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scæna prima.
[Sempronivs] [A metellus] a procunsul of [Lusitania]. Sempronivs a Centurion.Metellus:
A revolt in Asia?
Sempronivs:
yes on the report
the longe thowght dead Antiochus liues.
[2 chaires set out]
Metellus:
I heard [such]
such a one appear'd in Carthage but suppresde
by Titus flaminivs my noble freinde.
[whoe by his letters] [Hee] promisd mee a visit yf his designes as I desire they may
succeeded to his wishes.
Sempronivs:
till [hee arriue] you behoulde hym
I can bringe your honor yf you please, where you
60
Metellus:
from whom captaine?
Sempronivs:
a new riggd pinnace that put of from Corinth,
and is arriud amonge vs, tite, and yare
nor comes shee to pay custome for her fraught
but to impose a tax on such as dare
presume to looke on her, wch [the] smocke gamsters offer
sooner then shee demandes it.
Metellus:
some freshe courtezan
vpon mine honor.
Sempronivs:
you are i'the right my lord.
Metellus:
& there lies your intelligence.
Sempronivs:
true my good lord
'tis a discoverie will not shame a Captaine
when hee lies in garrison. since I was a trader
in such com̄odities, I never saw
her equall, I was ravishd with the obiect
& woulde you visit her I beleeue you woulde write
[my] your selfe of my opinion.
Metellus:
fye vpon thee
I am olde.
Sempronivs:
and therefore haue the greater vse
of such a cordiall. all medeas drugges
and her charmes to boote that made old Æson younge
were nothinge to her touch. your viper wine
soe much in practise with gray bearded gallants
but vappa to the nectar of her lippe.
shee hath donne miracles since shee came. a vsurer
full of the gowte, and more diseases then
his crowches coulde support, vsd her rare phisicque
but one short night, and risinge in the morninge
Hee dancde a lavolta.
Metellus:
prethee leaue thy foolinge
& talke of somethinge els.
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the whole world yeeldes not
apter discourse. shee hath all the qualities
conducinge to the sport; singes like a Syren;
dances, as the grosse element of earth
had noe part in her; her discourse soe full
of eloquence & prevailinge, there is nothinge
she askes to bee denid her. had shee desir'd
my captaines place I had cashierd my selfe
and shoulde shee begge your procunsulship, yf you heard her
'twere hers vpon my life.
[Enter flaminivs]
Metellus:
shee shoulde bee damnde first
and her whole tribe. my lord flaminivs welcome
I haue longe bene full of expectation
of your greate designe, and hope a faire successe
hath crownd your travaile, in your bringeinge in
this dangerous impostor
I haue longe bene full of expectation
of your greate designe, and hope a faire successe
hath crownd your travaile, in your bringeinge in
this dangerous impostor
flaminivs:
at the length
I haue hym, and his complices.
Metellus:
Ile not, now
inquire how you atchieud hym, but woulde know
since 'tis refer'd to you what punnishement
shall fall vpon hym.
flaminivs:
yf you please in private
I will acquaint you
Metellus:
Captaine let mee intreate you
to meditate on your woman in the next roome
wee may haue imployment for you.
Sempronivs:
I had rather
shee woulde com̄ande my service.
Metellus:
pray you sit.
flaminivs:
now my good lord I aske your graue advice
what course to take.
Metellus:
that in my iudgement needes not
62
and his processe framd must as a traytor suffer
a death due to his treason.
flaminivs:
theres much more
to bee considerd. there beeinge a beleefe
dispersde almost throwgh Asia that hee is
the trewe Antiochus, & wee must decline
the certaine scandall it will drawe vpon
[Antiochus— ready: vnder the stage]
the Roman governement, yf hee dye the man
Hee is by the most receaud to bee, and therefore
till that opinion bee remoud, wee must
vse some quaint practise that may worke vpon
his hopes or feares to drawe a free confession
that hee was subornde to take on hym the name
Hee still maintaines.
Metellus:
that torture will wrest from hym
I know noe readier way.
flaminivs:
yf you had seene
his carriage in Carthage and Bithinia
you woulde not thincke soe. since I had hym in
my power I haue vsd all possible meanes that might
force hym into despaire & soe to doe
a violence on hym selfe. Hee hath not tasted
theis three dayes any sustenance, and still
continewes fastinge.
Metellus:
keepe hym to that dyet
some few howers more
flaminivs:
I am of opinion rather
some competence offerd hym and a place of rest
some competence offerd hym and a place of rest
where hee might spende the remnant of his dayes
in pleasure & securitie might doe more
then feare of death or torture.
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then feare of death or torture.
Metellus:
it may bee
there are such natures, and now I thincke vpon't.
I can helpe you to a [po] happie instrument
to motion it. your eare.
flaminivs:
'tis wondrous well
and it may proue fortunate.
Metellus:
tis but a triall
however I will sende for her.
flaminivs:
pray you doe
shee shall haue my directions.
Metellus:
what botches
are made in the shoppe of policie.
flaminivs:
soe they cover
the nakednesse wee must conceale it skills not.—
exet
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