The inter regnum between Cambyfes
And Darius Hiftafpes.

HILDLESS Cambyfes on the sudden dead,

CHIL

(The Princes meet, to chuse one in his stead, Of which the chief was feven, call'd Satrapes, Who like to Kings, rul'd Kingdomes as they please, Defcended all of Achemenes bloud,

And Kinsmen in account to th' King they ftood.
And first these noble Magi 'gree upon,

To thrust th' imposter Smerdis out of Throne:
Then Forces inftantly they raise, and rout
This King with his Confpirators fo ftout,*

But yet 'fore this was done much bloud was shed,

a

And two of these great Peers in Field lay dead.
Some write that forely hurt they fcap'd away,
But fo, or no, fure 'tis they won the day.
All things in peace, and Rebels throughly quell'd,
A Confultation by thofe States was held,

What form of government now to erect

The old, or new, which beft, in what respect.

The greater part declin'd a Monarchy

So late crusht by their Princes tyranny,

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r were.

y Their.

z After this, the first edition has,

a place.

Who little pleasure had, in his short reigne,
And now with his accomplyces lye flaine.

And thought the people would more happy be
If govern'd by an Aristocracy:

But others thought (none of the dulleft brain)
That better one then many tyrants reign.
What Arguments they us'd, I know not well,
Too politick, its like, for me to tell,
But in conclufion they all agree,

Out of the feven a Monarch chofen be.

All envy to avoid, this was thought on

Upon a green to meet by rifing fun,

And he whofe horse before the rest should neigh,
Of all the Peers should have precedency.

They all attend on the appointed hour,
Praying to fortune for a kingly power.

Then mounting on their fnorting courfers proud,
Darius lufty Stallion neigh'd full loud."
The Nobles all alight, bow to their King,
And joyfull acclamations fhrill they ring.

A thousand times, long live the King they cry,
Let Tyranny with dead Cambifes dye:

b

Then all attend him to his royall room:

Thanks for all this to's crafty ftable-groom.

a Instead of the four lines following this, the first edition has, – The Nobles all alight, their King to greet,

And after Persian manner, kisse his feet.

His happy wishes now doth no man spare,

But acclamations ecchoes in the aire;

A thousand times, God fave the King, they cry,

Let tyranny now with Cambyfes dye.

They then.

Darius Hyftafpes.

DARIUS by election made a King,

His title to make ftrong, omits no thing:

He two of Cyrus daughters then doth wed,
Two of his Neeces takes to Nuptial bed,

By which he cuts their hopes for future time, [99]
That by such steps to Kingdomes often clime.

And now a King by mariage, choice and blood:
Three ftrings to's bow, the least of which is good;
Yet firmly more, the peoples hearts to bind.

Made wholfome, gentle laws which pleas'd each mind.
His courtefie and affability.

Much gain'd the hearts of his nobility."

Yet notwithstanding all he did fo well,

The Babylonians 'gainst their prince rebell.

An hoft he rais'd the city to reduce;

But men against those walls were of no ufe."
Then brave Zopirus for his masters good,
His manly face diffigures, fpares no blood:
With his own hands cutts off his ears and nofe,
And with a faithfull fraud to th' town he goes,

His affability, and milde afpect,

Did win him loyalty, and all respect;

d strength.

After this, the first edition has,

For twice ten months before the town he lay,
And fear'd, he now with fcorn muft march away.

tells them how harfhly the proud king had dealt,
That for their fakes his cruelty he felt,
Defiring of the Prince to raise the fiege,
This violence was done him by his Liege.
This told, for entrance he stood not long;
For they believ'd his nofe more then his tongue.
With all the city's ftrength they him betrust,
If he command, obey the greatest must.
When opportunity he faw was fit

Delivers up the town, and all in it.

To loose a nofe, to win a town's no fhame,

But who dares venture fuch a ftake for th' game.

Then thy difgrace, thine honour's manifold,

Who doth deserve a statue made of gold.

Nor can Darius in his Monarchy,
Scarce find enough to thank thy loyalty:
Yet o're thy glory we must cast this vail,
Thy craft more then thy valour did prevail.
Darius in the fecond of his reign
An Edict for the Jews publifh d again:
The Temple to rebuild, for that did reft
Since Cyrus time, Cambifes did moleft.
He like a King now grants a Charter large,
Out of his own revennues bears the charge,

After this, the first edition has, –

But yet thou haft fufficient recompence,

In that thy fame thall found whilst men have fence;

Thy falthood, not thy valour did prevaile;
Thy wit was more then was thine honesty,
Thou lov'dit thy Mafter more then verity.

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Gives Sacrifices, wheat, wine, oyle and salt,
Threats punishment to him that through default
Shall let the work, or keep back any thing

Of what is freely granted by the King:

And on all Kings he poures out Execrations

That fhall once dare to rafe thofe firm foundations

They thus backt by the King, in fpight of foes

i

Built on and profper'd till their house they close,
And in the fixth year of his friendly reign,
Set up a Temple (though a less) again:
Darius on the Scythians made a war,

Entring that larg and barren Country far:

A Bridge he made, which ferv'd for boat & barge
O're Ifter fair, with labour and with charge.
But in that defert; 'mongst his barbarous foes
Sharp wants, not swords, his valour did oppose,
His Army fought with hunger and with cold,
Which to affail his royal Camp was bold.*
By these alone his hoft was pincht so sore,
He warr'd defenfive, not offenfive more.
The Salvages did laugh at his distress,
Their minds by Hiroglyphicks they express,
A Frog a Mouse, a bird, an arrow fent,
The King will needs interpret their intent,
Poffeffion of water, earth and air,

But wife Gobrias reads not half fo fair:'

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h but.

walls did.

Over fair Ifter, at a mighty charge.

Which two then to affaile, his Camp was bold.

/ farre.