University of Virginia Library

SCE. III.

Enter Andronicus, and Philo.
And.
But did they relish it?—

Phil.
'Twas not dislikt,
Nor much approv'd: But yet they drank your health,
And swore you were the best, and bravest Prince
That Greece e're bred;—I only threw it out
As 'twere by chance, then catcht it back again
To make 'um follow it;—What in the Lump
Would fright, by piece-meal giv'n, goes easy down.

And.
It was discreetly mannag'd; you must ply 'um,
For fear it cool.—

Phil.
I warrant you 'tis don:
The women are all agogge; they would fain see
Another shew; Besides, I've promist 'um,
One's husband shall be this, and t'others that:
Let it ferment a while, 'twill do it self.

And.
I like it well, leave me; and tell Basilius
And Stephanus, that I expect 'um hear;

Exit Philo
An.
What's the best workman without tools? I think
I am fitted pretty well; The Fleet mine own,
In spight of Conto; and the fool dreams it not:
The City sure upon Basilius's score;
The guards on Stephanus account; The Army,
Upon my own: He that can lose this game,
(By my consent) should never play another:
And why should I suspect my fortune then?
Who courts her, loses her; she is a whore,
And must be ruffled; so will I; she never
Coy'd it to him, that boldly offer'd at her:
I'll forward then; But as men get up stairs;
Step, after Step; 'tis somewhat long, but sure;
He that will get thorough a croud, he must
First wedge an elbow, then a shoulder in,
And press on still, till the whole body follow;
I must court every thing, submit to all;
Tye up my self; yet what of that? A Lion,
Is still a Lion, though his claws be par'd?
They'll grow again; he that doth otherwise,
Falls foul of that odd solecism of power,
To will the end, yet not the means endure.
Wellcome my friends, for that, & nothing else
Enter to him Bas. & Steph.
Must be the name hereafter: 'Tis we three
Must make a new Triumvirate, and share
Greece, and her glory; and throw in the world,
As over weight;—What is't you may not have
As cheap, as aske? But give your selves the trouble
To wish, and 'tis your own—Is it estate?
The Empire, and her wealth, lye at your feet;
Is it command? the Provinces are yours:
Is it revenge? mark out your head, and have it;
Would you a beauty? 'twill be offer'd you;
Wives, by their Husband; Daughters, by their Mothers:
And to compleat all this, would you have honour?
I am your servant; only mind your selves;
What say' my noble friends?—

Ste.
'Tis seal'd, and done:
Nor shall the fate, or fortune of the Empire
Stave it off longer.—

Bas.
I have giv'n my hand;
Nor would I pluck it back, to save my head;
Nay, though the Universe depended on't:

And.
Spoke like your selves my friends (hugs 'um)
Thus men resolve:
Nothing remains, but that we deal like friends;
That's free, and plainly.—Have you discours'd the thing
Unto your Cousin Basilius? what saies he?

Bas.
Yes;—and 'twill do:—But heere's a Gentleman
Will scarce believ't.—

And.
And why my Stephanus?

Ste.
Pox othese holy cheats—He hum'd, and haw'd;
Told me a sleeveless story; could not tell
What God might suffer; and I know not what,
Of dispensations, and providence;
Pleaded his holy function; but at last,
Promis'd neutrality, and secrecy:

And.
Oh! then he's sure enough.—

Bas.
My life for yours,
Do you but make it Law, he'll make it Gospel:

Ste.
Nay, there's no doubt, he can:—

Bas.
Trust me for him,
The thing is now a brewing; But great designs,
Are like great wheels, if once they move too fast,
'Tis odds, they fire themselves;—Besides, the people,
Must not be rid too hard; They travel best
When they play with the bit i' their mouths; if once they get it
Between their teeth, 'Twill try your horsemanship:
A man must deal with them, as we break horses,
Shew 'um the saddle first; then let 'um smel't;
Lay it i'th' manger, set it on their backs;
Your foot i'th' stirrop; let 'um feell your weight,
Once, and agen; and as you find 'um coming,
Fall gently into th'saddle; off again;
And use 'um thus but half a dozen times,
They'll take the rest themselves.—

And.
He's in the right;
And I had former thoughts, whether were best
For my design, the People, or the Nobles;
But have resolv'd upon the first: They're won
With half the do, and easier kept; engage 'um
Though never so implicitly, they drive
Furiously on; They're like a Conjurers Devil,
Find 'um but work enough, you need not fear 'um,
Without it, 'ware your self;—Our first work then
Is to divide 'um, and to keep 'um so,
Till we be safe our selves; We must have parties,
And Antiparties; Factions, and Antifactions;
Untill they break to nothing; then you'll have 'um
Be glad of any thing: dis-tune a Viol,
And you may set it to what Tone you please.

Ste.
But is't not requisite your Highness were
Of every of 'um? at least underhand;
One would not think what an endearment 'tis
When they believe that he that has the power,
Is theirs, and singly theirs; it girds 'um to you:

And.
What saies Basilius?—

Bas.
Extreamly good,
Nay, necessary; if the people are mad,
He's madder far, that will not be mad with 'um;
What should a sober man in drunken company
But have his brains knockt out?—

Ste.
Besides, by this
You'll raise a dust before the grand design;
'Tis hard to see the bayt in troubled waters:

And.
Now you're my friends I'm sure; I see you love me,
You've advis'd so true and honestly:

(hugs 'um)
Bas.
On my Lord, and trust me for, the City:

Ste.
And for the Guards, my self—I'm sure I can
Form 'um to any thing; nor are they mine,
But to your Highness service.—

And.
My best friends;
Agen.
Let's heep this knot inviolable; And however
Our present actions may seem flat, and dull,
They'll credit us when they are seen at full.