University of Virginia Library

SCE. II.

Enter Andronicus Solus.
And.
Mischief of greatness! That has all to fear,
Yet knows not whom to trust; What disperate Rocks
Must it run foul of! when to trust all, or none
Is equally an error, and both fatal:
How am I fool'd!—And by some bosome slave;
But let it pass—'Tis time must work it out:
I have enough at present to sooth the people;
Some crafty Devil has buz'd them in the head
With prophecies (the fond belief of fools,
But now and then the talk of wiser men)
Nothing but murmurs, news, seditious libels,
(The common weapons of unmanly spirits)
It must not be dally'd with;—These hollow blasts,
Bode no fair weather; These imperfect motions,
Shew somewhat's out of frame.

Enter Stephanus.
Ste.
Safety to Cæsar;
The Omen, to his enemies;—

And.
What is't
Can need that preface?—Speak—

Ste.
A fearful comet
Sweeps the air;—

And.
Heav'n, has don us right at last,
And grac'd or triumphs with its bonfires too;
If otherwise; and there be danger in't,
'T'as told its errand, and betray'd its end:
These toys, astonish more, than signify.

Ste.
Nor is this all;—Men talk, as if an earthquake
Had over thrown some houses.—

And.
'T'as yet left
The Pallace standing;—Have you more?—

Ste.
The Statue
Of your St. Paul, drops tears.—

And.
Meere change of weather;
Unless perhaps the general acclamations
May 've pierc'd its marble with a feeling sense
Of what we are—Tears are th'effect of joy,
As well as mourning;—But I thought my Stephanus,
Had had more wit, then to regard these fooleries;
They're natural; and ignorance of cause,
Must make 'um miracles;—He that regards
The crowing of a Hen; A Fox with young,
Hare, Cat or Weesel, crossing his way; A Snake
Dropt from the Tile; A black Dog at his dore,
A left hand Mag-pie, or a right hand Thunder;
Must never sleep—The very Peasant, now,
Can half look through 'um—And shall Empire fear 'um!

Ste.
Now how it joyes my Soul to see your Majesty
Thus your self still; And to confirm you so;
Let me once say, be safe;—I've charm'd the City
Into obedience; nor is there left
A head, or hand, that dare appear against you:
But though the flame be quencht, there may perhaps
Some brands lye smoaking;—To prevent the worst,
'Twere fit the Guards kept there;—Besides, 'tis good
To shew the Dog his whip.—

And.
My other self;
He embraces him:
Keep up thy wonted courage, and make the Empire
Confess, thou sav'dst it:—If you can look so low,
You'll find a nest of Slaves, that (like ill spirits)
Foretell the storm, themselves intend to move;
Let not a Mothers Son escape; These Villains
Are grown State-Mountebanks; Nothing can pass,
But they must raise some Observation,
Or use upon't—And the dull Beast conceives,
According to the colour of those rods,
They cast before 'um—Stephanus conceives me.

Ste.
I do—And shall not sleep 'till I have giv'n you
Some fair account.
Exit Stephanus.

And.
Farewel my worthy friend:
So—He stands single now—He'll fall the easier:
He's grown too stubborn for me; I dare n't displease him
For fear he take a pett, and fet up another,
Perhaps himself;—But I shall check him there;
He's only safe, that has nought left to fear.

Exit.