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

SCENA 1.

Attarras. Sostratus.

Sost.

CAn there be such a sudaine change in Court As you report? is it to be belieud That great Philotas whom we all beheld In grace last night should be arraignd to day.

Att.

It can be: and it is as I report For states of grace are no sure holds in courts.

Sost.

But yet tis strange they should be ouerthrowne Before their certaine forseitures were knowen.

Att.

Tush it was breeding long though suddenly This thunder-crack comes but to break out now.

Sost.

The time I wayted and I waited long Vntill Philotas with some other Lords Depart the presence, and as I conceiud, I neuer saw the king in better mood, Nor yet Philotas euer in more grace Can such stormes grow and yet no clouds appeare?

Att.

Yea court stormes grow when skies there seeme most cleare It was about the deepest of the night The blackest howre of darknesse and of sleepe When with some other lords comes Craterus Falles downe before the King, intreats, implores, Coniures his grace as euer he would looke

To saue his person and the state from spoile, Now to preuent Philotas practises. Whom they had plainly found to be the man Had plotted the distruction of them all.

The king would faine haue put them off to time And farther day, till better proofes were knowne Which they perceiuing prest him still the more And reinforc'd his dangers and their owne. And neuer leaft him till they had obtaind Commission t'apprehend Philotas streight.

Now to make feare looke with more hidious fac••, Or els but to beget it out of forme, And carefull preparations of distrust: About the pallace men in armour watch In armour men about the king attend, All passages and issue were forelaid With horse, t'interrupt what euer newes Should hence breake out into Parmenios campe. I with three hundred men in armour chargd Had warrant to attach and to committ The person of Philotas presently: And comming to his lodging where he lay, Found him imburied in the soundest sleepe That euer man could bee. where neither noice Of clattring weapons, or our rushing in With rude and trampling rumour, could dissolue The heauie humour of that drowsie brow Which held perhaps his sences now more fast As loath to leaue because it was the last.

Sost.

Attarras, what can treason sleepe so sound?

Will that lowd hand of Horror that still beats, Vpon the guilty conscience of distrust: Permit it ••'haue so resolute a rest?

Att.

I cannot tell but thus we found him there, Nor could wee I assure you waken him: Till thrice I calld him by his name, and thrice Had shooke him hard, and then at length he wakes, And looking on me with a setled cheere, Deare friend Attarras, what's the newes said hee? What vp so soone to hasten the remoue, Or raisd by some al'arme or some distrust? I told him that the king had some distrust. Why what will Nabarzanes play saith he The villaine with the king; as he hath done Already with his miserable Lord? I seeing he would, or did not vnderstand His owne distreste: told him the charge I had: Wherewith he rose, and rising vsd these words: O Alexander now I see my foes, Haue got aboue thy goodnes, and preuaild: Against my innocency and thy word. And as we then inchain'd and fettred him, Looking on that base furniture of shame, Poore body, said he, hath so many alarme: Raysd thee to bloud and danger from thy rest, T'inuest thee with this armor now at last, Is this the seruice I am cald to now?

But we that were not to attend his plaints, Couering his head with a disgracefull weed: Tooke and conuaid him suddainly to warde,

From whence he shalbe instantly brought forth, Here to b'arraignd before the king, who sits, (According to the Macedonian vse) In cases capitall, himselfe, as Iudge.

Sost.

Well then I see who are so high aboue, Are nere to lightning that are nere to Ioue.