University of Virginia Library

SCENE 6.

Manet Adronicus.
An.
He knew too much, but now hee'l tell no tales,
Mens teeth grow in their graves but not their tongues,
Lest I who kill'd the Serpent now should chance,
Hereafter to be poyson'd by his Eggs.
My next care is how to dispatch his breed,
No mindful heirs shall here succeed;
I love to bestow favours by leasure.
And tickle men by dropping kindness slowly,
But my revenge I in one instant spend.
That minute which begins it, ends it too.
Half doing undoes many, 'tis a sin,
Not to be soundly sinful, if we once begin
Ile make sure work on't, They strike in vain,
That strike so that the stricken way complain.
(A huge shout within.
But heark Alexius my Rivals slain,
That shout's the watchword; now I am secur'd,
But yet I have rather chang'd then eas'd my cares,
As long as that Isachius is alive.
Lapardas Crato, Ducas, joyn with him,
And Paleologus with his Persians.
In the fag end crawls in Cleobulus;
A medly plot patcht up of all ingredients,
Unsuiting souls of different dispositions.
Divers are their intents, their ends their aimes.
But for to be my foes, their all made friends,
Yet cannot joynt so close but through their rifts,
I plainly did perceive their drifts long since,
Fools learn from me hereafter to contrive.
Your plots more private projects like to wounds,
If they take air corrupt, with golden keyes.
Your Cabbinet Councell easly i'le unlock,
Your secret whisperings hollow in mine ears.
I will prevent your plot, He most espies,
Who for a time is pleas'd to shut his eyes.

(Exit.