The Four Monarchies. 291
And yet not fo content unlefs that he
Might be efteemed for a Diety;
Now lay a Spe6lacle to teftifie,
The wretchednefs of mans mortality.
After fome "" time, when ftirs began to calm,
His body did the Egyptians embalme;'^
His countenance fo lively did appear,
That for a while they dm^ft not come fo near:
No fign of poyfon in his intrails found, [^^i]
But all his bowels coloured, well and found.
Perdiccas feeing Arideits muft be King,
Under his name began to rule each thing.
His chief Opponent who Control'd his fway,
Was Meleager whom he would take away,"^
And b}^ a wile he got him in his power.
So took his life unworthily that hour.
Uling the name, and the command of th' King
To authorize his a6ts in every thing.
The princes feeing Perdiccas power and pride,
For their fecurity did now provide."
Antigonus for his fliare Ajia takes,
And Ptolemy next fure of Egypt makes:
Seleuciis afterward held Babylon^
Antipater had long rul'd Macedon.
a this. b The next two lines are not in the first edition.
c On which, no figne of poyfon could be found, d His chief opponents who kept oft" the Crown,
Was ftifte Meleager, whom he would take down. ' Thought timely for themfelves, now^ to provide.
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