Photo: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0.

[ACT IV] CHORVS. Mysterious Egypt, wonder breeder,       strict Religions strange observer, State-orderer zeal, the best rule-keeper,       fostering still in temperate fervor O how cam'st thou to lose so wholly       all religion, law and order? And thus become the most unholy       of all Lands, that Nilus border ? How could confus'd Disorder enter       where stern Law sate so severely? How durst weak lust and riot venter       th'eye of Justice looking nearly? Could not those means that made thee great Be still the means to keep thy state? Ah no, the course of things requireth       change and alteration ever That same continuance man desireth,       th'unconstant world yieldeth never. We in our counsels must be blinded,       and not see what doth import us: And oftentimes the things least minded       is the thing that most must hurt us. Yet they that have the stern in guiding,       'tis their fault that should prevent it; For oft they seeing their Country sliding,       take their ease, as though contented. We imitate the greater powers, The Princes' manners fashion ours. Th'example of their light regarding,       vulgar looseness much incenses: Vice uncontrolled, grows wide enlarging,       Kings' small faults be great offences, And this hath set the window open       unto license, lust, and riot: This way confusion first found broken,       whereby entered our disquiet. Those laws that old Sesostris founded,       and the Ptolomies observed, Hereby first came to be confounded,       which our state so long preserved. The wanton luxury of Court, Did form the people of like sort. For all (respecting private pleasure,)       universally consenting To abuse their time, their treasure,       in their own delights contenting: And future dangers naught respecting,       whereby, (O how easy matter Made this so general neglecting,       confus'd weakness to discatter?) Caesar found th'effect true tried,       in his easy entrance making: Who at the sight of arms, descried       all our people, all forsaking. For riot (worse than war) so sore Had wasted all our strength before. And thus is Egypt servile rendered       to the insolent destroyer: And all their sumptuous treasure tendered,       all her wealth that did betray her. Which poison (O if heaven be rightful)       may so far infect their senses, That Egypt's pleasure so delightful,       may breed them the like offences. And Romans learn our way of weakness,       be instructed in our vices, That our spoils may spoil your greatness,       overcome with our devices. Fill full your hands, and carry home, Enough from us to ruin Rome. 1210 1220 1230 1240 1250 1260 1270

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