. Thisi? the wayjit'MWf^vfe thyski.l, Or this, or no A-ny nii^ft thou get thy will. If thou cooft nieanc the Empire to obtaine, Swearejfiatterjlyejdiflcmblejco^ & f unc fxitSf*

Calt<r, £\t/tg*bfwhy doth thy flumbringfoule, Thus dreamevvithm thy common fenccsmanlion^ Awalce for fliamc.flyc to Germankus, Rjngin thy Fathers cat cs a pealeofforrow, Vncafe this follyc,and vnmaikc tJiis face» That hath cnuelcped C*/tgttfa. But fee my mother, Agripin* comes "With valiant pfrnfajmA Nerc my wifebrother, a Foole,in faith no odicr.

0/Claudius'Tiberius

Eitftr vfgripin* »ith her /»• Sonnet jDrttfxt *nd Nero.

l^r.Why then my Sons,7V&r. weares the crown :

Dm. I mother, and hce fweares heelc keepe it too. ' Nfr.Ger.And reafon brother hath he fo to doe*

*Z>w« What reafon brother hath he but his will!

Nero. Will may be reafon,if hcele kcepe it ftilU

Druf. And /hall he raigne? a bafc Plebeian.

AVr» He was adopted a Patritian.

*Druf* So may I choofe my horfe to be my Page.

Nero. Good brother calmey our furious fwelling "We gaue our voices in his election, (ra§c*

nay Brother ftormc nowhere me what I fay, Did not we fweare loy all fi deli tic , within the Capitoll vnto his grace? Did we not both at Veftaes facred ihrine, Pray for the fafetie of his Majeftie ? And wilt thou Druftv now recall thy oath, Recall thy vowes, recall thy prayersinfcnce? Remember D/-«f*/, what fo ere he be, Now he is cruwn'dal'spaftrecouerie. (you know

Dr* Cr o ivn'd,I}and may be difcro wn'd for ought How fay you mother .may it not be fo ? d/»This ti's to bercfolu'dmy gall at Brother* tftr How hardly can I my affections fmother? effi

dgrip* Young Irnpes of honour,in you both 1 findc A noble way jto vertuous refolution: In theemy Nfr<?,wifdomes treafune : In theefny Dr*/»r/,ma^nanimitic, In both, your fathers honorable mindc* Speakefairemy Sons (awhile) vr>.toTi£*vw/,

vntill the tryiimph of Germanicus: Then be rcfolu'd— — The caufeis honorable,fearcno ill. But Oh my Sonnes ! yonder's CaliguU Capring: he takes no hced.e of higher thingcs,

D i lie

77;? Tragic all life and death

lie call himhcther>:utdfcc vvhathcfaics •* C.</.< ;"/.:>comc hcthcr gentle Sonnc» HOW dooftthou like the great Tiberitit*.

C //. faith lice's a braue man Mothcr,and his par- veil i$fit,and!i: hasafineCrowncofgolde,and all this makes him but a braue ma, for what would you liaue in a braue man but he may hauc it ?

jigrp. Well, well mySonnc, youlc ncucr Icauc yourtoics.

Cdig. Why Mother,hc can turne aboue ground, turne on the toc,turne euerie vva v>w hat fliould I fay more ?

By heauen abraueman.

N<r0. And what can you doc Brother, let vs fee? Cal. Faith Brother lam npt in the humour , and braue men can doe nothing without it bee in an hu mour 4

Druf. Come let vs leaue this humorousGcntlcrru. Farwcll C4/i>»/4.

I, I warrant you, for ile fup at Count* night.

Farewell Mother,bretheren both farewel, \VhomcIadrairc infuchdeuotion : But dare not truft. /);•«/*/ 1 know theewelU And louethecdcarely,forthv high refolucs, But dare not truft thec . Nert I applaud Thy wifdome,butitwant<areiolutJon. Nero and <Dr*f*tt beware the braine-fickefooU u not both to Schoolc.

Enter \nlia ^Ttb

Heard ye not with what general applaufcj as wcl cornmed to Rome ? At his returne from barbarous Germany, How nuny grccdic cares did glut them/clues*

With

^Claudius Tiberius Nero.

With hearing newes of their Germanicus ?

How many greedy tongues in labour were,

To blazen foorth the trophees of his prnife ? liber. Not 'Pritrns Hefor from the fl y nig Greeks,

"Whomc he had chafed from the Terrhenc more,

Rcturh'd with greater expectation ,

Then iaden with the fpoiles ofGermaincfocs,

The people long to fee Germanicus* 4$>w« NotonclythcPlebeians.butthcEquites,

Do reuerencc him within their in ward thoughts^

as if the Vaflailc were ademie God. Tiber. And rightly marry, for if Xero line,

Ntrfihz\\ deifiehim to the full. Sei*. But if YOU fuifer him on honors win gsj

Tofoare vpnigher in ambitious flight, Borne on the temped of the peoples tongues : Tis tenne to one,neele neuer ftoope to lure , To keepe him fhort,is onely to be fure .

IU/M. Let vs-commaundhim, vponpainccf death* Not to approach within our attic walks, But either to difmifle his Soldiers, Or on the plaines pitch his Pauillion*.

TAtr, No marry mother,not for all the world, Why ? it wercomminous. Rome! walles engirt,, Witharmedearrifonsofgreatcllfoes, Vnpolitiquely counfel'din my mindc, Adminiftring too fit occahon, For to fufocft and fcarc a rou'c pretence. Andrurther,thatthe fcafc Phlna*.', Aswavienng,andirtconl>antintheirlcues, as is thce changing Laconiadcs : \Vho hearing but a muttering of our dri Ttes, \Voulolikcaworldofriuer, to thcmaine, Flow to Germanicus bv multitudes, WhoferweUingpiidejbytheirrepaireencreafe,

•Willouerflow tftc bankcsofloyaltie.

Mother this \vasbutfliallowpollicie, But who'ftthatintcrrups our conference?

Enter Tifofrsm Armenia* \

Sri*. It's Lucius T/foPretor of Sirria*

Tiber. Welcome to Homeland oldc T "What rrewcs in Sirria,and Armenia ? \VithallourOricntallProuinces:

ly.Peacehath rcfign'dher rome to bloody v;arr«; \Vhilft M<tn the func-brcathing God of armcs, Knits vp his fore-head in a fearcfull frownc And in the furrowes ofhis foulded browcs, Difplaies tiie fable Enfigne of fad death, Vpon the fpacious Armenian plaines, And all the orient in rebellious pride, (Threatning dcftruftion,to our weftcrne world) Doe fccnic to challenge vs in daring armcs.

T/^r.Who is the Head in this rebellion ?

Pif. The chcit'c controlcr of thcfc warlickc troups Is vncontrold Vonones onwhofeCreft : Viftoric fccmcs to daunce among his plumes, HisBurgonetandftecle Habergeon, Of bloody colour like vnto his minde. Of vifageflerne^roadbrow'd, and hollow ey'd, Looking as though he did comprife the world, \Vithinthecomplotoffomcftratagcm.

libtr. Ha ! what,fo foonc Armenia vp ia armes, Haft thou forgot thy wonted fcruitude? Are Romanes verities and their vigor done? Cr dead with SitU that firft conquered thccJ Are all the llripes that ftrong LttcullMt gaue, A'V.to thy neighbour Poncus and thy felfc, Quite healed vp,withoutorTenfiucfcarreJ arc inighticPompcicsTropheis quite forgot? WcUJjeitibt they blow rebellious flame*

And

c/Oauch'us Tiberius Nero,

.And they fliaM feel c ih cfurie of the fame, Mcanc while, rcturnc tliou h/o to thy lodging, Till lit occ.tfion to employ thec hence. H.v;;, Pifb «\Yi,;« How likes your Maielhe this wofulnevvcs? 1" . Like enough, he mifl ikcth it enough. Might IW/M counfcll him, he fliould reuengeit, •with moreextreamitic of puni/lunent, Then angrie love raignYJ from the vault of heaucn Vpon his Throne oppugning Briaris.

Ttt<e. I, foft;ndfaire,firfl: flop our reares at home, Then let ArrneniafeelcthefoiccofRoine. S--7. Good counfaile, great T/^rr/*s, knew we how* Tibfr. How ? what arc ali our pollicicscxtind? Noe.bcattcntiue and lie tell thec how, The headspring ftopt the fmallcr founts will faile* and thus our home bred fcare Germanic v Grounding their hopes vpon their fathers ha p$> Take from his life their lights continuance, His life therefore extmft,their light is done. IH/. This is the thing that we confultcd off, But to no purpofe yet*

Ttbe. Yes Mother yes, B) this occafion of the Armenian wars, an opporiunitie is offered vs, Both to reuenge and rid vs of our foes* This Vfurer of fame Germanicus, (Who gapes as greedily for faire renownc, As doth a niggard for a fliowre of golde«) No (boner lhall returnc to Rome, Grac'd with thctryumphes of his victories, But by my uollic c,and fairc pretext, We will conclude it in the Senate houfc, That for the fafctie of Romes totttring ftate, Germanicus muft to Armenia, Where hec lhall fall by fierce Vonon .s fyyord, Or if he fcape,wcelc fo determine if,

As

;* Tragicattlifi and death

A< JouctoSaturne,fhaUrefignehii Throane, and baniihtfromtheSpeare, whet-enow hcraignes> HuniMe hin;f<:lfc9bc!ow che horned Moonc, Ijtforc hc.iaall returnc to vifuellome.

Snter 'Drufttt, Liuiat*ndSp*df*

(icftie

*Dvuf. T'i'rr : The Gods preferuc your royall Ma-

Ttbe. Good day vnto you Sonue and Lima

I*/** Haucyou attended Jong our commin* forth?

L UUA: Xoc vcnc Ions* my gracious Grandmother, But hearing you we: emclofe conference, It fiad bccnc rudcnclTc to hauc interrupted yee »

Tilitr. We were inclccde in confultation, about affaires of fpucnllfccrccjc, But \vhcre forc-lookcs our Sonnc fo fad this morne?

DrHj.'T /v;-. Hath not the clang ofharfli Armem** Theradinc found of Clarions & Drums, (troupe* Thundrcd into your cares a dcepc reucnge \ The Orient doth fliinc in warlike fteelc, and bloody ftreamers waued in the ay re, By their reflexions die the plamcs in red, as omminous vnto diftruc>iuc wars, as are the blazing Commets in the Eaft.

T;b-n : We hauc both heardtand eke confultedof The whole efTcrt : of which our conference, V Vclhall at fttcr time retain to th"c Mcanc while lets make our preparation , ajrn'nfith'.-rri'aaHofGcrmanicus, \'Vhom:an.-s to morrow for to Royalize, ThccriumphesofhisGcrmaiae rictones.

Ex e Mat

t Sei.itiut & Li Sriar. Mad£me,a word with your go d Ladi/hip.' Luti. So plwfe ; t y our good Lordihip,fo v< may.

But

0f Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Butflialllfpcalccmymind without cotrol* I hauc no pattent to control! you fir. Scia*. But will ye not be angry ifl doc ? L/*i« That's asyour felfcfiial giuemc caufe tnerto Set*. But fay my tung Ihould fault before 1 find it? Ltxta. If lightly I would paflc it, nndnot mind it. \VhatifIlhould offend \vithheartsafTent? . The offence ihuld pardoned be if you rcpet : Thinketh my Lady as (he fay th to me? Lr»M. No other waycs my Lord.But well I fee By thefe your longcircomlocutions, Yourbunnefleisof fmalJ import with me. ^rM»Ofmorcimport(fwcetLady)thenmylife. LI*M. A matter of more w aight then I muft Jknov^* Seia. Yet mud you know it or I mull not be* L'tt/4. Can Li«/4 then impart a remedic? ^<rw» I,if ihe pleafc to f tiue my maladie* Lwi* What falue fhould LWM to your fore apply! J«4. Pittics quintcfcncc,and fofcclcmcacic. Lf«i4. Strange forc,ftran ge falue. Sf M«. Y c t not fo ftranee as true* L(*M* Ipittieit : God fend you eafe.adue* S.-M. Yet hear c me gentle Lady ere you part, To tel my paine doth fomcwhat cafe my heart* And to be graced with attentiue heede , To Louers doth efpeciai I comfort brccdc. Litti*. Thcnismy LordaLoucr? Sei*r.. You hauc read. L/«/4« How'wondcrfully metr.morphofed? S-iatt. More wonders can fliewoikc that wrought Able to change thechafteft vtican, (my bane, L<"/<*« What,is your Gbddefle then a Sorccrefie? S(ian* The firft,but then the latter nothing Icfle* L//w*« You faid ilic vfed charming forccries: Sfia. Oncly the inchantments of her Criftall eies> Which had thev slaunced on enamoured \oue>

& * While

e Yragicalllife and death

\VhileIo liu'dI0*«, would hatcbeg'd her lour,

Siiconcly lliouldhauegrac'd Theatatcsbed, Litt. Pcarclc(Tebelikc,andfittobea Co we, Farewell S 'iaru< I mult Icaue yc now c.

Deare Madam,one word more,and then far.

BcbricfeScianusthen. (wcl

Beauties faire cc'l, ThehcauenlyPanoinphcaofour dales.

Scitt. By thcfc bright ihming Tapers thy faire eics The guiding Planets of Sttanui life, Vvhichbeautificthcheauenofthytace, \Vuhfarrcmorcgloriousadmiration, Then chart ''Dtttinn* or Latonaet Sonne, But one word more(deare foulc)and I hauc done, By this faire braunch,fprou ted from fairer tree, Enamuled with Azure Riucrets, Blew coloured vaincSjWhichcueriewaiesdifper'ir, }n kinclc embraces clip ihy tender hand. Lint* Villaine,lctgoe,gripenotmy hand fo hard. Sff'/r.How can lchofc,(ith you do gripe my heart? L'*.Lct goc my hand,or I w ill liaue thy head* 1 gripe thy heart villaine as thow art ! S«, I, in your louely,but obdurate brcft. L'tt. In my breft'.though it were there indccde, 1 would vnrip my brealt,and teare it out.

Sfia. Yet for your felues fwcct fake to felf be kindc Soc faire a frame holdes notfofoulea minde. ButMadame,leauino;oncfh.isangricm'Jodc, Jnfadnefle would you graunt, ifyou were woo'd. Lf*/« Blaft not my name with luilfull infamic, For if thou do, by hcauen I wil— —She putt kit rttier Seta* Lady}thcfe handes were ncucr made to bra- fiifhileelc.

Z,>.Could 1 but get it,thou fliould'ft quickly fcclc.

r. F>€

o/daudiusfTiberius Nero.

S«V Fyc Lady* fye,\vhat;turn'd a Soldier? If you be forefolu d, let this be war, Hckiff'th htr*

Lw . Vnciuilie,by violence! Spadt I am wrong'd,

Sp.By Ioue,oraskeforgiucfiesfor thy fault, Or I wil (heath my Rapier in thy heart. Sv.elraveth. ' Sri.PutvpjputvpjPigmyholdJfayputvpi,

SfMnurgittctk Spado hi* purfff. \Vhat wilt thou kill thy Ladies parramour?

Lfjv.Leaden rcfolucd coward,iet me fee't, I will phlebotomize his luftfull blood,

Shf ttikcth the Rapier*

Seia. That hauc ye done alreadie by, your fpight, And now accept this facrificc. 'titj-wnndctb.

S/»4,O cruell plight \

Liu. Yet will I breath another life into him, Or buric him within this Sepulcher : . Sf^tfjhelpejhelpe/or Gods fake holde his head, See how the teares congealed in his eyes, Doe make me fee my (name that was vnkinde, Good gentle heart,! fhould hauc pardoned him.

SfM.Faire Pro/trj>i»t'\ I am a Louer.-. /

*4, See how his idle foulc, Not quite difleuercd from his Arteries, Makes him dreame vaincly of Elizium :

Stia. Who cal's that name, He Itftes himfttfe t^»eJ The veric index of al mi fery? Lint* fi)fth facks* Lint, I am a framed for I was too nigh, Set* . Ah Lady , I did dreame thatyou did grant me Liu. What fluH I fay ? words jfailc me to deny him^ Seianus dreame thou ftill thatl did graunt

Seta. But drcames without cfFeOcs bee but vaine hopes. tmui. No more, wasyour's, yet dreame you Ihi

in hope,

E z Sti*. But

Tragicalllife and death

Seij. But (hall my hopes fuccccdc?

Lin. Iwillnotpromife.

Set*. But pcrforme indeed. Exit Lii<ia&Sp4<b. ^JytAnet Sttanttt fo/Hf.

&/x. Wrong me not /hallow Polliritians, By mifintcrpretmg my actions: A farther reach is in Scianus head, Then to adulterate a Princes bed. Not lui>,nor louc,but hate and iniuric, Infpircmewithprofounderpollicic. Vndcr this vale of loucinuelloped, Tis not a kifle .• an Empire tis I (eekc, Anopportunitic to claimc the crownc, And ht occafion to wrcake reucnge, Vpon her hufband for his iniurics* 2?r«r/w,the boxc on the eare thou gaue'ft me, Becomes the Prologue of thy Tragedic. Meanc while^ct this fuffice : for nay intent Is oncly for to loue this inftrument, As did yiifettTr»jetfPaUAmm> Not for it fclf^bui Troyes deftru^ioa. But whift S:i.iniv prifon vp thy tongue, Now to the tryumpheS)! haue (laid too long.

Enter (jcrmtmcHS m Trynmph with the tsfr

before him,Tiberint en hu right hand, Afintusattd Sabi-

nut inextlnliat^^ripinat ttrdLitti*) then Nero*

Drttftu And CfiliguU-iGennMtici • then Sfiatius And

tthcr SenAtortytbfit the fapttimt ft/German^

CKtirithhu Soldiers And Pnf oner t\ the]

crtTvuf hint with Crovnet And GAT*

Unds According 10 the Cuft»

Omnts. Long line vi<f>orious Gcrmanicu-5, In glory Royaliizc*

gf Claudius Tiberius Nero.

r

Ner* ArcbfU. Noble Germanicus.whofe winged Swift gly ding through the frozen Germany, (fame, Hath'brought vs newes of thy faire vi ftorics, Thou that docft equalize in honors Titles, The elder Scipio^oble ArTrican, And younger Scipio Aiiaticus, Paulus EmiliusofproudMaeedon, Flaminiaes conqucft}and Metellus gloric: Old Fabius wif cfome and Marcellus furie, Renowned Gracchus, gallant refolution, Braue man at armes vntold thy Victories, Which heauens themfelues dofeeme to folemnize. ger. Firft to the Gods the Authors of my gcod, I fa crifice the infence of my thankes. Next vntoyotimy Lord imp criall, I wifli c ternitie of happineflc. All you that wearc trie fnowie liucric, Of long experience woithie Senators : And you the flowringbloflomes of faire Rome, My veric eflence, valiant Soldiers all Louine Quiritcs/loyall countriemen, Faire Ladies,mirrors of the amazed world, Embelifried with roy all chaftitie ', • In all the circuite of my humble vowes, I offer vp to loftft protection. Since fir ft my Lords I entrcd Germanic, The fertile foile of bafc Rebellion, Our Eagles twice nine times hauc been difplaki, And twice nine times with Tropheis honored. The barbarous Marfhcs on the fouth erne fide, Hailde downe three furious ftormes of poyfoned

Not Cica s torture bloody Scithian*.

Nor Craflos fcourge,difembling Partheans,

Dideuerrageinfuchtempeftiousfhowrcs,

But by theproweflr ofour valiant Knights,

\Viioallalishtcdfromdicirfuriousftecdes,

£ 3

- 77;? Tragic all Irfe and death

We ftil'd tlie hiding of thcfe poyfonou* Snakes, Winch all the neighbour coimtric ftinges to death* Omnft. LonsJiucthcvaliancGermanicus,

G>r.!>utontnenorthcrnefideofGcrmanyf Whereas th' Vfipicci kept theplainc, Impalledin a wildtrhcUeofwood, Vvald witharockicmountaineinthcEaft, Back't with the fea vppon the northcrne Coaft, Enchannel'd with a deepe intrenched mcerc. Betwixt our Legions on thcSouthcrnc fide, Thcfemew'd-vp Foxes in this Stratagem, Derided all our Legions braueries. Foure times with all our power wcgauc aflault, To vvintie the patfage of that daungerous meere, Foure times rcpulfed by the quaking ground, That trembling durft not bcarc our Soldiers . At length when Cinthia's borrowed waining light Repai d the eflence of her brothers lampc, Benindc the low defending of the hill, J law the Ocean farre rebattered, As when the elder African in Spaine, by ebbing Thetis fcarred Carthage wallcs, So by the flying backward of the mainc, The Foxes on the backe I faw engirt, That thankes to Neptune for his clemencic> They all adorneour royall viftoric. Omnet* Long liuc the valiant GcrmanicujJ Gcr. Next to th* Vfipetes were incamp*r,

rheTubantshouciingontheMountainesficfc, Thatifour Legions approach*! the hill, They roule downc rocks of ftone to ruurthcr them* Vpon the hanging of the fteepic Clift, There was by natureplac'd a little grouc, But furely guarded for the Druidcs, To folemmzc their humane facrificc, As ia the fecond crucll pujiick warre,

TJe

^Claudius Tiberius Nero.

The tents of S?>

•Were all enflam'd by noble Scrpio,

So by the burning of this little groue,

Themcuntainc quite confu mdwhere l'ubantslayt

And they became our triumphs goodly pray:

Butin the wood that borders on the mount,

. Thecruell Tigers hid their damned heads.*

. 1 he fauagc Aoriuary kept their den, Who ranging now & the would fnatch their pray, Renting each joynt,difleuering each part, And neuer leaue till they had found the hart. Not A4*§Agetcs were fo cruell calld, Nor Babilon was crefo ftrongly walld: Fortince Vfyetcs laft confufion, They made the fea a moate vnto the wood, That great A/citles would haue wondered, To fee this Hand fo enuironed, Hard by the Southerne frontire of the wood, Danubiaes ftreames fwelling in proud difdaine,

Vnto the checker ofthe Ocean,

Muttering repaid his tributarie due.

There did! make my sk'iifuH Pioners

To cut a trench from great Danubius,

That this new fea which walled in the wood,

Was now the graueofrheir perdition.

For when Danubiaes ftreames didmeet the maine,

The fauage Agriuarij all were drown' d,

But fuch as fwam to vs we would not fleay,

That they might grace the honour of our day. <?w»w»Long line Victorious Gennanicus, 5«*« Twice did we meet theBuckftars in the field,

And fortie thoufand quite were vanquished

OfttirT-necktC^r//,neueryetcontrouid,

An hundred thoufand pcrifht in one field,

Not faunas nor the fields ofPbArfatiei

So died in blood as wajDanubius,

And

fe YragicalFlife and death

An<i which my priuate ioy doth more obtaine,

OfalhhcRomancs were but ninetieflainc.

This is the Theater of Germanic,

And thefc the countries which I conquered,

Now worthie Empcrour I made a vow,

To dedicate my ("word to \9net protection*

If 't pi cafe you r Maicftic for to afcend,

Vntothc ScnitcwhcreCJfimwww,

Will allthcfccrcts morc'at large difclofc f

Mcane-while my followers I you difmifle,

EjtY unt tke/oit/Mfrfi

Awd almygracious friends with thanks I leauc, Vntil our Country rights we doc performe. Which done, GermantfMt will fooncreturnc. Ornnrt* Long liUc the valiant Germamcxt I Lon g liue V&iriw \

Exfuttt *ll wvrdtr t» the Stntte at one do ore.

net Nen>M*d 'Drit

» Ma

» ^Drttftu if you had teene fo valeroui As ouer-boafting in thy bumbad tcarmes, We might hauelcald our league of ami tic, Now with r*^rr/W; colde congealed blood. Dm{nr* And if thy bookifh wifdome clarkly Art, had a-niedbccnc withRommercfolution, I tell thcc Nero Cowartf a< thou art, 7"^Ti*/{houldnot thixhaucfcapt ourhand*» Bv lov my father was his coat of ftealt, Plac'd betwixt my fword and him, or els—' Ntre. Or els thou would (r hauc Gvorne, Volumes of fixfootc othes,butnerc a blow » D'tt* No mo re,my father comes.

. Coward,! doe retort it in thy teeth* Why N<r*f brother, arc ycmad*

Enter

- 1 ibenus iMcro.

Ger. Thanks good StiMftf, gentle friend fare wcl,1 ftertta.My Lord Germanicus I much lament,

Th e ftrong rebellion of the Orient,

My heart prefageth what J dare not fay>

Farewell Germanicus for now I dare not (lay*

And yctl will :ah dcare Germanicus1.

How doth old New* wi(h thy companie?

And b ut my honour doth controule my will,

I would Germanicus- — farcweUfarewel* C7<rr» Nay good Ciccftwfiay a little while,

To heare,'thelaft perchance I ere /hall tell thcc,

So varidbleis the chaunce of wirre.

Vntoyou three tke patrones of my life,

Vntoyout patronage I recommend, My Orphant children,and my widow wife, Faire A^n final

No more my Lordjet heauens tell the reft, Remember your true friend Germanicus. They emb

to. Pifo. Or

£ nter Tiberius and ^ermoMtcut , Nerua , AfiniustSsi*nHst(~PiJo9with other Seuatours j$$m the Swatc*

Tib. I hope this fodaine biifineflc of the Eaft, Doth not agrate our fonne Germanicus*

Ger. My Lord the honour of my Countries caufe, doth counterpoize my fad affections.

T»£» Farewell my honourablcgallant fonne, The hope of Rome, my deare Germanicus, Piforarevvell,remember well thy duetie, Once more adue my deare Germanicus*

SfM* My Lord Germahicus the heauens conduit, Your high refolues to ha

V be Tragicaintfs and death

<pij. My Lord'cwcretimc yourbufincs vvcic dif-

patchc.

Th iorneycraucs great expedition, anddatcof your abode is wcllmgho'it.

G-" Nor ought you to extenuate the fame, What though the Senate hath decreed it fo, Germanicus Iliould 2;iue adiew to Rome,

£2 '

Before to morrowesSunnefalnte the world> Yet hauc I fome time torcmainc therein, \Vhichbeing fmall, that final 1 fpacc let me fpencfj To fatisfie mine eyes with gazing on'r, "Who for tin fc many winters hauc defir'd, (Although in vajnc)to refalute this place^ and now no fooner refalute the fume, But am condrained to bid i c adic w, lc may bcneuerto returneagaine.

P;/, li may be 2 nay thats lure Spelling *fdt .' The Senate harh detrce'd,and it muft be, There's no refitting of neccfTitie*

Ger. Yet gentle Pifo,fufFcr me to gricue,. Ifatnoughtclfc,yetatnccc(ritJe, TooftricktforouertoyldeGermanicuj, \Vhofe weadc limmes,requirc a longer reft Then is onedaiesfliortiritermiffion. Yet were it Pifo but an hotJres fpace, \V?ere all my bodie bruf d with bearing armes^ Yet would Getmanicus beare it as henuy, and rather finkc rnder his annours weight, Then leaue to weare it in defence of Rome, To whomc though Rome for harbour be deny'd, Yet hath he roome in all the world befidc: Onely thisrefpite.andlcraue no more, To ^iue my wife and Sonnes their laft farwelU P/. I ou may,ScI wil ral thcprcfently . Eater Nero *»d Drttftu.

C/r.Do Tifo & be honoured for this faucur.

But

0/CLiudius Tiberius Nero »

Butfeethyfonnes Germanicus,thy fcnnes, Declaring by their angric clowdcd fro vvucs, Some ciuill difcord.or feme d ifcon ten % For fhamemy hoyes,iffo a Fathers power, May haue predominance in fonncs difTcnt,

CIcarc vp thofc clovvdic vapors of your browcs, That threaten ftormes of drcadfnll difcontenc. Leaue offyour ouer-daring menacies, and tell thecaufe of your dilTention, Tell me,for I ought, mult, and will know.

Ner* Onely this (father) caus'd our controucrflc, Goin^totheCapitolltotheTryuinph, We taw a Kite vfurpetheEagles place, "Wherat^enrag'd, we caftour Falcons off, and for mine,was not of fuch fpeedy flight as was my Brothers,he began to chafe,

X>r*/.Paticnce herfelfe I thinke would be enrag'd, To fee a man fo faintly Faulconer it. For Fathcr.hadmy Brother done his bcft, ,V Vemieht hauc taken downe the Haggard Kite.

Gfr. V Vhatjfor fo finall a matter fall at oddcs} Fie, neuer violate true Brothers loue By furious rages anddiflentious larres: It not befits your title.nor thefe times, Sad time whcrein(perhaps)my laft farwell, Is to be taken ofmy deareft Sonnes, \Vhom> iflleaue diftraft infacljoushatc, How can I hope to bid you once farw«ll> Since faiing as I fee, you farcbutill? My time of refidcnce is fliortin Rome, and yet too long,if long you difagree, Be reconciled therfore to your (clues 9 j(hake handSjembracCjbe friendes^forgetjforgiue: why fo my Sonnes, thus fhouldkind Brothers liuc» Now is ay heart3disburthened of ^reat care, To fecyoumy deareSonnesaccordfo

F 2

Tragic all life and death

1 1 (rraightrnuft part, take this fore ell

\vitli you as my teftimoniall will.

.v.-.i-jclicrriil^l.-vc each other ftill, Ami :!r . :«• how oft you breake your amitic, So ofryou aft your fachcrs Frajedic*

£;tftr Cdi'ftl.i w;th a Racket And Tennis -ball

inkisk.ind*

C .'•>. iN-~> v a Gods name ^iue me a hand Ball, ~ -M- f 'ut A man may tofle ;uninft chc wall ,

Novv vp,noxv dovvnc. i o\v die, now fall>

Yc: liath no danger therewith all.

Come brother, will you plajr a fct? Germ. Croffc to my comtort,& thy fathers grief

\Vliy dooft thou ftill contincw in thefefjts?

\Vhat frantique humor hath bereft thy wits?

Cad tiowne C4//V«/rf,caft dovvne thy ball. (away £*/.. NaybyJLadieFathcrjnayfirfttakemy life

Take vp my ball,l ay downc my Ball,tufh,tulh>

To tennis with an Emperor is not worth a rufli.

Where's neucr a ftroakc but all in hazard p 1 aide.

No Father,ile doc with it as poore men doc

With great mens inmries,put it vp till rime feme. Ger* Yet now at length, ccafc to torment my fouU

More fcourg'd with forrow to behold thcc thus,

Then Priam was to fee his Illion burne.

Oh fpeake like to thy felfe, fpeakc tomy ioy,

Aloreioy v.ito ioy-rob'd Germam'cus,

Then was the Lidian £reffuf dombc borne Sonnc,

Stopping his Fathers execution. £Vj£«Not for the world fathcr,pardon me:noAno«

What? play the blab before fuch company? G«r» What company's heere,onclv but we three* CW/. Mary too man v fir,by hc,and he. Gtr* Sonnes(randa»de,whilewe confer together C*/M*y far enough, we nccdc no counfcllors*

of Claudius 1 ibenus JNLerb.

Gcr- "Not on my bleiTing: till our talke be done.

£//« Tlienfathcrloe,your Mctamorphiz'dforjiCj Changed in wit^nd in condition chang'd, \Vboiehtmihfithathleftatlengthtorage, And plague my fenfes with alunacic, Which hath made me to be efteem'd a foole, And fo 1 am,and deeme it beft be fo.- For he ihat would Hue fafe in brutifli Rome, Father, a foolift VrKtw muft become* Ne blame me fathcr}nor vpbraidmc for't, His was by policie,mineby extacie, Which takes me euermorein companie« Nor(butconiuredbyyourreuerend commaund) Couldlhauehalfe abftainedfrom it thus.

Ger. Theftran^eftfitthateuerlhaueknpwne» Which how er e ftrong,yetftriue to bridle it, Once giue rcpnlfe and you the conqucft get, But time cuts offour talke,my glafTe is runne, And date ofmy abode is almoft done, Say therefore how doth Agnpina fare ? What makes her ftay ? how brookcs (he my departs

C*f. Briefly to fay (my Lord) with an ill heart, For Lucius 'Pifo with this baleful! newcs, No fooner gaue her notice of your ftate, And fuddaine expedition to the halt, But as if fome Torpedo had her toucht, A numminz (lumber rockt her fcnfe aileepc, And in afwound fell downe betweenc mwc armes: Then fcarce remembring how or w h ere (hew as, She lockt her winding armes about my necke, And thinkingme to be Germamcus, She feald a thoufand kiiles onmy hppcs, Each beine fteeped in a ftream or tearcs :

Thrife ftc difioynd the cherries of her bps As if (he meant to fpeake,and ihnfe U>C ipake,

F 3 •*

V he 7 ragtcallltfe and death

Her voyce fecm'd dead in labour with her words,

And oncly rendered an abborti ue found,

Till thrice recall'd at length recouered,

She fished tbrth,ahdearcGcrmanicus!

And wilt thou then fo foonc? What more Hie faid,

Drown din tlic fluent Ocean of her teares,

C.ifptd a pci iod to her abrupt fpccch.

Cl.r. Ah me lancl doth /lie ftill continue thus?

C*l. Notno vv my Lordrfor wlitn as this was done, She waclct out of her flumbring extafic, Keceyuing refaction of her fcnfes, A nd ilicn iiie bluiht, and fi<»ht,to fee her crrour, And gan to frame excufcs for her fault, Pronu&igfpeedtly to come to you.

\Lnter Pifoand Agripi

Gf r. A nd h ere flic comes ,M y dca

-Agri . Moft deare GermstHtcMt.

Nero. Ah ! fee how th'cxtremiticof loyall loue, Surcccdcs in paffions of affection, as itdeniethpailagetotheirfpeech.

r^r.Curft be the authors through whofc occafion Happcs thcdiflcucrin* offo fweetan vnion.

Aftro. Fainc would fhc bid him ftay,fainc fay fare- But fearc and! ouc amaze her in mifdoubt: (well, She doubts to flay him,fearing to offend him, She loues too wcll,too willingly to leauc him:

Ger* Enforce, I doome the fcntcncc of my death, For can I line if parted from my louc That art both cflenceofmylouc and life? Enforc'd?!: yet not I, it is my tongue, Ore-ruld by too ffricl times neceflitie, snakes me pronounce this loathed word, farewell*

.Agri. Ill fare that word farewcll,fince by farewell I fare foilhthcn bid me not farewell: Yc: \vifli I not thy flay my dcarcft Lord,

But

oj Claudius liberals Nerd.

But that you would a (Tent to one petition. Be not iiKjuifitiue/peake not at all, Vnlcflc when as you fpeake, you fay I flial. Ger. I (hall my dcaretl dcare,if fo you lliall aske onely what fliall be conuenient, and indifparageable vnto our gooc!j Which for 1 doubt not fpeake I giuc confent, Agri. Then in thy little Idle then baniflimcnti Refufc me no t for thy compani on, and this with tearcs I b, g for ratified.* Reuokc not what is promised, nor excufe "With arguments drawne from my fexc and life, Too weak too feeble.and vnfit for warrc, Or by relating all themiferies, Long traucls,dangcroustoylcs,misfortunes ,wants> For all the ills that iflue out of warrc, 1 hauc them paft.or paflenot what they arc. Witneflethisliuel) Ima^cofthy felfc, Of whom I wasdcliueredinthccimpe, Tiellon* was my Midwife^and my panic » "Were eafed by theayer-rcntmg founds, Of warlike Sackbuts^larions, and Drums. Ger. Thy louc doth make a wanton of thy lcauc£ and through cxtremitie of paflion, You make me halfe to fearc you leaue to louc: Pardon me /f£rf/>/»*,ifmyloue through feat e to loo fc my loue,doth lone to feare, For lire takes life from loue, loue growcs rrom fear, Feare to difl ike, fearc to be faithl cffe proouMi Fcare for to loofe himfclfcfrom his btft bclou'J, This fearing louejandlouingfeai-efulncfle, Doth bind my hcart,and prilbn vpmy tongue: Why wouldft thou this? I Know thou wouldftit not . From ftatcly Rome vnto the Suns an fe, Somany miles^fomanyrnifcliiefs lies: Whercfhouldii thou hapUilemc accom panic,

The

o

li re tinddcdtb

J

Thorn fell icfe were redoubled, and one hotire, Perhaps (hould caufe me die a double death, Once in my felfe,and ten times more in thee, Yet wouldftthouthis?! know thou wouldftit not.

A«r* Ay mc,my Lor J,your word controls my wil.

(7fr. Time enterccpts my time,adicu, Dearc Aqrtpina once againc adieu*

Pito. Trie time is now expired of our (lay, And therefore you muft cither now asjree, Or Madam jainft your will he muft depart* For my part I will prefently depart*

jtgr. » Ah ! (lay a little while and I hauc done, (wel

Ger. Madam, for all the world I dare not : fareycc

Aipi. Andis yourhaftefo great as hismy Lord ? Muft tsJgripiM* then forfake her louc?

Cfer. Or elfcGcrmanicus muft leauetiis life. Therefore my deare,deare wire and dcarefl fonnc$, Let me i n girt you with my laft embrace.* Andiryourchcekcsimprefleafare-weUkiflej KifTc of true kindnefle andafFeftious louc, Bath'd in the licour of diftilled raine, Which nere before diflblucd into teares, "Which falling lowly downebeforeyourfecte, Secmefortobe^amutuall vnitic, To be continued after my depart. Which if you arerefolucd to maintain^ Then vfc no dallying protractions, Butno A' compendioufly lets take our Ic.iue,

zsff*. As willsGermanicusfomuftitKec, Farewell deare Lord thercfore^his way fci me:

Exit deripinA. N^-<?, Drrtfxs, and Cal^xta tmbrnct

G err,? AnicttsyAnA follow her. GermsmcHsM *x o-

therdoort. (tors be,

G r. Dcarevvife,dearefom,hcauensyour piotec-

Thc Gods our guide.forewcll,thii way for me,

Enter

Ti. Thus is GcrmtnicHt our greatcft fcarc^lifpatch? With fubtill Ttfo to the Orient. Didft thou not fee with what alacritie, All the Plebeians at his triumph fiiowtcd At euery period of his pleating fong? How that difcordant quire redoubled With their vntuned voyces reliming, Lone Hue Victorious GermanicusJ But hees difpatcht into Armenia, >

And foone mall be difpatcht by Pifo true*

SIMM. My Lord vpori mine honour He aucrre; Speedie performance of this action, 1 fo inucagled Pifo, fo in wrapt him, So coniured his traiterous resolution, Storing the villaine with fuch poyfonous dniggf,1 AsneucrCirft nor -/torxknew, I fo inccnft his damn'd ambition, Soothing his humour,praifinghis great Adding the fauours of T^er/*/, That were Germanic** imperious \otte% fifo would poy fon him to gain e my loue.

Tib. So much Seianus rorGcrmanicus, But now another cloud obfcures our Sunnc, Ofleflcrrauour.but of greater fhow, j

That fame infamous Tigres/w/iW. Nemia neucr fa w a Lionefle Was h al£e fo furious as is !*/«*. Didft thou not fee her yawning fepulchrc Rauemng to fw allow vp my Emperie? Did me not (hew Auguftus teftamcnt To hauc difcardcd me from regiment? „ How can I brooke it ? Do not make repl|e> XfN*r« liucji»/wlhall furely xltet

G 5fM« Thee

The TragtcalHiJe and death

Then luliamake thy quickc confef-

fion.

T/£<rr« But yet there doth remainc a corafiuc, A canker that doth gnaw my fettered foule, Nero and Drufusyon^Germanici, Whofe youth ii guided by two elder ftarrcs, Trius Sabinus, and Afiaius, "Were thefemade CcunfellerstoProferpinr, (For neither Minos nor fterne Eacus, Nor Rodamanthus were fo iuft as thefe.) Nero and Drufus mie;ht be foone entrapt*. IfthatScianusloues't'iberius, If euer Nero did repay hiiloue, Then fee thcfe Phofphon be made away, That djipme the gloric of our happieday. Heere take my Signet , vfc what meanes thoti

wilt,

Be£mperour,fo Imayhaucmy willf JF of eu en as furc as Nero drawes his breath, Alinius and SaLinus dies the death*

SfMMuf. If they did both Vliffes equalize,. JVlatchles Penolepes vnmatched mate, AndifMinerua mould inclow'd their thoughtcf, As Cipria wrapther Achefiades: Ijwere Apollo their eternall friend, They Ihould not Hue if Nero fought their end. Tiberius* Meane while, as clcare from all fufbition,

Tiberius will leauethis wicked Roomc. Julia, Sabinus, and Alinius Shall rue die abfcnce of Tiberius* Exeunt*

Enter New*) Setbinttst**el

\Vho fees thcSuniicmcombi'cd in darke

And

gf Claudius Tiberius Nero*

Andexhal'd vapours dim me the welkins free, Followed in purfuite with th'affaui ting winde, \Vhich play their furious prizes in the ayrc, Andnot experts a fliarpe tempeftuous ftorme?

Sabinusi Who viewcs the troubled bofonic of

themaine,

Endiapred with CoIe/blackePorpefies, „ Prodigious Monfters,andprefagingSigncs, Alarktin th'appearance of vnwontedfhapes, Strange figures^and amazing Spectacles, and lookes riot for a ciuill warre of wayles? (trucj

isffiniut. Who fees the rules to bee vnfaigned And not prouides preuenting remedies, Wellmightheeproouetheperrilltohispaine. Tlie Walks once battered by the boyfterous Ro» inaine,

And open paflage forced to their foes, Too late it is,for the engir't to plead In matters, where forefight might frame auaile.7 Folly it is to truft to had-iwift* Late prouidcnce procures long repentance, And thus I quite you fur fimilitudes.

New*. Cancell that quittance Callus, Nerua Icnowes,

How deepe enfearching is Afinius slciH, But yet 1 wonder you will fentence it, Rather then to acquire the hidden fence.

tsffinifi. Sence then is hidde in thofe fimilitudes.'

Nerua. I,fuch dccpe fence as makes rmrfenccs drooper •••*

Sabtnus. No, fences droope where fenceof ill 45 nont.

New- Sharpe fencemay fenfure ill ,all thoughts vnfliowne*

Afinius. Blinde isthecenfurcofvncertaintieS4

Ncrtia* Lto the eye which fees what opefc lyes*

G a

Tragicall life and death

S<f&j.You fpeakejEnigmacs.doubtful andobfcure.' jV*r». Yet not fo darkc and hard, as true and furc.

«. Then be mine Oedipus, interpret it

. NotOedipuSjitnecaes afearching wir* A quicke coned tc,an all obfenuag mindc, Tis that that muft cxplaine this hidden fence, Such one was wont.agcd Afinius hauc, Such grounded wifdome reaching at conccite, Like as the fire in chimickediftiiUtion, Able to feperate the ellemcncs. But wherefore wcepes Afinius?thy griefc difclofc, Ncrua will hearc,and helpe,who hath like woef*

y^/w.No t for my felfe I tned thefe brini/h tearet •

N?r*. Tearcsihedfor Homes eftatc doc drownc mine eies.

S*b* Hard ftate where vices linc,and vcrtue dies.

N^r.Witneflethcfecret conn (els which arc kept* WJiereto no ftate of SftMte is reOjUefted, But olde cftabliHu orders auite detefred.

S^. Like to a butchered Dody,Romc is rent, And fccretfaltionsjcompleatc treacheries, Are common fct abroacn by each degree-

Ncr* Nero hath tanc adiew of ftately Rome; Anri poafted downeinto the Countric, Nothing regarding his inipcriail rtate, Andheere Seianus reuils all alone, Tree from the checke of Magistrates controu! c, Commaunding all, as he were Emperour.

S*t. And with him keepes the hieh Augufia heere, But to<what end.th e Gods alone doe know: \Vhograunt that all may ifTue to the beft.

Afm*. Amen,Amen,mymindeprefageth ill^ Andfay we what we can,theile hauc their will* Exeunt is4jinnui NtrtM en el Sabtnm.

Enter Inl** Mid S'ianw. And dire Tiberius work* oldlu!iae» death}

S^/rf» Excel*

^Claudius Tiberius Nero

.

SIM. Excellent Lady, worthy Julia, Vponmine honour Nero fcckes your life.

!«/. And can the heauens fee and notreaenge ) Notmad0r<y?<?/ fi'itfmHsftrtet Sonnc Was fo vnnaturali as this beare-whelpe ss» I did ( oncciue the villainc in my wombe, Which now 1 hafe bccaufe it fettered him. Couldl not get fome Taxus to haue made* JMy wombe abortiue,when I him coneiu'd 5 Nero, ah Nero ! did I not procure, ,

Thy firft adoption by Auguftus bounty! Cams and JLucius,thy elder Brethcrcn, One in Armenia,th'other loft in Spaine, And all that thou the Empire migVft obtains. Proud Phacton4 affend thy Fathers throane, And roufe the frozen Serpent from his Denne* Father of darkeneirc^Patronc of confufion, Reduce thefitof of eternall night. Let heauen & earth ,& air«,bee brought to nou&H* For Ncroliues, and luliaes life is fought.

$*«'«• In vainc the ftiric of fuch idle thoughtt, Doc but augment the habit of your paflion, The Virgin ay re doth onely hearcyourmoancs. Which fleeting takes no'impreflion of your gricfc* Jn vainc you doe implore,thc fencelcfle creature, For to vnbinde the chaineofconftant nature.

ltt!> Seianus IwifcScianusIlouelyman, . What fliall I call thec to obtaine thy-lout I And yet I know, thou loueft lulia.

Set*. M adam,vpon my honour I proteit«' - ••

Jit/. Proteit no more, Seianus fw earc no more, I doc beleeue thou loueft lulia: And may I truft Sc ianus with my loue?

Stia. And may you tiuft Seianus with your louef Ifl had not engag'd my honours pa wne, iflbad not adaflicd luliaj

l* 3

Lcucd

TrdgicaHlife and death

d Augufta more then mjncowne lift,

How durft I haire difclofed Cxfars drifts,

Bfokc my allegiance to my (bueraigne,

Clearing; the miftie cloudcs of his rcuenge,

J>ut that I lou'd you more then all the world. luha. Why then Sciauus counfell lulia,

Aduiic Auguftain her deepc extreames,

Were it not cunnuig,tell me gentle friend,

tor to beguile the Lion of his pray ? Sf/<*». Augufta, Cxfar is your noble fonne* I»/M. 1, but he feekcs the life of lulia. S.'ww, Madam,hemay bemouedtopittieyoii« I«//4. Shall lulia then entreat degenerate man,

Thatneuer knew Auguftaesroyall fpirit?

Did Sophonisba b«g her princely life,

Or Anthonies Egyptian parramour?

Did Philips high rcfolu'dOlympias,

Crouch to Seleucus for her weane day cs,

/tnd /hall Augufta rovall lulia,

Crouchjbe^entrcatc ner boy Tiberius? Settn. LacTy not fo,Scianus will entrcate* I*/w. Nor thou,nor any,(liall entreat for me*

Did not I beare him? who (hall beg my lifa

I ftiame to hear c thy foolifh pittying^

Did not we make Tiberius Fmperour?

And can we not depute Tiberius?

"Where are thofe volumes ofinucntions,

Which once had rcfidcnce in thy conceit?

Thofe maflacres and golden pollicies,

That ore thy fortunes euer houeredj

Record Scianus all thy Chronicles

Dine to the bottomcof thy memorie,

Andplotfomclaborinthof villanic*

l^o not Scianus all in vaineconteudj

Ncro,or Iulja,or both muft end* S. /«.»;, JXoyall AuguHa, lulia conmiauiid,

The

0f Claudius Tiberius Nero."

The vtmoft that Seianus can inuent.

JVladam you know that Car far three dayes fince,

Remon'd hisCourtvntoCampania,

\Vhere by his Orchard

!*//>. What by his Orchard'fpeakc Seianw,fpeak,

"What doth the fmoke of Lerna lurkc thereby? Or ThcbaneSphinx,or Memphis Crocadile, \Vhat Dipfas,or whatMonftcrcan we find,. But halfe fo cruel in his proper kind?

&*<?, There is a Caue Spelunca call'd, Vaulted by arte,made by Geometric, Whofetopis wouen with a waning vi/ie, The leaues of tcmpred plaifter flagging down p Are fann'd with motion of each little wind: The ruddie clutters of the grapes appearing,, Liuely cngiauen in dependant flones, Neuer Maufolus,nor Amphions towers, Nor Afiaes immortall workman (hip, Dianaes Temple halft fo curious, as this entrenched earthly Paradife. But which encreafeth moft a mazing wonder, With turning or one ftone all fall's afunder.

I«/w. W hat of this? what of the Caue Sei anus?

SfM>;» Here oftentimes the wearie Empcrour, Doth banquetand refrcih his trou jled mind,

!«/»<?. Enough Seianus, prormfe to turne the ftone, Inlia is fickc, Angufta run ft be gone,

«5 </. Madam,vpon mine honour He make him fure*

Julia. Farewell Scianus.I muft needes be gone* f\ir \ulta* Alan t Sti~r;n< i&itu «

S w«« Madam farewell. Go ftcpdame lulia> Plot with Seianus for Tiberius death, But fir ft go fell the Qucene of fearcfull Diflc, and read ale<fhire there of policie, Neucr to truft a friend in fccrecie* Sothvii Seianus here Epitomize all thy dcwfofor jo get the crowne* Betwixt

The Tragicatt life and death

Betwixt thy hopes and thee are fcauen lights, Scauen wandring lanets, feauen obftaclcs*

The triple ofTprineof Cjfrwn»ic*t!

AH thefe Scvasxs twixt thy hopes and thee, But for Gcrmweut hee is ecliptt. His Orient of honour is obfcur'd* I hope ere this by Pifoei diligence* lulia is in her ftruggling agonic, Betwixt the poyfonand concoction ? Drufus , Tiberius forme,! mcane to fp And make his father for to murthern Eucn thus the Caue I told to lulia, Ii verie true.l doe not vfe to lie, Not to compiot the deeped villanie* Nor did I lie>ther's fuch a Caueindeede» And with one ftcne lean confume the worke* Some (lender /hallow polidtian now, Would deeme it here a point of wondrous reach* To murther Tonne and father io this Caue« Not fo^Seianus hath a farther fcope. Deeper conceit, and farrc more mifticalh The Caue /hall fall and yetTilm*/ liuc, But I will feeme to vnderprop the Caue, With thefe my pillars,and beareall the loade, So (hdl I get more fauour with the Prince, That \v horn foeuer I /hall countenance, Shall feeme as ere repealed Oracles • Then will I workc this credulous conceit, To whatimprefnon my braineinuents, De to Carnpania.Now firft haue at his fonne, Then for himfelfewhcnallmy plot is done,

£xtt ~

0/CIau Jius Tiberius Nero ^

£»t ?r

. hvjfff'*' at the ft ha *

though this proud rebellion Difturbcthe vniuerfall vnidc, although this vcmoft member of the world, Haih made a reparation from the head : Though thou and thy proud fonne in daring armci Hauc made our Eagles fweat in thy purfuitc,- Yet know a Roman is thine encmie, T* \Vhofe Legions farre furpaflc in Chiualric, ' The triple Phalaux of foment** \Vereeueriemanarurious PIcphant, Rul d by a Caftlc of Numidians, Thcfe Germane Legions would encounter thcCDM and thefe new fquadronsout of Italy, Would (rriue with them in gloriou> emuladon, Till with thefpoileof vantjiuflie hlcphants, They might encampe a paie with luorif. Yet know uiy mercie farre exceedes my ftrcngth» an Oliucs branch wreath'd with humiluic* Shall win more fauour with Gcrmanicus, Then all tbc Enfignesin /trniem* can* Speake then Vonone$> wik thou fight or y ecldj

f^w. Germanicus, is to my hoDilefriendj Vonoaesknowesthy honourabtcmmdc, adin ires?bnt nothing fearcs thy viOoriea. Except thy pcrfontThu$muchfoc your ftate. Gern'ianicus,ris no rebellion, F or tomaintaine our ancefiors rcno vv nc, Itis your pride tofeelcc Dominioas, Findingoccafions ftiil to conquer all s Firft Romulus encreaft his Colonies, By ruine of kkneigrtbottr borderers, \Vithin the circuit •fraire Italy,

) Empiric

The Tragic all Jife and death

o •/

Then mud Scicilia be your grauaric,

Cartlu^e be fackt for emulation,

Spainc mud find hoi fes,F ranee an enemie,

Becaufc thatBrcnnus fcal'd the Capitoll,

Yong Philip in the fecondpunickc warre,

Muft bereclaim'd by old vEmilius,

MithridatesforhelpingPerfcus,

Muft pay a ranfomc of all Afia

To Taurus Mountainevyet not fo content,

Except he yccld vp Lin mac hi urn, -:j

ForhimTisraneSjPtolomieforAnthonie,

My Grandurc for great Pompcys dignitic>

Muft yceld the title of his royaltie:

Romanes, you wrong; the world by falfe pretence!,1

To make them al your vaitailc Prouinces:

How did the Eritaines wrong your Empiric?

The Gallog;retians,or the Scithians?

\Vhat did Numidia.or what did Germanic}

The late Carafter of thy viclorie*

Letfearefull Cowards to the Romanes yceld:

Vonones will fight out this blodie field.

Exeunt both waytf, and enter tgainf tofioht.lronone* *nd his fount flic. Enter G:rm*nicut andPtf»»

(}er. Now are thefe Orientall brauerfes quail'd theferauening wolues hem'd in their lurking dens: Tigraracnta,were itproud Babylon, Glew'dwith Alphaltesflimc impenetrable, "WereitPireuSjOr Seleucia, Germanicus would neucr leaue adault, Till it were fubicft to Gerraanicus, Sound them a parley*

£nter Vonones *s upon the walks*

, Vononcs,firft to thy vpbraiding taunt?,

Whic

^Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Which then thy furie would not let thcchearc, Thou called vs Romanes too ambicious, Competitors to all the worlds Demaine, Proud to infult vpon Dominions, By faignedihew of fomerecciued wrong : Firft know Vononcs that great Romulus, Diuineft ofspring of th' immortal! Gods, Neucr vfurpt vpon his neighbour bounds, "Without the iuft occafion ofrcuenge : \Vitneflc the tempcfts ofthcSolines troopes, And Titias Titaias doubtfull trecherie : Scicilia we redeemed from feruitudc, From Carthage bondagCjwhofe ambjcious pride Fiue hundredthoufandflue in Italy : Spainc as abettors of falfe Hanmball, Subdued by Africans to our rule, France,Philip, Perfeus, and My thridates^ Tigrancs,Ptolomie,andNiimiaians, BoldBrytonSjScithianSfGallogrecians, Neuer without defiance were furprizdc,' Neuer without iuftcaufe we them defied: Vononcs thou doft know this to be true, Yet yourprcfumption makes you all to rue.

Potto. Germanicuswere all theRomanefpirits, Imbarkt within thy royal! curtefic, Or were thy fpiritinfufed into all, Tigranocerta by the die of warre, Should ncuermake my realme vnfortunatc* Vononcs would be to Germanic us A vaflailc fubie^, tributarieKing.

Gfr.Vonone8,notvntoGcrmanicus, \ But vnto Nero bend thy humble knee: Ifatour Eagle tnou wiltlaythy crowne, Then fail e to Rome,and in the Capitoll There reintreate great Caefars clemencie, Yecld vp thy Citie>and difmiffe thy force.

-z Vononcs

The TragicallTife and death

Vononcs I admire thy valowrous minde, This is the way to findTibcrius kindc. Uon. GermanicuSjhow much I honour thcc! Vononcs fawnes notforhisUbcrtie, For knoWjbeforc that tyrant /hall infult Oucr the Armenian Oricntall Prince, Euen by the S un,and all his counfcllorsj The autour of our roy all progenies , Scalc,burne,afrauh,battcr,vnderiRinc, Ren uens oft your wearied Legions, as Polinices,orthc Thebanewall, Nothing but death Vononcs (hail enthrall*

Germ* Then to the fight, and heauen I trull will ay de vs in our right*

repttlfl theftrft*Q**lt, *Pifo wiiiuttbtkc wdifirft, but it i» danger by Vononcs and his {on* t: ttts rffcuetb '? tfoyfomuts **d hisftnneflte.

rc all their force, fubducd to vs.

Romanes afTault the Keepe,! ct them Till with the cinders of tne fired Towerr Youi dreadfull furie cleanc difTolued be.

Sound a parley within. Pifo. But harke,th* Armenians doe apa Ithinkc th«lyceld,and To our labour fauc. C er. Then found terror to theirmelting hearts. Ihf} rt(ou*d*parlcyy«nd Vonones on the Kccpe. Vott. Gcrmanicus,andRomancconquerQursf 4 Imperious Lords of Fortunes Emperie, Vononcs here vpon his fuppiiant knee, "Which encr yet waslike the Elephants, That had no fincw,had no bending ioynt, lici c he that ncucr begg'd,doth now entreat

Aboone,

J

Aboone,a glorious boone:Gernianicus, Tisnotmylife: Vonones heart would breaks Before his tongue fhould be his Oratour. Tis not Captiuide,norTowne,nor Fricndcs, Nor Realmc,nor wifc,nor my pofteritic. Gcrmanicusjit is a boonc offamc .VononcsBeggSjthat ncre will beg againe; Gcr* And as I Hue, Vonones /hall obtainc, How honour croft by chance,reuiues againe! Vononet. Then thus,infinglc combat I defie, Some worthy man at armes,that dare perfbrmcj This honorable challenge in thefielc£ If that Vononcs liue,this is the boonc, Forfourc and twentic houres tohaucmy fcopc^ For to ordaine a new fupply of warre. If I be vanquifli*t,vfc the law of armcs*

Germ* Difcend Vononcs, on my honours p wmc for to perforwe,this rcfolution.

Romanies, on your alleagiance be gone» Perfwafion is the fieht of present death s I fee theGarlands Jangling in the skies, Of Goruin and Torquatef victories*

Venones wnmtth divnujhej pght tnd&rettb

Vo*. Curfs'd bee the hourc, and curfled bee the Which giues the influence to my haplcilc being; 1 had not deem'd that twentie thoufand foules, Could haue ore'quelled in a fingle fig h t, My armour,purpled with verm ill ion blood, (More then the Scarlet blufh the maker gauei) You hel;brcdfimes,I plague you all in hcU, That thus do torture me : come on.thouTarg.of Rome*

Fijrkt 4gaixe,<tnd Vononet isjlaini* Ahftobl« Spirit, andartthouqvite extmft? . Gallant

Tlie TragkaUllfe and death

Gallant Vononcs much I pittic thce,

Too much dcrc earth opprertc him not with wcighf

Whole miudc was clcuatcd whilft hcliucd.

LcthUiesdrckchiscuer*flowringtoombe,

And Rofets border on his waylcd grauc*

S A cc: Nightingales participatchis breath,

Hclpc to immortallize his glorious death.

; :fo andali the t{jm*inet come downtfrom the

to them*

Now braue Ccnturions,w6rthy Legions, After the night of labour.honours day Bring foorth the mural 1 Crow nc and Ornaments. fi/. GermanicuSjwhofe head (hall this adornc ? gcr. His that deferu'd i t,and I deeme' twos L 1-if. Know uay Germanicus,but it was I That Hrftrcpulftth' Armenians from their walles, Fi rft pitclu my Eagle in the conquered Towne, Not honour,nor imperious ambition, Can make a Romaine yeeld his honours title. I fcald the fconce,thcrcfore the Crowne is mine, I pitcht mine Eagle,minc are the Ornamcntsj And by my foulc,and by Bcllonaes nieht , . Pifo will haue his ownc,his Crownc,his ri»ht. Cjer. Pifo iLall haue h is ovv nc,llial haue his right, But for the mural 1 Crowne(my honours nioedc) The glorious Signet ofmy viftoric: Firft liars fhall turnc vponthis earthly pole, Bound to this fhadie Orbes circumference. And hcards of beads fliall ^razc on earthly pafturc 1-Jctwixt the Lyon and the doubleBeare, Nature turn'dtopfcyturucy fore that day, Pi io my honours Crowne rtiall braue away. P//. Braue'.Pifo will notBraue,his deeds (hal plead ^r.His decdcs alacke are tongue-tide Oratourj, Vvithout ambidon Iplcadcmy right.

Did

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Did not Imy (life in th'firft aflault,

Thrice change my Target ouerpoys'd with DartsJ Did not I brandifh in t he fecond fight, My burning Semiter?that all their eies, Could not indurc the heate of his reflexion? Then in the midftofall the frontiers frrcngtb Hcw'd me a paflage to Vonones Sonnc, "Whofc dying Ghoaft bare record of my force, That did difrnay their power , difroan their walles, There fixt mine Eagle,thenvnbard their Gates, And (height remounted to aflault the Keepe. Perchance that Pifo by fomepofrerne ^ate, Crept through a ineufe, & by the winding fhyres, Panrmgand brcathlefTe^ftalc vp to the whiles. But I .

P//I Nay ftayGcrmanicus,my heart doth throb, Mine eares doe glowc, to heare thy brauing taunts: I am a Soldier,and as good as thou, Bat for the childifli rumor of thy name : And fhall I loofe by thefe infulting tearmes The Cro wrie of honour that I.haue deferu'd ? Not one fault drop of Swcat,that I haue fpcnt* But honours fountains i"ball repay againe. Germanicus,Pifo will haue his due, Or thou or hc,thisfaft of thine fhall rue.

fintttr. My Lords,whatdifmal furie doth enchat Your noble Spiritsto this mortall ftrife ? The Romainemillitarie law cs en force, That in thefegraue demurrcs the Soldiers <|ucil:> Should giuethehonour by a whole confcnt: Are you my LordGermanicus content, And you Lord Pifo with ourRomainelavves 2

Ger. Worthy Centurion with all my heart. Ptf. I mu(Vperforce,or elfe not haue my part, Cww.Speak Soldiers,Pifoor German. (Gcrmaricu, Sol, Gcrmaaicus, Germanic us> the Cr ownc is to

fat* Truuu

Tntgicalflife anJJeatb

fenttt. Trumpcts,relate toheauen tliis Vnitie.

Lj'rnumctis (ineth drome t ? tfo *t the o:h*r end eftht St*fft ff *t*. k/t tb 7Jtn*der tn the CrowntAmd the* Jtejtt* teth it PH G'rm.insc'H hit hfadJTrttmpttf ftv*4.

Ptf. I loft the Cro A ne.but I haue won the day, Long li lie Victorious Gcrnunicus.

Gcr. Pifo grieue not at luftice cquitie, Mine honour's dearer Pifo then my life, Except this gruiffc,Pifo,I honour thce, Dcp utc thce Lord Armenian gouernour, To grace thy vcrtuc and reward ehypxine, Farwell good PUo,ile to Antiochc.&vf/cC/rr.c^&iA

PrC. I.goe Gennanicus but nerc rcturne, That Cro wne ihjll be the lad thou ere fLalt wear ck That garland decks thy fpeedy funerall ; If that Gcrmaiiicui paUe Antiochc, Pifo's a foolc,Seianu» had no wit : 1 hat pow der which I fprinckled on the teaues, Me of my dcath^im of his life bcrcaucs . txtt Pifr.

Enter Tiberius Soltu» Tib* lam difpos'd to medicate alone, Here in my Orchardjct none dare trouble raei Thefe Poppies tooiruch afpire,they arc too high, Imuftneedes make them hcadlcilc for their pride, And fare their feede,would breede a deadl y flcepc, Should ! not crop them,in their flow ring prime t ThcCc marigolds,would follow with the Sunnc, If I Hiould fufFcr them to fprouton high. Entile confine their ftature to my meafure : So will I doe with ail competitors* Here's an oldc rootc doth hide the riling piantt^ A nd that doth make me thinkcon lulta. \Vhcrc is Sciar,us,t h a t incarnate diu ell, Hath he not ended vet my greatcft euill? Ixioe iniidoubt the Vjkllaine.oh the Hattc I

He

0/"Claudm$ Tiberius Nero.

He may bewray mt te the Sea atew t He may difctefe me vmo luJwj HemaydifcoucrmetoGermanicus: He may doc what he will, to feeke my end *

Eater the Gbtfi ofGermtiticM. . Ingratefull Nero,and ingratcfull Rome, Vnto the mcrri ts of Gcrmanicus, Rcucngemy caufelefie wron2S,2rcatProferpinej Who murthered was by hatefulltrcacherie, Ale thinkes I am a man,and now could raue, That nere before did know what anger ment* Thismurall crowne wrought my vntimely dc By Pifoes enuic,and Tiberius pride. Gcrmanicus^poore foule doe not complaine. For prayers cannot thy 1 i fere (lore agamc, J will goc fee my Children and my wife, That I may thinke on thcmin this new life.

Enter Agrifi*4 4t on* dotrt, 'Drnfut Mud Nfrt tttkco*

ther crying output from their fBtdt. Her. My fethcr,my dcarc Lord Gcrmanicu $. dgr* My husband^ny dcarc Lord Germanicus* *Dru. My father,my deare Lord Gcrmanicus, Mother and Brother ,he!pcGermanicu.s Fiefluggi<hBrother,draw thybalcfull fword, Mother,flingwildefire at thcCrockadile, For nothing clfc cati pcircc his brazen skalcs. A*r* Dr ufus,what Ip iri t doth difturbc my Sonm | <Ztrnt Mothe^mc thought Jfaw Martichora, The dreadfull hiddepus ^giptian bcaft, Horrid and rougfoflimy and terrible, Fac'dasanHHralikeuwnevnquothnian, \Vhofc cares )ian« drayling dovmcvnto hir tcete, I Sweeping

ing the loathfomefoile with greedinefle, Fang d with three Iron grates of ftecly tuslccs, WJl eyed, with collourttecpt in deepeftbloud, With Lyons clavves,and Scorpions povfonousftinj \Votien in Gorgia* hundrcth thoufand knots. His murmuring; fouisd.mixtof two Simphonies, Rebellowed t«.v ixta flute,and trumpets found, That fcetn'd the world with roring to confound. By him me thought 1 faw a gallan t beaft, A princely Lyon.crown'd with honours meede, At \vhich this vgly Monfter wrought amainc, For to defeate the Lyon of his pray, But all in vaine.till this deceitefiili beaft, I3el cht foorth an ayrie death,infccling breath, At which me thought the Lyon vamlhed. Andmy dearc Fatncr,greatGermanicus, Plac'd in his rc( me by this bcaft perrifhcd: Twice thus I dream'r,and ftill my thinkes I tlrcame.. But mother,w hat did your affrighting meanc?

Agn. Oh Sonne ! I dream't that in the azure skye, For one Epiciclc two Sonnes did ftriue, One darted ray es>th* other rainebowes made: One fuckcred plants, the other moou'd the fire: One (hining.tother dimmer one true, tether falfe, And in thisdifcord all in heauenly motion, Theboaftofitarnecloudesdidliidctheayre. Thefe hideous monders met in furious rage, As if the world had beene diflevercd . Like when a Whale runs in theboy fterous mame, Seeming to Hioulder all the yeclding wanes, So by contrition ofthis dawning night, The Axeltree of heauen did fccme to mooue : From whencc.as from an anuile fecra'u to (creamy A day of lightning,and a thunder bolt, Which rend ring paflage to ^hc Orient, Sccm'd for cc^ighc vppon Gcrnanicuf.

of Claudius Tiberius

This frighted Agripina in her Dreame, But Nero what did thy vpftarting meanc?

Nero. My thought I fawc a fno wye milke white £ ncountrmg with a rauening bloody Stork. (Swan When in the furious heatcofall their broyle,

The Storke was fuccourcd by a neighbour Crane,

The Swan relieued by a dunghill Cocke, Alliovnc in battailc,all to furious. But whether by fairc Venus prayers to Ioue*f Or other fate,the Swan and gallant cockc, Ceaz'don the Cranc,and carkaflc of the Storke, All which fcem'dplcafing to my flumbring fence, But all too rufull that which after fell) Fell difcordtwixtthc Swan,and Cocke arofe, ThepecrelefleSwannc was worthy Concjuerour, But yet alas the gallant Cockc. •

Enter <JW*ximus*meffengerfrom Gcrmtnicusjae

kttocketh at the doore*

But who difturbes vs at thistimc ofnight ? "Where is the Porter with the Cittics watch?

Max* Open, ah open vntoMaximus. Z>r.Thcf aithfiil Maximus,God fend good ncwes*

Venter Maximus*

4&r. Too much I fecjl dare not hcare the rcfl> Ancl yetl will:nay farwell Maximus? J will not feare, yet fearc comes gainft my will* Mine eares are ftoptjhow doth Germanicus ?

Max* O ! were I mute,or had my carefull nurfle, ' Here taugh t this dolefull Engine for to fpeak> Then IhouldmyfouJe in mourning filence groane* *s4£r* Ah deere Maximus by all that ere was dearc Within thy truftie heart^make no delaics, Tel Agripina : rid her of her feare, JMy heart is hardned euen the worft to hcarc.(Rome Then Madam iithencc welcft this (lately J ^

•

e and dt nth

Proud in the Trinniphfgof Gcrmanicus.

My Lordfirftfaylcd toBrandufium,

So to Achaia ana from thence to Rhodes.

From thence to Ephcfus.froni Kphc '

ToLifimachium we bent our coutfc,

Thence to the inountainc Taurus inarch t tylanJ,

Shchung on \vhichwccoalc Armenia, andrfnherfirtill bowels pitcht our Tears. Vonone s three leagues ofFdifplaidc his flag, ThefcarletEnfitncofhis bloody mindc, There like two fieards of Lyons,\v c inraug'd Our fquidron to their Phallax-,to their darts, Our flings :againfttlidrCammels,aUauihorfc. Betwixt our armies Tigri s fwiftly ran, and there within a league on our right hand, A decpe-delu'd Gauc, (fit ambufh to intrap) All vaulted with a young difpraycd grouc. Herewith fiuchundrcthfoot-mcnlightofarmes, . My Lor d did place me till he gaue the fignc : So in the hcate our Legions fccni'd to Hye, Till all Vononesamiie part the floud, And in purfuite of our fuppofcd flight, There all cnuironed with hidden troopcs, That faw Vononcs and histicricSonnc. And fomefcwmorc.which them accompained, \Ve made an cnde of this rebellion* Tigranoccrta then we all inclos'd, And wonne it,and my LordGermanicuf, Infinglecombatjflcw their goucrnor. j4r. Ah my dcare Lord ! how fares Germanic us 3 M*x. I,thats the difmalkiexves I haue to tell, Leau ing the Orient thus in fetlcd peace, AndPiloPretor of Armenia, "We marched to the Cittie Antiochc, "Whereas my Lord had heard were ChriHians, ludcian PricftcSjthe which diU mngniJic,

An

(/"Claudius Tiberius Nero*

An vnknowne God,in dayly pietie.

Before the Cittie grew a CiprefTe Groue,

Strcw'd vndcrneath with fading Violets,

Where GafHyScreach-owlcs hold their refidenccj

TrucProdi2;ies,offatall mifcries.

about the midday of Antipodes,

When our Horrizon was bcnum'd with flccpe,

a furie and a paffion both at once,

Began furprize my Lord Germanicus. (hsr SOHT*

y^r.Oh heaucns ! -—ShefAintethanA is upheld by

Dru* Mother you promis'd for to heare the woril and can you not indure the firft aflault?

Affrif. Yes Maximusjtell out the dyrcil wo, My hart conceiues more grief then thou canft ihcw

Max. What time the liuing diall of the night> His firft alarum,rang to Cipria, Gall ofmy foule,! faw that wocfull fight, Wherein my Lord (tormented) meckely lay, Like to a Lyon in his generous kindc, Doth gnaw the carth,in felneflc of his minde, Grudging forrow but difdaines to moane, Or rorc in torment of his agonic, So lay Germanicus in gricuous paine: Yet gricft from outward (hew did much rcftrainc, But feeling that his fpirits gan to failc, and vitallpulfeslcaue their motion, He cald for Plato,and there two hourcs red, Of theimmortall efTcnceofthcSoule, Soconftairtinhisfoules Diuincrcleeuing, (mng That sriefe cuen grieu'd herfelfe, for him not grie- Then to his fricncfes,he gaue this laftfar well, Deare fri*ndes,and worthy countrymen adicw,

Imientaccuietneiuiutcui t.iv> .ButfmcebyPifojandhispoyfonousdi-ugs^^^

Tragicalllife and death

Germanicus is lofl^reuenge my death.

4grt. Enough,tooniuch: Olcan bcarenomorf, Good Nero goc,run to Sabinus houfc. (Exit Nero And treatc him come, and comfort thy fad mother, Dru (us gocthouvntoAfinius lodge, ('Driifxt AndwooehimhethertothyforowingMother.fjt'i/ B'!t was my Husband poy foncd by that flauc i O Monfrrous hell-hound of ambition !

t-3/*.v.Noman couldproueit,but it was ftirmii'dt Both by the dying words ofmy dcarc Lords And by the fuddainc fwellmg of his head, That like a fnow white Lcaper was dcfildc. As by the heart of *reat Germanicus, \Vhofe body being Durnt,that yet vntoucht, A certaincnotcofpoyfon ftill reimin'd, Which I embalmed wit!: Arabian fpices, Mixt with the afhcs of mv dcareftLord: Hauc in this Allablaftcr tox preferu'd, The oncly Rclique of this Tragedie, VVhich to you worthy Ladie I prcfenr, Yours it was liuing:,youi'sitmuft be dead.

styip. I had it liuing,and m\if> hauc it dead, all may befall that muft neceflicie. Flyo liuingfoule,into this lufticflchf art, T1iat it may animate my greater part. Or clfe(Oh Gods)graunt this fclicitye That here my breathing fouJe may tombed be. Mine eyes ftall drizell down Arabian mirrliCj To garnifh all Armenian infcftions Or falling frommy eye-baMcscoueredbc> "With this faire coueroffadmifcries, 2 n/ufl ncedes Icoke vpon this laft reiiefe, V/hich f\vels,as being angry for my griefc.' Ah my Germanicus ! thus to hold thy heart, Yceldcs me no comforr.but augments zny fmart. Kfro rtittrneili.

erius Nercx

Ner. Mother, Salinusfometwohouresfince, Is gone to vifitefaireEIizintn.

«. What to thy Father my GcrmanicusJ

Drrtfus re tur neth.

Mother, Afiaius Callus very weakc, Expedls the fatall houre of his death, Fhifitiani tell him he is poy foned* a^m/>.Toomuchmy Sonnc, great forrow flill is dumbe. Exeunt omneu

fnter Plcbeiant vith one dfAfaximw his SoUitrr. I .And is it true,did Pifo poyfon Germanicus ? Sold. True,! as true as this is an Armenian Lcufe, that bit me by the baclce,& I am fure I carried none out of Rome with me: for his head fwcid , his hayrc would not burnc.and hee dyed in a furie,and we al know that Pifo had mortall hatred againft him becaufe he wold not let him hauc his mural crown* 2.O Germanicus Germanicus! oh good Germa nicus ! the very hunifucklcof humanity,& the Ma ry-gold ofmagnanimitic:Pifo is not to be copared to him , Pifonoc,heif tohim(euen in thccreame of hi» nature) the veric lees ofliccntioufnesjthc Veriu- kfofvillany,thc very excrement of euil, & which is mtorcjhe had no reafon to poyfon him.

3 Good Germanicus , oh when fhall I make thce an other payrc of bootsthat would cue* fmilc whS they Ihouldccmc vppon his lcgg«?O I (hallneuer make fuch merric bootes againe.for all the dne lea ther in my (hop I warrant will weep intircly when they heare this ncwcs.

Sol. Confent to me,Pifo will beheareprefcntlf (hcthoughttohaucbecnehecrcbeforevs) content

to mc.lcts plagu e h»m for Germanicus.

i Aereed,andletsrofthiminhi$»kmne,asyott

roftadat. ft Nay, Ictsdrownchimaliue,

TheTragicalllife and death

. Nay,will you til kccpc touch , and wfel« teircnimioyntbyioyw when weehaucgae him, therefore (laud dofe,forl hcarehis horfcneigh,thc Aflc will be heerc prefently.

Enter Tt/o.

Pif. Haile Mother Rome. Sol. I,ftormes of vengeance on thy curflcd head, i . "Where is Germamcus ? fpcake ! 4. Speak! what haft thou done with Germanic'^ ' fif. I cannot tell. All. Bui wee will male ethec tell. They drtig him in > And enter Againe ivtth hi: lit*s in thei* handset hey fiottt and cry . (Lord

Omnet, Thushauewe fcDtreucngctoour dcarc Thus hauc we fent Gcrjnanicus reuenge.

Enter Tibcnut 4*d S (touts tut tftbt Ca*e>

Tite. Sejanus.

Set*. MyLor^.

Tibe, Ho Sejanu*.

.Srw.Herc my gracious Lord.

Tibe* A plague vpo htm>that Hrdmade this Cauc It was not fumptuous,nctfairc enough To be the Tombe of a Hue Emperour. Thankes to my Genius, and thy prouidcncc, That hath defended me from farmer \\\y And yet mv ihouldcrs fcclc the hcauie loade^ Strraabruui j

Vanifh the monuments of antioue w Mew'din external! (i)ence beobfcursdj NotTheiius loqc vnto Perrithous Not Alexanders to Hsrpheftjon, Nr ?thc twoBrethcren ofParis fworne, 't 'hat in eternal! courfes fcaJe the heauens, JDzd €u«r nwnifcA fuch doncnlbatioo^

Of

e/" Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Of faith vnfaign'd,and more then Twtlc-do-uCV

Saued my life, now by my Geneus

If all the world were ten*fimes multiplied,

And one of them v;crehia Je ofmaflit gold,

Enameled with Pearl cs and Diamonds,

Embofl with f-fper and Alites vertuc:

Yea were all theieimaginarie worlds,

Vnder Tiberius hi., dominion*

This woridjthis rough-cart world with precious

Should be the guerdon of my failed life* (Icrn.J>

Ah my Scianus ,whut can N ero find,

To conntcr-ballance fuch afaithfull minde.

Seian, Mod gracious Czfar migh tie Emperour,1 Had Pcllion and CoiTa becne conioy'nd, Had mounting Tenarus with thefnowie Alpes, And high Olympus ouerwhclm'd the Caue, Yet would Seianus (HkeBriarius) Hauc beene cmboweH*d in this carthichellj Tofaucthclifeofgreat Tiberius.

T<^» No whaucl tried the truneffeofthyftampcj Bith' touchflone of this late opprcflion, Nero repayes thy loue with vfurie, But by my Geneus how this (uddaine fearc Hath made vs cleane forget our mothers care.' Tell me Seianus,ho w fares lulia?

&*,:» Aly Lord flic doth comend her to your grace But very wcakc vpon afurfettaken.

Tib* As how Seianus? old folkcs vfe good diet.

SfM. And fo did fliemy Lord, at fupper time She tooke a kernell of reitoratiue, In a Pomgranctjwhkfe did fopreuaile. A"? that left her ficker with her Phifickc: Afinius andSabinusherdeare friends, From that Apothecaric did receiue, The like reftoratiue with like effeft: And then I poafted to your Maieftic.

~t r •

K

Tragic all life and death

Tib. Iulia,Sabifius,and Afinius, For cJich a teare.fc to Elizium. But what Scianus note I in tin face? T he fe ale of feare though well difltmbled, Are they not all difparcht why deft thou feare? Saun. Vpon mine honour all arc penfi)ed.(foulc? Til;. What doth thy confciencc thendilrurbe thy \Vhat meanes the carclcfle rowling of thine ey c Thy louing forowjfoulding of thine armes? Thy fuddaine fighs,cliy vvauering countenance? Now all thy blood doth ebbeinto thy hearty Now allthyblufhingvifageoucr-flowes, 5pcake my Scianus,faucrofmy life, And by my Gcncus thou flialt obtaine.

SCM. Fcarc and allegiance»dutic and aflfcftion, Honour and pittic.loyaltie and louc, R.ufcmutuall tumults inniydoucnhcair. Tib. Speakc goodScianus, Nero Ion js to hcirc\ The mutinous diffcntion ofthy feare. Sew:. May be my Lord Scianus fcarcs in vaine T«^. Let Carfar know, lead Carfai feare in vaine* SfV0r*VVhatifmy Lord itdoconccrncmyhurti Ttk Yet tell to Cacfar who can cure thy hurt. Seta, lampcrfvadedthatitisbut forg'd. Tth* Wcll.howfoeuer lcommaundthfe(new. • Seta. Faulter my tongue thou dolcfull inftrumcntj Infortunatetotell fobad aftoric, Pardon my Lord.

Til • Scianus I commannd. And bv my Geneus 1 will be obeyed.

Sfia* Then heauen« beare witnes what I do record Comes of no malice nor ambition, For of mine honour 1 do thinkc it forg*cU Aty Lord,finr e you lay in Campania, It is a rumour blow ne by vulgar winde. That you wiliacuerbackcrcturne to Rome,

Icoold

I could not eeflc on what preemption:

But when I nrft aflaulted lulia,

And ihehad fw allowed vp the poyfonous baight,

Faith then inlouc vnto her Ladilm'p,

I told her that your grace did feck* her death*

Kot Menus wkh the frantike dames of Thrace,

(That in their Dionifi an facnfice,

Mangled the bodie of poore Pentheus)

Raued like lulia in her paffion.

7**. O how it doth me good tohearc her mad!

Sti*. May itpleafeyour Maicftic togiue meleaue Here to fet do wne a dolefull period.

Ti* No by my Geneus Nero will hcarc all.

Sei*> After the furie,anger tooke her throne* Like a fierce Lion chaft tofeeke reuengc, \Vhcn wooing me with many honie words, Of good, and wifejandfriena,anddebonairc» Idle finononimicj of women s wit, flic all to prayed my confrant fecrecic And I to neare the fummall exigent, Swore neuer to reuealc her policie Whileft lulia and Scianus both (hould Hue, And 1 hattekept my promife with her to. Then didfhc feemeto wooe me with herlookes^ But good my Lord let here Seianus 1 cauc, For on mine honour all may be but forg'd*

T<^. If thou concealed but one tillable, Nero will hate thcein eternitie.

S ta. My Lord,s;reat Julia faidOie would preuent Tiberius in his Tygers crueltie: She fwore my ayde,m< fworc my /ccrccic, Adding a gift to eueriewordefliefpakc: ThjsRingjthisSignetofAuguftusArmeSj This Iewell,pifture6f your noble fafher, Yet lulia you know my Lord was wife, And all may be but forged polhcie:

K * She

• •

*The Tragkalllife and death

She faia how flic deuifcd had the plot,

In this Campanian ceceflion.

(Oh Gods forf end)to end T*beriu< dales'

7"'£» Tis well Sc janus fliec's but \. < occecfe,

SfM.T he clay before the bluff erinf! Ides of Marcb "Which as I take it, this day is expired (That made mcpoftc 'o nattily from Rome) On this fame fatall day olde lulia fwore, Hir Sonne Tiberius mould be poyfoned. But by w hofe means,my Lord I muft conceal?, Por ofmine honour I doe think e it forg'd.

Tiber. Conceale a Tray tor.and my guard flial lop Thy ioy nted carkaile: goe t^o tel me all*

Sti*. Why then my Lord,imagineall isfalfc, And what ifay^isall but counteifaitc* Doe not concctue that Dru His your dear c fonncj Afpires to be aprefent Emperour : Bclecuc not that this day he makes a feaft, Where mightie Cxfar,(hould be povfoncd*

Thinkenotthat Spado that Twigiooncbcnt to IV

Is now corrupted to peribrme the aft^

TVho tafting firft vnto your Maiefti e,

"With a Vine-branch enfoulded on his arme

\Vill fqueafe in - poy fonous drugs to flay my Lord*

Imagine this to be a 1 y ing dreame,

Though Julia Avar . and vow d it fliould be fo,

And made greatioyance,thatit^jauld be (bj

Bclecue it not furely Oic laid not true,

For on mine honour I doe thiuke it forg'd .

Tiber. No,no,Sejanus,I haue w(cli obfcru'4 The haughtf e (romackcof th'af, iring Boy, But lie pull dovvne his lofcy crcllcd plumes,. And teach him homage to his foucraigne. How dare the Angling elfc,on CP looke on met, And not be turn'd into an A (pen Itate, To tremble at each br«a Jud filiuLlc J

^Claudius Tiberius Nero*

Sei.1. Be patient gooHmyLord,pcrh,^5Stiildif<tJ Or be it truc,a> who would once concciuc, Such headlong furie in ambitious thoughts} Did not Mithridates PontusKing, JForgiue Phraatcs his rebellious Sonne? Didnot lugurthus father, often checke His high a^iring thoughts? yet him forgaue:

Tdt9* Talkc of forgiueneflein fomepeukKinj!* Not in the ftate of mightic Emperors, This day he docth prouide T hy eftas fcaft, And bids his fathei to the bloudy cates« ' Per (wad. hie not,Seianus I will goe, 2 haue already promts d him to come, And if the villaine offer me thefc drugs, He make him fwill the cup^I Ihould carroufe

Enter Spade t*»*rd them*

Eut hterc coipes Spado bis fine inftrurnent, See-where his Garland is,ile ftab the blaue.

Sci«. NogoodmyLord, how can you then inquire The hatefull Treafons of your wicked Sonnc?

fib. Tis true Seianus,! will hold'my hands.

Se$4. Oh how I fear d 1 flunild haue bcene betraid

Requires theprefer.ee of TibeiUis* libtri. Spado we come.

Thy dr*v> 'ftde the Arrat^ndbaMejuet on thejtagt, f tffeth t«7tlxrMssntl«Ji(r*nMei

Spf. My Lor(T,yonp; D» ufits wi^eth h.ippincffe, To Neio C^rfar in this Cup or wine.

of chis my Soum , I' in iurc . Hercu ibc Ukt my gr, cious Loivi

AIOTV.H

The Tragicall life and c/eatb

* It may be like,but not fo altogether, is of the fame.

7V£<rr;Wcll, pleafe my humor Sonnc. Dr*/.Why goodmv Lord. Tther. By loue ilc haue it fo. He drtnketb tndfallt dowHct ScMnttsftAbbeth Spado t

Enter a Meflntger.

JMtJf. \Vhere is the Empcrour' Augufta is dead? . Ttb. Goc tell that newcs to Profcrpinc. Statt hito»

Anoi her (Jlfejfengtr. c'« Czfar? great Germanicus is dead. . Commend meto Germanicus.

Mef. Where's Nero,Pifo is by the Plebeians flainc T^«r.LetRauensa«d Vultures gorge onhisflcfh and thine. S

. Where is Tiberius? where is Cxlars grace? Afiniusand Sabinus both are dead.

Ti.Go greet the both thus fro Tiberius.JV**/ hi How now what newcs bringft thou ? fpcak villaia fpcake.

crjcth e*tt**d Nerojltreth on htm.

Seta. No ncwes my Lord,I am Scianui I, I fnu'd your life my Lord,I am Sejanus.

Ttk Pardon Sejanus oncly faithfull friend, The head Ions furic of a troubled foule, I dare not truitmy felfe to fee my Sonne. O who would wcare aOrownc tobe tormented? Sejanus I muft ride in poftc to Rome, To reignc the fur ic of the common heard, Secthcfe foulc carkaflcs bcburyed. GoetoScjanus,whcnI haticmy will, He ff llcmakcthccPattcrqcefthy Villaines. thsa/Mt.

Meanc

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Meane while I will to Rome to finde the bookes, Auguftus wrote and left with lulia. ExitTtfauui Set*. Why this is well, Germanicus is gone \Vith lulia and with Drufus into hell. Follow SejanusjNoe : thy wits I meane, Alas poore Drufus^troth I pittie thee, And Spado too,nic thinkes now I could vveepcy But that it i> too womanly : this chopping boy XVhomel corrupted for this Stratagcine> Ididhimagreatfauour,hadheliued Tiberius would haue had him tortured, Hang'd by the Nauell for confellion. Dnjfu$,for thee, I could haue wilht thy life* But rcafon didin force thy deftinie, Firftthat thou wert htirc to Tiberius s N oct an obferuer of my fccrccies, Thirdly thy Liuia,that Queenc of beau tie, Thi eldcfi Daughter to Germanicus, Sejanus fecret f r iend,rky fccret foe, Next to Germanicus., hey re to th e Crowns, Thy fomctime,now my wife ,if heauens agree, To make me hcire vnto a Princes T hrone, Naymore,anEmpyrethus fliall bcmineowncs Fourthly the blow which I recciu'd in pcace> Vntillrcuengcmightfatisfiemy will: All thefetor«tny werefunScient : I.im forryjhaucvs'dthec too too well) Now to tht fumme.of all my foes arc lefti Tiberius C«efar,witb him Agripma, Nero and Drufus the Gcrmanici* Then thus the fierce enrag'd Gciinan icj, 1 will infence againft Tiberius As the folc agent in their fathers death , Shew themthcfauoursof the Scnators> The Plebeians har|s inchained to their beckes, Fail c baitcs tor Co allure their young conceites.

Rebellion

The Tragicall life and death

Rebellion Tic intitlc honourable, Ami ifchat we obtainc the viftoric As I luuc bound them Lcgioni to mine hoaft, Then will Ihaucmy fpies.my fawning Curs, My hireling hcll-houndsin the battailcsheatc^ To murthcr both the yong Germanici. Tiberius vanquilht,andthefcmadcaway, Cz£ir ScianuSjEmprefleLiuia.

Ct/tg. No w plcafured by fit occafion,

Poure forth the treafurcsof thy in ward thoughts*

Which too too long Jiaue bceiie imprifoncd,

NovvmufconRornesenfuingnuferies,

Tiberius treafons^nd thy fathers death,

Thy brothers danger,and thine owne contempt,1

And mufing, meditate vpon reuengc,

Baniih harts quiet from thy fleeping thou^ht^

Vntill thy thoughts be fatisfic/wi3i Wood.

Nero I comcjinfpireme iuftcftrage:

And Romcihall tremble at Caligula. Exit fiRg.

Sitter StivutT, vrith Ner»,a»d. D rttfut Germtnici. Se\«n. Nc^DrufuSjDrtifusjNero^oth arconc, Or one or both,for both I know arc one: Andwhatlfpcakctoonelfpcakc to both. Nay,heare me out for what I fpeakc is true, Pifodid poyfon great Gcrmanicus Your fathcr,Ncrocs fonne and niy good Lord, I,by Tiberius pollicie» Lo li ere the pardon made for Pifo drawnc \Vliit-h Iiilia dying did to me commend, Whatfiiall I fpeaketoniooi you to rcuengc, TheSenatisactiotedtoyoui Tockc, The common people i«) foftttmrmurmg, Like Bees doc f cckc the honie of your Hiucs^ W/iat irfomc V\'af/j«- Joe Juouc Tiberius?

Ijiauc

0/Claudius Tiberius Nero.

I haue a fwarme maugre thefe lazie droanes : J haue the Legions at Scianus beckc, And for my Iakc}and fpeciall y for yours, I know they will eujbrate all their force, Befidesthe honour of your Countries good, Exile the tyrant,fo did Caflius, Brutus the elder and the yonger Brute, Honour and fauour,youth and legions, The Senators,and the Plebians: Ifallmaymoueyou}eourage noble hearts? Let Hares and Harts befearfull in their kinds, Romanes haue valiant and vndaunted minds*

Nero. Brother a word with you: Takgs him AjiAe

i$W*.I,go,confult,whiliHcenturiatc Athoufandnetstocatch fuch tender fooles. Nero. Drufus how doftthou like Seianus gefture? *~Dru* Faith like his words,for both are counterfet* Nw0» Vpon my life Tiberius fent the flaue. Dru. Tis fo by Ioue,tis fo, looke brother, fee How the damn d villain flearcs,& laughs,& lowres "Wcle firft begin with him,& the for Nero: Thej be* Nero. Brother contcnt,and now berefolutc, gin to But here comes lulius Celfus,hold thy hand, draw*

TLHterlu/iuf Celfut.

Ce/fta. Flic,fiie Scianus, lulius bids thee fiie: Nero hath found thy death in luliacs houfe, Imeane,thecaufe of death, thy trcchcries. The letter that thou fent'ft to Liu ia: Away,fliift for thy fclfe,and fo will I. Exit* Sfia. Hath he found thatJ'Seianus curffe chy felfef The lower world,and the higheft heaucn. That he hath found them5die,confunie,andburnc. Ihearethcnoiftofhorfes, they arehere, A pi ague vpon them all, then here away. Exit ^.Brother away,t'jstimevwe may fulpe£t.Exe#Kt SetanM lookes in at tlat doore^mdfpcak^tk^

L S.-«. Hcli

/

The Tragical! life and death

Set. HcH yawnennd fwatlow thcmithat way lam This way the dogs wil baric. & fo betray inc:(ftopt, The gcefc will gaggle,iflfiie this way. There are his murderous giurd,ahel confound tl»c: Oh for the fcauen-way houfe of Hannibal I Sejanus kill thy felfe,oh no I dire not, Would I were an Afletobearc: folam. I am not: 1 flic,I dare not: 1 cannot,! tnuft. Exit.

Enter Ttberitii with hitgn*rdpttrfk<n<T SttAnus. T/^.Hafrforyourliucs,fceke,fcArch,cnquirc,flop Mifdoubtjcxamineyfpie^atchjiaue a care, ftay, And if he pafle^ot oneof you (hall fcapc Th' cxtreamcll torments that I caninflic*. Poaft poa(r,,away (ome to the Capitoll, Some to port Ef<quilinc,mount Pallatinc, "Watch, watch the ftrcetes,thc Drufian rtrectes, Hie tothe AltarSjthc^E^crian wood; The bridge of Tibcr,and Prometheus Lake, Some where >any wherc,cucry whcrcjaway^away. *

Enter SfianusHhegttardbefett all the doortsthe tth tiulprojferftb to come diner t wajet: At loft r*Jbctb •n the guard) fi?htfth,andtt taken. Stia. lieaucnjCarth^clhhelpe^hide^apc: hercfwallow vpaliuingfacnfice, Grac'd with an Hcccatombecf flanghtcred flaucs^ Hold fword Sejanus barters death for death! TV. So,bind the traitor faft in Ironchaines, Now flaue of honor ground of Infamie, Obloquiesfubjccltandfairc dealings fharnc, Nay hear e me villainc.for thou muit,and flialt. Scia. Muft,i]ial,and will,for lam bound to doeir* Tib. I>and to bcare what cucr I inflict. ^^.Strikquckly^ftrikehomc,! wait the ftrokc And ihall embrace thcinftiumcnt of death,

And

0/CIaudius

And ncuer gricue to drounc it in my blood* So ihat the ftreamie fpirits that afcend, Were of fufficicnt force to ftrangle thee: Tilt. Ah goodS'ejanus how yet i pittie thee ! SrM. I craue no pittie,neith«rfeare thy pride, Whof e pittie onely ferueth for a truce, Tolcuicnew fupply of tyrannic.

Tit* The man begins to play the Orator, Get him a Throne to grace his eloquence. Seia. This kind of curteiie I will accept. Tib. Yetfiiall you not pcrform't except I will: S<?i«If,Tyger$iflue thou Ihouldft cut out my tungt And rob my thoughtsof their Arnbaflador, The boundleiTe Ocean ofmy fwellmg thoughts^ (Enraged with the malice of my heart) \Voula ouerflow mv breafls immuring bankcs. To make relation of thy viilanie.

Tih. Oh terrible reuenge,intollcrable. But I /hall vndcrgoe it as I may, And here and there dill as you olaun ce at me, But touch a little your owne villainies, And therein play the true Hiflorian. Tut courage man$why doft thou not begin?

Seta, Biduthou begin, who long will wiihmecnd* Ere I haue ript vp half e thy vi Hanks: Which ncuer will haue end vntill thou end. Oh hadfl thou ended ere thou hadft begun, So many euils had not chaunc'd in Rome: Then had not Veftae s Tapers beene defil'd, North' Altars turnd to irreligious vfes: "When thou didft make her ncuer dying lampes, Seruc for the Torches to thy burning tuft, The whilefther Templemade a brothcl-houfc, And all her virgins proftitute to thee. But thefe are but thy meancft outrages, Wrought in thy villainous irnnoritie

L*

The Tragic all

Thy Cleopatrean catcs could fcarce difgeft* Without amcafure daunc d by naked truls, To feed thy glutton-eyes immodcft eaze.

Itb. And where was then Sejanus, holy man?

Set* Herein I doe accufc my felfe of guilt. > Tib .Before w thy hatefull head for doing it.

S«** Bale to thy hatefull heart for caufing; it.

Tib , Thy plotting head for fo inuenting it.

S«4.Thy bloodie mind for fo concluding itj

Tib. Anrfon-Sejanus for effecting it.

S.-W. And on Sc janus for efFec*ring it. Yet villaine doe I curfe my curfed fclfc?

Downe poy fed by the execration!

Of thofe that thou by me haft murthered?

Tib. Beleeue him ftrs,niay be he fpealceth truth.

Set*. It may be tyrant.nay it is too true*

Caius,and Lucius,wercmuithcrcd,

And Agripinajby Tiberius.

So poyfoned Gcrmanicus was flame.

Sabinus, and Afmiuj weredifpatch'd,

And lulia for her fonne Tiberius.

And fo thou louedft Drufus thine owne foim«f

To fuckc his bloud in whofc death ftiHI ioy,

To thinke that therein I ore-reach* d a tyrant.

Poore Prince vniuftly doom'd to fuddainc deaths

"Which in his tife he onely this deferu'd

By giuingme a \vhirrcton the earc :

But as for treafons ignominious fpot

againft thy fclfe,thy life or Diademe,

His innocent thoughts neucr were tainted with; T*. Hold hart,br«ak not betwixt my rage & gricfe S.-M, Onely for this. ( dfdt.

Ttb. Oncly for ehis fO fiirie teaehrny touguc,

To breath eternal! curfes on his foule. S«>.O how I triumph in foulc-plcadngioyj

Iliat herein yet 1 die npt vmcucng'd.

I made

1 Tiberius Nero.

I noade him die for mine owne proper fault,

For know Tiberius as in all the reft,

So in thy Sonne Drufus fad Tragedie,

I grounded the foundation of my hopes,

Meaning vpon the Ocean of their blonds,

To fwim vn-to the Throne of Maieftie,

And from thy band rend the imperial! crowne.

Tf£« Here is the Catalogue of his defer ts, Ti s pittie but he w ere an Emperour. Spurius He vhupert in kit eve<>& fxit Spttrint

Make haftc,! charge thee on thy life. Herein I muft detract from pollicic, And Fortune attrib ute the caufc to thee, That thus I may reuenge this treacherie*

Seta, Reuenge ! alas thou maid perhaps on me, Inflift th* cxtreamiticof puniflimcnt, And rid thee fo of onepeece of thy feare, But yet thou canft not (cape deferued death, For from the Phoenix alhes of their Sire, The heart rcuiued young Germanici. "Wife Nero,and fierce Drufus arm'd with rage, Come like alightning to confume thy ftate.

liber. Soldiers purfuc them ere they pafle the Toioynethemfelues vnto the Legions. (walles • &M. Why lunatickcVfurperofthc Crowne, They arethelaw/ull heires vnto the ftate, Thou but adopted by falfe treacherie, My right as good as thine it to the Crowne, For both but falfe,and both but vilhnie. -

1i!>c. Thou dooft me wrong Sejanus to vpbra "With IgnominiouiTitlc of ingrate. (me thus, Or wrong detaining w bat is not mine owne.

£nter Spttrms with a bttrniog Cr<nvnc> Who,! Vftirpe your Crowne and your eftate S I were not fit to Hue and i f I fhould. TJicrebrcnay Majjftcrs^hecre before you all,

The ^Tragicalllife and death

I doc rcfignctny erowne impcriall Vnto Sejanus^nd doc inuelt him Ciefar*

Hf fits tht burning Crowne vpon his head. AH hailcScjanus.Romes great Emperour.

Set** Aniaile:Hell,Death, Defrruclionplague LetallthctortuicSjtormentJjpuniflimcnts. (youal In earth, in hcauen,in heft, reuengc my death, \Vhofe burning panic torments me not fo much as that there conies not from my fcalded braincs, Sufficient fmoakc to (mother all of you. He djct*

Ttfo* So dye thy CuilTes with thy curfcd fclfe, Now one goc caft,hit body c into Tiber, The reft goe with mc.tis high time to haft. Pxettnt, ULttttr Aqriptnafola* (tmnet

Agr. Oh heaucns ! an d i f that any power be highcrl O earth I and if that any lower lye? Melt heaucns into a fhowrc of fupplebalme. Flower earth,all purpled with Ncpenthaes Icauec, Too f ooliJtt Agripina to complame, Earth,Heaucn$,N epcnthacs balmc, and al in vaine. This earthly hart,it is my plcaiing earth.

She openctk the box vpnh the heart ff (/err»4HifUt This is Nepcnihacs that doth cure annoy : Thisbalmc,thisCa{Tia,thisufw€etcftMyrrhc "When I forget to ioy in this refpccl, Heaue,Earth,Ncpcnthaes all do me neglect

0 what a dungeon is this tabernacle!

To whopie,and whcn,and where (hall I complains?

1 know notjandagainelknowc, For Agripina is amaz'd with woe.

Enter Afarco.

M*ct .Madam.Tiberius Gcfars maieftie, Sent me to tell you of hisncarc approach.

txfgrr'.Wil Nero come? where arc his torturs then ? His rod his Hatchets Rackcs,5yucs,manaclcs, "Whips^ridiros.Tumbrcls.LyonSjTygers^earcj And all his vnquoth new found Mcflcngcrs,

Which

""(^Claudius Tiberius 'Nero.'

\Vhich bloody Phallaris could ncrc inucnt J Can raircPallantiasleauc her Lucifer, Or Phoebus ihinc^and not Aurora rife? Tulh you arc much dccciu'd, Nero will not come. Macro. Lady, my heart doth yearne to here your To (urge in billowcs of £uch bitter waucs. (grief e,

And

Agr* And what ? good Gentleman,tcl out the reft: Whatywill you fet a (hip vpon my Sea, Fraught with a thoufand Tunneof hcauie cares, And with a fliarpe tcmpeftious Romainc vvindc, SiilevntoThulcor the frozen maine, Then glide vppon the ycc and fo to land, And fow e thcfe fecdes of care twixt bankes of Rue,

Dcepe delu'd.anddcepe rooted in coldc clay,

Then in purfuing of this fain tic foy Ic,

Stay vntiil haruefr,and in A u tunmc fheare

This fruitefull Corne,and fo returne againc.

But Agripina, thefe fond humors leauc,

Macro,my griefe my fences halfebcreaue. Mtcr.'Ttne Agripina,Macro much did wonder,

The variable paffions of fad forrow,

That I lament the tragic kc hi ftoric,

This dolefull faultcring Engine (hould impart,

Nero will hethcrcomc vndcr pretext^

To comfort,butto trie your patience..

He hath an Apple in fuchfirrop dipt*

Woich he in kindenesmeanes to offer yout ,

If you acccpt,acccpt a prcfent death :

Jf you denie,hcelc take exceptions,

Againft your faith, and fubicfts loyaltic.

DreadrullDilcmma.counfell as you may.

I doubt that Nero wil mifdoubtmy ftay.£.r»/ M*r;v /?e^.Darcshc not ftay 2 O monftrous-periurie!

Did he not vow by loues etcrnall Cro wnc?

By Saiuriws fighfijand Venus golden bcl t?

Mercuries

;

The Tragical! life and death

Mercuries changing rod and Lunaes Horne> That he would ftay with me.O pcriury J Nero make haft : yet ftay,ile pairc my Nailci , Leaft that I fct my tallcnts on his face, Andfpoile Narciflus comely perfonagc. He will 2;i«emcanAplc,i!egiuefcim— — * A what ? a Lemmon : no but lie giue him A Chcfnut,and hecle crackc the riuen uSel!f And t wixt his Milftoncs, grindc the yealding meat Germanicus,ohmy Drufus 1 oh my Deare, Nero,no ! Nero Cxfar will vifite me^ And feede me fat with Capons and with Quailes. Quailes ! noc with Apples fo he comes: I (hall be cram'd today. Enter Ttbtrittfwttk hu attendant* Spitrius & Ner*a9

tttr. Faire Daughter Agripina,you doe wrong That fpotlcflc beautic with congealed ceares. Blotting thofe Rubies with diflolued pearl cs, StayningthofcRofcs withfuch Chnftalibearacs. Is not the world fubjctl to Romaine power J And thou the Daughter of the Emperour, And fo th' imperial! Miftrefle of the worldf Then Agripinabutcommaundthe world? and all the world fhall fcekc to comfort thce»

^rr«Ncro,notall the world can comfort me, Since all the world hath loftmy comforter.

7"i^r«Hath all the world? what did your Lord af- Daughter.y ou cannot rule vnlclTe you raignc.(pire?

Agr. BluHi not dcare Enfigneofmy modcflic, ShamelightonmcifthatI bcaniam'd, Since thou wilt neucrbeafiiam'd of (hamc, My Lord Germanicus did he af pirc? No Nero no.thcre lurkcs the fifrila Of fawning; hatred that did murthcr him* Did he cot honour Rome in Germany}

Did

of Claudius Tiberius Nero,

Did he not homage to Tiberius? Did he not loue his countric part compare? Courteous and mildc,andtooob(cquiou»; TOO well beloued and too credulous? and therefore murthcred.

Tibtr* Nay Itay a while,

And breath,andraile,andraile and breath againc, and then I hope your Lady/hip will (ray, JVlcane while,hold,heeres an apple to refrclh The dry cd vapours of your fuming head. Eate 1 1 and breath, eate it and railc againc, Doc fc fajre Daughter to allay your pame. Words cafe thellomacke.

A*i":y* So m uft they mine : Ou'fs-nn' h art would brcakeinviledifpite. MontlerofJVlouftcfS,ill istootoo«;ood, Cruel, too milde a title for toydecdcs: Nature could ncuer tinde a man fo bad, That might referable thy foulc Villanies. Tojde.Crockadilc Afpe,V)per,B:ifiliskc, Tooholfomc,umc,mJlcU,gentle;vcrtuout, For Neroespoyfon..ruric,cnuy, wrath.

Ttbe, Woman, I lillcn much vnto thy Taunts, Yet know that I haucPandaturia, Thd'e,babblc to the wind.thy fooliriimoancs, Therein fomc defart make thy Elegies, Tune them vnto the puling harmony, OrthchmeiuingconfortbredinTnrace: Rome fhall not hcarc thy yelling execrations, Eeforc Enos fliall fourc times be vyaflit, In Nercus fountaine with Hiperion, Vpon thy life fee that thoii fee not Rome, Butbaniflu,backetopandatuiia.

Aw. Firft let the head of Nilus be rcueaid, Let Tiber Howe in ^Egipt,N ile in Rome, Let earth to avre.and water turnc to fire,

M

ragicau

All toconfufion,letheauenturne?ohcii, And which is more and moft Prodigious, Let Nero thinkc one thought of honcftie, If Agripina yecld to bannilhment* DidnotSejanuiblazen ail thy wrongs, That all the world doth loath thy treacheries? Did not the Parthian King admonifh thec? Thou werta villaine,ancirhou fworfrtwastrue, Doth not each night with drcaines of thy foulc fins Torment thy foule withgaftly Spectacles? Ca jus, Lucius, Auguftus,Iulia, £cjanus,and my Lord Germanicus, Solicite Pluto for thy dceperetiengc? They doe,thcy doe,and all the furies (hake There new Hide y ron whips for their reucnge. If there be hcauen, be fure of Nemefis : If there be hell be furc to be tormented, "With balefull tortoi*ncuer yti inuented. (breath? Tibs* Notall this while^good Daughter out of \VeUfpeake thy la(l,thai: !\omc /hal here the* prat«r -/fgr.My laft ^ond Tyrant know that I Wil fpcakc In tpite of Nero,in difdaine of Rome5 Nero thcButcher,bioody fliamblrs Romet Who fells the fjyreff ware at meaneft price. Tiht, J,and bctpufe peeuifh wilfull gr iefc, Hath made you fome what ieane;not fit for falc, You fhall to erafle foPandaturia: Prouide hei hay and water ftorc enough.

Agrtt* No,no9whatil)alllc4ll this hateofcarth? He call him Nero^thats tht worft of all. Nero,it lliall not neede,! am prouided Of fairer Gates without thy honeft care, The cornc that makes my bread are yellow carei> Ripened by heate of angcrjn my brcafrt The barren field ofnought but carefull feedri. My mcatc the foddui forrowcs of ray heart ,

Which

ejf Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Which boilc with foft remembrance of my woes, And if I play the Epicure in gricfe, My tcarcs dial 1 b e the fence of my r cpafts. If eucr other foodc my tongue dcctafte:

I eucr other foodcmy flomackc doc concockt: Let all be turn'd from fuftentation, To fill import unies with contagious filth. I tell thec Nero, Agripinc will die, And ftarue her fclfc, and fcorne thy bannifhrncnt. Tis two daics fince I laft did tafte of mcatc, Curd be my foulc>if euer I doe eate.

Tike. Will you not? fee,firra,go fetch fotncfoode lie make theccurfle thy felfe : hold, take, f.i 11 too.

«Xg«. Detefted tyrantjl do fcorne thy foode.

TV^.Then hclpe Sirra, ope her mouth & f cede her, Cut her mcatc Imall ,and fccdc her daintily.

^r«Out villainc. Hefcedttb her^MdJbepntttth it

Ttbe* Sirra difpatch I fay. (out *g*in§

Nay9cramher thcn,& fecde her fat withall.

f]f choakcth her tntfo (he diet. "What haft thou ftranj^lcdher? here take thy hyre* Canfi thou not feed al>aw no better yet? Stabt him.

Nern. Ah)Nero,Nero«

Tt&. What Nerua be content, She chofe of this rather then banifliment: And belter choakc then ftaruc our wilful daughter, Shee's gonc,and if I liucthou (halt goe after, dfide. Exeunt Mil but Macro *nd Cdtfu/f*

Macro. Barbarous,inhumane,worlcthcn crueltje, Which Gods and mcn,niine eycs,and Coul«,do hate, What Hyporborian Climate in the Nath} What Lidiandcfart, Indian vaftacie? What witdernefle in wilde Arabia, Sohatefull monrter eucr nourished, To hinder willing dcatU by villanic^ Caligula, Chaflschiig Caligula, .

\vnerc

TheTragicalflife and death

"Where is the Spirit ofGermanicus f Did he beget thee in an idle dreame ? Or did thy Mother thinkc it vanitic As yEthiops Qjccnc vpon Andromeda? If but one fparkcby chance remaine aliuc, If but one drop,onc Mathcmatickc point, Make vp a Sea,a bodic by addition, Blow vp (Caligula) this flu pie fparkc, Caligula remember what thou art. Caltv . Macro,Caligulacan beare thy taunts, Can be vpbraidedat a Cap taines hand, My Father told me, and 1 remember it, The higheft vertucis true patience. Iknownot whatyoumeanebyallthefewordes, That mount my F athcrJ prayfes to the skic, To liue fccurcly,! deemc that the bcft, And a great vertue to be pa treat.

Maw. Patient Caligula, I am a /liam'd, I am impatient to h care that word, That noble Till* wreOcd from his fence, Ah 1 did not Macro fcrucGermanicus "When as thy Mother bare thec in the field? Didnot a pcale of Trumpets found thy birth ? And Drums make mufickc to allay hir paines? "Waft thou not train'd fore thou couldft fperJce, Didft thou not were a Common Soldiers fute 3 And therefore hadft thy name Caligula? \Vhcreis thy Captiucfoulcimprifoned e Thy Lyons heart? incag'd ! no,thcni art wife, Thou decm'ft that Nero hath fuborn'd my tongue, TomakeaglozingTheameoffiatterie, To fift thy lccrets,and to fell thy life, Firft let the earth open hercurfled wombe> andfwallow vp this hellifh mantion, Let cuericltep trcadc on a Scorpion: Let cucric object be a BaiTaliskc;

Let

^Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Let heauen— what can! wil"h Caligula ? Hereismy poynard:hcrc,bcfurel];rikehoine, Ifthou can ft hauc but kail fufpition That Macro frekesto vndcrminc my Lord. "What? rhaillnow become a Sycophant?

Crf/». MacrojCaligula doth not mifh-uft, Nor hath lie reafon to rnifdoubt thy faith, But Macrojihusmuch for Caligula: Meetc me at Fides Tcmple,theie thou fhaltknow More, then vntomy mother I durftjhew*

M^cro. Were it to Fhale,! would thethcr.poaft, To heare the fcntence-of Caligula. Till then my Lord adiew.

Calif .Farwel M aero.

My Fatheiflaineorpoyfonedinthe Bail, Liuia become a foulc adulterefle. Nero and Drufus faft (hut vp in ward, and thoudeere mother hecrelyeft butchered. Grow to the earth you feeble inftruments. Tillldiftilla liquid facrifice From my harts fornance,&thefe Chriftal ftrcamef. Ye dry^d vp wels.ftraine out a little more, Tis Agripina that you muft deplore* Proud Spintjbbund thy fwelling Timpanic, Till I vnfraught this Galley of laments. Then clcare thy paflage, and burft out in fire, andmafcc an Earthquake in this little world. What (hall I vow ? to whome fiiall I lament ? Vnto the Marbles?they doe wcepe for forrow. Vnto the Wai les? thy riue thcmfclues with gncfe . Vnto theBeafts? why they would ftaruc thcmfelucs To feede thcmfelues vpon this fading hew. Marbles and WaHes,and beaftes more ruth then he, That was the Author of this Tragedic.

H* takes her in his armet and goes M. ^Encas bmthenneuer was fo dear e,

M 3 As

'cath

As this celeftiall burthen which I bcare. Ncroand Dr*fus cb.tinetl in prtjon. Drtt. Brother I faim,and now my flarucd foule, Seekes for to feed vpon Ambrofia . (chain'd

AVr0.DearDrufins,wold mine armcs were but vn- That thou mightft ftanch thy hunger on my fle/h: My colder humors feed my gnawing hcat> That I can bccter yet endure the fafr. See brother I thinke thou maifl reach mine armc, Ipray theefced vpon this leane rcpaft.

Dru. No brother if it would prolong my life, Till the great y care when al things inuft be changed To the Idea of the formers will. But if thy hungry woolfcdoe vexe thy fou-le, Feed on thcfe catcs, taftc on this brawnie armc, That will rcioyce to feedc thy appetite.

Nero. Nay brother feed on mine 1 They ettceach Nay brother mine. J ithert Arnxs*

Enter CakguU tgaint* * Boaft not Antigone of thy dearcloue. ToPoliniccs thy affefted brother, "Whom thou in fight of Creon didft entombe, Ihaue entomb'd a farrcmore precious Ie well, I in difpite of Nero farrc more crucll .

Dru. Ah,Nero,Ncro,thatdoft vs enforce, To befuch louingRomanc Canibals,

Calt Who calles on Nero,waft my mothers ghofl?

Ntro* Ah crucll Czfar.brothcrforgiuc/orgiucj My food digcftcth not,nor can I liuc.

CW/.Or am I blind;or doc mine eyes behold, My ftarued brothers?tis fo Caligula.

Mero. Brother farewell my glafle of life is run.

7)r*.Andlle go with thce to Elizium.ThejbothM*

Ca!. Is there a prouidcnt intelligence? That rules the world by his ctcrnall being? Is there ajouei and will jiejipt bejuft?

'Of

e^Glaudhis Tiberius Nero.

Or is he iuft? and will he not reucnge? Whatis he? whom,orwherc,or who can tell? Canfl thou not moue the hcauens?then raife vp hell,'

Exit falijrttla* Enter Tiberius with kit guard.

Tib. Cocccius Nerua flaru'dhimfelfe to death, I wonder much what made the old man die, In truth I lou'd him for his naked truth, In truth lie was an honcft fimplc man. Well vcrtue go with him, vice flay with me, Till IhaucmafTacrcd my prifoners, And rooted out all this confpiracie: Then will I fceme a new reformed manj And rife betimes each morning to the Temple, So afterwards I may contriuc fome drifts. I haue. a Catalogue which I muft findc, And fearch the prifons whether I haue all. \ttlim Cglf** crieth out tfprifon.

Cel Ah,Ncro,Nero,Celfus begs thine ay dc,

Tib* lul i us Cel fus what is thy petition?

Cel. An humblefutor for your clemencie.

T*£. My clemcncieCclfuSjMaric and you frail, I, and 2;rca t reafon for Seianus fake.

£r/YNot in his name I bee companion, But by thy vcrtues I doe thcc intreat, ah gracious Nero let my Guiues be loos' d.

T;£» yfndOl fus led to execution.

Cel. ^h,no Tiberius,! defire not death, But better cafe in my imprifonment, For this I bee.

TJ£. Porwnofefakclulius?

Ctlf. For mercies fake,and thy deareGeneus.

Tib. For that word lailcr loofe his Iron bands, Or by my Geneus thou (halt loofe thy head,

CW/"» O voice of comfort, thanks Tiberius.

'Itb. Tis but fora Nvhile.know lhatlulius.

Ctlf, Now

ll life and death

*Now monftcr,Tygcr>carlhc$ infcftion. Plague of the world/courge cfourh.ippie Rome, Trcafonsfiiftborne.helsout-fpcwcdvonimit, Prodigious homicide.and mmth cr$ law e, That makes a fpor ting lawc to murther men.

T^<r.Holla and breathe,and then bcginnc again, Nero fliall recompencc thcc for thy paine. £tlfus Such Rccompence had good Germanicus, Such Agripina.fuchhad lulia: Such Nero. Drufus,and their deareft Mother, Poorc A*ripina>vvife Admits: Sabinu$t>Tcrua,and thy o:fcer felfe, Young Drufus,wbofe dcarc blood was once thine Yetofthincownehadftnocompafsion. (oyvnc And laftly,(thou^h not vndeferuing it) Yet heercin well dcfeAiine at thy hand j, Jn that he was thy mifchkfes instrument r HapleflTcScjanus tooimprouidcnt, Of his intended fall,thy falfe intent. And fuch a recompencc remaincs for me, The meanefrfubjeft of thy Tyrannic. lite. Marie amcn,fwca re it,an Oracle: C^fm. But tyrant;Celfus doth c nremncihy fune Mymindcwasneuerfcuer-fliookewithfcarc OfMeao;rc death, lifes due priuation, J hauealreadiearm'dmy age to die, Whufe age deemcs death the end of miftric. Sec therefore Tygcrjiecrei thyjncrcies fruite, The cafe I fougfir.tht end ofearncft fin to. For this I beg'd,for thfsl fcem'd vnwillinir, For to be dc.id,that I might £aine my killing. Hfputs the Chine about htt nick? end f ranges hiwfflf. Ttber. Wondrous well gain'd;herc is good vfury, Where tis the gainers intcrcfl to die : ButOh for Chariric ! layler, Soldiers run, Rcfcuc hij hffy before his life be gone .

Yet

ofChudius Tiberius Nero.

Yet let him goc.

IM/KT What is your highneffc will? T$b. Nay nothing now but that as yon man elks. For Charitie clofe vp his dying eyes* \Vhythisitistohaucapollicie, Here's a poore plot to preuent crueltie. And ten to one the villaine vndci (lands, HOW this will v exc me that he 1 capes my hands,, But let that pallc leaue him to Acheron, His part is p all, pa r t of my part's to come*

,. Exeunt omnes* £nter Ct/igu/a tend Afacrofremleides Temple*

fal. Thus haue we in terch.ing'd our mutuall othcs In prcfence of the Goddetfe ofall truth: Macro remember how thou art inioy n'd, By words.by fignes,by letters and by thoughts, for to adore eternal! fecrecic.

Macro. And if my Lord mifdoubt my fecrecic,1 Cut out my tonguc,cut offmy traitors hands* Vnioynt my bodie,andpull out my hearty T hat I may neither tell.nor make a figne, Hor thinkc one thought againft yonr royal tie. Cat. Pardon me Macro,if I fomc what fcarc* That hauing all this while fecurcly flcpt, Vnder the Canopie of vanitie,

A»d neuer did impart my fecrccie,

To father, niother,or my brethren;

NcruajSabinuSjOr Afinius:

Nero,Scianus,allIhauedcceiued} .

Vnder pretext of youthfull brauerie.

But Macro, to thy youth J recommend,

The fupreame reliquc of Gcrmanicus.

by Ag'ripinacs loathed execution,

By my deare brothers ftarued carkaUes,

Bytheejbyme.byalithegods^byall:

Andif thatany amnUcr be,raore then all.

H loync

Th

loync to exile this proud Tarq uinius,

In fulling Nero: no not fo, not fo :

Yes To it mull bc.or clfc murtliercd,

For nought butdcath can fatisftc in v wrongs.

Maero.L\kc as a Greyhound in his not purfuice, Striues to out ibrip thetearfull flying Doc, Or as Dianaes girttoCephaliis, yearn'd to out- run the bead of Archadie, Both ftiiuing,yctlx>th fwiftcr then the blafts> Difciaine Boreas in his fwelling pride, Shottbr thcfiftcrof fairc Dianire: So doth the honour of your houcrin f* thoughts, G rudgc 10 be cquatl'd by my fluttering flight, Yet good my Lord-giue Macro leaue to mounty Andceaze voon. the accoH in-g; (looping pray, t foyl (Macro)tis that ha uc the wrong;. . But I my Lord, •

Donotintrear, Doe not prolong with idle breatliine words, The date of c»ld reuenge :'for cue n mis night* Nero fhal 1 be inroU'd in- PI u toes Court* In Germanic farreon the Northren fide, \Vithinthecircuitofadefartwood, . A wilderneCTcof deadly Balilisks, "Within this circuit is an heiiifH poolc, Cold in the tenth degrce.Noc S fix fo tol J, \Vhercin the fearefull Thetis drenciu her fonnr. In a Mules hoofc this water haue I kept, As fatall drinkc to Philips worthie fonne, And euen this night this water (hall reuenge, TheTyrant6 wrongs vnto Caligula, -.Macro flie vnto the Lcgi ons ,win their hearts, Perfwade with all thy warlike eloquence, Aduaunce our Eaglcs,and to morrow rnorne Approach with them vnto the Capitol, jFailc not goodMacro,b«t make ha(| away,

Tfcis

/•/-»> t V •T*»1~~ *

of Claudius Tiberius

This night for Nero or Caligula.

Enttr LIMA Sola. Liuia. Can Liuia ftill participate this ayre? Still temporize with fawning tniferic? Still feed on cares.yet dill vaine hopes rcpaii c? \Vill nothing end my crucll deftinie?

Whatlumpifo Saturncdidinfpireiny breath, Did makemc die in life,yet hue in death;

Breath out thy plaints,with allhreath outthy hart Euaporate the fpiritsofthy foule, \Veepe out thy braine the fubftance of thy fniart, That knew thy fliamc,yet woul d not (in controulc6 ^no tarnize this Sepulchre of /hamc, Soulejhart,and braine,and ail,and all to blame*

!$ Drufus dead? and yet can Liuialiuc ?

Scjanus at Elizium^nd I ftay?

My father murthered'whomchfc can giue?

MybrothersOaru'd?Liuianotniadeaway? Old Heccubaby death could cafe her gricfc, And cannot Liuia find out like reliefc?

CanltfiatflourifhcdlikefaireftRofc, Droope like the Lillicbeatcn downc with rame? Can I to whem each courtierstongue would glofe , Endurcthcirfcorncs.their taunts and vile difdam^ Could Liuia liuc,when Liuia was contented* AndcannotUuiadicnow/hees tormented?

$fa knectts bwe fy *k< Wclictpdt.

Great Fauaus to whofe facred Dcitie, This fan^ified groueisconfccratc:

ragicallli/c and death

The befl dcuotion I can dedicate:

Accept great Faunus this my dying proffer: Many more grcat,none more iincerc can offer.

NotDidotoSicheusfacrificc,

Nor Cle >patra vnto Anrhonie:

Nor great Olympias could this truce difpife,

NorSophomsbaes loyall miferie: Zenabia,Palmicaes noble Queene, This fatall end of Liuia might be fceme.

Fai re fountaine clcarc the blots ofinfamie, Coldftreamcs,congeale the rumour of my death, Thou onely Philomela (ing my Tragedio, Carroll a Dirge formy exhaled breath:

Fairc ftreames I come, let no man hearemy cries* Let no mail llied one teare that Liuia dies. Her*$>6 leafeth in.

"inter CAli

/• By this, tt c cruel Tarcjuine /Lould be fpcd, Banidit from Rome and Romane Emperie, But much I f car e, preferuatiues doc ftay The furie of his waterie receipt, AndMacro may be trcchcious : what a fbolc Was 1 for to impart my fecrtcie? O what a villainc was Caligula? Horror confounds me in this Agonie : But He Cataftrophizc this Tragcdie. Did not the vilLinc fwearc,and vow,and wecpe, Offer his brcaft.rhat I might make a window To fee the cankers cf his fcftrcd foule, And thou wouldeft not take him at his word!

. My Lord,the legions arc all vp inarmci, to falutc your ^race the Emperour.

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

fali. Thankes Macro, royall friend commaund them ffoy,

Till I rcturnc from Nero back again c. ILwV MaCrc» geeth to thtp/ACevebtrc Ntt* T thrifts lytth u/lett} afidt th« Arr*s. . All Jiappinefle vntoyour Majeftic. Curft be all happinc(Te,{or 1 ha-ucnene, 1 haue a fire,a fire withm my bowells,

That burnes.and fcalds,and mads me with ihe p.iin: If I muft dic,y et would I had my wiOv, Oh that euen all the ptoplc in the world, Hadbutonenecke thatatancfleadly blow*, I might vnpeople all the world and die. Giuememy h anas that I may rcntmyflefli, And teare this raging from eut my burning intraUs "Where is ^Eiculapius? who goes for him ? He hale ihe leach from hell to cure my painc, And if that Nero doe not quickly mend, lie burne euen all &be Temples of the Gods, That cannot help the Rorria:neEsnperour.

Cdig . Yes, 1 will hcl.pt the Hi n;ainc Emperour, and be reueng'd on thse Tiberius . Thou monfter Tyrant^tbuaile help thee thus:

Heejtofs hts breath with rhtfitett, anrfftabj him* This for Germanicus9this for A gripine, This for Nero.ihi? for Briifus ihisior Calieula* So,— — T^eentert vponrbf Sta^e, ThereNero,tht hate of FORK lies butchered, Heraign dnoeday,! vticuit. wtrc munhcrcd, AskinghisMajfter Zrnr.aGieeke word, \VharDialeclehcsnfwrred l)< rice, And therefore kildh»iri>f 01 bc-cauie he thought HemockthimforhisRhodirin bannilin.ent. He loathd wine now ^bfcait ht fwdled ^^ aie: Moreg ecdily t^en he 'did v\\»r<-1 ciort. Heilueapoccforthislittlccaufc^

N 3 Bccaufe

'be Trtgicall It fe and death

Beeauf-tlvu in auoiefull Trasjedie, Hcc r*il*d on Agamcnmons crucltic. It is a ho! v !.i > ancf RoiTuincrite, No vefhll Virgin fl>ouldbcilr;ui§led,

•toinuentacnicltir,

Made firrt the hang-man to de'liv.vie theMaklc*. And tlicn coinmaundcd for to (\t .v.i • ' •: 'l.c \Vhcn one had almort kilci htBifelfcfor fcavc, HcmadchisSvir-.;ions for to cure his woutidc. The tyrant would deny no WitueiTes, Ifanydidaccufetwasprcfent death. \Vhcn Hrfl the Tyrant did poftcfTc the Ctownf HcfcnttoRhodcSjfbradearefricndofi'k WhocherrilhtNcro in htsbanifltfncfit. HcccrnmmgvntoRome,founcJoutthePrincc> liu: in an anjric,{ullen, difcontent: \Vho in a rag,e made him be tortured: And whc the villain faw he had wrong'dl his friend Hcmurtheredhiin,trvatitnii»htbeconccaid. Hecrucified one Peter cald a Saint, OfholylcweSjthatdidadoreoncChrifr, Which they entitle Sauiour of the world. He kirdonePryam( therein happy moft, In that helined andall his Cuildren loft.) Th«fc and fo many more as fliould I tell, I lliould imploy a world tonumbcr than* And (till be further with Shnonidcs, To fip;nine the certame multitude. By thcfc his a^s ile iufhfk his death,

: I may get Ruraes royall Empiry, And to eternal! glorieofrenowne,

. afoolejbutall togettheCrov,-nc

Claudius Tiberius Nero (Play) Claudius Tiberius Nero

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