University of Virginia Library

Scæn. 3.

Enter Proculus, and Pontius.
Pro.
Besides this, if you do it, you enjoy
The noble name Patrician: more than that too,
The Friend of Cesar ye are stild: ther's nothing
Within the hopes of Rome, or present being
But you may safely say is yours.

Pon.
Pray stay Sir;
What has Æcius done to be destroyd?
At least I would have a colour.

Pro.
Ye have more,
Nay all that may be given, he is a Traitor,
One, any man would strike that were a subject,

Pon.
Is he so fowle?

Pro.
Yes, a most fearefull Traytor.

Pon.
A fearefull plague upon thee, for thou lyest;
I ever thought the Souldier would undoe him
With his too much affection.

Pro.
Ye have hit it,
They have brought him to ambition.

Pon.
Then he is gone:

Pro.
The Emperor out of a foolish pittie.
Would save him yet.

Pon.
Is he so mad?

Pro.
He's madder!
Would goe to'th Army to him.

Pon.
Would'a so?

Pro.
Yes Pontius; but we consider—

Pon.
Wisely;

Pro.
How else man, that the state lies in it,

Pon.
And your lives too:

Pro.
And every mans.

Pon.
He did me
All the disgrace he could

Pro.
And scurvily,

Pon.
Out of a mischiefe meerly: did you mark it?
Yes well enough.

Pro.
Now ye have meanes to quit it,
The deed done, take his place.

Pon.
Pray let me thinke on't,
Tis ten to one I doe it.

Pro.
Doe and be happy.—
Exit Pro.

Pon.
This Emperor is made of naught but mischiefe,
Sure, Murther was his Mother: none to lop,
But the maine linck he had? upon my conscience
The man is truly honest, and that kills him;
For to live here, and study to be true,
Is all one to be Traitors: why should he die?
Have they not Slaves and Rascalls for their Offrings
In full abundance; Bawds more then beasts for slaughter?
Have they not singing whores enough, and knaves too,
And millions of such Martyrs to sink Charon,
But the best sons of Rome must saile too? I wil shew him
(since he must dye) a way to doe it truly:
And though he beares me hard, yet shall he know,
I am born to make him blesse me for a blow.—

Exit.