 | The Prophetesse |  |
Scæna prima.
Enter Charinus, Aurelia, Niger.Char.
You buz into my head strange likelihoods,
and fill mee full of doubts; But what proofes (Niger,)
what certainties, that my most noble Brother
came to his end by murther? Tel me that,
assure me by some circumstance.
Niger.
I will Sir.
And as I tell you truth, so the gods prosper me.
I have often nam'd this Aper.
Char.
True, ye have done:
and in mysterious senses I have heard ye
break out o'th' sudden, and abruptly.
Niger.
True, Sir.
Fear of your unbeliefe, and the Times giddinesse
made me I durst not then go farther. So your Grace please
out of your wonted goodnesse to give credit,
I shall unfold the wonder.
Aur.
Do it boldly:
you shall have both our hearty loves, and hearings.
Niger.
This Aper then, this too much honourd villain,
(for he deserves no mention of a good man)
great Sir, give ear: This most ungratefull, spightfull,
above the memory of mankind mischievous,
with his owne bloody hands.
Char.
Take heed.
Nig.
I am in, Sir;
and if I make not good my Storie.
Aur.
Forward:
I see a Truth would break out: be not fearfull.
Nig.
I say, this Aper, and his damn'd Ambition,
cut off your Brothers hopes, his life, and fortunes:
the honourd Numerianus fell by him,
fell basely, most untimely, and most treacherously:
For in his Litter, as he bore him company,
most privately and cunningly he kill'd him;
yet still hee fils the faithfull Souldiers ears
with stories of his weaknesse; of his life;
that he dare not venture to appear in open,
and shew his warlike face among the souldiers;
the tendernesse and weaknesse of his eyes,
being not able to endure the Sun yet.
Slave that he is, he gives out this infirmitie
(because hee would dispatch his honour too)
to arise from wantonnesse, and love of women,
and thus he juggles still.
Aur.
O most pernitious.
most bloody, and most base! Alas, deer Brother,
art thou accus'd, and after death thy memory
loaden with shames and lies? Those pious tears
thou daily showerdst upon my fathers Monument,
(when in the Persian Expedition
he fell unfortunately by a stroak of thunder)
made thy defame and sins? Those wept out eyes,
the fair examples of a noble Nature,
those holy drops of Love, turn'd by depravers
(malitious poyson'd tongues) to thy abuses?
We must not suffer this.
Char.
It shows a truth now:
and sure this Aper is not right nor honest,
hee will not now come neer me.
Nig.
No, he dare not:
He has an inmate here, thats call'd a conscience,
bids him keep off.
Char.
My Brother honourd him,
made him first Captain of his Guard, his next friend;
then to my mother (to assure him neerer)
he made him husband.
Nig.
And withall ambitious:
for when he trod so nigh, his false feet itch'd Sir,
to step into the State.
Aur.
If ye beleeve, Brother,
Aper a bloody knave (as 'tis apparant)
Let's leave disputing, and do something Noble.
Char.
Sister be rul'd, I am not yet so powerfull,
to meet him in the field: He has under him
the flower of all the Empire, and the strength,
the Brittain and the Germain Cohorts; pray ye be patient.
Niger, how stands the Souldier to him?
Nig.
In fear, more Sir,
then love or honour: he has lost their fair affections,
by his most covetous and greedy griping.
Are ye desirous to do something on him,
that all the world may know ye lov'd your Brother?
and do it safely too, without an Army?
Char.
Most willingly.
Nig.
Then send out a Proscription,
send suddenly: And to that man that executes it,
(I mean, that brings his head) add a fair payment,
no common summe: then ye shall see, I fear not,
even from his own camp, from those men that follow him,
follow, and flatter him, we shall find one,
26
Aur.
For his reward, it shall be so, deer Brother,
so far I'll honour him that kils the villain:
for so far runs my love to my dead Brother,
let him be what he will; base, old, or crooked,
hee shall have Me: Nay, which is more, I'll love him.
I will not be denyde.
Char.
You shall not, Sister.
But ye shall know, my Love shall go along too:
See a Proscription drawn; And for his recompence,
my Sister, and half partner in the Empire:
and I will keep my word.
Aur.
Now ye do bravely.
Nig.
And though it cost my life, I'll see it publish'd.
Char.
Away then, for the businesse.
Nig.
I am gone, Sir:
you shall have all dispatch'd to night.
Char.
Be prosperous.
Aur.
And let the villain fall.
Nig.
Fear nothing Madam.
Exeunt.
| The Prophetesse | |