The Four Monarchies. 267
For when the fouldiers rifled had their pleafure,
And taken money plate and golden treafure,
Statues fome ' gold, and lilver numberlefs,
Yet after all, as ftoryes do exprefs
The fhare of Alexa^ide? did amount
To an hundred thoufand talents by account.
Here of his own he fets a Garifon,
(As firft at ShuJJian and at Babylon)
On their old Governours titles he laid.
But on their faithfulnefs he never ftaid.
Their place ' gave to his Captains (as was " juft)
For fuch revolters falfe, what King can" truft?
The riches and the pleafures of this town
Now makes this King his virtues all to drown,
That wallowing^ in all licentioufnefs,
In pride and cruelty to high "^ excefs.
Being inflam'd with wine upon a feafon,
Filled with madnefs, and quite void of reafon.
He at a bold proud " ftrumpets lend defire.
Commands to fet this goodly town on fire.
Parmenio wife intreats him to delift
And layes before his eyes if he perlift
His fames -^ difhonour, lofs unto his ftate,
And juft procuring of the Perjians hate :
But deaf to reafon, bent to have his will, [i4c>]
Thofe ftately ftreets with raging flame did fill.
Then to Darius he directs his way.
Who was retir'd as far as ^ Media,
^ of. ■f charge. i moft. « Prince will. "" He walloweth now, «' to th' higheft. •* bafe. y names. z and gone to.
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