THYESTES A Tragedy, Translated out of SENECA.
To which is Added MOCK-THYESTES, IN BURLESQUE.
By J. W. Gent.
— Miscentur seria Ludis.
LONDON, Printed by T. R. and N.T. for Allen Banks, at St. Peter's Head in White-Fryars, 1674.
TO THE Right Honourable, Bennet LORD Sherard.
MY LORD,
A Part of Old Seneca presents it self by my Hand to your Lordships Patronage. I should justly blush at such a mean Return to your Lordships many Favours, had I not read how the Spanish Monarch, who Commands the Indies, accepts the Biscains Homage in the worthless Present of a few Maravidis, nor is the Gift ungrateful to him, since it speaks Subjection: In like manner my Lord, my only Anbition in this Dedication is to appear your Servant. I know your Lordships Goodness will pardon my Confident Address: 'Tis that Obleiging Nature, so radicated in the Sherards, [...]hat Commands the hearts of all men: 'Tis that which makes your Country truly Yours, And thus my Lord, you serve his Majesty both with your own and their Affections. Such is your [Page] generous English way of true endearment. But I must despair to speak your full worth in the narrow limits of a few Pages; Should I attempt to blazon your just value, it would extend this small Epistle to a Volume, and swell this lirtle Volume to a Folio. The following Papers I submit to your free Censure; And if they prove so bappy to attain any Degree in your Lordships favour, I shall despise the malice of all our little Critiques, who never exposing any thing of their own, (and so in no danger of Retaliation) make it their business to pique at every thing is publisht. But how e're this Book Succeeds, the Authors chief happiness is above their prejudice, which is, to be
My Lord,
Your Lordships most Humble, and most Obedient Servant, John Wright.
ADVERTISEMENT.
WHether Seneca the Philosopher (to whose Pen some abscribe Three other Tragedy's) was the Original Author of this also, or some other Seneca, I know not: nor is it material; since Hensius esteems it Nulli caeterarum inferior. Let it suffice that the Author, in many places, appears much a Stoick, and such was the Philosopher. The following Translation was Writ many Years since, though Corrected, and rendred into something a more Fashionable Garb then its first Dress, at [Page] the Intervals of a more profitable Study last long Vacation. And to a few such Idle Hours must I attribute the ensuing Farce, which way of Pass-time was much more agreeable to my Humor, then the continual Glut of Ale and Tobacco, the ordinary Entertainment of vacant time in the Country. I confess it is not now very Modish to Translate any thing of this Nature from the Latine, when there are so many French Play's to be had, and those so well Accepted. Our Modern Dramatiques present us with greater Idaea's both of Vice and Vertue: Yet Ben: Johnson thought a considerable part of Seneca's Thyestes not improper for the English Stage in his time, when he took most of Sylla's Ghost from hence, and so well [Page] approved of this way of Introduction, that he served himself of it not only in his Tragedy of Cateline, but also in his Devill's an Ass, a Comedy, where he makes a Pug his Home d' Intrigue I know also how much the Atreus and Thyestes of Seneca hath been out-done by our own Fletchers, Rollo, and Otto: Yet I am confident the Comparison will not be ungrateful to them that perceive, in many particulars the Drama of this Age to excell that of Seneca, as much as his was Improved from the time when Thespis, who first offer'd at Tragedy lead his Originall of Actors about the Country in a Cart, which served them both for a Conveyance and a Stage. So homely are all Foundations, though of the fairest Building. Marginal Notes Explanatory [Page] of the Poetique Fictions, I have purposely omitted, as Impertinent, knowing that most of those who use this sort of Reading do either sufficiently understand, or despise those little Misteries of Obsolete Poetry. For those other few who still relish such Chapon Bovilli, I only commend 'em to the next Dictionary, and that will give 'em ample Satisfaction. For a like Reason, I forbear to Pall the Story with the thing call'd an Argument, the No-Plot of these old Tragedy's being sufficiently Intelligible, and so little needing a Clue, that rather there wants more Labyrinth.
To my Worthy Friend, Mr. Jo. Wright, on his Translation of Thiestes, with the Travestie.
DId Seneca now live, himself would say
That your Translation has not wrong'd his Play;
But that in every Page, in every Line,
Your Language do's with equal splendor shine.
His Roman Habit, and your English Dress
Themselves with a like Elegance express
[Page]Nor from your praise will it at all detract
To say the Tragedy's unfit to Act.
And that those Playes can never please the Age,
That hope for no Acquaintance with the Stage:
For to all those that judges are of Wit,
Fancy it self a Theatre will fit.
Each Scene expose to that Interior Eye,
And all the want of Actors too supply.
She can without expences of Treasure raise
New Structures still to fit our several Playes,
For which but at the charges of a thought,
Nature's and Arts embellishments are bought
Her Scenes, tho' they exist but in the mind,
Are ever fram'd to what the Play design'd.
Nor is she forc'd by Scarcity to make
A trifling Buffoon the Regalia take:
Constraining none whom Nature has design'd,
Only to Ape a Fool, against his kind,
[Page]To mannage Scepters; lest he should appear
With his ridiculous Grimaces where
Those loose Impertinences have no share.
Thus every Requisite is fitted so
That no dislike can from the Action grow:
And her Ideal Theater appears
With all the Lustre that attends on theirs.
Pleasant Scarron, whose Mock-Aeneas made
Virgil himself smile at the Masquerade;
Too much beyond his power, did justly fear
Would prove the Works of our Tragdian here.
But what he fear'd may now your Glory prove
Whose Quill runs free where his durst never move:
And like the Sword that cur'd the wounds it gave,
Makes us such pleasure, so much laughter have,
[Page]After the Passions it had made us share!
That 'tis but Reason to maintain you are
Favour'd in Verse with Ovid's happy Muse,
Whose Wit did with Success all Subjects use.
O: Salusbury.
The Authors Absence not permitting his Inspection, the Press hath suffered many Errors: of which the most Material are,
Page 5. line 4. deleatur period (.) p. 12. l. 4. read Sun. p. 18. l. 5. r. fortify. p. 20. l. 10. r. Let. p. 21. l. 17. r. vext p. 29. l. 6. r. Envoy p. 34. l. 6. r. doe p. 38. l. 2. r. with p. 41. l. 5. r. till it I left p. 50. l. 15. r. credit p. 51. l. 1. r. Brother p. 55. l. 15. r. Clotho p. 59. l. 3. r. yet p. 64. l. 8. r. vext p. 68. l. 6. r. No p. 69. l. 15. r. can I tell p. 72. l. 17. r. Dews p. 73. l. 10. read No p. 74. l. 13. r. Belt p. 79. l. 1. r. Ho there p. 86. l. 9. r. Convex p. 89. l. ult. r. this p. 91. l. ult. r. gobets p. 93. l. 15. r. doth p. 96. l. 3. r. You'r vext l. 7. r. I Ignorant. p. 99. l. 10. 1. On then p. 110. l. 13. r. Cooks p. 105. l. 14. r. he. p. 110. l. 1. r. two p. 114. l. 7. r. Cuckoldry p. 126. l. 3. r. Creature p. 133. l. 9. r. Scribbellers p. 134. l. 1. r. Act 5. In the Epilogue l. 4. r. and as a Jest. l. 10. r. Farce.
Dramatis Personae,
- Tantalus's Ghost.
- Megaera.
- Atreus, King of Argos.
- Thyestes, his Brother.
- Plisthenes, his Son.
- Two other Sons of Thyestes, Mutes.
- A Servant, Attendant to Atreus.
- Nuntius.
- Chorus of Argives.
The Scene.
ARGOS:
PROLOGUE To the Reader.
WIts, and Wit-Triers, who some Criticks Name
Writers of Play's, and Dammers of the same,
Advance not farther then this Page; beware,
Since all that follows is Irregular.
For though this thing a Tragedy is stil'd,
'Tis free from Plot as any Sucking Child.
Nor Love, nor Honour here the Author show'd:
Nay, what is worse, no Bawd'ry A-la-mode.
No Amorous Song, nor a more Amorous Jigg,
Where Misses Coats twirl like a Whirlegig,
And such who next the Lamps themselves dispose,
Think thus to recompence the stink of those,
While she that Dances jilts the very eyes,
Allowing only these Discoveri's
A neat silk Leg, and pair of Holland Thighs.
Methinks I see some mighty Wit o'th Town
At this Express a most judicious frown,
And huff it thus (cocking his Caudubec)
S—What a Devil then must we expect?
Have patience, and I'le tell You what you shall
Meet here that's still in use Dramaticall.
High Lines, and Rime enough Sirs Ye shall have,
And Sentences most desperately Grave,
Dull Sence, and sometimes Huffs that Nature brave.
And ('cause we cannot easily print a Dance)
A Farce i'th end out, A-la-mode-de-France.
THYESTES. A Tragedy, Translated out of SENECA.
ACT. I.
TANTALƲS. MEGAERA.
WHich of th' Infernal Powers doth thus compel
The wretched Tantalus to leave his Hell?
And, as a higher Damnation, shew again
That World where Bodies yet alive remain?
Is ought found worse than thirsty to abide
In Streams, and Hunger never satisfy'd?
Must I have Sisyphus his Stone, or feel
The giddy Torments of Ixions VVheel?
[Page 2]Or shall to me Tytius 's pains succeed,
On whose Immortal Liver Vultures feed:
For night repairing what was lost by day,
He a fresh Monster lies, and perfect Prey.
What Plague comes next? O thou who dost on those
That suffer'd have the Old, New Pains impose,
Remorseless Judg of Souls who er'e you be,
Add if thou canst, add to my misery.
Invent such horrid Torments that shall make
Hells Porter fear, and the dark Regions quake.
Nay more my self affright. Springing from me
Doth now arise a Monstrous Progeny.
Me their Progenitor they shall out-act
In wickedness, and guiltless make my fact
[Page 3]With Crimes unknown, and truly theirs. Each place
That's void in Hell, I'le furnish with my Race.
While our House stands, Minos shall have no need
Of other Clyents. —
Meg.
Cursed Shade, proceed.
Their hated Bosoms with new fury fill.
And make them strive which shall surpass in Ill.
Let an alternate Rage their Souls inflame:
Such a blind Rage that knows nor Mean nor shame.
Let the first Root of wickedness in Thee
Grow to perfection in thy Progeny.
Nor let their Souls find leisure to repent
A past offence; but still new Crimes invent:
Doubling their Guilt under their Punishment.
[Page 4]Unsetled be their Throne, and short their Reign:
While giddy fortune gives them Crowns in vain.
Let her the Banish't raise to Soveraign place.
And Kings to the same Banishment debase.
With constant trouble let their Kingdom burn.
And when the guilty Exiles shall return,
Let them afresh to their old mischiefs fall,
As hateful to themselves, as unto All.
Let Rage think nought unlawful to be done.
Let Brother, Brother fear; Mother the Son,
And Son the Mothers wrath. Let Children dye
By wicked hands, others more wickedly
Be born. Let Wife her Husband kill. And may
They or'e the Seas their Enmity convey.
[Page 5]Let effus'd bloud this and all Lands disdain.
Let conquering Lust over great Captains Reign
In their abhorred Courts. Let whoredom be
Counted no crime. Let hence Right, Amity,
And all accord of the same bloud be gone.
And may their crimes reach Heaven; for when the Sun
Smiles on the world with an unclouded Ray
Let horrid Night ecclips the face of Day.
Fright hence their Houshold-Gods weak Ayd; and fill
Their Place with Hate, death, murder, every Ill.
Be all this house with Garlands now array'd
And genial fires, to speak thy welcome, made.
Then let the Inhumanity of Thrace
Out-acted be on this more guilty Place.
[Page 6]Doth yet the Uncle Innocent remain?
Nor Father yet lament his Children slain?
When shall their Limbs be from the Kitchin serv'd
Up to the Table, and in slices carv'd?
Let th' Uncles hearths blush with his Nephews bloud:
Whiles feasts are made; Feasts furnisht with such food
As is no Novelty to Thee. Behold
This day is thine, here banquet uncontrould.
Now thy long fasting to the full requite.
Mingled with Baccus gift, this day, in sight
Of thee, shall thine own blood be drunk. I now
Such dyet have invented as even thou,
Thou Tantalus woulst fly. Already? stay,
Whether thus head-long dost thou force thy way?
Tan.
[Page 7]To the Infernal Lakes, and Streams that slip,
When I would drink, from my deluded Lip:
Back to the cheating Fruit I fly again.
Let me return to my old Place and pain.
Why am I stay'd? If I too happy seem,
Gladly I'le change my banks: And to thy Stream
O Phlegethon let me be ever bound,
In waves of fire, while I both burn and dround.
Who er'e thou art that dost tormented lye
By the decree of severe Destiny:
Who er'e thou art, trembling and terrify'd
Under a ruinous Cave that dost abide,
Or fear'st a falling Mountains ponderous side.
[Page 8]VVho er'e thou art, whether thou fearest more
The Fury's Lash, or hungry Lyons roar:
VVho er'e thou art who dost, half burnt defend
Thy self from flying brands, the Voice attend
Of Tantalus returning, credit me
VVho am experienc'd, Love your Misery:
VVhen shall I fly the hated Light?
Meg.
Engage
Thou first this house in discord, and wars Rage:
VVar, so much lov'd of Kings in every Age.
Thus fire their Salvage breasts. —
Tan.
Fates angry doom
I'de suffer not inflict: behold I come
[Page 9]Like a dire-Vapour that has cleft the Ground,
Or a sad Pestilence dispersing round
Infection through th'affrighted world. — Must I
To such black Crimes my Nephews hearts apply?
Great King and Parent of the Deities,
And Ours, although it shames thee, Ours likewise;
My Tongue will not forbear her Office, though
She double Torments for it undergo—
Your hands and Altars with such damn'd Offence
Profane not: here I'le stand, and guard it hence.—
[Page 10]VVhy fright'st thou me with threatned blows? what makes
Thee menace thus with thy contorted Snakes?
VVhy dost increase my hunger? Oh my heart
Burns with new Thirst: Fire feeds on every part.
I follow thee.
Meg.
Seeds of Revenge and hate
Sow in this house. Let this, this be their fate,
That imitating thee their Sire they, now
May thirst each others blood as water thou.
The house thy presence feels; behold, no less
Then the whole Fabrique shakes at thy access.
[Page 11]'Tis acted to the full. Now sink to Hell
Thy proper Place, and Rivers known too well:
Earth's burthen'd with thy weight. Dost not perceive
The Springs shrink inward, and their Fountains leave
The wind, 'gainst nature hot, few Clouds doth bear
Trees blasted at thy sight, naked appear,
Their fruit and leaves fall'n off. Two Neighbouring Seas
This Isthmos doth divide, seest thou how these
At thy sight ebbing do augment their shore,
And at a new unusual distance Roar.
Lerna shrinks back, Inachus in full speed
Sees thee, and stops his Course: nor doth proceed
Is white no more, his snowy Peruque fled.
Such Thirst as Argos underwent of old
Is fear'd again. The Son himself, behold,
Doubts to go on and mend the fainting Light,
Or the world bury in perpetual Night.
Chorus, Of Argives.
If any of the Powers Above
Doth still Achaian Argo's love,
Pisa's aspiring Turrets, and
The Kingdoms of this neck of Land;
If our Twin-Ports and sever'd Seas
Do any blest Immortal please:
Or tall Taygetus (whose Snows
Congeal to Ice when Boreas blows,
[Page 13]But thaw again when milder weather
Brings the rich Eastern Traffique hither.
At whose foot clear Alphaus flows
Renoun'd for the Olympick shows:
Hear us propitious Heaven, and bless
Us from Alternate-wickedness;
Let not the Nephews greater be
Then Grandsire in Impiety:
Nor this succeeding Age invent
Crimes which the former never meant.
May now at length the Progeny
Of thirsty Tantalus agree,
As weary'd into Peace again:
Discord hath had too long a Reign.
Guilt nought avails, nor Innocence;
Both alike punisht as Offence.
[Page 14]Such faith as to his Lord he bare
False* Myrtilus found from his Heir,
Waves gave him death, and to the same
He in Exchange did give his Name.
No story better known then this
To the Ionian Sayler is.
Thy Infant-Son met death, while he
Did run to meet a kiss from thee;
Inhumane Parent; Tantalus,
Too immaturely falling thus
A Sacrifice; each part of him
Thy hand cut out, and cook'd each Limb;
[Page 15]To make a cursed Feast of these
For the abhorring Deity's.
Hunger they gave for this Repast,
And thirst that shall for ever last:
Nor could a fitter Pain have been
For the Offender or the Sin.
Deluded Tantalus remains
Still vext with Hungers innate Pains;
Rich laden boughs hang neer his sight,
Swifter then Birds of strongest flight;
These stoop to meet his Lips, but then
Mock his stretch't Jaws, and rise again.
Often abus'd with this deceit,
He now neglects the tempting Cheat:
And though impatient of delay,
Turns his sad eye another way,
And shuts his empty mouth again
Confining there fierce hungers pain.
[Page 16]Her Wealth the Tree then lower bends,
And the insulting Fruit descends,
At this his Appetite revives;
But when once more he vainly strives
To reach the boughs, once more they rise,
And all the Autumn upward fly's.
Now Thirst, great as his hunger is,
Succeeds; when his Veins burn with this
He Courts the passing VVaves while they
Are by their Current forc'd away.
Their empty Channel these forsake,
And him that strives to overtake:
VVho snatching at the flying Floud
In greedy hast drinks sand and Mud.
ACT. II.
Atreus, a Servant.
DUll Coward that I am! senceless! (and what
I count in Majesty the greatest Blot)
O unreveng'd! Do I, when Crimes so great
Are by a Brother acted, such Deceit,
Such breach of Justice, poorly thus in vain
My Anger speak? and nothing but complain?
All Argos now in Arms should own my side,
And my proud Navy on these Twin-Seas Ride.
Country and Town should with my fireings shine,
And brighter then those flames this sword of mine.
[Page 18]Then let this Land groan with our Cavalry.
Let not our Foe in the Woods sculking lye,
Nor on the Hills securely fottifie.
Empty be Argos wals, in numerous swarms,
VVhile all her People cry to Arms, to Arms.
VVho hides his head, thinking it so to save,
May he for ever hide it in the Grave.
Let Renown'd Pelops House upon me fall,
So it my Brothers Ruine prove withall.
Courage my Soul! something thou now must act,
All Ages shall report, none praise the fact:
A Crime that so transendant wicked is,
My Brother shall in Envy wish it his.
[Page 19]His Vilany is not reveng'd unless
Out-done: But what can pass his wickedness?
Doth Exile humble him? did ever he
Embrace a Mean when in Prosperity,
Or rest content when low? I him for one
Not to be tamed, sufficiently have known:
Broke he may be, not bent. Assault him then
Before he thee assaults, or leavy's men;
Kill or be kill'd: this offer'd is alike
To both, but hee's most safe who first shall strike.
Ser.
Fear you not, Sir, the Peoples
Tongues?
Air.
Not I:
For this I count a Kings chief Royalty,
That his bad Actions, all his Subjects are
By Fear compell'd as well to praise, as bear.
Ser.
[Page 20]Such who by Fear are Loyal made, ev'n those
Forc'd by that fear do first become your Foes;
But if you would true Glory, Sir, attain,
You o're the heart, and not the Tongue must Reign.
Atr.
False Glory have the Great, the Vulgar true.
Let 'em dislike it, so my Will they do.
Ser.
Let Kings Command what's honest, and they must.
Atr.
Such Kings who only may command what's just
Rule by precarious Power.
Ser.
Yet needs must be
That Throne unsetled, where's nor Piety,
[Page 21]Nor shame of VVrong, nor care of Rights nor Faith.
Atr.
These private Virtues are. A Crown who hath
Should know no Law but his own Royal will.
Ser.
Can you be guiltless and a Brother kill.
Atr.
What's on a Brother Villany to act,
On him but Justice is. What hellish Fact
Hath he not try'd? what scapes him? he his own
By VVhoredom made my VVife, by Theft my Throne.
By such base frauds he gain'd the Antient Signe
Of Soveraign Power, and next this house of mine.
[Page 22]A well-known shy-kept Ram, fam'd Pelops Fold
Did, his rich Flocks far richer Leader, hold,
A fleece he not of VVool but Gold doth wear,
Scepters of which our new Kings use to bear;
Who hath this hath the Crown: with it the fate
Of our house goes along inseperate.
Safe fed this sacred Beast in Meads, which high
Fences of stone enclose and fortifie.
This bold attempting Trayter, having made
My Wife a Party, hence that beast convey'd.
From this springs all our mutual strife. Now goes
He through my Kingdoms, and Sedition sowes.
[Page 23]Where's he not guilty? he corrupted hath
My Wife, ruin'd my house, and broke his faith;
My Issue's doubtful, nothing sure but this,
That my worst Enemy my Brother is.
VVhy stopst thou Atreus? on at length begin
Thy brave Revenge: Courage; mind what has been
By Tantalus and Pelops done; thine Eye
And hand withall unto their Deeds apply.
Then say what course in my Revenge is best?
Ser.
Let your just sword, Sir, pierce his guilty breast.
Atr.
Mild Kings do only kill; You of the end
Of torment speak, I torment do intend.
[Page 24]A sued-for favour in my Reign shall be
Bare death esteem'd.
Ser.
Moves you no piety?
Atr.
Hence thou vain shadow, Piety, if thou
VVast ever here? hence, I abjure thee now.
Ye Furies, Hells black Missionaries, let
Me begg your ayd to make my Rage compleat.
Bring here two brands of your Infernal fire;
And in this breast a doubl [...] hate inspire.
Ser.
VVhat frenzie drives you thus to unknown Deeds?
Atr.
Such as the common mean of Grief exceeds.
I'de use the worst of Cruelties, but fear
They'd all too slight and innocent appear.
Ser.
[Page 25]The Sword?
At.
A trifle.
Ser.
Fire?
At.
A trifle still.
Ser.
VVhat Instrument shall your Revenge fulfill.
Atr.
Thyestes self.
Ser.
And wrath it self has less
Of Plague then him.
Atr.
Horror, I must confess,
Invades my trembling Soul: I'me forc'd but know
Not whether yet I'me forc'd, and on must go.—
Here Tantalus and Megaera are supposed to pass over the Stage.
The Center groans; the Heavens in Thunder speak;
And all my house cracks as the Roof would break:
[Page 26]The Lares turn their looks; be done, be done
This Crime, whose sight the fearful Gods do shun.
Ser.
What, Royal Sir, do you at length design?
Atr.
I know not what great Act, beyond the Line
Of humane Custome, more then usual swells
My Soul, and forward my slow hand compells:
What 'tis I know not; something great it is —
[Pauses a while]
Thus let it be; my Soul, resolve on this;
[Page 27]A fit Deed for Thyestes, and for me.
Let us both act. — Th' * Odrysian house did see
The Story of Tereus King of Thrace. See the Metamorphosis, Lib. 6.
Inhumane feasts. I grant, the Crime, though high,
Yet hath been done already; something I
Would have as new, as bad Progne! Inspire,
Thou cruel Parent, in my breast the fire
Of thy Revenge. Our cause is Parrallel.
Assist me; and to act my hands compell.
Let the pleas'd Father on his Children feed,
And carve their Limbs. I this, I like indeed.
Tis well; exceeding well. But ith' mean time
Where's he? And I, why so long free from Crime?
[Page 28]Methinks I see the Tragick Scene; and how
He eats himself no Father, even now.—
Heart! dost thou faint, before thou hast begun
The Generous Act? It must, it shall be done.
On then; since he in his own person shall
Commit the highest Villany of all.
Ser.
But by what Wiles can we er'e bring him here,
Whose caution renders him so full of fear?
At.
I le bate, then take him, with his own Desires.
He hopes my Crowns; and while he thus aspires
He'd meet a flaming Thunderbolt; for them
The Adriatique Gulf he would contemn;
And pass the Libyck shelves; nay more he will
(Which he esteems of all the greatest Ill)
[Page 29]For them his Brother see.
Ser.
Yet who shall give
The pledg of Peace? or who will he believe?
Atr.
Vain hope is credulous. My Sons shall bear
From me this envy to their Uncles ear,
And sue in wining terms, that he would leave
His Exile for a Pallace, and receive
A Crown with half my Kingdom. Should he prove
Obdurate like himself; yet this would move
His children; who in these affairs untaught
And tyred with miseries, are easily caught,
And they'l prevail with him. Love of Rule here,
His antient frenzie; grief and trouble there,
[Page 30]Though ne're so obstinate will conquer him.
Ser.
Time now hath made his sorrows light to seem.
Atr.
Time doth augment our miseries, not cure:
They'r light to suffer, heavy to endure.
Ser.
Yet find some other Messengers for this:
Youth to ill counsell prone and docile is.
They may by him to act 'gainst you be led.
Mischief oft falls on the Contrivers head.
Atr.
No other Tutor than Ambition needs,
To teach 'em fraud and such Nefarious, Deeds.
Dost doubt they'l not be wicked made? they be
So born. And what you think dire Cruelty,
Is now, perhaps, by him designed on me.
Ser.
[Page 31]Should your Sons know the Plot, their Childhood may
(Unapt for secrecy) the same betray.
Atr.
Silence I've learnt from sorrows not a few.
Ser.
Must they be strangers then to what they do?
Atr.
Yes: Be they guiltless still. I see no need
To make my Sons my Partners in the Deed.
We our Revenge will act alone— My mind
Thou now dost shrink from what was first design'd:
Spare them, spare him: Let Agamemnon be
And Menelaus of my Privicie
In this Affair. Of their Original,
Doubtful as yet, the truth thus find I shall.
[Page 32]If they to act their parts unwilling seem,
And grieve at our Dissention, calling him
Their Uncle; he their Father is.— Well go
They shall: but about what they must not know:
Their dubious face will what's within reveal:
Therefore from them, and all else, this conceal.
Ser.
Sir, I conceive this needs not; Faith and fear,
But chiefly Faith will closely keep it here.
Chorus.
At length the happy time occurs
That reconciles the Successors
[Page 33]Of Royal Inachus. What made
Ye thus each others Life invade,
Unkindly equal Brothers, why
Sought ye a Crown in such Impiety?
Greatness ye do not rightly prize;
Nor know in what a Kingdom lyes.
Riches cannot inaugurate
A King, nor Tyrian Robes of State,
Nor Diadems, nor Roofs that may
With Golden frets out-shine the day;
He is a King whose mind is free
From every Passions tyranny;
Whom, nor th'inconstant Vulgars praise,
Nor impotent Ambition, sways.
Such is the man whose richer breast
Contemns the Treasures of the West;
Tagus bright Sands, he doth despise,
And Lybia's wealthy Graneries.
[Page 34]Whose Soul no terror feels when Jove
Dischargeth Lightning from above.
Or when the Adriatique waves
Swell to the Clouds, and Eurus raves,
His great heart shakes or shrinks no more
Then doth the Neighbouring Rocks or shore.
Whose Noble soul, nor sword, nor spear
Can subject to unmanly fear.
He plac'd in a secure Estate,
Looks down on all those sports of Fate,
Grandure and Triumphs, and sees there,
How much below his thoughts they are.
Nor will he murmur at his End,
But meet pale death and call him friend.
None of those Kings can him infest,
The scatter'd Dacae who molest;
[Page 35]Or who by that Red Sea abide
With Pearls enrich'd and beautifi'd;
Him the Armenian cannot harm,
Who so confides in his own Arm,
He slites th' advantage of his hills;
Nor German, who when winter chills
Other mens veins, sports on the Ice;
Nor Seres clad in silks of price.
His Kingdom is within: No force
He needs to keep his Crown, of Horse;
No need of Swords, or shafts whereby
The Parthians Conquer when they fly;
No need of the Balista's ayde
The walls with Battery to Invade.
VVho fears not is a King. And he
That will, may have this Royaltie.
While he that loves Ambitions pains,
On the Courts slippery top remains;
[Page 36]Let me sweet Peace enjoy: content
I am to live where none frequent:
There shall I fill my longing breast
VVith the still blessings of soft Rest,
Free from their Knowledg great who are,
Free from the noise of business, there
I'le tast my Life, and thus shall I
Rich in an humble fortune dye.
But heavy doth that death befall
To him, who too much known to all
By fame of his great honours past,
Dyes to himself unknown at last.
ACT III.
Enter Thyestes, Plisthenes, and his Two other Sons.
My Countrys long'd for sight I now possess;
The greatest good that can sad Exiles bless.
My Native Soil, and Country-gods I see;
(If Gods they are who so neglected me;)
I see the towrs the Cyclops work that are,
No Mortal can raise structures half so fair.
Oft with applause have I at that fam'd place
In Pelops Royal Chariot won the Race.
Me the whole Town will meet returning home;
Nay Atreus too, whose sight I hate, will come.
[Page 38]Then let me back again to woods obscure,
And wish the Beasts a life like theirs endure.
A Crowns false splendor shall not me enflame:
Mind not the Gift, but him that gives the same.
Chearful I was when in a low Estate:
Now I from Exile am recall'd, and Fate
Doth smile, I'me sad. Something within doth cry,
Turn back again: I move unwillingly.
Plisthenes (aside.)
VVhat means my Father thus his pace to slack?
He seems much unresolv'd, and oft looks back.
Thy.
[Page 39]Why do I waver thus? why do I strain
My wits, and dwell on that which is so plain?
Shall I Two such uncertain things as are
My Brother, and a Kingdom trust? and fear
Those Ills which time doth now familiar make?
And my commodious sufferings forsake?
My former Life, though wretched, pleaseth me:
Then let me back retire, while yet I'me free.
Plist.
Dear Sir, why turn you from your Countrys sight?
And why such Royal Presents do you slight?
Your Brothers wrath is ended, he to you
Offers a Peace, and half his Kingdom too.
[Page 40]You to your self he will restore.
Thy.
A kind
Of strange and unknown Terror chills my mind.
No cause I have, yet fear. I much desire
Forward to go, yet forc'd am to retire.
So have I seen a raging storm prevail
Against a ship, spight of her Oar and Sail.
Plist,
Contemn such idle fears, think how at your
Courted Return you'l have a Kings Grandure.
Thy.
That, having power of my own Life, I've got.
Pl [...]st.
Power's the chief thing.
Thy.
Nothing if valued not.
Plist.
It may descend to us.
Thy.
Two cannot sway
One Scepter—
Plist.
— Who'd not happy be that may?
Thy-
[Page 41]Believe me Greatness is an empty Name:
And hard Fate's vainly fear'd. Since first I came
Unto a Throne, till it left, I ner'e
Was free, but even mine own Guards did fear.
How sweet it is, to live from strife secure,
To feed on Dishes wholsom though but poor!
The humble Cottage knows not villany,
And slender dyet is from Poyson free:
That's drunk in Plate. With good experience I
Approve the low estate above the high.
And from that height the neigbouring Towns command:
No Ivory frets adorn my roof: and when
I sleep I'me guarded by no Halbert-men;
With no whole fleet I fish: No Rampiers I
Build to prescribe the Sea: Nor banquet by
The Lands Oppression: Nor beyond the Gete
Or Parthian have I Lands as rich as great:
I'me not adord stead of neglected Jove:
Nor doth my Pallace roof support a Grove:
I have no Baths like Seas: nor do I choose
The day for sleep, the night for drinking use.
[Page 43]Yet in my abject fortune am secure
Without a guard, and fearless being poor;
In it I meet content, and to have this
Without a Kingdom, the best Kingdom is.
Plist.
But when the gods to us a Crown commit
We should not slight the Gift—
Thy.
— Nor covet it.
Plist.
That you would Reign your Brorher doth desire.
Thy.
Doth he? that raiseth my suspition higher.
Plist.
True Piety from whence she fled doth use
Back to return, and her lost strength renews.
Th.
Atreus his Brother love? first Arctos will
Set in the waves; Sicilian Seas be still;
[Page 44]In the Ionian Ocean Corn will grow;
Darkness will shine, before he will do so:
First fire with water, wind with waves, and Life
With death, will enter League, and end their strife.
Plist.
What fraud suspect you?
Thy.
All.
Nor can I see
VVhat not to doubt from such an Enemy.
Plist.
How can his Pow'r hurt you?
Thy.
Me? I despise
His Rage: Ye only cause my jealousies.
Plist.
Fear you deceit when in the Trap? we are
Cautious too late when taken in the snare
Then let us on.—
Thy.
—Witness ye gods to this;
I follow them, I lead 'em not amiss.
Plist.
[Page 45]Fearless let us proceed. Prosper th' event
Kind Heaven, let it be good as is th' Intent.
Enter Atreus, Attended.
Atr.
At length the Game which I so long have saught,
(aside)
VVith all his Breed, in my spread Toils is caught.
I have him now; and with him my desire.
Behold Thyestes comes, he comes intire.
My or'e-joyd soul will temper scarce admit,
Nor my unbroke fierce Passion know the Bit;
So when the Ʋmbrian Lime-hound through the field
Hunts on a Trayl; and in a Leash is held;
VVhilst he perceives the Game far off to be
Silent and stanch on the dead Scent runs he:
[Page 46]But when the Quarry's nigh, his gesture speaks
The welcome News; stiff doth he draw, and breaks
From his slow Master's hand. Rage never cou'd
Take a Disguize when once her ayme was blood;
Yet mine shall. — Look: do but observe him there
How his wild superstuities of Hair
Hang rudely or'e his sad dejected Eyes:
His Beard too, how undecently it lyes.
goes to Thyestes.
Brother, i've past my Faith: doubt me no more.
Your dearest sight doth my lost joyes restore.
[Page 47]Bless me with your so coveted Embrace.
Henceforth, all Enmity let us displace
From our abused breasts; and entertain
The Piety of Brothers once again.
Thy.
Your Goodness, Sir, is of such force,
I can't
Frame an Excuse; but all my fault must grant.
Your Goodness makes me worse appear one who
Have wrong'd a Brother, and a Brother too
So eminent for generous Love as you.
Kneels.
I who ner'e did, do weeping, you implore?
And with these hands that never beg'd before
Thus humbly supplicate that you would please
to pardon all; and for my faith take these,
These Infant Hostages: —
Atr.
[Page 48]— Rise from my feet,
And as a Brother my Embraces meet.
To the Children.
Kiss me sweet Innocents, esteem'd aright
Both a support to Parents, and Delight
to Thyestes.
Off with these Rags, wound not my pittying Eye
VVith the sad object of your Poverty,
And Robes assume like mine. More praise I gain
To give you half, then a sole Monarch Reign;
Therefore take half my Realm. A Crown to find
Speaks Chance, but to bestow the bravest Mind.
Thy.
[Page 49]Dear Brother, may the bounteous gods above
Return a blessing great as is your Love.
But my deformed head no Crown will wear;
Nor this unhappy hand a Scepter bear.
A poor Plebeian let me still remain.—
Atr.
Not so: this Land may well two Kings contein.
Thy.
VVhat's yours I mine esteem.
Brother, take all.
Atr.
VVho'd flight the savours that from Fortune fall?
Thy.
VVho'd not that knows how slippery they are?
Atr.
Of so great Glory will ye me debarre?
Thy.
[Page 50]Your Glory Sir, you have already won,
But mine remains, which is such Gifts to shun.
Atr.
No more Excuse, I beg. Unless you own
Part of the Goverment, I will have none.
Thy.
Well, I accept. Henceforth the Name be mine;
But I my self with all the Power thine.
Atr.
VVear then your Crown: while I, without delay
Th' intended Sacrifice to Heaven pay.
Chorus.
Who'ld Credit this? Atreus, of late
So cruel, and so obstinate,
[Page 51]VVhen he his suppliant brother spyed,
Conscious of Gilt, stood stupify'd.
Oh Love; what Power can thine excell?
Discord with strangers long may dwell,
But where the Tyes of blood and thee
Conjoyn, short is that Enmity.
Private Affronts, though urg'd too far,
Rais'd a Revenge in Publick war.
While new-rais'd Troops the Country fright,
And Swords impatient for a fight:
Now finding what so long they'd sought,
Look bright and chearful with the thought.
Fraternal Piety takes place,
Forcing the Brothers to embrace,
Which of your Powers, kind Heaven, to cease
Hath caused such war in such a Peace?
[Page 52]VVhen Civil, the worst sort of Foes,
Did all Mycene discompose;
The Mother fear'd her Infants Life;
Her armed Husbands loss, the Wife.
The conquering Sword, when first they drew,
Orecome with peacefull Rust they view.
Some dress their Arms: some busy were
The Forts half ruin'd, to repair:
Some had Commission to survey
The Wall, and make up the Decay.
By some the Gates were strongly bar'd;
Others by Night maintain the Guard.
The empty Name of War doth bring
More real terror then the thing.
But now the happy hour appears,
That sheaths the Sword, and cures our fears,
[Page 53]Now is the Martial Trumpet dumb:
Sweet peace, sweet peace again is come!
So when the Brutian Sea doth rise,
By Corus driven to the Skys;
When from her Caverns Scylla raves,
Cuft by the fury of the waves,
And ships, though in their Haven, fear
Dreadfull Caribdis even there.
The sweating Cyclops when they spy
Waves o're their furnace Aetna fly,
Fear angry Neptune though their Sire,
VVill quench the never dying fire.
And poor Laertes trembling thinks
His little Ithara now sinks.
If the winds fall, the Sea appears
Smooth as the standing Pools, or Meers.
The trifling Boat now puts from shore;
Ships that like Islands seem'd, before
[Page 54]Were not so bold. Why name I these
Frail Barks? the floating Cyclades
Islands like ships, for motion thought,
Fear'd in the storm to be or'e wrought.
Yet now that Boat becalm'd, a sail
Puts up to catch the wanton Gale.
They the past storms effects descry,
And see where drounded fishes lye.
Fortunes still alter, none can last:
Yet is the best the soonest past.
The swift vicissitudes of Fate
Can in a moment change our state.
He who doth Crowns dispose, before
Whose Throne all Nations do adore;
Intending, by a former Antecronisme, the RoMan Emperor.
At whose bare Nod the Medes disband:
Nor dare the Indians him withstand:
[Page 55]Nor Dacae with their Cavalrie:
How full of anxious thoughts lives he?
What Changes do his fears, the while,
Presage from Fates inconstant smile?
Then swell no more; Great Souls of those
Where Heaven doth Soveraign Rule dispose:
Since that due Homage which we show
To you, ye to another owe.
The greatest Kings but Subjects be
To a Superior Majesty.
Some with that Sun have set, whose Ray
Shined at his Rise less bright then they.
Ah fading Joyes! In such who dare
Confide, or wanting them, despair?
Clotho with smiles doth Tears commix,
And lets no Chance of Fortune fix.
[Page 56]Heavens greatest Favorite can't say
I'le live and laugh another Day.
All our Affairs Fate troubles, and
Disorders as whirl-wind sand.
ACT. IV.
Nuncius. Chorus.
Some Whirl-wind snatch me hence: by whose fierce ayd
I to th' obscurest Clowd may be convey'd,
VVhence I no more this cursed House may see:
By Tantalus himself, abhor'd to be.
Cho.
Ha! what means this?—
Nun.
—VVhat Country's this I tread?
Argos, and Sparta is it, that hath bred
[Page 57]Such bloudy Brothers? Live Corinthians here
'Twixt these two Seas, or what I rather fear,
Barbarous Alani? No Hycanian Breed
Of Tygers sure, nor Scythians these exceed.
Cho.
VVhat Salvage Crime blots our unhappy Land
VVith such a Guilt? Give us to understand.
Nun.
Can I my Senses recollect, I will;
VVhen this cold Sweat shall leave my Limbs. For still
The horror follows me. — Come storms as strong
As my Desires, and bear me hence, along
VVhether the Sun flys from this sight away.
Cho.
You aggravate our fears by this delay.
[Page 58]Quickly the Deed relate, and Author too.
Which of the Brothers is't? I ask not who.
Nun.
In Pelops his chief Palace Southward lyes
A Part, that doth like some tall Mountain rise
To pierce the Clouds, and o're the Town doth stand,
Which should the same Rebell, it can Command:
There stands the Publick Hall, whose Roof of Gold
Rich spotted Marble-pillars do uphold.
Besides this, where the Vulgar do repair,
Sev'ral as rich as spacious Rooms there are.
The privy Court i'th' uttermost Recess
Doth lye, by a Descent from the no less
[Page 59]Sacred, then secret Grove divided there
Nor pleasant Trees nor profitable are,
But mournful Yew, Cypress, and Holm; ye higher
Then all the rest the tall Oak doth aspire,
And like a Prince o're looks the common Trees.
Our Kings do here consult their Auguries:
Here they seek Council when affairs appear
Doubtful or bad, Their Votive Guifts hang here:
Trumpets of War, and Trophys of the same,
With what by Land or Sea we overcame;
The vanquisht wheels, and treacherous Axel-Tree,
And all our Nations Deeds, here fixed be.
[Page 60]Here's the Tiara Phrygian Pelops wore:
Here's what in War we took, or triumph bore.
Under this shade a Fountain stands, a Wave
So black and sad Dire Styx is said to have,
Dire Styx that binds the gods. The Fame's well-known
How here th' Infernal gods all Night do groan.
Clinking of Chains, howling of Ghosts, make here
A horrid noise; while what affrights the Ear
May there be seen: there haunt a Company
Of wandring souls which far more dreadfull be
Then common Spectres; sudden flames oft dart
Through all the Grove, and fix i'th' highest part.
[Page 61]Oft hath from thence three Barks at once been heard,
And oft the House with monstrous Visions scar'd.
Nor can the Day expel such fears; for there
Is ever Night, and these at Noon appear.
Oraculous Resolves have here been found
By them that seek, which with a frightfull sound
That fills the Place, arise from underground.
When Atreus mad with Rage, was enter'd here,
Dragging his Nephews, deckt the Altars were.
(Who with fit words can such black Deeds relate?)
Their Princely hands behind were pinnion'd streight,
[Page 62]Their Heads with purple fillets bound: there lyes
Ready both Incense for the Sacrifice,
And Wine, and Knife: ready prepar'd for it
Lies Salt and Meal. No Rite he doth omit,
Least not well done should be such wickedness!
Chorus.
Who to their Execution dares address?
Nun.
He is the Priest himself: himself doth Pray;
The Versicles of Death himself doth say.
The Victims he in order placeth, and
Standing at th' Altar, takes the Sword in hand;
Himself attends, and doth omit no Rite:
This the Grove sees, and trembles at the sight.
[Page 63]So doth the Ground, which shakes the House withall,
Whose Turrets doubtful on which side to fall
Nod every way; Also a Comet streams
From Heavens left side, which darts forth dismal beams.
The Wine as soon as cast into the flame,
VVas Transubstantiated, and blood became.
Oft his Crown fell: the Ivory Statues wept.
This all affrights; he still his temper kept;
And stands withall as if he'd terrifie
The threatning gods.—But all delays lay'd by,
He now ascends the Altar, with Oblique
Looks and Malevolent; Some Tyger like
[Page 64]In Ganges Forrest, whom fierce hunger fires,
Between two Steers that stands, and both desires;
Yet unresolv'd which first to seize; her eyes
That threaten Death, to this, then that applys;
With doubt as much as hunger next; And thus
On the Devoted looks Dire Atreus.
Revolving in his mind which should be he
That first must fall; and which should Second be.
It matters not; yet takes he much delight
So high a Villany to Marshal right.
Chor.
Which strikes he then?
Nun.
— Parental Piety
Least he should want, first Tantalus must dye.
[Page 65]T' his Grandsire dedicate.
Cho.
— Oh say, how took
The young Prince such a Death, and with what look?
Nun.
Careless of Life he stands, and doth refuse
In vain to supplicate, or words to loose.
But Atreus by the throat, him having tan'e,
Sheaths in his Breast the sword; which out again
Being redrawn, awhile the body thinks
How best to fall, then on his Uncle sinks.
Next Plisthenes he to the Altar brings,
And decollated, on his Brother flings:
Down prostrate falls the Trunk; and (with a sound
Uncertain) the complaining head to th' ground.
Chor.
[Page 66]What after this Twin-death doth he begin?
Spares he the child, or adds he sin to sin?
Nun.
As a main'd Lyon equally repleat
With rage and hunger, sees a Heard of Neat
In the Armenian woods, pursues and takes
Many, whose blood his frowns more frightful makes:
Bulls do his hunger, not his Rage allay,
And after them he on the Calves doth prey,
With wearied Jaws: nor otherwise then so
Is Atreus cruel, such his Rage; who though
His sword's distaind with double slaughter, yet
He seeks another murder to commit,
Careless on whom: In the childs breast he then
Strikes it, which out ats back appears agen.
[Page 67]He falls, his blood quenches the Altars fires;
Death enters at both wounds, and he at both expires.
Chor.
O barbarous act!
Nun.
— Doth this your horror breed?
There's more behind, he stops not at this deed.
Cho.
Is there in Nature greater cruelty?
Nun.
Think you this all: 'tis but the first degree.
Cho.
What more? did he to beasts their bodys throw,
And fire deny?
Nun.
— Would he had only so▪
Their Sepulture, and funeral Pile deny'd,
And cast them out to birds of prey beside,
[Page 68]Or with their flesh fed Wolves; what does appear
The greatest curse, had been a blessing here;
Their [...]i [...]e to see them unenterr'd. — O crime
Nor age will credit! the insuing time
Will think this fabulous! their inward parts
He opens, their veins breathing still, and hearts
Still panting: thence the fates to recollect
He the warm veins, & Atterys doth dissect.
The Victims pleasing, now he time can spare
His brothers entertainment to prepare.
He cuts them out in joynts; close to their sides
The shoulders from the body he divides.
[Page 69]Their tender flesh he from the bones doth pare:
Yet saves intire the heads, and hands which were
So lately sacred pledges. Th' Inwards they
Some spitted fore a slow fire drip away:
Some in the injured caldron boyl: while these
So horrid meats the very fire displease,
Oft from the hearth it fell, & when return'd
Back to its place, it murmur'd as it burn'd.
The Livers screek upon the spit, nor well
Which most, the flesh or flames, groan'd, I tell.
The mournful fire in clowds of smoak consumes:
And even those heavy clowds and ominous fumes
[Page 70]Directly not ascend, as wont, but fly
About the houshold gods, & there they lye.
O patient Phaebus! though day backward flys,
And though thy lustre at the Zenith dyes,
Thou set'st too late. — His Sons the Father eats,
And his own Limbs are his Inhumane treats:
While with rich Unguents his hair shines, and he
Sits full of mighty Wine, unwillingly
Discends the barbarous dyet. Only this
Of good, Thyestes 'mongst thy Evills is,
You know 'em not: yet even this will sade.
Though Titan turns his Chariot, which is made
[Page 71]To measure batk the way it came; though Night
With shades unusual hides this deed from sight,
Which from the East doth rise, and out of time;
Yet will at last be seen each horrid crime,
Chorus.
Father of gods and men, at whose
Uprise Night doth her beauty loose,
Whether, O whether dost thou stray,
And at thy Noon benight the day?
What frights thee, Sun? not yet appears
Vesper the harbinger of stars:
Nor Hesper shining in the west
Bids thy diurnal Chariot rest:
[Page 72]Nor the third Trumpets sound yet made
A welcome to th' approaching shade.
Amazed the Plowman stands to see
Day end, untited his Team and he.
What stops thy Race? what is't do's make
Thy Steeds their beaten Road forsake?
Do now from bed the Gyants rise
Again to fight the Deitys?
His old Attempts doth Tytius strive,
With his first fury, to revive?
Hath now Typhaeus freed his brest,
Long with the Mountains weight opprest?
Or do the gods Phlegraean foes
Ossa on Pelion now impose? —
Al! the known course of time is done!
No more will set or rise the Sun.
Days Mother with Nocturnal dew's
Still wet, while now she Phaebus views
[Page 73]As to her East he back retires,
Whence he so lately went, admires.
How ignorant is she to lave
His steeds in the refreshing wave!
He stands surpriz'd too, since to this
New Inne himself a stranger is.
The morning Sun now sets, whose light
Yeilds to a darkness, yet no night;
On his Recess no stars appear:
Nor fire shines in our Hemisphere.
No Moon adorns these shades. What e're
This is, Night would it only were.
Each heart with suddain fear possest
Doth tremble, tremble in each breast,
Least all should ruin'd be; least men
And even the gods themselves, agen
To their old Chaos fall: lest fire
And sea, Earth and Heavens gay attire
[Page 74]Of sparkling stars, should now return
To their first nothing. — No more burn
Shall thy bright flames, nor Phaebus, thou
Be longer chief of Plannets, now,
Summer and winter, nor shall we
Distinguish by the Course of thee.
No more shall the pale Queen of shades
Expel that fear which Night invades,
While she in a less Circle runs,
And ends her Race before the Suns.
Into but one deform'd lump shall
The Elements and Plannets fall.
Heavens bless the Zodiac, whose bright way
Shines with the Lights of night and day,
Whose Circle parts the Zones, and we
Measure the Year by its Degree,
Shall fall from Heaven, and with it then
These stars set, ne'r to rise agen:
[Page 75]First shall the Ram, who us'd to bring
Soft western Gales with the kind spring,
Plunge in those waves o're which he bore
The trembling Helle heretofore.
Next shall the Bull descend, between
Whose bright horns are the Hyads seen;
And draw the Twins and Crab along
With him from the Caelestial throng.
The Lyon then shall down again
Return, and no more scorch the Grain.
Down from her heaven the Virgin shall
Along with her the ballance fall:
With them shall the fierce Scorpion go,
And he arm'd with th' Aemonian bow:
Old Chiron, in his fall who will
His Quiver break, and arrows spill.
The winter-leading Goat must be
The next, and falling break shall he
[Page 76]Thy water-pot, who er'e thou art:
With thee the F [...]shes shall depart
Last of the Twelve. The Bears that ner'e
Set in the waves, shall now drownd there.
The Snake that those two Bears divides,
And like a crooked River glides,
Shall as all other Rivers, roule
Into the sea. While from the Pole
Cold Cynosure the lesser Bear
Plac'd by the greater Dragon there,
With whom Bootes, slow-pac'd swain
Shall fall, and drive from Heaven his Wain.
Selected from Mankind, do we
This fatal period live to see?
Must the world fall on us? O Fate
Wretched and most unfortunate!
VVhether we loose without offence
The Sun, or guilty, drive him hence:
[Page 77]Yet cease to mourn: there is no need.
He's covetous of Life indeed
Who longer to survive desires,
VVhen the whole Universe expires.
ACT. V.
Atreus.
Now equal to the stars I walk, now I
Look down, methinks, on others from the sky.
My Fathers Throne, and Ram, I've now regain'd,
I've done with Heaven: and my last wish attain'd.
Tis very well; exceeding well; and this
Revenge even for me sufficient is.—
[Page 78]But why sufficient? I'le proceed, and fill
VVith his own blood Thyestes fuller still.
Lest I should see, and blush at this black deed
The day retires: VVhile Heaven invites, proceed.
VVould the fled gods might be forc'd back by me,
That they this banquet of Revenge might see!
Yet shall the Father: and let that suffice.
This darkness that now hides his miseries
I will dissolve, though day refuse. Guest mine,
Thou hast too long careless and chearful lyne
You've eat and drunk enough. Thyestes needs
Be sober rightly to resent such deeds:
[Page 79]VVine drounds his sence. — So there within, who waits:
Display the Feast, open the Temple gates.
I long to see, when his Sons heads he views,
How he will look, or what expressions use
To speak his grief; or how (his spirit's lost
At this) hee'l stand as if congeal'd with frost.
This is my deed: To see him wretched, no
Delight take I, but in his making so.
The Scene opens, and Thyestes is Discovered.
Behold the Room with many Lights array'd:
On Gold and Purple he supinely lay'd;
[Page 80]On his left hand, his head opprest with Wine
He leans, and belches. Now methinks I shine
Chief of the Gods, and King of Kings! In this
I have s [...]past my wish.— See, see, he is
Already full; from a large Goblet he
Drinks unmixt VVine: Drink on; I've still for thee
One Cup, the blood of the late sacrifice:
The colour of Red wine shall this disguize.
And let this Cup conclude this Feast. He mine
Did thirst, who now shall drink commixt with VVine
His Childrens blood.— Hark; he to sing prepares,
Unable to contain his Joy, light Ayrs.
Thyestes.
[Page 81]Thou that so dull'd with sufferings art,
Cast off thy busy Cares, my heart.
Hence grief, hence fear, and thou er'e while
My old Companion in Exile
Sad Poverty; hence thou that late
Didst vex my soul, of my low state
A conscious shame; of that no more
Ile think, but what I was before.
'Tis brave when fall'n from high Command,
Firm and unmoved below to stand.
Opprest with mighty Ills, 'tis rare
And brave, with neck unbow'd to bear,
Of a lost Kingdom the sad weight;
Nor conquer'd, nor degenerate,
[Page 82]But to stand upright under those
Unwelcome pressures Fates impose.
These clouds that now thy soul or'e cast,
And all the marks of misery past
Cast off, and to thy face once more
The smiles of soft content restore:
From thy grieved memory let pass
The old Thyestes. But alas!
'Tis proper to th' unfortunate
Never to trust the smiles of fate.
Though happiness return again,
Joy is to them a kind of pain. —
What grief is this obstructs my mirth
From no known cause that takes its birth?
This day of Festival to keep
What hinders me, and bids me weep?
With odorous flowr's my head t'array
What is't doth thus, doth thus gainsay?
[Page 83]The Roses from my brows descend,
And my perfumed hair stands on end
With suddain horrour; while apace
Sad streams or'e flow a chearful face.
My mirth with groans is often checkt;
And my late tears I still affect:
So fond the wretched ever be
To doat on their old misery.
Mournful complaints fain would I vent,
And tear this purple ornament
Oft-times our souls prophetick be,
And droop with sorrows they fore-see.
So when the Sea to swell doth use,
And no wind breaths, a storm insues. —
Mad man! thy mind why thus dost thou
Disturb, and discompose thy brow?
Thy Brother trust: now what er'e fate
Befalls, fears causeless, or too late.
[Page 84]Thus timerous I would not be
But a strange terror troubles me
Within, which through my eyes doth pour
A causeless, and surprizing showr'.
Sorrows effect is this or fears?
Or hath great Joy its proper tears?
Atreus
(going to him)
Brother, with joynt consent let's celebrate
This day; that will confirm my Regal state
And 'twixt us two settle a lasting peace.
Thy.
I'me cloyd with wine and feasting; 'twould increase
My pleasure, and no small addition be
To my full Joy, could I my Children see.
Atreus
(ambiguously.)
Be confident they'r in your armes, for here
They are, and shall be; do not fear.
[Page 85]Nothing of thine shal be withheld: You shall
Their desired presence now enjoy, I all
Of thee with thy so loved Issue will,
Doubt not, most fully satisfie and fill.
At present with my Sons they celebrate
This day of Joy: but I will call 'em straight
First tast our Families cup fil'd with choice wine.
Thy.
Brother, I kindly take this guift 'cause thine.
First offer to our Fathers deities;
And then wee I drink — How's this? my hand denies
Her office: still the wines weight heavier grows,
And loads my arm; while from my Lips it flows:
[Page 86]About my mouth it rouls, nor down will go,
See the ground shakes; the Table too doth so.
The fire it self scarce shines: on the Suns flight,
The Sky stands Neutral betwixt day and night.—
How's this? Heavens connex sinks still lower and lower:
To darkness joyns a darkness that is more
Condenst, and night it self to this is day.
Each star is fled. What e're this means, I pray
That from my Brother, and my Sons it be
Averted, and the Omen threaten me.
Restore me now my Sons.
Atr.
— I will restore,
And they from thee shall ne're be parted more.
Thy.
[Page 87]What tumult shakes me thus within? My breast
Is with a sad impatient weight opprest:
Sad groans I with a voice not mine respire.
Appear my Sons, your most unhappy sire
Bids you appear: your sight alone will cure
This grief.—Whence answer they?
Atr.
—Make ready your
(Shews the Heads)
Embraces: they are come,—Now Sir, do ye know
Your Sons? —
Atr.
I know my Brother.— Canst thou undergo,
Dull earth, such wickedness, & bear it thus?
And not to Styx sink both thy self and us?
Wilt thou not open that these Kingdoms may
And King, through thee to Chaos find a way?
[Page 88]Wilt thou not all the structures of this Land
Levell with their foundations? We to stand
Both well deserve in hell with Tantalus,
And other the Progenitors of us,
If any there. Open now, open wide
Thy dislocated Joynts on every side,
Down let us sink through some vast cleft of thee
To Acheron, and there for ever be.
While or'e our heads th' Infernal shapes appear,
Flow hither Phlegethon, and setling here,
Us wretches in thy flaming waters drownd
Lyest thou unmoved still, dull senceless ground?
Atr.
Here, take thy Sons, so much desired by thee:
Enjoy them now, there's no delay in me:
[Page 89]Each of these three alike embrace and kiss.
Thy.
Is this thy League? thy amity? is this
A Brothers faith? Thus dost thou love? To have
Safe or alive, my Sons, I do not crave:
This I thy brother beg, which no ways your
Revenge impleads, allow them sepulture.
I ask but what Ile burn: 'tis nothing I
Beg to enjoy, but part with by and by.
Atr.
All of thy Sons I'le give, that I did save:
What not remains, that you already have.
Thy.
Lye they a Feast for Birds of Prey? or are
They for wild beasts reserv'd inhumane fare?
Atr.
Thou of thy Sons hast made that impious feast.
Thy.
'Twas this that sham'd the gods! his to the East
[Page 90]Forc'd back the Sun wretch that I am what crys,
What sad complaints, what words will me suffice?
Their heads and hands chopt off too plain I see,
And from their Legs how their feet sever'd be.
'Twas the presage of this unheard of meat,
Though pinch'd with hunger, would not let me eat.
My bowels roul about, and seek with pain
A passage for the horrid food, in vain.
Lend me thy sword dyed in my blood, and I
Will to my Sons with it give liberty.
Is this deny'd? yet shall with frequent blows
This breast resound; ah, no! forbear from those
Unhappy man, and spare the dead within—
Hath over such a curst deed acted been
[Page 91]By barbarous Heniochan that's bred
On Caucasus? or the Cecropian dred
Procrustes? oh! my Sons do me oppress,
And I my Sons.—No mean in wickedness▪
Atr.
A mean should be observ'd when first we act
A wrong, but not when we revenge a fact.
This is but small for me. I should have shed
Goar in thy mouth as from the wound it bled:
That of thy living Sons, the warm blood thou
Mightst drink: I've trifled with my anger now.
In hast I gave the wounds. Of them I made
A sacrifice, I the vow'd slaughter payd
To my wrong'd houshold gods: and jointing all
Their liveless bodies into goblets smal,
[Page 92]I rent each Limb: and some of them I cast
Into the boiling Cauldron, some I plac't
By a slow fire to rost. They not yet dead
I cut their Nerves, and members quartered:
I heard the Inwards groan upon the spit:
I my self made the fire and lookt to it.
All this their Father better might have done!
My Rage is spent in vain. 'Tis true each Son
Of his, his cursed mouth did tear and eat,
But both the Eater ignorant, and mear.
Thy.
Ye Seas with wandring shores incompassed,
Hear this! Here this you gods, whereever fled!
[Page 93]Hear this hell! Earth hear this! and thou Night made
More black and horrid by a hellish shade,
Attend to what I'le say, and what is said:
Darkness I'me left to thee, and only thou
Sad as my self, canst view my sorrows now:
No suppliant vows for my concern I'le make.
Ah! what is that? Nature 'tis for thy sake.
Great King of Gods, who the Worlds Soveraign art,
Bury the Earth in Clouds from every part
Bid the winds fight, and thou thy Thunder dart.
Use not that hand which lesser bolts do throw
To batter guiltless buildings here below:
[Page 94]But with that hand that levell'd Mountains rear'd
Three stories high, & Gyants that appear'd
Like other Mountains upon them: on us
Discharge thy Lightning and thy thunder thus.
Make good the perish't day. Let thy fires fly:
The light that's lost with lightning now supply.
Doubt not of us whose cause doth call, they be
Both bad: if not, yet mine is; aime at me,
Transfix this breast with thy Artillery.
To their last fire would I my Sons bestow;
My self into those Funeral flames must go.
If nothing moves the Gods, if sinners they
Neglect to punish: Night, for ever stay
[Page 95]And hide our Crime; Titan I'le nere complain
So thy bright flames no more return again.
Atr.
Now I applaud my hands? the Palm I've won.
I had lost my glory thus had I not done.
Now my bed chast I think, and Children mine.
Thy.
Why should the Infants dye?
Atr.
For being thine.
Vhy.
With his own Sons dost thou the Father feast?
Atr.
Ay, the undoubted Sons, which pleases best.
Thy.
Witness ye Gods.—
Atr.
—The Nuptial Powers well may.
Thy.
With a worse Deed who would a Crime repay?
Atr.
[Page 96]I know what grieves you. To prevented be
Your next; not what thou hast devour'd moves thee,
But not t' have drest the same. Thou didst design,
Ignorant, such Viands should be mine:
Their Mother helping, thou did'st mean to seise
My Sons, and butcher them as I did these:
You'd don't, but that you fancy'd them your own.
Thy.
Be present ye just Gods: to them alone
I give thee up for Punishment.—
Atr.
—For it
I to thy Childrens Manes thee commit.
FINIS.
MOCK-THYESTES.
ACT. I.
TANTALƲS. MEGAERA.
TAnt.
What Witch of Endor does thus fret me.
And when I'de stay in hell won't let me?
Cannot a man be damn'd in quiet,
But Haggs must thus commit a Riot?
You'l whip me out of Hell-doors we' ye?
And firk me up, with a Pox te' ye?
I must to earth: but pray let's know
What I must do there er'e I go.
I cannot teach 'em damning there,
Nor more debauch 'em then they are,
[Page 98]To Wench, drink, rook, or be uncivil,
They scorn to learn of a poor Devill.
'Tis ten to one the Sons of Whores
Will either kick me out of doors,
Or think'me a tame harmless Cully,
And then I'me gone to Nicker-Bully.
But should I take a Wenches shape,
'Tis six to four I get a Clap.
And then how shamefully 'twill urge one,
That comes from Hell to use a Surgeon?
All that I say I can make good
In mine own proper flesh and blood.
Two Imps I have as very Rakells
As er'e did cling in Newgate shackles:
Men call one Atreus, and the other
Thyestes, Atreus's own Brother.
Rake Hell, and skim the Devill, if er'e
You match 'em, I'le be hang'd; that's fair.
Meg.
[Page 99]Allons; and stand not thus hum drum:
Or Faith I'le run this Pin i' your bum.
De'e think I'le suffer you, conclude
Whether the thing be bad or good?
Yet if you wonder at your Mission,
And why 'tis with such expedition;
To give your Nephews a kind Visit,
If you would know the true cause, is it.
Oh then, and do just as I tell ye:
First put two live Eels in their belly,
Which may so operate, and frisk it,
As if old Nick were in their Brisket.
Where Nature's dull, we thus must force her:
(For Devils may learn of a Horse-Courser)
Then make 'em hector, huff, and swear,
Curse, damn, and sink, spit, fire, and stare;
[Page 100]Snatch Spits and tilt at one another,
And Brother bite off Nose of Brother.
Tan.
I, say you so? but if you get me
To do't, Ile give you leave to eat me.
Perhaps on earth what you have moved,
Is often done, and well approved;
And to debauch ones own Relation
Counted a Genteil Recreation.
But soft, you ne're shall get me to it;
An honest Devil will not do it.
Do you my Grandchildren suppose
Bull-Doggs to run full at the Nose?
Or think you them Cocks, grown so sullen
To spit themselves instead of Pullen?
In fine, I tell you once again,
Tempt me no more, for 'tis in vain.
Meg.
Well, since I can't this way prevail,
I le try now to perswade your Tail.
[Page 101]Your Toby I'le so feaze with this
Rod that has lain three weeks in piss,
That you shall begg the thing to do,
Before we part, and thank me too.
Come, come, untruss; or must I force ye,
And call Tysiphone to horse ye?
Tant.
Oh lay that frightfull Engine by.
Kneels.
Dred Queen, for if it shakes I dye.
And I will your Commands obey
Like your most humble — as they say.
But spare my buttocks, let me begg ye;
For they are tender, dearest Megge.
Meg.
Enough; I pardon: do not doubt it,
But let's shake hands, and so about it.
Tan.
Like a dire Vapour, which some call
A Blast Hypocondriacal:
[Page 102]Or like the steem of Candle snuff
I come, but peacably enough;
Then fear not Mortals, I will do
No harm, but stink, and so adiew.
Madam, when you confer the Grace
Next, your Command on me to place,
Henceforth I'le do it without grudging:
And like a plain well-meaning Gudgin.
What er'e you offer me I'le swallow.
Go on sweet Lady, for I follow.
Exeunt.
Chorus.
If any of the Starry Powers
Value one pin, or us, or ours:
If Jupiter or Mars ere saw
A Miss among us worth a straw,
[Page 103]If we have ought that's worth their care
Twixt wind and water, or else where
I wish with all my heart and Soul
That they our Quarrels would controul.
For this same Atreus and Thyestes
Are both stark naught who er'e the best is.
Cat after kind exact: 'Tis plain
That neither of'em cross the strain.
Pelops their Father was, and he
Kill'd his own Wives Dad a dadde.
He loved the Sport so well that rather
Then want a Wench he'd kill a Father.
Nay more, the most ungrateful Woer
Hang'd the poor Pimp that helpt him to her.
Now if the Heraulds books don't fail us,
Pelops was Son of one Tantalus;
[Page 104]He was, as is reported common,
Of London Town a Serjeants Yeoman;
Who to arrest a Cook, once came
In place Ram Ally call'd by name:
Some Clerks and Bullies of the Cloisters
Were there by chance then opening Oysters:
These seeing their Cook in woful danger,
On whom they lay at Rack and manger:
Or as some say, 'twas chiefly 'cause
They saw a Rupture in the Laws,
And sacred Franchise of the Ally;
They never stand ye shally shally,
But take poor Tant and hurl him in
To Temple Bog-house up to th' Chin.
But here the Mischief ends not yet
(To see a Cooks malicious wit!)
[Page 105]When Tant had stood there half a day,
He thought him hungry, as we say,
His Knife unto the Spit he puts ye,
And pen'worth six of Roast Beef cuts ye;
In order then to what his heart meant,
He runs me strait to Tants appartment.
There holding it down in the Hole,
He cry's you cursed Dog Catchpole,
Look what is here, do's your Maw crave it?
Yes, when y' are hang'd then you shall have it.
This said, in an heroick strain,
His hand he snatches up again.
Then brings the flagon full of Ale,
Or as some Authors have it, Stale.
For Flagons oft have used been
Both to fill out, and empty in.
[Page 106]Or as the plain expression is,
Either to drink in, or to piss.
Now (as all Cooks do often try)
Hot stinks do make men develish dry.
The cunning Spit-man therefore, thus
Brings a full Pot to Tantulus:
Which whch the poor Fool reaches at,
He empties it upon his Pate.
And this is briefly the first rising
Of that which we call Tantalizing.
ACT. II.
Enter Atreus, and a Servant.
ATreus.
'Tis true, my Brother did seduce
My Spouse, but that's not all th'abuse.
[Page 107]For Jack as I was saying, if he
Had done this out of Amity
And pure good will unto my Wife,
It had ner'e griev'd me, but, us'd life!
To Cuckold me out of meer scorn,
By flesh and blood cannot be born.
Sei.
That's very true. But still I say Sir,
How if it were in a fair way Sir?
Atr.
Lord Jack, thou art just such another:—
When the thing's cleer to make a puther?
For look ye, Jenny, had she been
As beauteous as is any Queen,
Then it might well have been as you say;
But she's as ugly as Medusa.
'Twas therefore done you plainly see,
In spight, and disrespect to me.
[Page 108]And now, dear Rogue, let think upon't:
For I'le not put up the affront.
Ser.
Must my Dame too be guilty made?
For she was in the Musquerade —
Couchant, and did, as I may say,
Act her own part in the foul Play.
Must she then share in the Purgation,
As well as in the Recreation?
Atr.
No Jack; my Wife's my Wife, and she
Must be indulg'd as part of me.
Besides all Women, if you mind,
Have weaker Vessels then Mankind,
More frail, and therefore not a little
Apt to be crackt, and very brittle.
On this account your pritty Lasses
Have been compar'd to Venice Glasses.
[Page 109]And should we Husbands fume and fret
For every Rap our Spouses get;
'Twould be most redicule, and he
That does it, not at all jentee.
Then lastly know, we both dispence
With one another, in this sence.
And both have Conscience-Liberty
By Joint-consent of her and me,
To solace in a Modish manner,
And she not Curse me, nor I ban her.
But though my Wife goes Scotfree here,
I'le make it cost my Brother dear.
Now honest Jack, I pray you kindly,
Advise how I may do it finely.
Ser.
Ah, Master, I'me but simply learned
To be in things of Weight concerned.
But since ye 'are pleas'd to have my answer,
To this I'le do the best I can Sirs.
[Page 110]What if we too, and a third Man
Should catch him Napping when we can;
And then e'ne geld him for a warning?
This sure will spoil his Trade of Horning.
Atr.
But should I mayhem him in this sort,
And then be bring his Action for 't.
What Damage Juries may impose
For such a Carving, Heaven knows.
Ser.
Then let him; since th' offence was done
In blankets, be well tost in one.
And so the business shall be ended
In the same manner he offended.
Atr.
Well, should I like your way; but this
Too violent and open is.
[Page 111]I would some private trick invent
To give him a sound punishment,
And yet he ner'e the wiser for it.
As for the Triumph, I abhor it.
Ser.
Why then, Sir thus: you need but stay
Till he too Marry's, and you may
By amorous Retaliation,
Debauch his Wife in the same fashion.
Thus you shall have Sir, (when you doe't)
Revenge, and a fresh Girl to boot.
Atr.
I like this better then all yet:
But, Jonney, here's the Devill of it,
Delay in these things is so hellish,
It dulls the Sport, and palls the Relish.
Revenge and Love should both advance
Sa, Sa, in the brisk aire of France.—
[Page 112]I feel a rumbling in my belly
To do a thing which I won't tell ye.
Sure 'tis some Spirit that thus puts
Me on, and agitates my Guts.
Well I will on, and never fear it,
Since 'tis a motion of the Spirit.
And Spirits less Fanatique are
In belly then in brain, by far.
Jack, run; and send some idle Boy
To you know who with this Envoy:
That howsoer'e my Carriage past
May give him cause of some distast,
I humbly begg now to be Friends;
And for those honest Golden Ends
Beseech him that he would not fail
To come and tast of my Wives Ale;
And when he comes it shall go hard
But something else shall be prepar'd.
[Page 113]You understand me Jack?
Ser.
Yes Master.
Atr.
I prithee run a little faster—
Yet stay. A loose Boy may betray us;
I'le send my own Sons Menelaus,
And Agamemnon with a Letter:
And that will do a great deal better.
Exeunt.
Chorus.
Methinks these are but odd Caprices
To make two Brothers fall a peeces,
And quarrel for so poor a thing
As is a little Cuckolding.
And what de'e think Sirs, all this while,
Is that which makes so great a Coil?
But a meer empty Name! For the thing
Was never seen by any breathing,
[Page 114]Nor felt, nor heard; and why then shou'd
This word dare to be understood?
'Tis but an Embryo miscarriage:
It is the Maiden-head of Marriage;
And Maiden-heads for ought I can see,
Only consist in a strong Fancy.
Then Cuckoldy and Pusillage
Are but two shaddows of the Age.
Twixt which the difference is not great:
A single and a double Cheat.
And yet for this men take the pains
To beat out one anothers brains.
Nor do they spare the other Sex,
But often break their Spouses necks.
Then happy she, whose Husband's wary,
And keeps her caged like Bird-Canary,
Giving her once a day, with care,
Linseed and water, fresh and fair.
[Page 115]Unknown to Town-wits, and unknowing
Coaches, she spends her time in sewing.
Or else in spinning, or in knitting:
And has her belly full of sitting.
But she that is for Beauty famous,
And knows a man, abroad, from a Mouse.
Whose fine French carriage never wants
Variety of fresh Gallants.
Much Love without doors while she gets,
Causing within more jealous heats,
May dye of Husbands bangs perhaps:
If not, yet of her Servants Claps.
ACT. III.
Enter Thyestes, with a Bagg in his Hand.
'TIs good before I further go,
To think if it were best or no.
Or (as I read once in a Book)
Before I take my leap to look.
The scruples then which in my brain lye
I'le open legally, and plainly.
The Case is thus. A. lies with B.
I. S. 's Wife: I: S. sends C
To A with formal Invitation
To come and tast of a Collation.
A. doubts I. S. is double hearted,
Or (if you'l have it word-of-arted)
[Page 117]A meer Trapanner, and demurring,
Is not o're hasty to be stirring.
The Points are two. First whether A.
Should go: or, Secondly, shou'd stay.
The Case being thus stated, hark ye
How all the Parts about me argue.
In the first place, my head cries tarry;
For should he break me you'd be sorry:
'Tis more then likely he forgets not
How you us'd his head: though he frets not,
Nor shews resentment by much huffing
Yet he may pay all off with cuffing.
My back and sides have the same fears
For bangs: so have for lugs my ears.
Now on the other side, my belly
Saies go, or else the Devil quel ye;
There will be Viands choice and dainty;
And of good Bub no doubt great plenty.
[Page 118]My Guts will swim in lushious Seas
Of Ale as strong as Hercules.
My Eyes cry, on; and leave your fears:
Or else wee'l drow'nd our selves in Tears:
But if you go, we hope once more
To see his Wife, that honest Whore.
And there's another part of mine
That's mad with the self-same design.
My members being thus divided,
Now hang me if I can decide it.—
But look: while here I stand and ponder,
Some body comes to meet me yonder.
'Tis he himself with a clean Band on.
This is an honour, and a Grand one!
Enter Atreus.
Atr.
My dear Thyestes!
Thy.
Dearest Dear!
Embrace.
Atr.
How glad am I to see you here?
Thy.
[Page 119]And how does all at home Boy?
Cranky?
Atr.
All reasonably well, I thank ye —
Thy.
But how, but how, does your good Wife?
Atr.
Oh, lusty (as they say) for life:
As brisk, as jolly, and as ayrie
As a young Kitlin, or a Fary.
Thy.
And how does all your Children, lastly:
And honest Towser the old Masty?
Atr.
All at your Service, my dear Sweeting.
Thy.
Lord, how yo' are alter'd since last meeting
Methinks you're grown more tall & bony.
But for those Breeches, I'de not known ye.
Atr.
Brother, once more I'me glad to see ye:
And if ye' ad brought 'your Puss-Cats wiye
[Page 120]My happiness had been compleat.
Thy.
Sweet Sir, if that will do the Feat;
They're in this bagg, and at your service.
Atr.
More welcome then Sun-shine in Harvest;
Then nine a clock to Prentice boys
In winter nights; or Marriage-Joyes
To crooked Virgins, is each Puss
To, Sir, your Servant Atreus.
But wherefore are they thus convey'd,
Like Pig in Pocket—Masquerade?
Thy.
To let 'em beat upon the hoof
Thus far, had merited reproof.
For surely Brother, it is fitting
They ride when they go a Visiting.
Therefore to save their feet a labour,
I stole this Cock-bagg of a Neighbour:
[Page 121]And it as well serves their turn, for ought
I see, as a guilt Coach or Chariot.
Atr.
'Tis very true — But see, we are come
To the Frontier that is, ee'n at home.
Repose a while, pray, in the inner
Parler; and I'le go hasten Dinner.
Exeunt.
Chorus.
How suddainly these Brothers twain
Fell out? how soon they'r Friends again?
Could any man alive imagine
Peace after such a huff and raging?
Well: though I say't that should not say't,
True Love cannot be long in hate.
[Page 122]So have I seen (as Poets say)
Domestick Dudgeon in a Fray.
When Coblers Wife 'gainst Cobler, for
Prerogative, denounces War.
Cob calls Tib Bitch, and takes his stirrup
With which he vows he will firk her up.
But Tib as valerous as a Lass
As er'e Penthesilea was,
Scorns to turn Tail on any man,
But bids him do the worst he can:
Then snatches up a basting Ladle.
With which she vows to break his Nodle.
And to defend her self from him,
Takes for a buckler her Wheel Rim.
Thus arm'd, they both begin the fight
With all the Conduct requisite.
Fury had but a while run loose,
When Cob was glad to begg a Truce:
[Page 123]And Tib, who was no Jew nor Heathen,
Cranted a time we call a breathing.
Now Cob takes up his Awle and Pinser,
As the best Weapon to convince her.
Tib changes hers too, and thinks fit
To play it out at single Spit.
So skillfully she Fenc'd and Parry'd,
That the poor Cuckold she soon weari'd.
At length when Female Rage wat spent,
Tib to a Treaty does consent.
Then over half a dozen of stale—
Beer, or perhaps Beer and Ale,
Which Cob had sacrific'd to Peace,
All's well again; and Discords cease.
Thus 'twixt the Brothers it has been:
First they fall out, and then fall in.
O what a Jilt is Gammer Fortune?
No VVeather-cock is more uncertain.
[Page 124]A Spinster of so rough a hand,
That when her work seems at a stand,
She gives her Wheel a whisk o'th' suddain,
And stirs all round like Hasty Pudden.
ACT. IV.
Nuncius. Chorus.
CHo,
Pray Master Nuncius, what does vex ye?
If one may be so bold to ax' ye.
Nun.
Oh! heavy News as happen'd ere yet!
So heavy I can scarcely bear it.
Cho.
Ah well away, this does so quell me
I could e'en cry, before you tell me.
[Page 125]But let us hear it, with your favour,
How bad so er'e the Tale does favour.
Nun.
For Loves sake tarry but a little,
And you shall know it ev'ry tittle.
I'me one that need but little dunning:
Only I'me out of breath with running.
Aye me. Alas, alas, Highoe.—
Sirs, in the first place you must know,
There were three dainty Tabby Cats
Thyestes loved as well as Brats.
Nay sure no Chuck nor Child could be
So dear to him as were these three.
I, and they were such pretty Creatures,
No Miss could match dear Puss for Features.
Sweetly they'd pur, and briskly they
Would lye upon their backs, and play.
[Page 126]But if by chance they caught a Mouse
Lord! how they'd dance about the house?
And having found the little Ceeature,
They allwaies course her er'e they eat her.
While Noble sport Thyestes found
'Twixt Muss the Hare, & Puss Grayhound,
Now when our Neighbour Gaffer Atreus
Seem'd to his Brother very gracious:
Late sending to Thyestes Greeting,
He bid him to a merry Meeting;
To which his welcome should be such,
That even his Dog should have as much:
His love to him was so sincere,
That any thing of his was dear.
This was his Message; and ith' end on't—
Pray bring along the Cur appendant.
At this Thyestes heart was truly,
Soft as May-Butter is in July:
[Page 127]And melted down into his breeches,
To hear his Brothers kind beseeches.
But being well Educated, he
Did in this manner Repartee.
He tells him first that he will come;
But fears to be too troublesome.
Next, with due thanks, he does confess
He keeps no Dog, nor great nor less.
A Leash of Cats, indeed, he ner'e wants;
And they are his most humble Servants.
The Messenger a man of Honour,
Reply'd in this obliging manner.
He loves a Puss as well as any:
Bring all your Cats though ner'e so many.
And when you are at Dinner set,
They shall be into th' Dayry let;
Where they new Milk & Cream shall lap:
I, and some Firmity perhap.
Chor.
[Page 128]This was all done en Chevalier.
Nun.
True, but the sad Tale ends not here.
Thyestes comes, as he was pray'd,
With his Retinue abovesaid.
Atreus in very civil fashion
Gives him a kind Accomodation,
Pray take a seat, quoth he, I'le wait
Upon you, dearest Brother, strait.
VVhen out; the door he opening wide,
Beckons the Kittins a to side.
Suspecting nought, they follow; whom
He leads into a Drawing Room,
Which was a neat convenient place
Contriv'd just under the stair-case.
VVhen seeing his advantage pat,
He snickles up the Eldest Cat.
[Page 129]While the rest wonder what the man ment,
Esteeming this coarse Entertainment,
He hits me one full on the Sconce
With a Battoon made for the nonce.
So well the blow he re-inforc'd
That Puss must needs give up the Ghost;
Had her Nine Lives been twenty one
Her Lease was now not worth a bone.
In fine, he kill'd the other lastly,
Though the poor Creature look't most Gastly.
Cho.
O Ruthfull Act! — Nun. 'Twas sad indeed:
Put sadder that which did succeed.
Cho.
Can there be worse then this is still?
Nun.
Yes, this is but a Peccadill.
Cho.
[Page 130]Did he for Hawks-meat keep the Carren?
Or hang 'em up in the next Warren.
Nun.
Would it had been as you have said.
No: he insulted o're the dead.
And in a strain most furious,
Spoke thus to each deceased Puss.
Butchers are scarce, and dear their Meat:
You'l make a most obleiging Treat.
Delitious Diet, oh how rare!
Then reckons up his Bill of Fare.
This shall a roasted Cony be.
And this shall make a Fricasee.
And thou, quoth he, that there dost lye,
Sha't make an excellent Hare-Pye.
Briefly, he cook'd 'em: lay'd the Cloath:
Then serv'd them in; but first some broth,
[Page 131]And now Thyestes (oh sad thought!)
Eats his own Cats, suspecting nought.
Methinks 'tis very dark; I think
I'de best go in and light a Link.
Exit.
Chorus.
Noble Don John of Aries,
What is it does you thus displease.
What makes you hide behind a Cloud
That pretty Face, as if grown proud?
Has some Star-Gazer wrong'd your Fame,
Using, to Vouch a Lye, your Name?
And we who hate their Impudence
Are punisht thus for their Offence?
'Tis a sad thing, and to be pitty'd,
That where a Felony's committed,
[Page 132]A Jury of Albumazars
Find Billa vera of the Stars;
As Accessarys, scilicet
By knowing and concealing it.
Nay some there are who in their writing
Pronounce 'em guilty by inciting.
If any miss a Ring or Spoon
Strait these examine Mistress Moon,
As Queen of Nimmers, or what's worse,
Executrix of Moll Cut-Purse.
Never was Bull so bated as is
Taurus by these well-willing Asses.
The Twins cannot imbrace in quiet,
Nor do that thing which they don't pry at.
Cancer hath been so teaz'd, and took up,
That he starts back if they but look up.
Virgo they've so abus'd, they force her
To loose her Name, and take a Coarser.
[Page 133]For who can think her Chast, with whom
Men so familiar are become?
And in the like abusive fashion
They vex each Star, and Constellation.
Leo can't fright 'em from it, no
Nor Saggitare, nor Scorpio:
But still with their Impertinency's
They fret the Stars out of their sences.
Yet must these Almanack Scriblers
Be to the Planets thought Well-willers.
So Pedagogues that fle the Bum,
In that do the Boy's Friends become.
ACT. I.
Atreus S [...]us.
SO:
Now I ve taken a Revenge
Will be as Famous as Stone-Henge.
Succeeding Ages will scarce credit
What I have done, when they shall read it:
How kindly I did circumvent,
And treat him in a Punishment;
Yet gin't him too as home and fully
As ever Whore gave Clap to Bully.
To feast my Guest with his own Cat,
Is Paramount Revenge, that's flat.
But still to mak't more Tragical,
Thyestes at my feet shall fall;
Dead drunk with double lanted Ale,
In which Ile scrape my left Thumb nail.
[Page 135]Right: that will make a charming potion.
See where he comes to meet the motion,
Singing Old Rose, and Jovial Catches.
But I'le retire a while; and watch his
Leasure, without like a poor body,
Least I disturb the sweet Melody.
Exit.
Enter Thyestes, Singing.
Thyes.
Come lay by your Care, and— No, no,
That's not the Key, I am too low.
Try once more — Come lay by your Care
And hang up your sorrow — I there!
What follows? oh — Drink on, he's a Sot
That er'e thinks of to morrow — What,
Is fore-cast bad? and is it naught
To drink a health to one's good Thought?
[Page 136]Me thinks this Song is too too Frolick;
I'le try one that's more Melancholick.
Beneath a Mirtle shade — But mum;
For now my Tears begin to come.
And whosoever dares engage her,
I'le weep with Maudlin for a Wager.
Enter Atreus.
Atr.
Brother, how is't?
Thy.
Thank ye, good Brother.
Pray how comes all this smoak & smother?
Atr.
Smoak? where?
Thy.
Why all about the Room.
Ten Chimny's can't make such a Fume.
Look where it rises at your Feet:
It makes my Eyes run or'e to see't.
Atr.
(aside.)
See, see, how the poor Baby cry's.
Sure 'tis the Ale works through his Eyes.
[Page 137]Tis even so, the sottish Drinker
Is got as Fudled as a Tinker.
But that sha'nt serve: I'le make him er'e
I've done, as drunk as any Bear.—
Brother, my Wife desires to be
Remember'd to you, and de'e see;
Has sent you here a merry Wasail,
Which is as good as she, or as Ale
Cou'd make. A tast of Love she ment it,
And therefore Kist the Cup, and sent it;
You understand me?
Thy.
Very well.
Thy Wife's an honest Doxy-Dell.—
Without all doubt, this cunning Gipfy.
aside
Longs for once more, or I am tipsy—
Give me the Bowl —
(drinks)
—Now tell the QueanAll's off; and shee'l know what I mean.
[Page 138]And hark ye. Tell her that I greet her
Kindly, and will not fail to meet her.
Atr.
Good. —
Thy.
Hark ye, Brother, does your Room
Here, learn to dance? So I presume:
It turns upon the Toe so smoothly,
And quick withall, I tell you soothly,
It makes me giddy with its wheeling!
Motion, and sets me to a Reeling—
Atr.
Reeling, that's my Cue. Now I may
Discover the Intrigue o'th' Play.
Since in that door the Wind is got,
'Tis time to reconcile the Plot. —
How do you like your Cats my Friend?
Thy.
Well; but I dare not much commend
For fear you steal em; nor is this same
Fear vain and Pannique, for I miss 'em.
Atr.
[Page 139]'Las they've miscarri'd all to day,
Some hang'd, some drown'd, as one may say
And 'cause they should not basely fall,
'Twas I, dear heart, that kill'd 'em all.
Thy.
Was this done like a loving Brother?
Or like a Friend? Sure neither nother.
But let that pass. I'le spare my Curses—
Their skins will make me three good purses
I'le goe and flea 'em.
Atr.
But the Jest is
You 'ave dined upon 'em, dear Thyestes.
And I both Butcher was, and Cook
To serve you Sir.
Thy.
Now I could puke▪
O Cuckold Cook to Treat me thus!
O hated Hang-dog to hang Puss!
O Son of an old rotten Whore!
In fine — I'le sleep and tell you more.
Lies down.
Atr.
[Page 140]Io, Victoria! now at last
By me, and Fortune thou art cast.
Lye there. Such Victories as these are
Will swell me up as big as Caesar.
When the High Germans he bumbasted.
Less Triumph and content he tasted.
Even now, since thus my Brother fell,
I seem as tall as a High Constable.
FINIS.
EPILOGƲE.
THus, Readers, have ye seen Thyestes Feast,
Both as a History, and a Jest:
The substance and the shaddow of the Play.
No doubt you are great Judges now—Faith say
Which Diet likes ye best, as 'tis before ye?
Or which of these you think the truest Story?
Whether Heroique Fustian drest in Meeter,
Or Mimmick Fare in Jingling Rhime sounds sweeter?
Which raises most Concern, which most surprise,
No Plot, no Characters, or no Disguise?
[Page]Say what you please of Seneca, it is
All one to him whether you Clap or Hiss.
But know, th' applause which Stationers desire
Is not so much to praise a Muse as buy her.
What e're your Authors, or your Actors think,
Your Man of Trade admires not Claps, but Chink.