University of Virginia Library

SCE. I.

Enter Andronicus Solus.
It hits—And now my work's as good as done;
But I must cast more blinds, for fear it be
Too soon discover'd—One would not think how't takes,
That I have added fifty Fryers, to pray
For the curst soul of Manuel—See his revenge
(Good Prince) the people cry—'Twas necessary:
Nothing establish'd Cæsar's statues more,
Than re-erecting those of conquer'd Pompey:
I must yet farther, be their Advocate
For liberty against restrictive Laws,
And make what ever's their concernment, mine;
Thus shall I steal the power, and the dull beast
Not dream it lost, until it feel where 'tis;
Then 'twill be time, and not till then, to hew
Th'Imperial Cedar, and stop the peoples mouths
With a few sticks, and chips, 'twill warm their hands,
When t'other is forgot: the dog that fought
To save his Masters wallet, when he could not
Defend it longer, eat for company;
And so will they; If not, necessity
That has no law her self, shall coin one for it;
All things are lawful to their end; That war
Is just, that's necessary; and those Arms religious,
Where a man cannot well be safe without 'um;
Then shall I triumph, when I make the Empire
Shrink at my weight, and truckle under me;
Trample the world, and frighten fate, to feel
A threed so stuborn as to twist her Wheel:
(Enter Steph.
How fares my lov'd Stephanus?

Ste.
As ever,
Your Highness's Vassal.—

And.
Fy my friend, we're one;
How does our friend Basilius?—

Ste.
He's well;
And better imploy'd:—

And.
As how?—

Ste.
He's with his Cousin;
A cunning Sophister that alwaies follow'd
The rising Sun—He now begins to find
It may be lawful; Give him but your hand
He shall be Patriarch, my life, he brings
A Text to make it out.—

And.
So, ply him there;
And put it to him what he thinks, if an oath
Of being true and faithful to Alexius,
Were set on foot—'twould be a handsome cloak:

Ste.
But do more hurt than good; for if you add,
His Successors, as I believe you mean,
We shall be ripe too soon, and easie smoakt:

And.
Why? I shall be his Successor, and then
The oath will reach to me.—

Ste.
That will be nothing,
Nor stand you much in stead; suppose you were
Now Emperor, and 'twere now put about;
You'd find few boggle at it, but such, as could
Do you no hurt—These Oaths are dangerous things,
They conceal enemies, and make no friends;
One will be true enough without it, t'other
Will not regard it; he that's forc'd to take
An oath, streight makes a second, not to keep it:
You're only sure of him, whom by believing
To be what you would have him, you make so:

And.
But yet the greater number will swallow it;
Oaths are the same to them, as rattles to children,
It makes the cheat pass easie—slide as 'twere.

Ste.
Howe're, 'tis ticklish; some Cur or other
May find it out, and bark; and all the rest
Open for company; then we shall have
Nothing but jealousies, distrusts, and fears,
News upon news, Petition on Petition,
Laws, Liberties, Religion, all at stake,
And will be lost, unless these Geese (forsooth)
Cackle and save the Capitol.—

And.
Honest Stephanus

Hugs him.
Ste.
Your actions will be Table-talk; disputed
In Barbers shops, and Bake-houses; each slip
Be made a fault, and every fault a crime;
Then shall your oath be brought upon the rack,
Whether 'twere lawfully imposed; or you,
Capable of receiving it; or if so,
How far it binds; No faith with Tyrants, says one,
With Robbers, another cries; and then how easie
'Twill be to make you one, or both, especially,
When they that give the sentence, make the case,
I leave it to your Highness.—

And.
My best friend;
Hugs him again.
But somewhat must be done to blind the people:

Ste.
Keep 'um but moving, they will ne're mind you;
Do you but shake the Tree, they'll pick the Fruit,
And busie enough; but lest (when all is gone)
They should look up to see who 'twas that did it;
You must provide your mask; and of this kind,
None better than Religion—your Highness
Knows how to wear it to the best advantage;
'Tis a rare servant, but a scurvy Master:

And.
Then you think best to let alone the Oath,
At least not press it.—

Ste.
Yes by any means:
You'll find an hundred safer waies.

And.
We'll talk the rest within: these giddy fools
Are hunting out Basilius, and may chance
To light on me too soon:—

Ste.
I wait your Highness.

Exeunt.