ABSTRACT
The Trage4J! of Cleopatra 42 I Of like proude states, as wofully incombred, And fram'd by them, examples for our owne: Which now among examples must be numbred. 540 For this decree a law from high is given, An ancient Canon, of eternall date, In Consistorie of the starres of heaven, Entred the Booke of unavoyded Fate; That no state can in height of happinesse, In th'exaltation of their glory stand: But thither once arriv'd, declining lesse, Ruine themselves, or fall by others hand. Thus doth the ever-changing course of things Runne a perpetuall circle, ever turning: 550 And that same day that hiest glory brings, Brings us unto the poynt of backe-returning. For sencelesse sensualitie, doth ever Accompany felicitie and greatnesse. A fatall witch, whose charmes do leave us never, Till we leave all in sorrow for our sweetnesse; When yet our selves must be the cause we fall, Although the same be first decreed on hie: Our errors still must beare the blame of all, This must it be; earth, aske not heaven why. 560
Yet mighty men with wary jealous hand, Strive to cut off all obstacles of feare: All whatsoever seemes but to withstand Their least conceit of quiet, held so deere; And so intrench themselves with blood, with crimes, With all injustice as their feares dispose: Yet for all this we see, how oftentimes The meanes they worke to keepe, are meanes to lose. And sure I cannot see, how this can stand With great Augustus safety and his honor, 570 To cut off all succession from our land, For her offence that pulld the warres upon her.
