University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

Enter Ætius in chains.
Max.
What counsel thus has mov'd him?

[aside.
Æt.
Call'd from my dungeon, here I came, prepar'd
To meet a punishment unmerited,
But find a greater—I behold Augustus.

Val.
[aside.]
Unheard-of boldness!—Ætius, let us speak
No more of hatred.—See me now thy friend:
My rigour I detest and come resolv'd—

Æt.
I know it well—the rest I'm not to learn,
Honoria has prevented thee: enough:
If thou hast nothing further to impart,
I shall regain my prison—but even now
I commun'd with Honoria.

Val.
Yet she knew not
What Valentinian means to offer Ætius.

Æt.
I heard it all: she nam'd my liberty,
The former friendship and the love of Cæsar,
Thy purpos'd gifts.

Val.
Yet she conceal'd the greatest.