Clytus. Parmenio, I cannot tell whether I should more commend in Alexander's victories, courage, or courtesy; in the one being a resolution without fear, in the other a liberality above custom. Thebes is rased, the people not racked, towers thrown down, bodies not thrust aside; a conquest without conflict, and a cruel war in a mild peace.

Parmenio. Clytus, it becometh the son of Philip to be none other than Alexander is; therefore seeing in the father a full perfection, who could have doubted in the son an excellency? For as the moon can borrow nothing else of the sun but light; so of a sire, in whom nothing but virtue was, what could the child receive but singular? it is for torquois 10 to stain each other,

9 The subject of this play is taken from Pliny's Natural History, lib. 35. c. 10.

"Tantum erat auctoritati juris in regem, alioquin iracundum : quanquam Alexander ei honorem clarissimo præbuit exemplo. Namque cum dilectam sibi ex pallacis suis præcipue nomine Campaspem nudam pingi ob admirationem formæ ab Apelle jussissit, eumque tum pari captum amore sensisset, dono eam dedit. Magnus animo, major imperio sui, nec minor hoc facto, quam victoria aliqua. Quippe, se vicit nec torum tantum suum, "sed etiam affectum donavit artifici: ne dilectæ quidam respectu "motus, ut quæ modo regis fuisset, modo pictoris esset. Sunt qui "Venerem Anadyomenen illo pictam exemplari purant."

"

66

10 Turquois] In the first edition Turkes. Turquesis," says Malynes, in his Treatise of the Canker of England's Common-wealth,

not for diamonds; in the one to be made a difference in goodness, in the other no comparison.

Clytus. You mistake me, Parmenio, if whilst I commend Alexander, you imagine I call Philip into question; unless haply you conjecture (which none of judgment will conceive) that because I like the fruit, therefore I heave at the tree; or coveting to kiss the child, I therefore go about to poison the teat.

Parmenio. Ay, but Clytus, I perceive you are born in the east, and never laugh but at the sun-rising; which argueth tho' a duty where you ought, yet no great devotion where you might.

Clytus. We will make no controversy of that which there ought to be no question; only this shall be the opinion of us both, that none was worthy to be the father of Alexander but Philip, nor any meet to be the son of Philip but Alexander.

Parmenio. Soft, Clytus, behold the spoils and prisoners! a pleasant sight to us, because profit is join'd with honour; not much painful to them, because their captivity is eased by mercy.

Timoclea. Fortune, thou didst never yet deceive virtue, because virtue never yet did trust fortune. Sword and fire will never get spoil, where wisdom and fortitude bears sway. O Thebes, thy walls were raised by the sweetness of the harp, but rased by the shrillness of the trumpet. Alexander had never come so near the walls, had Epaminondas walk'd about the walls; and yet might the Thebans have been merry in their streets, if he had been to watch their towers. But destiny is seldom foreseen, never prevented. We are here now captives, whose necks are yoaked by

66

12mo. 1601, are found in Malabar, being of Turqueys color by "the day time, and by night by the light, greene; they growe upon a black stone, whereof retaining some little blacke veines is the better." "It is," as Mr. Steevens observes," said of the Turkey "stone, that it faded or brightened in its colour, as the health of "the wearer increased or grew less." (Note on Merchant of Venice, p. 118. vol. III.) See also Dr. Morell's Account of it, p. 417: of his Edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, 8vo. 1737.

force, but whose hearts can not yield by death. Come, Campaspe, and the rest, let us not be ashamed to cast our eyes on him, on whom we fear'd not to cast our darts.

Parmenio. Madam, you need not doubt, it is Alexander that is the conqueror.

Timoclea. Alexander hath overcome, not conquer'd. Parmenio. To bring all under his subjection, is to conquer.

Timoclea. He cannot subdue that which is divine.
Parmenio. Thebes was not.

Timoclea. Virtue is.

Clytus. Alexander, as he tendreth virtue, so he will you; he drinketh not blood, but thirsteth after honour; he is greedy of victory, but never satisfied with mercy. In fight terrible, as becometh a captain; in conquest mild, as beseemeth a king. In all things, than which nothing can be greater, he is Alexander.

Campaspe. Then if it be such a thing to be Alexander, I hope it shall be no miserable thing to be a virgin. For if he save our honours, it is more than to restore our goods. And rather do I wish he'd preserve our fame than our lives, which if he do, we will confess there can be no greater thing than to be Alexander.

Alexander. Clytus, are these prisoners? of whence these spoils ?

Clytus. Like your majesty, they are prisoners, and of Thebes.

Alexander. Of what calling or reputation?

Clytus I know not, but they seem to be ladies of

honour.

Alexander. I will know-Madam, of whence

I know, but who, I cannot tell.

you are

Timoclea. Alexander, I am the sister of Theagines, who fought a battel with thy father, before the city of Chieronte,11 11 where he died, I say which none can gainsay, valiantly.

11 Chieronte] Chieronie, in the first and second editions.

VOL. II.

H

Alexander. Lady, there seem in your words sparks of your brother's deeds, but worser fortune in your life than his death: but fear not, for you shall live without violence, enemies, or necessity-But what are you, fair lady, another sister to Theagines?

Campaspe. No sister to Theagines, but an humble handmaid to Alexander, born of a mean parentage, but to extream fortune.

Alexander. Well ladies, for so your virtues shew you, whatsoever your births be, you shall be honourably entreated. Athens shall be your Thebes, and you shall not be as abjects of war, but as subjects to Alexander. Parmenio, conduct these honourable ladies into the city, charge the soldiers not so much as in words to offer them any offence, and let all wants be supply'd so far forth as shall be necessary for such persons, and my prisoners.

[Exeunt Parmenio and captives. Hephestion, it resteth now that we have as great care to govern in peace, as conquer in war: that whilst arms cease, arts may flourish, and joining letters with lances we endeavour to be as good philosophers as soldiers; knowing it no less praise to be wise, than commendable to be valiant.

Hephestion. Your majesty therein sheweth, that you have as great desire to rule as to subdue; and needs must that common-wealth be fortunate, whose captain is a philosopher, and whose philosopher is a captain.

[Exeunt.

Manes. I serve instead of a master, a mouse, whose house is a tub, whose dinner is a crust, and 12 whose bed is a board.

12 Whose bed is a board.] The first and second editions read, whose board is a bed.

Psyllus. Then art thou in a state of life which philosophers commend. A crumb for thy supper, a hand for thy cup, and thy cloaths for thy sheets. For Natura paucis contenta.

Granichus, Manes, it is pity so proper a man should be cast away upon a philosopher; but that Diogenes, that dog, should have Manes that dog-bolt, it grieveth nature, and spiteth art; the one having found thee so dissolute, absolute I would say, in body, the other so single, singular in mind.

Manes. Are you merry? it is a sign by the trip of your tongue, and the toys of your head, that you have done that to-day, which I have not done these three days.

Psyllus. What's that?

Manes. Dined.

Granichus. I think Diogenes keeps but cold chear. Manes. I would it were so; but he keepeth neither hot nor cold.

Granichus. What then, luke-warm? That made Manes run from his master the last day.

Psyllus. Manes had reason; for his name foretold as much.

Manes. My name! how so, sir boy?

Psyllus. You know that it is called Mons à movendo, because it stands still.

Manes Good

Psyllus. And thou art named Manes, à Manendo, because thou run'st away.

Manes. Passing reasons! I did not run away, but retire.

Psyllus. To a prison, because thou wouldst have leisure to contemplate.

Manes. I will prove that my body was immortal, because it was in prison.

Granichus. As how?

Manes. Did your masters never teach you that the soul is immortal?

Granichus. Yes.

Manes. And the body is the prison of the soul.