MEDEA: A tragedy. Written in Latin by LUCIUS Annaeus SENECA. Englished by E. S. Esq WITH ANNOTATIONS.  Non estis teneris apta Theatra Modis. Ovid. Amorum. L. 2. Eleg. 1. 
LONDON, Printed for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold at his shop at the Prince's arms in St. Paul's churchyard. 1648.   

To the Reader.  
HE who hath spent some vacant hours in the rendering of this piece into English, conceives it a thing altogether needless to persuade the Reader to a better liking thereof then his own Judgement shall inclinehim to. For since there are but two things against which the Reader may seem to except, either against the work, as Senceca's in the original, or as his in the English, he is of Opinion, that for the first it is secure in its own worth, and himself likewise in the choice of this from amongst the rest of the Tragedies of Seneca, if the Reader, as he was, will be led by the judgement and suffrage of the Learned. And therefore in that respect he thinks it may rather challenge, then entreat an Approbation. And for the latter,( though he be not ignorant unto how much prejudice works of this Nature are liable, yet) he conceives that to seek by any kind of prepossession to take off the freedom of judgement( he means such as he appeals to the Censure of a Competent Judge) would seem no other than a Bribery of the Pen, a way not suiting with his Ingenuity. He therefore held it best to expose it as it was drawn in its own Colours, unset off with any Varnish. Nor shall he take it ill, if he find the judicious passing a Rigid or severe Censure on the same, since he declares, it is no more than what he himself hath already done. Yet thus much he thought fit to desire the Reader to take notice of; that this Version( such as it is) is not-by him styled a Translation, but a Paraphrase,( although it may be with some it might find the Favour to pass under the first Title) a way perhaps more generally taking wherein( his Modesty gives him not leave to say so of this Peece●…) the Majesty 
●…eque {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} esse Inter pretationem tantum volo. s. d circae●…sdem Sensus certamen atque aemulationews. Quintil. l. 10 c. 5.  and spirit of an Author is retained, though not the Letter. Now, whether this be answerable to those* laws by Quintilian not only allowed of, but commended; let the knowing Reader determine.  
Farewell.   

To my Honoured Friend EDWARD 〈◊〉 Esq upon his Translation.  

THat wi●…e Philosopher, that had designed  
To life, the various Passions of the mind,  
Did wronged Medea's jealousy prefer  
To entertain the Roman theatre;  
Both to instruct the soul, and please the Sight,  
At once begetting Horror, and Delight.   

This Cruelty thou dost once more express  
Though in a strange, no less becoming dress:  
And her Revenge hast robbed or half its Pride,  
To see itself, thus by itself outvied;  
That boldest Ages past may say, our Times  
Can speak, as well as act, their highest Crimes,   

Nor was't enough to do his scene this ●…ight,  
But what thou gav'st to us, with equal light▪  
Thou wouldst bestow on him, nor wert more just  
Unto the author's work, then to his Dust;  
Thou dost make good his Title, aid his claim,  
Both vindicate his poem, and his Name;  
So shar'st a double Wreath; for all that We  
Unto the Author owe, he owes to thee.   

Though change of Tongues stolen praise to some afford,  
Thy Version hath not borrowed, but restored.   
THO. STANLEY.   

TO HIS Honoured Friend Edw: Sherburn Esq ON SENECA'S MEDEA by him ENGLISHED.  

Whilst lofty Seneca's cothurnal Muse  
Doth in Medea a new rage infuse,  
And in her breast kindles a greater fire,  
Then that in which Creusa did expire,  
Gives her a Tongue as killing, as the steel  
She armed her hands with, when her Sons did feel  
Her murdering Stabs; that't may in question fall  
Which were her tongue, or hand, most tragical;  
And whilst( Dear Friend) thy industry presents  
His Latian Scenes in English Ornaments  
With equal Grace, and with as high a Rage,  
As when presented on the Roman Stage  
They did a horror, mixed with pleasure, raise,  
He spreads her Infamy, and thou his Praise.   
A. F.   

Dramatis Personae.  

MEDEA.  
CREON.  
NUNCIUS,  
Nurse to MEDEA.  
JASON.  
CREUSA.  
C●…ORUS.   

Mutes.  


MARMORUS  
PHAR●…TES   the Sons of MEDEA.  
GUARDS and soldiers.   The Scene. CORINTH.  

The Argument.  
MEDEA, having under Pretence of restoring Pelias his Youth( as she before had done old Aeson's) deceitfully caused his Daughters out of that pious hope, impiously to murder their Father; and so revenged herself of him for the Wrongs he had done her Husband, by the slaughter of his Kinsfolks, and the unjust detention of his kingdom of Thessaly: By enchantments avoids their vengeance, and escapes to Corinth; where Jason, flying from Acastus,( who for the Murder of his Father Pelias, pursued both him and Medea, with revengeful arms) likewise arrived. Whom Creon King of Corinth courteously entertained, upon Condition he should put away Medea, and marry his Daughter Creusa. This, Jason out of necessity consenting to, Creon for the better security of his State, enjoins Medea present banishment. She full of Rage, and thirsting for revenge before her departure by entreaty obtains of Creon one day's Respite for the taking of her last farewell of her Children. In which space she sends a crown, and a rich Robe infected with magical poisons as a Present to the new Bride Creusa: Which being put on, sets her all on flame, consuming likewise her Father Creon coming to her Rescue, and with him his whole palace. That d●…ne, to be further revenged of her Husband, she murders the two Sons she had by him, in his sight; And so mounting her Charrio●… drawn by Dragons, takes her Flight through the air.   

ERRATA.  

In the POEM.  
PAge 15. l. 8. for reserved ne●…d preserved. p. 20. l 3. for Matin●…rs r. Mariner. p. 27. l. 22. for We r. with. p. 39 l. 12. for Swedes r. Sweve. ib. l. 22. for these r. those. p. 44. l. 2. for rays r. raise. p. 47. l. 13. for by r. be.   

In the ANNOTATIONS.  
Page 55. l. 6●… for Nuptiall●… r. Nuptiala, ib. l. 10, for Nuptiare 〈◊〉 r. Nuptiarion Conciliatrin. 16. l. 19 for precedent chief, r. precedent and chief. p. 59 l. 28. for Ticket. r. Thicker. p. 62. l. 7. for 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉. ib. l. 5. for ●…elus r. Pele●…s. and for Andro●…ack r. 〈◊〉. p. 65. l. 26. for Virgilia r. Vergilia. p. 68 ●…. l. 4; for lead to r. lead her to. ib. l. 19 forended r rendered. ib. l. 20. for I render, r. which I render. p. 69. l. 13. for the r. they. p. 73. l. 22 for, 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉. ib. l. 29. for running r. ●…ning. p. 74. l. 9 for whose r. those p 67. l. 11. for as r. so. p. 77. l. ult. for justly r. justle. p. 97. l. 1. for India r. I●…dea.    

MEDEA. A TRAGEDY.  

Act the first,  

Scene the first.  Enter MEDEA Sola. 

YOu nuptial Powers! and thou Lucina, 
* Proeses Puerperii, se●… Praefecta Parturientibus.  Head,  
And careful Guardian, of the G●…niall Bed.  
And thou who Tiphys taughtest, as with a rain,  
To guide the first Ship, through the subdued Main!  
Dread sovereign of the Seas! thou ever bright  
Phoebus! that to the world divid'st thy light.  
Three-formed Hecate! that dost display  
On nightly mysteries thy conscious Ray  
And all ye Gods by whom false Jason swore!  
Or you, Medea rather should implore,  
Dark Chaos! deeps infernal! damned souls!  
The King who Hells sad Monarchy controls,  
And 
* Proserpina.  Queen with better faith was ravished,  
Hear whilst we imprecate! ye Furies dread!  
The punishers of guilt; in bloody hands  
Grasping your pitchy-black, and sulph'ry Brands,  
With snaky curls, and squalid looks appear!  
As horrid, at our nuptials as you were.   

Death on the new-made 
* Creusa the Daughter of Creon King of Corinth, whom Jason( repudiating Medea) had newly married. Euripides( in Medea) & some others give her the name of Gl●…uca.  Bride, on Corinth's King,  
And our own Progeny, untimely bring.  
And with some imprecation yet more dire,  
against my false Husband, my fell mind inspire.   

Live he, through towns, despised and friendless rove,  
Fear, hatred, poverty, and exile prove,  
Wish me his Wife again; and harbour, from  
A stranger crave; now a known Guest become.  
And, than which, none a greater curse can be,  
Children be get he like himself, and me.  
See! our Revenge doth with our Wish conspire;  
These we have borne: We Plaints in vain expire.  
Why rush we not upon our Foes? and there  
The bridal Tapers from the Bearers tear,  
Extinguish them, and bury all in Night?   

Beholdest thou this thou fountain of all light,  
Phoebus, the Radiant Author of our Race?  
And drivest through crystal skies, thy wont space?  
Runnest thou not back unto the East? and Day  
Remeasurest? O! to me resign thy sway;  
Give me the Guidance of those burning reins  
That rule the Coursers with the fiery manes,  
I'd scourge, till Corinth whose. small Land divides  
Two opposite Seas, and breaks their battering Tides,  
Consumed in Flames, should make them way to join.  
Nought rests to do; but that a nuptial Pine  
We bear; and when the holy Prair's, and all  
The Rites are done, then, that our victims fall.  
Through thine own bowels reach at thy Revenge  
Soul if thou livest; all Womanish fears estrange,  
Let thy stout mind, on her old strength presume,  
And more than Scythian Ferity assume.  
What Ills, once Colchos, now shall Corinth see,  
Horrid, unperpetrated cruelty,  
Terror to Men and Gods, works in my mind;  
Wounds, Death, 
* See the Annotations at the number( 11) in fine.  spread funerals of limbs disjoined;  
Pish! what flight, trivial Ills do we recount?  
Acts of our Virgin hands: Our Rage should mount  
Ills more sublime, more horrid Acts of blood  
Suit with our married state, and Motherhood.  
Courage then: On, to act thy Tragedy  
With all thy fury; that Posterity  
Thy fatal nuptials, and divorce may find  
Equally signal;— Stay; thou rash of mind!  
Thy spouse by what means leavest thou?— by the same  
I once did follow him: All sense of shame  
Abandon, and delays as fruitless fly,  
▪ The Faith by Ills confirmed, by Ills shall die.   Ex. Medea. Chorus Of Corinthian Women, Singing an Epithalamium to the nuptials of Jason and Creusa. 

You Gods, whose Empire in the skies,  
Or in the tumid Ocean, lies!  
These Princely nuptials bless we pray,  
Whilst all due Rites the people pay:  
First to those Powers that thunder fling,  
And sceptres bear; for offering  
A Bull, white without spot, shall die,  
A Heifer that did never try  
The servile yoke, than snow more white,  
Thee, O Lucina! doth delight.  
To her, who Mars his bloody hands,  
Doth ma●…acle in peaceful Bands,  
Who strifes of Nations doth compose,  
Whose horn with growing plenty flows,  
Shall fall a gent●…er Sacrifice.  
And thou who these Solemnities,  
And Rites 
* As opposed to Medea's Nuptiall●…, which were 〈◊〉 and Illegitimate; 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of this Chorus.  Legitimate dost grace,  
And the night's sullen darkness, chase  
With thy auspicious hand, come drowned  
In Wine, thy Head with Roses crowned.  
And thou bright Star, with silver ray,  
Forerunner of the Night, and Day;  
That slow to those dost still return  
Who with loves mutu'all flames doth burn.  
Mother's that long, Daughters new wed  
Wish thee thy early beams to spread.   

'Mong the Cecropian Dames, the Pride  
For Beauty, veil unto the Bride  
The Virgins of the Wallesse town  
Who on Taygetus his crown  
Themselves,( as is their country's guise)  
In manly Pastimes exercise.  
And those their limbs in Dirce lave  
Or in Alphaeus sacred Wave.   

To the Aesonian Youth, for grace  
And form, shall Bacchus' self give place,  
Who to the yoke ●…ierce tigers chains,  
Or he who o'er the Trypods reigns,  
Mild Brother, to the sterner Maid.  
The Swan-got Twins fair Laedae laid,  
Castor, with Pollux who for blow  
Of weighty Sledge, doth all outgo,  
Yield to 
* Jason.  Aesonides the day.  
So, so celestial powers we pray,  
All wives excel the the beauteous Bride,  
The bridegroom pass all men beside.   

When with the Virgin choir 
* The Bride.  she joins  
Her look 'bove all with lustre shines.  
So when the Sun his beams displays,  
The splendour of the Stars decays.  
So fade the Pleïads, scarcely seen,  
When with her borrowed shine, night's Queen  
Inorbs her Crescent, so to th' eye  
White blushes with Phoenician die.  
So when day dawns, Sol's ruddy light  
Shows to the dew-wet shepherd's sight.   

From Phasis horrid bed released,  
Wont with unwilling hand, the Breast  
To touch of such a barbarous Bride,  
With parents' wills first ratified,  
Now happy wed a Grecian dame.  
Now Youths with Taunts permissive, game  
And in loose rhymes chant sportive words,  
Rare is this licence against your Lords.  
Fair Issue of the God of Wine,  
'tis time to light thy carved Pine:  
With Wine-wet fingers, than put out  
The solemn Flame; whilst all the Rout  
With mirthful jollity doth ring,  
And the Fescennine youths do ●…ing  
Their Festive Flouts; she want these Rites,  
And grace of hymeneal l●…ghts,  
Who as a fugitive shall wed  
Herself unto a foreign Bed.     

Act the Second.  

Scene the first.  Enter MEDEA, and her NURSE. MEDEA. 

OH! I am slain; the 
* The Marriage Song.  Hymeneall's sound  
Hath pierced my ears, and given my Heart a wound.  
The Ill I suffer, I scarce yet believe.  
And thus could Jason cause Medea grieve?  
When from my Father, country, crown, and State  
He had brought me, thus, to leave me desolate  
In a strange Land? could he our merits slight?  
Cruel, and thankless wretch! whose powerful might  
Seas rage, he saw, and force of Flames outwent?  
Thinks he then all our stock of mischief spe●…t?  
Perplexed and wavering, my unquiet Mind  
Labours, which way she may her vengeance find.  
Would heaven's he had a Brother! Stay; a Wife  
He has; let's then attempt against her life,  
Full Compensation for all injuries.  
If Greek, or Barbarous towns,( in villainies  
Skilled) have known a mischief, such as thou  
Media, yet ne'er knewest, or practidest, now,  
Now attempt t●…e like. Let thy resolves find  
Co●…ncell from thy own Ills; call to thy mind  
The signal Glory of the C●…lchian crown  
Made prize; thy brother's Limbs dissected, thrown  
About the seas; sad funeral to his sire!  
Think on old Pelias boiling o'er the Fire.  
How oft have we spilt guil●…lesse blood? yet ne'er  
Did we act Ills in rage; Loves rage we bear.  
Alas what could Jason do, at the dispose  
Of a superior power?— His Breast oppose  
T' a murdering sword.— Ah! better words afford  
My passionate griefs; rather, so Fates accord,  
May he live still my Jason as before.  
If not, yet may he live; mindful of poor  
Medea, to whose love his life's a debt.  
The fault was wholly Creon's: by whose great  
O're-ruling power, our marriage-bands he broke;  
He did the Mother from her Children take,  
He canceled our strict-plighted faith; he, he.  
The Butt of our deserved vengeance be.  
I'll bury his proud palace in a high  
Heap of Ashes, whilst the black Clouds that fly  
Of flame-driven smoke, Malea shall amaze,  
Which storm-beat vessels puts to long delays.   Nurse. 

For love of heaven be silent, and restrain  
Passion to recluse sorrow;" who sustain  
" Wrongs that oppress 'em, with a quiet 〈◊〉  
" And unmoved thoughts, know best the way to find  
" How to repay 'em. Anger kills, concealed;  
" Hates miss of their revenge, when once revealed.   MEDEA. 

" That griefs but small which council can o'ersway;  
I'll meet all opposites.   Nurse. 

Thy ●…ury stay  
Dear Daughter; scarce a still retiredness  
Secure thee can, open Attempts much less.   MEDEA. 

" Fortune the Valiant fears; but tramples on  
" The coward soul.   Nurse. 

" Than resoluti●…  
" Is good, when the Attempt is possible.   MEDEA. 

" What  
" To courage, and a mind resolved, is not?   Nurse. 

" No hope a Remedy t' a lost affair  
" Doth show.   MEDEA. 
" Who nought can hope, should nought despair.  Nurse. 

The Colchi'ans hate thee, in thy spouse no Faith  
There is; of all thy vast store, Fortune hath  
Not left thee aught.   MEDEA. 

Yes, here's Medea still,  
Here Seas, Earth, Fire, Gods, Thunder, what can kill  
As well as steel behold.   NURSE. 

Th'incensed Ire  
O'th' King yet's to be feared.   MEDEA. 
What was our 
* As great a King as Creon.  Sire?  Nurse. 
Fearest thou not force of arms?  MEDEA. 

Not though from Earth  
They sprung, and took from thence their hostile birth.   Nurse. 
Thou'lt suffer death.  MEDEA. 
'Tis that we wish.  Nurse. 

Be led  
At my request to fly.   MEDEA. 

That I e'er fled  
I grieve; Medea fly?   Nurse. 

Think what thou art,  
A Mother.   MEDEA. 
Yes, by whom, you see.  Nurse. 

To part  
Hence doubtst thou?   MEDEA. 
No; we'll go, but first revenge  Nurse. 
Th'avenger will pursue.  MEDEA. 

It will be strange  
If we not fin de him obstacles.   Nurse. 

Suppress  
These Menaces rash Woman, and redress  
Thy pertinacious thoughts; with time comply.   MEDEA. 

Fortune m' Estate may ravish from me, my  
Mind she ne'er can rob me of. Hark! I hear  
The palace doors to creak; who is't draws near?  
'Tis Creon the proud Tyrant, Creon, high,  
Elated with Pelasgian Royalty.    

Scene the Second.  Enter CREON. 

Yet does 
* Medea.  Aeeta's noxious issue stay  
Within our Confines? not yet gone away?  
Something she machinates, whom all do brand  
For Noted Fraud, and a nofarious hand.  
Whom spares she? whom, suffers secure to rest?  
T'extirpate by the sword this worst of Pest  
We once resolved; th' entreaties of our Son-  
In-law prevailed; and our Concession  
Got, that she might live; on terms she quit  
Our realms from future fears: with looks that threat,  
And truculent Aspect, she begin to bend  
This way her steps, as though she did intend  
Some speech with us; Our Guard there! Hence, Away  
With her, nor suffer her to speak; t'obey  
A King's Command, once let her learn; with speed  
Dispatch, and send the Monster gone.   MEDEA. 

What deed?  
What Crime of ours mulct you by flight?   CREON. 

A Cause  
The 
* Spoken Ironically.  Innocent soul demands!   MEDEA. 

" If by the laws  
" You govern, 'fore you Judge first understand.  
" If by your will alone you rule, command,   CREON. 

Dispute not; 'tis our pleasure, right, or wrong.  
And thou shalt suffer't.   MEDEA. 

" unjust S●…epters, long  
" Continue not.   CREON. 

Away; to Colchos, hic  
To your own home again.   MEDEA. 

Most willingly,  
So he that brought me thence, return with me.   CREON. 
Your Wishes come too late to our Decree,  MEDEA. 

" Who ought decrees, nor hears both sides discussed,  
" Does but unjustly, though his doom be just.   CREON. 

Old Pelias ru'd for lending thee an ear,  
But speak; and your egregious Cause let's hear.   MEDEA. 


* {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Eurip. Medea.  How ill appeased is the w●…ath of Kings.  
And what a pride in royal Fancy springs,  
Their first-fixed Resolutions to pursue,  
From our own Princely thoughts we've learned too true,  
For though with sad Calamity oppressed,  
Scorned, suppliant, our-cast, every way distressed  
W''re now, we once, in royal State did shine,  
And from bright Sol drew our Illustrious line.  
What Phasis in his winding arms doth close,  
What 'ere behind the Scythian Pontus shows,  
Where the salt Waves grow fresh with flood-mixt stream●…,  
All that extent of Land, whose borders, hems  
The silver Thermodon; in trampled Fields,  
Where widowed troops display their luned shields,  
My Father with imperial sceptre sways.  
In joys of Royalty, and happy days  
There flourished we; Our marriagebed those sought  
Whom now, we seek: But Fortune, light as thought,  
From us those Sceptred Glories having rent,  
Hath now exposed us to sad Banishment.  
" In crowns confide! whose wealth Chance doth transfer  
" At pleasure; But this yet, what no day e'er  
" Can take from them, Kings, great, and glorious have,  
" To help th' afflicted, and the suppliant save.  
This only from our Colchian realms, away  
We brought, that by our favour, we can say  
The flower of Greece and Princely Ornament,  
Achaia's chiefest strength, the high descent  
Of Gods, were saved from death. Orpheus whose song  
Charms stony Rocks, and draws the Woods along  
Is our free gift; that Led●…'s Twins survive  
Our double bounty is; by us do live  
The sons of Boreas, Lynceus, he whose sight  
Extends cross Pontus its emitted light,  
And all the Minyae, by our Favour, were  
Reserved from ruin: not to mention here  
The 
* Jason.  chief of all those chiefs; whose safety, we  
Reckon no debt, to none imputed be.  
To you the rest, to us, this one we brought  
Away: Inveigh your worst then▪ count each fault  
Of ours, of all this only can you blame,  
Argos return: yet if our Virgin shame,  
And love of Father, had not stooped to love  
Of Jason,( whom 'fore these we did approve)  
The chief of Greece had perished, and your son  
To ruin, on bull's flaming breaths had run.  
Fortune our Cause my oppress,( though undeserved)  
Yet shall we ne'er repent to have preserved  
The offspring of so many Kings: With you,  
Of all our Crimes is the reward, and due.  
Condemn us so you please; but first the Crime  
Declare: W' are guilty; true: So were, what time  
Creon thy knees we touched, and did implore  
The Faith of thy protecting hand. No more  
Ask we at present, but some place obscure,  
Where we ourselves and sorrows may immure:  
If from this City banished by your doom,  
Within your realms, afford us yet a room.   CREON. 

That we with rigor rule not, nor with high  
Pride, trample upon humbled misery,  
Sufficient proof we seem ●…n this t'have shown  
By such a 
* As Jason.  Son-in-law electing; One  
Exiled, afflicted, terrified with fears.  
For thee the young 
* Son of Pelia●….  Acastus, who now wears  
Thessalia's crown, seeks with death-threatning i●…e,  
T'avenge the Murder of his aged Sire,  
And his dissected Parents Limbs; when by  
Thy false suggestions led, too credulously,  
The perpetration of so foul a fact,  
The pious sisters impiously did act.   

Wave thine, and Jason can his Cause maintain,  
No guilt of blood his guiltless hands did stain  
Nor touch of wicked steel; far from thy dirè  
Counsels, he still innocuous did retire.  
But thou vile Machanatrix of all Ills,  
Whom wom'anish spleen, and manly courage, steels  
For all attempts, regardless of thy fame,  
Be gone, and purge our realms of such a shame.  
Hence your letiferous simples take; from fear  
Free our perplexed subjects, and elsewhere  
With thy Complaints vex heaven.   MEDEA. 

To be gone  
Compelly'us? or Ship, or a Companion  
Afford; why us alone, command you hence?  
Alone we came not; or if your pretence  
Be fear of war, expel us both; why too  
Equally guilty, thus distinguish you?  
To 
* Jason.  him, not us fell Pelias; add our flight,  
Our Kingdom's Prize, our Sire deserted quite,  
Our Brother piecemeal torn, or if beside  
A Crime there be he teach to his new Bride  
'Tis his, not ours: and though so often pressed  
To ill, 'twas ne'er for our own interest.   CREON. 

'Tis fit thou'rt gone; why spinest thou out delays  
In talk?   MEDEA. 

Vouchsafe thy parting Suppliant preys,  
This last request; Let not the mother's fault  
Be as a gild upon her Children brought.   CREON. 
Go, go, we'll guard these with a father's care.  MEDEA. 

By these more happy nuptials; by thy fair  
Future hopes, and by this thy regal State,  
Which Chance with various change doth agitate  
We pray; afford some small time ere we go,  
Upon our dearest Children to bestow  
Our last, and perhaps dying kisses.   CREON. 

Time,  
Only for fraud thou ask'st.   MEDEA. 

What fraud, or Crime  
Can in so short a space be feared?   CREON. 

" None can  
" For mischief be too short.   MEDEA. 

Deniest thou than  
So small a moment to a wretch's tears?   CREON. 

Though thy entreaties by our ominous fears  
Opposed are; one day thou shalt obtain.   MEDEA. 

Thy Grant's too great; revoke some part again;  
And hence we speed.   CREON. 

If 'fore to morrow's Sun  
Advance the cheerful day, thou art not gone,  
Thou surely diest. But us the Time now calls  
To prayers, and Rights of Hymen's festivals.   Exeunt. Chorus. 

Rash man was he, with ships frail beak  
Did first the treacherous billows break,  
And his own Native soil declined  
Durst trust his life to trustless wind.  
The Seas with doubtful Course divide,  
And in a slender Plank confide,  
Drawn to too thin dimensions far  
'Twixt life and death too poor a bar:  
Celestial signs were yet unknown  
And of those lights use was there none  
Whose Fires bespangle all the Skies.  
Nor yet were Pilots grown so wise  
To shun the stormy Hyads threat,  
Th' Olenian Goats bright star, not yet;  
Nor those which that old lazy swain  
Bo●…tes drives, the Northern wain.  
Boreas and Zepbyre, yet to none  
By names distinguished were known,  
Typhys did first on Seas display  
His sails; and taught the Winds t'obey  
New laws: Now 'fore a quartering Gale  
His Course to run with all his sail.  
Now bring the Tack aboard; now fast  
His lowered Yards, bind to the Mast.  
His Canvas then unfurled again,  
Unto the winds to hoist amain,  
When the too greedy Mariners  
Calls for a Gust; and th'red Drabler  
Unto th'inlarged sail made fast,  
Trembles with th' impulsive blast.   

The Candid Age of Innocence,  
Our Fathers saw; free from all sense  
Of Fraud; Then in secured rest  
Each man on his own ground, lived blessed  
With length of years; with little rich,  
Nor of more wealth, then that with which  
His Native soil was stored, could tell.   

The Pine of Thessaly, the well-  
Divided World's Partitions b●…oak,  
And caused Seas feel th'oars' lashing stroke;  
And the secluded Ocean made  
Part of our fears: yet sadly paid  
For this so bold a wickedness;  
Through tedious dangers, and distress  
Long driven: when those Rocks that bound  
The Entrance to the Pontic Sound,  
Tilting with Impetuous shocks,  
Did echo like loud Thunder knocks.  
'Twixt whom, the Sea crushed, mounts, and laves  
The stars and Clouds with foaming waves.  
Bold Tiphys then grew pale for fear  
His faultt'ring hands forgot to steer;  
Silent was Orpheus and his Lute;  
And Argos self was then struck mute,  
What? when the Maid whose waste surrounds  
A Cincture of fierce ravening Hounds  
Did all their jaws at once extend!  
What man with horror did not bend  
At such a sight? who without fear  
Could that still-barking Monster hear?  
What? when with magic of their strain  
Those* dire Plagues charmed th' Ausounian Main! 
Sirens. vid. Annot.   
Till on his Lyre Pierian, played  
Orpheus, and even the Siren made  
Wont ships to captive while she sings  
Follow the music of his strings.   

What was the Purchase of so bold  
A voyage? but a Fleece of Gold  
And greater mischief than the Sea,  
Medea: fit the fraught to be  
Of the first Ship. The passive main  
Now yields, and doth all laws sustain.  
Nor the famed Argos, by the hand  
Of Pallas built, by Heroes manned,  
Doth now alone complain she's s●…rc't  
To Sea; each petty Boat's now coursed  
About the Deep; no Boundure stands,  
New Walls by towns in foreign Lands  
Are raised; the pervious World, in't's old  
Place, leaves nothing. Indians the cold  
Araxis drink, Albis, and Rhine  
The Persians. Th' Age shall come, in fine  
Of many years, wherein the Main  
M'unclose the universal chain;  
More land may, and new worlds be found,  
Nor Thule be Earths farthest Bound.     

Act the Third.  

Scene the first.  Enter NURSE, following MEDEA running frantic over the Stage. Nurse. 

AH whither rapt with eager speed away!  
Hold, Daughter! curb thy rage; thy Fury stay.  
As when some frantic Froe, whom Bacc●…us mads,  
Trots her wild Entheou●… Dance, and raving, gads  
On Pindus' snowy top, or Nysa's crown:  
So here, now there, she hurries up and down,  
As if with a lymphatic Rage possessed.  
Her looks attracting fervour from her breast.  
Cries, O you Gods! then weeps, now smiles again;  
And all the symptoms of a troubled brain  
Discovers; Doubts, threatens, with anger boil,  
Laments, and sighs; Oh! to what centre toils  
This weight of cares? these threats where will she wreak?  
Or where will this high Sea of fury break?  
Which like an Inundation swells: No low  
Nor vulgaire mischief she intends; t' outgo  
Herself she seeks: we know ●…ull well, her old  
Distempers signs; some Eminently-bold,  
Horridly-impious Act, she plots: it appears  
In her fell looks; The Gods deceive our fears.    

Scene the second.  Enter MEDEA. 

If wretch, a Rule thou wouldst prescribe thy Hates,  
Thy rash love imitate; Tamely( Ye Fates▪)  
And unrevenged shall we these nuptials bear?  
Shall this day idly pass? sought with such care  
And toil! with so much difficulty gained!  
Whilst self-poised Earth in midst of heaven's sustained,  
And the bright orbs their stated Changes run,  
Whilst Sands no number know; whilst day the Sun,  
And night the stars attend; whilst 'bout the Pole  
The undrencht Arctos turns, and Rivers roll  
Into the main; our deadly, vengeful Ire  
Shall ne'er have end, but grow, and still rise higher.  
What wild Beasts savageness? what chafed waves  
Ingulfed in Scylla's, and Charibdy's Caves?  
What Aetna( under which Typhaeus lies  
Expiring Flames) our rage shall equalise?  
Nor rapid streams, nor Torrents heady course,  
Nor wrathful Euxine Seas, By Corus' force  
Vexed into storms, nor flames blown up by wind,  
Can stop th'incensed Fury o' my mind.  
I'll down with all.— Creon his fears did move  
( Forsooth) and King Acastus arms;—" True love  
" Can never stoop to fear of any?— But,  
O'er poured he was enforced to yield:— Could not  
He yet, to his poor Wife have bid adieu!  
My life! stout though he be, he feared this too.  
Yet sure, being Creon's son, he might a while  
Have respited the time for our Exile.  
But one short day, to take my last farewell  
Of both my children!— Yet, though short, 'tis well.  
Much, much shall these few hours produce; that fact  
Which all days else shall ring of, this, shall act.  
We will invade the Gods, and shake the frame  
Of the whole Universe.   Nurse. 

Thy mind reclaim,  
Thy Heart with griefs disturbed pacify.   MEDEA. 

" No thought of rest, till with our own, we see  
" A general ruin; perish if we shall,  
" Perish all else; We will not singly fall.   NURSE. 

See how great Dangers, thy Attempt●… oppose!  
" 'gainst potent Opposites none safely goes.    

Scene the third.  Enter Jason. 

Still cruel Fates! Fortune severe alike!  
Equally bad, or if she spare or strike:  
So often heaven, hath for our desperate Woes,  
Found Remedies more desperate than those.  
Would we the Faith, to our Wives merits due,  
Have kept? We must have died. Death to escheve,  
We must be faithless. Not to this inclined  
By abject fear, but a paternal mind.  
For in their parent's ruin, our poor Race  
Would be involved. O Justice! if a Place  
In heaven thou hast, by thy white Throne I swear,  
The Children overcame their Sire. Nor e'er  
Shall I think other, but that 
* Mede●….  she,( though fierce  
Of heart, and beyond all reclaim perverse,)  
Her children's lives, would 'fore my bed desire.  
With prayers we were resolved t'accoast her Ire,  
But see! sh'hath spied us; Ill the sight she brooks:  
Disdain and passion, printed in her looks.   MEDEA. 

We fly, Jason! we fly; For us to change  
Seats, is not new; The Cause is new and strange.  
For thee we used; but now from thee we fly.  
Whom thus from your abodes enforce you hic?  
To whom dost send us? shall we Phasis flood  
Colchos and our Sires realms, or fields with blood  
Of slaughtered Brother stained, go seek? what lands,  
What Seas must we find out at thy commands?  
The Pontic Straits? through which that Princely train  
We safe brought home; when through th'incensed main  
And dangerous Symplegades, we fled 
Two rocks in the mouth of the Pontic Straits that were feigned to be loose, and justle one another.   
With thee, now turned Adulterer to our bed?  
Shall we for small Jolcos' make? or steer  
Unto Thessalian Tempe? what ways e'er  
To thee we opened against ourselves we closed.  
Then whither send ye us? to what Lands exposed?  
To Exile an Exiled wretch is sent,  
And yet no place assigned for banishment.  
Yet go we must, so to command seems sit  
To Creon's 
* Jason spoken in scorn.  Son-in law; And we submit.  
Inflict on us the worst of cruelties,  
We have deserved. Let Creon exercise  
The bloodiest Tortures Tyranny e'er bred,  
To plague a 
* Medea supposing herself to be so counted in the opinion of Creon.  Strumpet to his daughter's bed.  
Load us with Irons; and shut us from all light  
In a dark Dungeon of eternal night:  
Yet shall we suffer less than we deserve.  
Ingrateful wretch! think,( if thy heart will serve  
To let thee) of the flame-breathed Bulls; the Field  
Which Armies of arm-bearing Foes did yield.  
When at our sole Command, those earthborn Bands,  
Mutu'ally fell by their selfe-slaughtering Hands.  
To these; add the Phryxaean Rams rich prize,  
And steeplesse Dragon charmed; whose wakeful eyes  
obeyed sleeps unknown Power: our Brother slain,  
Mischief, with mischiefs reinforced again.  
Fraud-blinded Daughters urged to divide  
Their Parents limbs, unto new life denied.  
And our own kingdoms, for a stranger's crown  
Deserted; by what hopes soe'er you own  
Of your dear children; by the certainty  
Of thy new-fixed abodes; and victory  
O're-vanquished Monsters; by these hands of ours,  
Ne'er spared for thee t'imploy their utmost Powers.  
By forepast fears; heavens', Seas,( the Witnesses  
Of our wronged nuptials) pity our distress.  
And in thy happy state, to us that crave  
Render that comfort thou wouldst wish to have.  
Of all the wealth by Scythians rapt away  
From sun-scorched Dwellers of rich India,  
To o narrow an Exchequer, for whose store  
Our whole Court seems; with whose superf●…uous oar  
W'adorne the Woods and Groves; no part brought we  
But our slain Brothers limbs; And those, on thee  
Impended; country, Father, Brother, Shame.  
We this dowry wed; parting, restore the same.   Jason. 

When wrathful Creon sought thy life to have,  
Moved by our tears for death, he Exile gave   MEDEA. 

We Exile thought a Punishment; but now  
We find, that, for a 
* Spokeni▪ derision.  favour you allow.   Jason. 

Whilst yet thou Mayst, get thee from hence conveyed;  
" The Wrath of Kings is heavy.   MEDEA. 

You persuade  
This to endear you in Creusa's love;  
You seek a hated 
* To wit, herself, ut supr●….  Strumpet to remove▪   Jason. 
Objects Medea love?  MEDEA. 

And treachery  
And Murder too.   Jason. 

What Crime is there, against me  
Thou canst object, deserves so foul a blame?   MEDEA. 
All that we ever did.  Jason. 

Then 'tis your aim  
T'involve us in the guilt of your misdeeds,   MEDEA. 

Those, those are thine." He to whose gain succeeds  
" The Ill, is the Ills Author. Though our Fame  
All should oppose, thou oughtst defend the same,  
And say we're blameless:" He should guiltless be  
" In thy Repute, is guilty made, for thee.   Jason. 
" That life's a burden, which enjoyed, brings shame.  MEDEA. 
That life discharge, enjoyed with loss of Fame.  Jason. 

Rather appease thy wrath incensed B rest,  
For thy poor children's sakes;   MEDEA. 

No, We detest,  
Abjure the thought; What? shall Creus●… live  
And Brothers to Medea's Children give?   Jason. 

'Twill be an honour when our exiled race,  
A Queen, shall with her kindred Issue, grace.   MEDEA. 

Come never so unfortunate a day  
To the already wretched, with alloy  
Of base blood, to mix our noble line.  
Phoebus with Sisyphus his nephews join.   Jason. 

Why seek'st thou ruin on us both to bring?  
Let me entreat thee to depart.   MEDEA. 

The 
* Creon.  King  
Could yet vouchsafe to hear us speak.   Jason. 

Declare  
What's in my power to do for thee.   MEDEA. 

Me! dare  
Any mischief.   Jason. 

On either hand, see here  
Two potent Kings.   DEA. 

Then those, a greater fear  
Behold▪ Medea: let us exercise  
Our powers, and Jason be the victor's prize.   Jason. 

Wearied with Miseries, I yield; forbear;  
So often tried, the turn of Fortune fear.   MEDEA. 
Mistress of Fortune we have ever been.  Jason. 

Acastus there; here Creon's nearer spleen  
Threatens destruction.   MEDEA. 

Void thou either harms:  
Not against thy father-in-law to rise in arms,  
Or stain with kindred's blood thy Innocence,  
Medea will. Guiltless with her fly hence.   Jason. 

Who shall oppose, if they their powers combine,  
And against us with united Forces join.   MEDEA. 

Add Colchians too; Aeëta general;  
Scythians with Grecians join; we'll foil them all.   Jason. 
I potent sceptres dread:  MEDEA. 

Rather take heed  
Y'affect them not.   Jason. 

Left this our Conference breed  
Suspect, here let's cut short our long discourse.   MEDEA. 

Now Jove o'er all the heaven's thy Thunder force,  
Stretch forth thy Hand, thy vengeful Flames prepare,  
And from cracked Clouds the world with horror scare.  
Nor with deliberate aim level thy throw,  
Take him, or me: which of us each, the blow  
Shall sink, will guilty fall; if at us cast,  
Thy Thunder cannot miss.   Jason. 

Resume at last  
More sober thoughts, language more mild; if aught  
In Creon's Court, in Exile may be thought  
Easeful to thee, ask, and the asked for have.   MEDEA. 

Thou know'st we can, and use with scorn to wave  
The wealth of Kings; we only wish we might  
Our Children have Companions in our flight;  
That in their bosoms we our tears may shed.  
More Sons thou Mayst expect from thy new Bed.   Jason. 

I must confess me willing to comply  
With thy desires; forbid by Pie●…y.  
Nor could I suffer this, though Creon's Ire  
Should force me to't. For this alone, desire  
I life; of all my cares the only ●…ase,  
Sooner I could want Breath, limbs, Light, than these.   MEDEA. 

Loves he his children so! 'tis well; we have't, Aside, to herself.  
Now we know where to wound him.— We hope yet  
We may our last words in their mindful Breasts  
Implant; embrace; seems this a just request?  
This too, we with our latest speech entreat,  
What our rash grief hath uttered, you'd forget▪  
And a more favourable Memory  
Of us retain; all Passions buried be.   Jason. 

All, all's forgot by us; and here we pray  
Thou Mayst the Fervour of thy mind allay,  
And gentle curb unto thy passions give.  
" Patience is Miseries best lenitiv●….   Exit Jason. MEDEA. 

Gone! is't e'en so? hast thou forgotten me?  
And all my Merits? slipped from thy memory?  
No; we will ne'er slip thence. Now mind thy Part;  
Summon together all thy strength and Art.  
'tis thy best use of Ills, to think there's none.  
Scarce will there opportunity be shown  
T'effect our Treachery. Our Plots they fear.  
Run then a Course from all suspicion clear.  
Begin, Medea! to thy task prepare;  
And what thou canst, and what thou canst not, dare.  
O faithful Nurse! whom Chance, with us hath made  
Partner in woes; our wretched counsels aid.  
A robe we have, our kingdom's Ornament;  
As Pledge of his etherial descent,  
By Sol t'Aeeta given. A carcanet  
With Gold enchaced, and a rich Coroner  
Set with bright gems; These to the new-wed Bride  
My Sons shall bear; first, with dire Tinctures died.  
Invoke we Hecate; our sad Rites frame  
The Altars strew; now crack this roof in flame.   E●…eunt. Chorus 

Nor force of Flames, nor strength of wind,  
Nor Thunder we such terror find●…  
As a 
* {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Euripid. Med.  divorced Wife; set on fire  
With hate, and ardour of desire.  
Not Cloudy Auster where he powers  
Forth Deluges of Winter showers,  
When Ister like a Torrent rolled,  
Breaks Bridges down, runs uncontrowled.  
Not Rhodanus with rapid Course  
Where he resisting Seas doth force,  
Nor Haemus, when the sun's hot beams  
In mid Spring, thaw his snows to streams.  
Love spurred with Passion's blind, disdains  
All rule, nor brooks imposed reins.  
Fearless of death; covers upon  
Drawn Swords with obvious steps to run.  
Pardon you Gods! we Pardon sue,  
Safe may he live, did Seas subdue.  
Yet the Deeps Monarch storms, his power  
Next Jove's, should stoop t'a conqueror.  
Bold Phaeton, that durst aspire  
To rule the chariot of his Sire,  
Whilst from prescribed Bounds he strayed,  
He felt the Flames his rashness made.  
None suffered in a known way; tread  
In that safe Path where others lead.  
Nor violate the sacred Bands  
Imposed by nature's sacred hands.   

Who e'er those noble Planks, which made  
Bold Argos, touched; spoilt of his shade  
The sacred Grove which Pelion crowned;  
Past 
* The Cyana or Symplegades, Rocks in the mouth of the Pontic Straitꝰ.  floating Rocks in the profound;  
Did through so many perils wade  
Of the vast deep; and Anchor weighed  
From off a barbarous Coast, possessed  
Of foreign Gold; for home addressed,  
With sad event the Breach he ru'd  
Of the Seas Rites; with plagues pursued  
And justice of the angry main▪   

Tiphys, who first the Ocean  
Tamed, to an unskilful Pilot, left  
His charge, on foreign Shores bereft  
Of life far from his Native Land.  
amongst unknown Ghosts lies tombed in sand.  
He from the vocal Muse that springs,  
At sound of whose Harmonious strings,  
The rapid streams their motions ceased,  
Their Murmurs the rude winds suppressed,  
While Birds their own Notes left, t' his Song  
Fled listening, and Woods danced along;  
His limbs o'er Thracian Acres spread  
Dragged unto Haebrus streaming Head,  
To Styx descended, known before;  
And Tart'●…us, to return no more.  
Alcides Boreas Issue slew;  
He who could various shapes endue,  
From Neptune who derives his breath,  
From Hercules received his death.  
He too, when Seas and Earth he had crowned  
With Peace, and forced the Stygian Sound,  
Alive on Aeta's Pyre reposed,  
His Limbs to cruel Flames exposed.  
While mingled gores Infection, sent  
By his Wife, his flesh with Tortures rent:  
A boar Ancaeus life o'erthrew,  
His uncle's Meleager slew,  
And by the vengeful hand doth fall  
Of his enraged Mother; All  
Deserved; What Crime, did expiate  
That tender lads untimely Fate?  
The Boy by Hercules unfound.  
In Waves of secure Waters drowned.   

Go now bold Spirits; plow again  
With like feared destiny the main.     

Act the Fourth,  

Scene the first.  Enter NURSE Sola. 

Horror my trembling soul invades, some great  
Pernicious mischief, present Ill does threat.  
How vast a Rage her swelling grief dilates!  
It's own Incendiary! Integrates  
Her lapsed powers! with fury o●…t possessed  
drop reg've seen her charge the* God's, attempt to wrest  
Heaven with her charms: some more prodigious Act  
Then these yet works she; for as hence she packed  
With frighted steps, and her dire Conclave entered  
Forth all her Spells she powers, and what t'have ventured  
On herself long feared, there broaches; a▪ whole Hell  
Of Ills let's lose, close kept in that dark Cell.  
And whilst she with sinister hand, prepares  
Th' Infaustous work, sh'invokes with magic prayers  
What ever poisons Lybya's scalding sands  
Create; what Taurus,( where cold Winter stands  
Clothed with perpetual Snow,) in's frozen veins  
Congeals; and every Monster. At whose strains  
Crawl scaly Multitudes from under ground,  
And as officious Agents wait her round.  
Thither an aged Serpent trails along  
His o'ergrown bulk, and darts his forked tongue;  
Seeking on whom t' inflict a death; at sound  
Of her dire charms, his poisonous length in round  
And complicated Orbs he folds: she cries  
Poor are the Ills, and base the Weapons, rise  
From this low earth; I'll from the heaven's fetch down  
poison's to serve my turn; This instant crown  
With Ills worthy thyself; Now, now's the time  
Something to act above a vulgar crime.  
Hither descend the Snake that seems to lie  
Like a huge Torrent rolling cross the ●…kie,  
In whose Immense folds either bear is tied,  
The great, t' Achaians, less, Sydonians, guide.  
His griping hands let O phiuchus loose,  
And the squeezed venom of his Snake infuse.  
Hither repair, drawn by these charms of ours,  
Python that durst assail two heavenly powers.  
Hydra, with all the Serpents were subdued  
By Hercules in their own deaths renewed.  
And thou the Colchians wakeful 
* The sleepless Dragon, that kept the Golden fleece  Spy, whose eyes  
In drowsy sleep our Spells did first surprise.   

Then,( having, called of Serpents all the kinds,)  
She in one mass, all pernicious simples binds.  
What ever on Impervious Eryx grows,  
What Caucasus( where sit continual snows)  
Stained with Promethian blood, brings forth; what e'er  
The Warlike Medes in charged Quivers bear.  
What flying Parthians use; with what the points  
Of his keen shafts the wealthy Arab 'noints.  
〈◊〉 Juices which the Noble Swedes inclined  
Near the cold North, in Groves Hercynian find.  
What e'er the Earth i'th' procreating Spring  
Bege●…s, or in the Winter forth doth bring,  
When rigid Cold in Ice hath all things bound,  
And forests of their summer's pride uncrowned.  
Those herbs which bloom with a pestiferous flower,  
She culls; the juice endued with baneful power  
From roots distorted wrings. From Pindus some,  
Some Drugs from high Aemonian Athos come.  
These tender sprigs as on Pangaeus top  
They grew, did her bloud-cankred Sickle crop.  
These Tigris n●…urish'd; whose swift streams oppress  
His gulphy channel; these 
* O●… Danubius or Ister we have spoken in the Annot. upon the Chorus to the third Act.  Danubius, these  
The famed Hydaspes▪ whose warm Current, javes  
Dry India's Sands with gem-enriched Waves.  
And Baetis whence its land a name did get,  
Whose languid streams against Seas Hesperian beat.  
These felt the Edge of knife at Birth of day,  
In dead of drowsy Night, this slender spray  
Was from his stalk cut down. This ripened Blade  
She did with her charm-tainted nail invade.  
The deadly weeds she takes, and forth doth squeeze  
Her Serpents putrid venom, and with these  
She mixes Birds of inauspicious flight,  
The Heart o'th' solitary owl; th'hoarce Night-  
Ravens entrails whilst alive exsected.  
These the Pernicious Artist, thus selected,  
In parcels puts; flames ravenous force these hold,  
Those th' Icy chillness of benumbing cold..  
Words to her Poisons adds of no less dread  
Than poisons are; See! she begins to tread  
Her frantic Dance, her Rites infernal makes;  
Now charms; the world at her first Accents quakes.    

Scene the second.  Enter MEDEA. 

You silent People of the shades below!  
Ye Gods infernal! and dark Chaos; joe!  
To you we bow; Thou gloomy Mansion  
Where 
* Vestit●… d'●…a 〈◊〉 af●…ta; So Bo●…hace describing Demogor. in Ge●…al. del Iddio.  sooty Dis resides! seated upon  
The lowest Hell; the den of squalid death!  
We you invoke: Quit your Abodes beneath,  
Leave your old task of torturing souls; and pack  
To the new nuptials. From his wheeling Rack  
Released; a while rest let Ixion have,  
And Tantalus sup free the fleeting Wave.  
Whilst Creon feels more horrid pains then these.  
Let Sisyphus his Torments find no ease.  
You who in perforated urns, still vain  
Successeless toil deludes; cease from your pain  
And thither high; this day your hands requires.  
And thou the Empress of nocturnal fires!  
To these our Rites invoked, come. Put on  
Thy worst of Looks, and with more* Fronts than one 
— Heeate ternis variata figuris, Claudiau.   
Menacing, appearo! with loose hairs thus displayed,  
( As thine becomes) We've searched each secret shade,  
With naked feet: called from dry clouds the rain  
And to its bottom forced the suffering main.  
Whilst old Oceanus affrighted, hides  
Within his waves recess his vanquished tides.  
Heavens' laws inverted, shown the World the light  
Of sun, and stars, at once; the day and night.  
drenched both the bears in the forbidden deep.  
And changed the course the constant Seasons keep.  
Clothed Earth in Summer with a Spring new borne,  
Made Ceres see, a Winter crop of corn.  
Swift Phasis turn his streams back to their source,  
And Ister in seven mouths divided, force  
His waters to a stand; his Spring confined.  
And made floods roar, seas swell, without a wind.  
An ancient Wood, whose leaves its Couvert made,  
At our commanding voice hath lost his shade.  
Phoebus' his course day left at noon, forbears;  
And when we 〈◊〉 the stars drop from their spheres.   

'Tis time drea 〈◊〉, at these Rites of thine  
Thou present wert; To thee this Wreath of nine-  
Imbraided Serpents wrought with bloody hand  
We offer. ●…oe! his biformed ●…imbes durst band  
against Jove's high Empire, bold Typhaeus! this  
The poisonous blood of treacherous Nessus is.  
Given by himself as he did life expire.  
These Ashes raked we from th' 
* See the Antations upon the Chorus to the third Act, at the number.( 20)  O●…tean Pyre,  
Dryped with Herculea●… foam. See, in this hand,  
The pious Sisters, impious Mothers Brand  
Vengeful 
* Vid. ibid. Num.( 20)  Althea! these Plumes found we cast  
By rapeful Harpies, as by Zeres chased.  
These are the wings the wounded stymphaled bore,  
Slain by the Shafts dipped in Lernaean gore.  
The Altars sound! and our own Trypods, moved  
By'rour favouring goddess, show these Rites approved.  
See Trivia's whirling car! not as when bright,  
With a full orb illuminating night,  
She drives; but such, when with a lured face,  
Vexed with Thessalian charms, a nearer race  
To Earth she runs: So shine thy tristfull light  
With pallid Ray, and with strange horror, fright  
The world: whilst thy extreame●… to ease, O great  
Dyctynna! rich, Chorinthian brass is beat.   

Upon this blood-stained turf our sacrifice  
To thee we make; this funeral Torch, supplies  
Nocturnal fires; snatched from the flaming Pile.  
To thee our Head we toss, with neck bowed, while  
Our charms we utter; our hairs loosely spread  
A Fillet binds, as when we mourn the dead.  
To thee this 
* In the original it is Tristis Ramus, which I have rendered Withered, as moved by the Authority of B●…n Johnson, whom see in his Notes upon his Ma●…ke of Witches.  withered bough thus wave we round,  
Brought from the dark shades near the Stygian Sound.  
To thee with bared breast true 
* A frow of Bacchus or bacchanal, so called of the ●…rantick Furv that possessed them.  Maenad-like  
This 
* In the Latin it is Sacro cultro: see the reason why I so render it in B●…n. Johnson his Notes upon his mask of Witches, ut supra.  rusty knife thus in our arms we strike.  
Our streaming blood down to the Altar flows;  
Enure yourselves my hands such wounds t'impose,  
And learn the dearest blood of thine to shed.  
The 
* ●…ide qu●… ad 〈◊〉 37. Ann. t.  hallowed flood our pierced veins have bled.  
If thou complainest thou art too often pressed  
By'rour Orisons, pardon a forced request.  
That thus O Persis we thy powers implore,  
The Cause is still the same as heretofore,  
Stili Jason: now infect the bride's Attire;  
That when put on, the close, Serpentine fire,  
Her inmost marrow may consume within  
The yellow gold, couched lies the flame unseen.  
Which he who rues his heavenly Theft, with still-  
Renewed Liver gave; and taught the skill  
How to conceal its force: Mulciber did  
Give us these fires, in subtle sulphur hid.  
This living flash of fatal lightning, we  
From Phaeton our cousin took; here be  
The gifts the triple-shaped Chimaera gave.  
The Flames breathed from the Bulls scorched throats we have,  
Which mixed with Medusa's Gall do serve,  
So charged, the secret mischief to conserve.  
With power these poisons Hecate inspire,  
And guard the hidden seeds of the close fire  
Lurks in these gifts, let them deceive the Test  
Of sight and touch; whilst in her veins, and breast  
The subtle fervour spreads; and doth calcine  
Her melting limbs, in smoke let her Bones pine,  
And her inflamed tresses, beam-like blaze  
And dim the light her nuptial Tapers rays.  
— Our prayers are heard; thrice Heca●… barked aloud  
Thrice with sad flames, her sacred fires she showed.  
All's finished. Nurse! my Children call, that they  
Unto Creusa may these gifts convey.  
Go Children; issue of a hapless mother;  
Go; by your prayers, and Presents, seek another  
Less kind, t' appease. Back hither quickly high,  
That we your last embraces may enjoy.   Chorus. 

Wither runs bloody Maenas drove  
By the fierce fury of her love?  
What mischief with wild rage prepares?  
Wrath with rough frowns her looks impairs;  
Shaking her head she proudly jets,  
And menaces the 
* Creon.  King with threats.  
Who her an Exile would suppose?  
The flushing red in her cheeks glows,  
Now paleness thence the red doth chase,  
No colour long her changing face  
Retains; now here she runs, now there,  
Distracted as her passions bear.  
As tigress of her young bereft,  
With wild speed prosecutes the theft  
Through Ganges forest; so, nor rage  
Medea knows, nor love t'assuage.  
Now wrath and love their powers conjoin;  
What will she do? to which incline?  
When from Pelasgian lands, away  
Will she her cursed self convey?  
And by her wished absence, clear  
The 
* Creon and Jason.  Kings, and kingdom of their fear?   

Now Phoebus drive with winged pace,  
Nor curbing reins retard thy Race.  
In her dark shades let friendly night,  
Now hide the lustre of the light.  
And Hesperus Night's usher steep  
The feared day in the Western Deep.     

Act the Fifth.  

Scene the first.  NUNCIUS and CHORUS. Nuncius. 

All's lost! our kingdom's Glory sunk in fire;  
The 
* Creusa the new Bride, & Creon her Father.  Princely Daughter, and her 
* Creusa the new Bride, & Creon her Father.  royal Sir●…  
In blended Ashes lie.   Chorus. 
Say how betrayed?  Nuncius. 

Even by those usual trains for Kings are laid,  
By Gifts.   CHORUS. 
In those what treachery could be?  Nnncius. 

Nay, that's my wonder: nor though th' fact I see,  
Can my belief receive't for possible.   Chorus. 
The manner of so strange a ruin tell.  Nuncius. 

As 'twas 
* By Medea.  commanded, the devouring flame,  
Assaults each part o'th' palace: the whole frame  
In pieces falls; and now we fear the town.   Chorus. 
The raging flames with thrown-on waters drown  Nuncius. 

Even that astonishment, and wonder breeds  
In this disaster; Fire on Water feeds;  
The more suppressed, the more it burns; and grows  
By that which to extinguish we impose.    

Scene the second.  Enter MEDEA, and nurse. Nurse. 

Fly; fly Medea! quickly hence be gone,  
And seek with speed some other Region.   MEDEA. 

How should we fly?— No; were we fled, to see  
This day, we would return again: to be  
Spectatresse of these gallant nuptials.— Heart!  
Dost stop? pursue thy happy rage; this part  
Of thy enjoyed Revenge, what is't?— Distraught!  
Dost thou yet love? is widowed Jason, thought  
Sufficient? Work Medea! work; invent  
Some strange, unusual kind of punishment.  
Hence with all right, expulsed shame be gone.  
" That's poor revenge which by weak hands is done:  
By all intent on wrath; bravely excite  
Thy drooping thoughts; and with more eager might  
Rouse up th' old sparks of rage, hid in thy breast.  
What we have done already, to the rest  
With intend, may be called piety: now ply't;  
Let the world know how vulgar, and how slight  
Our former Ills were, but as Preludes, to  
Ensuing rage. What could such rude hands do  
Might be termed great? or by a girl be shown?  
W''re now Medea; our Invention grown,  
As our Ills multiplied; Now, now we're joyed  
We lopped our brother's head, and did divide  
His bleeding limbs; that we our Father spoiled  
Of his crowns sacred Treasure; and beguiled  
Daughters to take up particidiall arms.  
Seek matter for thy Fury, for all harms  
That brings a hand prepared.— Wrath whither, oh!  
Transported art thou? Against what treacherous Foe  
Intend'st these weapons?— Something my fierce mind,  
But what I know not, hath within designed,  
Nor darest' Herself disclosed.— fool I have been  
Too fondly rash. Oh that I could have seen  
Some Children of the Strumpet got!— What's thine  
By Jason, think Creusa bore. This kind  
Of vengeance likes; and likes deservedly.  
The height of Ills, with a resolve as high  
Attempt: you, we did once our Children call,  
For your Sires Crimes a satisfaction fall.  
— Horror invades my heart; an Icy cold  
Stiffens my limbs; my breast pants; wrath, his hold  
Hath left; and there,( a wive's stern Passions quit,)  
A mother's soft restored affections sit.  
We in our children's blood our hands ●…mbrue?  
Ah! better thoughts distracted griefs pursue!  
Far be it from Medea yet, to act  
So soul a sin, or so abhorred a fact.  
What Crime, poor wretches! shall they suffer for?  
— Their Father's Crime enough; and greater far  
Their Mother; let 'em die; they're none o' mine.  
Hold! they're thine own: then perish because thine.  
Alas! they're innocent; without a touch  
Of gild? 'tis true; My Brother too was such.  
Why staggerest thou my soul? or why do tears  
Water my Cheeks? whilst Passion this way bears  
My wavering mind, now that way love divides;  
Tossed in an eddy of uncertain Tides.  
As when the winds wage war the passive Waves  
Are counter-rocked, the Sea a Neuter, ra●…es.  
So floats my wracked heart, now Wrath wins the field,  
Now Piety; to Piety wrath yield.  
Oh you the only joy, and comfort left  
Of our sad state; Now, of all else berest;  
Come hither, my dear Children! and with mine  
Your little arms in close Embraces join.  
May in your lives your Father yet delight,  
Whilst I your Mother may.— Exile, and flight  
Enforce me on: Strait from my arms with cries  
Will they be torn; then perish from all joys  
Of Father as of Mother. Grief again  
Renews; My hate boil high; my heard brain  
It's old Rage fires, and stirs my abhorred hand  
Up to new mischief: On then, thy command  
We follow. Would an issue from my womb  
As numerous as Niobes, had come.  
And twice seven Children had from us derived  
Their Births: our barrenness hath even deprived  
Our Vengeance; yet w' ha' two: enough t' expire  
As victims to our Brother, and our Sir e▪  
— Whither does this dire Troop of Furies bend? 
Here her frantic fantsy presents unto her the Furies, and her brother's Ghost.   
Whom seek they? where their fiery strokes intend?  
Against whom shake they their bloody Brands? Snake, wound  
In lashing whips with horrid hisses sound.  
Whom does Megaera with infestive Post  
Pursue? what yet unknown, dismembered Ghost,  
Is this appears? It's's my Brothers; come to crave  
Vengeance of us: And vengeance shalt thou have.  
But first, fix all these firebrands in my eyes;  
Tear, burn; my Breast to furies open lies.  
Hence these dread Ministers of vengeance send,  
And bid these Spirits satisfied descend.  
Leave me to myself, Brother; to employ  
This arm in thy revenge, that did destroy  
Thy life; 
* Stabs one of her Sons.  thus with this victim we appease  
Thy injured Ghost.— What sudden sounds are these?  
What means this none?— 
* Jason within, preparing a Guard to apprehend her.  arms against my life are bent,  

* At these words by the Machine of the Scene she was immediately taken up to the top of the house.  Up to the Houses Top force thy Ascent:  
Finish thy Murder there. Come you with me  
My small Companion: whilst this body we  
Convey along. Now, soul! thy task intend.  
Nor thy brave mischief unregarded end  
In secret; show't the People; let them stand  
Th' amazed Spectators of thy tragic hand.    

Scene the Third.  Enter Jason cum Armatis. Jason. 

You whom the Murder of your Prince, doth move  
With sad Resentments of a loyal love,  
The Author of that execrable deed  
Help to surprise; hither with weapons speed  
You armed Cohorts; here this House surround,  
And lay the fabric level with the ground.   MEDEA. 

Ay, now our sceptre, Brother, Sire, again  
W'enjoy; and Colchians their rich spoil retain.  
Our kingdom, and our lost Virginity  
Are now restored: O long cross Destiny  
At length grown kind! O festive nuptials! On;  
Give thy Revenge, as Crime, perfection.  
Dispatch while thy hand's in.— Why thus delays  
My soul? what doubts?— Our potent wrath decays;  
Now of the Fact a shameful penitent.  
What have I done? Wretch! such though I repent.  
drop reg've done't. An ample joy my unwilling Heart  
Seizes: it grows upon me. Yet this part  
Of Vengeance wanted, he not being here,  
Nor a spectator; without whom, what e'er  
We've done, is lost.   Jason. 

See where she sits! upon  
Yond Houses shelving Top; hither some one  
Bring burning Brands, and Fire impose on Fire;  
That scorched in her own Flames she may expire.   MEDEA. 

Do; raise your sons a funeral Pile; your Bride,  
And father-in-law, our kindness did provide  
With Rites of Sepulture; his doom this son  
Hath felt, the like shall this, whilst thou lookest on.   Jason. 

By all the Gods, by our Community  
Of flight, and Bed, which, un-●…nforced I  
Ne'er violated: spare this child; O spare  
Me this: the Crime is mine, then let me share  
The punishment; and let deserved death,  
Seize on my guilty Head, and loathed Breath.   MEDEA. 

No; where thou wouldst not have't; where thou dost feel  
Most sense of sorrow will we force our steel.  
Go now, thou proud Insulter, go, and Wed  
Young Virgins now, and leave a Mother's Bed,   Jason. 
Let one suffice t'have suffered.  MEDEA. 

If our Rage  
One death, or single slaughter could assuage  
We none had sought; and though both die, yet that  
T' our wrongs is not revenge commensurate.  
If in our womb a Pledge there be, even there  
This steel shall searched, and thence the embryo tear.   Jason. 

Dispatch thy villainy; no more we pray:  
Nor longer now, our punishment delay.   MEDEA. 

Haste not my grief; but leisurely employ  
Thy slow revenge. This day's our own; w' enjoy  
Th' accepted time.   Jason. 
Death, cruel! we implore.  MEDEA. 

Thou pity cravest. So; 
* Kills her o●… their Son.  now all's done; nor more  
Had we( O sorrow) as a Sacrifice  
To offer thee. Erect thy humid Eyes  
ingrateful Jason; here look up; dost know  
Thy Wife? thus use we to escape: heavens' show  
Our flight clear way; See both our Dragons here!  
Who freely stoop their scaly necks to bear  
Their willing yoke. 
* throws their bodies down.  Now take your sons; whilst I  
On wi●…ged wheels through airy Regions fly.   Jason. 

go, mount the skies; and by thy flight declare,  
( If thou unpunished go'st) no Gods there are.     
FINIS.   


ANNOTATIONS upon the first ACT.  

(1) YOu nuptial Powers] The nuptial Powers were these; Jupiter and Juno, whom they styled jovem Adultum, and junonem Adultam, in regard( as conceived) that it was not lawful for any one to marry, nisi Adulta Aetate, as likewise {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, i. e. nuptials by the Greeks, because( as Scaliger says) Humanae vitae Perpetuatio Nuptiarum Merito perficeretur. The Perpetuation of human life was the effect or benefit of Marriage. The goddess Suada Nuptiare Consiliatrix, Diana President of household affairs, called at these Ceremonies Cinxia( a Title likewise given to Juno) of the Girdle or Zone of the Bride, which being unloosed by the bridegroom, was her Votive or Offering; Genius, so called quasi Generis Nostri Parens, Neptune called Genethliacus, Ut cui liberorum quaerendorum Cura Venus Geriturae Domina, Hymen( of whom in the Annotations upon the following Chorus) And( to omit divers others added to the Catalogue by the Romans)   

(2) Lucina, Guardian of the genial bed, &c.] Being the same with Diana, called likewise Illythia, President, chief Assistant at women's Labours, in regard that her Mother was delivered of her without pain, the Etymology of Lucina, Ovid would thus derive.  

— De dit haec tibi Nomina lucus,  
Vel quia Principium tu dea lucis habes.   

Goddess thy name from Groves derived should be,  
Or, cause the Prime of Light's derived from thee.    

(3) The genial bed was called as Scaliger supposes à Generando, or as others, quia in honorem Genii sternebatur, it was by the Greeks' called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in regard it was covered over with a veil. Vid. Scal. Poet. l. 3.   

(4) And thou who Typhis taught] Pallas or Minerva, of whom see more in the Annotations upon the Chorus to the Second Act.  
Typhis was the pilot of Argos in the Expedition to Colchos, instructed by Minerva, de quo vide ibid.   

(5) To guide the first Ship, &c.] Argos,( according to the Poets) the first Ship that ever sailed the Seas, and by them placed in the Heavens, as the Merit of her Adventures. Embellished with 26 glittering stars.  

— Tum nobilis Argo  
In coelum sub ducta mari, quod prima cucurrit  
Emeritum magnis mundum tenet acta Procellis,  
Servando Dea facta deos.—   Manil. l. 1. 

— The noble Argos to the Skies  
From Sea translated, which she first did plow,  
Once tossed with mighty storms, in heaven's fixed now,  
And deified, for saving deities.    

(6) Dread sovereign of the Seas] Neptune; who by the Greeks' is sometimes called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} of the noise and roaring of the Seas, resembling the bellowing of a Bull, which Beast they usually offered to him in Sacrifice.   

(7) Three-formed Hecate] Hecate the same with the moon, so called( as some conceive) for that she was appeased with Hecatombs, or that she caused the unburied to wander a hundred years, or for the multiplicity of her endowments and virtues, or for the Centuple increase of Fruit, a Secret by her taught, and received from her Mother; said to be triple-formed, in regard in heaven she is called Luna, on Earth Diana, in Hell Proserpina; See more in the Annotations upon the fourth Act, Scene the second.   

(8) ye Furies dread, &c.] The Furies are feigned to be the Daughters of Erebus and Night, in number three, their Names Megaera, Tisiphone, and Allecto, the Hellish Executioners of celestial vengeance, armed with flaming Brands, and snaky Whips. The hairs of their heads being Serpents( if we believe the Poets) the first that so described them( as Pausanias in Atticis witnesses,) was the Poet Aeschylus.   

(9) Phoebus the Radiant Author of our Race] Aeeta the Father of Medea was the son of Apollo, begotten on Persa the Daughter of Neptune: Who was Medea's Mother is not certainly known: Since they reckon Jayia, Ephire, Hecate, Eurylite, Neaera, Asterodia and Antiope, the most general received is Hecate. Vid. Schol. Apolon. in l. 3.   

( 10) Corinth whose small Land, &c.] Corinth was seated upon the Neck of Land or Isthmos, joining Peloponessus to Achaia, parting the Egaean and Ionian Seas. What Medea here threatens in her fury, was once really attempted to have been effected as Pausanias writes, by design, viz. to have made an Island of Peloponessus: The Isthmos being but the Remainder of the unfinished work, left unperfected in that death prevented the undertaker; The Marks and Tracts of the design being apparent in his days.   

( 11) The Ills once Colchos, &c.] Colchos( now called Mengrelia) was the supposed Country of Medea, bounded on the North with part of Sarmatia, on the West with so much of the Euxine Sea, as extends from the River Corax, to the mouth of the River Phasis, on the South with part of Cappadocia, and on the East with Iberra. Ptol. l. 4. Cosm. where Med●…a betrayed her father's kingdom, made Jason Master of the Golden Fleece and herself, and slew her Brother Absyrtus, whose Limbs she cut in pieces, and scattered abroad, so to retard her pursuing Father, whilst he gathered together the dispersed Members.   

On the CHORUS.  
( 12) You Gods, &c. These Princely nuptials, &c. Whilst all due Rites, &c.] It was the manner of the ancients at nuptials, to begin per Auspicia & Sacra, and Invocation of the deities, to whom they offered a lock of the bride's hair, tanquum Primitias; It was the custom likewise for the People, at the Inauguration or Marriages of Princes to stand by, and favere linguâ, i. e. to abstain from evil words, and to offer up their vows and Acclamations as the Omen of their future felicity. And( as Del Rius conjectures) to begin the Celebration of the nuptial Solemnities in these words, Quod bonum, foelix, faustum, fortuna tumque sit.   

( 13) First to those Powers that thunder fling] Meaning Jupiter and Pluto; As also the rest of the deities. For they likewise had their Thunder, yet such as they at first received from Jupiter. And with this difference: First, the lighting or Thunder which they darted, was of Colour either white, or black. That of Jupiter's Ruddy. Theirs again was dull and heavy, and served only to punish; Jupiter's Propitious, and sent to admonish. I find, that of Jupiter's Thunder there were three sorts; The first small, and monitory; The second bigger, and breaking forth with a loud noise, sent by Jove by the general Advice, and upon the Votes of the Parliament of Gods. The last was greater than the two first, and atttended with consuming Fire, which was sent by Jupiter when in his Privy counsel he determined, upon some urgent occasion, to reverse any general Decree, or Act established by the rest of the Gods. The Romans( as Pliny testifies, l. 2.) held, that but two of all the deities used to thunder, viz. Jupiter, and Pluto, the first by day, the last by night. Unto these deities in general, they usually offered a White Bull in sacrifice at nuptials,( yet it was the opinion of some of the ancients, that it was a thing Piacular to offer a Bull to Jupiter) as likewise, particularly to   

( 14) Thee O Lucina, &c.]( the same with Juno as some will, as others the daughters of Juno, Cui vincla I●…galia curae) a white Heifer; but in the sacrifice they threw the Gall behind the Altar in sign futurae inter Conjugas tranquilitatis, the other Parts of the Beast were burnt.   

( 15) To her who Mars his bloody hands, &c. Shall fall a gentler Sacrifice] The goddess Venus; to whom they offered, a bowl of Wine and Frankincense; or Concord, or Peace, the Conciliatrix of Differences, and Mother of plenty, signified by her still replenishing horn. Alluding to the Story of the Amalthaean Goat, which being Nurse to Jupiter, and having broken one of her engaged horns in a Ticket, the same was by Amalthea a Nymph( who owed the Goat) taken up, and filled with various sorts of Fruits and Flowers, and brought to the Infant Jupiter to smell on, of which benefit Jupiter being afterwards min●…ful, granted this boon to the Nymph, that whatever she should ask, ●…should immediately spring from that horn, called from thence Coruucopiae. vid. Ovid. 5. faster.   

( 16) And thou who these Solemnities, &c. Thy head with Roses crowned] Hymen( A pleasant search it were, to search for the Derivation of his Name; to which, Scaliger in the third of his Poet. will direct you) is here crowned with Roses,( Catullus crown him with sweet Margerum) the reason why I find not; only this I read, that the Rose was a flower dedicated to Venus, and sprung( as Poets fain) from her blood, some Philosophers likewise were of opinion, that the colour and odour of the Rose proceeded from the Influence of her Planet, whose Colour and Prickles may perhaps allude to the Blushes and the Smarts of wounded Lovers; Capella likewise terms the Wreaths or Garlands usually worn at nuptials, Conscia Veneris Serta.  
Of Hymen, see more toward the end of this Chorus.   

( 17)  

And thou bright star with Silver Ray,]  
Forerunner of the Night and Day, &c.]   
Hesperus; the same with Lucifer, a star consecrate to Venus, and beloved of her;  

— Oceani perfusus Lucifer unda,  
Quem Venus ante alios Astrorum diligit ignes,  
Extulit os Sacrum.   Virg. l. 8. Aeneid. 

The sea-bathed Lucifer's bright Head aspires,  
Whom Venus loves 'bove all heaven's shining Fires.   
Supposed to be one and the same star, Lucifer being taken for the Globe or body thereof, and Venus for that Power,( in the metaphysics called the Intelligence) by which the Rotation of its orb is perpetuated, Scal. l. 5. Poet. usually invoked at nuptials to bring on the Evening, the time wherein the bridal Solemnities were performed. Of which likewise thus Claudian.  

Attollens Thalamis Idalium jubar  
Dilectus veneri nascitur Hesperus.   Claud. Nupt. Hon. & Mariae. 

To light the nuptials, his Idalian Ray  
Hesper beloved of Venus doth display.    

( 18) 'Mong the Cecropian Dames, &c.] Attic, or Athenian Virgins; from Cecrops the first King of Attica, who founded and built the Tower or Castle of Athens; hence it came that the Athenians were called Cecropians, and the Region of Attica, Cecropia. He was contemporary with Moses( as Eusebius writes) and flourished about the year of the World, 3645. & before the Flood of Doucali●…n. He was said to be by-formed, and to have the shape of a man above, and of a Dragon beneath. In regard of his wisdom and Fortitude, or in that he was skilled in two Languages, the Egyptian and Greek, or as Justin reports, Quia primus Mar●…m Foeminae Matrimonio junxit.   

( 19) The Virgins of the Wallesse town, &c.] Spartan Virgins; That Town being unwalled: The reason whereof being asked Agesilaus, he answered that Armed Citizens, and at Concord and unity among themselves, were the best defence of a town, whose safety he said consisted not in bulwarks or Trenches, but in the Valour and united Resolution of the Inhabitants. It is at this day held and fortified by the Turks, being a Sanziackship, and by them called Mizithra.   

( 20)  

Who on Taygetus his crown]  
In manly pass-times, &c.]   
Taygetus is a mountain of Laconiae, near to, and overlooking Sparta; On whose Top, the Virgins of that town and Country were wont to sport themselves in Wrestling, Races, and other manly Exercises, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} nudis femonibus( as Pelus in Euripides his Andromack taxes them.) Which custom Plutarch writes had it's original from Lycurgus his Institution. They used likewise solemn Dances and Songs, in which they recited the Praises of Bacchus and Venus: First practised among themselves only( as Scaliger observes 1. Poet.) afterward in the Company of young men, with whom they performed these kind of Exercises naked; commended by Plato in his republic, as a thing fit to be practised by Women of all sorts and Ages.   

( 21) And those their limbs in Dirce lave] Meaning the Theban Virgins, Dirce being a fountain in B●…otia near Thebes, sacred to the Muses; with whom likewise our Author may seem ●…acitly to compare Creusa.   

( 22) Or in Alphaeus Sacred Wave.] Alphaeus is a River of Arcadia running along by Elis and Pisa, called here Sacred, either in that as the ancients supposed, no River but was thought to contain a deity,( and therefore by the Poets called the sons of Gods) or that the Elean Games were performed to this River, as to a God and friend of Jupiter; with whose Water alone it was lawful to wash and cleanse the Altar of Olympic Jove, famous for the memorised love 'twixt him and Ar●…thusa. Of which see Ovid. Metam. l. 5.   

( 23) The Aesonian Youth, &c.] Jason; the son of Aeson, the son of Cretaeus, the son of Aeolus, who was his Mother is not certainly known. Some say Theognis, other Polyphemes, some Eteoclymenes, and others Alcymides. Vid. Apoll. Schol.   

( 24)  

Shall Bacchus' self give place]  
Who to the yoke fierce tiger's chains]   
Bacchus was so called from the howling vociferation which the Bacchaes or Frowes, brought by him from conquered India, made. Said to be always young, in that he had the looks of a Youth or Boy; and always reputed, inter Formosissimos. drawn by yoked tigers, a kind of Beast of an untamed ferity; the hieroglyphic, Emollitae, Ferociae.   

( 25)  

Or he who o'er the Tripods reigns,]  
Mild Brother to the Sterner Maid, &c.]   
Apollo, who gave Oracles by the Tripod, which was a Seat or stool of three feet, made of Gold or brass; On which the Priest being seated, was inspired with the Spirit of Divination, and gave Answers. The Epithets of Aspera and Ferox are often given by the Poets to Diana; which though they may seem in the opinion of some unsuitable, and not fitly applied to such a deiety; yet in respect of her obstinate Vow of perpetual virginity, there be those that think she justly deserved them.   

( 26)  

The Swan-got Twins fair Leda laid]  
Castor, with Pollux who for blow]  
Of weighty Sledge, &c.]   
Castor and Pollux were feigned to be begotten by Jupiter in the likeness of a Swan, on Leda; who conceiving, brought forth, or( if I may as properly say it) laid two Eggs, of one came Helena, of the other Castor and Pollux. feigned to be borne of Eggs, in regard,( as Athenaeus says) by {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, which in the Greek signifies an egg, was understood likewise an upper room or Chamber. Whence,( they being born in the upper Part of the House) the Fable may seem to spring. Pollux,( as Castor at horsemanship) was famous at the Game or Exercise of the Sledge or Cestus. In which Exercise at the first original they encountered one another with strokes of bare fists only; Afterward for the defence of the Hand there was added a Lora or Thong fastened at the Elbow and shoulder; to which Lora likewise, called Cestus or Cingulum( whence the Exercise took Denomination) was ●…owed a weighty Piece of Iron or Lead; In which cruel Past-time they not seldom endangered the dashing out of one another's Brains, and therefore they usually wore a Helmet or Cap of defence, especially for their ears: All the Art in this, was to avoid the blows, not by running back, but by the dexterous motion of the Body. Scaliger seems to deride the opinion of those who make this Cestus to be a staff wound about with the Lora and Plummet of Lead hung at the end. Vid. S●…al. l. 1. Poet.   

( 27) So fade the Pleiads, &c.] The Pleiads are said by some to be the Daughters of Lycurgus, who ruled in the Island of Naxos; who, for that they were the Nurses of Bacchus, were said to be constellated by Jupiter. They were seven in Number, their Names Celano, Sterope, Merope, Alcynoe, Maita, Taygeta, and Electra, which last( as Aratus says) is scarce to be seen; And for that reason by some thought to be so called, other's fable that for shame she obscures herself, for as much as all the rest of her Sisters were married to Gods, and she alone had a mortal to her husband. Proclus Diadochus upon Hesiod, reports them to be the Daughters of Atlas, begotten on the Nymph Pleione, from whence they are said to take their Denomination; who conceives them to be no other than the assisting angels or Intelligences of the seven spheres, Allotting Celaeno to the Sphere of Saturn, S●…erope to Jupiter's, Merope to that of Mars, Aclynoe to the Sphere of Venus, Maia to Mercuries, Taygeta to the Moons, and Electra to the Suns; their situation, according to Ovid in Phaenomenis, and Servius in Virgil, ante genua tauri.  

Pleiades ante genu septemradiare feruntur,  
Sed tantum apparet sub opaca septima nube.   

Seven Pleiads 'fore the knees of Taurus shine;  
Dark clouds the seventh, hardly seen, confine.   
Pliny places them in Cauda Tauri, reprehended by Joseph Scaliger in his Manilian Annotations, since the Bull is but half bodied, his upper parts( as Ovid says) only appearring, as cut off in the middle, about which Caesure the Pleiades are seated: So called, either from their plurality, or from the Greek which signifies to sail, in regard that upon their rising was the Season for Navigation, as in the Latin Vergiliae, from the vernal Season, the time wherein they arise. Plin. l. 2. c. 41.   

( 28) Phoenician die] Purple or Scarlet, the best being that of Tyre a city of Phoenicia, near which the Scarlet-fish 〈◊〉 taken, that yields that die. See Salmuthius upon Panci●…llus, de rebus Perditis & nuprimè Inventis.   

( 29) From Phasis horrid Bed] Medea was called Phasis, Colchis of the River Phasis and Region of Colchos, as being by some conceived to be there borne, though Pindarus in the thirteenth Ode of his Olympics, seems to make Corinth the country of Medea, and not Colchos, yet so may she justly be called in regard that her Father Aeeta leaving his principality of Corinth, or exchanging it for Colchos, there reigned.   

( 30) fair Issue of the God of Wi●…e] Hymen was said to be the son of Bacchus and Venus( Catullus makes the Muse Urania his Mother, and ●…ome, Apollo his Father.) The same with the Greeks'( Says Scaliger) as Thalassius with the Romans. By the Indians( as Boccace in Geneolog. Deor. writes) styled the God of the Night. Of all the deities chiefly invoked at nuptials. Lactanti●…s reports that Hymen was a beautiful Youth of Athens, who( for the love of a young Virgin, in the habit of one disguised, performing the Eleusinian Rites, was with divers other Maids of that city taken and carried away by pirates, and by them( supposing him a Maid) lodged with his Mistress. Who, when the pirates were asleep, cut their throats, and then running before to Athens, told the Parents of the Maids, that if amongst the rest they would assure him of her whom he affected, he would restore their Daughters. Which being granted him, and the Marriage proving fortunate, it grew into a custom afterward at nuptials to invoke the name of Hymen. Of whom, and of his several Duties, it will not be amiss as a Corollary to add what is elegantly sung by Martianus Capella in these following Verses;  

Tu quem psallentem Thalamis, quem matre Camaena,  
Progenitum perhibent; Cepula Sacra Deûm  
Semina qui arcanis stringens pugnantia vinclis,  
Complexuque sacro, dissona nexa foves.  
Namque Elementa ligas vicibus, mundumque maritas,  
Atque auram mentis, corporibus socias.  
Faedere complacito subquo natura jugatur,  
Sexus concilias, & sub amore fidem:  
O Hymenaee decens! Cypridis tu maxima Cura.  
Hinc tibi nam flagrans ore cupido micat.  
Seu tibi quod Bacchus Pater est, placuisse chore as,  
Cantare ad Thalamos seu Genitricis habes;  
Co●…ere verniferis florentia lamina sertis,  
Seu consanguineo Gratia trina dedit.   

Thou muse-born: Who at bridals chantest, whose hands  
Do Link the deities in Sacred Bands.  
Who jarring seeds in mystic knots dost chain,  
Discordants knit, in concord dost maintain.  
Marryest the World, the Elements dost bind  
In mutual ties; to Bodies weddest the Mind.  
Whose pleasing yoke Nature herself doth prove,  
Sexes unit'st, mak'st Faith strike league with Love.  
O graceful Hymen! Joy of Erycine.  
For in thy flagrant looks, hence love doth shine.  
Whether the measured brawls, in that thy Sire  
Was Bacchus, or to chant i'th'Nuptiall choir,  
In that a Muse thy Mother thou affectest;  
Or Gates with flowers, the grace's Kinsman, deckest.    

( 31) 'Tis time to light thy carved Pine] After the nuptial Supper was ended, and the Dances done; the Pronuba,( which was usually the Mother of the Bride) taking the Bride by the hand led her to the genial Bed, though others will have this to be done by Youths, the nearest of kin of the Fathers or mother's side. Before them( according to the manner of the Greeks') went a Youth in a long Robe representing the Person of Hymen, bearing a Torch of Pine or White-thorn by Pliny reported to be held omnium Auspicatissima. After followed two others( according to the manner of the Romans) bearing a distaff and Spindle( after the custom of the Greeks') a sieve or Boulter, and a Pestle and mortar, signifying how the Bride was to employ her future time. And with these Ceremonies brought to the Bride Chamber, she was there by the bridegroom unveiled. Vid. Plutarch. in Romulo. Scal. Scal. Poet. l. 3.   

( 32)  

With Wine-wet-fingers than put out]  
The solemn Flame, &c.]   
This Verse I have thus rendered, though contrary to the sense of Delrius,( who would have excute, which Irender put out, or shake out, to toss or make to blaze) as being induced by the more plausible Interpretation of M. Farnaby. Who conceives it was the Office of Hymen at nuptials to extinguish the bridal Taper, as well as light it. I find it was the custom likewise before the Torches were put out, for the Pronuba to light the nuptial lamp, which was to be kept constantly burning by Night, and that done, all the Tapers were extinguished; Which, that they were not laid under the Bed, or reserved to light a funeral Pile, was most Religiously observed. Scal. l. 3. Poet.   

( 33) And the Fessennine Youths do sing, &c.] It was the custom at Marriages( among the Ancients) the Bride, and bridegroom being entered into Bed, and the doors of the Chamber being locked, to Sing an Epithalamium full of Lascivious wantonness, and not to be questioned licentiousness( as the Verses immediately before going intimate) that while that was Sung, Compressae Virginis clamour non audiretur. To which end they strewed Nuts likewise to be trod on. Though there be a better reason rendered for it, to wit, That the married Couple should renounce and abandon all Childish Sports, and Vanities of Youth. These Verses, as the Youths that Sung them, were called Fescennine from Fesce●…num a town of Etruria, from whence they first came; or as others will, in regard that Facinum a●…cere putabantur. They were held to drive away ill Luck or Witchery, or the conceived Revenge which Nemesis might take for too great Praises usually given to the Married pair in the Epithalamium or Marriage Song, and therefore these Fescennine Youths and Derisory Verses were added to the music.    

ANNOTATIONS upon the second ACT.  

(1) ANd thus could Jason cause Medea grieve!] The Name of Jason as Pindarus intimates in 〈◊〉 Pythicor. seems to be derived à Sanando, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in the Greek signifying sanity, who, by reason that in his younger years he was brought up under Chiron, and by him instructed in chirurgery and physic, was called Jason sive Sanator.   

(2)  

The signal Glory of the Colchian crown]  
Made Prize]   
The Golden Fleece, brought to Colchos by Phryxus. The Fable of which is this: ●…hryxus and his Sister Helle, flying from the Cruelty of their Father Athamas, exasperated by his wife their stepmother Ino.( For they were the Children of repudiated Nephele) were by their Mother furnished with a Ram, whose Fleece was of Gold which she had from Mercury. Mounted upon which, they were carried through the air, when they came to the Sea running 'twixt Sigaeum and Chaersonessus, Affrighted Helle fell from his back into the Sea, which from her took its Name. Phryxus not withstanding, safely arrived at Cholcos, and there in memorial sacrificed the Ram to Jupiter of that called Phryxius, and hung the Fleece in the Grove of Mars, which was afterward kept( as they fabled) by a sleepless Dragon. Vid. Natal. Com. Mythol. l 6. Tacitus reports in the sixth book of his annals, that among the Colchians no man durst sacrifice a Ram, because( as he says) Phryxus was once carried upon one, be it, that that Ram was a beast or a Ship bearing that ensign. This Fleece Jason by the help of Medea made his Prize. Vid. Ovid. Met. & Apoll. l. 4. l. 7.   

(3) Think on old Pelias boiling o'er the Fire, &c.] Pelias was King of Thessaly, which he by Power kept, though the right thereof belonged to his Nephew Jason: Medea therefore to be revenged of him for the injury done her husband, coming to Pelias his Court who was now very aged, pretends that she would restore his Youth, as he had done old Aeson's her husband's Father, and persuaded his Credulous daughters to cut in Pieces his aged Limbs, and to boil them in a cauldron of Water which she had prepared; which when the daughters had done, she leaves them guilty of Particide and frustrate of their pious hopes, and by flight avoid their vengeance.   

(4) Malea shall amaze, &c.] Malea is a Promontory of Laconia, on the South of P●…loponessus, so called from Maleus one of the Argive Kings. By Ptolemy it is called Omignaton, extending fifty miles into the Sea; no small hindrance to the mariner sailing along those Coasts.   

(5) The Colchians hate thee] The Subjects of her Father Aeëta, and Inhabitants of Colchos; These as Amianus, l. 12. and Strabo l. 11. conjecture, originally sprung from the Egyptians, ovid. Vadianum in Pompon. Melam.  
(z) Pelasgian royalty] Pelasgia was commonly taken for all Greece, but more particularly for Thessaly and Angia; so called from Pelasgus, the son of Neptune, or Inachus, here applied to the Corinthian Monarchy.  
(5) What Phasis in his winding arms, &c.] Phasis is the greatest River of Cholchos, taking his rise from the mountains called Moschii( Adjoining to a part of the mountain Caucasus, dividing Cholchos from Iberia) and falling into the Euxine Sea, at this day called Fassa.   

(6)  

What e'er behind the Scythian Pontus, &c.]  
Where the salt Waves grow fresh, &c.]   
The Scythian Pontus is that Sea, which beginning from the Thracian Bosphorus or straits of Constantinople, extends in a large plain of Waters, known by several Names, by the Grecians called the Euxine Sea, or( as Ovid says) more fitly termed Axenos, of the inhospitality of the Inhabitants along those Coasts, or because so infested by pirates; by the Turks at this day called the Black Sea. And by our Author the Scythian Pontus, whose Waters are here said to be fresh with the Admistion of Rivers falling into them, The like is reported thereof by Pl●…ny, which may well be in regard of the neighbouring Palus Maeotis running into it by the Straits of Bosphorus Cimmerius, The River Tanais, and divers other great Rivers discharging their fresh streams likewise into the same. It is observed by naturalists, that the Northern Seas are less Salt than the Southern: For, whereas the saltness of the Sea is conceived to spring from a terrestrial addust matter, mixing with the Waters, when by the sunbeams the thinner and fresher parts of the Water are exhaled, and the grosser and lower are left to suffer adustion; It follows, that the rays of the sun being weaker towards the North, the Exhalations should be less, and so cons●…quently the saltness. Vid. Paul. Merulae. Dissertation do Maribus.   

(7)  

All that Exte●…t of Land whose Borders hems]  
The Silver Thermodon; In trampled Fields]  
Where widowed troops display their luned Shields]   
Thermedon is a River of Cappadocia in the greater Asia, near which the Amazons were said to live, Inhabiting( as I conceive here is to be meant) so much of that Part of Cappadocia, by Ptolemy called Pontus Polemoniacus, as is included between the said River and the Euxine Sea. These warlike Women voluntarily divorced themselves from the society of men, or rather expelled them, never marrying, only once every year for Propagation of their Race admitting of the Company of men. The Male Children,( when they were delivered) they sent away to their Fathers; The Female they brought up, searing their right breasts( whence they took their Denomination) that they might not hinder their Shooting. Of their original, vide Isidorum. l. 11.   

(8)  

Lynceus he whose fight]  
Extends cross Pontus it's emitted light]   
Lynceus is reported to be the most quick-sighted of men, who from the Top of Taygetus is said clearly to survey all Peloponessus, and to discover Castor and Pollux lying hid in a hollow tree, with his sharp fight to pierce through the bodies of Oakes, to penetrate the Earth, and Globe of the moon as Pliny says, l. 2. Nat. Hist. c. 7. And as Plutarch writes, to discern Ships from Sicily, weighing Anchor in some Parts of afric, being no less than 1500 Stadia. Though all Mathematicians deny any visible object upon Earth or at Sea to be discerned the tenth part of such a distance, add beside the gibbosity or convexity of the Sea or Earth, which in so great a distance must needs intercept the sight.( If any thing yet might be said to hinder the penetrating sight of Lynceus.) But the Fable of his wonderful perspicacity seems to arise from his cunning in finding out of Gold Mines, which he discovered with such certainty, that thereupon the ignorant vulgar reported he could see into the Bowels of the Earth. See Hygin. de Poet. Fabul. l. 1. Here our Author seems to adhere to the Opinion of the Stoics and Piatonists, who will have Vision to be by Emission of Radii or beams, from the sight to the Object; oppugned by the Peripatetticks, and the best Masters of the optics; who say. That Vision is by Radii extrinsecally flowing from the visible Object to the sight, the Object being illuminated by the light, and the Radii, or light proceeding from that illuminated Body striking the Eye; whose Radii extending in form of a Pyramid, whose Vertex or Point is in the Eye, and Basis in the thing visible. Vid. quae Alhaz. c. 5. l. 1. As likewise, what that Ornament of our Nation and Learning, the Viscount of S. Albon says of Vision in his Natur. Hist. p. 65. 72. 144. &c.   

(9) And all the Minyae] People of Thessaly, so called of Orcomenus a River of that country formerly called Minyëus, supposed to be the son of Neptune: Or as Apollonius writes, l. 5. from the Daughters of Minyas;( perhaps after the manner of the Carians, who, as Herodotus report, took their Names from their Mothers; The Minyae were likewise of Boeotia, called Minyae Orchomenii( as some will) from Minyas, and Orchomenus his son, inhabiting the city of Orcomenus from him so called. But the Minyae, properly so termed, were those dwelling about Jolcos'.   

( 10)  

Creon Thy knees we touched, and did implore]  
The Faith of thy Protecting hand, &c.]   
The ancients made several Parts of man, the seats of several moral virtues, and Vices; assigning modest shamefacedness to the forehead, the contrary vice to the Mouth, Irrision and sagacity to the Nose, Judgement to the ear, Pride and disdain to the eyebrows, pity to the Knees, which Suppliants used, when they made their requests with Reverence to touch and embrace. The hand was the Pledge of Faith, as Cicero says in the second of his Phillipp.[ Those hands which were the Pledges of Faith, are now violated with perfidious wickedness] Which in the Act of Promise, or Paction, was held forth and touched by the Suppliant; the reason( as Varro gives it) in that the authority of the ancients consisted in the Power and strength of the hand. Plutarch reports, That the flamens were wont to perform divine Rites, Manu ad digitos in●…, symbolically signifying, That Faith is inviolably to be kept, and that the hand was it's consecrate Seat.   

Upon the CHORUS.  
( 11)  

Rash man was he with Ships frail-beak]  
Did first the treacherous billows break]   
This suits with that of Horace, Illi Robur & as triplex, &c. to which may be applied the Answer of Carfilides, Who being asked his Opinion what he thought of the Sea, and seamen; answered, That there was nothing more treacherous than the first, and that the others were its Comrades.   

( 12)  

Drawn to too thin Dimensions far]  
'Twixt Life and Death too poor' a bar]   
Alluding perhaps to that apothegm of Anacharsis( in Laertius) That the distance betwixt death and those in a ship at Sea, was no more than the thickness of the bark; Of which thus Juvenall:  

Inune & ventis animum commit, dolato  
Confisus ligno, digitis à morte remotus  
Quatuor, aut septem, sisit latissima T●…da.   satire. 12. 

Go; trusting in a treacherous Plank; but four  
Poor Inches distant, or but seven, if more,  
From death; and to the winds thy life commit.    

( 13) The stormy Hyads] A Constellation as Aratus writes of seven, according to Proclus of six, & as Hesiod will, of five Stars in the forehead of the Bull, whose rise and set was the Cause of Storms and Tempests. These were the daughters of Atlas, who so excessively bewailed the death of their Brother Hyas, torn in pieces by a lion, that from him they took their Denomination, and by the Commiserating Gods were converted into Stars. Vid. Higyn astronom.. Poet.  
( 13) Th' Olenian Goats bright star, &c.] The Amalthaean Goat, feigned by Poets to be the Nurse of Jupiter, so called from Olenum a town of Achaia, near which she gave him suck. For which benefit she was afterwards by Jupiter translated among the Stars; of her we have spoken already in the Annotations upon the first Chorus.   

( 14)  

Nor those which that old lazy swain]  
Boötes drives, the Northern wain, &c.]   
Boötes is otherwise called Arctophylax; whose first name, as Manilius says, is given him in that  

— Boötes.  
Quòd stimulo junctis instat de more juvencis.   Manil. l. 1. seu Sphaera. 
He seems with goad t'incite his yoked steers.  
The Northern wain consists of seven stars in the Constellation of the greater bear,( which is in all made up of 24) four of which, on the side of the bear making by their Postures the form of a Quadrangle, are called the wain the three on her tail( if a bear may be said to have one) the Oxen; near which Boötes being placed, is styled the Waggoner or Driver; called here lazy, in regard of his slow Motion, by reason of his vicinity to the Pole.   

( 15) The Pine of Thessaly, &c.] Argos; built of Thessalian Pines, Thessaly being a Region of Greece, abounding in mountains and Woods; of Argos see more after.   

( 16) Argos self was then struck mute] Argos was said to be endued with voice, and more than that, with Prophecy; being by Valerius Flaccus in the first of his argonautics, called Fa●…idicam ratem, but more peculiarly the Mid-Mast of the Ship, which was placed by Pallas herself, and cut from the Dodonaean oak which gave Oracles.   

( 16)  

— When those Rocks that bound]  
The Entrance to the Pontic Sound]   
These are two Rocks in the Mouth of the Straits of the Thracian Bosphorus called Cyanae and Symplegades. The first name given them in regard of their black Colour; and the other in that as the Poets feigned they justly against one another with violent concursions. The ground of that Fictionarising, for that, to the sailor in regard of their near distance & the Motion of the Ship and Sea, they seemed now to part, and then again to close. Or as I●…remias Hoelzinus in his Notes upon Apol. l. 2. vers. 608. writes, In that the broken Rocks lying in the Sea, in a manner close up the narrow straits, or in regard of Pyarts possessing both sides of the passage and obstructing the same, until overcome by Jason.   

( 18)  

The Maid whose Waste surrounds]  
A Cincture of fierce ravening hounds]   
Scylla, the Daughter of Ph●…rcui: the Cause and manner of whose transmutation you may read in the 14 book of Ovid's Metamorphosis, converted into a Rock in the Sicilian Sea, near to the Promontory of Pelorus, so feigned according to Sallust, in that afar off it represents to the Beholders the Shape or form of a Woman, whose barking Dogs hemming her Waste are no other than the roaring Waves dashing against it.   

( 19) Th' Ausonian main] The Italian Sea; running along the Coast of Italy, so called from Auson the son of Ulysses and Calypso. The Sicilians( as Strabo reports, lib. 2.) were wont to say of this Sea that it alone was sweet, when as all others were salt; not truly, but jestingly, in regard of the sweet Cates and delicacies usually transported to them by this Sea.   

( 20)  

Till on his Lyre Pierian, played]  
Orpheus]   
The Reader may perchance think it strange to find two several Names applied to one Instrument, being here termed a Lyre, and but immediately before a Lute. Yet I may as well varyin the English, as the Author himself in the Original, first calling it Lyram, & then Cytharam. The better therefore to inform the Ordinary Reader, He may take Notice; That the Words Lyra, Cythara, Testudo, Chelys, are by the Poets usually applied to one and the same Instrument. The three first first so used by Statius in the first of his Achilleids, and the tenth book of his Thebais: Yet are they several Instruments. The Lyra( according to Pausanias) being the Invention of Mercury, and the Cythara of Apollo. The Invention and form of Mercuries Lyra, is thus described by Lucian( in Dialog●… Apoll. and Vulcani.) Mercury having found a dead tortoise, made an Instrument thereof, applying to the hollow shell, a Neck extending with two horns; gluing Reeds, and over them straning a Cover, as the Belly of the Instrument, and to that fastening a Bridge, and seven strings. From this( as Joseph Scaliger observes in his Learned Annotations upon Manilius) proceeded the Cythara or Chelys, likewise called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, which is no other than the Lyre of Mercury reform; for whereas that had two Necks, this had but one, in whose Top, Pegs were placed for the Winding up of the Strings, the very same with our Lute at this day. And as from the entire Lyra proceeded the Chelys or Lute, so from a Part therrof came the Latter Lyra usually attributed to Arion, Apollo, and Hercules, which is no other than the Lyra of Mercury with the Testude or Back taken away and is in fashion like to two Ss opposed, and an I transversed, thus. SS played upon both with the Plectrumor quill, and fingers alone. Sometimes with both hands, as in our harp, though Venantius Fortunatus by him cited make the harp and Lyra to be two different Instruments.  

Romanus Lyra pla●…dit tibi,  
Barbarus Harpa.   

The Roman to the Lyre thy Praises sings,  
And the Barbarian to Harp's tuned strings.   
This Lute or Lyre of Orpheus( which Scaliger will have to be after the form of Mercuries) is constellated for it's admirable Effects; studded with Nine stars here called Pi●…rian, in that it was given him by his Mother the Muse Calliope. Of which thus Manilius.  

— Lyra diductis in Caelum cornibus, inter  
Sydera conspicitur, quaquondam caeperat Orpheus,  
Omne quod attigerat cantu, manesque perimos  
Fecit Iter; domnitque infernas Carmine leges.  
Huic caelestis honos; similisque Potentia Causae.  
Tunc sylvas & saxatrahens, nunc sydera ducit.   Manil. l. 1. seu Sphaera. 

The Lyre in heaven with horns distended 'mong  
The Stars is seen, with which his charming Song  
Orpheus began once, made to Hell his Way,  
And forced the infernal laws his Verse obey.  
Celestial honour's added; the same cause  
Remains; once Woods and Stones, now stars it draws.    

( 21)  

And even the Siren made]  
Wont ships to Captive while she sings]  
Follow the music of his strings]   
The Sirens are said to be the Daughters of the River Achellous, and the Muse Calliope, Eur●…pides in Helena makes them the Daughters of Tellus,( or as same will, of Terpsichore, as others of Melpomen●…, or Sterope) They were in number three, their names Parthenope, Lygia, Leucosia, of whom, one played on the Lyre, another on a Pipe, and the third was excellent at singing. Virgins above, and Fishes beneath, once winged, but in a Contention with the Muses overcome, they were by them unplumed. Their manner was with their music to allure the Mariners, to stay and listen, to them, and having by their Melody charmed them asleep, to devour them; Of whom, thus Claudian.  

Dul●…e malum pelago Siren, volucerque puellae,  
Scyllaeos inter fremitus avidamque Charybdim  
Musica saxa fretis habitabant dulcia Monstra.  
Blanda Periclamaris; terror quoque gratus in undis:  
Delatis licet huc incumberet aura Carinis,  
Implessent que Sinus venti de Puppe ferentes,  
Figebat vox una ratem: nec tendere certum  
Delectabat iter reditus, odiumque juvabat.  
Nec dol●…r ullus ●…rat, mortem dabat ipsa voluptas.   Claud. Epigr. In Syrenas. 

Sirens th' allective mischief of the waves,  
Winged Virgins; 'twixt Charybdis greedy Caves,  
And Scylla's barking Rocks, inhabited.  
Seas flattering perils, and waves pleasing dread.  
Ships' fore a fore-wind running, when their sails  
Swelled with the forsive Breath of favouring Gales  
Their voice alone did fix; who now no more  
Think of returning to the wished shore,  
But hate the thought; no sense of pain perceive  
But life in the excess of pleasure leave.   
They were twice overcome, once by Orpheus as is here intimated, and again by Ulysses,( if yet, he may not rather be said, not to be vanquished by them, then to have overcome them.) Our Orpheus his way of victory was the more noble; who,( whereas Ulysses only stopped his ears not to hear their Songs) chanting aloud the Praises of the Gods, did with his voice drown their pernicious Melody.   

( 22)  

Greater mischief than the Sea,  
Medea, &c.]   
Perhaps alluding to that Adage, Ignis, Mare, Mulier, tria malae, Of which see Erasmus Adag●… 8. Centure 2. Euripi●… brings in Medea, giving no better a Character of her Sex,( and yet perhaps too good for her) than this,  

— {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}  
— {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}   Sumus quidem quales sumus nos Foemine, neque enim malè ausim dicere.  

( 23) Araxis, &c.] Is a river of the greater Armenia taking his beginning from fountains near the mountain Periardes, from whence, as Ptolemy describes it) running Eastward almost as far as the Ca●…pian mountains, and then turning Northward with two divided streams, discharges one into the Hyrcanian or Caspian sea, and mingles the other with the River Cyrus or Thyras, falling likewise into the same Sea.   

( 24) Albis and Rhine, &c.] Albis is a River of Germany taking his beginning in the County of the Hermunduri in the ancient Province of Rhaetia, in times past( as Taeitus says in his Book de Moribus Germaniae) a famous River and well known, now only heard of. At this day called the Elbe.  
Rhine or the Rhine is the most celebrated River of Germany, the Western Boundure of that country, having his beginning( according to the forenamed Author) on the top of the inaccessible Rhaetian alps; ●… whence running with a Course winding somewhat Westward, he at length falleth into the North or German Ocean.   

( 25)  

The time shall come, wherein the Marine]  
M'unloose, &c.]  
▪ N●…r Thule be Earths farthest bound.]   
Not a little do the Spaniards glory in this Prophecy of Seneca; as pointing forth the discovery of America by them first found out. Sanè non vana, si de Hispanis Hispanus, says Delrius, Nor is it less admired by some of our own countrymen: I cannot but wonder at th●…t bold Prophecy of Seneca, say●…s Doctor Hackwel( Apolog. &c.) yet my Lord Bacon in his Essay of prophecies seems not to allow of this for one. See Plato in Phoedone de Orbe incogn●…o, & Aelian in his various History de Colloquio midae & Silen●…. l. 3. c. 18. But particularly concerning this prophecy of Seneca, see Abrahamus Ortelus in his map of the West-Indies.  
Concerning Thule there is no small difference among Authors. The Poets generally in their Expressions used it for a place far remote, and beyond which there was no known land. Pliny makes it to be an Island six days sail from Britain Northward; some have made it to be an Island in Britain, and others Britain itself so called. Strabo confesses the Story of Thule to be most obscure; And Petrarch, l. 3. Epist. 1, having said much, though nothing positively, concludes at last thus, ut nihil●… videatur occultior ipsa Insula, quam veritas. Mercator makes it to be Izland, and Ortelius will have it to be Tylemarke, a Tract of Norway. Our English Pausanias( the learned Cambden) supposes it,( and most probably) to be Shetland or Hethland, an Island in the Scottish Seas, lying between Norway and Scotland, and under the Dominion of the latter; which his Conjecture he strengthens by the Authority of Pucerus who( in his book de d mensione Terrae) says that by seamen it is called Thylensel. To this, adding the site of the Island agreeable to that wherein Ptolemy places it, he assures himself certainly to have found Thule, and pronounces the matter to be at an end and questionless. Which opinion of his the much-knowing Selden seems likewise to approve of in his Mare Clausum. l. 2. c. 1. p. 121. The name of this Island Suidas derives from Thules a King of Egypt; Isidore from the sun; and some from the Saxon Word Tell, which signifies a Limit, as if it were a Bound of the North and West. Vide Cambden de Insulis Britanius. p. 8, ●….    

ANNOTATIONS upon the third ACT.  

(1) ON Pindus' snowy Top, or Nysa's crown] Pindus is a mountain upon the Borders of Thessaly near Thrace: Nysa, when alone without any other Attribute,( for there are ten Places, Cities, and others of that Name) is taken for a city of India, seated at the foot of the mountain called Meros,( mentioned by Quintus Curtius in the 8th book of his History) in a Cave in which Bac●…hus was said to be nursed. The Scholiast of Apollonius makes it( as our Author here) a mountain( of India.) Delrius yet disassents from him, and conceives that he confounds Nysa with Meros, and would have it to be one of the Tops of P●…rnassus: Pindus and Nysa were places consecrate to Bac●…hus, where his frantic Solemnities were used to be celebrated.   

(2) With a lymphatic Rage possessed] Those were said to be lymphatic, who, having by chance espied some Nymph or wat'ry deiety in the River, were by them for that discovery dispossessed of their senses. Or else so called,( as conjectured) in that, from the abundance and superfluity of the brains moisture, proceeded their distraction. As lunatic, in regard that the moon is predominant over the humours.   

(3) The undrenched Arctos turns] By Arctos is meant the Constellation of the Northern bear, as likewise the Arctic Circle, in which that Constellation is included, called Arctos, as well as Arcticus. Of which see Joseph Scaliger his Learned Annotations upon Manilius, p. 75. in l. 1. seu sphere. The reason of that epithet undrenched, you shall find in the Annotations upon the fourth Act.   

(4) Scylla's or Charybdis Caves] Of Scylla we have already spoken: Charybdis was feigned to be an old greedy Hag, slain by Hercules for stealing away his Oxen, and cast into Sea anciently called Euripus Taurominitanus, running 'twixt Sicily and Italy, at this day by the Italians called Garo faro.( Vid. Paul. Merulae dissertac. de Mar.) Others ●…aigne that she was by Jupiter struck dead with Thunder, and converted into a Rock in that Sea bearing her name. Concerning whom that noted Adage is in every man's Mouth, I●…cidit in Scyllam cupiens vitare Charybdim. Which yet,( as Sanctius upon Alciat, notes) is not rightly understood by those, who apply it to such as avoiding a small mischief fall into a Greater, but is meant by the Contrary; Scylla being a lesser evil than Charybdis, and therefore Cyrce in Homer advices Ulysses to steer his Course rather near Scylla than Charybdis.   

(5)  

What Aetna under which Typhaeus lies]  
Expiring flames, &c.]   
Typhaeus was one of the giants that invaded the Heavens, struck down by Jupiter with Thunder; over whom,( according to Pindarus and Ovid) Aetna,( according to Homer and Virgil) In●…rime, jovis Imperiis imposta.—   

(6) Nor wrathful Euxine Seas by Corus' force, &c.] Of the Euxi●…e Sea we have already spoken. Corus' according to the opinion of some, is a Western wind blowing toward the North; so likewise Luean makes it 5 Phars. though the Censurer of him, and all Poets reprehend him for it, who will have it to arise( and rightly) from a Point of the North, and from thence directly bowing Southward. Vid. ejus Poet. l. 5 seu Critic.   

(7) Shall we for small Jolcos' make?] Jolcos' was the Birth Place of Jason, called likewise Larissa( as Pomponius Mela testifies, l. 2.) which gave a Title to Achilles, who by Virgil is styled Larissaeus. The place, as Pindarus in his fourth Pyth. writes, from whence Jason with his Argonanticks first set sail for Colchos.   

(8) Thessalian Tempe] Tempe was a most celebrated Grove of Thessaly, and sacred to the Muses: Aelian, who at large descrbes this place in his various Histories, l. 3. c. 1. writes, that the victors in the Pythian Games were used to becrowned with the laurel of this Grove in memorial of Apollo, who, after he had slain Python, was there crowned with a Wreath of bays; an Altar being afterwards erected to him in the Place where it was done.   

(9)  

— Seas]  
The witnesses of our wronged nuptials]   
Our Author seems to follow the opinion of those who will have the nuptials of Jason and Medea performed at Sea. Apollonius will have them celebrated in the Island Corcyra; Some at Byzantium, others in Colchis, and with the privity of Aeëta; Valerius Flaccus makes them to be begun in the Island Peuce, and interrupted by the coming of of Absyrtus.  
(9)  

Of all the Wealth by Scythians rapt away]  
From sun-scorched Dwellers of Rich India]   
Meant by the Eastern Scythians; Scythia by Geographers being divided into Scythia Europaea, and Asietica; Scythia, Europaea,( concerning which see Pomponius Mela, l. 2. and Pliny l. 4.) extends from the bank of Tanais, Palus Maeotis, and the sh●…ares of the Euxine Sea, to the mouth of Ister. Asiatica, beginning from the limits of the opposite shores towards the East, as far as the Seres on the North bounded with the Ocean, on the South stretching to the mountain Taurus, on the West to Cappadocia and Armenia.( Though those Countries were likewise under the Subjection of the Scythians.) Ptolemy( l. 6. Cosm.) divides this Scythia Asiatica, into Scythia intra Imaum Montem, and Scythia extra Imaum Montem. That, intra Imaum, he terminates on the West by Sarmatià Asiatica, on the East by the mountain Ima●…s, on the South by the Nations beyond the Caspian or Hyrcanian Sea, and on the North by the Land called by him terra incognita; That Extra Imaum, hath on the East the People called Seres, on the North terra incognita, on the South India extra Gangem, and on the West Scythia interior. Both of these are properly called Scythia,   

( 10) Phoebus with Sisyphus his Nephews join] Meaning the Issue of Medea, Daughter of Aeëta, Son of Phoebus, with the offspring of Crensa, Daughter of Ceron, son of Sisyphus.   

Upon the CHORUS.  
( 11) When Ister like a Torrent r●…w'ld] Ister is a part of Danubius, or the Danow, a famous River of Germany, which,( as Pomponius Mela says) Maintaining his course along while through divers Lands, is called Danubius, after by the Inhabitants of the Countries through which it passes Ister. Ptolemy more particularly tells us, That when Danubius is come as far as the city of Accium( a city of the Lower Mysia, near the Confines of Dacia, in the 47 degree, and of Northern latitude;) It loses its name, and from thence, until it falls into the Sea is called Ister. Which having received into it threescore Navigable Rivers falls at length into the Euxine Sea, with as many streams as Nilus into the Egyptian. It arises not far from the Hercynian Wood from a clear Spring, now enclosed within the Castle of Donaweschingen, a House of the Counts of Furst●…nbergue.( Thuilius) of all the Rivers of Europe( as pliny says) alone maintaining a continue course Eastward. Vid. Plin. l. 4. c. 2. and 12.   

( 12) Not Rhodanus with rapid course] Rhodanus or the Rh●…ane, is a River of Gallia Narbonensis arising from the Grison Alps, and from thence, as it were, compassing the Country with his winding streams, falls at length into the Galliek or Massilian Sea.   

( 13) Not Haemus when the sun's hot beams] Haemus is a mountain of Thrace, upon the Borders of Mysia inferior by 〈◊〉 reported to be of that eminent Height, that a man from the Top thereof might behold both Egaean and Ionian Seas; though Strabo seems not to allow of this for a truth. This mighty mountain( if we believe the Poets) was once a man, and the neighbouring mountain 〈◊〉, his Sister, of whose Transformation see Ovid's Metam. l. 6.   

( 14) The sacred Grove which Pelion crowned, &c.] Pelion is a most noted mountain of Thessaly; in a Cave or Grot, in which, Peleus marrying The●…is entertained( as the poet's Fable) and feasted all the Gods.( Vid. Claudian. de Nuptiis honour. & Mar. and Euripides in Iphigenia.) From whence a great part of the Timber that built Argos, was field, and taken.   

( 15) To an unskilful pilot, &c.] Who this should be that succeeded Typhis in the pilot-ship of Argos is not agreed on; some say An●…aeus, others Euphemus, but the most generally received opinion is, that it was Ergynus the son of Neptune, afterwards slain by Hercules.   

( 16) 'Mongst unknown Ghosts lies tombed in sand] Typhis on a sudden as he held the helm fell dead, and was buried in Mariandinum a famous Cave in Bythinia Acherusia, but whether before he came to Colchos or in the Return is not known. Vid. Apollonii Scholiasten. l. 2.   

( 17) He from the vocal Muse that springs] Orpheus; Who by general consent of the ancients, was held to be the son of Phoebus, begotten on the Muse Calliope. de Orpheo vide Vic. Com. Santi. Albam. de Sapientia veter. c. 11. cui Titulus Orpheus sive Philosophia. & jereniam Hoelzlinum in Prolegomenis ad Apollonium. p. 33. & F●…lgent. Mytholog.   

( 18) dragged unto Haebrus streaming head] Haebrus is a River of Thrace, famous for the memorised Tragedy of Orpheus, into which the furious bacchanals after they ●…ad torn his body in Pieces threw his head, it is now called Meritza.  
( 18) Alcides Boreas Issue slew, &] Calais and Zetes, the son of Boreas were slain by Hercules in the Island T●…nos, who,( as Apollonius hath it in the first of his argonautics) in memorial thereof erected upon their Sepulchre two Pillars, the one whereof was said to move at the blowing of the North Wind. The Cause of their death( as I find collected by the Scholiast of Apollonius) is variously delivered. Some say, the reason of it was, in they that dissuaded the return of Argos into Mysia to take in Hercules; some say, that Hercules did it to revenge the injury he had received from their Father Boreas in the Island of Cos, where he distressed him with a storm; Others, in that they contended with Hercules about the Dividend of the gifts given by Jason among the argonautics; and some for that, having received Hercules as their Guest, they treacherously conspired his Death.   

( 19)  

He who could various shapes endue]  
From Neptune who derives his Birth, &c.]   
Periclimenus, who by the gift of his Father Neptune could change himself into sundry shapes, slain by Hercules after he had transformed himself into an Eagle.   

( 20)— forced the Stygian Sound] Hercules as the Poets feign descended into Hell on this occasion. Theseus' and Pirithous attempting to steal thence Proserpina, were by Pl●…to taken Prisoners. Whose Rescue Hercules undertook and by force performed, and dragged from thence Cerberus. Vid. Ovid. Met. l. 9  
( 20)  

Alive on Aeta's Pyre reposed]  
His limbs to cruel Flames exposed]  
While mingled gores Infection, &c.]   
Nessus', attempting to ravish Deianira, after he had transported her over the River Evenus, was by Hercules( yet on this side the River) shot through with one of his poisonous arrows; He, to be revenged of Hercules, cunningly before he dies, insinuates into Deianira, That a shirt dipped in his Blood, and sent to her Husband to be put on, would reclaim his love from others, and regain his languishing Affection towards her. Which advice she believing presently puts in execution, and sends a shirt dipped in his Blood,( not thinking of the poison mixing withit) to her Husband, which,( when he had put it on) cleaving to his flesh, consumed him with burning Tortures; He in this Agony causes a funeral Pile to be built on the mountain OEta in Thessaly, and laying himself thereon, commanded the same to be fired, and so burnt himself alive. Vid. Ovid. Met. l. 9   

( 21) A boar Ancaeus life, &c.] Ancaeus was one of those who adventured with Meleager in the hunting of the Chalidonian boar, by whom he was slain. Vid. Ovid. Met. l. 8. Of whom likewise it is said, that a boar breaking into a Vineyard where he was drinking, and now about to put the Cup to his lips, slew him, from whence came the Proverb, Multa cadunt inter Calicem supremaque Labra.   

( 22)  

His uncle's Meleager slew]  
And by the vengeful halled doth fall]  
Of his enraged Mother, &c.]   
Meleager having slain the Calydonian boar, presented his Head to Atalanta( a beautiful young Nymph, who first wounded him, and whom he affected) which Meleager's uncles( Toxeus and Plexippus) envying at, took from Atalanta the spoil, at which the enraged Lover slew them both; The news whereof is brought to Althea, Meleager's Mother, who to revenge her brother's deaths, throws her sons fatal Brand,( the Fable of which see in the 8th Book of Ovid. Met.) into the Fire, together with which his life consumed.   

( 23) The Boy by Hercules unfound, &c.] Hylas, the Son of Theodomas; a Youth beloved of Hercules, who being sent into Mysia, to fetch fresh water from the River Ascanius, was drowned in the same; or, as feigned, Rapt away by the Nymphs of the Flood; in search of whom, Hercules and Polyphemus, went  

— Hylam— quo fonte relictum  
Clamantes, ut littus Hyla, Hyla omne sonaret.   

Calling on Hylas in the River drowned  
That all the Shores did Hylas, Hylas' sound.   
The following Verses, in the original, beginning Idmonem quamvis, &c. in the end of this Chorus, as likewise three others immediately following this Verse-ignotas jacet inter umbras. In the middle thereof, I have omitted, as being by Heinsius and some latter critics justly censured to be none of Seneca's, in that they savour of many Illiterate absurdities, and confound times and Stories. Conceiving it an Injustice to charge upon Seneca the defects of a Poetaster.    

ANNOTATIONS upon the fourth ACT.  

(1) WHat ever Poisons Libya's scalding s●…nds, &c.] Libya is a Country of Africa, taken sometimes for all Africa, that part thereof which borders upon Egypt being fertile though a desert, in poisonous simples, and venomous Serpents, which( as Ovid feigns in 4. Met.) first sprung from the drops of Blood falling from Medusa's Head newly di●…ected, as the same was transported by winged Perseus over that Region, or as others, from the Blood of the slain giants; But Naturalists more truly report, that those Countries which are infested with too much heat or cold, are ever fruitful in such hurtful Productions.   

(2) What Taurus, &c.] Taurus' is a mountain of Asia, or rather a continue Ridge of mountains linked together, and running from the mountains Scord●…sci, and the Borders of Cappadocia, unto the uttermost Bounds of Cilicia.   

(3)  

Hither descend the Snake that seems to lie]  
Like a huge Torrent rolling cross the sk●…e]  
In whose Immense folds, &c.]   
This was that Dragon which was slain by Cadmus in B●…otia, when he was sent by Agenor in search of his Sister, Made a Constellation, consisting of one and thirty stars, and placed between the two bears, which, with his sinewy f●…exures, he seems to enfold, the lesser with his head and Neck, the greater with his tail. By the one of which it is said, the Achaians, by the other the Sydonians were used to sail. Of which likewise Ovid.  

Magna Minorque Ferae, qua●…rum regit altera Graias  
Altera Sidonias, utraque sicca, rates.   Trist. l. 4. 

Great and less bear, of which, through Seas rough Tides,  
This Grecian Ships, that,( both dry) Sidon's guides.    

(4) His griping Hands let Ophiucus lose] Ophiucus is a Constellation consisting of 17 stars( as the Scholiast of Aratus writes) so called, in that in his hand he seems to hold or grasp a Serpent( which is likewise made up of 30 Sarres) conceived to be Aesculapius, Hercules, or Prometheus, converted into that Constellation, commonly called Serpentarius. Vid. Hygini Poeticon Astronomicon.   

(5) Python that durst assail two Heavenly Powers] Python was sent by envious Juno as a Plague to pursue Latona, when great with Child of Phoebus and Diana, and afterwards was slain by young Apollo.   

(6) Hydra with all those Serpents, &c.] Hydra was a Serpent, feigned to have many Heads which Hercules encountering with: And cutting off some of her heads, in the room of each of those cut off, sprung two more, multiplying by their own ruin; the growth of which, Hercules at last, by cauterising the wound, prevented, and so slew this Monster, which was afterwards made a celestial sign, being a Southern Constellation, extending his head towards the sign called the Great Dog, or Sirius, his middle under the lion, and his tail toward the centaur or Chiron. Vid. Arat. Scholiast.   

(7) Whatever on impervious Eryx grows] Eryx is á mountain of Sicilia, so called from Eryx the son of Butos and Venus sacred to her, of which she was called Erycina. At this day it is called Monte di Trapani, as being not far from Drepanum, now called Trapani, and betwixt that and Panormus, now called Palermo.   

(8) What Caucasus stained with Promethean blood] Cancasus is a mountain of Scythia, beginning from the mountain Corax, and with one Ridge parting Colchos from Iberia, with the other Iberia from Albania, and so running to the Ceraunian mountains. To this Hill was Prometheus, as the Poets fabled, bound for stealing fire from Heaven. Of whom see more hereafter.   

(9) The Warlike Medes.] There be some, who would charge our Author with an anachronism, in that he brings in Medea's Nurse speaking of the Medes; who, as they would have it, took their Denomination from Medius the son of Medea by Aegeus; but the Name of Media is more ancient, being so called from Madai the son of Japhet, who as Sleyden writes, was sent thither by Nimrod to plant, about 150 years after the Flood, where he laid the Foundations of that ancient Empire called after his own Name. Vid. josephi Antiquit. Iudaic. l. 1.   

( 10) What flying Parthians use] Parthia is a Country of Asia, bounded, as Ptolemy describes it, on the West by a part of Media, on the North by Hyrcania, on the East by Aria, on the South by Carmenia deserta. Whose Inhabitants for their manner of Fight were Notorious, who in a counterfeited flight discharged their arrows backward upon their pursuing Enemies.   

( 11) The Wealthy Arab] Those of Arabia faelix, Arabia being divided into three Portion; viz. Petrea, Deserta, and Faelix. Arabia Petrea is on the West bounded with part of Syria, on the North with Palestina, India, & part likewise of Syria, on the South Sinu Arabico Interiori, on the East partly by Arabia faelix, partly by Aarbia deserta: The last of which, on the North is terminated by Mesopotamia, along the River Euphrates, ●…on the East by Babilonia, and part of the Persian gulf, on the South by mountains running along the Borders of Arabia felix, on the West by part of Syria and Arabia Petrea. Arabia faelix hath on the North Arabia Petrea, and Deserta, and part of the Persian gulf: On the West Sinus Arabicus, on the South the Red Sea, and on the East part of the Persian gulf, as far as the Promontory Sagarus. Vid. Ptol. l. 5. Cosm.   

( 12) and( 13)  

Those juices which the Noble Sweves inclined]  
Near the cold North in Groves Hercynian find]   
The Sweves are a People of Germany, who although( as Tacitus reports de moribus Germaniae) they are by one general Name called Suevi, yet are they not one Nation. Of these the most ancient and noble( as he says) were the Semnones, who accounted themselves as the head of the S●…evians. The posterity of these, inhabited that Northern Tract of Germany, which is at this day called Swaben. Peucerus is of opinion, that the Swedes and these were one Nation, there being but one letters difference in their names; but others think otherwise, and most make them the offspring of the Suiones, or Sueones, the ancient Inhabitants of that Land, which is at this day called Swethland, and not of the Suevi, or those of Swaben. Hercynia is the most celebrated forest of Germany( if not of the World) of which thus Pliny: In the forest of Hercynia, there are mighty oaks which seem to be untouched with the Injury of time, of equal Birth and Age with the World, with the encountering of whose spreading Roots whole Hills are lifted up; And when they run above ground, writhing themselves into such Arches, that Troops of Horse may pass under them. Seated( according to Ptolemy) in the very midst between Gabrita Sylva, and the Sarmacian mountains.   

( 14) Aemonian Athos] Athos is a mountain and Promontory of Thessaly, called Aemonian, Aemonia being a name of Thessaly derived from Haemon the son of Deucalion, as Thessaly from Thessalus the son of the said Haemon, at first called Pyrrhaea, from Pyrrha the wife of Deucalion.   

( 15) Pangaeus Top,] Pangaeus is a Promontory of Thrace, respecting Macedonia. So Pliny makes it. Others a mountain of Macedonia near to the City of Philippi. Ortelius says it was likewise called Pieria, and anciently Carmanius.   

( 16) These Tigris nourished] Tigris is a River arising in the greater Armenia from a clear spring in a plain ground, whence running and passing through the lake Arethusa, he meets with the mountain Taurus in his way; at the foot whereof in a Cave he sinks under ground, and arises again on the other side of the mountain, from whence maintaining his course through Thospita Palus, he water a great part of Asia; and at length with two divided streams, false into the Persian golf; a river of a most swift and violent Current, whence it takes its name; which in the Persian Tongue signifies an Arrow. Now called Tigill.   

( 17) The fam●…d Hydaspes] Hydaspes is a River of India, arising from the mountain ●…aus, and falling into the great River Indus, celebrated for the Treasure of his streams.   

( 18) And Baetis whence its land a name did get.] Baetis( now by the Spaniards called Gua●…al quivir) is a River of Spain, running through that part thereof which in ancient times was called Hispania Baetica from the River, now, Granado; discharging his streams into the Spanish Ocean.   

( 19) Birds of inauspicious flight.] In the original it is obscaenas aves, referring to the nature of the fowls, as the Kite, Jay, Night-Raven, &c.( as follows) which were Aves inauspicatae. And so the version may pass.   

( 20) dark Chaos, &c.] Chaos by the Poets is diversely taken; sometimes for the air, sometimes( as here, and in the beginning of the first Act, is meant) for the infernal Mansion. Properly for that confused Mas●…e, out of which, this Mundaine fabric, by the Act of Love, was educed, called by the Platonists the undigested World. Some Philosophers( though otherwise famous) have dreamt that this Chaos was companion with Demogorgon, and assistant to him, to the end that if at any time he should have an intent to produce Creatures, he m●…ght not want mat●…er. As if he, that could give form to divers things, could not as well produce matter to inform. Boccace Geneolog. Deorum.   

( 21) Where sooty Dis resides] This with the Latins was the same as Pluto with the Greeks, so called( as Cicero intimates in his second Book De Natura Deorum) from the opulency and treasure of the earth, as from which all things take their original, and into which at l●…st they are again resolved; And therefore( as he says) Omnis vis terrena atque Natura, Diti Patri dicata est. And may be the same( for aught I know) with the Demogorgon of the hermetical Philosophers.   

( 22)  

From his wheeling Rack]  
A while released, rest let Ixion have]   
Ixion attempting to force the Chastity of Juno, Jupiter substituted a Cloud in her likeness; of which, he was reported to beget the centaurs; when afterward boasting that he had known the Queen of the Gods, he was for that struck down to Hell with a thunderbolt, and continually turned about upon a restless wheel; to which he was bound fast with Snakes.   

( 23) And Tantalus sup free the fleeting Wave.] Tantalus either for that when he feasted the Gods, he set before them the limbs of his son Pelops,( in a most inhuman manner) as part of the Banquet, or else in that being admitted to the council of the celestials he revealed their secrets, was thrust into Hell, and set up to the Chin in the River Eridanus, where thirsting, and hungry, he vainly catches at the flying streams, and dangling fruit which avoids his reach.   

( 24) Let Sisyphus his Torments find no ease.] Sisyphus was the son of Aeolus, and Father of Creon, and therefore Medea wishes a continuation of his Torments, who infesting Attica with Robberies, was at last slain by Theseus, and feigned in Hell to roll a weighty stone up a steep Hill, which still when at the top tumbles down again upon him.   

( 25)  

You who in perforated urns, still vain]  
Still vain successeless toil deludes, &c.]   
These were the fifty daughters of Danaus, who of their. Grandfather B●…lus were called Belides; these by the appointment of their Father slew their Husbands the sons of their Uncle Aegyptus, the first night they lay with them,( and therefore here especially called upon by Medea) for which they are said to be punished in Hell by pouring of Water into a vessel full of holes, which they drew up likewise with Buckets pierced or bored through in the same manner.   

( 26) drenched both the bears in the forbidden Deep.] The greater bear called Holice, and the lesser Cynosura are two Constellations included within the Arctic Circle, into which the Poets feigned Calysto, and her son Arcas were by the favour of Jupiter converted: which Juno maligning entreated Tethys and Oceanus that they would not suffer them( as other stars) to set in their Waters.( It being the opinion of the Ancients, that the setting stars did descend into the Sea) upon which her request, they were interdicted the Ocean; yet by Medea( as she here boalts) notwithstanding drenched in the forbidden Waves, Vid. Ovid. Metam. l. 2.   

( 27)  

To thee this Wreath of nine]  
Embraided Serpents, &c.]   
With a Wreath of Serpents the Witch Erichtho crowns herself in Lucan. l. 6. The number Nine by the Pythagori●…ns was held sacred, and the perfectest of all Numbers, as consisting of three Ternaries, each of which is divided into three Unities, and therefore in holy Ceremonies( as in magic Rites) the ancients superstitiously conceived that the Deity was affected with its imparity. Of the magical virtue of arithmetical or musical Numbers, see Del Rio, Disquisic. Magic. l. 1. c. 2. Qu●…sp. 2.   

( 28)  

Lo his biformed limbs, durst band]  
'Gainst Jove's high Empire; bold Typhaeus.]   
Of Typhaeus we have spoken already, here said to have biformed limbs, in that the Giants that warred against the Gods( of whom Typhaeus was one) were feigned to have the feet of Dragons. Pindarus in 4. Olym calls Typhon {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} i. e. Centicipitem, hundred-headed.   

( 29)  

These Plumes found we cast]  
By rapeful Harpies as by Zetes chased.]   
He siod makes the Harpies to be but two in number; Virgil three. Their names Aello, Ocypete, and Caeleno, feigned to be winged, with virgin's faces, and Vultures claws; the mythology of which, see in Gyraldus his Syntagma 6 Deorum & Natal. Comes l. 7. c. 6. These were chased away from Phineus the old, blind and needy King of Paphlagonia by Calais and Zetes the sons of Boreas, who were said to have wings,( the Fable of which read in the seventh of Ovid's Metamorphosis) Propter nimiam velocitatem corum qui ad Boream habitant; and for that reason, or their Celerity in Execution of designs may seem to be invited by the argonautics in the expedition to Colchos. Nor do the names given to those youths unaptly suit with the sons of the wind, Zetes being so called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} quod nimium flet, & Calais ut qui {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} quia leniter flet. Tretzes in lycophron.   

( 30)  

Those be the wings the wounded Stymphald boar,]  
Slain by the Shafts dipped in Lernaean gore.]   
The Stymphalides were filthy fowls, feeding upon man's flesh, taking their name from a Lake in Arcadia; these Hercules chased away with the sound of a Brazen Instrument, made by Vulcan, and given him by Pallas; here said to be slain by his poisonous arrows. Pausanias in Arcadicis reports that in the Deserts of Arabia, there were such kind of fowls no less terrible to Travellers than lions or Leopards, who with their beak would strike through Armour; from whence they found a means afterward to take them by inventing a kind of Coverture for the body, through which when the fowl had struck their Beaks, they were there as in a gin detained.   

( 31) The Altars sound, &c.] This was a sign of Hecate's approach( among witches) and answering of their magical Invocations, which was always attended with earthquakes, and the horrid noise of howling-Dogs. See after what is said at the number 44.   

( 32) See Trivia's whirling car, &c.] Trivia is a name of Hecate, or Diana, of whom we have already spoken: so called either in regard of her Triple Course under the zodiac, according to her Height, Latitude or Longitude, or else in that she ia said to be precedent over cross ways or 〈◊〉; The patroness of Witches; whose Chariot descending was another sign likewise of the Concession of their requests. Vide Ovid. Met. l. 7. de Medea.   

( 2●…) vexed with Thesalian charms, &c.] Thessaly was a country famous( or rather infamous) for enchantments and magic Arts; insomuch as Pliny notes, lib. 30. c. 1. That the general practice of those Arts in that country, gave a more peculiar Name or Title to magic, being styled Ars Thessalica.   

( 34)  

With strange horror fright]  
The World]   
That the ancients were took with fear and terror, at the Eclipse of the moon is apparent in History, to omit others, I shall only give one memorable Instance out of Cornelius Tacitus in the first of his annals, which for the good effect it wrought is worthy the reciting: In the Rebellion stirred up by Perceanius and Vib●…lenus, against Blesus Lieutenant general of the Legions in Pannonia, in the beginning of Tiberius his reign, when the soldiers were in the Height of their disorder, and menaced the greatest outrage. The moon on a sudden began to be Eclipsed, which the soldiers( ignorant of the Cause) construed as a Presage of present Ill-Luck, and comparing their Attempts to the Eclipse, were of Opinion, that their success should be prosperous, if the goddess should become bright again. Whereupon they began with Trumpets, Cornets, and other Brazen Instruments, to make a loud noise; now sad, now joyful, as the moon appeared clear or dark: but when the Clouds rising, took from them the fight of the moon, supposing she had been hid in darkness, and utterly lost her light, they began to lament, complaining that that portended their labours should have no End, and that the Gods turned their Faces from their wickedness. Whereupon Caesar Drusus, who was sent by the Emperor to appease them, and whom in a hostile manner they had environed in the camp, thinking it fit to make his Advantage of their Fears, so wrought that he composed the Sedition, and caused the ringleaders to be put to death. A Rebellion happily ended!   

( 35)  

Whilst thy extremes to ease, O Great]  
Dictynna, rich Corinthian brass is beat]   
Dictynna is one of the names of Diana, so called as some conceive, in that she first invented toils and Nets for hunting; or as others think, aslumed by her in memorial of the Nymph Britomart, her belov d fellow huntress, who flying from the Pursuit of her Lover Minos, to avoid his Surprise leapt into the Sea, and fell into a fish-Net, whence she was called Dictynna, and by that name after worshipped as a goddess, which Diana likewise in memory of her, vouchsafed to make one of her Attributes.  
Of the beating of Kettles, basins, and other Brazen vessels used by the ancients when the moon was Eclipsed( which they did to drown the charms of Witches, that the Moon might not hear them, and so be drawn from her sphere as they supposed) I shall not need to speak, being a thing so generally known, a custom continued among the Turks to this day; yet I cannot but add, and wonder at, what Joseph Scaliger in his Annotations upon Manilius, reports out of Bonincontrius, an ancient Commentator upon the same Poet: Who affirms, That in a town of Italy where he lived( within these two Centuries of years) he saw the same piece of paganism 〈◊〉 upon the like Occasion.   

( 36)[ And here our Author cannot be excused of an anachronism, since Corinthian brass in Medea's time, was of no more value than any other, until( as Pliny writes, l. 34. c. 1.) The city of Corinth being taken and burnt by the Romans in the 156 Olympiall, and 607 years after the building of the city of Rome, divers Brazen statuas being melted, with other vessels of Gold and Silver in that general Conflagration, and mixing together, from thence arose that celebrated vain of brass, so much esteemed of by the Romans, that,( as our forecited Author reports) they held it to be in value, ante argentum, ac penè etiam ante Anrum.   

( 37)  

Upon this blood-stai●…'d turf our Sacrifice]  
To thee we make]   
It was the manner of the ancient Witches to offer their ●…ellish Sacrifices on an Altar of turf, digging a Trench about it( which they commonly did with their nails) and therein to pour the blood of a Black Lamb, for, Nigra Triformi Hostia mactatur Deae— says Silius Ital. l. 1. Medea, to make her Sacrifice more horrid, empties her own veins( as in the following Verses) to supply that devilish Ceremony. But of the manner of these Sacrifices, hear Apollonius, l. 3. Argonautic●…n.  

{non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}   

When humid Night just half her Course hath run,  
Go to th' untroubled brook, where washed, alone,  
Clad in a sable Vesture, dig a Pit.  
Then of a female Lamb the Throat strait slit,  
And o'er the Pit a Pile erected, fire.  
And, the crude victim lay thereon entire;  
Then Perseus' sole-born Hecate appease  
Wit poured on honey wrought by labouring Bees.  
And( that thy work may with success be signed)  
With prayers propitiate her sterner Mind;  
Which done; go from the flaming Pile; Nor let  
The noise of barking Dogs, or trampling Feet  
Make thee on that revert thy look again,  
If so, thy Sacrifice proves all in vain.    

( 38)  

This funeral Torch supplies]  
Nocturnal fires, snatched from the flaming Pile]   
The Lamiaes of ancient times used to burn Lights in their Nefandous Mysteries, observed likewise by those of latter times, in whose Conventions( as Delrius reports) Ignis accensus erat ut plurimùm Teter & horridus; Nor would any Torch or Brand serve them so well in their infernal Rites, as that which was snatched from a funeral Pile. Remigius in his second book of Daemonolatreia, c. 3. relates a most Prodigious story of two modern Witches, who having digged up two buried Carcases, and burned them to Ashes all but the right arm of one of them; made thereof a Torch to give light to their Acts of darkness; The finger's ends of the dissected arm all the while they were about their devilish Work burning with a blue and Sulphury flame: Which when the flame,( their Ceremonies done) was extinguished, remained notwithstanding entire, and as if untouched by the fire.   

( 39) To thee our head We toss with neck bowed, &c.] The Gestures, and Actions which were used by the ancient Witches in their Ceremonies, Adorandi gratia were most preposterous, perpetuated by the Maintainers of their abhorred Arts at this day; who in their Conventions, when they adore the devil precedent of their meeting, do it as Del Rius reports, l. 2. Q. 16. with their back towards him, not bowing their heads downward, but tossing them up, and reclining them backward, so that their Chins respect the Heavens.   

( 40) That thus O Persis, &c. Hecate; so called, being the Daughter of Perseus, and niece of Jupiter; or as some will, the Daughter of Jupiter and Asteria. Bacchylides says, she was— {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Daughter of Torch-bearing, large bosomed Night.   

( 41)  

He who rues his heavenly theft with still-]  
Renewed liver]   
Of Prometheus being bound to the mountain Caucasus, where an Eagle still tired upon his Liver we have in part already spoken, a Fable sufficiently known, yet was he at length by Jupiter released from thence, though the God to save his oath caused one of his fingers to be bound with a hoop or Ring of Iron made of a piece of his Chain, and in it a stone taken from the Mountain to which he was bound. From hence( as Pliny writes in the Proem of his 38 book) came the custom of wearing Rings, in memory of Promethens, at the first made of Iron, and so along time worn by the Romans afterward of gold. Vid. Salmuth. Pancir. l. 1.   

( 42) The triple-shaped Chimaera &c.] Chimaera by Fulgentius, is thus described: A Monster of a triple form, the foreparts representing a lion, the midst a Goat, and the hinder parts a Dragon. Solinus writes that the chimaera was not a Beast but a mountain of Lycia, ejecting flames from the top thereof, near which lions were wont to harbour; in the midst were fields in which Goats used to feed, and the bottom was infested with Serpents. Lycophrons' Paraphrastes says otherwise, who makes chimaera to be a woman of that name, the Daughter of Amisodarns governor of Lycia, who with her two brother's Drace and Leo, having seized upon certain Straits or Passages, spoiled and slew all that traveled that way. These 3 in that they joined together unanimously to the ruin of others, gave occasion of the Fable of this triple-shaped Monster, as the usual ordering of their Forces, the positure of their shapes. For in the Front, or Van, Leo still fought, in the midst or battle, chimaera, and in the rear Draco. Bellerophon having vanquished these in fight, was therefore feigned to have slain this Monster. Vid. Plut. in l. de Virtutibus Mulier de Bollerophonte et Chimaera.   

( 43) Medusa's Gall, &c.] Medusa was the daughter of Phorcus, who had besides her two other Daughters, their names were Euriale and Sthenio, these inhabited the Islands called Dorcades in the Aethiopic Sea opposite to Hesperides; they were said to have but one eye in common amongst them, Snaky Tresses, tusks like boars, Brazen hands, and Golden wings. Some say they were all of admirable & equal form, and beauty, & on whom who ever looked, were struck with admiration, and stupisying astonishment; from whence sprung the Fable, that the sight of them converted men into Stones. Called Gorgon's( as some think) of their nimbleness and agility. There be who report( if this be not the greater Fiction) that in Libya there is a kind of Beast called a Gorgon, not much unlike to a Sheep, his head shaggy with hair hanging over his eyes, when shaking his hair from his eyes, and erecting his head, he kills those that see him, with his very look. The hair of Medusa( which was once her greatest ornament) was by Pallas converted into Snakes, as a punishment inflicted upon her for suffering herself to be abused by Neptune in her Temple: Her snake-haired-head was afterward cut off by Perseus, and by him in the Constellation is held forth, called the devil's head, and Caput Algol. Vid. Ovid. Met. l. 3. & 4. Natal. Comet, l. 7. c. 12.   

( 44) Our Prayers are heard; thrice Hecat' barked aloud]  
Thrice with sad flames her sacred fires she showed.]  
Medea's Prayers are ratified by the barking of Hecate, and her hellhounds,( for no better attendance do the Poets allow her then a company of howling curs, one of the signals of her approach, which is thus expressed by Virgil l. 6. Aeneidos.  

— Mugire solum & juga caepta moveri  
Sylvarum; visaeque canes ululare per umbram  
Adventante Dea—   

The centre bellowed, the Woods bowed their Crown,  
And Dogs were heard run howling up and down  
At Hecate's approach.—   
As likewise by Fulguration, and the sad light of her infernal Fires, which was another token of her coming. Yet the Poets make the unusual and sudden splendour of Flames to be a general signal of the Advention of any of the Deities as well as of her. For so Claudian l. 1. de Rap. Pr●…s designs the approach of Phoebus: So likewise in his fourth of his Metam. Ovid ushers the coming of Bacchus, and Plautus in Amphytrione the appearance of Jupiter   

( 45) bloody Maenas] Meant by Medea, hurrying up and down like a frantic bacchanal.   

( 46) Through Ganges forest.] Some forests of India near Ganges, the greatest River of that country, which it divides in the midst, taking his rise from the Scythian mountains, the Northern Boundures of India.    

ANNOTATIONS upon the fifth ACT.  

(1)  

Would an Issue from my womb]  
As numerous as Niobe's had come, etc]   
OF the number of Niobe's Children there be several reports, Homer reckons but seven( sons and daughters) Euripides fourteen, Sapph eighteen, Bacchilides and Pindarus twenty; others say they were but three in all. Tzetzes yet reckons seven sons and seven daughters by their names; viz. the sons Sypilus, Agenor, Phaedimus. Ismenes, Euphytus, Tantalus, Damasicthon. The Daughters Neaera, Cleodoxe, Astioche, Phacta, Pelopia, Eugige, and Chloris. Of the death of her and her children, and her conversion into Marble, see Ovid's Metam. l. 6. Pausanias de Arcadicis. Palaephatus de non credendis fabulis.   

(2)  

Thus with this victim, we appease]  
Thy iujured Ghost.]   
This said, s●…e kills one of her Children, as a Sacrifice to her brother's Ghost. Alciat hath a pretty emblem taken from Archias the Greek Poet, upon the Statue of Medea killing her Children, in whose bosom a Bird built her nest.  

Colchido●… in gremio nidum quid congeris? ●…heu  
Nescia cur pullos tam male credis avis?  
Dira parens Medea, suos saevissima Natos  
Predidit, & speras parcat ut illa tuos?   Embl. 54. 

Poor Bird, that know'st not where thou builst thy nest!  
Trustest thou thy young ones to Medea's breast?  
Her cruel hands, shed her own children's blood,  
And dost thou hope that she will spare thy brood?   
Yet Aelian in the fifth Book of his Various Histories, ca. 21.) seems to assoil her of the murder of her children; there be some( Says he) who report that the rumour concerning Medea is false, and that not she but the Corinthians made away her children, that tragical Fable owing its original to Euripides, who at the request of the Corinthians, transferred the murder of the Children from them to their Mother; Truth in process of time giving place to Fiction; who says further, that it was a common fame in his days, that the Corinthians used to offer Expiatory Sacrifices as a tribute to the Ghosts of the slain Children.   

(3)  

Go, mount the skies, and by thy flight declare]  
( If thou unpunished goeest) no Gods there are.]   
From Corinth, drawn by her winged Dragons, Medea flies to Athens, where she married Aegeus, and had by him a son called Medus; whom likewise afterward,( attempting to poison his son Theseus, that so the kingdom of Athens might descend to her son Medus, and being detected) she leaves, and by flight returns to Colchos, which( her Father being dead) she recovered, and( as Simonides writes) the kingdom of Corinth likewise: who though in her life so wicked, yet after her death was by the Colchians honoured with Divine Rites, who Dedicated a Temple to her Memory, into which, in regard of Jasons' Ingratitude) no men were permitted to enter.    
FINIS.