Certaine small poems lately printed with the tragedie of Philotas. Written by Samuel Daniel.

SCENA 2.

Antigona. Thais.

OY'are a secret councell-keeper Thais, In troth I little thought you such a one:

Tha.

And why Antigona what have I done.

Ant.

You know fulwell your conscience you bewraies,

Tha.

Alas good soule would you have me conceale: That which your selfe could not but needes reueile? Thinke you another can be more to you, In what concernes them not, then you can be, Whom it imports? Will others hold them true: When you proue false to your owne secrecie? But yet this is no wonder for we see, Wiser then we do lay their heads to gage: For ryotous expences of their tongues Although it be a property belongs, Especially to vs and euery age, Can shew strange presidents what we haue ben, In cases of the greatest plots of men. And tis the Scene on this worlds stage we play,

Whose reuolution, we with men conuer••, And are to act our pa••te as well as they: Though commonly the weakest, yet a-part.

For this great motion of a state we see, Doth turne on many wheeles•• and some though smale Do yet the greater moue, who in degree. Stirre those who likewise turne the great'st of all. For though we are not wise, we see the wise By vs are made or make vs pa••••ies still, In actions of the greatest quallities That they can manage, be they good or ill.

Ant.

I cannot tell; but you haue made mee doo, That which must euer more aflict my hart, And if this be my wofull parte t'vndo, my dearest loue, would I had had no part. How haue I sealy woman sifted bene Examind, tryde, flattred, ter••ifide, By Craterus the cunningest of men, That neuer leaft me till I had discride What euer of Philotas I had knowne.

Tha.

What is that all? perhapps I haue thereby Done thee more good then thou canst apprehend.

Ant.

Such good I rather you should get then I. If that can be a good t'accuse my friend.

Th.

Alas thy accusation did but quote The mergin of some text of greater note.

Ant.

But that is more then thou or I can tell.

Th.

Yes yes Antigona I know it well. For be thou sure that alwayes those who seeke T'attack the Lyon, so prouide that still,

Their toyles be such as that he shall not skape. To turne his rage on those that wrought his ill. Philotas neither was so strong nor high But malice ouerlookt him, and discride, Where he lay weake, where was his vanity, And built her contermonts vpon that side, In such sorte as they would be sure to raze His fortunes with the ingins of disgrace. And now maist thou perhapps come great hereby, And gracious with his greatest enemie. For such men thinke they haue no full succes: vnles they likewise gaine the mistresses, Of those they maister, and succeed the place, And fortunes of their loves with equall grace

Ant.

Loues out alas, loue such a one as hee, That seekes t'vndoo my loue•• and in him me.

Th.

Tush loue his fortunes, loue his state, his place, What euer greatnesse doth it must haue grace.

Ant.

I weigh not greatnesse I must please mine eye.

Th.

Th'eye nothing fairer sees then dignity.

Ant.

But what is dignity without our loue?

Th.

If we haue that we cannot want our loue,

Ant.

Why that giues but the outside of delight: The day-time ioy, what comfort hath the night?

Th.

If powre procure not that, what can it doo?

Ant.

I know not how that can b'attaind vnto.

Th.

Nor will I teach thee if thou knowst it not. Tis vaine I see to lea••ne an Asian wit.

Exit.

Ant.

If this be that great wit that learned skill, You Greekes professe let me be foolish still,

So I be faithfull. And now being here alone, Let me record the heauy notes of mone.