University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Nichomede, Laodice, and Flaminius.
Nicho.
The Power Rome to her Agents gives is large,
Or in my judgment you exceed your Charge.

Flam.
Sir, if I act more than I ought to do,
The Senate may exact the Account, not you.

Nicho.
Go then, and let my Flame the freedom gain,
After your State Intreagues to entertain.
The Queen, whose thoughts perhaps suffer such force,
Under the mighty weights of your discourse,
That I the Expence of Time and Art must use,
T'expel those Maxims you would introduce.

Flam.
The miseries ill plac'd Love might bring on her,
Made me for pity be her Counsellor.

Nicho.
Whilst you to pity her such Causes find,
You're an Ambassadour extreamly kind
But I must doubt those Counsels which you teach.
Madam, what Treacheries did this Roman preach?

Flam.
You grow outragious.

Nicho.
Sir, I should do so.

Flam.
Yet to Ambassadors Respect you owe.
All Countreys to so sacred a Degree.

Nicho.
Boast not so much your Rank and Quality;
Who Counsels, is Ambassador no more,
He has renounc'd the Charge he had before—
Did he his Answer, Madam, yet receive?

Laod.
Yes, Sir, and such as became me to give.

Nicho.
Then know, I prize you for no more than thus,
Attalus Agent, and Flaminius;
Or if you force me, I shall add to all,
The Poysoner of my Master Hannibal.
Behold what Honors you from me obtain,
If you'ld have more, go to the King complain.

Flam.
Hee'l do me Justice, when I make't my Suit,
Or if he fail, yet Rome knowes how to do't.

Nicho.
You may of both go ask it if you please.

Flam.
Prince, think what may ensue such wrongs as these.