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<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="/comments.php?id=345177" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>The Third Monarchy, being the Grecian, beginning under Alexander the Great in the 112. Olympiad.</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0"><a href="/comments.php?id=345177" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none">Great Alexander was wise Philips son,<br>He to Amyntas, Kings of Macedon;<br>The cruel proud Olympias was his Mother,<br>She to Epirus warlike King was daughter.<br>This Prince (his father by Pausanias slain)<br>The twenty first of's age began to reign.<br>Great were the Gifts of nature which he had,<br>His education much to those did adde:<br>By art and nature both he was made fit,<br>To 'complish that which long before was writ.<br>The very day of his Nativity<br>To ground was burnt Dianaes Temple high:<br>An Omen to their near approaching woe,<br>Whose glory to the earth this king did throw.<br>His Rule to Greece he scorn'd should be confin'd,<br>The Universe scarce bound his proud vast mind.<br>This is the He-Goat which from Grecia came,<br>That ran in Choler on the Persian Ram,<br>That brake his horns, that threw him on the ground<br>To save him from his might no man was found:<br>Philip on this great Conquest had an eye,<br>But death did terminate those thoughts so high.<br>The Greeks had chose him Captain General,<br>Which honour to his Son did now befall.<br>(For as Worlds Monarch now we speak not on,<br>But as the King of little Macedon)<br>Restless both day and night his heart then was,<br>His high resolves which way to bring to pass;<br>Yet for a while in Greece is forc'd to stay,<br>Which makes each moment seem more then a day.<br>Thebes and stiff Athens both 'gainst him rebel,<br>Their mutinies by valour doth he quell.<br>This done against both right and natures Laws,<br>His kinsmen put to death, who gave no cause;<br>That no rebellion in in his absence be,<br>Nor making Title unto Sovereignty.<br>And all whom he suspects or fears will climbe,<br>Now taste of death least they deserv'd in time,<br>Nor wonder is t if he in blood begin,<br>For Cruelty was his parental sin,<br>Thus eased now of troubles and of fears,<br>Next spring his course to Asia he steers;<br>Leavs Sage Antipater, at home to sway,<br>And through the Hellispont his Ships made way.<br>Coming to Land, his dart on shore he throws,<br>Then with alacrity he after goes;<br>And with a bount'ous heart and courage brave,<br>His little wealth among his Souldiers gave.<br>And being ask'd what for himself was left,<br>Reply'd, enough, sith only hope he kept.<br>Thirty two thousand made up his Foot force,<br>To which were joyn'd five thousand goodly horse.<br>Then on he marcht, in's way he view'd old Troy,<br>And on Achilles tomb with wondrous joy<br>He offer'd, and for good success did pray<br>To him, his Mothers Ancestors, (men say)<br>When news of Alexander came to Court,<br>To scorn at him Darius had good sport;<br>Sends him a frothy and contemptuous Letter,<br>Stiles him disloyal servant, and no better;<br>Reproves him for his proud audacity<br>To lift his hand 'gainst such a Monarchy.<br>Then to's Lieftenant he in Asia sends<br>That he be ta'ne alive, for he intends<br>To whip him well with rods, and so to bring<br>That boy so mallipert before the King.<br>Ah! fond vain man, whose pen ere while<br>In lower terms was taught a higher stile.<br>To River Granick Alexander hyes<br>Which in Phrygia near Propontike lyes.<br>The Persians ready for encounter stand,<br>And strive to keep his men from off the land;<br>Those banks so steep the Greeks yet scramble up,<br>And beat the coward Persians from the top,<br>And twenty thousand of their lives bereave,<br>Who in their backs did all their wounds receive.<br>This victory did Alexander gain,<br>With loss of thirty four of his there slain;<br>Then Sardis he, and Ephesus did gain,<br>VVhere stood of late, Diana's wondrous Phane,<br>And by Parmenio (of renowned Fame,)<br>Miletus and Pamphilia overcame.<br>Hallicarnassus and Pisidia <br>He for his Master takes with Lycia.<br>Next Alexander marcht towards the black Sea,<br>And easily takes old Gordium in his way;<br>Of Ass ear'd Midas, once the Regal Seat,<br>VVhose touch turn'd all to gold, yea even his meat<br>VVhere the Prophetick knot he cuts in twain,<br>VVhich who so doth, must Lord of all remain.<br>Now news of Memnon's death (the Kings Viceroy)<br>To Alexanders heart's no little joy,<br>For in that Peer, more valour did abide,<br>Then in Darius multitude beside:<br>In's stead, was Arses plac'd, but durst not stay,<br>Yet set one in his room, and ran away;<br>His substitute as fearfull as his master,<br>Runs after two, and leaves all to Disaster.<br>Then Alexander all Cilicia takes,<br>No stroke for it he struck, their hearts so quakes.<br>To Greece he thirty thousand talents sends,<br>To raise more Force to further his intends:<br>Then o're he goes Darius now to meet,<br>Who came with thousand thousands at his feet.<br>Though some there be (perhaps) more likely write<br>He but four hundred thousand had to fight,<br>The rest Attendants, which made up no less,<br>Both Sexes there was almost numberless.<br>For this wise King had brought to see the sport,<br>With him the greatest Ladyes of the Court,<br>His mother, his beauteous Queen and daughters,<br>It seems to see the Macedonian slaughters.<br>Its much beyond my time and little art,<br>To shew how great Darius plaid his part;<br>The splendor and the pomp he marched in,<br>For since the world was no such Pageant seen.<br>Sure 'twas a goodly sight there to behold,<br>The Persians clad in silk, and glistering gold,<br>The stately horses trapt, the lances gilt,<br>As if addrest now all to run a tilt.<br>The holy fire was borne before the host,<br>(For Sun and Fire the Persians worship most)<br>The Priests in their strange habit follow after,<br>An object, not so much of fear as laughter.<br>The King sate in a chariot made of gold,<br>With crown and Robes most glorious to behold,<br>And o're his head his golden Gods on high,<br>Support a party coloured Canopy.<br>A number of spare horses next were led,<br>Lest he should need them in his Chariots stead;<br>But those that saw him in this state to lye,<br>Suppos'd he neither meant to fight nor flye.<br>He fifteen hundred had like women drest;<br>For thus to fright the Greeks he judg'd was best.<br>Their golden ornaments how to set forth,<br>Would ask more time then was their bodies worth<br>Great Sysigambis she brought up the Reer,<br>Then such a world of waggons did appear,<br>Like several houses moving upon wheels,<br>As if she'd drawn whole Shushan at her heels:<br>This brave Virago to the King was mother,<br>And as much good she did as any other.<br>Now lest this gold, and all this goodly stuff<br>Had not been spoyle and booty rich enough<br>A thousand mules and Camels ready wait<br>Loaden with gold, with jewels and with plate:<br>For sure Darius thought at the first sight,<br>The Greeks would all adore, but none would fight<br>But when both Armies met, he might behold<br>That valour was more worth then pearls or gold,<br>And that his wealth serv'd but for baits to 'lure<br>To make his overthrow more fierce and sure.<br>The Greeks came on and with a gallant grace<br>Let fly their arrows in the Persians face.<br>The cowards feeling this sharp stinging charge<br>Most basely ran, and left their king at large:<br>Who from his golden coach is glad to 'light,<br>And cast away his crown for swifter flight:<br>Of late like some immoveable he lay,<br>Now finds both legs and horse to run away.<br>Two hundred thousand men that day were slain,<br>And forty thousand prisoners also tane,<br>Besides the Queens and Ladies of the court,<br>If Curtius be true in his report.<br>The Regal Ornaments were lost, the treasure<br>Divided at the Macedonians pleasure;<br>Yet all this grief, this loss, this overthrow,<br>Was but beginning of his future woe.<br>The royal Captives brought to Alexander <br>T'ward them demean'd himself like a Commander<br>For though their beauties were unparaled,<br>Conquer'd himself now he had conquered,<br>Preserv'd their honour, us'd them bounteously,<br>Commands no man should doe them injury:<br>And this to Alexander is more fame<br>Then that the Persian King he overcame.<br>Two hundred eighty Greeks he lost in fight,<br>By too much heat, not wounds (as authors write)<br>No sooner had this Victor won the field,<br>But all Phenicia to his pleasure yield,<br>Of which the Goverment he doth commit<br>Unto Parmenio of all most fit.<br>Darius now less lofty then before,<br>To Alexander writes he would restore<br>Those mournfull Ladies from Captivity,<br>For whom he offers him a ransome high:<br>But down his haughty stomach could not bring,<br>To give this Conquerour the Stile of King.<br>This Letter Alexander doth disdain,<br>And in short terms sends this reply again,<br>A King he was, and that not only so,<br>But of Darius King, as he should know.<br>Next Alexander unto Tyre doth goe,<br>His valour and his victoryes they know:<br>To gain his love the Tyrians intend,<br>Therefore a crown and great Provision send,<br>Their present he receives with thankfullness,<br>Desires to offer unto Hercules,<br>Protector of their town, by whom defended,<br>And from whom he lineally descended.<br>But they accept not this in any wise,<br>Lest he intend more fraud then sacrifice,<br>Sent word that Hercules his temple stood<br>In the old town, (which then lay like a wood)<br>With this reply he was so deep enrag'd,<br>To win the town, his honour he ingag'd:<br>And now as Babels King did once before,<br>He leaves not till he made the sea firm shore,<br>But far less time and cost he did expend,<br>The former Ruines forwarded his end:<br>Moreover had a Navy at command,<br>The other by his men fetcht all by land.<br>In seven months time he took that wealthy town,<br>Whose glory now a second time's brought down.<br>Two thousand of the chief he crucifi'd,<br>Eight thousand by the sword then also di'd,<br>And thirteen thousand Gally slaves he made,<br>And thus the Tyrians for mistrust were paid.<br>The rule of this he to Philotas gave<br>Who was the son of that Parmenio brave.<br>Cilicia to Socrates doth give,<br>For now's the time Captains like Kings may live.<br>Zidon he on Ephestion bestowes;<br>(For that which freely comes, as freely goes)<br>He scorns to have one worse then had the other,<br>So gives his little Lordship to another.<br>Ephestion having chief command of th'Fleet,<br>At Gaza now must Alexander meet.<br>Darius finding troubles still increase,<br>By his Ambassadors now sues for peace,<br>And layes before great Alexanders eyes<br>The dangers difficultyes like to rise,<br>First at Euphrates what he's like to 'bide,<br>And then at Tygris and Araxis side,<br>These he may scape, and if he so desire,<br>A league of friendship make firm and entire.<br>His eldest daughter he in mariage profers,<br>And a most princely dowry with her offers.<br>All those rich Kingdomes large that do abide<br>Betwixt the Hellespont and Halys side.<br>But he with scorn his courtesie rejects,<br>And the distressed King no whit respects,<br>Tells him, these proffers great, in truth were none<br>For all he offers now was but his own.<br>But quoth Parmenio that brave Commander,<br>Was I as great, as is great Alexander,<br>Darius offers I would not reject,<br>But th'kingdomes and the Lady soon accept.<br>To which proud Alexander made reply,<br>And so if I Parmenio was, would I.<br>He now to Gaza goes, and there doth meet,<br>His Favorite Ephestion with his Fleet,<br>Where valiant Betis stoutly keeps the town,<br>(A loyal Subject to Darius Crown)<br>For more repulse the Grecians here abide<br>Then in the Persian Monarchy beside;<br>And by these walls so many men were slain,<br>That Greece was forc'd to yield supply again.<br>But yet this well defended Town was taken,<br>For 'twas decree'd, that Empire should be shaken;<br>Thus Betis ta'en had holes bor'd through his feet,<br>And by command was drawn through every street<br>To imitate Achilles in his shame,<br>Who did the like to Hector (of more fame)<br>What hast thou lost thy magnimity,<br>Can Alexander deal thus cruelly?<br>Sith valour with Heroicks is renown'd,<br>Though in an Enemy it should be found;<br>If of thy future fame thou hadst regard,<br>Why didst not heap up honours and reward?<br>From Gaza to Jerusalem he goes,<br>But in no hostile way, (as I suppose)<br>Him in his Priestly Robes high Jaddus meets,<br>Whom with great reverence Alexander greets;<br>The Priest shews him good Daniel's Prophesy,<br>How he should overthrow this Monarchy,<br>By which he was so much encouraged,<br>No future dangers he did ever dread.<br>From thence to fruitful Egypt marcht with speed,<br>Where happily in's wars he did succeed;<br>To see how fast he gain'd was no small wonder,<br>For in few dayes he brought that Kingdome under.<br>Then to the Phane of Jupiter he went,<br>To be install'd a God, was his intent.<br>The Pagan Priest through hire, or else mistake,<br>The Son of Jupiter did streight him make:<br>He Diobolical must needs remain,<br>That his humanity will not retain.<br>Thence back to Egypt goes, and in few dayes;<br>Fair Alexandria from the ground doth raise;<br>Then setling all things in less Asia;<br>In Syria, Egypt, and Phenicia,<br>Unto Euphrates marcht and overgoes,<br>For no man's there his Army to oppose;<br>Had Betis now been there but with his band,<br>Great Alexander had been kept from Land.<br>But as the King, so is the multitude,<br>And now of valour both are destitute.<br>Yet he (poor prince) another Host doth muster,<br>Of Persians, Scythians, Indians in a cluster;<br>Men but in shape and name, of valour none<br>Most fit, to blunt the Swords of Macedon.<br>Two hundred fifty thousand by account,<br>Of Horse and Foot his Army did amount;<br>For in his multitudes his trust still lay,<br>But on their fortitude he had small stay;<br>Yet had some hope that on the spacious plain,<br>His numbers might the victory obtain.<br>About this time Darius beautious Queen,<br>Who had sore travail and much sorrow seen,<br>Now bids the world adue, with pain being spent,<br>Whose death her Lord full sadly did lament.<br>Great Alexander mourns as well as he,<br>The more because not set at liberty;<br>When this sad news (at first Darius hears,<br>Some injury was offered he fears:<br>But when inform'd how royally the King,<br>Had used her, and hers, in every thing,<br>He prays the immortal Gods they would reward<br>Great Alexander for this good regard;<br>And if they down his Monarchy will throw,<br>Let them on him this dignity bestow.<br>And now for peace he sues as once before,<br>And offers all he did and Kingdomes more;<br>His eldest daughter for his princely bride,<br>(Nor was such match in all the world beside)<br>And all those Countryes which (betwixt) did lye<br>Phanisian Sea, and great Euphrates high:<br>With fertile Egypt and rich Syria,<br>And all those Kingdomes in less Asia.<br>With thirty thousand Talents to be paid,<br>For the Queen Mother, and the royal maid;<br>And till all this be well perform'd, and sure,<br>Ochus his Son for Hostage should endure.<br>To this stout Alexander gives no ear,<br>No though Parmenio plead, yet will not hear;<br>Which had he done. (perhaps) his fame he'd kept,<br>Nor Infamy had wak'd, when he had slept,<br>For his unlimited prosperity<br>Him boundless made in vice and Cruelty.<br>Thus to Darius he writes back again,<br>The Firmament, two Suns cannot contain.<br>Two Monarchyes on Earth cannot abide,<br>Nor yet two Monarchs in one world reside;<br>The afflicted King finding him set to jar,<br>Prepares against to morrow, for the war,<br>Parmenio, Alexander, wisht that night,<br>To force his Camp, so vanquish them by flight.<br>For tumult in the night doth cause most dread,<br>And weakness of a Foe is covered,<br>But he disdain'd to steal a victory:<br>The Sun should witness of his valour be,<br>And careless in his bed, next morne he lyes,<br>By Captains twice is call'd before hee'l rise,<br>The Armyes joyn'd a while, the Persians fight,<br>And spilt the Greeks some bloud before their flight<br>But long they stood not e're they're forc'd to run,<br>So made an end, As soon as well begun.<br>Forty five thousand Alexander had,<br>But is not known what slaughter here was made,<br>Some write th'other had a million, some more,<br>But Quintus Curtius as before.<br>At Arbela this victory was gain'd,<br>Together with the Town also obtain'd;<br>Darius stript of all to Media came,<br>Accompan'ed with sorrow, fear, and shame,<br>At Arbela left his Ornaments and Treasure,<br>Which Alexander deals as suits his pleasure.<br>This conqueror to Babylon then goes,<br>Is entertain'd with joy and pompous showes,<br>With showrs of flours the streets along are strown,<br>And incense burnt the silver Altars on.<br>The glory of the Castle he admires,<br>The strong Foundation and the lofty Spires,<br>In this, a world of gold and Treasure lay,<br>Which in few hours was carried all away.<br>With greedy eyes he views this City round,<br>Whose fame throughout the world was so renownd<br>And to possess he counts no little bliss<br>The towres and bowres of proud Semiramis,<br>Though worne by time, and rac'd by foes full sore,<br>Yet old foundations shew'd and somewhat more.<br>With all the pleasures that on earth are found,<br>This city did abundantly abound,<br>Where four and thirty dayes he now did stay,<br>And gave himself to banqueting and play:<br>He and his souldiers wax effeminate,<br>And former discipline begin to hate.<br>Whilst revelling at Babylon he lyes,<br>Antipater from Greece sends fresh supplyes.<br>He then to Shushan goes with his new bands,<br>But needs no force, tis rendred to his hands.<br>He likewise here a world of treasure found;<br>For 'twas the seat of Persian Kings renownd.<br>Here stood the royal Houses of delight,<br>Where Kings have shown their glory wealth and might<br>The sumptuous palace of Queen Esther here,<br>And of good Mordicai, her kinsman dear,<br>Those purple hangings, mixt with green and white<br>Those beds of gold, and couches of delight.<br>And furniture the richest in all lands,<br>Now fall into the Macedonians hands.<br>From Shushan to Persipolis he goes,<br>Which news doth still augment Darius woes.<br>In his approach the governour sends word,<br>For his receipt with joy they all accord,<br>With open gates the wealthy town did stand,<br>And all in it was at his high command.<br>Of all the Cities that on earth was found,<br>None like to this in riches did abound:<br>Though Babylon was rich and Shushan too<br>Yet to compare with this they might not doe:<br>Here lay the bulk of all those precious things<br>That did pertain unto the Persian Kings:<br>For when the souldiers rifled had their pleasure,<br>And taken money plate and golden treasure,<br>Statues some gold, and silver numberless,<br>Yet after all, as storyes do express<br>The share of Alexander did amount<br>To an hundred thousand talents by account.<br>Here of his own he sets a Garison,<br>(As first at Shushan and at Babylon)<br>On their old Governours titles he laid,<br>But on their faithfulness he never staid,<br>Their place gave to his Captains (as was just)<br>For such revolters false, what King can trust?<br>The riches and the pleasures of this town<br>Now makes this King his virtues all to drown,<br>That wallowing in all licentiousness,<br>In pride and cruelty to high excess.<br>Being inflam'd with wine upon a season,<br>Filled with madness, and quite void of reason,<br>He at a bold proud strumpets leud desire,<br>Commands to set this goodly town on fire.<br>Parmenio wise intreats him to desist<br>And layes before his eyes if he persist<br>His fames dishonour, loss unto his state,<br>And just procuring of the Persians hate:<br>But deaf to reason, bent to have his will,<br>Those stately streets with raging flame did fill.<br>Then to Darius he directs his way,<br>Who was retir'd as far as Media,<br>And there with sorrows, fears & cares surrounded<br>Had now his army fourth and last compounded.<br>Which forty thousand made, but his intent<br>Was these in Bactria soon to augment:<br>But hearing Alexander was so near,<br>Thought now this once to try his fortunes here,<br>And rather chose an honourable death,<br>Then still with infamy to draw his breath:<br>But Bessus false, who was his chief Commander<br>Perswades him not to fight with Alexander.<br>With sage advice he sets before his eyes<br>The little hope of profit like to rise:<br>If when he'd multitudes the day he lost,<br>Then with so few, how likely to be crost.<br>This counsel for his safety he pretended,<br>But to deliver him to's foe intended.<br>Next day this treason to Darius known<br>Transported sore with grief and passion,<br>Grinding his teeth, and plucking off his hair,<br>Sate overwhelm'd with sorrow and dispair:<br>Then bids his servant Artabasus true,<br>Look to himself, and leave him to that crew,<br>Who was of hopes and comforts quite bereft,<br>And by his guard and Servitors all left.<br>Straight Bessus comes, & with his trait'rous hands<br>Layes hold on's Lord, and binding him with bands<br>Throws him into a Cart, covered with hides,<br>Who wanting means t'resist these wrongs abides,<br>Then draws the cart along with chains of gold,<br>In more despight the thraled prince to hold,<br>And thus t'ward Alexander on he goes,<br>Great recompence for this, he did propose:<br>But some detesting this his wicked fact,<br>To Alexander flyes and tells this act,<br>Who doubling of his march, posts on amain,<br>Darius from that traitors hands to gain.<br>Bessus gets knowledg his disloyalty<br>Had Alexanders wrath incensed high,<br>Whose army now was almost within sight,<br>His hopes being dasht prepares himself for flight:<br>Unto Darius first he brings a horse,<br>And bids him save himself by speedy course:<br>The wofull King his courtesie refuses,<br>Whom thus the execrable wretch abuses,<br>By throwing darts gave him his mortal wound,<br>Then slew his Servants that were faithfull found,<br>Yea wounds the beasts that drew him unto death,<br>And leaves him thus to gasp out his last breath.<br>Bessus his partner in this tragedy,<br>Was the false Governour of Media.<br>This done, they with their host soon speed away,<br>To hide themselves remote in Bactria.<br>Darius bath'd in blood, sends out his groans,<br>Invokes the heav'ns and earth to hear his moans:<br>His lost felicity did grieve him sore,<br>But this unheard of treachery much more:<br>But above all, that neither Ear nor Eye<br>Should hear nor see his dying misery;<br>As thus he lay, Polistrates a Greek,<br>Wearied with his long march, did water seek,<br>So chanc'd these bloudy Horses to espy,<br>Whose wounds had made their skins of purple dye<br>To them repairs then looking in the Cart,<br>Finds poor Darius pierced to the heart,<br>Who not a little chear'd to have some eye,<br>The witness of this horrid Tragedy;<br>Prays him to Alexander to commend<br>The just revenge of this his woful end:<br>And not to pardon such disloyalty,<br>Of Treason, Murther, and base Cruelty.<br>If not, because Darius thus did pray,<br>Yet that succeeding Kings in safety may<br>Their lives enjoy, their Crowns and dignity,<br>And not by Traitors hands untimely dye.<br>He also sends his humble thankfulness,<br>For all the Kingly grace he did express;<br>To's Mother, Children dear, and wife now gone.<br>Which made their long restraint seem to be none:<br>Praying the immortal Gods, that Sea and Land<br>Might be subjected to his royal hand,<br>And that his Rule as far extended be,<br>As men the rising, setting Sun shall see,<br>This said, the Greek for water doth intreat,<br>To quench his thirst, and to allay his heat:<br>Of all good things (quoth he) once in my power,<br>I've nothing left, at this my dying hour;<br>Thy service and compassion to reward,<br>But Alexander will, for this regard.<br>This said, his fainting breath did fleet away,<br>And though a Monarch late, now lyes like clay;<br>And thus must every Son of Adam lye,<br>Though Gods on Earth like Sons of men they dye.<br>Now to the East, great Alexander goes,<br>To see if any dare his might oppose,<br>For scarce the world or any bounds thereon,<br>Could bound his boundless fond Ambition;<br>Such as submits again he doth restore<br>Their riches, and their honours he makes more,<br>On Artabaces more then all bestow'd,<br>For his fidelity to's Master show'd.<br>Thalestris Queen of th'Amazons now brought<br>Her Train to Alexander, (as 'tis thought.)<br>Though most of reading best and soundest mind,<br>Such Country there, nor yet such people find.<br>Then tell her errand, we had better spare<br>To th'ignorant, her title will declare:<br>As Alexander in his greatness grows,<br>So dayly of his virtues doth he lose.<br>He baseness counts, his former Clemency,<br>And not beseeming such a dignity;<br>His past sobriety doth also bate,<br>As most incompatible to his State;<br>His temperance is but a sordid thing,<br>No wayes becoming such a mighty King;<br>His greatness now he takes to represent<br>His fancy'd Gods above the Firmament.<br>And such as shew'd but reverence before,<br>Now are commanded strictly to adore;<br>With Persian Robes himself doth dignifie,<br>Charging the same on his nobility,<br>His manners habit, gestures, all did fashion<br>After that conquer'd and luxurious Nation.<br>His Captains that were virtuously inclin'd,<br>Griev'd at this change of manners and of mind.<br>The ruder sort did openly deride,<br>His feigned Diety and foolish pride;<br>The certainty of both comes to his Ears,<br>But yet no notice takes of what he hears:<br>With those of worth he still desires esteem,<br>So heaps up gifts his credit to redeem<br>And for the rest new wars and travails finds,<br>That other matters might take up their minds,<br>And hearing Bessus, makes himself a King,<br>Intends that Traitor to his end to bring.<br>Now that his Host from luggage might be free,<br>And with his burthen no man burthened be;<br>Commands forthwith each man his fardle bring,<br>Into the market place before the King;<br>VVhich done, sets fire upon those goodly spoyles,<br>The recompence of travails wars and toyles.<br>And thus unwisely in a mading fume,<br>The wealth of many Kingdomes did consume,<br>But marvell 'tis that without mutiny,<br>The Souldiers should let pass this injury;<br>Nor wonder less to Readers may it bring,<br>Here to observe the rashness of the King.<br>Now with his Army doth he post away<br>False Bessus to find out in Bactria:<br>But much distrest for water in their march,<br>The drought and heat their bodies sore did parch.<br>At length they came to th'river Oxus brink,<br>Where so immoderately these thirsty drink,<br>Which more mortality to them did bring,<br>Then all their warrs against the Persian King.<br>Here Alexander's almost at a stand,<br>To pass the River to the other land.<br>For boats here's none, nor near it any wood,<br>To make them Rafts to waft them o're the flood:<br>But he that was resolved in his mind,<br>Would without means some transportation find.<br>Then from the Carriages the hides he takes,<br>And stuffing them with straw, he bundles makes.<br>On these together ti'd, in six dayes space,<br>They all pass over to the other place.<br>Had Bessus had but valour to his will,<br>With little pain there might have kept them still:<br>But Coward durst not fight, nor could he fly,<br>Hated of all for's former treachery,<br>Is by his own now bound in iron chains,<br>A Coller of the same, his neck contains.<br>And in this sort they rather drag then bring<br>This Malefactor vile before the King,<br>Who to Darius brother gives the wretch,<br>With racks and tortures every limb to stretch.<br>Here was of Greeks a town in Bactria,<br>Whom Xerxes from their Country led away,<br>These not a little joy'd, this day to see,<br>Wherein their own had got the sov'raignty<br>And now reviv'd, with hopes held up their head<br>From bondage long to be Enfranchised.<br>But Alexander puts them to the sword<br>Without least cause from them in deed or word;<br>Nor Sex, nor age, nor one, nor other spar'd,<br>But in his cruelty alike they shar'd:<br>Nor reason could he give for this great wrong,<br>But that they had forgot their mother tongue.<br>While thus some time he spent in Bactria,<br>And in his camp strong and securely lay,<br>Down from the mountains twenty thousand came<br>And there most fiercely set upon the same:<br>Repelling these, two marks of honour got<br>Imprinted in his leg, by arrows shot.<br>The Bactrians against him now rebel;<br>But he their stubborness in time doth quell.<br>From hence he to Jaxartis River goes,<br>Where Scythians rude his army doth oppose,<br>And with their outcryes in an hideous sort<br>Beset his camp, or military court,<br>Of darts and arrows, made so little spare,<br>They flew so thick, they seem'd to dark the air:<br>But soon his souldiers forc'd them to a flight,<br>Their nakedness could not endure their might.<br>Upon this rivers bank in seventeen dayes<br>A goodly City doth compleatly raise,<br>Which Alexandria he doth likewise name,<br>And sixty furlongs could but round the same.<br>A third Supply Antipater now sent,<br>Which did his former forces much augment;<br>And being one hundred twenty thousand strong;<br>He enters then the Indian Kings among:<br>Those that submit, he gives them rule again,<br>Such as do not, both them and theirs are slain.<br>His warrs with sundry nations I'le omit,<br>And also of the Mallians what is writ.<br>His Fights, his dangers, and the hurts he had,<br>How to submit their necks at last they're glad.<br>To Nisa goes by Bacchus built long since,<br>Whose feasts are celebrated by this prince;<br>Nor had that drunken god one who would take<br>His Liquors more devoutly for his sake.<br>When thus ten days his brain with wine he'd soakt,<br>And with delicious meats his palate choakt:<br>To th'River Indus next his course he bends,<br>Boats to prepare, Ephestion first he sends,<br>Who coming thither long before his Lord,<br>Had to his mind made all things to accord,<br>The vessels ready were at his command,<br>And Omphis King of that part of the land,<br>Through his perswasion Alexander meets,<br>And as his Sov'raign Lord him humbly greets<br>Fifty six Elephants he brings to's hand,<br>And tenders him the strength of all his land;<br>Presents himself first with a golden crown,<br>Then eighty talents to his captains down:<br>But Alexander made him to behold<br>He glory sought, no silver nor no gold;<br>His presents all with thanks he did restore,<br>And of his own a thousand talents more.<br>Thus all the Indian Kings to him submit,<br>But Porus stout, who will not yeild as yet:<br>To him doth Alexander thus declare,<br>His pleasure is that forthwith he repair<br>Unto his Kingdomes borders, and as due,<br>His homage to himself as Soveraign doe:<br>But kingly Porus this brave answer sent,<br>That to attend him there was his intent,<br>And come as well provided as he could,<br>But for the rest, his sword advise him should.<br>Great Alexander vext at this reply,<br>Did more his valour then his crown envy,<br>Is now resolv'd to pass Hydaspes flood,<br>And there by force his soveraignty make good.<br>Stout Porus on the banks doth ready stand<br>To give him welcome when he comes to land.<br>A potent army with him like a King,<br>And ninety Elephants for warr did bring:<br>Had Alexander such resistance seen<br>On Tygris side, here now he had not been.<br>Within this spacious River deep and wide<br>Did here and there Isles full of trees abide.<br>His army Alexander doth divide<br>With Ptolemy sends part to th'other side;<br>Porus encounters them and thinks all's there,<br>When covertly the rest get o're else where,<br>And whilst the first he valiantly assail'd,<br>The last set on his back, and so prevail'd.<br>Yet work enough here Alexander found,<br>For to the last stout Porus kept his ground:<br>Nor was't dishonour at the length to yield,<br>When Alexander strives to win the field.<br>The kingly Captive 'fore the Victor's brought,<br>In looks or gesture not abased ought,<br>But him a Prince of an undaunted mind<br>Did Alexander by his answers find:<br>His fortitude his royal foe commends,<br>Restores him and his bounds farther extends.<br>Now eastward Alexander would goe still,<br>But so to doe his souldiers had no will,<br>Long with excessive travails wearied,<br>Could by no means be farther drawn or led,<br>Yet that his fame might to posterity<br>Be had in everlasting memory,<br>Doth for his Camp a greater circuit take,<br>And for his souldiers larger Cabbins make.<br>His mangers he erected up so high<br>As never horse his Provender could eye.<br>Huge bridles made, which here and there he left,<br>Which might be found, and for great wonders kept<br>Twelve altars then for monuments he rears,<br>Whereon his acts and travels long appears.<br>But doubting wearing time might these decay,<br>And so his memory would fade away,<br>He on the fair Hydaspes pleasant side,<br>Two Cities built, his name might there abide,<br>First Nicea, the next Bucephalon,<br>Where he entomb'd his stately Stalion.<br>His fourth and last supply was hither sent,<br>Then down Hydaspes with his Fleet he went;<br>Some time he after spent upon that shore,<br>Whether Ambassadors, ninety or more,<br>Came with submission from the Indian Kings,<br>Bringing their presents rare, and precious things,<br>These all he feasts in state on beds of gold,<br>His Furniture most sumptuous to behold;<br>His meat & drink, attendants, every thing,<br>To th'utmost shew'd the glory of a King.<br>With rich rewards he sent them home again,<br>Acknowledged their Masters sovereign;<br>Then sailing South, and coming to that shore,<br>Those obscure Nations yielded as before:<br>A City here he built, call'd by his Name,<br>Which could not sound too oft with too much fame<br>Then sailing by the mouth of Indus floud,<br>His Gallyes stuck upon the flats and mud;<br>Which the stout Macedonians amazed sore,<br>Depriv'd at once the use of Sail and Oar:<br>Observing well the nature of the Tide,<br>In those their fears they did not long abide.<br>Passing fair Indus mouth his course he steer'd<br>To th'coast which by Euphrates mouth appear'd;<br>Whose inlets near unto, he winter spent,<br>Unto his starved Souldiers small content,<br>By hunger and by cold so many slain,<br>That of them all the fourth did scarce remain.<br>Thus winter, Souldiers, and provisions spent,<br>From hence he then unto Gedrosia went.<br>And thence he marcht into Carmania,<br>And so at length drew near to Persia,<br>Now through these goodly Countryes as he past,<br>Much time in feasts and ryoting did waste;<br>Then visits Cyrus Sepulchre in's way,<br>Who now obscure at Passagardis lay:<br>Upon his Monument his Robe he spread,<br>And set his Crown on his supposed head.<br>From hence to Babylon, some time there spent,<br>He at the last to royal Shushan went;<br>A wedding Feast to's Nobles then he makes,<br>And Statyra, Darius daughter takes,<br>Her Sister gives to his Ephestian dear,<br>That by this match he might be yet more near;<br>He fourscore Persian Ladies also gave,<br>At this same time unto his Captains brave:<br>Six thousand guests unto this Feast invites,<br>Whose Sences all were glutted with delights.<br>It far exceeds my mean abilities<br>To shadow forth these short felicities,<br>Spectators here could scarce relate the story,<br>They were so rapt with this external glory:<br>If an Ideal Paradise a man would frame,<br>He might this Feast imagine by the same;<br>To every guess a cup of gold he sends,<br>So after many dayes the Banquet ends.<br>Now Alexanders conquests all are done,<br>And his long Travails past and overgone;<br>His virtues dead, buried, and quite forgot,<br>But vice remains to his Eternal blot.<br>'Mongst those that of his cruelty did tast,<br>Philotus was not least, nor yet the last,<br>Accus'd because he did not certifie<br>The King of treason and conspiracy:<br>Upon suspition being apprehended,<br>Nothing was prov'd wherein he had offended<br>But silence, which was of such consequence,<br>He was judg'd guilty of the same offence,<br>But for his fathers great deserts the King<br>His royal pardon gave for this foul thing.<br>Yet is Phylotas unto judgment brought,<br>Must suffer, not for what is prov'd, but thought.<br>His master is accuser, judge and King,<br>Who to the height doth aggravate each thing,<br>Inveighs against his father now absent,<br>And's brethren who for him their lives had spent.<br>But Philotas his unpardonable crime,<br>No merit could obliterate, or time:<br>He did the Oracle of Jove deride,<br>By which his Majesty was diefi'd.<br>Philotas thus o'recharg'd with wrong and grief<br>Sunk in despair without hope of Relief,<br>Fain would have spoke and made his own defence,<br>The King would give no ear, but went from thence<br>To his malicious Foes delivers him,<br>To wreak their spight and hate on every limb.<br>Philotas after him sends out this cry,<br>O Alexander, thy free clemency<br>My foes exceeds in malice, and their hate<br>Thy kingly word can easily terminate.<br>Such torments great as wit could worst invent,<br>Or flesh and life could bear, till both were spent<br>Were now inflicted on Parmenio's son<br>He might accuse himself, as they had done,<br>At last he did, so they were justifi'd,<br>And told the world, that for his guilt he di'd.<br>But how these Captains should, or yet their master<br>Look on Parmenio, after this disaster<br>They knew not, wherefore best now to be done,<br>Was to dispatch the father as the son.<br>This sound advice at heart pleas'd Alexander,<br>Who was so much ingag'd to this Commander,<br>As he would ne're confess, nor yet reward,<br>Nor could his Captains bear so great regard:<br>Wherefore at once, all these to satisfie,<br>It was decreed Parmenio should dye:<br>Polidamus, who seem'd Parmenio's friend<br>To do this deed they into Media send:<br>He walking in his garden to and fro,<br>Fearing no harm, because he none did doe,<br>Most wickedly was slain without least crime,<br>(The most renowned captain of his time)<br>This is Parmenio who so much had done<br>For Philip dead, and his surviving son,<br>Who from a petty King of Macedon <br>By him was set upon the Persian throne,<br>This that Parmenio who still overcame,<br>Yet gave his Master the immortal fame,<br>Who for his prudence, valour, care and trust<br>Had this reward, most cruel and unjust.<br>The next, who in untimely death had part,<br>Was one of more esteem, but less desert;<br>Clitus belov'd next to Ephestian,<br>And in his cups his chief companion;<br>When both were drunk, Clitus was wont to jeer,<br>Alexander to rage, to kill, and swear;<br>Nothing more pleasing to mad Clitus tongue,<br>Then's Masters Godhead to defie and wrong;<br>Nothing toucht Alexander to the quick,<br>Like this against his Diety to kick:<br>Both at a Feast when they had tippled well,<br>Upon this dangerous Theam fond Clitus fell;<br>From jest to earnest, and at last so bold,<br>That of Parmenio's death him plainly told.<br>Which Alexanders wrath incens'd so high,<br>Nought but his life for this could satisfie;<br>From one stood by he snatcht a partizan,<br>And in a rage him through the body ran,<br>Next day he tore his face for what he'd done,<br>And would have slain himself for Clitus gone:<br>This pot Companion he did more bemoan,<br>Then all the wrongs to brave Parmenio done.<br>The next of worth that suffered after these,<br>Was learned, virtuous, wise Calisthenes,<br>VVho lov'd his Master more then did the rest,<br>As did appear, in flattering him the least;<br>In his esteem a God he could not be,<br>Nor would adore him for a Diety:<br>For this alone and for no other cause,<br>Against his Sovereign, or against his Laws,<br>He on the Rack his Limbs in pieces rent,<br>Thus was he tortur'd till his life was spent.<br>Of this unkingly act doth Seneca <br>This censure pass, and not unwisely say,<br>Of Alexander this th'eternal crime,<br>VVhich shall not be obliterate by time.<br>VVhich virtues fame can ne're redeem by far,<br>Nor all felicity of his in war.<br>VVhen e're 'tis said he thousand thousands slew,<br>Yea, and Calisthenes to death he drew.<br>The mighty Persian King he overcame,<br>Yea, and he kill'd Calistthenes of fame.<br>All Countryes, Kingdomes, Provinces, he wan<br>From Hellispont, to th'farthest Ocean.<br>All this he did, who knows' not to be true?<br>But yet withal, Catisthenes he slew.<br>From Macedon, his Empire did extend<br>Unto the utmost bounds o' th'orient:<br>All this he did, yea, and much more, 'tis true,<br>But yet withal, Catisthenes he slew.<br>Now Alexander goes to Media,<br>Finds there the want of wise Parmenio;<br>Here his chief favourite Ephestian dies,<br>He celebrates his mournful obsequies:<br>Hangs his Physitian, the Reason why<br>He suffered, his friend Ephestian dye.<br>This act (me-thinks) his Godhead should a shame,<br>To punish where himself deserved blame;<br>Or of necessity he must imply,<br>The other was the greatest Diety.<br>The Mules and Horses are for sorrow shorne,<br>The battlements from off the walls are torne.<br>Of stately Ecbatane who now must shew,<br>A rueful face in this so general woe;<br>Twelve thousand Talents also did intend,<br>Upon a sumptuous monument to spend:<br>What e're he did, or thought not so content,<br>His messenger to Jupiter he sent,<br>That by his leave his friend Ephestion,<br>Among the Demy Gods they might inthrone.<br>From Media to Babylon he went,<br>To meet him there t'Antipater he'd sent,<br>That he might act also upon the Stage,<br>And in a Tragedy there end his age.<br>The Queen Olimpias bears him deadly hate,<br>Not suffering her to meddle with the State,<br>And by her Letters did her Son incite,<br>This great indignity he should requite;<br>His doing so, no whit displeas'd the King,<br>Though to his Mother he disprov'd the thing.<br>But now Antipater had liv'd so long,<br>He might well dye though he had done no wrong;<br>His service great is suddenly forgot,<br>Or if remembred, yet regarded not:<br>The King doth intimate 'twas his intent,<br>His honours and his riches to augment;<br>Of larger Provinces the rule to give,<br>And for his Counsel near the King to live.<br>So to be caught, Antipater's too wise,<br>Parmenio's death's too fresh before his eyes;<br>He was too subtil for his crafty foe.<br>Nor by his baits could be insnared so:<br>But his excuse with humble thanks he sends,<br>His Age and journy long he then pretends;<br>And pardon craves for his unwilling stay,<br>He shews his grief, he's forc'd to disobey.<br>Before his Answer came to Babylon,<br>The thread of Alexanders life was spun;<br>Poyson had put an end to's dayes ('twas thought)<br>By Philip and Cassander to him brought,<br>Sons to Antipater, and bearers of his Cup,<br>Lest of such like their Father chance to sup;<br>By others thought, and that more generally,<br>That through excessive drinking he did dye:<br>The thirty third of's Age do all agree,<br>This Conquerour did yield to destiny.<br>When this sad news came to Darius Mother,<br>She laid it more to heart, then any other,<br>Nor meat, nor drink, nor comfort would she take,<br>But pin'd in grief till life did her forsake;<br>All friends she shuns, yea, banished the light,<br>Till death inwrapt her in perpetual night.<br>This Monarchs fame must last whilst world doth stand,<br>And Conquests be talkt of whilest there is land;<br>His Princely qualities had he retain'd,<br>Unparalled for ever had remain'd.<br>But with the world his virtues overcame,<br>And so with black beclouded, all his fame;<br>Wise Aristotle Tutor to his youth.<br>Had so instructed him in moral Truth:<br>The principles of what he then had learn'd<br>Might to the last (when sober) be discern'd.<br>Learning and learned men he much regarded,<br>And curious Artist evermore rewarded:<br>The Illiads of Homer he still kept.<br>And under's pillow laid them when he slept.<br>Achilles happiness he did envy,<br>'Cause Homer kept his acts to memory.<br>Profusely bountifull without desert,<br>For such as pleas'd him had both wealth and heart<br>Cruel by nature and by custome too,<br>As oft his acts throughout his reign doth shew:<br>Ambitious so, that nought could satisfie,<br>Vain, thirsting after immortality,<br>Still fearing that his name might hap to dye,<br>And fame not last unto eternity.<br>This Conqueror did oft lament (tis said)<br>There were no more worlds to be conquered.<br>This folly great Augustus did deride,<br>For had he had but wisdome to his pride,<br>He would had found enough there to be done,<br>To govern that he had already won.<br>His thoughts are perisht, he aspires no more,<br>Nor can he kill or save as heretofore.<br>A God alive, him all must Idolize,<br>Now like a mortal helpless man he lyes.<br>Of all those Kingdomes large which he had got,<br>To his Posterity remain'd no jot;<br>For by that hand which still revengeth bloud,<br>None of his kindred, nor his race long stood:<br>But as he took delight much bloud to spill,<br>So the same cup to his, did others fill.<br>Four of his Captains now do all divide,<br>As Daniel before had prophysi'd.<br>The Leopard down, the four wings 'gan to rise,<br>The great horn broke, the less did tyranize.<br>What troubles and contentions did ensue<br>We may hereafter shew in season due.<br>Aridæus.<br>Great Alexander dead, his Armyes left,<br>Like to that Giant of his Eye bereft;<br>When of his monstrous bulk it was the guide,<br>His matchless force no creature could abide.<br>But by Ulisses having lost his sight,<br>All men began streight to contemn his might;<br>For aiming still amiss, his dreadful blows<br>Did harm himself, but never reacht his Foes.<br>Now Court and Camp all in confusion be,<br>A King they'l have, but who, none can agree;<br>Each Captain wisht this prize to bear away,<br>But none so hardy found as so durst say:<br>Great Alexander did leave Issue none,<br>Except by Artabasus daughter one;<br>And Roxane fair whom late he married,<br>Was near her time to be delivered.<br>By natures right these had enough to claim,<br>But meaness of their mothers bar'd the same,<br>Alledg'd by those who by their subtile Plea<br>Had hope themselves to bear the Crown away.<br>A Sister Alexander had, but she<br>Claim'd not, perhaps, her Sex might hindrance be.<br>After much tumult they at last proclaim'd<br>His base born brother Aridæus nam'd,<br>That so under his feeble wit and reign,<br>Their ends they might the better still attain.<br>This choice Perdiccas vehemently disclaim'd,<br>And Babe unborn of Roxane he proclaim'd;<br>Some wished him to take the style of King,<br>Because his Master gave to him his Ring,<br>And had to him still since Ephestion di'd<br>More then to th'rest his favour testifi'd.<br>But he refus'd, with feigned modesty,<br>Hoping to be elect more generally.<br>He hold on this occasion should have laid,<br>For second offer there was never made.<br>'Mongst these contentions, tumults, jealousies,<br>Seven dayes the corps of their great master lies<br>Untoucht, uncovered slighted and neglected,<br>So much these princes their own ends respected:<br>A Contemplation to astonish Kings,<br>That he who late possest all earthly things,<br>And yet not so content unless that he<br>Might be esteemed for a Diety;<br>Now lay a Spectacle to testifie,<br>The wretchedness of mans mortality.<br>After some time, when stirs began to calm,<br>His body did the Egyptians embalme;<br>His countenance so lively did appear,<br>That for a while they durst not come so near:<br>No sign of poyson in his intrails sound,<br>But all his bowels coloured, well and sound.<br>Perdiccas seeing Arideus must be King,<br>Under his name began to rule each thing.<br>His chief Opponent who Control'd his sway,<br>Was Meleager whom he would take away,<br>And by a wile he got him in his power,<br>So took his life unworthily that hour.<br>Using the name, and the command of th'King<br>To authorize his acts in every thing.<br>The princes seeing Perdiccas power and pride,<br>For their security did now provide.<br>Antigonus for his share Asia takes,<br>And Ptolemy next sure of Egypt makes:<br>Seleucus afterward held Babylon,<br>Antipater had long rul'd Macedon.<br>These now to govern for the king pretends,<br>But nothing less each one himself intends.<br>Perdiccas took no province like the rest,<br>But held command of th'Army (which was best)<br>And had a higher project in his head,<br>His Masters sister secretly to wed:<br>So to the Lady, covertly he sent,<br>(That none might know, to frustrate his intent)<br>But Cleopatra this Suitor did deny,<br>For Leonatus more lovely in her eye,<br>To whom she sent a message of her mind,<br>That if he came good welcome he should find.<br>In these tumultuous dayes the thralled Greeks,<br>Their Ancient Liberty afresh now seeks.<br>And gladly would the yoke shake off, laid on<br>Sometimes by Philip and his conquering son.<br>The Athenians force Antipater to fly<br>To Lamia where he shut up doth lye.<br>To brave Craterus then he sends with speed<br>For succours to relieve him in his need.<br>The like of Leonatus he requires,<br>(Which at this time well suited his desires)<br>For to Antipater he now might goe,<br>His Lady take in th'way, and no man know.<br>Antiphilus the Athenian General<br>With speed his Army doth together call;<br>And Leonatus seeks to stop, that so<br>He joyne not with Antipater their foe.<br>The Athenian Army was the greater far,<br>(Which did his Match with Cleopatra mar)<br>For fighting still, while there did hope remain<br>The valiant Chief amidst his foes was slain.<br>'Mongst all the princes of great Alexander <br>For personage, none like to this Commander.<br>Now to Antipater Craterus goes,<br>Blockt up in Lamia still by his foes,<br>Long marches through Cilicia he makes,<br>And the remains of Leonatus takes:<br>With them and his he into Grecia went,<br>Antipater releas'd from prisonment:<br>After which time the Greeks did never more<br>Act any thing of worth, as heretofore:<br>But under servitude their necks remain'd,<br>Nor former liberty or glory gain'd.<br>Now di'd about the end of th'Lamian war<br>Demosthenes, that sweet-tongue'd Orator,<br>Who fear'd Antipater would take his life<br>For animating the Athenian strife:<br>To end his dayes by poison rather chose<br>Then fall into the hands of mortal foes.<br>Craterus and Antipater now joyne,<br>In love and in affinity combine,<br>Craterus doth his daughter Phila wed<br>Their friendship might the more be strengthened.<br>Whilst they in Macedon do thus agree,<br>In Asia they all asunder be.<br>Perdiccas griev'd to see the princes bold<br>So many Kingdomes in their power to hold,<br>Yet to regain them, how he did not know,<br>His souldiers 'gainst those captains would not goe<br>To suffer them go on as they begun,<br>Was to give way himself might be undone.<br>With Antipater to joyne he sometimes thought,<br>That by his help, the rest might low be brought,<br>But this again dislikes; he would remain,<br>If not in stile, in deed a soveraign;<br>(For all the princes of great Alexander <br>Acknowledged for Chief that old Commander)<br>Desires the King to goe to Macedon,<br>Which once was of his Ancestors the throne,<br>And by his presence there to nullifie<br>The acts of his Vice-Roy now grown so high.<br>Antigonus of treason first attaints,<br>And summons him to answer his complaints.<br>This he avoids, and ships himself and son,<br>goes to Antipater and tells what's done.<br>He and Craterus, both with him do joyne,<br>And 'gainst Perdiccas all their strength combine.<br>Brave Ptolemy, to make a fourth then sent<br>To save himself from danger imminent.<br>In midst of these garboyles, with wondrous state<br>His masters funeral doth celebrate:<br>In Alexandria his tomb he plac'd,<br>Which eating time hath scarcely yet defac'd.<br>Two years and more, since natures debt he paid,<br>And yet till now at quiet was not laid.<br>Great love did Ptolemy by this act gain,<br>And made the souldiers on his side remain.<br>Perdiccas hears his foes are all combin'd,<br>'Gainst which to goe, is not resolv'd in mind.<br>But first 'gainst Ptolemy he judg'd was best,<br>Neer'st unto him, and farthest from the rest,<br>Leaves Eumenes the Asian Coast to free<br>From the invasions of the other three,<br>And with his army unto Egypt goes<br>Brave Ptolemy to th'utmost to oppose.<br>Perdiccas surly cariage, and his pride<br>Did alinate the souldiers from his side.<br>But Ptolemy by affability<br>His sweet demeanour and his courtesie,<br>Did make his own, firm to his cause remain,<br>And from the other side did dayly gain.<br>Perdiccas in his pride did ill intreat<br>Python of haughty mind, and courage great.<br>Who could not brook so great indignity,<br>But of his wrongs his friends doth certifie;<br>The souldiers 'gainst Perdiccas they incense,<br>Who vow to make this captain recompence,<br>And in a rage they rush into his tent,<br>Knock out his brains: to Ptolemy then went<br>And offer him his honours, and his place,<br>With stile of the Protector, him to grace.<br>Next day into the camp came Ptolemy,<br>And is receiv'd of all most joyfully.<br>Their proffers he refus'd with modesty,<br>Yields them to Python for his courtesie.<br>With what he held he was now more content,<br>Then by more trouble to grow eminent.<br>Now comes there news of a great victory<br>That Eumenes got of the other three.<br>Had it but in Perdiccas life ariv'd,<br>With greater joy it would have been receiv'd.<br>Thus Ptolemy rich Egypt did retain,<br>And Python turn'd to Asia again.<br>Whilst Perdiccas encamp'd in Affrica,<br>Antigonus did enter Asia,<br>And fain would Eumenes draw to their side,<br>But he alone most faithfull did abide:<br>The other all had Kingdomes in their eye,<br>But he was true to's masters family,<br>Nor could Craterus, whom he much did love.<br>From his fidelity once make him move:<br>Two Battles fought, and had of both the best,<br>And brave Craterus slew among the rest:<br>For this sad strife he poures out his complaints,<br>And his beloved foe full sore laments.<br>I should but snip a story into bits<br>And his great Acts and glory much eclipse,<br>To shew the dangers Eumenes befel,<br>His stratagems wherein he did excel:<br>His Policies, how he did extricate<br>Himself from out of Lab'rinths intricate:<br>He that at large would satisfie his mind,<br>In Plutarchs Lives his history may find.<br>For all that should be said, let this suffice,<br>He was both valiant, faithfull, patient, wise.<br>Python now chose Protector of the state,<br>His rule Queen Euridice begins to hate,<br>Sees Arrideus must not King it long,<br>If once young Alexander grow more strong,<br>But that her husband serve for supplement,<br>To warm his seat, was never her intent.<br>She knew her birth-right gave her Macedon,<br>Grand-child to him who once sat on that throne<br>Who was Perdiccas, Philips eldest brother,<br>She daughter to his son, who had no other.<br>Pythons commands, as oft she countermands;<br>What he appoints, she purposely withstands.<br>He wearied out at last would needs be gone,<br>Resign'd his place, and so let all alone:<br>In's room the souldiers chose Antipater,<br>Who vext the Queen more then the other far.<br>From Macedon to Asia he came,<br>That he might settle matters in the same.<br>He plac'd, displac'd, control'd rul'd as he list,<br>And this no man durst question or resist;<br>For all the nobles of King Alexander <br>Their bonnets vail'd to him as chief Commander.<br>When to his pleasure all things they had done,<br>The King and Queen he takes to Macedon,<br>Two sons of Alexander, and the rest,<br>All to be order'd there as he thought best.<br>The Army to Antigonus doth leave,<br>And Government of Asia to him gave.<br>And thus Antipater the ground-work layes,<br>On which Antigonus his height doth raise,<br>Who in few years, the rest so overtops,<br>For universal Monarchy he hopes.<br>With Eumenes he diverse Battels fought,<br>And by his slights to circumvent him sought:<br>But vain it was to use his policy,<br>'Gainst him that all deceits could scan and try.<br>In this Epitome too long to tell<br>How finely Eumenes did here excell,<br>And by the self same Traps the other laid,<br>He to his cost was righteously repaid.<br>But while these Chieftains doe in Asia fight,<br>To Greece and Macedon lets turn our sight.<br>When great Antipater the world must leave,<br>His place to Polisperchon did bequeath,<br>Fearing his son Cassander was unstaid,<br>Too rash to bear that charge, if on him laid.<br>Antigonus hearing of his decease<br>On most part of Assyria doth seize.<br>And Ptolemy next to incroach begins,<br>All Syria and Phenicia he wins,<br>Then Polisperchon 'gins to act in's place,<br>Recalls Olimpias the Court to grace.<br>Antipater had banish'd her from thence<br>Into Epire for her great turbulence;<br>This new Protector's of another mind,<br>Thinks by her Majesty much help to find.<br>Cassander like his Father could not see,<br>This Polisperchons great ability,<br>Slights his Commands, his actions he disclaims,<br>And to be chief himself now bends his aims;<br>Such as his Father had advanc'd to place,<br>Or by his favours any way had grac'd<br>Are now at the devotion of the Son,<br>Prest to accomplish what he would have done;<br>Besides he was the young Queens favourite,<br>On whom (t'was thought) she set her chief delight:<br>Unto these helps at home he seeks out more,<br>Goes to Antigonus and doth implore,<br>By all the Bonds 'twixt him and's Father past,<br>And for that great gift which he gave him last.<br>By these and all to grant him some supply,<br>To take down Polisperchon grown so high;<br>For this Antigonus did need no spurs,<br>Hoping to gain yet more by these new stirs,<br>Streight furnish'd him with a sufficient aid,<br>And so he quick returns thus well appaid,<br>With Ships at Sea, an Army for the Land,<br>His proud opponent hopes soon to withstand.<br>But in his absence Polisperchon takes<br>Such friends away as for his Interest makes<br>By death, by prison, or by banishment,<br>That no supply by these here might be lent,<br>Cassander with his Host to Grecia goes,<br>Whom Polisperchon labours to oppose;<br>But beaten was at Sea, and foil'd at Land,<br>Cassanders forces had the upper hand,<br>Athens with many Towns in Greece beside,<br>Firm (for his Fathers sake) to him abide.<br>Whil'st hot in wars these two in Greece remain,<br>Antigonus doth all in Asia gain;<br>Still labours Eumenes, would with him side,<br>But all in vain, he faithful did abide:<br>Nor Mother could, nor Sons of Alexander,<br>Put trust in any but in this Commander.<br>The great ones now began to shew their mind,<br>And act as opportunity they find.<br>Aridæus the scorn'd and simple King,<br>More then he bidden was could act no thing.<br>Polisperchon for office hoping long,<br>Thinks to inthrone the Prince when riper grown;<br>Euridice this injury disdains,<br>And to Cassandar of this wrong complains.<br>Hateful the name and house of Alexander,<br>Was to this proud vindicative Cassander;<br>He still kept lockt within his memory,<br>His Fathers danger, with his Family;<br>Nor thought he that indignity was small,<br>When Alexander knockt his head to th'wall.<br>These with his love unto the amorous Queen,<br>Did make him vow her servant to be seen.<br>Olimpias, Aridæus deadly hates,<br>As all her Husbands, Children by his mates,<br>She gave him poyson formerly ('tis thought)<br>Which damage both to mind and body brought;<br>She now with Polisperchon doth combine,<br>To make the King by force his Seat resigne:<br>And her young grand-child in his State inthrone,<br>That under him, she might rule, all alone.<br>For aid she goes t'Epire among her friends,<br>The better to accomplish these her ends;<br>Euridice hearing what she intends,<br>In haste unto her friend Cassander sends,<br>To leave his siege at Tegea, and with speed,<br>To save the King and her in this their need:<br>Then by intreaties, promises and Coyne,<br>Some forces did procure with her to joyn.<br>Olimpias soon enters Macedon,<br>The Queen to meet her bravely marches on,<br>But when her Souldiers saw their ancient Queen,<br>Calling to mind what sometime she had been;<br>The wife and Mother of their famous Kings,<br>Nor darts, nor arrows, now none shoots or flings.<br>The King and Queen seeing their destiny,<br>To save their lives t'Amphipolis do fly;<br>But the old Queen pursues them with her hate,<br>And needs will have their lives as well as State:<br>The King by extream torments had his end,<br>And to the Queen these presents she did send;<br>A Halter, cup of poyson, and a Sword,<br>Bids chuse her death, such kindness she'l afford.<br>The Queen with many a curse, and bitter check,<br>At length yields to the Halter her fair neck;<br>Praying that fatal day might quickly haste,<br>On which Olimpias of the like might taste.<br>This done the cruel Queen rests not content,<br>'Gainst all that lov'd Cassander she was bent;<br>His Brethren, Kinsfolk and his chiefest friends,<br>That fell within her reach came to their ends:<br>Dig'd up his brother dead, 'gainst natures right,<br>And threw his bones about to shew her spight:<br>The Courtiers wondring at her furious mind,<br>Wisht in Epire she had been still confin'd.<br>In Peloponesus then Cassander lay,<br>Where hearing of this news he speeds away,<br>With rage, and with revenge he's hurried on,<br>To find this cruel Queen in Macedon;<br>But being stopt, at streight Thermopoly,<br>Sea passage gets, and lands in Thessaly:<br>His Army he divides, sends post away,<br>Polisperchon to hold a while in play;<br>And with the rest Olimpias pursues,<br>For all her cruelty, to give her dues.<br>She with the chief o' th'Court to Pydna flyes,<br>Well fortifi'd, (and on the Sea it lyes)<br>There by Cassander she's blockt up so long,<br>Untill the Famine grows exceeding strong,<br>Her Couzen of Epire did what he might,<br>To raise the Siege, and put her Foes to flight.<br>Cassander is resolved there to remain,<br>So succours and endeavours proves but vain;<br>Fain would this wretched Queen capitulate,<br>Her foe would give no Ear, (such is his hate)<br>The Souldiers pinched with this scarcity,<br>By stealth unto Cassander dayly fly;<br>Olimpias means to hold out to the last,<br>Expecting nothing but of death to tast:<br>But his occasions calling him away,<br>Gives promise for her life, so wins the day.<br>No sooner had he got her in his hand,<br>But made in judgement her accusers stand;<br>And plead the blood of friends and kindreds spilt,<br>Desiring justice might be done for guilt;<br>And so was he acquitted of his word,<br>For justice sake she being</a></div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br/></a><a href="https://poems.citatepedia.com/">poem</a> by <strong><a rel="author" href="https://authors.citatepedia.com/by.php?a=Anne+Bradstreet">Anne Bradstreet</a></strong></div>

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