PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY

FREDERICK HALL AT THE

OXFORD UNIVERSITY

PRESS

THE TRAGEDY OF TIBERIUS

1607

THE MALONE SOCIETY

REPRINTS

1914

fltj-

This reprint of the Tragedy of Tiberius has been prepared under the direction of the General Editor.

Oct. 1915-. W. W. Greg.

The hero of the play here reprinted is Tiberius Claudius Nero Caesar, and it is therefore desirable that it should be known as the Tragedy of Tiberius to distinguish it from the Tragedy of Nero, which deals with Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus.

The Registers of the Stationers' Company supply the following entry :

10 Aprilis [1607]

Entred for his copie vnder thandes of Sir George Buck Knight Francis and Master White Warden. A booke called the tragical! Life Bl and Death of Claudius Tiberius Nero ...... vj4 R.

[Arber's Transcript, III.

The edition which appeared in pursuance of this entry was a quarto bearing the date 1607 and printed for Burton apparently by Edward Allde in a type approximating in size to modern pica (20 11. = 82 mm.). Of this two copies at the British Museum, one at the Bodleian Library, one in the Dyce Collection, one at Eton College, and one in the possession of Mr. T. J. Wise have been used in the preparation of the present reprint.

It is evident that the formes from which the edition was printed underwent a very considerable amount of alteration and correction while the sheets were passing through the press. This is most obvious in the case of the title-page, in which different copies show a different arrangement of ornaments, and ' The Statelie Tragedie ' of one mentioned above is replaced by 'The Tragedie' of the others. These variations have led to the belief that there were two distinct issues of the play. This is not so : corrected and uncorrected sheets were bound up together indiscriminately, as will be readily seen from the table printed below.

Nor is it quite certain that the most correct state of the outer forme is always found backed by the most correct state of the inner, though such seems to be the general rule in the case of the present play.

The two presumably blank leaves, sigs. A i and N 4, are not found in any of the six copies consulted, with the possible exception of that in the Dyce Collection. (According to the editor's recollection the latter preserves the final blank, but any notes he may have made on the subject have unfortunately been lost, and the copy has now been removed to a place of safety where it is temporarily inaccessible.)

As to the history and authorship of the play nothing whatever appears to be known. The publisher, in his dedicatory epistle to Sir Arthur Mannering, describes it as an academic play founded on Tacitus by an author who prefers anonymity, and no subsequent critic seems to have troubled himself about the matter.

The Editor's thanks are due to Mr. F. W. Cornish for facilities for consulting the copy of the play in the Library of Eton College, and to Mr. T. J. Wise for the kind loan of that in his possession.

vi

LIST OF VARIANTS BETWEEN COPIES.

In the case of the present play the variants are so numerous and extensive that it has been thought better to record them in a list by themselves. Four copies have been collated throughout, and are indicated in the list by the following symbols : M1 and M2, the two copies at the British Museum, bearing the press marks 161. a. 11 and 643. c. 34 respectively, B the copy in the Bodleian Library, and D that in the Dyce Collection. All variants observed in these four copies have further been checked with two other copies, in the Library of Eton College and in the possession of Mr. T. J. Wise respectively : these are indicated by the symbols E and W. Where a reading occurs in one copy only the word ' rest ' indicates, of course, the agreement of the other five. To facilitate analysis the signatures are given before the line-numbers, those belonging to inner formes being printed in italic.

A2r. TITLE-PAGE. B three ornaments | rest two ornaments

E THE STATELIE Tragedie | rest THE Tragedie A}1". EPISTLE, signed in B Francis Burton | rest unsigned (N.B. — In B and Mx the ends of the lines are cut away. In M1 the catchword is also shaved off, and it is probable that the same has happened to both leaf-signature and catchword in B, the leaf being cut close below the name.) Bir. 74 D Drufus \ rest Drufus, D tearms, | rest tearms IOO D Arabia^ | lest Arabia Br. 113 D In warre | rest (In war)

114. D bones, | rest bones. B2r. 141 M1, E, W, Titius, | M% B, D Titus, 14.1 D antiquitie, | rest antiquitie. 143 D empires | rest Empires 14.8 D you | rest your iy? Af«, D, £, W foile, | M2, B foilc : M ', E, W Gods : | M\ B, D Gods,

(see note at end of List) i?7 D Empire, | rest Empiric,

164 D mutinus | rest mutinous

165 D Indcans | rest Indians

vii

i6j D Serians, | rest Sirians, 1 68 D to neare, j rest too neare, 170 D godly | rest goodly

D Citties, | rest Cities, Biv. 183 AT'jEjZT, interpret | Jtf2, JS, D inrerpret

1 86 M1, D, E, W Crowne ? | M2^ B Crowne (the absence of the ? is probably due to an accident happening after the printing of D which was not repaired till after the printing of M2 and B, cf. 101) iy6 D choofe, | rest choofe D once | rest once, D well | rest well j

zoi D dye, | J41, E, ZF dye. (doubtful) \ M2,B dye (with e rather battered and loose. Evidently the comma got broken off -while making corrections after printing Dy and -was not replaced by the erroneous period till after the printing of M2 and 23, cf. 1 8 6) zcxf D election, | rest election ? B}1". 114. D turned | rest tuned 136 D heart. | rest heart: Bjv. i^ D Romaines | rest (Romaines)

D fhowtes, | rest fhowtes. ^6^ D (as ... airection) | rest as ... affection, 164. D proconfulfhip, | rest Proconfulfliip. ^Jl D a | rest at (there is a space in D corresponding to the

missing letter) Bjr. x8} D Sibbels \ rest Sibbels,

D counfels | rest counfels, 184. D fire | rest fier i%6 D Cappitall, | rest Cappitoll, 190 D Corronation. | rest Corronatton ?

310 D heecs | rest hee's

3 1 1 D indented | rest not indented D let | rest let's

B4-v. r.t. D death. \ rest death

D Germaicus \ rest Germanicus

D wayed | rest way'd C/v. 387 D Centurian \ rest the Centurion C2r. 4x0 D Auguflaes \ rest Auguflus

43 8 D loyne [ rest loynes

Cjv. 5"Z7 D Germaine kernes | rest Germaine-kernes C^r. 566 D pleafure, | rest pJeafure.

Df. 848 Throne-oppugning (hyphen clear in B, a trace in M2, E, not in M1, D, W)

viii

854 ft opt, (comma clear in B, fairly clear in E, possible

traces in the rest]

(These two are accidental variants in the press work.) £ir. 911 M1, E, W Libia. | M2, B, D Lima. 913 M1, E, W Liuia. | M2, B,D Liui.

M1, E, W That's | M % B, D That's as AP, E, W therto. | M2, B, D therto

(The insertion of the word as caused the previous alteration in the line. The final period dropped out at the same time.)

Eav ioa8 Af*,.E,JP; iuuelloped, | M2, B, D inuelloped 1040 M1, E, W to long. | AT2, B, D too long. 1043 M1, E, JT (Sa6i-)nus? \ M2, B, D (Sabi-}nus : 1044. M1, E, W Germanici) \ M2, B, D Germanici : 104.6 M1, E, W Prifoners, \ M2, B, D Prifoners : 1047 M1, E, W erowne \ M2, B, D croiuue (instead of cor recting « to » the compositor merely turned the u right way up)

£3'. 1063 M^ E> w doe I M\ BJ D do

AT1, E, ZF folemnize | ^f% B,D folemnize. 1076 .M1, £, ^ protection, | Af2, B, D protection. 1087 M % E, ^ iteedes. | ^f2, B, D fteedes, E4V. 1 1 68 M*9 E, W difclofe | A/2, B, D difclofe : 1170 M1, E, W fouler. \ M2, B, D fouldiers. 1 173 M% E, W Germaicus I M2, B, D Germanicus 1175 M1, E, W Victorias \ M2, B, D Victorious 1183 M1, E, W indented | M2,B,D not indented

.M^EjZFwifdom, | A/% B, I> wifdome (see note at

end of Lisf) M\ E, W art, | M2, B, D Art,

1 1 88 M\E,Wt\s | Jtf2,B, Dels

F.fv. 1477 B guide. | rest guide : (more or less doubtfully , the

second dot being probably an accidental mark] Gir. 1479 B foare | rest feare

I4&Z B (howted? \ rest (howted

1483 B fong : I rest fong?

1484 B redoubled. | rest redoubled

1485 B vntumed | rest vntuned

1486 B Germanicus. | rest Germanicus ?

1487 B difpatch | rest difpatcht 1493 B villaiue | rest villaine 1495 B I, | rest 1

1497 B Tiberius \ rest Tiberius^ 1504 B Lionede, | rest Lionefle

ix b

G/v. 1518 B Fabius, | rest Titius

15-10-1 B For . . . thefe, | rest (For . . . thefe,)

15-10 B minos | rest Minos

15-17 B thy | rest my

15-18 B wilt. | rest wilt,

15-34. B thair | rest their G2. 15:48 B the | restth'

15-5-0 B ftorme. | w* ftorme?

1560 B paine, j rest paine.

15-61 B (Ro-)maine. | rest (Ro-)maine,

15-64. B engir'd then j rest engir't

1569 B quittance, Gallus | rest quittance Gallus,

15-74. B AJinius. | rest Ajinlu. (necessitated by the

following change) B Since | rest Sence

1579 & Nerua. \ rest Neru. (necessitated by following) B ill [rest ill,

15-81 c.w. B ab. | rest Sab. Gav. 1 5:5)6 B drown'd I rest drowne

1 603 B butcheraa | rest butchered

1603 B factions j rest factions,

B treacherries, | rest treacheries,

1604 B a broach | rest abroach

1613 B infue | rest ifTue

1614 B A 'fir. (doubtful) j rest Aftn. 1618 B death. | rest death ?

G3r. 1611 B Sonne, I rest Sonne

1613 B vnnaturall, | rest vnnaturall 1631 Bto'ther | rest th'other

B laft | rest loft 1634 B Derne. | rest Denne. 1643 •** fcencelefle j rest fencelefle 1^45- B Seianusj wife | rw^Seianus! wife 16^48 B proteft, | rest proteft

engaged | rest engag'd Gjv. 1669 B Phofonisba | rest Sophonisba

1685- B Chronicles, (doubtful) \ rest Chronicles G4T. 1715- B troubling | rest troubled

1717 B the deuifes | rest thy deuifes G4V. 1734 B hee's | rest hee is

1736 B diligence: | rest diligence.

1741 B Fuen | rest Euen

1744 B therr's | rest ther's

175-8 B baine j rest braine

Hi\ 1830 c.w. M1 E, W Which | M*, B, D Whic (accidental

variation in press') I ir. xo49 B, D Ghoft \ Mx. % E, W Ghoajt

xo?8 B, D complaine. | M*> % J5, W complaine, J/v. 1091 A/2, B,D death, infecting | ^%£, ^death-infecting

zi ix B, D rendring | M*> 2, .E, /^rending lxv. r.t. B, D Tragigalt \ M1. 2, £, fF Tragical! Jf. 1x44 M2, B, D luftleffe | M\ E, ^liuelefle Kir. 1318 B vnfaigned, | rest vnfaign'd,

x^^o J3 time, times | rest ten-times

X35^ B Lord | rest Lord, B time, | rest time

Z35-8 B preuale, I rest preuaile, K/v. 2,36^9 B periflied | rest perifhed.

Z38y B S tan | rest Seian.

13 86 B heart. | rw? hurt.

1397 B Lord | rest Lord,

Z399 c.w. B coul | rest could K.2r. z^oo B ghefle | rw/ gefle

B prefumption, | rest prefumption :

a^zo B policie. | rest policie

1^x9 B crueltie, rest crueltie : Kxv. X439 B fhee's | rw^fliee's

X4451 B wofe | rest whofe

B meanes, | rest means, (necessitated t>y preceding)

146 1 B lalia | rest lulia

^4.6^ B foe. | rest fo ;

X4^4 B Of | rest For K3r. X47<> B Fraates | rest Phraates

X499 B young | rest yong

2^oz B may it J rest may 't

x?o3 B I am | rest Fm Kf. X5-X4 B th eboth | rest the both

x5xy-8 B after lead | rest before lead Kf. X5-74 B Plebians | rest Plebeians K4V. z?8i B Germanicie. | rest Germanici.

1583 B Csefar, | rest Casfar

x^9^ B Nero \ rest Nero, M21. X974 AT2, B, £ If | M\ D, W I (accidental variant In

press]

Nir. 3195" B his I rest is AT/V. 3x17 -M1-2, £, (fT doubtful) out-ftrip | B, D out ftrip

(doubtful, accidental variant] Nxv. 3x98 B congeala | rest congeale

xi

3199 B Philomela | rest Philomela N^r. 332,3 B returne I | rest I returne B Macr . | rest Macro.

334.7 BSo, — Reenters on the Stage. | rest So, Reenters

vpon the Stage.

Njv. 33<fo M2 Maides, | rest Maides. 3377 M2 Chrift. | rest Chrift,

(see note at end of List.)

The data of the above list may be generalized as in the table given below. In this only those formes are recorded in which real variants occur, due to deliberate alterations of the type and not arising out of mere accidents of the press. The symbols (o) and (i) indicate the outer and inner formes respectively.

Forme. Least correct state. Intermediate state. Most correct state.

A(o) M'M2DEW(?) B(?)

A(i) M'M2DEW(?) B(?)

B(o) D M2B M'EW

B(i) D M2B M'EW

C (i) D M1 M2 B E W

E(o) M'EW M2BD

G(o) B M'M2DEW

G (i) B M1 M2 D E W

I (o) B D M1 M2 E W

J(i) BD M2 M'EW

K(o) B M'M2DEW

K(i) B M'M2DEW

N(o) B M'M2DEW

N(i) M2(?) M'BDEW(?)

In the case of sheet A it is impossible to be certain which is the original and which the altered state. The facts that the title-page with two ornaments presents the more normal arrange ment, that the space between the text of the epistle and the leaf- signature is exactly equal to one line of type, and that only one copy out of six shows this state, suggest that the alteration has been from B to M1, &c. On the other hand it is difficult to imagine any motive for the changes. It will be observed that the long ornament on the title-page, though its position has been altered, is in both cases upside down. After some hesita tion the editor decided to make the reprint conform with B, on the ground that this represented the fuller and more elaborate, though very likely not the ultimate, text. It should be remarked that there is no direct authority for supposing that both the

xii

publisher's name and also the leaf-signature and catchword ever appeared at the end of the epistle, since the leaf is closely cropped in B ; the probability that they did seems however great enough to warrant the course pursued in the reprint, subject to this warning.

In sheet B it will be observed that while most of the errors in D were immediately corrected, a few remained till after the printing of M2 and B, which thus constitute an intermediate group. A particularly interesting case is that of B(i) 155-. This line stands in D thus :

Large Citties, fertile foile, and gratious Gods,

The corrector considered rightly that there should have been a colon at the end of the line, and he presumably marked it for correction. But the compositor misunderstood him and altered it to:

Large Citties, fertile foile : and gratious Gods,

as it stands in M2 and B. Later the corrector noticed the error that had been made and had the line put right as it stands in M1, £ and W :

Large Citties, fertile foile, and gratious Gods :

That this must have been the order of the changes can be readily inferred, since any other will conflict with the other changes made in the forme. But that the change from D to M1, &c., was not a simple and direct one is not merely a matter of inference but is capable of demonstration. For the first half of the two lines, though textually identical, are typographically distinct ; the space before c fertile ' is too wide in D and the comma after c foile ' belongs to a smaller fount, whereas in M1, &c., they are normal, thus showing that there was presumably an intermediate state such as that supplied by M2 and B. In the case of B (o) 101, D is correct : an accident removed the comma at the end of the line (M2, B), and when this was noticed the compositor seems erroneously to have replaced it by a full stop (the printing is not very clear).

A difficulty occurs at E (o) 1183. Throughout the forme M1, E and W show the original, M2, B and D the corrected, readings. But in reading c wifdom,' (with a comma), instead of £ wifdome ' (with an 'e'), M1, &c., are unquestionably correct. We are forced to assume that some accident occurred necessitating the resetting of the line and that the compositor made an error in so doing.

In forme 7(i) the solitary reading of £091, in which M2 instead

xiii

of agreeing with M1, &c., joins B and D, proves an inter mediate state.

All the rest is straightforward till we come to the last page, on which occurs the most mysterious puzzle of the play. Here M2 differs in two readings (33<>x, 3377) from all the other copies, and in one of these it is as certainly correct as in the other it is as certainly in error. Presumably the correction of the one reading led accidentally to the erroneous alteration of the other, but in which direction the changes were made there is nothing (beyond the relative frequency of the two states) to show (unless indeed we assume, what the general evidence points to but does not prove, that the unit of correction was not the forme but the sheet, in which case the order for sheet N as a whole would be B : M1 D E W : M2).

It is the rule in these reprints to take as basis in each forme that state of the original which seems on the whole most correct, or rather which seems to have received the most conscious correction, even though this should involve, as it sometimes does, the retention of less correct individual readings. The copies which have served as basis for the different forms of the present play (where variants have been discovered) will there fore be found enumerated in the above table under the heading c Most correct state % but it must be understood that no opinion is advanced as to the relative correctness of the copies in the cases where queries are added to the symbols.

XIV

LIST OF DOUBTFUL READINGS, &c.

Common to all copies.

Epistle,!. 1 8 )for	60% lulia-
Text, 1. %6 the'ternall	618 marre
97 modeftie.	632 beholde
130 know	646 ther ein
146 equaltie,] u turned n in	650 heauen's
original	679 thirftie,
209 wright	719 know
221 My thinkes	722] not indented
247 jmperiall,	75-4 Nero
280 Tiber.	j66 not with] possibly notwith
291 twa's	800 thee
292 my thought	Laconiades:] there seems
29? my thinks	to be some mark before the
311] not indented	colon
323 Centurion Soldiers.	807 interrups
340 hundeth	824 Creft:
357 Germanic ,	842 Exit. Pifo
395- foule,] e, doubtful	856 haps,] possibly ha ps,
400 (Imperious	859 off,
403 Eqiualent 408 by] original bX 424 policie,] original pohcie,	88 1 (Ma-Xieftie 883 Liuia.] point doubtful 890 where fore-lookes
43T t he	892 (troupes
457 Magnes	9<D<) aud Drufus
481 hearts,	908] not indented
(hope	913 therto
484 Sonne,	917 repet
497 Sufficientprefidents	940 vtican.
5-63 imperall	946 liu'd Ioue9
57° ts	948 bed,
582 not] possibly no t	952 Scianus] possibly Seian us
600 ana idiot,	(far-)(wel

XV

978 rapier 1000 vnkinde,] possibly

vnkinde. 1010 a fliamed 1033 gaue'ft io?i] not indented 1087 c.w. Wee 1089 death,

1117 confu'md] apostrophe

doubtful

n?3 Germanicus, 1177-8 Ma-\net 1183] not indented 1108 farewel,

1118 c.w. Pifo. Or] cf. 1119 1318 lay] possibly \ ay 1334 together

1351 er'e

1387 Agripina.~\ possibly

Agripina : 1390 Surceedes 145-4 (wel

1470 leaue,

1471 me :

1473—5] stage direction belongs

after 1477 1511 lulia make] possibly

luliamake 1^33 Penolepes 1 5-47 welkins] possibly wel kins 1566 had-iwilt. 1589 wont] possibly wont, 15-98 dies.] d turned p in

original 1604 degree.] point turned in

original

1617 coneiu'd? i&p, no'impreffion 1679 Fmperour? 1711 fall's 1715- mind, 1718 ile I77Z Phalaux 1788 perfon, Thus

1797 grauarie, Renue

ore'quelled 1951 deeme' twas 1970 plead 1007 (Germanicus loii-z fet. \teth •ioji peirce zo7<£ vnquoth Z095- my thinkes zn6 My thought 115*7 Vonones] possibly

Vonone s 1171 troopcs, 1173 accompained,

1198 fliew Nero (Drufus remain'd,

1138 Allablafter

2.143 befall] possibly be fall

ndl] not indented

1190 Agree'd,

1191 (quicke

1199 head,

1308 Exeunt. Omnes. 1341 conioy'nd, 135-3 your] possibly yo ur 13^8 difpatcht why

1416 and friend,] possibly an d

friend,

1417 finononimies 1493 betraid 15-18 flaine

15-41 wrote] possibly wrote,

15-5-3 in force

15- 85-] not indented

Now] possibly No w 1613 afide 1630 lowres 1644 Exit 1645- t'is

Exeunt

XVI

1679 Strik

174.7 griefe

1749 tougue,

175-3 prop er

1761 Spur'ws

1788 Majfters,

1801— i Exeunt. | (pmnes

18 1 o Germanicus

1814. neglect

1819 Marco.

1810 ma ieftie,

1815- vnquoth

1830 here

1870 meat

1930 pandaturia.

1946 reuenge ?] possibly

r euenge ? 1948 There

prate

1987 againe

3009 y£thiops] possibly JS. thiops

3013 fleepie

3013 a fham'd,

3031 were

3061 do<wne

3071 thy

3081 Drufius,

3094. mine

3103 Canibals,

3110 die

3134, humblefutor

314.7 head,

315-7 Celfus

3170 fubjeft

3187 lailer

3115 fatisfie

314.3 Northren

3170 Anotamize

3310 c.w. Cat. Thanks

3335- intralls

3380 Cuildren

sig. Liv r.t. Tragic all

N.B. — In some portions of the text lower-case letters appear not infrequently at the beginnings of verse lines, and have not been noted above. In a certain number of instances ' j ' replaces e i ' : these have only been recorded when they offend both old and modern convention.

xvn

LIST OF CHARACTERS

in order of appearance.

TIBERIUS, Emperor of Rome.

SEJANUSJ

ASINIUS !• Senators.

SABINUS]

COCCEIUS NERVA, a flamen.

DRUSUS TIBERIUS, son of the Emperor.

ASINIUS GALLUSI,-^ c ,

TITIUS SABINUS }Consuls-

NERO \

DRUSUS 1- sons of Germanicus.

CALIGULA]

four Plebeians.

GERMANICUS, son of the Em peror.

a Centurion.

a Page of Germanicus.

JULIA, mother of the Emperor.

AcRiPPiNA,wife of Germanicus.

Lucius Piso, praetor of Syria.

LIVIA, wife of Drusus Tiberius.

SPADO, attendant on Livia.

VONONES, leader of the Arme nians.

MAXIMUS, a messenger from Germanicus.

a Soldier of Maximus.

four Messengers.

JULIUS CELSUS, friend to Seja- nus.

MACRO, an officer of Tiberius.

Flamens, soldiers, Vonones' son, captains of Germanicus, prisoners, and Spurius, an officer of Tiberius.

Several characters appear in the funeral show with which the play opens who do not speak till considerably later. The show has been disregarded in fixing the order of the above list. The two Consuls are named in the initial direction but in the text are only numbered (11. 74, 76).

XVlll

THE

Tragcdieof Clau

dius Tiberius

greateft Tyrant.

Truly reprefenterf outofthcpureft Records efthofettmts.

£tStudio,ctLaborc.

L O N DO N

Printed for Francis B«rro»,dwelling in Paules

Ch»rch-yard*t tkffigne tftkf Flower-de-lme

and Crownc. 1607

TITLE-PAGE, A a RECTO (B.M. itfi. a. ix).

THE

STATE LIE

Tragcdie of Clau-

dius Tiberius

greateft Tyrant.

Truly reprcftntcd out ofthcpurcft Records tfthtfe times.

EtStudio,ctLaborc.

.

L O NDO N

Printed for Francis Bwrftwi, dwelling in Paulas

Clmrth-jardatbtfigneofthc Flmer-dc-iuct

and Crownc. 1607

TITLE-PAGE, A ^ RECTO (BoDL.).

^Claudius Tiberius Nero.

^ *~

E*t*r T&crwt ttnd SetA*us.

Ti. Thus is GtrmAHtctts our gr eatefl fcare di fp atchfc V/ith fubtill Vtfo to the Orient. Didft thou not fee with what alacritie, AH the Plebeians at his triumph (howted At cucry period of his pleating fong? - How that oSfcordant quire redoubled AVith their vntuned voyces reliirung, Long liuc Victorious Germanicus* But hces difpatdht into Armenia, And foone mall be difpatcht by Pifo true*

Scian. My Lord vpon mine honour He aucrrc, Spcedie performance of this adionv IfoinucaglcdPifo, foinwrapthim, So coniured his traitcrous refolution, Storing the villainc with fuch poyfoaous druggy1 AsneuerCf'rfttior /fe-^/knew, I fo incenft his damn'd ambition., Soothing his h umo ur,p raifing his great w orth, Adding the fauo urs of 7i£m*/, That were Germanic*! imperious \*uet ftff would poyfon him to gaine my lo ue.

T«ft. SotnuchScianus forGermanicuf, But now another cloudobfcurcsourSunnc, O f lelTcr fauour^ut cf greater ihow , That fame infamous Tigres luli*. NentM neuer faw 4 Lioncflc Was halfe fo furious as is I«/w. Didft thou not fee her yawnine fepulchre Rauening to fw allow vp my tmperie? Did Iheaot fliew Awgimus teftamcnt To hauc difcardcdcnc from regiment? How can I btooke it? Do not make replie, '

••.-..'

Sic. G i RECTO (B.M. itf i. a. n).

e/CIaudius Tiberius Nero. '

E*ttr T&criut and Sti**ut.

T*. Thiw if GfmtatucMs our greatcft fi«are di fp atcht With (ubtill Tfo to the Orient. Didft thou not fee with what alacritie, All die Plebeians at his triumph (ho wtcdl At cucry period of his pleafmefong: How that difcordam>quire redoubled. With their vntumed voyccs relifhing, Long iiue Vi&orious Germanicus. But rices difbatch into Armenia, And (bone mail be difpatcht by Pi fo true*

Ssiat*. My Lord vpon mine honour He aucrre, Spccdicptrfortnancc of this aftion, I lo inucaglcd Pifo, fo inwrapt him, So cohiured his traiterous rcfolution, Storing the villaiue with fuch poy fonous druggf, AsncuerC/rr^nor >4«r/knew, I, fo in cenfth is damn'd ambition. Soothing his humour^praifing his great worth. Adding the fauours oiTibenus That were Gerwamcui imperious \one% P//*wouldpoyConhimtojzainemyJouc.

Ttk. So much Seianus^torCermanicuj, But now an other cloud obfcurcs our Sunne, Of lefler fauour,butof greater /how, That fame infamous Tigres lulu. Nemia neuer faw a Lioneflc, . Was halfe fo furious as is I«/w. Dldft thou not fee her) awning fepulchrc Raucning to fw allow vp my Emperie? Did/he not ihew Auguftus teftamcnt To haucdifcardcd me from regiment? How can I btookc i t ? Do not make rcplic, ,!*/^ ^all furely die, G

SlG. G I RECTO (BODL.>

THE

STATELIE

Tragedie of Clau-

dius Tiberius

greateft Tyrant.

Truly reprefented out of the pureft Records

ofthofe times.

Et Studio, et Lahore.

LONDON

Printed for Francis Burton^ dwelling in Paules

Church-yard at thefigne of the Flower-de-luce

and Crowne. 1607

To the Right Worjhipfull Sir Arthur Man-

nering Knight, (Sonne and Heyre vnto Sir George Mannering of Eitkfield in the Countie of Salop) Car- uer vnto Prince Henry his Grace.

F Cuftome (Right worjhipfull) had fo greate a Prero- gatiue, as that nothing crofsing it^ were at all alow- able^ then might I iufllye feare reprehenfion for this my Dedication, hauing (to my knowledge) but a Jingu- r ler Prejident heerein ; and the reafon wherefore fo 10 many Plates haue formerly beene publi/hed without Inscriptions vnto particular Patrons (contrary to Cuftome in diuulging other Bookes) although perhaps I could nerely guejfe yet becaufe I would willingly of fend none, I will now conceale. This young Scholler, as his proportion is comely e,fo are his garments graue, his language fair e, and by hisfpeech it Jhould feeme that his Father was an Acaaemian: bis tongue is tipt with Eloquence, and bis face is louely: he telsjlrange (but true)ftories : he is meruailous wittie, and notwithstanding his Orphant-age )for ey- ther bee hath loft his Father, or his Father hath loft him) yet it Jhould feeme that he hath read much, for he is welljeene in Antiquities, but zo moft efpecially inward with Cornelius Tacitus^ our beft approued Hifto- rian, which cannot chufe but acquire him fame fauour. I will fay no more in his commendation, let his own good parts praife him, but in re gard he is fatherles, your Worjhip (I thinke) may doe a deede of Cbari- tie to be his Guardian, and happily his owne father may once be thank ful vnto you for fuch kindnes. In the meane fpace, as 1 my felfe am partly by duetie already bound vnto your Worjhip,fo my louejhal make vp that which in duetie is wanting, and heereafter I will remaine your

Worjhips deuoted. 3°

Francis Burton.

Ad Lectores.

Inflead of Prologue to my Play^ Obferue this one thing IJballfay.

I vfe no Sceane fuppos'd as many doe,

But make the Truth my Sceane, and Actors too.

^v.

For

Of Romes great Tyrant I the ftorie tell,

And what vnto that State in Neroes Raigne befel.

The Tragicall life and death of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Enter mourners to thefunerall:frftCocceiusNerua,with Sc. i other Flaminij : next,thehearfeof;4uguftus: then Ti berius, with lulia on his right hand : then Drufus Ti berius, and Liuia: Then Agripina alone: next,herthree fonnes, Drufus, Nero, and Caligula : next two Confuls, Afinius Gallus, and Titius Sabinus, with other Sena tors. They pajfe ouer the ft age and goe in : then found to the Coronation: and enter firft two Confuls; then Ti berius Nero, Nerua with the crowne Emperiall: then djinius, Sabinus, and Seianus, Senators: then Dru- 10 fus Tiberius, Drufus, Nero, and Caligula : Tiberius Nero afcendeth.

Tib.~\ T'Ictorious Confuls, and graue Senators,

V My noble kinfmen and deere Countrime, Deare friends to deare Auguftus happinefle: Happie to haue fuch friends, and Countrimen : Could I but fhadow out in maske of words, The fbrrowing language of my groaning fbule, Or with a ffcreame of teares alay the flame, Wherewith my heart doth like an ^Etna burne, Yea Gods I call to witnefle of my thoughts, (words : My tongue ftiould fpeake, and fpeake in weeping Mine eyes fhould well out words, & fpeak in teares, Wordes in my weeping, weeping in my words, To fympathize my deare affection,

But fince, He feigneth to fwound.

Seia. What ayles my Lord ? how fares your noble Neru. See how the inundation of his grief (grace ?

Doth

£0

The Tragic all life and death

Doth flop the fountaine of his vtterance.

A/in. So true a griefe exprefl with luch true loue, 30 Would make a man to be in loue with griefe.

Dm. Tibe. My Lord and father, what deepe paflion Your deep-engrauen forrowes hath furpriz'd ?

Tib. Ah Drufus, Drufus, the late memorie, Of great Auguftus honorable deedes, Compared with this new priuation, Doth riue my heart twixt contrarities. Now would my tongue remember his faire deedes, But then my heart fwels with remembrance. Sweet Drufus, thou whofe young experience, 40 Hath not fuch deepe impreffion of thefe woes, Our honorable buryall rights vnfbuld, As mofle befits thefe fblomne Exequies.

Dru. Tib. My Lord, my duetie oindes me to obey, Againfl my reafon, and my budding yeares, Yet for to checke my yeares, my reafon faies, My duetie muft be reafon to my yeares. Therefore great States of this fad Parliament, Fathers of Rome partakers of our woes, Vouchfafe to wafli your filuer haires more white, jo With flowing teares of true compaffion. -duguftus Ceefar, high Octauius, The true fucceflor of great lulius, Who whilome glittering in his Sunne-bright raies Surpafl the glorie of yong Phaeton: Now in the darke eclipfing of his daies, Lies lower then Apolloes breathlefle Sonne. Often hath Rome feene mans fragillitie, But nere before the Gods mortallitie. He pleade his luflice, loe his mercie fhines : 60

He call him mercifull, yet iufl withall : In mercy iufl, in luflice mercifull : He pleade his honour, then his meekenes calls, He praife his meekenes, yet in honours robes :

In

oj Claudius Tiberius Nero.

In honour meeke, in meekenes honourable,

He plead his wifdome, but his wit me checks,

He praife his wit, yet linckt in wifdomes chaine,

In wittie wifdome, and in wifdome wit.

He plead his beautie, but his ftrength bids flay,

He praife his ftrength but in a beautious manfion, 70

Beauteous in valour, and in beautie ftrong:

So if ye reake not mans fragilitie,

Yet weepe to fee the Gods mortalitie.

Con. i. No more fweet Drufus, intopleafing tearms A ftorie to difpleafing thou relat'ft.

Con. 2,. Good Drufus, adde not water to the fea, To make our fea of fbrrowes ouerflow.

Nerua. In vaine, in vaine, thefe puling fignes of griefe,

Effeminate waywardnes, inconftant mindes, 80

Vaflailes to fortune, flaues to natures courfe ; Auguftus dead, and fo muft all men die, So worke the filters of neceflitie. No perfbn humane can eternall be, But in fucceflion hath eternitie. Since then the'ternall prouidence of heauen, Hath ratified Auguftus Deitie, We muft prouide for his poore Widdow left, Left to our patronage (the Common-wealth) And you my Lord Tiberius the true heire 90

Of great Augujlus by adoption, With loyall homage and true fealtie, We doe create our gratious Emperour.

Tiber. And muft my filence oreake or heart In the accepting of a double yoake ? (difblue

Not fo Cocceius tis impofsible Poore foule for me or for my modeftie. To fway th' imperial! Scepter of the world, That of this world am not my Emperour, One onely Phoenix in Arabia, 100

B Prefents

The Tragical/ life and death

Prefents a facrifice to heauens eye,

One onely Atlas by his prouidence

The glittering ftarrs of heauen can fupport.

One onely, one Auguflus, onely he

Our Romane Phcenix fit for Emperie,

Who I ? no, no, I know not what you meane,

An Emperour muft wake, I drowfie am :

An Emperour mufl be valiant, I am old :

He muft be iuft, I may be ouer-rul'd :

Sole Monarch muft he be, my mother liues : no

And muft, and fhall be honoured while fhe Hues-

An Emperour muft be able to endure,

(In war) the winters frofts, and fummers heate,

I feele a palfie rooted in my bones.

He muft haue home-dropping eloquence :

I for my part nere playd. the Orator.

By this my Tribunes power well I know,

How many doubtful! cares he muft endure

That taketh care to be an Emperour.

An Empire (Gods forfend) a goodly bait, no

To fifh for witlefle high afpiring fboles.

Humilitie periwades me to auoyde

A droppe of honie in a flood of Gall.

Lords trouble not my refblution,

I dare not, can not, will not take the crowne.

Set ft. By loue moft gallantly diilembled: Ajlde. Alas my Lord let tribute of our teares, Plead for the orphant of our countryes ftate. We know

TV. What do ye know ? I know wel what ye know 130 Youle fay the ftate is dolefull : (b am I. The ftate is now an orphant, fo am I, The ftate hath loft his head, and fo haue I My deare Augujlus. Hefaineth weeping.

Sab. Why weepes Tiberius and will not ceafe ? And will not ceafe the weeping of the ftate ?

Tib. Yes

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Tiber. Yes, yes, SaM**s, I will help my part, There is Germanicus the hope of Roome, Nero and Drufus, and Caligula.

Thefe gallant bloflbmes of the goodly ftemme, 140 Cocceius, Titius, and dftnius, The fpotlefle records of antiquitie. Thefe are fit actors for our Empires ftage, I for my part will act fome little part, Fit for my barren witte and leaden tongue, And you my Lords fhare in equaltie, The glorious Sceanes of Roomes faire Emperie.

Aft. Why then my Lord Tiberius, choofe your part The fruitfull Sicily or gold of Spaine, The Arabian fpices, or the Indian pearles, ijo

The Englifti wels, or Vines of Italic: The Palmes of lury, or the Sithian Bathes, Either ^Egiptian liis, or Roomes loue, Memphis or Rome, Athens or Troynouant, Large Citties, fertile fbile, and gratious Gods : If thefe, or any other may content, Within the Circuit of our Empiric, My Lord, choofe out your part, and leaue the reft To be affign'd at our difcretion. Seianus afide.

O for a (hift, now Lyon roufe thy ielfe, i£o

Or elfe for euer loofe thy Lyons head.

Tib. May I Slftnius choofe ? then this I choofe, To take no charge, for all I know is care, Sicilians mutinous and Spaniards proud, Arabians fimple fooles, and Indians droyles, Britons too rude, Italians too too wife, Difloyall Sirians, fuperftitious lewes, Ifis too far, and loue is plac'd too neare, Memphis, and Rome, Athens and Troynouant, All goodly Cities, but all dangerous, 170

By loue my hate hee deadly fhall obtaine, That bids me but to take a part againe.

B z Afin. Not

The Tragicall life and death

Ajfi. Not foe my Lord, you did mifconfter me, I did not meane to make deuifion In the vnited Vnion of the Realme: I did not meane to feparate the Sunne, To runne by peece-meale in the Zodiacke : Nor dreame of multiplicitie of fbules, Which one continued eflence animates, The heauens cannot mooue without a Sunne: 180 Nor can the heauens haue more Sunnes then one.

Tiber. Ajjinius I perceiue I did you wrong, So to interpret your oration, I am forry, (troth I am) and if I liue He recompence your mightie iniuries.

Neru. Will not Tiberius then accept the Crowne ?

Tiber. Why ftionld Tiberius libertie be ceafed ?

Neru. No, Princes haue the rule of libertie.

Tiber. If libertie in greatnefie did relie.

Neru. My Lord, my Lord, it is no time to ieft, 190 Nor dallie it out in quoin'd Antithefis, Emperour or no Emperour, will you the Crowne or NerO) fpeake pkine, it is high time to knowe. (no ?

Tib. Take need my Lords, be warie in your choife, Leaft after flormes controle your rafh attempt, You are to choofe but once, confider well ; After, all Subiectes to your Emperour. If you conftraine me to this doubtfull taske, And I (as God forbid) fhould change my minde, Turning my pittie to a Lyons rage, My fnow white confcience to a Scarlet dye. Would not the Nations of the lefler world That are not fiibiect to our Emperie, Deride your lunaticke election r And if ye fliould but thinke amirTe of me, Would they not laugh at your inconftancie ? Take heede, take heede, in vaine ye will repent, Being fore- warn 'd, and yet would not preuent.

Sabin. My

0/~ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Sabin. My Lord, how long fliall we wright in the Or plough the ayre with vaine delufions ? (fands, no Our tongues are tyred, and our throates are hoarfe, And all in vaine we bend our fuplyant knees, Vaflaile our idle thoughts of reuerence, Subdue our mounting fancies to your loue, And will not all this mooue Tiberius! (queft.

Ne. Ger. Good Grandfire graunt the Senatours re-

Dru. Ger. Grandfire, they fpeake in earneft, take the Crowne.

Calig. Ger. Grandfire accept this golde, looke how it ihines ! azo

My thinkes it would become you pafling fine.

Tiber. Deare Children, (old Tiberius eldeft care) My heart doth daunce to heare the melody, That heauenly Confort tuned to mine eares, Thanks my kinde kinf-men, noble Remains thaks Euen from my heart, although my cares increafe, Conftrain'd, yet grateful! for your kinde conflraint, Bound to receiue that which my foule abhors, Enfbrc'd to honour which my yeares deny, Inchain'd to rule, bane to my modeftie. 130

Yet were my cares in number infinite, (For who can number all his cares hath none) Should they fhowre downe in droppes of flreaming Mufter in troups of languishing difpaire, (blood

Swarme like to Bees, fting like to Scorpions ; Or like a flocke of Vultures gnaw my heart: Yet thefe and more, and twice ten thoufand more, Old Nero will for Countries caufe indure, For you my Fathers, and for you my Sonnes.

Sound Trumpets, Nerua crowneth him. Ner. Moft mightie C<efar, great Tiberius, Euer stuguftus Tribune of the State, Perpetuall Dictator, Lord of Rome,

B g Sole

The Tragicall life and death

Sole Confull for our conquered Prouinces,

Prince of the Senate in our policies,

Wee heere inueft your facred Majeflie,

In all the Ornaments jmperiall,

Roomes and the worlds moil glorious Emperour.

Omnes. Long Hue Tiberius Roomes great Emperor.

Tiber. Like as an hartles fawne, enuironed Within the circuit of the hunters crie, So ftand I (Romaines) wondring at your fhowtes. Thefe new alarum's quel my flumbring thoughts, Chaft to the Bay, I breathelefle panting mufe, To view the vnquoth glorie of the hunt. Neuer could Sparta glorie of fiich pray, As for to haue an Emperour at bay. But noble Romaines, there's another Deare, A gallant Roebucke, braue Germanicus: Roomes fhining Beacon in rude Germany, 160

Our deare adopted Sonne, our blefled care, To him my Lords as zeale of my affection, And figne of duetie to the common flate, We doe prorogue eight yeares Proconfulfhip. On you Ajlnius we doe impofe, To be our Legate to Germanicus. Tell him we loue him, (and be fure you doe) Tell him we honour him (doe not forget) We loue and honour deare Germanicus^ And would be ioyfull to beholde our Sonne, 170

Honoured in triumph at the Capitall. But that we knowe the honour of his minde, Difdaines to crop the bloflbmes of his fame, Till it be flowred in his Summers pride, And all the barbarous Germaines be fubdu'd. This doe Ajinius and returne with loue, In our new glorie, we thy honour proue.

Afini. My Lord, what ere Afinius honour proueth His expedition fhall declare he loueth.

Tib. Now

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Tiber. Now Fathers, we will to the Sacrifice, 180 Saluting all the Gods in vifitation : Let Lectifternia three daies be proclaimed, The Sibbehj counfels, and Flaminies, lanus (hut vp, and feftaes fier blare, Into the middle region of the ay re, Wee all my Lords will to the Cappitoll, In filuer feale, our records to en role. Exeunt omnes.

Enter Plebeians, foure fpeakers. &. H

i Did you not fee our new Emperour how brauely he came from his Corronation ? *9°

i Yes, twa's a gallat fight fure, but did you mark his countenance ? my thought tis mightily altred within this flue or fix quarters of a yere fince I faw him lafl :

3 I, and I faw him goe to the Senate, and as you fay, my thinks hee is much altered, and lookes more terrible a great deale.

2, I that fame lookes I promife is an il figne, pray God all be well.

4 Well, wee muft hope the beft, and thinke tis a great change from a fiibiect to become a fufficient, 300 for fimple as I fland heere, if I fliould chaunce to bee chofen Emperour, I fhould aflault my felfe highly I can tell you, or any of vs all.

3 Augujius was a goodly man, and I hope hee has left fuch a gracious fample, that Tiberius wil not for get him felfe.

i Neuer talke of Auguftus more, we fhal neuer fee his like in Rome, vnlefle Germanicus might bee our Emperour.

Om. O worthy Germanicus\ hee's a flower indeed. 310 i My maifters, let's talk no more of thefe State-mat ters, for I am afraid we haue faid too much already, if the Emperor fhould know of it.

2, You haue faid wifely neigbour, for Emperors fee & heare all that they defire : I haue heard my father tel my mother fb, they haue millions a Spirits that tels them all. 3 I care

The Tragicall life and death

3 I care not, I faide nothing, but praide God hee might be no worfe the Auguflus^ that was no harme :

4 Well, let vs part vpon this that hath been faid, 310 and lets keepe one anothers counfels, and take heed heereafter. Exeunt.

Enter Germanicus with Centurion Soldiers. Sc. Hi

Ger. Well followed Tribunes, gallant Gentleme, Thus are thefe hearts chac'd to their lurking dens, That brayed like Afles in their Lyons skinne. Worthy Centurion, thou whofe might did breake The triple ranges of our dangerous foes, Whofe well way'd buckler tooke fb many darts, As feem'd to cloud the funne with multitude : 33°

Accept the honour of a Gentleman, Crown'd with the triumph of victorious fpoyles, This Crowne thus pleated of the verdant grafle, Thy high vplifted head fhall more adorne, Then all the honour of proud Germany.

Centu. Noble Germanicus a Romaine heart, Hath by inheritance a mounting fpirit, Did not great Coriolanus fo aduaunce, The mellow fruite of his old withered ftocke ? Did not three hundeth Fabij all at once, 340

In one day breath, war, vanquifh, fight and dye, All to maintaine the honour of their name ? So did Marius in Numtdia, And happie Scylla, vnder Scipio. With what alacritie did Sceuola, Encounter Porfenes torture, death and fire, All to maintaine the honour of their name, And (hould not I hazard this blaze of life, This rifing bubble, this imprifoned foule, This changing matter, this inconflant act, 350

For Countrie, friends, and honour of my name ?

Enter

0/ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Enter a Page.

Page. My Lord, heere is a Legate fent from Rome, Which craues accefle vnto your Majeftie. Ger. Let him draw neare: Colen Affinius\

Enter Ajinius. Welcome my noble friend to Germanie^

A/in. All happinefle vnto Germanicus^ I haue a fecret meflage to impart, If pleafe your Grace of priuate patience. ^0

Ger. Tribunes looke to the 4. gates of the Campe See that the trenches bee inchaneld deepe, Send out our fcouts, if they can fpie the Foe, Number their Cohorts and their Legions : Comfort the maimed, burie all the dead, Refrefh your bodies, for to morrow morne We meane to fcoure this vanquifht region :

away Exeunt.

Now good Ajjinius, tell Getmanicus

The fubflance that your meflage doth import. j70

A/in. Were I not now to fpeake vnto your Grace My tongue fhould play the Rethoritian, And in graue precepts ftriue to moralize, Or make a long difcourfe of patience, Adding a crooked fign'd Parenthefis, Of puling Ibrrow twixt each fipred line. But for Ajinitts, knowes your fetled minde So nurfl in flowing ftreames of conftancie, Afinius doth reporte Augujlus death, I will not common place of mortall men, 380

Nor of his vertue, nor his Noblenefle, Nor Solons graue aduife fhall be my Theame : I know I fpeake vnto Germanicus^ Befides, Tiberius is our Emperour. He {aith he loues you, and to (hew his loue, Hath your proconfulihip eight yeres prorogu'd.

C Enter

The Tragic all life and death

Enter the Centurion which was crowned.

Cent. Germanicus and graue AJinius, Awake from counfell, all are in vprore, Our Germane Legions are all mutinous. 390

And crie Germanicus our Emperour, Germanicus our noble Emperour. They make a Throne of tufts, and then they crie, Germanicus fhall be our Emperour.

Germ. A world of cares at once aflault my fbule, I am diftracted, harke, the mutinies.

They crie within, and exeunt omnes.

Enter Tiberius, lulia, and Seianus. &. i

Tib. Impute it not vnto vngratefulnefle, (Imperious Augufta of great Rome, 400

And which doth touch me nearer deareft mother, That Nero hath deferd indebted thankes, Eqiualent vnto your high deferts. I can not (mother) fet your praife to fale, Or Orator it with a glofing tongue, Graced with picked phrafes, glorious fpeech, Choice Synonimies, pleafing Epithites, Paged by apifh action, toying gefture, »

Mother I hate this tip-tongued flatterie, Better is me, be as you fee me now, 4IO

Thankfull in outward deeds, than outward (hew, But forward mother with your former tale.

lulia. No fooner the vn controlled fates, Exilde his life, and with his life our care, But that Seianus from whofe faithfull tongue, (As from Apollos tru-fent Oracles, We chiefe deriue the drift of our affaires) Poafted like to the Palphraies of the Sunne,

To

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

To Roades where thou in exile didft remaine,

There to enforme thee of Auguftus death, 410

The Empires vacancie, and thy repeale.

Tib. My tongue denies to blazon in harfh words Deare friends the thankfulnefle my heart affords.

lulia. Meane while had I not with great policie, Buried in filence great Augujlus death, And in the clofet of my care-fworne breft, Embofbmed the notice of the fame, Shewne vnto thee, fmoothered to vulgar fame, Bar'd from the bafe Plebeians itching eares, A Caftrell had pofleft thy Eagles nefl. 430

And thou the Eagle hadft beene difpoflefl.

Seia. But now that Caftrel in his courfe is ftopt, Clipt are his pinions of ambitious flight : Nor (hall he nope to fit where Nero fbares.

Tib. Were he t he iflue of eternall loue^ Or farre more fortunate in his fuccefle, Then was Alcides^ or faire Thetis fbnne, More happie in the ofspring of his loynes Then Priam in his childrens multitude, Yet would I bridle his afpiring thoughts, 440

And curbe the reynes of his ambition.

Seta. Wei can he braue it in his barbarous armes, Againft th' oppugning force of Germanic, And flranger nations of the farthefl North, Whofe hearts like to their Climate hard congeald, Are frozen cold to Romes felicitie. A crefted Burganetto more fits him, Then to ingirt his Temples with a Crowne.

Tib. Therefore in policie by thine aduife, Vnder pretext of honourable minde, 4jo

We deligated to Germanicus, Ajinius Callus into Germanic, With twice foure y eares prorogued Confulfliip.

fu/ia. Which of neceflitie he muft accept,

C a Sith

The Tragical/ life and death

Sith hope of higher honour is foreftald.

Tiber. Tis true, for what he aim'd at, I enioy : This was th' attractiue Magnes of his hopes.

Seia. To which how hardly did you feeme allur'd With fuch denyall you refufed it :

Making a Commentarie on the Crown'e, 460

With oh ! the duetie of an Emperour, How warie, watchfull, wife he ought to be, How drowfie, and improuident you were, With heaping vp a ftorie of what cares They vndergoe, that vndertake to rule, So grac'd with fimdrie fquemifh fiibtilties, As Mercuric himfelfe (the God of witte) Might haue admir'd, but not haue matched it.

Tiber. Yet did that Argus eyed Ajftmnr, Both marke and bluntly mate me in my drift, 470

With, choofe your part my Lord in Britany, Or heyday, where you will, fb not in Rome, but by my Genius ile remember

lulia. I, had not wife Afmius vttered it.

Tiber, Had me no had-nots, nor Ajinius Can fb ore cannopie his clofe conceite, But I will know the Panther by his skinne. Nor am I ignorant of his great loue He beares vnto the proud Germanicus, How euer clowed in hippocrefie. 480

Seian. I, that Germanicus holds al their hearts, (hope

fuli. No meruaile, for they call him Roomes chiefe

Seia. And fbme did fay he fhould be Emperour, In fpite of lulia and hir exild Sonne,

Tiber. But neither Tulia nor her exilde Sonne, Would haue endured fuch competitors. Nero will brook e no riuall in his rule, Vnlefle it be th' emperious lulia, To whome the law of nature bindes Tiberius So firme obleiged in obedience, 490

As '

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

As all the attributes of Majeftie, Rome, or the world, or Jvero can affoord, I deeme too meane a tribute for her loue. Whofe loue firft lent the eilence of my life, Whofe life doth onely make me loue to Hue.

lulia. Enough my fbnne. Sufficientprefidents of dutious minde, We oft haue proued and approued oft, And for our part neuer did Hecuba, Beare fb great loue to all the fonnes fhe bare, j0o

As lulia doth to one Tiberius.

Tib. Mother, I do confefle and know it true, But in the infancie of our eftate, More priuate confultation better fits, We and Seianus, will into our fludie.

lutia. And we into our walking Gallerie. Exeunt.

Enter Germanicus folus. Sc. v

Germ. I haue difpatcht Afmius to Rome, With thankes to Nero and the Senators. ORoome! j»°

Auguftus dead, Tiberius Emperour, The Romaine Senate glozing flatterers, The Legions difcontent and mutinous : The Pretors tyrants in their Prouinces : The Nauie fpoil'd, vnrig'd, difmembred : The Cittie made a brothell houfe of finne : Italians valour turn'd to luxurie. The field of Mars, turn'd to a Tennis-court, Mineruaes Oliue to the Mirtle tree, Appohes Laurell, vnto Bacchus Vine, 5 10

High loue contemd, and feftaes Tapers fcornd : The Oracles difpis'd, the Sibbils bookes Efteem'd as fuperftitious delufions: The Orient vp in armes and Pifo fled,

C The

The Tragicall life and death

The G allogretians proud for to rebell,

Affricke in vprore, Ajia in braules.

And thefe rude Germaine-kernes not yet fubdued,

Befides a new deuis'd Religion,

Of the inconftant lewes cal'd Chriftians :

Our facred Oracles fome are ftroke dumbe,

And fbme fortolde of Romes detraction :

Vocall Boetia in deepe miferies,

And Delphian glorie in obfcurenefle lies,

A Geminied Phcebus, a three doubled moone,

A whirling Commet, flafhing in the ayre,

A Wolfe afcended to the Cappitoll :

The Temple blafted of fidelitie :

A common Harlet to bring foorth a Beare,

0 Gods ! my heart doth quake, my foule doth feare.

Enter a Page.

Page. My Lord, the fcoutes difcouered the wood, Wherein the Germaines doe in ambufh lie.

Ger. Sirra, goe tell them I will fcarre the Crowes.

Page. My Lord. Exit.

Ger. Boy, trouble not my Meditations, What fhould I fpend my time to fcarre thefe crowes, When there's a cole-blacke Rauen pearcht fb high ? Germanicus, foare thou an higher pitch, Towre like a Larke, and like an Eagle mount, Till thou haft feaz'd vpon thy pray: for why? jjo The Legions loue thee, hate Tiberius : Honour thy vertues, fcorne his cowardife, Extoll thy meekenefle, and reuile his pride : Pray for thy happinefle and curfle his daies, My Father Caius : his was Claudius,

1 am of C<efar, he of lulia :

I heire by nature, he but by adoption :

Rome faw thee honoured, Rhodes him bannifhed,

He

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

He tam'd the Foxes of Illiria,

But I the Lyons of proud Germanic. j£0

And this were caufe enough, were there no other :

I by Auguflus made, he by his mother.

But thou art heire imperall to the flate :

But he that lookes for death may hope to late.

Yet hope Germanicus^ good hopes a treafure,

But he that hopes for meate, may ftarue at pleafure.

I, but Tiberius Nero's verie olde,

But young enough to liue to fee thee fold.

I, but he Toues thee for Auguftus fake,

Auguftus gone, the match ts new to make. 770

But fince his death, thy power he hath augmented,

I, that at Rome my power might be preuented :

He fent thee word he loues thee, fo I thinke :

Who would not loue the wine he meanes to drinke ?

He honours thee (he faid) and fb I deeme,

Who would not of the fatteft Goate efleeme ?

Impatient furie flye Germanicus,

How is thy reafbn dimn'd with clowdie paflion ?

Proud fwelling dropfie, euer gnawing worme,

Infatiate vulture, vile ambition, 580

Deluding Sirene, where's Germanicus?

The Legions loue thee not for to afpire,

Thy vertue fhines not in oppreffion ;

No honour in ambitious aray :

No meekenes in a traytors happines,

Thy Father got thee not for to rebell,

Nor Gefar did abet thy treacheries,

By nature heire, then be thou naturall,

Rome faw thy honour, change not liuerie,

But make thy harueft vp in Germanic. j9o

Enter a. Page.

Page. My Lord the Tribunes fent me to your grace To know your royall pleafure in the cafe.

Germ. What,

The Tragicall life and death

Ger: What, haue they chas'd the foe, and I delay ? Runne Caius, flie for hafl, away, away.

Enter Caligula at one end ofthejlage^ and Sei anus at the &• other end below. lulia at one end aloft^ and Tiberius Nero at the other.

Cal. I am a foole, I am Caligula, Suppos'd and idiot, and am fb indeed, For he that will liue fafe muft feeme a foole.

lulia- Am not I Emprefle, and fhall I be control'd. Am I Augufta, and fhall I not rule ? Haue I made him to raigne, and ftiall I floope ? Is he my fbnne, and am not I his mother ? Tiberius thou (halt know a wo mans hate, Exceedeth bounds, and neuer can haue date.

Tib. How am I Emperour and my mother rule ? Is ftie the Sunne, fhall I the fhadow be ? I but the fmoake, and ftiall ftie be the fire? I but a bare imagination, And flie the image that is honoured ? I but the eccho^ fhall fhe be the found ? A plague vpon her, I will her confound.

Seta. Thus will I do : nay thus, nay villaine thus Poifbn Tiberius: I but Germanicus, The Emperour and his mother feeme to iarre. Fight Dog, fight Cat, for both your fports ile marre But Nero loues me : fo did my mother to, And yet I brake her necke in honeftie. Mother forgiue me, ile doe fb no more, Yet if a thoufand mothers necks would ferue To get me to be Emperour of Rome, By heauens I would not leaue one necke aliue, And to be fure that they fhould all be broke, Ide hire fome honeft ioynter them to fet, And breake them ouer twentie thoufand times,

And

0/~ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

And for to recompence his worthy paine, Ide make him fet his owne nine times againe.

Caligu. I laugh to fee how I can counterfeite, £30 And I fhould blufh, if that Germanicus, My father, my diflembling fhould beholde He knowes I am a Soldier, not a fbole : My mother was deliuered in the Campe, And in my fwadling cloathes, I chac'd the Foe, My Cradle was a Corflet, and for milke I battened was with blood : and fed fo fall That in ten yeares I was a Collonell. My mother knew this, but fhe deemes me chang'd Poore woman in the loathfbme Romifli ftewes, £40

0 Mother, I am chang'd : but wherefore Ibe ? Caligula, of Caligula muft not knowe.

lul. Shall I call him a Baftard ? true it is, But lulia, then thou doo'ft thy felfe the wrong. Say that he was duguflus murtherer, Yet ther ein lulia thou wert counfeller, How then ? a vengeance on his curfed head, So he were murther'd would that I were dead. Vile Monfter that I am, to perrifh loath, Yet heauen's raine brimftone and confume vs both, 6^0

1 am impatient, yet I muft diflemble. Exit lulia.

Tiber. She is my Mother, I mult honour her : She is my Ladie, I muft fhew her duetie : She is moft wife, worthie of reuerence : I but the hag is mofte ambitious, Shee muft haue Prieftes fbrfboth, and Flaminies, To facrifice vnto her Majeftie, She muft checke Nero^ I and fchoole him too ; As he were prentife to hir tutorfhip, She muft incorporat free Denizens: 660

Or elfe fheele fcold and raile, & fharle and bite, And take vp Nero for his luitinefle. Well, let her fcolde, and rayle, and fnarle and byte,

D Nero

The Tragical/ life and death

New will manna ge well the haggard kite,

I will by foue, I will, yet I mult feeme

As though my mother I did moft efleeme. Exit Tib.

Set. He that wil clime, and aime at honours white, Muft be a wheeling turning pollititian : A changing Proteus, and a feeming all, Yet a difcoloured Camelion 670

Fram'd of an ayrie compofition : As fickle and vnconflant as the ayre : Fit for the Sunne to make a Raine-bow in, By each new fangled reflection, Rul'd by the influence of each wandring ftarre, Waxe apt to take each new impreffion. With wifemen fbber, with licencious, light : With proud men f lately, humble with the meeke: With old men thirftie, and with young men vaine : With angrie, furious, and with mild men calme : 680

Humerous with one, and Cato with another : Effeminate with fbme, with other chafte, Drink with the Germain, with the Spaniard braue: Brag with the French, with the JLgiptian lie, Flatter in Greet, and fawne in Gracia. This is the way, Seianus vfe thy skill, Or this, or no way muft thou get thy will. If thou dooft meane the Empire to obtaine, Sweare, flatter, lye, diflemble, cog, & faine. Exit. Se.

Calig. Caligula, why doth thy flumbring foule, 690 Thus dreame within thy common fences manfion? Awake for fhame, flye to Germanicus, Ring in thy Fathers eares a peale of forrow, Vncafe this follye, and vnmaske this face, That hath enueloped Caligula. But fee my mother, Agripina comes With valiant Drufus, and Nero my wife brother, Caligula 's now a Foole, in faith no other. Manet.

Enter

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Enter Agripina with her two Sonnes, Drufus

and Nero. 700

Agr. Why then my Sons, Tiber, weares the crown :

Dru. I mother, and hee fweares heele keepe it too.

Nei. Ger. And reafbn brother hath he fo to doe.

Dru. What reafbn brother hath he but his will ?

Nero. Will may be reafbn, if heele keepe it ftill.

Druf. And (hall he raigne ? a bafe Plebeian.

JVer. He was adopted a Patritian.

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

Nero. Good brother calme your furious fwelling We gaue our voices in his election, (rage, 710

nay Brother ftorme not, here me what I fay, Did not we fweare loyall fidelitie, within the Capitoll vnto his grace ? Did we not both at Veftaes facred flirine, Pray for the fafetie of his Majeftie ? And wilt thou Drufus now recall thy oath, Recall thy vowes, recall thy prayers infence? Remember Drufus, what fb ere he be, Now he is crown'd al's paft recouerie. (you know

Dru. Crown'd, I, and may be difcrown'd for ought 710 How fay you mother, may it not be fb ? CaL This ti's to be refblu'd my gall^t Brother, afar How hardly can I my affections ftnother ? off.

Agrip. Young Impes of honour, in you both I finde A noble way to vertuous refblution : In thee my Nero, wifdomes treafurie: In thee my Drufus, magnanimitie, In both, your fathers honorable minde. Speake faire my Sons (awhile) vnto Tiberius, Vntill the tryumph of Germanicus : 730

Then be refolu'd

The caufe is honorable, feare no ill. But Oh my Sonnes ! yonder's Caligula, Capring : he takes no heede of higher thinges,

D a He

The Tragical? life and death

He call him hether, and fee what he faies : Caligula, come hether gentle Sonne, How dooft thou like the great Tiberius ?

CaL Faith hee's a braue man Mother, and his par- rell is fit, and he has a fine Crowne of golde, and all this makes him but a braue ma, for what would you 74° haue in a braue man but he may haue it ?

Agrip. Well, well my Sonne, youle neuer leaue your toies.

Calig. Why Mother, he can turne aboue ground, turne on the toe, turne euerie way, what fhould I fay more ? By heauen a braue man.

Nero. And what can you doe Brother, let vs fee ?

CaL Faith Brother I am not in the humour, and braue men can doe nothing without it bee in an hu- 75 ° mour.

Druf. Come let vs leaue this humorous Gentle ma.

Agrip. Farwell Caligula.

Exeunt. Agr. Druf. <ly Nero

Caligu. I, I warrant you, for ile fup at Court to night.

Farewell Mother, bretheren both farewel, Whome I admire in fuch deuotion : But dare not truft. Drufus I know thee well, And loue thee dearely, for thy high refolues, 760

But dare not truft thee. Nero I applaud Thy wifdome, but it wants a refolution. Nero and Drufus, beware the braine-ficke foole Caligula, fet you not both to Schoole. Exit.

Enter Itilia, Tiberius, and Seianus. Sc. i>H

lulia. Heard ye not with what general applaufe, Afinius was welcommed to Rome ? At his returne from barbarous Germany, How many greedie eares did glut themfelues,

With

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

With hearing newes of their Germanicus ? 770

How many greedy tongues in labour were, To blazen foorth the trophees of his praife ?

Tiber. Not Priams Hector from the flying Greeks, "Whome he had chafed from the Terrhene fhore, Return 'd with greater expectation, Then laden with the fpoiles of Germaine foes, The people long to fee Germanicus.

Seta. Not onely the Plebeians, but the Equites, Do reuerence him within their inward thoughts, as if the Vaflaile were a demie God. 780

Tiber. And rightly marry, for if Nero liue, Nero fhall deifie him to the full.

Seta. But if you differ him on honors wings, To (bare vp higher in ambitious flight, Borne on the temped of the peoples tongues : Tis tenne to one, heele neuer ftoope to lure, To keepe him (hort, is onely to be fure.

lulia. Let vs commaund him, vpon paine of death, Not to approach within our cittie walles, But either to difmifle his Soldiers, 790

Or on the plaines pitch his Pauillions.

Tiber. No marry mother, not for all the world, Why ? it were omminous : Romes walles engirt, With armed garrifbns of greateft foes, Vnpolitiquely counfel'd in my minde, Adminiftring too fit occafion, For to fufpect and feare a foule pretence. And further, that the bafe Plebeians, As wauering, and inconftant in their loues, as is thee changing Laconiades : 800

Who hearing but a muttering of our driftes, Would like a world of riuers to the maine, Flow to Germanicus by multitudes, Whofe fwelling pride, by their repaire encreafe, Will ouerflow the bankes of loyaltie.

D 3 Mother

The Tragicall life and death

Mother this was but (hallow pollicie, But who'ft that interrups our conference ?

Enter Pifofrom Armenia.

Seta. It's Lucius Pifo, Pretor of Sirria.

Tiber. Welcome to Rome, and olde Tiberius. 810 What newes in Sirria, and Armenia ? With all our Oriental! Prouinces :

Pif. Peace hath reiign'd her rome to bloody warre, Whilft Mars the furie-breathing God of armes, Knits vp his fore-head in a fearefull frowne And in the furrowes of his foulded browes, Difplaies the fable Enfigne of fad death, Vpon the fpacious Armenian plaines, And all the orient in rebellious pride, (Threatning deftruction, to our wefterne world) 810 Doe feeme to challenge vs in daring armes.

Tiber. Who is the Head in this rebellion ?

Pif. The cheife controler of thefe warlicke troups Is vncontrold Vonones on whofe Creft : Victorie feemes to daunce among his plumes, His Burgonet and fteele Habergeon, Of bloody colour like vnto his minde, Of vifage fterne, broad brow'd, and hollow ey'd, Looking as though he did comprife the world, Within the complot of fome ftratagem. 830

Tiber. Ha ! what, fo fbone Armenia vp in armes, Haft thou forgot thy wonted feruitude ? Are Romanes vertues and their vigor done ? Or dead with Silla that firft conquered thee ? Are all the ftripes that ftrong L&cullus gaue, Vnto thy neighbour Pontus and thy felfe, Quite healed vp, without offenfiue fcarre ? are mightie Pompeies Tropheis quite forgot ? Well, be it fo : they blow rebellious flame,

And

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

And they (hall feele the furie of the fame, 840

Meane while, returne thou Pifo to thy lodging, Till fit occafion to employ thee hence. Exit. Pifo

Seta. How likes your Maieftie this woful newes ?

/«/. Like enough, he mifliketh it enough. Might lull a, counfell him, he fliould reuenge it, with more extreamitie of punifhment, Then angrie loue raign a from the vault of heauen Vpon his Throne-oppugning Briaris.

Tibe. I, fbft and faire, firft flop our feares at home, Then let Armenia feele the force of Rome. 8jo

Set. Good counfaile, great Tiberius, knew we how.

Tiber. How ? what are all our pollicies extinct ? Noe, be attentiue, and ile tell thee how, The head-fpring flopt, the fmaller founts will faile. and thus our home bred feare Germanici, Grounding their hopes vpon their fathers haps, Take from his life their lights continuance, His life therefore extinct, their light is done.

lul. This is the thing that we confulted off, But to no purpofe yet. 8£o

Tibe. Yes Mother yes, By this occafion of the Armenian wars, an opportunitie is offered vs, Both to reuenge and rid vs of our foes. This Vfurer of feme Germanicus, (Who gapes as greedily for faire renowne, As doth a niggard for a fhowre of golde.) No fboner fhall returne to Rome, Grac'd with the tryumphes of his victories, But by my pollicie, and faire pretext, 870

We will conclude it in the Senate houfe, That for the fafetie of Romes tottering flate, Germanicus mufl to Armenia, Where hee fhall fall by fierce Vonones fword, Or if he fcape, weele fb determine it,

As

The Tragicall life and death

As loue to Saturne, fhall refigne his Throane, and banifht from the Speare, where now he raignes, Humble himfelfe, below the horned Moone, Before he fhall returne to vifite Rome.

Enter Dru/us, Lima, and Spado. 880

(ieftie

Druf. Tiber: The Gods preferue your royall Ma-

Tibe. Good day vnto you Sonne and Liuia.

lulia. Haue you attended long our comming forth ?

Liuia: Not verie long my gracious Grandmother, But hearing you were in clofe conference, It had beene rudenefle to haue interrupted yee.

Tiber. We were indeede in confutation, about affaires of fpeciall fecrecie, But where fbre-lookes our Sonne fb fad this morne ? 890

Druf. Tiber. Hath not the clang of harfh Armenian The ratling found of Clarions & Drums, (troupes Thundred into your eares a deepe reuenge ? The Orient doth fhine in warlike fteele, and bloody flreamers waued in the ayre, By their reflexions die the plaines in red, as omminous vnto diflructiue wars, as are the blazing Commets in the Eaft.

Tiberi: We haue both heard, and eke confulted of The whole effect : of which our conference, 9oo

We fhall at fitter time relate to thee. Meane while lets make our preparation, againft th' arriuall of Germanicus, Who meanes to morrow for to Royalize, The triumphes of his Germaine victories.

Exeunt Tiberius, lulia, aud Drufus

Manet Set anus & Liuia, & Spado. Seian. Madame, a word with your good Ladifliip. Liui. So pleafe it your good Lordfhip, fo ye may.

Seta. But

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Setan. But fhall I fpeake my mind without cotrol? 910

Liuia. I haue np pattent to controll you fir.

Seian. But will ye not be angry if I doe ?

Liui. That's as your felfe fhal giue me caufe therto

Seta. But fay my tung fhould fault before I find it ? •

Liuia. If h'ghtly I would paffe it, and not mind it.

Seta. What if I fhould offend with hearts affent ?

Liuia. The offence (huld pardoned be if you repet

Seta: Thinketh my Lady as fhe fayth to me ?

Liuia. No other wayes my Lord. But well I fee By thefe your long circomlocutions, 920

Your bufinefle is of fmall import with me.

Seitt. Of more import (fweet Lady) then my life.

Liuia. A matter of more waight then I mufl know.

Seta. Yet muffc you know it or I mufl not be.

Liuia. Can Liuia then impart a remedie ?

Seta. I, if fhe pleafe to falue my maladie.

Liuia. What falue fhould Liuia to your fore apply ?

Seta. Pitties quintefence, and foft clemencie.

Liuia. Strange fore, flrange falue.

Seian. Yet not fb flrange as true. 93°

Liuia. I pittie it : God fend you eafe, adue.

Seta. Yet heare me gentle Lady ere you part, To tel my paine doth fbmewhat eafe my heart. And to be graced with attentiue heede, To Loners doth efpeciall comfort breede.

Liuia. Then is my Lord a Louer ?

Seian. You haue read.

Liuia. How wonderfully metamorphofed ?

Seian. More wonders can fhe worke that wrought Able to change the chaflefl vtican. (my bane, 940

Liuia. What, is your Goddefle then a SorcerefTe ?

Seian. The firfl, but then the latter nothing lefle.

Liuia. You faid (he vfed charming forceries :

Seta. Onely the inchantments of her Criflall eies, Which had they glaunced on enamoured loue,

E While

The Tragicatt life and death

While lo liu'd loue, would haue beg'd her loue,

and fpite of funo, Hebe and Ganimede^

She onely Ihould haue grac'd Theatates bed,

Liu, Pearelefle belike, and fit to be a Cowe, Farewell Seianus, I muft leaue ye nowe.

Seta. Deare Madam, one word more, and then far-

Liui. Be briefe Seianus then. (wel

Seta. Beauties faire cell, The heauenly Panomphea of our daies.

Liu. Nay, then I am gone, if you begin to praife.

Seta. By thefe bright fhining Tapers thy faire eies The guiding Planets of Seianus life, Which beautifie the heauen of thy face, With farre more glorious admiration, Then chad Dictinna or Latonaes Sonne, But one word more (deare fbule) and I haue done, By this faire braunch, fprouted from fairer tree, Enamuled with Azure Riuerets, Blew coloured vaines, which euerie waies difper'fl, In kinde embraces clip thy tender hand.

Liui. Villaine, let goe, gripe not my hand fb hard.

Seta. How can I chofe, fith you do gripe my heart ?

Liu. Let goe my hand, or I will haue thy head. I gripe thy heart villaine as thou art !

Set. I, in your louely, but obdurate brefl.

Liu. In my brefl ! though it were there indeede, I would vnrip my breaft, and teare it out.

Seta. Yet for your felues fweet fake to felf be kinde Soe faire a frame holdes not fb fbule a minde. But Madame, leauing off this angrie moode, In fadnefle would you graunt, if you were woo'd.

Liui. Blafl not my name with luftfull infamie, For if thou do, by heauen I wil Shepuls his rapier

Seia. Lady, thefe handes were neuer made to bra- difli fteele. 98o

Li. Could I but get it, thou fhould'f t quickly feele.

Seia. Fye

0/~ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Set. Fye Lady, fye, what, turn'd a Soldier ? If you be fb refolu'd, let this be war. He ktffeth her.

Liu. Vnciuilie, by violence ! Spado I am wrong 'd.

Sp. By loue, or aske forgiuenes for thy fault, Or I wil {heath my Rapier in thy heart. Sp. draweth.

Set. Put vp, put vp, Pigmy hold, I fay put vp:

Seianus giueth Spado hispurjfe. What wilt thou kill thy Ladies parramour ?

Liu. Leaden refblued coward, let me fee't, 990

I will phlebotomize his luflfull blood.

She taketh the Rapier.

Seta. That haue ye done alreadie by your fpight, And now accept this facrifice. Hefwoundeth.

Spa. O cruell plight !

Liu. Yet will I breath another life into him, Or burie him within this Sepulcher : Spado, helpe, helpe, for Gods fake holde his head, See how the teares congealed in his eyes, Doe make me fee my fhame that was vnkinde, 1000 Good gentle heart, I fhould haue pardoned him.

Seta. Faire Pwferpine~> I am a Louer.— - 3

Liuia. See how his idle fbule, Not quite diffeuered from his Arteries, Makes him dreame vainely of Elizium : Seianus :

Seta. Who cal's that name, He liftes himfelfe vp, & The verie index of al mifery ? Liuia flyeth backe.

Liui. I am a fhamed for I was too nign. 1010

Seta. Ah Lady, I did dreame that you did grant me

Liu. What {hall I fay ? words faile me to deny him, Seianus dreame thou ftill that I did graunt—

Seta. But dreames without effectes bee but vaine hopes.

Liuia. No more was your's, yet dreame you flil in hope.

E i Seta. But

The Tragical/ life and death

Seta. But (hall my hopes fiicceede ?

Liu. I will not promife.

Seta. But perfbrme indeed. Exit Lima, & Spado. Manet Seianus folus.

Seta. Wrong me not (hallow Pollititians, By mifinterpreting my actions : A farther reach is in Seianus head, Then to adulterate a Princes bed. Not lufl, nor loue, but hate and iniurie, Infpire me with profounder pollicie. Vnder this vale of loue inuefloped, Tis not a kifle : an Empire tis I feeke, An opportunitie to claime the crowne, 1030

And nt occalion to wreake reuenge, Vpon her hufband for his iniuries. Drufusy the boxe on the eare thou gaue'fl me, Becomes the Prologue of thy Tragedie. Meane while, let this fuffice : for my intent Is onely for to loue this inffcrument, As did yiijfes, Troyes Paladium, Not for it felfe, but Troyes deflruction. But whifl Seianus prifon vp thy tongue, Now to the tryumphes, I haue ftaid too long. 1040

JEnter Germanicus in Tryumph with the Arch-jlamines Sc. vii before him, Tiberius on his right hand, Ajinius and Sab i- nus : next lulia, Agripina, and Liuia, then Nero^ Drufus and Caligula^ Germanici: then Seianus and other Senators, then the Captaines of Gertnani- cus with his Soldiers and Prifoners : they crowue him with Crownes and Gar lands according to the Cuft- ome, and all crie.

Omnes. Long liue victorious Germanicus, In glory Royallize.

Ner. Archfl. Noble

0f Claudius Tiberius Nero,

Archfla. Noble Germanicus, whofe winged Swift glyding through the frozen Germany, (fame, Hath brought vs newes of thy faire victories, Thou that doefl equalize in honors Titles, The elder Scipio, noble Affrican, And younger Scipio Afiaticus, Paulus Emilius of proud Macedon, Flaminiaes conqueft, and Metellus glorie : Old Fabius wifdome and Marcellus furie, 1060

Renowned Gracchus, gallant refblution, Braue man at armes vnfbld thy Victories, Which heauens themfelues do feeme to {blemnize. Ger. Firffc to the Gods the Authors of my good, I facrifice the infence of my thankes. Next vnto you my Lord imperiall, I wifti eternitie of happinefle. All you that weare the fnowie liuerie, Of long experience worthie Senators : And you the flowring bloflbmes of faire Rome, 1070

My verie eflence, valiant Soldiers all Louing Quirites, loyall countriemen, Faire Ladies, mirrors of the amazed world, Embelifhed with royall chaftitie ; In all the circuite of my humble vowes, I offer vp to loues protection. Since firft my Lords I entred Germanic, The fertile foile of bafe Rebellion, Our Eagles twice nine times haue been difplaid, And twice nine times with Tropheis honored. I08o

The barbarous Marflies on the fbutherne fide, Hailde downe three furious ftormes of poyfoned Not Cicas torture bloody Scithian : (darts

Nor Craflus fcourge, difembling Partheans, Did euer rage in fiich tempeftious (howres, But by the prowefle of our valiant Knights, Who all alighted from their furious fteedes,

E Wee

The Tragicall life and death

We ftil'd the hiffing of thefe poyfonous Snakes, Which all the neighbour countrie flinges to death,

Omnes. Long liue the valiant Germanicus. iopo

Ger. But on the northerne fide of Germany, Whereas th' Vfipites kept the plaine, Impalled in a wudernefle of wood, VVal'd with a rockie mountaine in the Eafl, Back't with the fea vppon the northerne Coaft, Enchannel'd with a deepe intrenched meere. Betwixt our Legions on the Southerne fide, Thefe mew'd-vp Foxes in this Stratagem, Derided all our Legions braueries.

Foure times with all our power we gaue aflault, noo To winne the paflage of that daungerous meere, Foure times repulfed by the quaking ground, That trembling durfl not beare our Soldiers. At length when Cinthia's borrowed waining light Repai'd the efTence of her brothers lampe, Behinde the low defending of the hill, I few the Ocean farre rebattered, As when the elder African in Spaine, by ebbing Thetis fcarred Carthage walks, So by the flying backward of the maine, 1 1 10

The Foxes on the backe I faw engirt, That thankes to Neptune for his clemencie, They all adorne our royall victorie.

Omnes. Long liue the valiant Germanicus.

Ger. Next to th' Vfipetes were incamp't, The Tubants houering on the Mountaines fide, That if our Legions approach't the hill, They roule downe rocks of ftone to murther them. Vpon the hanging of the fteepie Clift, There was by nature plac'd a little groue, mo

But furely guarded for the Druides, To folemnize their humane facrifice, As in the fecond cruell punick warre,

The

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

The tents of Siphax^ and of Hafdruball^ Were all enflam'd by noble Scipio, So by the burning of this little groue, The mountaine quite confu'md where Tubants lay, And they became our triumphs goodly pray : But in the wood that borders on the mount, The cruel! Tigers hid their damned heads: 1130

The fauage Agriuarij kept their den, Who ranging now & the would fnatch their pray, Renting each ioynt, difleuering each part, And neuer leaue till they had found the hart. Not Majfagetes were fb cruell calld, Nor Babilon was ere fo ftrongly walld : For fince Vfipetes laft confufion, They made the fea a moate vnto the wood, That great Alcides would haue wondered, To fee this Hand fo enuironed. 1140

Hard by the Southerne frontire of the wood, Danubiaes ftreames fwelling in proud difdaine, Vnto the checker of the Ocean, Muttering repaid his tributarie due. There did I make my skilfull Pioners To cut a trench from great Danubius, That this new lea which walled in the wood, Was now the graue of their perdition. For when Danubiaes ftreames did meet the maine, The fauage Agrluarij 'all were drown'd, ,,j0

But fuch as fwam to vs we would not fleay, That they might grace the honour of our day. Omnes. Long Hue Victorious Germanicus, Ger. Twice did we meet the Buckftars in the field, And fortie thoufand quite were vanquilhed Of fliff-neckt Chatti^ neuer yet contrould, An hundred thoufand perifht in one field, Not Cannas nor the fields of Pharjhlie: So died in blood as was Danubius.

And

The Tragic all life and death

And which my priuate ioy doth more obtaine,

Of all the Romanes were but ninetie flaine.

This is the Theater of Germanic,

And thefe the countries which I conquered,

Now worthie Emperour I made a vow,

To dedicate my fword to loue s protection.

Ift pleafe your Maieftie for to afcend,

Vnto the Senate where Germanicus,

Will all the fecrets more at large difclofe :

Meane-while my followers I you difmifle,

Exeunt the fouldiers. 1170 And al my gracious friends with thanks I leaue, Vntil our Country rights we doe perfbrme, Which done, Germanicus will fbone returne. Omnes. Long Hue the valiant Germanicus : Long Hue Victorious Germanicus.

Exeunt all in order to the Senate at one doore. lulia <dgripina, Liuia, and Caligula, at the other. Ma net Nero, and Drufus Germanici.

Nero. Drufus if you had beene fb valerous As ouer-boafting in thy bumbaft tearmes, n8o

We might haue feald our league of amitie, Now with Tiberius colde congealed blood. Drufus. And if thy bookifh wifdome clarkly Art, had armed beene with Romane refblution, I tell thee Nero Coward as thou art, Tiberius Qiould not thus haue fcapt our hands, By loue my father was his coat of fleale, Plac'd betwixt my fword and him, or els

Nero. Or els thou would'ft haue fworne, Volumes of fix foote othes, but nere a blow.

Dru. No more, my father comes.

Nero. Coward, I doe retort it in thy teeth.

Dru. Why Nero, brother, are ye mad ?

Enter

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Enter Tiberius and Gei'manicus, Nerua, Sabinus, Sc. Afmius, Seianus, Pifo, with other Senatoursfrotn the Senate.

Tib. I hope this fbdaine bufinefle of the Eaft, Doth not agrate our fonne Germanicus.

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

Tib. Farewell my honourable gallant fbnne, The hope of Rome, my deare Germanicus, Pifb farewell, remember well thy duetie, Once more adue my deare Germanicus.

Seia. My Lord Germanicus the heauens conduct, Your high refblues to happie victorie.

Exeunt Tiberius, Seianus, and Pifo.

Ger. Thanks good Seianus, gentle friend farewel,

Nerua. My Lord Germanicus I much lament, The flrong rebellion of the Orient, My heart prefageth what I dare not fay, Farewell Germanicus for now I dare not ftay. And yet I will : ah deare Germanicus ! How doth old Nerua wifh thy companie ? And but my honour doth controule my will, I would Germanicus farewel, farewel.

Ger. Nay good Cocceius, flay a little while, To heare, the lafl perchance I ere (hall tell thee, So variable is the chaunce of warre. Vnto you three the patrones of my life, Nerua, Sabinus, and Afinius, Vnto your patronage I recommend, My Orphant children, and my widow wife, Faire Agripina.

No more my Lord, let heauens tell the reft, Remember your true friend Germanicus.

They embrace, and fo part. Exit Cocceius, and enter Pifo.

F Pifo- Or

The Tragical! life and death

Pif. My Lord 'twere time your bufines were dif-

patcht, I23°

The iorney craues great expedition, and date of your abode is wellnigh out.

Ger. Nor ought you to extenuate the fame, What though the Senate hath decreed it fb, Germanicus fhould giue adiew to Rome, Before to morrowes Sunne falute the world, Yet haue I fbme time to remaine therein, Which being fmall, that fmall (pace let me fpend, To fatisfie mine eyes with gazing on't, Who for thefe many winters haue defir'd, 1240

(Although in vaine) to refalute this place, and now no fboner refalute the fame, But am conftrained to bid it adiew, It may be neuer to returne againe.

Pif. It may be ? nay thats fure Speaking ajide. The Senate hath decree'd, and it muft be, There's no refitting of neceflitie.

Ger. Yet gentle Pifb, fuffer me to grieue, If at nought elfe, yet at neceflitie, Too ftrickt for ouertoylde Germanicus, Whofe wearie limmes, require a longer reft Then is one daies fhort intermiflion. Yet were it Pifb but an houres fpace, Were all my bodie brufd with bearing armes, Yet would Germanicus beare it as he may, and rather finke vnder "his armours weight, Then leaue to weare it in defence of Rome, To whome though Rome for harbour be deny'd, Yet hath he roome in all the world befide : Onely this refpite, and I craue no more, To giue my wife and Sonnes their laft farwell.

Pi. You may, & I wil cal the prefently. Enter Nero and Drufus.

Ger. Do Pifb & be honoured for this fauour.

But

0/~ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

But fee thy Ibnnes Germanicus, thy fbnnes,

Declaring by their angrie clowded frownes,

Some ciuill difcord, or fbme difcon tents,

For fhame my boyes, if fb a Fathers power,

May haue predominance in fbnnes diflent,

Cleare vp thofe clowdie vapors of your browes, 1x70

That threaten ftormes of dreadfull difcontent.

Leaue off your ouer-daring menacies,

and tell the caufe of your difTention,

Tell me, for I ought, mufl, and will know.

Ner. Onely this (father) caus'd our controuerfie, Going to the Capitoll to the Tryumph, We faw a Kite vfurpe the Eagles place, Wherat enrag'd, we cafb our Falcons off, and for mine, was not of fuch fpeedy flight as was my Brothers, he began to chafe. lt_^0

Druf. Patience herfelfe I thinke would be enrag'd, To fee a man fb faintly Faulconer it. For Father, had my Brother done his beft, We might haue taken downe the Haggard Kite.

Ger. VVhat, for fb fmall a matter fall at oddes ? Fie, neuer violate true Brothers loue By furious rages and diflentious larres : It not befits your title, nor thefe times, Sad time wherein (perhaps) my laft farwell, Is to be taken of my dearefl Sonnes, 1190

Whom, if I leaue diftract in factious hate, How can I hope to bid you once farwell, Since faring as I fee, you fere but ill? My time or refidence is fhort in Rome, and yet too long, if long you difagree, Be reconciled therfbre to your felues, fhake hands, embrace, be friendes, forget, forgiue: why fb my Sonnes, thus fhould kind Brothers liue. Now is my heart, disburdened of great care, To fee you my deare Sonnes accord fb well,

F 2. And

The Tragical! life and death

And though I ftraight muft part, take this farewell left with you as my teftimoniall will. Helpe, honour, cherrifh, loue each other flill, And thinke how oft you breake your amitie, So oft you act your fathers Tragedie.

Enter Caligula, with a Racket and Tennis-ball in his hand.

Calig. Now a Gods name giue me a hand Ball, For that a man may tofle againffc the wall, Now vp, now downe, now flie, now fall, 1310

Yet hath no danger therewith all. Come brother, will you play a fet ?

Germ. Crofle to my comfort, & thy fathers grief Why dooffe thou ftill continew in thefe fits ? What frantique humor hath bereft thy wits ? Cafl downe Caligula, caft downe thy ball. (away

Cali. Nay by Ladie Father, nay firft take my Take vp my ball, lay downe my Ball, tufh, tufti, To tennis with an Emperor is not worth a rufh. Where's neuer a flroake but all in hazard plaide. No Father, ile doe with it as poore men doe With great mens injuries, put it vp till time ferue.

Ger. Yet now at length, ceafe to torment my Ibule More fcourg'd with fbrrow to behold thee thus, Then Priam was to fee his Illion burne. Oh fpeake like to thy felfe, fpeake to my ioy, More ioy vnto ioy-rob'd Germanicus, Then was the Lidian Creffus dombe borne Sonne, Stopping his Fathers execution.

Calig. Not for the world father, pardon me : no, no. 1330 What ? play the blab before fuch company ?

Ger. What company's heere, onely but we three.

Cali. Mary too many fir, by he, and he.

Ger. Sonnes ftand afide, while we confer together

Cali. Nay far enough, we neede no counfellors.

Ger. Not

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Ger. Not on my blefling till our talke be done.

Cal. Then father loe, your Metamorphiz'd fonne, Changed in wit, and in condition chang'd, , Jl

Whofe hellifh fit hath left at length to rage, ,

And plague my fenfes with a lunacie, i|4»

Which hath made me to be efteem'd a fbole, And fo I am, and deeme it beft be fb : For he that would liue fafe in brutifh Rome, Father, a fbolifh Brutus mufl become. Ne blame me father, nor vpb-raid me fbr't, His was by pollcifi, mine by extacie, Which takes me euermore in companie. Nor (but coniured by your reuerend commaund) Could I haue halfe abftained from it thus.

Ger. The ftrangeft fit that euer I haue knowne. 13 fo Which how er'e ftrong, yet ftriue to bridle it, Once giue repulfe and you the conqueft get, But time cuts off our talke, my glafle is runne, And date of my abode is almoft done, Say therefore how doth Agripina fare ? What makes her ftay ? how brookes ihe my depart ?

Cal. Briefly to fay (my Lord) with an ill heart, For Lucius Pifo with this balefull newes, No fooner gaue her notice of your ftate, And fuddaine expedition to the Eafl, ,^0

But as if fbme Torpedo had her toucht, A numming flumber rockt her fenfe afleepe, And in a fwound fell downe betweene mine armes: Then fcarce remembring how or where (he was, She lockt her winding armes about my necke, And thinking me to be Germanicus, She feald a thoufand kifles on my lippes, Each being fleeped in a ftream of teares : And then fhe fighes, and ftraight begins to frowne, Thrife fhe difioynd the cherries of her lips 1370

As if fhe meant to fpeake, and thrife fhe fpake.

F Her

The Tragical/ life and death

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

And onely rendered an abbortiue found,

Till thrice recall'd at length recouered,

She fighed forth, ah deare Germanicus !

And wilt thou then fo fbone ? What more (he faid,

Drown'd in the fluent Ocean of her teares,

Gafped a period to her abrupt fpeech.

Ger. Ah me ! and doth fhe flill continue thus ?

Cal. Not now my Lord : for when as this was done, 1380 She wackt out of her flumbring extafie, Receyuing refruition of her fenfes, And then fhe blufht, and fight, to fee her errour, And gan to frame excufes for her fault, Promifing fpeedily to come to you.

Enter Pifo and Agripina.

Ger. And here fhe comes. My deare Agripma.

Agri. Mofl deare Germanicus.

Nero. Ah ! fee how th' extremitie of loyall loue, Surceedes in paffions of affection, I39°

as it denieth paflage to their fpeech.

Dr. Curfl be the authors through whofe occafion Happes the difleuering of fo fweet an vnion.

Nero. Faine would fhe bid him flay, faine fay fare- But feare and loue amaze her in mifdoubt : (well, She doubts to flay him, fearing to offend him, She loues too well, too willingly to leaue him :

Ger. Enforct, I doome the lentence of my death, For can I liue ifparted from my loue That art both eflence of my loue and life? 1400

Enforc'd ? I : yet not I, it is my tongue, Ore-ruld by too flrict times neceflitie, makes me pronounce this loathed word, farewell.

Agri. Ill fere that word farewell, fince by farewell I fare fo ill : then bid me not farewell : Yet wifh I not thy flay my dearell Lord,

But

0f Claudius Tiberius Nero.

But that you would aflent to one petition. Be not inquifitiue, fpeake not at all, Vnlefle when as you fpeake, you fay I fhal.

Ger. I fhall my dearefl deare, if fo you (hall 1410

aske onely what (hall be conuenient, and indifparageable vnto our good : Which for I doubt not, fpeake I giue confent.

Agri. Then in thy little lefle then banifhment, Refufe me not for thy companion, and this with teares I beg for ratified : Reuoke not what is promis'd, nor excufe With arguments drawne from my fexe and life, Too weak, too feeble, and vnfit for warre, Or by relating all the miferies, 14*°

Long trauels, dangerous toyles, misfortunes, wants; For all the ills that iflue out of warre, I haue them paft, or pafle not what they are. Witnefle this liuely Image of thy felfe, Of whom I was deliuered in the campe, Belkna was my Midwife, and my paines Were eafed by the ayer-renting founds, Of warlike Sackbuts, Clarions, and Drums.

Ger. Thy loue doth make a wanton of thy leaue, and through extremitie of paffion, '43°

You make me halfe to feare you leaue to loue : Pardon me Agripina, if my loue f through feare to loofe my loue, doth loue to feare, For life takes life from loue, loue growes from fear, Feare to diflike, feare to be faithlefle proou'd : Feare for to loofe himfelfe from his befl belou'd, 'This fearing loue, and louing fearefulnefle, Doth bind my heart, and prifbn vp my tongue: Why wouldft thou this ? I know thou wouldft it not. From llately Rome vnto the Suns arife, *44°

So many miles, fo many mifchiefs lies: Where fhouldlt thou haplefFe me accompanie,

The

The Tragicall life and death

The mifchiefe were redoubled, and one houre, Perhaps fhould caufe me die a double death. Once in my felfe, and ten times more in thee, Yet wouldft thou this ? I know thou wouldft it not.

Agr. Ay me, my Lord, your word controls my wil.

Ger. Time entercepts my time, adieu, Deare Agripina once againe adieu.

Pifo. The time is now expired of our flay, 145°

And therefore you muft either now agree, Or Madam gainft your will he muft depart, For my part I will prefently depart.

Agri. Ah ! flay a little while and I haue done, (wel

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

Agri. And is your hafte fo great as his my Lord ? Muft Agripina then forfake her loue ?

Ger. Or elfe Germanicus muft leaue his life. Therefore my deare, deare wife, and deareft fbnnes, Let me ingirt you with my laft embrace: 1460

And in your cheekes impreffe a fare-well kifle, Kifie of true kindnefle and affectious loue, Bath'd in the licour of diftilled raine, Which nere before diflblued into teares, Which falling lowly downe before your feete, Seeme for to beg a mutuall vnitie, To be continued after my depart. Which if you are refblued to maintaine, Then vfe no dallying protractions, But now compendiouily lets take our leaue,

Agr. As wills Germanicus fo muft it bee, Farewell deare Lord therefore, this way for me :

Exit Agripina. Nero, Drufus, and Caligula embrace

Germanicus^ and follow her. Germanicus at an o-

ther doore. (tors be,

Ger. Deare wife, deare fbns, heauens your protec-

The Gods our guide, farewell, this way for me.

Enter

0f Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Enter Tiberius and Seianus. &. x

Ti. Thus is Germanicus our greateft feare difpatcht With fubtill Pifo to the Orient. 1480

Didft thou not fee with what alacritie, All the Plebeians at his triumph fhowted At euery period of his pleafing fbng ? How that difcordant quire redoubled With their vntuned voyces retiming, Long Hue Victorious Germanicus ? But hees difpatcht into Armenia, And fbone mall be difpatcht by Pifo true.

Seian. My Lord vpon mine honour He auerre, Speedie performance of this action, 149°

I fb inueagled Pifo, fb inwrapt him, So coniured his traiterous relolution, Storing the villaine with fuch poyfbnous druggs, As neuer Circe nor Aetes knew, I fo incenft his damn'd ambition, Soothing his humour, praifing his great worth, Adding the fauours of Tiberius^ That were Germanicus imperious foue, Pifo would poyfbn him to gaine my loue.

Tib. So much Seianus for Germanicus, rjoo

But now an other cloud ob feu res our Sunne, Of lefler fauour, but of greater mow, That fame infamous Tigres lulia. Nemia neuer faw a Lionefle Was halfe fb furious as is lulia. Didft thou not fee her yawning fepulchre Rauening to fwallow vp my Emperie ? Did (he not (hew Auguftus tellament To haue difcarded me from regiment ? How can I brooke it ? Do not make replie, If Nero liue, lulia mail furely die.

G Seta. Then

The Tragical/ life and death

Seian. Then lulia make thy quicke confef- fion.

Tiber. But yet there doth remaine a corafiue, A canker that doth gnaw my feftered fbule, Nero and Drufits yong Germanici, Whofe youth is guided by two elder ftarres, Titius Sabinus, and Afinius, Were thefe made Counfellers to Proferpine, (For neither Minos nor fterne Eacus, Nor Rodamanthus were fb iuft as thefe,) Nero and Drufiis might be {bone entrapt. If that Seianus loues Tiberius, If euer Nero did repay his loue, Then fee thefe Phofphori be made away, That dimme the glorie of our happie day. Heere take my Signet, vfe what meanes thou

wilt,

Be Emperour, fb I may haue my will, For euen as fiire as Nero drawes his breath, Afinius and Sabinus dies the death.

Seianus. If they did both Vlifles equalize, Matchles Penolepes vnmatched mate, And if Minerua fhould inclow'd their thoughtes, As Cipria wrapt her Achefiades : I, were Apollo their eternall friend, They fhould not liue if Nero fought their end.

Tiberius. Meane while, as cleare from all fiifpition,

Tiberius will leaue this wicked Roome. J ?4°

lulia, Sabinus, and Afinius Shall rue the abfence of Tiberius. Exeunt.

Enter Nerua, Sabinus^ and Sc. *»

jifiwms.

(cloudes,

Nerua. Who fees the Sunne incombred in darke

And

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

And exhal'd vapours dimme the welkins face, Followed in purfuite with th' aflaulting winde, Which play their furious prizes in the ayre, And not expects a fharpe tempefluous ftorme? 155°

Sabittus. Who viewes the troubled bofbme of

the maine,

Endiapred with Cole-blacke Porpefies, Prodigious Monflers, and prefaging Signes, Markt in th 'appearance or vn wonted mapes, Strange figures, and amazing Spectacles, and lookes not for a ciuill warre of wayles ? (true,

jjfimus. Who fees the rules to bee vnfaigned And not prouides preuenting remedies, Well might hee prooue the perrill to his paine. 1560 The Walles once battered by the boyflerous Ro- maine,

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

Nerua. Cancell that quittance Gallus, Nerua knowes, 1*70

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

dfmtu. Sence then is hidde in thofe fimilitudes.

Nerua. I, fuch deepe fence as makes my fences droope.

Sabinus. No, fences droope where fence of ill is none.

Neru. Sharpe fence may fenfure ill, all thoughts vnfhowne. M^o

Afinius. Blinde is the cenfure of vncertainties.

Nerua. I, to the eye which fees what open lyes.

G i Sab. You

The Tragicall life and death

Sabi. You fpeake ^nigmaes, doubtful and obfcure.

Neru. Yet not fb darke and hard, as true and fure.

Sabi. Then be mine Oedipus, interpret it.

Neru. Not Oedipus, it needes a fearching wit, A quicke conceite, an all obferuing minde, Tis that that muft explaine this hidden fence, Such one was wont aged Afinius haue, Such grounded wifdome reaching at conceite, 1*90

Like as the fire in chimicke diftillation, Able to feperate the ellements. But wherefore weepes Afinius? thy griefe difclofe, Nerua will heare, and helpe, who hath like woes.

Afini. Not for my felfe I ftied thefe brinifh teares.

Neru. Teares fhed for Romes eftate doe drowne mine eies.

Sab. Hard ftate where vices liue, and vertue dies.

Ner. Witnefle the fecret counfels which are kept, Whereto no ftate of Senate is requefted, irfoo

But olde eftabliiht orders quite detefted.

Sab. Like to a butchered body, Rome is rent, And fecret factions, compleate treacheries, Are common fet abroach by each degree.

Ner. Nero hath tane adiew of (lately Rome, And poafted downe into the Countrie, Nothing regarding his imperiall ftate, And heere Seianus reuils all alone, Free from the checke of Magiftrates controule, Commaunding all, as he were Emperour. 1610

Sab. And with him keepes the high Augufta heere, But to what end, the Gods alone doe know : Who graunt that all may iflue to the beft.

A fin. Amen, Amen, my minde prefageth ill, And fay we what we can, theile haue their will. Rxeunt AJinius, Nerua and Sabinus.

Enter lulia and Seianus. Sc. xii

luli. And dare Tiberius worke old luliaes death ?

Seia. Excel-

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Seta. Excellent Lady, worthy lulia, Vpon mine honour Nero feekes your life.

/«/. And can the heauens fee and not reuenge ? Not mad Oreftes CHtemneftraes Sonne Was fb vnnaturall as this beare-whelpe is. I did conceiue the villaine in my wombe, Which now I hate becaufe it foftered him. Could I not get fome Taxus to haue made, My wombe abortiue, when I him coneiu'd ? Nero, ah Nero ! did I not procure, Thy firft adoption by Augufbus bounty ? Caius and Lucius, thy elder Bretheren, j^o

One in Armenia, th 'other loft in Spaine, And all that thou the Empire migh'ft obtaine. Proud Phaeton, aflend thy Fathers throane, And roufe the frozen Serpent from his Denne. Father of darkenefle, Patrone of confufion, Reduce the Caos of eternall night. Let heauen & earth, & aire, bee brought to nought, For Nero liues, and luliaes life is fought.

Seta. In vaine the furie of fuch idle thoughts, Doe but augment the habit of your paffion, 1640

The Virgin ay re doth onely heare your moanes, Which fleeting takes no'impreffion of your griefe. In vaine you doe implore, the fencelefle creature, For to vnbinde the chaine of conftant nature. •

/«/. Seianus ! wife Seianus ! louely man, What (hall I call thee to obtaine thy loue ? And yet I know, thou louefl lulia.

Seia. Madam, vpon my honour I proteft—

lul. Proteft no more, Seianus fweare no more, I doe beleeue thou loueit lulia: And may I truft Seianus with my loue ?

Seta. And may you truft Seianus with your loue ? If I had not engag'd my honours pawne, If I had not admired lulia;

G Loued

The Tragical! life and death

Loued Augufta more then mine owne life, How durft I haue difclofed Caefars drifts, Broke my allegiance to my foueraigne, Clearing the miftie cloudes of his reuenge, But that I lou'd you more then all the world.

lulia. Why then Seianus counfell lulia, Aduife Augufta in her deepe extreames, Were it not cunning, tell me gentle friend, For to beguile the Lion of his pray ?

Seian. Augufta, Caefar is your noble fbnne.

lulia. I, but he feekes the life of lulia.

Setan. Madam, he may be moued to pittie you.

lulia. Shall lulia then entreat degenerate man, That neuer knew Auguftaes royall fpirit ? Did Sophonisba beg her princely life, Or Anthonies Egyptian parramour ? 1670

Did Philips high refblu'd Olympias, Crouch to Seleucus for her wearie dayes, And fhall Augufla royall lulia, Crouch, beg, entreate her boy Tiberius ?

Seian. Lady not fb, Seianus will entreate.

lulia. Nor thou, nor any, fhall entreat for me, Did not I beare him ? who fhall beg my life ? I fhame to heare thy fbolifh pittying, Did not we make Tiberius Fmperour? And can we not depofe Tiberius ? 1680

Where are thofe volumes of inuentions, Which once had refidence in thy conceit? Thofe maflacres and golden pollicies, That ore thy fortunes euer houered ? Record Seianus all thy Chronicles Diue to the bottome of thy memorie, And plot fome lahorinth of villanie. Do not Seianus all in vaine contend ; Nero, or lulia, or both muft end.

Seian. Royall Augufta, lulia commaund,

The

0f Claudius Tiberius Nero.

The vtmoft that Seianus can inuent.

Madam, you know that Caefar three dayes fince,

Remou'd his Court vnto Campania,

Where by his Orchard

lulia. What by his Orchard? fpeake Seianus, fpeak, What doth the fmoke of Lerna lurke thereby ? Or Thebane Sphinx, or Memphis Crocadile, What Dipfas, or what Monfler can we find, But halfe fo cruel in his proper kind ?

Seia. There is a Caue Spelunca call'd, 1700

Vaulted by arte, made by Geometric, Whofe top is wouen with a wauing vine, The leaues of tempred plaifler flagging downe Are fann'd with motion of each little wind: The ruddie cluflers of the grapes appearing, Liuely engrauen in dependant ilones, Neuer Maufblus, nor Amphions towers, Nor Afiaes immortall workmanfhip, Dianaes Temple halfe fo curious,

as this entrenched earthly Paradife. 1710

But which encreafeth moil a mazing wonder, With turning of one {lone all fall's afunder. lulia. What of this ? what of the Caue Seianus ? Seian. Here oftentimes the wearie Emperour, Doth banquet and refrefh his troubled mind,

lulia. Enough Seianus, promife to turne the flone, lulia is ficke, Augufla mull be gone.

Set. Madam, vpon mine honour ile make him fure. lulia. Farewell Seianus, I mufl needes be gone.

Ex if lulia. Manet Seianus fo/us. 1710

Seian. Madam farewell. Go flepdame lulia, Plot with Seianus for Tiberius death, But firft go tell the Queene of fearefull Difle, and read a lecture there of policie, Neuer to trull a friend in fecrecie. So then Seianus here Epitomize all thy deuifes for to get the crowne. Betwixt

The Tragicall life and death

Betwixt thy hopes and thee are feauen lights, Seauen wandring planets, feauen obflacles, Tiberius Ctffar^ and Germanicus. The triple ofTpring of Germanicus: /#//'#, Agripina^ and Liuia : All thefe Seianus twixt thy hopes and thee, But for Germanicus hee is eclipft, His Orient of honour is obfcur'd, I hope ere this by Pifbes diligence, lulia is in her ftruggling agonie, Betwixt the poyfon and concoction : Druius, Tiberius fbnne, I meane to fpeede, And make his father for to murther him. 174°

Euen thus the Caue I told to lulia, Is verie true, I doe not vfe to lie, Not to complot the deepeft villanie. Nor did I lie, ther's fuch a Caue indeede, And with one ftone I can confume the worke, Some flender fhallow polititian now, Would deeme it here a point of wondrous reach, To murther fonne and father in this Caue. Not fb, Seianus hath a farther fcope, Deeper conceit, and farre more miflicall: 17*0

The Caue fhall fall and yet Tiberius liue, But I will feeme to vnderprop the Caue, With thefe my pillars, and beare all the loade, So Ihall I get more fauour with the Prince, That whom foeuer I fhall countenance, Shall feeme as ere repealed Oracles. Then will I worke this credulous conceit, To what impreffion my braine inuents, lie to Campania. Now firfl haue at his fbnne, Then for himfelfe when all my plot is done.

Exit Seianus.

Enter

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Enter Germanic us , andPifo at one doore, Vonones and Sc. xi» his Jonne at the other.

Ger. Vonones though this proud rebellion Difturbe the vniuerfall vnitie, although this vtmoft member of the world, Hath made a feparation from the head : Though thou and thy proud fbnne in daring armes Haue made our Eagles fweat in thy purfiute : Yet know a Roman is thine enemie, 1770

Whofe Legions farre furpaffe in Chiualrie, The triple Phalaux of Armenia. Were euerie man a furious Elephant, Rul'd by a Caftle of Numidians, Thefe Germane Legions would encounter them, and thefe new fquadrons out of Italy, Would ftriue with them in glorious emulation, Till with the Ipoile of vanquiftit Elephants, They might encampe a pale with luorie. Yet know my mercie farre exceedes my flrength, 1780 an Oliues branch wreath'd with humilitie. Shall win more fauour with Germanicus, Then all the Enfignes in Armenia can. Speake then Vonones, wilt thou fight or yeeld ?

Pon. Germanicus, as to my hoftile friend, Vonones knowes thy honourable minde, admires, but nothing feares thy victories. Except thy perfon, Thus much for your ftate. Germanicus, tis no rebellion,

For to maintaine our anceftors renowne, 1790

It is your pride to feeke Dominions, Finding occafions ftill to conquer all: Firfl Romulus encreafl his Colonies, By ruine of his neighbour borderers, Within the circuit of faire Italy, Subiected to your Lordly Empiric :

H Then

The Tragicall life and death

Then muft Scicilia be your grauarie,

Carthage be fackt for emulation,

Spaine mufl find horfes, France an enemie,

Becaufe that Brennus fcal'd the Capitoll, 1800

Yong Philip in the fecond punicke warre,

Mufl be reclaim 'd by old ^Emilius,

Mithridates for helping Perfeus,

Mufl pay a ranfbme of all Afia

To Taurus Mountaine ; yet not fo content,

Except he yeeld vp Lifimachium,

For him Tigranes, Ptolomie for Anthonie,

My Grandfire for great Pompeys dignitie,

Mufl yeeld the title of his royaltie :

Romanes, you wrong the world by falfe pretences, 1810

To make them al your vaflaile Prouinces :

How did the Britaines wrong your Empirie ?

The Gallogretians, or the Scithians ?

What did Numidia,. or what did Germanic ?

The kte Caracter of thy victorie.

Let fearefull Cowards to the Romanes yeeld :

Vonones will fight out this blodie field.

Exeunt both wayes^ and enter againe to fight, fonones sc. xh and his fonne flie. Enter Germanicus andPifo.

Ger. Now are thefe Orientall braueries quail'd 1820 thefe rauening wolues hem'd in their lurking dens: Tigramenta, were it proud Babylon, Glew'd with Alphaltes flime impenetrable, Were it Pireus, or Seleucia, Germanicus would neuer leaue aflault, Till it were fubiect to Germanicus. Sound them a parley.

Enter Vonones as vpon the walles.

Germanicus fpea keth.

Ger. Vonones, firfl to thy vpbraiding taunts, 1830

Which

0/~ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Which then thy furie would not let thee heare,

Thou callell vs Romanes too ambicious,

Competitors to all the worlds Demaine,

Proud to infult vpon Dominions,

By faigned (hew of fbme receiued wrong :

Firft know Vonones that great Romulus,

Diuineft ofspring of th' immortall Gods,

Neuer vfurpt vpon his neighbour bounds,

Without the iulb occafion of reuenge :

Witnefle the tempefts of the Solines troopes, 1840

And Titias Titaias doubtfull trecherie :

Scicilia we redeem'd from feruitude,

From Carthage bondage, whofe ambicious pride,

Fiue hundred thoufand flue in Italy :

Spaine as abettors of falfe Hanniball,

Subdued by Africans to our rule,

France, Philip, Perfeus, and Mythridates,

Tigranes, Ptolomie, and Numidians,

Bold Brytons, Scithians, Gallogrecians,

Neuer without defiance were furprizde, l8f°

Neuer without iuft caufe we them defied :

Vonones thou doft know this to be true,

Yet your prefumption makes you all to rue.

Vono. Germanicus were all the Romane fpirits, Imbarkt within thy royall curtefie, Or were thy fpirit infufed into all, Tigranocerta by the die of warre, Should neuer make my realme vnfbrtunate. Vonones would be to Germanicus A vaflaile fubiect, tributarie King. 1860

Ger. Vonones, not vnto Germanicus, But vnto Nero bend thy humble knee : If at our Eagle thou wilt lay thy crowne, Then faile to Rome, and in the Capitoll There reintreate great Caefars clemencie, Yeeld vp thy Citie, and difmifTe thy force.

H 2, Vonones

The Tragical! life and death

Vonones I admire thy valourous minde, This is the way to find Tiberius kinde.

Von. Germanicus, how much I honour thee! Vonones fawnes not for his libertie, 1870

For know, before that tyrant fhall infult Ouer the Armenian Oriental! Prince, Euen by the Sun, and all his counfellors, The autour of our royall progenies, Scale, burne, aflault, batter, vndermine, Renue as oft your wearied Legions, as Polinices, or the Thebane wall, Nothing but death Vonones (hall enthrall.

Germ. Then to the fight, and heauen I truft will ayde vs in our right. 1880

Germanicus and Pifo fcale the walles, Germanicus is repulft the firft ajfault, Pifo winneth the wall jirft, but is in dangerby Vonones and his fonne: Germani cus refcueth Pifoy Vonones and his fonne flie.

Che fara, fara^ maugre all their force, Tigranocerta, is fubdued to vs. Romanes aflault the Keepe, let them not breath, Till with the cinders of the fired Tower, Your dreadfull furie cleane diflblued be.

Sound a parley 'within. i 890

Pifo. But harke, th' Armenians doe a parly craue, I thinke thei'l yeeld, and fo our labour faue.

Ger. Then found terror to their melting hearts.

They refound a parley -, and 1)onones on the Keepe.

1)on. Germanicus, and Romane conquerours, Imperious Lords of Fortunes Emperie, Vonones here vpon his fuppliant knee, Which euer yet was like the Elephants, That had no finew, had no bending ioynt, Here he that neuer begg'd, doth now entreat 1900

A boone,

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

A boone, a glorious boone : Germanicus, Tis not my life : Vonones heart would breake Before his tongue fhould be his Oratour. Tis not Captiuitie, nor Towne, nor Friendes, Nor Realme, nor wife, nor my pofleritie, Germanicus, it is a boone of fame Vonones beggs, that nere will beg againe.

Ger. And as I Hue, Vonones (hall obtaine, How honour croft by chance, reuiues againe !

Fonones. Then thus, in fingle combat I defie, 1910

Some worthy man at armes, that dare performe, This honorable challenge in the field, If that Vonones liue, this is the boone, For foure and twentie houres to haue my fcope, For to ordaine a new fupply of warre. If I be vanquifh't, vfe the law of armes.

Germ. Difcend Vonones, on my honours pawrre For to performe this refolution.

Germanicus comes downe to the Stage. Romaines, on your alleagiance be gone, 1910

Perfwafion is the fight of prefent death : I fee the Garlands dangling in the skies, Of Coruin and Torquabes victories,

Vonones commeth downe, they fight and breath, F'onones being wounded. lampe,

"Von. Curfs'd bee the houre, and curfled bee the Which giues the influence to my haplefle being : I had not deem'd that twentie thoufand foules, Could haue ore'quelled in a fingle fight, My armour, purpled with vermillion blood, 1930

(More then the Scarlet blufh the maker gaue :) You hel-bred furies, I plague you all in hell, That thus do torture me: come on thou Targ of Rome.

Fight againe, and Vonones is Jlaine.

Ger. Ah noble Spirit, and art thou quite extinct ? H Gallant

The Tragical/ life and death

Gallant Vonones much I pittie thee,

Too much dere earth oppreffe him not with weight

Whofe minde was eleuated whilft he liued.

Let lillies decke his euer-flowring toombe, 194°

And Rofets border on his wayled graue,

Sweet Nightingales participate his breath,

Helpe to immortallize his glorious death.

Pifo and all the Romaines come downe from the wall to Germanicus^ and Germanicus fpeaks to them.

Now braue Centurions, worthy Legions, After the night of labour, honours day Bring foorth the murall Crowne and Ornaments.

Pif. Germanicus, whofe head fhall this adorne ? 19 5°

Ger. His that deferu'd it, and I deeme' twas I.

Pif. Know nay Germanicus, but it was I That firfl repulfl th' Armenians from their walks, Firfl pitcht my Eagle in the conquered Towne, Not honour, nor imperious ambition, Can make a Romaine yeeld his honours title. I fcald the fconce, therefore the Crowne is mine, I pitcht mine Eagle, mine are the Ornaments ; And by my foule, and by Bellonaes night, Pifo will haue his owne, his Crowne, his right. 1960

Ger. Pifo (hall haue his owne, (hal haue his right, But for the murall Crowne (my honours meede) The glorious Signet of my victorie : Firfl flars (hall turne vpon this earthly pole, Bound to this fhadie Orbes circumference. And heards of beads {hall graze on earthly pafture Betwixt the Lyon and the double Beare, Nature turn'd topfey turuey fore that day, Pifo my honours Crowne fhall braue away.

Pif. Braue ! Pifo will not Braue, his deeds fhal plead 1970

Ger. His deedes alacke are tongue-tide Oratours, Without ambition I pleade my right.

Did

0^ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Did not I my felfe in th' firffc aflault,

Thrice change my Target ouer poys'd with Darts ?

Did not I brandifn in the fecond fight,

My burning Semiter ? that all their eies,

Could not indure the heate of his reflection ?

Then in the midft of all the frontiers ftrength

Hew'd me a paflage to Vonones Sonne,

Whofe dying Ghoait bare record of my force, 1980

That did difmay their power, difman their walles,

There fixt mine Eagle, then vnbard their Gates,

And flreight remounted to aflault the Keepe.

Perchance that Pifb by fome pofterne gate,

Crept through a meufe, & by the winding ftayres,

Panting and breathlefle, flale vp to the walles.

But I

Pif. Nay ftay Germanicus, my heart doth throb, Mine eares doe glowe, to heare thy brauing taunts : I am a Soldier, and as good as thou, J99°

But for the childifh rumor of thy name : And fhall I loofe by thefe infulting tearmes The Crowne of honour that I haue deferu'd? Not one fault drop of Sweat, that I haue fpent, But honours fbuntaine fhall repay againe. Germanicus, Pifb will haue his due, Or thou or he, this fact of thine fhall rue.

Centur. My Lords, what difmal furie doth enchat Your noble Spirits to this mortall flrife ? The Romaine millitarie lawes enforce, zooo

That in thefe graue demurres the Soldiers quefl, Should giue the honour by a whole confent : Are you my Lord Germanicus content, And you Lord Pifo with our Romaine lawes ? Ger. Worthy Centurion with all my heart. Pif. I mufl perforce, or elfe not haue my part, Cent. Speak Soldiers, Pifo or German. (Germanicus Sol. Germanicus, Germanicus, the Crowne is to

Cent. Trum-

The Tragicall life and death

Centu. Trumpets, relate to heauen this Vnitie.

Germanicus Jitteth do-wne^ Pifo at the other end of the 1010 Stage fprinckleth Powder on the Crown, and then he fet. teth it on Germantcus his head^ Trumpets found.

Pif. I loft the Crowne, but I haue won the day, Long liue Victorious Germanicus.

Ger. Pifb grieue not at luftice equitie, Mine honour's dearer Pifo then my life, Except this grudge, Pifo, I honour thee, Depute thee Lord Armenian gouernour, To grace thy vertue, and reward thy paine, Far well good Pifo, ile to Antioche. Exit. Ger. & Sol. ^o^o

Pif. I, goe Germanicus but nere returne, That Crowne fhall be the laft thou ere (halt weare, That garland decks thy fpeedy funerall : If that Germanicus pafle Antioche, Pifb's a fbole, Seianus had no wit : That powder which I fprinckled on the leaues, Me of my death, him of his life bereaues. Exit Pifo.

Enter Tiberius Solus. Sc. x-v

Tib. I am difpos'd to meditate alone, Here in my Orchard, let none dare trouble me: 2030 Thefe Poppies too much afpire, they are too high, I muft needes make them headlefle for their pride, And fure their feede, would breede a deadly fleepe, Should I not crop them, in their flo wring prime : Thefe marigolds, would follow with the Sunne, If I fhould fuffer them to fprout on high, But ile confine their ftature to my meafure : So will I doe with all competitors. Here's an olde roote doth hide the rifing plants, And that doth make me thinke on lulia. 1040

Where is Seianus, that incarnate diuell, Hath he not ended yet my greateft euill ? I doe mifdoubt the Villaine, oh the flaue !

He

0/~ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

He may bewray me to the Senators :

He may difclofe me vnto lulia :

He may difcouer me to Germanicus :

He may doe what he will, to feeke my end.

Exit Tiberius.

Enter the Ghoaft of Germanicus. &•

Ghoaft. Ingratefull Nero, and ingratefull Rome, Vnto the merrits of Germanicus, Reuenge my caufeleffe wrongs, great Proferpine, Who murthered was by hatefull treacherie. Me thinkes I am a man, and now could raue, That nere before did know what anger ment. This murall crowne wrought my vn timely death, By Pifbes enuie, and Tiberius pride. Germanicus, poore foule doe not complaine, For prayers cannot thy life reftore againe, I will goe fee my Children and my wife, That I may thinke on them in this new life.

Exit Ghoaft.

Enter Agripina at one doore^ Drufus and Nero at the o- Sc. xv ther crying o#/, as from their Beds.

Ner. My father, my deare Lord Germanicus.

Agr. My husband, my deare Lord Germanicus.

Dru. My father, my deare Lord Germanicus, Mother and Brother, helpe Germanicus, Fie fluggifh Brother, draw thy baleful! fword, Mother, fling wilde fire at the Crockadile, z°7°

For nothing elfe can peirce his brazen skales.

Agr. Drufus, what fpirit doth dilturbe my Sonne ?

Dru. Mother, me thought I faw Martichora, The dreadfull hiddeous ^Lgiptian beafl, Horrid and rough flimy and terrible, Fac'd as an Hidra like fbme vnquoth man, Whofe eares hang dray ling downe vnto hir feete,

I Sweeping

The Tragical/ life and death

Sweeping the loathfbme (bile with greedinefle,

Fang'd with three Iron grates of fteely tuskes,

Wall eyed, with collour lleept in deepeft bloud, 1080

With Lyons clawes, and Scorpions poyfbnous fling

Wouen in Gorgias hundreth thoufand knots,

His murmuring {bund, mixt of two Simphonies,

Rebellowed twixt a flute, and trumpets found,

That feem'd the world with roring to confound.

By him me thought I faw a gallant beaft,

A princely Lyon, crown'd with honours meede,

At which this vgly Monfter wrought amaine,

For to defeate the Lyon of his pray,

But all in vaine, till this deceitefull beaft, 1090

Belcht foorth an ayrie death-infecting breath,

At which me thought the Lyon vanilhed.

And my deare Father, great Germanicus,

Plac'd in his roome by this beaft perrifhed :

Twice thus I dream't, and frill my thinkes I dreame,

But mother, what did your affrighting meane ?

Agri. Oh Sonne ! I dream't that in the azure skye, For one Epicicle two Sonnes did ftriue, One darted rayes, th' other rainebowes made : One fuckered plants, the other moou'd the fire: noo One fhining, tother dim me : one true, tother falfe, And in this difcord all in heauenly motion, The hoaft of ftarrie cloudes did hide the ayre. Thefe hideous monfters met in furious rage, As if the world had beene diflevered. Like when a Whale runs in the boyfterous maine, Seeming to fhoulder all the yeelding waues, So by contrition of this dawning night, The Axeltree of heauen did feeme to mooue: From whence, as from an anuile feem'd to ftreame, A day of lightning, and a thunder bolt, Which rending paflage to the Orient, Seem'd for to light vppon Germanicus.

This

0/~ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

This frighted Agripina in her Dreame, But Nero what did thy vpflarting meane ?

Nero. My thought I fawe a fnowye milke white Encountring with a rauening bloody Stork. (Swan When in the furious heate of all their broyle, The Storke was fuccoured by a neighbour Crane, The Swan relieued by a dunghill Cocke, All ioyne in battaile, all to furious. But whether by faire Venus prayers to loue, Or other fate, the Swan and gallant cocke, Ceaz'd on the Crane, and carkafle of the Storke, All which feem'd pleafing to my flumbring fence, But all too rufull that which after fell, Fell difcord twixt the Swan, and Cocke arofe, The peerelefle Swanne was worthy Conquerour, But yet alas the gallant Cocke.

Enter Maximus a mejfengerfrom Germanicus^ he 113°

knocketh at the doore.

But who diflurbes vs at this time of night ? Where is the Porter with the Citties watch ?

Max. Open, ah open vnto Maximus.

Dr. The faithful Maximus, God fend good newes.

Enter Maximus.

Agr. Too much I fee, I dare not heare the reft, And yet I will : nay farwell Maximus, I will not feare, yet feare comes gainft my will, Mine eares are ftopt, how doth Germanicus? 1140

Max. O ! were I mute, or had my carefull nurfle, Nere taught this dolefull Engine for to fpeak ; Then Ihould my foule in mourning filence groane.

dgr. Ah deere Maximus by all that ere was deare Within thy truftie heart, make no delaies, Tel Agripina : rid her of her feare, My heart is hardned euen the worft to heare. (Rome

Max. Then Madam fithence we left this ftately

I 2, Proud

The Tragicall life and death

Proud in the Triumphes of Germanicus.

My Lord firfl fayled to Brandufium,

So to Achaia and from thence to Rhodes.

From thence to Ephefus, from Ephefus

To Lifimachium we bent our courfe,

Thence to the mountaine Taurus marcht by land,

Sheluing on which we coafl Armenia,

and in her firtill bowels pitcht our Tents.

Vonones three leagues off difplaide his flag,

The fcarlet Enfigne of his bloody minde,

There like two heards of Lyons, we inrang'd

Our fquadron to their Phallax, to their darts,

Our flings : againft their Cammels, all our horfe.

Betwixt our armies Tigris fwiftly ran,

and there within a league on our right hand,

A deepe-delu'd Caue, (fit ambufh to intrap)

All vaulted with a young difprayed groue.

Here with fiue hundreth foot-men light of armes,

My Lord did place me till he gaue the figne :

So in the heate our Legions feem'd to flye,

Till all Vonones armie paft the floud,

And in purfuite of our fuppofed flight, 1170

There all enuironed with hidden troopcs,

That faw Vonones and his fierie Sonne.

And fbme few more, which them accompained,

We made an ende of this rebellion.

Tigranocerta then we all inclos'd,

And wonne it, and my Lord Germanicus,

In fingle combat, flew their gouernor.

Ag. Ah my deare Lord ! how fares Germanicus ?

Max. I, thats the difmall newes I haue to tell, Leauing the Orient thus in fetled peace, 2,180

And Pifo Pretor of Armenia, We marched to the Cittie Antioche, Whereas my Lord had heard were Chriftians, ludeian Priefles, the which did magnifie,

An

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

An vnknowne God, in dayly pietie.

Before the Cittie grew a Cipreue Groue,

Strew'd vnderneath with fading Violets,

Where Gaftly Screach-owles hold their refidence,

True Prodigies, of fatall miferies.

about the midday of Antipodes, 1190

When our Horrizon was benum'd with fleepe,

a furie and a paffion both at once,

Began fiirprize my Lord Germanicus. (her Sons.

Agr. Oh heauens ! Shefamteth and is vpheld by

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

Agrip. Yes Maximus, tell out the dyreft wo, My hart conceiues more grief then thou canft (hew

Max. What time the liuing diall of the night, His firfl alarum, rang to Cipria, "°o

Gall of my fbule, I law that woefull light, Wherein my Lord (tormented) meekely lay, Like to a Lyon in his generous kinde, Doth gnaw the earth, in felnefle of his minde, Grudging fbrrow but difdaines to moane, Or rore in torment of his agonie, So lay Germanicus in grieuous paine : Yet griefe from outward fhew did much reftraine, But reeling that his fpirits gan to faile, and vitall pulfes leaue their motion, "I0

He cald for Plato, and there two houres red, Of the immortall eflence of the Soule, So conflant in his foules Diuine releeuing, (uing

That griefe euen grieu'd herfelfe, for him not grie- Then to his friendes, he gaue this laft farwell, Deare friendes, and worthy countrymen adiew, Had I in this faire May of all my glorie, By fates Eternall hand beene catcht from earth, I might accufe the luflice of the Gods : But fince by Pifo, and his poylbnous drugs,

I Germa-

The Tragicall life and death

Germanicus is loft ; reuenge my death.

Agri. Enough, too much : O I can beare no more, Good Nero goe, run to Sabinus houfe. (Exit Nero And treate him come, and comfort thy fad mother, Drufus goe thou vnto Afinius lodge, (Drufus

And wooe him hether to thy {browing Mother. Exit But was my Husband poyfoned by that flaue ?

0 Monftrous hell-hound of ambition !

Max. No man could proue it, but it was furmis'd, Both by the dying words of my deare Lord, "30

And by the fuddaine fwelling of his head, That like a fnow white Leaper was defilde. As by the heart of great Germanicus, Whofe body being burnt, that yet vntoucht, A certaine note of poyfon ftill remain'd, "Which I embalmed with Arabian fpices, Mixt with the afhes of my deareft Lord ; Haue in this Allablafter box preferu'd, The onely Relique of this Tragedie, Which to you worthy Ladie I prefent, 1140

Yours it was liuing, yours it mult be dead.

Agrip. I had it liuing, and muft haue it dead, all may befall that muft neceflitie. Flye liuing foule, into this liuelefle heart, That it may animate my greater part. Or elfe (Oh Gods) graunt this felicitye That here my breathing foule may tombed be. Mine eyes fhall drizell down Arabian mirrhe, To garnifh all Armenian infections Or falling from my eye-balles couered be, With this faire couer of fad miferies.

1 muft needes looke vpon this laft reliefe, Which fwels, as being angry for my griefe. Ah my Germanicus ! thus to hold thy heart, Yeeldes me no comfort, but augments my fmart.

Nero returneth.

Ner. Mother

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Ner. Mother, Sabinus fome two houres fince, Is gone to vifite faire Elizium.

sigri. What to thy Father my Germanicus ?

Drufus returneth.

Druf. Mother, Afmius Gallus very weake, Expects the fatall houre of his death, Phifitians tell him he is poyfbned.

Agrip. Too much my Sonne, great for row ftill is dumbe. Exeunt omnes.

Enter Plebeians with one of Maximus his Soldiers. Sc.

1 . And is it true, did Pifo poyfbn Germanicus ? Sold. True, I as true as this is an Armenian Loufe,

that bit me by the backe, & I am fure I carried none out of Rome with me: for his head fweld, his hayre "70 would not burne, and hee dyed in a furie, and we al know that Pifb had mortal! hatred againft him becaufe he wold not let him haue his mural crown.

2,. O Germanicus Germanicus ! oh good Germa nicus ! the very hunifuckle of humanity, & the Ma ry-gold of magnanimitie : Pifo is not to be copared to him. Pifb noe, he is to him (euen in the creame of his nature) the verie lees of licentioufnes, the Veriu- ice of villany, the very excrement of euil, & which is more, he had no reafon to poyfon him. Zz8°

3 Good Germanicus, oh when (hall I make thee an other payre of boots that would euen fmile whe they fhould come vppon his legges ? 0 I (hall neuer make fuch merrie bootes againe, for all the drie lea ther in my (hop I warrant will weep intirely when they heare this newes.

Sol. Confent to me, Pifo will be heare prefently (he thought to haue beene hee re before vs) confent to me, lets plague him for Germanicus.

i Agree'd, and lets roft him in his skinne, as you "90 roft a Cat. (quicke

2, Nay, lets drowne him aliue, or elfe bury him

Sold. Nay

The Tragical/ life and death

Sold. Nay, will you all keepe touch, and weele teare him ioynt by ioynt when wee haue got him, therefore ftand clofe, for I heare his horfe neigh, the Afle will be heere prefently.

Enter Pifo.

Pif. Haile Mother Rome.

Sol. I, fhormes of vengeance on thy curffed head,

i. Where is German icus ? fpeake!

2,. Speak ! what haft thou done with Germanicus ?

Pif. I cannot tell.

All. But wee will make thee tell. They drag him inland enter againe with his Urns in their hands^ thefjhout and cry. (Lord

Omnes. Thus haue we fent renenge to our deare Thus haue we fent Germanicus reuenge.

Exeunt. Omnes.

Enter Tiberius and Seianus out of the Caue. Sc. xix

Tibe. Sejanus.

Seta. My Lord. 13"

Tibe. Ho Sejanus.

Seta. Here my gracious Lord.

Tibe. A plague vpo him, that firft made this Caue It was not fumptuous, not faire enough To be the Tombe of a Hue Emperour. Thankes to my Genius, and thy prouidence, That hath defended me from farther ill, And yet my fhoulders feele the heauie loade, Sirra a brufh : *3*°

Vanifh the monuments of antique worldes, Mew'd in externall filence be obfcured, Not Thefius loue vnto Perrithous Not Alexanders to Haepheftion, Nor the two Bretheren of Paris fworne, That in eternall courfes fcale the heauens, Did euer manifeft fuch demonftrations,

Of

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Of faith vnfaign'd, and more then Turtle-doue,

Saued my life, now by my Geneus

If all the world were ten-times multiplied, 1330

And one of them were made of maffie gold,

Enameled with Pearles and Diamonds,

Embofl with lafper and Alites vertue

Yea were all thefe imaginarie worlds,

Vnder Tiberius his dominion,

This world, this rough-caft world with precious

Should be the guerdon of my faued life. (lems,

Ah my Seianus, what can Nero find,

To counter-ballance fuch a faithfull minde.

Seian. Moft gracious Caefar mightie Emperour, *34° Had Pellion and Cofla beene conioy'nd, Had mounting Tenarus with the fhowie Alpes, And high Olympus ouerwhelm'd the Caue, Yet would Seianus (like Briarius) Haue beene embowell'd in this earthie hell, To faue the Hfe of great Tiberius.

Tib. Now haue I tried the truneffe of thy ftampe, Bith' touchflone of this late oppreffion, Nero repayes thy loue with vfurie,

But by my Geneus how this iuddaine feare 13 fo

Hath made vs cleane forget our mothers care. Tell me Seianus, how fares lulia ?

Seta. My Lord fhe doth c5mend her to your grace But very weake vpon a lurfet taken.

Tib. As how Seianus ? old folkes vfe good diet.

Seia. And fo did flic my Lord, at fupper time She tooke a kernell of reftoratiue, In a Pomgranet, which did fo preuaile, As that left her ficker with her Phificke : Afinius and Sabinus her deare friends, 23^°

From that Apothecarie did receiue, The like reftoratiue with like effect : And then I poafled to your Maieftie.

K Tib. lulia

The Tragicall life and death

Tib. Iiilia, Sabinus, and Afinius, For each a teare, fb to Elizium. But what Seianus note I in thy face ? The feale of feare though well diflembled, Are they not all difpatcht why doft thou feare ?

Seian. Vpon mine honour all are perifhed. (fbule?

Tib, What doth thy confcience then difturbe thy 2370 What meanes the carelefle rowling of thine eyes? Thy louing fbrow, fbulding of thine armes ? Thy fiiddaine iighs, thy wauering countenance ? Now all thy blood doth ebbe into thy heart, Now all thy bluQiing vifage ouer-flowes, Speake my Seianus, fauer of my life, And by my Geneus thou (halt obtaine.

Seia. Feare and allegiance, dutie and affection, Honour and pittie/loyaltie and loue, Raife mutuall tumults in my clouen heart. 2380

Tib. Speake good Seianus, Nero longs to heare, The mutinous diflention of thy feare.

Seian. May be my Lord Seianus feares in vaine.

Tib. Let Caefar know, leaft Caefar feare in vaine.

Seian. What if my Lord it do concerne my hurt?

Tib. Yet tell to Caefar who can cure thy hurt.

Seia. I am perfwaded that it is but fbrg'd.

Tib. Well, howfbeuer I commaund thee fhew.

Seia. Faulter my tongue thou dolefull inflrument, Infortunate to tell fb bad a florie. 2390

Pardon my Lord.

Tib. Seianus I commaund. And by my Geneus I will be obeyed.

Seia. Then heauens beare witnes what I do record Comes of no malice nor ambition, For of mine honour I do thinke it fbrg'd. My Lord, fince you lay in Campania, It is a rumour blowne by vulgar winde, That you will neuer backe returne to Rome,

I could

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

I could not gefle on what preemption : 1400

But when I firft aflaulted lulia,

And fhe had fwallowed vp the poyfbnous baight,

Faith then in loue vnto her Ladifhip,

I told her that your grace did feeke her death.

Not Menus with the frantike dames of Thrace,

(That in their Dionifian facrifice,

Mangled the bodie of poore Pentheus)

Raued like lulia in her paflion.

Tib. O how it doth me good to heare her mad !

Seta. May it pleafe your Maieftie to giue me leaue 1410 Here to fet downe a dolefull period.

Ti. No by my Geneus Nero will heare all.

Seia. After the furie, anger tooke her throne, Like a fierce Lion chaft to feeke reuenge, When wooing me with many honie words, Of good, and wife, and friend, and debonaire, Idle finononimies of womens wit, fhe all to prayed my conftant fecrecie And I to heare the fummall exigent, Swore neuer to reueale her policie Mio

Whileft lulia and Seianus both fhould liue. And I haue kept my promife with her to. Then did (he feeme to wooe me with her lookes, But good my Lord let here Seianus leaue, For on mine honour all may be but fore'd.

Tib. If thou concealef I but one tillable, Nero will hate thee in eternitie.

Seia. My Lord, great lulia faid fhe would preuent Tiberius in his Tygers crueltie :

She fwore my ayde, fhe fwore my fecrecie, 1430

Adding a gift to euerie worde fhe fpake : This Ring, this Signet of Auguftus Armes, This lewell, picture of your noble father, Yet lulia you know my Lord was wife, And all may be but forged pollicie:

K i She

The Tragicall life and death

She faid how fhe deuifed had the plot,

In this Campanian ceceflion.

(Oh Gods fbrfend) to end Tiberius daies ?

Tib. Tis well Sejanus (hee's but proceede.

Seta. The day before the bluftering Ides of March 2440 Which as I take it, this day is expired. (That made me pofle fo haftily from Rome) On this fame fatall day, olde lulia fwore, Hir Sonne Tiberius ftiould be poyfbned. But by whofe means, my Lord I muft conceale, For of mine honour I doe thinke it forg'd.

Tiber. Conceale a Traytor, and my guard lhal lop Thy ioynted carkafle : goe too tel me all.

Seta. Why then my Lord, imagine all is falfe, And what I fay, is all but counterfaitc. 1450

Doe not conceiue that Drums your deare fonne, Afpires to be a prefent Emperour : Beleeue not that this day he makes a feaft, Where mightie Caefar, ftiould be poyfbned. Thinke not that Spado that Twig foone bent to il, Is now corrupted to performe the act, Who tafting firfl vnto your Maieftie, With a Vine-branch enfoulded on his arme

Will fqueafe in poyfonous drugs to flay my Lord.

T • t« r i • j

Imagine this to be a lying dreame, 1460

Though lulia fware and vow'd it fliould be fb, And made great ioyance, that it ftiould be fb ; Beleeue it not furely fhe faid not true, For on mine honour I doe thinke it forg'd.

Tiber. No, no, Sejanus, I haue well obferu'd, The haughtie ftomacke of th'afpiring Boy, But He pull downe his lofty crefled plumes, And teach him homage to his fbueraigne. How dare the fljragling elfe, once looke on mee, And not be turn'd into an Afpen leafe, 247o

To tremble at each breathed tillable ?

Seta. Be

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Seia. Be patient, good my Lord, perhaps tis falfe : Or be it true, as who would once conceiue, Such headlong furie in ambitious thoughts? Did not Mithridates Pontus King, Forgiue Phraates his rebellious Sonne ? Did not lugurthus father, often checke His high afpiring thoughts? yet him forgaue:

Tiber. Talke of fbrgiuenefle in fbme pettie Kings Not in the ftate of mightie Emperors, *48°

This day he dooth prouide Thyeflas feaft, And bids his father to the bloudy cates. Perfwade me not, Seianus I will goe, I haue already promis'd him to come, And if the villaine offer me thefe drugs, He make him fwill the cup, I ftiould carroufe.

Enter Spado toward them.

But heere comes Spado his fine instrument, See where his Garland is, ile flab the Slaue.

Seia. No good my Lord, how can you then inquire 2490 The hateful! Treafbns of your wicked Sonne ?

Tib. Tis true Seianus, I will hold my hands.

Seia. Oh how I fear'd I fhould haue beene betraid

Spad. Euer Auguftus! Drufus royall banquet, Requires the prefence of Tiberius.

Tiberi. Spado we come.

They draw a fide the <drras, and banquet on thejlage^ Spado tafteth to Tiberius, and after infufeth thepoyfon.

Spa. My Lord, yong Drufus wifheth happineffe, To Nero Caefar in this Cup of wine.

Tiberi. Drufus doe thou begin vnto Tiberius. Dm. My Lord, may 't pleafe you here is other wine. Tibe. But tafte of this my Sonne, I'm fure tis good. Dru. Here is the like my gracious Lord befide.

K 3 Tiber. It

The Tragicall life and death

Tiber. It may be like, but not fo altogether. Druf. Tis of the fame. Tiber. Well, pleafe my humor Sonne. Druf. Why good my Lord.

Tiber. By loue ile haue it fo. He drinketh and falls downe, Seianta ftabbeth Spado. M 1°

Enter a Mejfenger.

Mejf. Where is the Emperour ? Augufla is deade. Tib. Goe tell; that newes to Proferpine. Stabs him.

Another Mejfenger.

Mef. Where's Caefar ? great Germanicus is dead. Tiber. Commend me to Germanicus. Stabs him.

Another Mejfenger.

Mef. Where's Nero, Pifo is by the Plebeians flaine Tibe. ; Let Rauens and Vultures gorge on his flefh and thine. Stabs him. zyzo

An other.

Mejf. Where is Tiberius ? where is Caefars grace ? Afinius and Sabinus both are dead.

Ti. Go greet the both thus fro Tiberius. Stabs him. How now what newes bringft thou? fpeak villain

fpeake.

Seianus commeth toward 'him, and he maketh at him. Se- ianus cryeth out, and Nero Jlareth on him.

Seia. No newes my Lord, I am Seianus I, I fau'd your life my Lord, I am Sejanus. zjjo

Tib. Pardon Sejanus onely faithfull friend, The headlong fiirie of a troubled foule, I dare not truft my felfe to fee my Sonne. O who would weare a Crowne to be tormented? Sejanus I muft ride in pofte to Rome, To reigne the fiirie of the common heard, See thefe foule carkafTes be buryed. Goe to Sejanus, when I haue my will, He fpeaketh lie make thee Patterne of thy Villaines. this afide.

Meane

0/~ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Meane while I will to Rome to finde the bookes, 2540 Auguftus wrote and left with lulia. Exit Tiberius.

Seia. Why this is well, Germanicus is gone With lulia and with Drufus into hell. Follow Sejanus, Noe : thy wits I meane, Alas poore Drufus, troth I pittie thee, And Spado too, me thinkes now I could weepe, But that it is too womanly : this chopping boy Whome I corrupted for this Stratageme, I did him a great fauour, had he liued Tiberius would haue had him tortured, Hang'd by the Nauell for confeffion. Drufus, for thee, I could haue wifht thy life, But reafon did in force thy deftinie. Firfb that thou wert heire to Tiberius : Next an obferuer of my fecrecies, Thirdly thy Liuia, that Queene of beautie, The eldeft Daughter to Germanicus, Sejanus fecret friend, thy fecret foe, Next to Germanicus, heyre to the Crowne, Thy fbmetime, now my wife, if heauens agree, To make me heire vnto a Princes Throne, Nay more, an Empyre thus fhall be mine owne : Fourthly the blow which I receiu'd in peace, Vntill reuenge might fatisfie my will : All thefe, or any were fufficient: I am forry, I haue vs'd thee too too well, Now to the fumme of all my foes are left : Tiberius Caefar, with him Agripina, Nero and Drufus the Germanici. Then thus the fierce enrag'd Germanici, I will infence againfl Tiberius As the fole agent in their fathers death, Shew them the fauours of the Senators, The Plebeians harts inchained to their beckes, Faire baites for to allure their young conceites.

Rebellion

The Tragicall life and death

Rebellion He intitle honourable,

And if that we obtaine the victorie

As I haue bound them Legions to mine hoaft,

Then will I haue my fpies, my fawning Curs,

My hireling hell-hounds in the battailes heate, 1580

To murther both the yong Germanici.

Tiberius vanquifht, and thefe made away,

Caefar Seianus, Emprefle Liuia. Exit Seianus.

Enter Caligula folus. Sc. xx

Calig. Now pleafured by fit occafion, Poure forth the treafures of thy inward thoughts, Which too too long haue beene imprifbned, Now mufe on Romes enfuing miferies, Tiberius treafbns, and thy fathers death, Thy brothers danger, and thine owne contempt, a 590 And mufing, meditate vpon reuenge, Banilh harts quiet from thy fleeping thoughts, Vntill thy thoughts be fatisfied with blood. Nero I come, infpire me iufteft rage : And Rome (hall tremble at Caligula. Exit Calig.

Enter Seianus ^ with Nero^ and Drufus Germanici. Sc. xxi Seian. Nero, Drums, Drufus, Nero, both are one,

Or one or both, for both I know are one :

And what I fpeake to one I fpeake to both.

Nay, heare me out for what I fpeake is true, 2600

Pifb did poyfbn great Germanicus

Your father, Neroes fbnne and my good Lord,

I, by Tiberius pollicie.

Lo here the pardon made for Pifb drawne,

Which lulia dying did to me commend,

What fhall I fpeake to moue you to reuenge,

The Senat is deuoted to your flocke,

The common people in foft murmuring,

Like Bees doe feeke the honie of your Hiues,

What if fbme Wafpes doe moue Tiberius ?

I haue

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

I haue a fwarme maugre thefe lazie droanes: I haue the Legions at Seianus becke, And for my fake, and fpecially for yours, I know they will euibrate all their force, Befides the honour of your Countries good, Exile the tyrant, fb did Caffius, Brutus the elder and the yonger Brute, Honour and fauour, youth and legions, The Senators, and the Plebians : If all may moue you, courage noble hearts ; Let Hares and Harts be fearfull in their kinds, Romanes haue valiant and vndaunted minds.

Nero. Brother a word with you : Takes him ajlde

Seta. I, go, confult, whilft I centuriate A thoufand nets to catch fiich tender fooles.

Nero. Drufus how doft thou like Seianus gefture ?

Dru. Faith like his words, for both are counterfet.

Nero. Vpon my life Tiberius fent the flaue.

Dru. Tis fo by loue, tis fo, looke brother, fee How the damn'd villain fleares, & laughs, & lowres Wele firfl begin with him, & the for Nero : They be-

Nero. Brother content, and now be refolute, gin to But here comes lulius Celfus, hold thy hand. draw. Enter lulius Celfus.

Celfus. Flie, flie Seianus, lulius bids thee flie: Nero hath found thy death in luliaes houfe, I meane, the caufe of death, thy trecheries, The letter that thou fent'ft to Uuia : Away, fhift for thy felfe, and fo will I. Exit.

Seia. Hath he found that ? Seianus curfie thy felfe, The lower world, and the higheft heauen. That he hath found them ; die, confume, and burne. I heare the noife of horfes, they are here, A plague vpon them all, then here away. Exit

Ne. Brother away, t'is time, we may fufpect. Exeunt Seianus lookes in at the doore, and fpeaketh.

L Seia. Hell

The Tragical! life and death

Set. Hell yawne and fwallow them : that way I am This way the dogs wil bark, & fo betray me : (ftopt, The geefe will gaggle, if I flie this way. There are his murderous guard, a hel confound the : Oh for the feauen-way houfe of Hannibal ! Sejanus kill thy felfe, oh no I dare not, Would I were an Afle to beare : fo I am. I am not : I flie, I dare not : I cannot, I muft. Exit.

Enter Tiberius with his guard purfuing Set anus. Sc. xxii Tib. Haft for your Hues, feeke, fearch, enquire, flop

Mifdoubt, examine, fpie, watch, haue a care, flay,

And if he pafle, not one of you fhall fcape

Th' extreamefl torments that I can inflict.

Poaft, poafl, away fome to the Capitoll, ^66o

Some to port Efquiline, mount Pallatine,

Watch, watch the flreetes, the Drufian ftreetes,

Hie to the Altars, the ^Egerian wood :

The bridge of Tiber, and Prometheus Lake,

Some where, any where, euery where, away, away.

JEnter Set anus : the guard befets all the dooresyhedr aw ed andproffereth to come diuers ivayes : at loft rujheth on the guard, Jighteth, and is taken. Seta. Heauen, earth, hell : helpe, hide, gape : here fwallow vp a liuing facrifice, 2670

Grac'd with an Heccatombe of flaughtered flaues, Hold fword Sejanus barters death for death.

Ti. So, bind the traitor fafl in Iron chaines, Now flaue of honor, ground of Infamie, Obloquies fubject, and faire dealings fhame, Nay neare me villaine, for thou mufl, and fhalt. Seta. Muft, fhal, and will, for I am bound to doe it. Tib. I, and to beare what euer I inflict. Set. Strik quickly, & ftrike home, I wait the ftroke And lhall embrace the inftrument of death,

And

^Claudius Tiberius Nero.

And neuer grieue to droune it in my blood, So that the ftreamie fpirits that afcend, Were of fufficient force to ftrangle thee :

Tib. Ah good Sejanus how yet I pittie thee !

Seta. I craue no pittie, neither feare thy pride, Whofe pittie onely ferueth for a truce, To leuie new fupply of tyrannic.

Tib. The man begins to play the Orator, Get him a Throne to grace his eloquence.

Seta. This kind of curtefie I will accept.

Tib. Yet fhall you not perfbrm't except I will :

Set. If, Tygers iflue thou fhouldft cut out my tung : And rob my thoughts of their Ambaflador, The boundlefle Ocean of my fwelling thoughts, (Enraged with the malice of my heart) Would ouerflow my breafts immuring bankes, To make relation of thy villanie.

Tib. Oh terrible reuenge, intollerable. But I fhall vndergoe it as I may, And here and there ftill as you glaunce at me, But touch a little your owne villainies, And therein pky the true Hiftorian. Tut, courage man, why doft thou not begin ?

Seta. Bidft thou begin, who long will wifh me end, Ere I haue ript vp halfe thy villanies : Which neuer will haue end vntill thou end. Oh hadft thou ended ere thou hadft begun, So many euils had not chaunc'd in Rome : Then had not Veftaes Tapers beene defil'd, Nor th' Altars turnd to irreligious vfes : When thou didft make her neuer dying lampes, Serue for the Torches to thy burning luit, The whileft her Temple made a brothel-houfe, And all her virgins proftitute to thee. But thefe are but thy meaneft outrages, Wrought in thy villainous minoritie

L a Thy

1700

The Tragic all life and death

Thy Cleopatrean cates could fcarce difgeft, Without a meafure daunc'd by naked truls, To feed thy glutton-eyes immodeft gaze.

Tib. And where was then Sejanus, holy man ?

Seta. Herein I doe accufe my felfe of guilt.

Tib. Befhrew thy hatefull head for doing it.

Seta. Bale to thy hatefull heart for caufmg it.

Tib. Thy plotting head for fo inuenting it.

Seia. Thy bloodie mind for fo concluding it.

Tib. And on Sejanus for effecting it.

Seia. And on Sejanus for effecting it. Yet villaine doe I curfe my curfed felfe ? Downe poyfed by the execrations Of thofe that thou by me haft murthered?

Tib. Beleeue him firs, may be he fpeaketh truth.

Seia. It may be tyrant, nay it is too true. Caius, and Lucius, were murthered, And Agripina, by Tiberius. So poyfoned Germanicus was flaine. Sabinus, and Afinius were difpatch'd, And lulia for her fonne Tiberius. And fb thou louedft Drufus thine owne fonne, To fucke his bloud in whofe death ftill I ioy, To thinke that therein I ore-reach* d a tyrant. *74°

Poore Prince vniuftly doom'd to fuddaine death, Which in his life he onely this deferu'd By giuing me a whirret on the eare : But as for treaibns ignominious fpot againft thy felfe, thy life or Diademe, His innocent thoughts neuer were tainted with.

Ti. Hold hart, break not betwixt my rage & griefe

Seia. Onely for this. (.Aft^e-

Tib. Onely for this ! O furie teach my tougue, To breath eternall curfes on his foule.

Seia. O how I triumph in foule-pleaflng ioy, That herein yet I die not vnreueng'd.

I made

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

I made him die for mine owne prop er 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 blouds,

To fwim vnto the Throne of Maieflie,

And from thy hand rend the imperiall crowne.

Tib. Here is the Catalogue of his deferts, 1760

Tis pittie but he were an Emperour.

Spurius He whispers in his eare^ & Exit Spurius

Make hafte, I charge thee on thy life. Herein I muft detract from pollicie, And Fortune attribute the caufe to thee, That thus I may reuenge this treacherie.

Seta. Reuenge ! alas thou maift perhaps on me, Inflict th' extreamitie of punifhment, And rid thee fo of one peece of thy feare, But yet thou canft not fcape deferued death, 1770

For from the Phoenix afhes of their Sire, The heart reuiued young Germanici. Wife Nero, and fierce Drufus arm'd with rage, Come like a lightning to con fume thy flate.

Tiber. Soldiers purfue them ere they pafle the To ioyne themfelues vnto the Legions. (walles

Seta. Why lunaticke Vfiirper of the Crowne, They are the lawfull heires vnto the flate, Thou but adopted by falfe treacherie, My right as good as thine is to the Crowne, 1780

For both but falfe, and both but villanie.

Tibe. Thou dooffc me wrong Sejanus to vpbraid With Ignominious Title of ingrate. (me thus,

Or wrong detaining what is not mine owne.

Enter Spurius with a burning Crowne. Who, I Vfurpe your Crowne and your eflate ? I were not fit to liue and if I fhould. Therefore my Majfters, heere before you all,

L I

The Tragicall life and death

I doe refigne my crowne imperiall

Vnto Sejanus, and doe inueft him Caefar, 1790

He fets the burning Crowne vpon his head. All haile Sejanus, Romes great Emperour.

Seta. Al haile : Hell, Death, Deftruction plague Let all the tortures, torments, punifhments. (you al In earth, in heauen, in hell, reuenge my death, Whofe burning paine torments me not Ib much as that there comes not from my fcalded braines, Sufficient fmoake to fmother all of you. He dyes.

Tibe. So dye thy Curfles with thy curled felfe, Now one goe caft, his bodye in to Tiber, z8o°

The reft goe with me, tis high time to haft. Exeunt.

Enter Agripina fola. (omnes Sc. xxlii

Agr. Oh heauens ! and if that any power be higher ! O earth ! and if that any lower lye ? Melt heauens into a fhowre of fupple balme. Flower earth, all purpled with Nepenthaes leaues, Too fbolifti Agripina to complaine, Earth, Heauens, Nepenthaes balme, and al in vaine. This earthly hart, it is my pleafing earth.

She openeth the box with the heart of Germanic us zgio This is Nepenthaes that doth cure annoy : This balme, this Caffia, this is fweeteft Myrrhe When I forget to ioy in this refpect, Heaue, Earth, Nepenthaes all do me neglect

0 what a dungeon is this tabernacle !

To whome, and when, and where fhall I complaine ?

1 know not, and againe I knowe, For Agripina is amaz'd with woe.

Enter Marco.

Macr. Madam, Tiberius Caefars ma ieftie, z8io

Sent me to tell you of his neare approach.

Agri. Wil Nero come ? where are his torturs then ? His rod, his Hatchets, Rackes, gyues, manacles, Whips, Gridiros, Tumbrels, Lyons, Tygers, beares And all his vnquoth new found Meflengers,

Which

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Which bloody Phallaris could nere inuent ?

Can faire Pallantias leaue her Lucifer,

Or Phoebus (nine, and not Aurora rife ?

Tufli you are much deceiu'd, Nero will not come.

Macro. Lady, my heart doth yearne to here your 1830 To furge in billowes of fiich bitter waues. (griefe, And—

Agr. And what ? good Gentleman, tel out the reft : What, will you fet a (hip vpon my Sea, Fraught with a thoufand Tunne of heauie cares, And with a ftiarpe tempeflious Romaine winde, Saile vnto Thule or the Frozen maine, Then glide vppon the yce and fb to land, And fowe thefe feedes of care twixt bankes of Rue, Deepe delu'd, and deepe rooted in colde clay, 1840

Then in purfuing of this faintie fbyle, Stay vntill harueft, and in Autumne fheare This fruitefull Corne, and fb returne againe. But Agripina, thefe fond humors leaue, Macro, my griefe my fences halfe bereaue.

Macr. True Agripina, Macro much did wonder, The variable paflions of fad forrow, That I lament the tragicke hiftorie, This dolefull faultering Engine fhould impart, Nero will hether come vnder pretext, 18 jo

To comfort, but to trie your patience. He hath an Apple in fuch firrop dipt, Which he in kindenes meanes to offer you : If you accept, accept a prefent death : If you denie, heele take exceptions, Againft your faith, and fubiects loyaltie. Dreadfull Dilemma, counfell as you may, I doubt that Nero wil mifdoubt my flay. Exit Macr.

Agri. Dares he not flay ? O monflrous periurie ! Did he not vow by loues eternall Crowne? By Saturnes fighe, and Venus golden belt ?

Mercuries

The Tragic all life and death

Mercuries changing rod and Lunaes Home, That he would flay with me. O periury ! Nero make haft : yet ftay, ile paire my Nailes, Leaft that I fet my tallents on his face, And fpoile Narciflus comely perfbnage.

He will giue me an Aple, ile giue him

A what ? a Lemmon : no but ile giue him A Chefhut, and heele cracke the riuen fhell, And twixt his Milftones, grinde the yealding meat 1870 Germanicus, oh my Drufus! oh my Deare, Nero, no ! Nero Caefar will vifite me, And feede me fat with Capons and with Quailes. Quailes ! noe with Apples fo he comes : I fhall be cram'd to day.

Enter Tiberius with his attendants Spurius & Nerua^ Macro and Caligula following after.

Tiber. Faire Daughter Agripina, you doe wrong That fpotlefle beautie with congealed teares. Blotting thofe Rubies with diflblued pearles, 1880

Stayning thofe Rofes with fuch Chriftal ftreames. Is not the world fubject to Romaine power ? And thou the Daughter of the Emperour, And fb th' imperial! Miflrefle of the world ? Then Agripina but commaund the world ? and all the world fhall feeke to comfort thee.

Agrt. Nero, not all the world can comfort me, Since all the world hath loft my comforter.

Tiber. Hath all the world ? what did your Lord a£ Daughter, you cannot rule vnlefle you raigne. (pire? 2890

Agr. Blufti not deareEnfigneofmy modeftie, Shame light on me if that I be afham'd, Since thou wilt neuer be afham'd of fhame, My Lord Germanicus did he afpire ? No Nero no, there lurkes the nftila Of fawning hatred that did murther him. Did he not honour Rome in Germany ?

Did

0/~ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Did he not homage to Tiberius ?

Did he not loue his countrie paft compare ?

Courteous and milde, and too obfequious? ^900

Too well beloued and too credulous r

and therefore murthered.

Tiber. Nay ftay a while,

And breath, and raile, and raile and breath againe, and then I hope your Ladyftrip will ftay, Meane while, hold, heeres an apple to refreih The dryed vapours of your fuming head. Eate it and breath, eate it and raile againe, Doe fb faire Daughter to allay your paine. Words eafe the ftomacke. 1910

dgrip. So muft they mine : Or elfe my heart would breake in vile difpite. Monfter of Monfters, ill is too too good, Cruel, too milde a title for thy deedes : Nature could neuer finde a man fo bad, That might referable thy foule Villanies. Toade, Crockadile, Afpe, Viper, Bafiliske, Too holfbme, tame, milde, gentle, vertuous, For Neroes poyfbn, furie, enuy, wrath.

Tibe. Woman, I liften much vnto thy Taunts, 1.9*0 Yet know that I haue Pandaturia, There, babble to the wind, thy foolifh moanes, There in fome defart make thy Elegies, Tune them vnto the puling harmony, Of the lamenting confort bred in Thrace : Rome fhall not heare thy yelling execrations, Before Enos lhall foure times be waftit, In Nereus fountaine with Hiperion, Vpon thy life fee that thou fee not Rome, But banifht, backe to pandaturia. *93°

Agri. Firft let the nead of Nilus be reueal'd, Let Tiber flowe in ^gipt, Nile in Rome, Let earth to ay re, and water turne to fire,

M All

The Tragical/ life and death

All to confufion, let heauen turne to hell,

And which is more and moft Prodigious,

Let Nero thinke one thought of honeflie,

If Agripina yeeld to bannifhment.

Did not Sejanus bkzen all thy wrongs,

That all the world doth loath thy treacheries ?

Did not the Parthian King admonifh thee ? 2940

Thou wert a villaine, and thou fworfl twas true,

Doth not each night with dreames of thy foule fins

Torment thy foule with gaftly Spectacles ?

Cajus, Lucius, Auguftus, lulia,

Sejanus, and my Lord Germanicus,

Solicite Pluto for thy deepe reuenge ?

They doe, they doe, and all the furies fhake

There new filde yron whips for their reuenge.

If there be heauen, be fiire of Nemefis :

If there be hell be fure to be tormented, 295:0

With baleful! tortors neuer yet inuented. (breath ?

Ttbe. Not all this while, good Daughter out of Wei, fpeake thy laft, that Rome fhal here thee prate

<dgr. My laft fond Tyrant know that I wil fpeake In fpite of Nero, in difdaine of Rome, Nero the Butcher, bloody fhambles Rome, Who fells the fayreft ware at meaneft price.

Tibe. I, and becaufe peeuifh wilfull griefe, Hath made you fbmewhat leane, not fit for fale, You lhall to grafle to Pandaturia: Prouide her hay and water ftore enough.

Agrip. No, no, what (hall I call this hate of earth ? He call him Nero, thats the worft of all. Nero, it fhall not neede, I am prouided Of fairer Gates without thy honeft care, The corne that makes my bread are yellow cares, Ripened by heate of anger, in my breaft, The barren field of nought but carefull feedes. My meate the fodden forrowes of my heart,

Which

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Which boile with fbft remembrance of my woes, 1970

And if I pky the Epicure in griefe,

My teares fhall be the fence of my repafts.

If euer other fbode my tongue doe tafte:

If euer other foode my ftomacke doe concockt:

Let all be turn'd from fuftentation,

To fill impoftumes with contagious filth.

I tell thee Nero, Agripine will die,

And ftarue herfelfe, and fcorne thy bannifhment.

Tis two daies fince I laft did tafte of meate,

Curfl be my fbule, if euer I doe eate. 1980

Tibe. Will you not ? fee, firra, go fetch fome foode He make thee curfle thy felfe : hold, take, fall too.

Agri. Detefled tyrant, I do fcorne thy foode.

Tib. Then helpe Sirra, ope her mouth & feede her, Cut her meate fmal], and feede her daintily.

Agr. Out villaine. Hefeedeth her, and Jhe putteth it

Tibe. Sirra dif patch I fay. (out againe

Nay, cram her then, & feede her fat withall.

He choaketh her and fo Jhe dies.

What haft thou ftrangled her ? here take thy hyre. *99° Canft thou not feed a Daw no better yet ? Stabs him.

Neru. Ah, Nero, Nero.

Tib. What Nerua be content, She chofe of this rather then banifliment : And better choake then ftarue our wilful daughter, Shee's gone, and if I liue thou fhalt goe after. Afide. Exeunt all but Macro and Caligula.

Macro. Barbarous, inhumane, worfe then crueltie, Which Gods and men, mine eyes, and fbule, do hate, What Hyporborian Climate in the North ? 3000

What Lidian defart, Indian vaftacie ? What wildernefle in wilde Arabia, So hatefull monfter euer nourifhed, To hinder willing death by villanie ? Caligula, Changefing Caligula,

M i Where

The Tragicall life and death

Where is the Spirit of Germanicus ?

Did he beget thee in an idle dreame ?

Or did thy Mother thinke it vanitie

As ^thiops Queene vpon Andromeda ?

If but one fparke by chance remaine aliue, 3010

If but one drop, one Mathematicke point,

Make vp a Sea, a bodie by addition,

"Blow vp (Caligula) this fleepie fparke,

Caligula remember what thou art.

Caltg. Macro, Caligula can beare thy taunts, Can be vpbraided at a Captaines hand, My Father told me, and I remember it, The higheft vertue is true patience. I know not what you meane by all thefe wordes, That mount my Fathers prayfes to the skie, 3010

To Hue fecurely, I deeme that the beft, And a great vertue to be patient.

Macro. Patient Caligula, I am a (ham'd, I am impatient to heare that word, That noble Title wrefted from his fence, Ah ! did not Macro ferue Germanicus When as thy Mother bare thee in the field ? Did not a peale of Trumpets found thy birth ? And Drums make muficke to alky hir paines ? Waft thou not train'd fore thou couldft fpeake, 3°3° Didft thou not were a Common Soldiers fiite ? And therefore hadft thy name Caligula ? Where is thy Captiue fbule imprifoned ? Thy Lyons heart? incag'd! no, thou art wife, Thou deem'ft that Nero hath fuborn'd my tongue, To make a glozing Theame of flatterie, To fift thy fecrets, and to fell thy life, Firft let the earth open her curfled wombe, and fwallow vp this hellifli mantion. Let euerie ftep treade on a Scorpion : 3040

Let euerie object be a Baflaliske :

Let

0/~ Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Let heauen what can I wifli Caligula ?

Here is my poynard: here, be fure ftrike home, If thou canft haue but leaft fufpition That Macro feekes to vndermine my Lord. What ? {hall I now become a Sycophant ?

Cali. Macro, Caligula doth not miflruft, Nor hath he reafon to mifdoubt thy faith, But Macro, thus much for Caligula: Meete me at Fides Temple, there thou (halt know 3070 More, then vnto my mother I durft (hew.

Macro. Were it to Thale, I would thether poaffc, To heare the fentence of Caligula. Till then my Lord adiew.

Calig. Farwel Macro. Rxit Macro.

My Father flaine or poyfoned in the Eaft, Liuia become a foule adulterefle. Nero and Drufus fail (hut vp in ward, and thou deere mother heere lyeft butchered. Grow to the earth you feeble inftruments. He kneels 3060 Till I diftill a liquid facrifice downe

From my harts fornance, & thefe Chriflal flreames. Ye dry'd vp wels, flraine out a little more, Tis Agripina that you muft deplore. Proud Spirit, bound thy fwelling Timpanie, Till I vnfraught this Galley of laments. Then cleare thy paflage, and burfl out in fire, and make an Earthquake in this little world. What fhall I vow ? to whome (hall I lament ? Vnto the Marbles? they doe weepe for fbrrow. 3070 Vnto the Walles ? thy riue themfelues with griefe. Vnto the Beafts ? why they would ftarue themfelues To feede themfelues vpon this fading hew. Marbles and Walles, and beaftes more ruth then he, That was the Author of this Tragedie.

He takes her in his armes and goes in. burthen neuer was (b deare,

M As

The Tragicall life and death

As this celeftiall burthen which I beare. Exit.

Nero andDrufus chained inprifon. &•

Dru. Brother I faint, and now my flamed fbule, Seekes for to feed vpon Ambrofia. (chain'd 3°8x

Nero. Dear Drufius, wold mine armes were but vn- That thou mightft ftanch thy hunger on my flefli : My colder humors feed my gnawing heat, That I can better yet endure the fail. See brother I thinke thou maift reach mine arme, I pray thee feed vpon this leane repaft.

Dm. No brother if it would prolong my life, Till the great yeare when al things muft be chang'd To the Idea of the formers will. 3°9°

But if thy hungry woolfe doe vexe thy foule, Feed on thefe cates, tafte on this brawnie arme, That will reioyce to feede thy appetite.

Nero. Nay brother feed on mine 7 They eate each

Dru. Nay brother mine. * others armes.

Enter Caligula againe.

Cal. Boafl not Antigone of thy deare loue. To Polinices thy affected brother, Whom thou in fight of Creon didft entombe, I haue entomb'd a farre more precious lewell, 3IO°

I in difpite of Nero farre more cruell.

Dru. Ah, Nero, Nero, that doft vs enforce, To be fuch louing Romane Canibals,

Cal. Who calles on Nero, waft my mothers ghoft ?

Nero. Ah cruell Caefar, brother forgiue, forgiue, My food digefteth not, nor can I liue.

Cal. Or am I blind, or doe mine eyes behold, My ftarued brothers ? tis fb Caligula.

Nero. Brother farewell my glafle of life is run.

Dru. And He go with thee to Elizium. They both die 3 1 ro

Cal. Is there a prouident intelligence ? That rules the world by his eternal! being ? Is there a loue ? and will he not be juft ?

Or

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Or is he iufl ? and will he not reuenge ? What is he ? whom, or where, or who can tell ? Canfl thou not moue the heauens ? then raife vp hell.

Exit Caligula. Enter Tiberius with his guard. &. xx

Tib. Cocceius Nerua ftaru'd himfelfe to death, I wonder much what made the old man die, 3Il°

In truth I lou'd him for his naked truth, In truth he was an honeft fimple man. Well vertue go with him, vice flay with me, Till I haue maflacred my prifoners, And rooted out all this confpiracie : Then will I feeme a new reformed man, And rife betimes each morning to the Temple, So afterwards I may contriue fome drifts. I haue a Catalogue which I muft finde, And fearch the prifons whether I haue all. 3130

fulius Celfus crieth out of pr if on.

Cel. Ah, Nero, Nero, Celfus begs thine ayde,

Tib. lulius Celfus what is thy petition ?

Cel. An humblefutor for your clemencie.

Tib. My clemencie Celfus, Marie and you (hall, I, and great reafon for Seianus fake.

Cel. Not in his name I beg compaflion, But by thy vertues I doe thee intreat, ah gracious Nero let my Guiues be loos'd.

Tib. And Celfus led to execution. 314°

Cel. Ah, no Tiberius, I defire not death, But better eafe in my imprifonment, For this I beg.

Tib. For whofe fake lulius?

Celf. For mercies fake, and thy deare Geneus.

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

Celf. O voice of comfort, thanks Tiberius.

Tib. Tis but for a while, know that lulius.

Celf. Now

The Tragical/ life and death

Celfus. Now monfler, Tyger, earthes infection. 3 1 j o Plague of the world, fcourge of our happie Rome, Treafons firft borne, hels out-fpewed vommit, Prodigious homicide, and murthers lawe, That makes a fporting lawe to murther men.

Tibe. Holla and breathe, and then beginne again, Nero (hall recompence thee for thy paine.

Celfus Such Recompence had good Germanicus, Such Agripina, fuch had lulia : Such Nero, Drufus, and their deareft Mother, Poo re Agripina, wife Afinius: 3 160

Sabinus, Nerua, and thy other felfe, Young Drufus, whofe deare blood was once thine Yet or thine owne hadfl no compafsion. (owne

And laftly, (though not vndeferuing it) Yet heerein well deferuing at thy hands, In that he was thy mifchiefes inftrument r Haplefle Sejanus too improuident, Of his intended fall, thy falfe intent. And fuch a recompence remaines for me, The meaneft fubjeft of thy Tyrannic. 3r7o

Tibe. Marie amen, fweare it, an Oracle :

Celfus. But tyrant, Celfus doth contemne thy furie My minde was neuer feuer-fhooke with feare Of Meagre death, lifes due priuation, I haue alreadie arm'd my age to die, Whofe age deemes death the end of miferie. See therefore Tyger, heeres thy mercies fruite, The eafe I fought, the end of earneft fuite. For this I beg'd, for this I feem'd vnwilling, For to be dead, that I might gaine my killing. 3 180

If e puts the Chaine about his necke andjirangles himfelf.

Tiber. Wondrous well gain'd, here is good vfury, Where tis the gainers interefl to die : But Oh for Charitie ! layler, Soldiers run, Refcue his life, before his life be gone.

Yet

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Yet let him goe.

lailer What is your highnefle will ?

Tib. Nay nothing now but that as yon man dies, For Charitie clofe vp his dying eyes. Why this it is to haue a pollicie, 3 190

Here's a poore plot to preuent crueltie. And ten to one the villaine vnderftands, How this will vexe me that he fcapes my hands. But let that pafle leaue him to Acheron, His part is pafl, part of my part's to come.

Exeunt omnes. Enter Caligula, and Macro from Fides Temple. &.

Cal. Thus haue we interchang'd our mutuail othes In prefence of the GoddefTe of all truth : Macro remember how thou art inioyn'd, 3100

By words, by Cgnes, by letters and by thoughts, For to adore eternall fecrecie.

Macro. And if my Lord mifdoubt my fecrecie, Cut out my tongue, cut off my traitors hands, Vnioynt my bodie, and pull out my heart, That I may neither tell, nor make a figne, Nor thinke one thought againfl your royaltie.

Cal. Pardon me Macro, if I fbmewhat feare, That hauing all this while fecurely flept, Vnder the Canopie of vanitie, 3 no

And neuer did impart my fecrecie, To father, mother, or my brethren : Nerua, Sabinus, or Afinius : Nero, Seianus, all I haue deceiued ; Vnder pretext of youthfull brauerie. But Macro, to thy youth I recommend, The fupreame relique of Germanicus. by Agripinaes loathed execution, By my deare brothers flarued carkafles, By thee, by me, by all the gods, by all : 3110

And if that any number be, more then all.

N loyne

The Tragical/ life and death

loyne to exile this proud Tarquinius,

Infulting Nero : no not fb, not fb :

Yes fo it muft be, or elfe murthered,

For nought but death can fatisfie my wrongs.

Macro. Like as a Grayhound in his hot purfuite, Striues to out-ftrip the fearfull flying Doe, Or as Dianaes gift to Cephalus, yearn'd to out-run the beaft of Archadie, Both firming, yet both fwifter then the blaffo, DifHaine Boreas in his fwelling pride, Shot for the fifter of faire Dianire : So doth the honour of your houering thoughts, Grudge to be equall'd by my fluttering flight, Yet good my Lord giue Macro leaue to mount, And ceaze vpon the accofting ftooping pray.

Cat. Not fo, I (Macro) tis that haue the wrong.

Macro. But I my Lord, -

CaL Do not intreat,

Doe not prolong with idle breathing words, 3140

The date of cold reuenge : for euen this night, Nero fhall be inroll'd in Plutoes Court. In Germanie farre on the Northren fide, Within the circuit of a defart wood, A wildernefle of deadly Bafilisks, Within this circuit is an hellifh poole, Cold in the tenth degree. Not Stix fo cold, Wherein the fearefull Thetis drencht her fbnne. In a Mules hoofe this water haue I kept, As fatall drinke to Philips worthie fbnne, 3170

And euen this night this water fhall reuenge, The Tyrants wrongs vnto Caligula, Macro flie vnto the Legions, win their hearts, Perfwade with all thy warlike eloquence, Aduaunce our Eagles, and to morrow morne Approach with them vnto the Capitol, Faile not good Macro, but make haft away,

This

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

This night for Nero or Caligula.

Enter Lima Sola. &.

Liuia. Can Liuia ftill participate this ayre ? Still temporize with fawning miferie? 3161

Still feed on cares, yet ftill vaine hopes repaire ? Will nothing end my cruell deftinie ?

What lumpifh Saturne did infpire my breath, Did make me die in life, yet liue in death ?

Breath out thy plaints, with all breath out thy hart Euaporate the fpirits of thy fbule, Weepe out thy braine the fubftance of thy fmart, That knew thy fhame, yet would not fin controule, Anotamize this Sepulchre of fhame, 3170

Soule, hart, and braine, and all, and all to blame.

Is Drufus dead ? and yet can Liuia liue ? Sejanus at Elizium, and I ftay ? My father murthered ? who me life can giue ? My brothers ftaru'd ? Liuia not made away ?

Old Heccuba by death could eafe her griefe,

And cannot Liuia find out like reliefe ?

Can I that flourifhed like faireft Rofe, Droope like the Lillie beaten downe with raine ? Can I to whom each courtiers tongue would glofe, 3z8° Endure their fcornes, their taunts and vile difdaine ?

Could Liuia liue, when Liuia was contented ?

And cannot Liuia die now fhees tormented ?

She kneeks do-wne by the Welles fide.

Great Faunus to whofe facred Deitie, This fanctified groue is confecrate : Accept the incenfe of my laft pietie,

N i The

The Tragicall life and death

The beft deuotion I can dedicate :

Accept great Faunus this my dying proffer :

Many more great, none more fincere can offer. 3190

Not Dido to Sicheus facrifice, Nor Cleopatra vnto Anthonie : Nor great Olympias could this truce difpife, Nor Sophonisbaes loyall miferie :

Zenobia, Palmicaes noble Queene,

This fatall end of Liuia might be feeme.

Faire fountaine cleare the blots of infamie, Cold ftreames, congeale the rumour of my death, Thou onely Philomela fing my Tragedie, Carroll a Dirge for my exhaled breath : 3300

Faire ftreames I come, let no man heare my cries, Let no man fhed one teare that Liuia dies. Here Jhe leapeth in.

Entet Caligula folus.

Cal. By this, the cruel Tarquine fhould be fped, Banifht from Rome and Romane Emperie, But much I feare, preferuatiues doe ftay The furie of his waterie receipt, And Macro may be trecherous : what a fbole Was I for to impart my fecrecie? 3310

O what a villaine was Caligula ? Horror confounds me in this Agonie : But He Cataftrophize this Tragedie. Did not the villaine fweare, and vow, and weepe, Offer his breaft, that I might make a window To fee the cankers of his feftred foule, And thou wouldeft not take him at his word ? Enter Macro.

Macro. My Lord, the legions are all vp in armes, For to falute your grace the Emperour. 3310

Cal. Thanks

of Claudius Tiberius Nero.

Cali. Thankes Macro, royall friend commaund them flay, Till I returne from Nero back againe. Exit Macro.

Caligula goeth to the place 'where Nero Tiberius lyeth Jicke, and pulleth afide the Arras.

Caligula. All happineffe vnto your Majeflie.

Tibe. Curft be all happinefle, for I haue none. I haue a fire, a fire within my bowells, That burnes, and fcalds, and mads me with the pain : If I muft die, yet would I had my with, 333°

Oh that euen all the people in the world, Had but one necke that at one deadly blowe, I might vnpeople all the world and die. Giue me my hands that I may rent my flefh, And teare this raging from out my burning intralls Where is ^Efculapius ? who goes for him ? He hale the leach from hell to cure my paine, And if that Nero doe not quickly mend, lie burne euen all the Temples of the Gods, That cannot help the Romaine Emperour. 334°

Calig. Yes, I will helpe the Romaine Emperour, and be reueng'd on thee Tiberius. Thou monfter Tyrant, thus ile help thee thus :

Heeftops his breath with thejheete, andjlabs him. This for Germanicus, this for Agripine, This for Nero, this for Drufus, this for Caligula.

So, Reenters vpon the Stage.

There Nero, the hate of Rome lies butchered,

He raign'd noe day, but fome were murthered,

Asking his Maifler Zeno a Greeke word, 3310

What Dialect ? he anfwered Dorice,

And therefore kild him, for becaufe he thought

He mockt him for his Rhodian bannifhment.

He loathd wine now, becaufe he fwilled goare:

More greedily then he did wine before.

He flue a Poet for this little caufe,

N 3 Becaufe

The Tragicall life and death

Becaufe that in a dolefull Tragedie,

Hee rail'd on Agamemnons crueltie.

It is a holy law, and Romaine rite,

No veftall Virgin ftiould be ftrangled, 33*0

He for to inuent a crueltie,

Made firft the hang-man to deflowre the Maides.

And then commaunded for to flrangle them.

When one had almofl kild himfelfe for feare,

He made his Surgions for to cure his woundes.

The tyrant would deny no Witnefles,

If any did accufe twas prefent death.

When firft the Tyrant did poflefle the Crowne.

He fent to Rhodes, for a deare friend of his,

Who cherriflit Nero in his baniftiment. 3370

He comming vnto Rome, found out the Prince,

But in an angrie, fallen, difcontent :

Who in a rage made him be tortured :

And whe the villain faw he had wrong'd his friend

He murthered him, that it might be conceald.

He crucified one Peter cald a Saint,

Of holy lewes, that did adore one Chrift,

Which they entitle Sauiour of the world.

He kil'd one Pryam (therein happy moft,

In that he liued and all his Cuildren loft.) 3380

Thefe and fb many more as fhould I tell,

I fhould imploy a world to number them,

And ftill be further with Simonides,

To fignifie the certaine multitude.

By thefe his acts ile iuftifie his death,

That I may get Romes royall Empiry,

And to eternall glorie of renowne,

I was a foole, but all to get the Crowne.

FJNIS.

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Claudius Tiberius Nero (Play The tragedy of Tiberius

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