To undo a kingdom, to achieve a crime
Like his, who would not fall and die like him?
Never had Rome a nobler service done,
Never had hell; each day came thronging down
Vast shoals of ghosts, and mine was pleased and glad,
And smiled, when it the brave revenge surveyed.
Nor do I mention these great instances
For bounds, and limits to your wickedness:
Dare you beyond, something out of the road
Of all example, where none yet have trod,
Nor shall hereafter: what mad Catiline
Durst never think, nor's madder poet feign;[1]
Make the poor baffled pagan fool confess,
How much a Christian crime can conquer his;
How far in gallant mischief overcome,
The old must yield to new and modern Rome.
Mix ills past, present, future, in one act;
One high, one brave, one great, one glorious fact.
Which hell, and very I may envy
Such as a god himself might wish to be
Accomplice in the mighty villany,
And barter his heaven, and vouchsafe to die.
Nor let delay (the bane of enterprise)
Mar yours, or make the great importance miss.
This fact has waked your enemies, and their fear;
Let it your vigour too, your haste and care.
Be swift, and let your deeds forestall intent,
Forestall even wishes, ere they can take vent,
Nor give the fates the leisure to prevent.
Let the full clouds, which a long time did wrap
Your gathering thunder, now with sudden clap,
Break out upon your foes; dash, and confound,
And spread avoidless ruin all around.
- ↑ Garnet is here made to refer to Ben Jonson's opening to Catiline, upon the model of which this first Satire is founded.
