doms
Women are not exempted from the Sceptre,
But claim a priviledge, equal to the Male;
But how much such divisions have ta'en from
The Majesty of _Egypt_, and what factions
Have sprung from those partitions, to the ruine
Of the poor Subject, (doubtful which to follow,)
We have too many, and too sad examples,
Therefore the wise _Photinus_, to prevent
The Murthers, and the Massacres, that attend
On disunited Government, and to shew
The King without a Partner, in full splendour,
Thought it convenient the fair _Cleopatra_,
(An attribute not frequent to the Climate)
Should be committed in safe Custody,
In which she is attended like her Birth,
Until her Beauty, or her royal Dowre,
Hath found her out a Husband.

_Ach._ How this may
Stand with the rules of policy, I know not;
Most sure I am, it holds no correspondence
With the Rites of _AEgypt_, or the Laws of Nature;
But grant that _Cleopatra_ can sit down
With this disgrace (though insupportable)
Can you imagine, that _Romes_ glorious Senate
(To whose charge, by the will of the dead King
This government was deliver'd) or great _Pompey_,
(That is appointed _Cleopatra_'s Guardian
As well as _Ptolomies_) will e're approve
Of this rash counsel, their consent not sought for,
That should authorize it?

_Achil._ The Civil war
In which the _Roman_ Empire is embarqu'd
On a rough Sea of danger, does exact
Their whole care to preserve themselves, and gives them
No vacant time to think of what we do,
Which hardly can concern them.

_Ach._ What's your opinion
Of the success? I have heard, in multitudes
Of Souldiers, and all glorious pomp of war,
_Pompey_ is much superiour.

_Achil._ I could give you
A Catalogue of all the several Nations
From whence he drew his powers: but that were tedious.
They have rich arms, are ten to one in number,
Which makes them think the day already won;
And _Pompey_ being master of the Sea,
Such plenty of all delicates are brought in,
As if the place on which they are entrench'd,
Were not a Camp of Souldiers, but _Rome_,
In which _Lucullus_ and _Apicius_ joyn'd,
To make a publique Feast: they at _Dirachium_
Fought with success; but knew not to make use of
_Fortunes_ fair offer: so much I have heard
_Caesar_ himself confess.

_Ach._ Where are they now?

_Achil._ In _Thessalie_, near the _Pharsalian_ plains
Where _Caesar_ w