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The Four Monarchies.
305
The Souldiers pinched with this scarcity
By stealth unto Cassander dayly fly;
Olimpias means to hold out[1] to the last,
Expecting nothing but of death to tast;
But his occasions calling him away,[2]
Gives promise for her life, so wins the day.
No sooner had he got her in his hand,
But made in judgement her accusers stand;
And plead the blood of friends and kindreds[3] spilt,
Desiring justice might be done for guilt;
And so was he acquitted of his word,
For justice fake she being put to th' Sword:
This was the end of this most cruel Queen,
Whose fury scarcely parallel'd[4] hath been.
The daughter, filler, Mother, Wife to Kings,
But Royalty no good conditions brings;[5]
To Husbands death ('tis[6] thought) she gave consent,
The murtherer[7] she did so much lament:
With Garlands crown'd his head, bemoan'd his fates,
His Sword unto Apollo consecrates.
Her Outrages too tedious to relate.
How for no cause but her inveterate hate;
Her Husbands wives[8] and Children after's death.
Some slew, some fry'd, of others stopt the breath:
By stealth unto Cassander dayly fly;
Olimpias means to hold out[1] to the last,
Expecting nothing but of death to tast;
But his occasions calling him away,[2]
Gives promise for her life, so wins the day.
No sooner had he got her in his hand,
But made in judgement her accusers stand;
And plead the blood of friends and kindreds[3] spilt,
Desiring justice might be done for guilt;
And so was he acquitted of his word,
For justice fake she being put to th' Sword:
This was the end of this most cruel Queen,
Whose fury scarcely parallel'd[4] hath been.
The daughter, filler, Mother, Wife to Kings,
But Royalty no good conditions brings;[5]
To Husbands death ('tis[6] thought) she gave consent,
The murtherer[7] she did so much lament:
With Garlands crown'd his head, bemoan'd his fates,
His Sword unto Apollo consecrates.
Her Outrages too tedious to relate.
How for no cause but her inveterate hate;
Her Husbands wives[8] and Children after's death.
Some slew, some fry'd, of others stopt the breath: