Law, and obtained some preferment, as well as reputation, in that profession. He was the Author of eight Plays, and died at Paris in the year 1590, at the age of 56 years. See Recherches sur les Theatres De France, par M. De Beauchamps, 4to. 1755, p. 39. To the vertuously Noble, and rightly honoured Lady, the COUNTESS OF SUSSEX. HAVING no leisure (most noble Lady) but such as evermore is traveld with th' afflictions of the mind, than which the world affords no greater misery, it may be wondered at by some, how I durst undertake a matter of this moment: which both requireth cunning, rest and oportunity; but chiefly, that I would attempt the Dedication of so rough unpolished a work, to the survey of your so worthy self. But being well instructed in your noble and heroick dispositions, and perfectly assured of your honourable favours past (though neither making needless glozes of the one, nor spoiling paper with the other's Pharisaical embroidery,) I have presuined upon your true conceit and entertainment of these small endeavours, that thus I purposed to make known, my memory you and them to be immortal. of A fitter present for a patroness so well accomplished, I could not find, than this fair president of honour, magnanimity, and love. Wherein, what grace that excellent GARNIER hath lost by my default, I shall beseech your Honour to repair, with the regard of those so bitter times, and privy broken passions that I endured in the writing it. And so vouchsafing but the passing of a Winter's week with desolate Cornelia, I will assure your Ladyship my next Summer's better travell, with the Tragedy of Portia. And ever spend one hour of the day in some kind service to your Honour, and another of the night in wishing you all happiness. Perpetually thus devoting my poor self Your Honour's in all humbleness. T. K. THE ARGUMENT. CORNELIA, the daughter of Metellus Scipio, a young Roman Lady, as much accomplish'd with the graces of the body, and the virtues of the mind as ever any was, was first married to young Crassus, who died with his father, in the disconfiture of the Romans against the Parthians; afterward she took to second husband Pompey the great, who (three years after) upon the first fires of the civil wars betwixt him and Cæsar, sent her from thence to Mitilen, there to attend the uncertain success of those affairs. And when he saw that he was vanquish'd at Pharsalia, returned to find her out, and carry her with him into Egypt, where his purpose was to have re-enforced a new army, and give a second assault to Cæsar. In this voyage, he was murdered by Achillus and Septimius the Roman before her eyes, and in the presence of his young son Sextus, and some other Senators his friends. After which, she retired herself to Rome. But Scipio her father (being made general of those that survived after the battle) assembled new forces, and occupied the greater part of Afrique, allying himself to Juba king of Numidia. Against all whom Cæsar (after he had ordered the affairs of Egypt and the state of Rome) in the end of winter marched. And there (after many light encounters) was a fierce and furious battle given amongst them, near the walls of Tapsus. Where Scipio seeing himself subdued, and his army scattered, he betook himself with some small troop, to certain ships which he caused to stay for him. Thence he sailed toward Spain, where Pompey's faction commanded, and where a sudden tempest took him on the sea, that drave him back to Hippon, a town in Afrique, at the devotion of Cæsar, where (lying at anchor) he was assailed, beaten, and assaulted by the adverse fleet; and for he would not fall alive into the hands of his so mighty enemy, he stab'd himself, and suddenly leapt over board into the sea, and there dyed. Cæsar (having finished these wars, and quietly reduced the towns and places thereabout to his obedience) returned to Rome in triumph for his victories ; where this most fair and miserable Lady, having overmourn'd the death of her dear husband, and understanding of these cross events and hapless news of Afrique, together with the piteous manner of her father's end, she took (as she had cause) occasion to redouble both her tears and lamentations: wherewith she closeth the catastrophe of this their Tragedy. VOL. II. R |