University of Virginia Library

SCENE 4.

Enter Andronicus, Basil, Lapardas, and Panergus.
Ba.
You must not Sir, withstand a general good.

Pa.
The intreates of a whole state do command.

An.
I may the publick good most lawfully,
Deny t'advance a creature publick good
Weak friends deserve states more then stronger foes,
And seeming to assist it, do oppose it,
Whilest undertaking what they cannot mannage.

Ba.
How high the audit of your vertues swell,
It would torment your ears if I should tell you
Who are acquainted with your worthy actions,
More pleased to deserve, then hear you praise.

An.
Such vertues in my self I cann't discover,

Pa.
'Tis your humility doth make you blinde.

Ba.
“That face which most for beauty doth surpass,
“See's not it self save onely in a glass,
Be pleas'd from us to know your own perfection,
And by reflection read your vertues here.

Pa.
Your graces all are plainly shewn to us.

An.
But ah, my vices best are known to me,
It much afflicts my tender conscience
Thus to resist your holy violence,
On one condition Ile accept your profer.

Ba.
What's that condition dear Andronicus.

An.
Promise that you will help in high affairs,
That when our shoulders shrink or back doth wring,
With weight of business you'd afford supporters.

Om.
In such a case we solemnly protest,
That we perform our best and uttermost

An.
Hereafter if you find cause to repent.
The doings of this day then blame your selves,
I wash my hands thereof,
Such importunity would batter heaven.

Cl.
Such a dissembler could teach hell to flatter

[Aside.
Ba.
From this Suns mounting in our hemisphear,
Hence forward wee'll begin to date our year
This day i'th'front o'th'Almanack wee'l place,
And or'e the rest in scarlet Text command.

Cl.
Dy'de redd with Traytors perjury and guilt
And Royall Princes blood which will be spilt.

[Aside.
An.
Seeing now t'ath bin your pleasure to elect me,
Ile be the onely master of requests,
To me shall all repair that are oppressed,
No bribes shall overbear a widdows cause
Wee'l rescue right out of oppressions paws;
Wee'l judge the Judges if they do amiss;
New laws we will enact and repeal should,
As fresh occasions themselves do offer
But all with generall consent, 'tis wrong,
Some should ingross what doth belong to all.
But chiefly Il'e be carefull of my life,
Princes examples daily do give breath
Unto their Laws, Ile strive to live a law.

Cl.
A little of this done would go far,

(Aside.
An.
And now me thinks by fifty springs and more
I feel my self grown younger then I was,
What of Medea's Baths the Poets faigned,
Out of which Æson came with youth recreated.
What other Authors do report of th'Eagle,
(Th'Eagle which is displayd in our standard,
By loosing of her bill regains her youth;
These toys and tales are found a truth in me.

Cl.
I think that with the Snake h'ath cast his skin,
But all his poison still remains within him.

[Aside.
Ba.
The Heavens new strength miraculously hath lent you,
And for new burden hath new shoulders sent you,
But lets unto S. Sophyes Church with speed,
In publike view before your peoples eyes,
Your Coronation we will solemnize.

Exeunt omnes.