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Scæna, 2.
Enter Parthenius, Domitia, Iulia, Cænis Domitilla, Stephanos, Sijeius, Entellus.Parth.
You see we are all condemnd, there's no euasion,
Steph.
But it must be sudaine
The least delay is mortall.
Domit.
Would I were
A man to giue it action.
Domit:
Could I make my approaches though my stature
Does promise little, I haue a spirit as daring
As hers, that can reach higher.
Steph.
I will take
That burthen from you Madam. All the art is
To draw him from the Tribunes that attend him
For could you bring him but within my swords reach
The world should owe her freedome from a tyranne,
To Stephanos.
Sige.
You shall not share alone
The glorie of a deed that will endure
To all posteritie.
Entel.
I will put in
For a part my selfe.
Parth.
Be resolute, and stand close.
I haue conceiu'd a way, and with the hazard
Of my life I'll practise it to fetch him hither.
But then no trifling.
Steph.
We'l despatch him feare not
A dead dog neuer bites.
Parth.
Thus then at all
Parthenius goes off the rest stand aside
Enter Cæsar and the Tribunes.
Cæs.
How slowe pac'd are these minutes! in extreames
How miserable is the least delay!
Could I iumpe feathers to the wings of time
Or with as little ease command the Sunne
To scourge his coursers vp heauens easterne hill
Making the houre I tremble at past recalling
As I can moue this dyals tongue to six,
My veines, and arteries emptied with feare
Would fill and swell againe. How doe I looke?
Doe you yet see death about me:
Thinke not of him
There is no danger all these prodegies
That doe affright you rise from naturall causes,
And though you doe ascribe them to your selfe,
Had you ne're beene, had happen'd.
Cæs.
'Tis well said,
Exceeding well braue souldier. Can it be
That I that feele my selfe in health and strength
Should still beleeue I am so neare my end,
And haue my guards about me? perish all
Predictions, I grow constant they are false
And built vpon vncertainties.
1. Trib.
This is right.
Now Cæsar's hard like Cæsar.
Cæs.
We will to
The Campe, and hauing there confirmd the souldier
With a large Donatiue, and increase of pay
Some shall. I say no more.
Enter Parthenius.
Parth.
All happinesse
Securitie, long life attend vpon
The Monarch of the World.
Cæs.
Thy lookes are cheerefull,
Parth.
And my relation full of ioy and wonder.
Why is the care of your imperiall body
My Lord neglected the fear'd houre being past
In which your your life was threatned.
Cæs.
Is't past fiue?
Parth.
Past six vpon my knowledge, and iniustice
Your Clocke master should dye that hath deferd
Your peace so long. There is a post new lighted
That brings assur'd intelligence, that your legions
In Siria haue wonne a glorious day,
And much enlarg'd your Empire. I haue kept him
Conceal'd that you might first pertake the pleasure
In priuate, and the Senate from your selfe
Be taught to vnderstand how much they owe
To you and to your fortune.
Cæs.
Hence pale feare then
1. Trib.
Shall we waite you?
Cæs.
No
After losses Guards are vsefull, know your distance.
Exeunt Cæsar and Parthenius.
2. Trib.
How strangely hopes delude men, as I liue
The houre is not yet come.
1. Trib.
Howere we are
To pay our duties, and obserue the sequele.
Exeunt Trib.
Enter Cæsar, and Parthenius.
Domit.
I heare him comming, be constant.
Cæs.
Where Parthenius is this glad messenger.
Steph.
Make the doore fast. Heere, a messenger of horror.
Cæs.
How! betraid?
Domit.
No taken tyranne.
Cæs.
My Domitia in the conspiracie!
Parth.
Behold this booke.
Cæs.
Nay then I am lost. Yet though I am vnarm'd
I'll not fall poorely.
Ore throwes Stephanos.
Steph.
Helpe me.
Entel.
Thus, and thus.
Sije.
Are you so long a falling?
Cæs.
'Tis done, 'tis done basely.
falls, and dyes.
Parth.
This for my Fathers death.
Domit.
This for my Paris,
Iul,
This for thy Incest
These seuerally stab him.
Domit.
This for thy abuse of Domitilla.
Enter Tribunes.
1. Trib.
Force the doores. O Mars!
What haue you done.
Parth.
What Rome shall giue vs thanks for.
Steph.
Despatch'd a Monster.
1. Trib.
Yet he was our Prince
How euer wicked, and in you this murther
Which whosoe're succeeds him will reuenge,
Nor will we that seru'd vnder his command
(For in thy wickednesse, Augusta's title
Hath quite forsooke thee) thou that wert the ground
Of all these mischiefes, shall goe hence vnpunish'd.
Lay hands on her. And drag her to sentence,
We will referre the hearing to the Senate
Who may at their best leisure censure you
Take vp his body. He in death hath payd
For all his cruelties. Heere's the difference
Good Kings are mourn'd for after life, but ill
And such as gouern'd onely by their will
And not their reason. Vnlamented fall
No Goodmans teare shed at their Funerall.
Exeunt omnes.
Florish.
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