Page:The Jew of Malta - Marlowe (1633).pdf/17

THE
JEW OF
MALTA.

---

Machevil.

Lbeit the world think Machevill is dead,

Yet was his soule but flowne beyond the Alpes,
And, now the Guize is dead, is come from France
To view this Land, and frolicke with his friends.
To some perhaps my name is odious,
But such as love me, gard me from their tongues,
And let them know that I am Machevill,
And weigh not men, and therefore not mens words:
Admir'd I am of those that hate me most.
Though some speake openly against my bookes,
Yet will they reade me, and thereby attaine
To Peters Chayre: And, when they cast me off;
Are poyson'd by my climing followers.
I count Religion but a childish Toy,
And hold there is no sinne but Ignorance.
Birds of the Aire will tell of murders past;
I am asham'd to heare such fooleries:
Many will talke of Title to a Crowne.
What right had Cæsar to the Empire?
Might first made Kings, and Lawes were then most sure
When like the Drancus they were writ in blood.

Hence