Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/300

 214 Anne Bradjl reefs Works.

He after this, upon fufpition vain,

Unjuftly cauf'd his brother to be flain.

Praxafpes into Perjia then is fent,

To a6t in fecret, this his lewd intent:

His Sifter (whom Inceftuoufly he wed,)

Hearing her harmlefs brother thus was dead.

His wofull death ' with tears did fo bemoan, [96]

That by her husbands charge, fhe caught her own,

She with her fruit at once were both undone

Who would have born a Nephew and a fon.

Oh hellefli husband, brother, uncle. Sire,

Thy cruelty alP ages wilP admire.

This ftrange feverity he fometimes us'd ''

Upon a Judge, for taking bribes '" accus'd,

Flay'd him alive, hung up his ftuffed skin

Over his feat, then placed his fon therein.

To whom he gave this in remembrance.

Like fault muft look for the like recompence.

His cruelty was come unto that height.

He fpar'd nor foe, nor friend, nor favourite."

Who for no wrong, poore innocent muft dye,

PraraJ'pes now muft adt this tragedy ;

Who into Perjta with Commiffion fent,

Accompliftied this wicked Kings intent; i fate. /will. k (till.

i one time he us'd. '" breach of Law.

« Instead of this and the preceding line, the first edition has, — Prarafpes, to Cambyifes favourite. Having one fon, in whom he did delight. His cruell Mafter, for all fervice done. Shot through the heart of his beloved fon :

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