‘ Tis confest that in these Eastern Kingdoms Women are not exempted from the Sceptre , But claim a priviledge , equal to the Male ; But how much such divisions have ta'en from The Majesty of Egypt , and what factions Have sprung from those partitions , to the ruine Of the poor Subject , We have too many , and too sad examples , Therefore the wise Photinus , to prevent The Murthers , and the Massacres , that attend On disunited Government , and to shew The King without a Partner , in full splendour , Thought it convenient the fair Cleopatra , Should be committed in safe Custody , In which she is attended like her Birth , Until her Beauty , or her royal Dowre , Hath found her out a Husband . The Civil war In which the Roman Empire is embarqu 'd On a rough Sea of danger , does exact Their whole care to preserve themselves , and gives them No vacant time to think of what we do , Which hardly can concern them . I could give you A Catalogue of all the several Nations From whence he drew his powers : but that were tedious . They have rich arms , are ten to one in number , Which makes them think the day already won ; And Pompey being master of the Sea , Such plenty of all delicates are brought in , As if the place on which they are entrench 'd , Were not a Camp of Souldiers , but Rome , In which Lucullus and Apicius joyn 'd , To make a publique Feast : they at Dirachium Fought with success ; but knew not to make use of Fortunes fair offer : so much I have heard Cæsar himself confess . In Thessalie , near the Pharsalian plains Where Cæsar with a handfull of his Men Hems in the greater number : his whole troops Exceed not twenty thousand , but old Souldiers Flesh 'd in the spoils of Germany and France , Inur 'd to his Command , and only know To fight and overcome ; And though that Famine Raigns in his Camp , compelling them to tast Bread made of roots , forbid the use of man , Or corn not yet half ripe , and that a Banquet : They still besiege him , being ambitious only To come to blows , and let their swords determine Who hath the better Cause . We every hour Expect to hear the issue . You are cruel , If you deny him swearing , you take from him Three full parts of his language . Was't of your own composing ? ‘ Tis a strange impudence , This fellow does put on . Vices , for him , Make as free way as vertues doe for others . ‘ Tis the times fault : yet Great ones still have grace 'd To make them sport , or rub them o 're with flattery , Observers of all kinds . See how he hangs On great Photinus Ear . That we are To enquire , and learn of you Sir : whose grave care For Egypts happiness , and great Ptolomies good , Hath eyes and ears in all parts . ‘ Tis Labienus Cæsars Lieutenant in the wars of Gaul , And fortunate in all his undertakings : But since these Civil jars he turn 'd to Pompey , And though he followed the better Cause Not with the like success . Here he comes Sir . Pardon me . I could not help it , if my life had lain for't , Alas , who would suspect a pack of bedding , Or a small Truss of houshold furniture ? And as they said , for Cæsars use : or who durst seek to stop it ? I was abus 'd . Photinus , What e 're it be I shall make one : and zealously : For better dye attempting something nobly , Than fall disgraced . ‘ Twill be too late else : For , since the Masque , he sent three of his Captains to view again The glory of your wealth . For when your wealth is gone , your power must follow . What eye Will look upon King Ptolomy ? if they do look , It must be in scorn : For a poor King is a monster ; What ear remember ye ? ‘ twill be then a courtesie to take your life too from ye : But if reserv 'd , you stand to fill a victory , As who knows Conquerours minds ? though outwardly They bear fair streams . O Sir , does this not shake ye ? If to be honyed on to these afflictions — Keep it warm and fiery . It seems so . Why dost thou weep ? He will be hard to win : he feels his lewdness . It is not that : it may be some disgrace That he takes heavily ; and would be cherish 'd , Septimius ever scorn 'd to shew such weakness . Thou shalt command in Chief , all our strong Forces And if thou serv'st an use , must not all justifie it ? S p. I am Rogue enough . Keep thy self glorious still , though ne 're so stain 'd , And that will lessen it , if not work it out . To goe complaining thus , and thus repenting Like a poor Girl that had betrai 'd her maide -head — Will shew so in a Souldier , So simply , and so ridiculously , so tamely — Yes : and is honour 'd for it ; Nay call 'd the honour 'd Cæsar , so maist thou be : Thou wert born as near a Crown as he . Thou shalt have all : And do all through thy power , men shall admire thee , And the vices of Septimius shall turn vertues . He 's well wrought : put him on apace for cooling . The deed is bloody If we conclude in Ptolomies death . But what course take we For the Princess Cleopatra ? I will undertake For Ptolomy . See , they do appear As they desir 'd a Parley . Thy glories now have toucht the highest point , And must descend . He rowz 'd them with his Sword ; We talk of Mars , but I am sure his Courage Admits of no comparison but it self , And his following friends With such a confidence as young Eagles prey Under the large wing of their fiercer Dam , Brake through our Troops and scatter 'd them , he went on But still pursu 'd by us , when on the sudden , He turn 'd his head , and from his Eyes flew terrour ; Which strook in us no less fear and amazement , Than if we had encounter 'd with the lightning Hurl 'd from Jove 's cloudy Brow . We faln back , he made on , and as our fear Had parted from us with his dreadful looks , Again we follow 'd ; but got near the Sea ; On which his Navy anchor 'd ; in one hand Holding a Scroll he had above the waves , And in the other grasping fast his Sword , As it had been a Trident forg 'd by Vulcan To calm the raging Ocean , he made away As if he had been Neptune , his friends like So many Tritons follow 'd , their bold shouts Yielding a chearful musick ; we showr 'd darts Upon them , but in vain , they reach 'd their ships And in their safety we are sunk ; for Cæsar Prepares for War . Unable To follow Cæsar , he was trod to death By the Pursuers , and with him the Priest Of Isis , good Achoreus .