University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Valentinian
alone.
Call Varus to me straight. [to an attendant without.]
If he refuse
To yield to this excess of clemency,
He shall not live a moment.

Enter Varus.
Varus.
Cæsar.

Val.
Hear me;
Dispose thy trustiest soldiers near conceal'd
In the dark dungeon's entrance; and when Ætius
Shall quit this place, if thou behold'st him singly,
And issue unaccompanied by Cæsar,
Let him be slain.

Varus.
I shall obey: but know'st thou
What tumult has been rais'd by Ætius' seizure?

Val.
I know it all—for this has Maximus
Provided well.

Varus.
'Tis true—but yet I fear—

Val.
No more—obey my will, and take good heed
The deed be secret, dost thou understand me?

Varus.
I understand thee well.

[Exit.