University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

Corvus, Mutius.
Corvus.
I was accusing thee—say art thou ready?
Is all prepar'd?—Quintus?—say where is he?—
Why comes he not?

Mutius.
I thought to have found him here:
He cannot be long absent;—sure the Time
Is scarce expir'd—thou run'st before the Sun—
Are your Dispatches ready?

Corvus.
Here they are:—
If Regulus incline to stay at Rome,
He shall not live a Day:—Scaurus, my Agent,
Whose Care prepares their Baths, has undertaken
To give a good Account of him and Decius:
Of this I have appriz'd Himilco—mark, good Mutius:—
Inclosed in this lies the concerted Plan
Betwixt myself and Colleague, if the Consulship
Falls to our Wishes; underneath, the Names
Of those, gain'd over lately to our Party,
Whose combin'd Interest makes our Purpose look
With Eyes of Certainty: The Letter's Tenour
Asks the Remittance of some certain Sums,
Which Speed must see performed; with an Intreaty
To let thy Care convey them:—for your selfish Men
Deal not for Promises—they will have Earnest;
And Gold is the grand Cement: take 'em, Mutius,
Bestow 'em safe—