Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/382

Perdiccas in his pride did ill intreat
Python of haughty mind, and courage great.
[165] Who could not brook so great indignity,
But of his wrongs his friends doth certifie;
The soulders 'gainst Perdiccas they incenfe.
Who vow to make this captain recompence,
And in a rage they rush into his tent,^[1]
Knock out his brains: to Ptolemy then went
And offer him his honours, and his place,
With stile of the Protector, him to grace.^[2]
Next day into the camp came Ptolemy,
And is receiv'd of all most joyfully.
Their proffers he refus'd with modesty,
Yields them to Python for his courtefie.^[3]
With what he held he was now more^[4] content,
Then by more trouble to grow eminent.
Now comes there news of a great victory
That Eumenes got of the other three.
Had it but in Perdiccas life ariv'd,
With greater joy it would have been receiv'd.
Thus Ptolemy rich Egypt did retain,
And Python turn'd to Asia again.
Whilst Perdiccas encamp'd^[5] in Affrica,
Antigonus did enter Asia,

1. Instead of this and the six preceding lines, the first edition has, —
   Phiton, next Perdicas, a Captaine high,
   Being entreated by him scornfully,
   Some of the Souldiers enters Perdica's tent,
   
   
2. would him grace;
3. Confers them Pithon on, for's courtefie;
4. well.
5. thus staid.