University of Virginia Library

Scœn. 4.

Favorina
, Gladiator
Cannot you (sir) espye the honest man
(That noble Eunuch, my deliuerer)
Good Gracchus comming yet?

Gla.
(Deere Madame) no.

Fav.
Indeed my phansie doth suggest new feare,
Seeming to tell me Gracchus is detain'd
By his Lords rage, who did (I doubt) returne
Sooner then hee exspected; which despight
If I could well coniecture to bee true,
With wings of lightning I'de againe goe backe
And bring my Eunuch from captiuity.

Gla.
Take then some officers to apprehend
The lustfull traitor.

Fa.
Such delay is long,
And my deere Eunuch may be dead alas
With tortures and extremity of paine,
Er'e such late rescue doth aduantage giue,
To qualifie his torment; hee, good man,
(Little affected with ensuing harme)
Bestow'd vpon mee a deliuerance,
Which is repaid (I feare) with bloody stripes:
Stay not my purpose; but giue charity
A gentle freedome to deliuer one
Who is my comfort; (friend) I will returne:
And (let no liuing soule participate
Of what I say, except my selfe and aire)
[aside]
I will, through colour of a pious end,
Enioy Amilcar, whom I did refuse:
For, to set free my Eunuch, will affoord
A fine prætext, though I do prostitute;
Which I did eeu'n desire, exspecting still
Vpon each little signe of violence,
(The modest shadow of a secret whore)
So will I winne what was halfe lost before.

Gla.
Madam, you do protract the pretious time,

Fa.
Leaue me, I will returne.

Gla.
The way's not farre;
Walke on whilst I assemble Officers.

Fa.
A needlesse caution, be content I pray
To take no care, saue what I shall command;
Be not so dutifull aboue thy hire,
Bring mee no water when I call for fire.

Gla.
A riddle: so in safeties name walke on:
Yet seeing the woman will be obstinate,
I (to auoid suspition) will goe home,
Fetch neighbours, and incompasse round the walles,
If Lords like out-lawes liue, the kingdome falles.