University of Virginia Library

Scæna prima.

Enter the Emperour, Maximus, Lycinius, Proculus, Chilax, as at Dice.
Emp.
Nay ye shall set my hand out, tis not just
I should neglect my fortune, now tis prosperous.

Lyc.
If I have any thing to set your Grace,
But Clothes or good conditions, let me perish,
You have all my mony Sir;

Pro.
And mine,

Chi.
And mine too.

Max.
Vnlesse your Grace will credit us,

Emp.
No bare boord,

Lyc.
Then at my Garden-House;

Emp.
The Orchard too.

Lyc.
And 't please your Grace,

Emp.
Have at 'em,

Pro.
They are lost;

Lyc.
Why farewell Fig-trees,

Emp.
Who sets more?

Chil.
At my Horse Sir,

Emp.
The dapl'd Spaniard?

Chil.
He.

Emp.
He's mine,

Chil.
He is so;

Max.
Your shorthorse is soone curried:

Chil.
So it seemes Sir,
So may your Mare be too, if luck serve.

Max.
Ha?

Ch.
Nothing my Lord but grieving at my fortune,

Emp.
Come Maximus, you were not wont to flinch thus

Max.
By Heaven Sir, I have lost all.

Emp.
Ther's a ring yet,

Max.
This was not made to loose Sir,

Emp.
Some love token;
Set it I say;

Max.
I doe beseech your Grace,
Rather name any house I have.

Emp.
How strange,
And curious you are growne of toyes? redeem't
If so I win it, when you please, to morrow,
Or next day as ye will, I care not,
But only for my luck sake: Tis not Rings
Can make me richer.

Max.
Will you throw Sir? there 'tis:

Emp.
Why then have at it fairely: myne.

Max.
Your Grace
Is only ever fortunate: to morrow,
An't be your pleasure Sir, Ile pay the price on't;

Emp.
To morrow you shall have it without price Sir,
But this day 'tis my victory: good Maximus,
Now I bethink my selfe, goe to Æcius,
And bid him muster all the Cohorts presently;
They mutiny for pay I heare, and be you
Assistant to him; when you know their numbers,
Ye shall have monyes for 'em, and above
Something to stop their tongues withall.

Max.
I will Sir,
And gods preserve you in this mind still.

Emp.
Shortly Ile see 'em march my selfe.

Max.
Gods ever keep ye.—
Exit Max.

Emp.
To what end doe you think this ring shall serve now?
For you are fellowes only know by roate,
As birds record their lessons.

Chil.
For the Lady,

Emp.
But how for her?

Chil.
That I confesse I know not,

Emp.
Then pray for him that do's: fetch me an Eunuch
That never saw her yet: and you two see
Exit. Chil.
The Court made like a Paradise.

Lyc.
We will Sir.

Emp.
Full of faire shewes and Musiques; all your arts
(As I shall give instructions) screw to 'th highest,
For my maine peece is now a doing: and for feare
You should not take, Ile have an other engine,
Such as if vertue be not only in her,
She shall not choose but leane to, let the women
Put on a graver shew of welcome.

Pro.
Well Sir.

Emp.
They are a thought too eager.—

Enter Chilax and Lycias the Eunuch.
Chil.
Here's the Eunuch,

Eun.
Long life to Cesar.

Emp.
I must use you Lycias:
Come let's walk in, and then Ile shew ye all:
If women may be fraile, this wench shall fall.

Exeunt.