814 and underwrite in an observing kind his humorous predominance; yea, watch the passage and whole carriage of this action W. SHAKESPEARE GIACOMO AWAITING THE NEWS OF HIS FATHER'S MURDER THO HOU unreplenished lamp! whose narrow fire is shaken by the wind, and on whose edge devouring darkness hovers! Thou small flame, which, as a dying pulse rises and falls, still flickerest up and down, how very soon, in God's immortal likeness which now stands like those which I expect. P. B. SHELLEY 815 SATIRE UPON UTOPIAN FORms of government GONZALO and were the king on 't, what would I do? no use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil: and women too; but innocent and pure; all things in common nature should produce to feed my innocent people. I would with such perfection govern, sir, W. SHAKESPEARE 816 817 WITH COUNT PALURIN WITHI lay chain'd in gives, fast fetter'd in his bolts, to give consent unto so foul a deed: that wretched death should reve so worthy a man. But he, whom neither grief ne fear could taint, MACBETH ON BANQUO IS much he dares; 'TIS R. WILMOT and, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety. There is none, but he whose being I do fear: and, under him, my Genius is rebuk'd; as, it is said, Mark Antony's was by Cæsar. He chid the sisters, for them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd; to make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! W. SHAKESPEARE 818 THOU ARCITE'S ADDRESS TO MARS HOU mighty one, that with thy power hast green Neptune into purple, whose approach unearthed skulls proclaim; whose breath blows down the mason'd turrets; that both mak'st and break'st I may advance my streamer, and by thee, be styl'd the lord o' the day. Give me, great Mars, some token of thy pleasure! Oh, great corrector of enormous times, shaker of o'er-rank states, thou grand decider BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER 819 I RETIREMENT CHAMONT SEE there is no man but may make his paradise; and it is nothing but his love and dotage upon the world's foul joys that keeps him out on't; is still in paradise, and has his innocence as much as stands with justice. Here no eyes with which our quainter knowledge does abuse us: that dries men's bloods abroad, robs health and rest; why, here's no such fury thought on; no, nor falsehood, that brotherly disease, fellow-like devil, that plays within our bosom, and betrays us. J. FLETCHER 820 WE E gave the signe of battaile: shouts are rais'd, horse, targets, pikes, all against each oppos'd, with spoyles worth triumph, wrathfull Syphax lands 821 with full ten thousand strong Numidian horse, quit all. Slaughter ran through us straight; we flie. I THEODOSIUS TO HIS EUNUCHS WILL put off J. MARSTON that majesty of which you think I have nor use nor feeling; and in arguing with you, convince you with strong proofs of common reason, and not with absolute power, against which, wretches, you are not to dispute. Dare you, that are my creatures, by my prodigal favours fashioned, presuming on the nearness of your service, set off with my familiar acceptance, condemn my obsequiousness to the wise directions of an incomparable sister, whom all parts of our world, that are made happy in the knowledge of her perfections, with wonder gaze on? And yet you, that were only born to eat the blessings of our mother earth, that are distant but one degree from beasts, (since slaves can claim no larger privilege,) that know P. MASSINGER 822 DELPHIA A PROPHETESS-MAXIMIAN-DIOCLES Delph. should dare to oppose the power of Destiny? S it not strange, these wild and foolish men that power the gods shake at? Max. Have you spied me? then have Delph. Do, shoot boldly; Dio. Look yonder son. at you! hit me and spare not, if thou canst. Max. I cannot; mine arm's dead, I have no feeling; or, if I could shoot, so strong is her armed virtue, she would catch the arrow flying. Delph. Poor doubtful people! I pity your weak faiths. |