Alexander, William · published 1637 · first performed or written 1607 [1605-1607] (Annals) tragedy unassigned nearest T54 Antony and Cleopatra: love, death and mo · 476 words · other edition — not in the analysis
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T54: antony, caesar, anthony, cleopatra, antonius, love, death, die, heart, breast.
You need not use those execrations more, Though Babylon of breath that Prince deprived, Yet (as an Oracle had told before) In Macedon was his death contrived; Antipater had heard, how diverse times The King against him had been moved to wrath, And damned (as guilty of opprobrious crimes) His son in law Lincestes unto death. Then he was told, the King did strictly try How his Lieutenants had their places used, Still making all as traitors strait to dye, Who had the same in any sort abused; Thus, he who well did know his own misdeeds, Had learned by others what he might expect, As whose ambitious breast in pride exceeds, And always did a Sovereignty affect: But when Craterus was to have his place, And he required the Army to attend, He thought that thus Time would some means embrace, To plague his pride with a deserved end; Then to prevent that which I think was still More feared by him, than purposed by the King, With guilty thoughts oft exercised in ill, He sought what might to death his Sovereign bring; And this the traitor compassed at the last, As I (alas!) have learned (although too late) When to my son, his son Cassander past, As to congratulate his prosperous state; Then in his company he did retain A poison powerful where it was employed, Whose violence no metal could restrain, But in a horses' hoof was still conveigh●d▪ He and his brother fit occasion watched, And for their Prince a cup of poison made; Thus he who never could by force be matched, By treason, lo (O cruel fate!) lies dead. And could, or durst those traitors be so bold, The pillar of all worth to undermine? But (Madam) ah, Antipater of old, Against your greatness always did repine. And (I remember) on a time he sent A messenger of mind to make you bow, Who to your Son a letter did present Full of invectives to discredit you; The King whilst reading what it did comprise, Did smile with scorn, then to Hephestion say: In writing of such things he is not wise, Which strait one mother's tear will wipe away. I oft informed my son (strange ways devised) How that disloyal man strived to be great: But as a woman's wit, mine was despised, And construed still unto the sense of hate. Yet of my Son (I thought) the deeds were such, That all men them admired, none envy could; And that none durst his sacred person touch, Whom men adored, and Iove as his did hold. How oft have I those bitter throws allowed, By which I brought that demigod to light? And well I might of such a birth be proud, Which made me glorious in the people's sight; Though diverse too (as I have some time known)
seed 43: unassigned · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
You need not uſe thoſe execrations more, Though Babylon of breath that Prince depriv'd, Yet (as an Oracle had told before) In Macedonie was his death contriv'd; Antipater had heard, how divers times The King againſt him had been mov'd to wrath, And damn'd (as guilty of opprobrious crimes) His ſonne in law Linceſtes unto death. Then he was told, the King did ſtrictly try How his Lievtenants had their places us'd, Still making all as traitours ſtraight to dye, Who had the ſame in any ſort abus'd; Thus, he who well did know his owne miſdeeds, Had learn'd by others what he might expect, As whoſe ambitious breſt in pride exceeds, And alwayes did a Sovereignty affect: But when Craterus was to have his place, And he requir'd the Army to attend, He thought that thus Time would ſome means embrace, To plague his pride with a deſerved end; Then to prevent that which I thinke was ſtill More fear'd by him, then purpos'd by the King, With guilty thoughts oft exercis'd in ill, He ſought what might to death his Soveraigne bring; And this the traitour compaſs'd at the laſt, As I (alas!) have learn'd (although too late) When to my ſonne, his ſonne Caſſander paſt, As to congratulate his proſp'rous ſtate; Then in his company he did retaine A poyſon powerfull where it was employ'd, Whoſe violence no metall could reſtraine, But in a horſs hoofe was ſtill conveighd▪ He and his brother fit occaſion watchd, And for their Prince a cup of poyſon made; Thus he who never could by force be match'd, By treaſon, loe (O cruell fate!) lyes dead. And could, or durſt thoſe traitors be ſo bold, The pillar of all worth to undermine? But (Madame) ah, Antipater of old, Againſt your greatneſſe alwaies did repine. And (I remember) on a time he ſent A meſſengr of minde to make you bow, Who to your Sonne a letter did preſent Full of invectives to diſcredit you; The King whilſt reading what it did compriſe, Did ſmile with ſcorne, then to Hepheſtion ſay: In writing of ſuch things he is not wiſe, Which ſtraight one mothers teare will wipe away. I oft inform'd my ſonne (ſtrange waies devis'd) How that diſloyall man ſtriv'd to be great: But as a womans wit, mine was deſpis'd, And conſtrued ſtill unto the ſenſe of hate. Yet of my Sonne (I thought) the deeds were ſuch, That all men them admir'd, none envy could; And that none durſt his ſacred perſon touch, Whom men ador'd, and Iove as his did hold. How oft have I thoſe bitter throwes allow'd, By which I brought that demi-god to light? And well I might of ſuch a birth be proud, Which made me glorious in the peoples ſight; Though divers too (as I have ſome time knowne)