 | The adulateur |  |
SCENE I.
Enter Rapatio and Gripeall.Rapatio.
Hail halcyon days! when every flying moment,
Affords new scenes of joy; what tho' the soldier
True to my purpose hurls promiscuous slaughter;
He lives and triumphs while the scales of justice,
Thus by my tools are held. The day is ours.
Such acts my Hazlerod, demand promotion—
And thou shall have it—Yes the time approaches,
The happy period dawns, when thou shall swell
The chair of state, and roll in wish'd for honors—
Thus while each post is garnish'd with my creatures,
I'll show my pow'r, and trample on my country.
Gripeall.
'Twas nobly spoke—there breath'd the soul of Cæsar.
Nor will I pause—my faithful myrmidons
Wait thy command and hang upon thy will.
I'll use the little pow'r that's lodg'd within me.
I'll cramp their trade 'till pale ey'd poverty
Haunts all their streets, and frowns destruction on them.
While many a poor man leaning on his staff,
Beholds a numerous, famish'd offspring round him.
Who weep for bread. God's how his bosom heaves!
Ghastly he rolls an aching eye upon them,
Then blasts my name, and with a groan expires.
Rapatio.
What throbs of joy—Nero, I tow'r above thee.
[Exeunt.
| The adulateur | |