 | The False One |  |
Scena Tertia.
Enter Septinius.Sep.
I feele my resolution melts againe,
And that I am not knave alone, but foole
In all my purposes. This Devill Photinus
Employs me, as a property, and grown uselesse
Will shake me off againe: he told me so
When I kill'd Pompey: nor can I hope better
When Cæsar is dispatch'd: Services done
For such as only study their owne ends,
Too great to be rewarded, or return'd
With deadly hate; I learnd this principle
In his own Schoole: yet still he fooles me: well:
And yet he trusts me; Since I in my nature
Was fashion'd to be false, wherefore should I
That kill'd my Generall, and a Roman, one
To whom I owe all nourishments of life
Be true to an Ægyptian? to save Cæsar,
And turn Photinus plots on his own head,
As it is in my power, redeem my credit,
And live, to lye, and swear again in fashion,
Oh, 'twere a Master-piece? ha?—me Cæsar,
How's he got off?
Enter Cæsar, Ptolomy, Antony, Dollabella. Achoreus, Appollodorus, Souldiers.
Cæsar.
The fire has tooke,
And shews the City, like a second Troy,
The Navy too is scorch'd, the people greedy
To save their wealth, and houses, while their souldiers
Make spoile of all: only Achillas troops
Make good their guard: break through them, we are safe:
I'le lead you like a Thunder-bolt.
Sep.
Stay Cæsar.
Cæsar.
Who's this? the dog Septinius?
Ant.
Cut his throat.
Dol.
You barkt but now, fawne you so soone?
Sep.
O heare me,
What I'le deliver is for Cæsars safety,
For all your good.
Ant.
Good from a moneth like thine,
That never belch'd but blasphemy & treason, on Festivall dayes
Sep.
I am an altered man: altered indeed,
And I will give you cause to say I am a Roman.
Dol.
Rogue, I grant thee.
Sep.
Trust me, I'le make the passage smooth and easy,
For your escape.
Ant.
I'le trust the Devill sooner,
And make a safer bargaine.
Sep.
I am trusted,
With all Photinus secrets.
Ant.
There's no doubt then,
Thou wilt be false.
Sep.
Still to be true to you.
Dol.
And very likely.
Cæsar.
Be breife, the meanes?
Sep.
Thus Cæsar:
To me alone, but bound by terrible oathes
Not to discover it, he hath reveal'd
A dismall vault, whose dreadfull mouth do's open
A mile beyond the Citty: in this cave
Lye but two houres conceal'd.
Ant.
If you believe him,
Hee'le bury us alive.
Dol.
I'le fly in the ayre first.
Sep.
Then in the dead of night, I'le bring you backe.
Into a private roome, where you shall finde
140
Of their Commanders, close at Counsell.
Cæsar.
Good: what followes?
Sep.
Fall me fairly on their throates,
Their heads cut off and shorn, the multitude
Will easily disperse.
Cæsar.
O Devill! away with him:
Nor true to friend nor enemy? Cæsar scornes
To find his safety, or revenge his wrongs
So base a way: or owe the meanes of life
To such a leaprous Traytor. I have towr'd
For victory like a Faulcon in the clouds,
Not dig'd for't like a Moale: our Swords, and Cause
Make way for us; and that it may appeare
We tooke a noble course, and hate base Treason,
Some souldiers, that would merit Cæsars favour,
Hang him on yonder turret, and then follow
The lane, this sword makes for you.
Exit.
1 Sold.
Here's a Belt,
Though I dye for it I'le use it.
2 Sold.
Tis too good
To trusse a Cur in.
Sep.
Save me, here's gold.
1 Sold.
If Rome
Were offered for thy ransome, it could not help thee.
2 Sold.
Hang not an arse.
1 Sold.
Goad him on with thy sword:
Thou dost deserve a worser end; and may
All such conclude so, that their friends betray.
Exeunt.
| The False One | |