SCENE II.
Enter Septimius.
Sept. Here's a strange alteration in the Court;
Mens Faces are of other setts and motions,
Their minds of subtler stuff; I pass by now
As though I were a Rascal, no man knows me,
No Eye looks after; as I were a Plague
Their doors shut close against me; and I wondred at
Because I have done a meritorious Murther;
Because I have pleas'd the Time, does the Time plague me?
I have known the day they would have hug'd me for it,
For a less stroke than this have done me Reverence;
Open'd their Hearts and secret Closets to me,
Their Purses, and their Pleasures, and bid me wallow.
I now perceive the great Thieves eat the less,
And the huge Leviathans of Villany
Sup up the merits, nay the men and all
That do them service, and spowt 'em out again
Into the air, as thin and unregarded
As drops of Water that are lost i'th' Ocean:
I was lov'd once for swearing, and for drinking,
And for other principal Qualities that became me,
Now a foolish unthankful Murther has undone me,
If my Lord Photinus be not merciful
Enter Photinus.
That set me on; And he comes, now Fortune.
Pho. Cæsars unthankfulness a little stirs me,
A little frets my bloud; take heed, proud Roman,
Provoke me not, stir not mine anger farther;
I may find out a way unto thy life too,
(Though arm'd in all thy Victories) and seize it.
A Conquerour has a heart, and I may hit it.
Sept. May it please your Lordship?
Pho. O Septimius!
Sept. Your [Lordship] knows my wrongs.
Pho. Wrongs?
Sept. Yes, my Lord,
How the Captain of the Guard, Achillas, slights me.
Pho. Think better of him, he has much befriended thee,
Shew'd thee much love in taking the head from thee.
The times are alter'd (Souldier) Cæsar's angry,
And our design to please him lost and perish'd;
Be glad thou art unnam'd, 'tis not worth the owning;
Yet, that thou maist be useful—
Sept. Yes, my Lord,
I shall be ready.
Pho. For I may employ thee
To take a rub or two out of my way,
As time shall serve, say that it be a Brother?
Or a hard Father?
Sept. 'Tis most necessary,
A Mother, or a Sister, or whom you please, Sir.
Pho. Or to betray a noble Friend?
Sept. 'Tis all one.
Pho. I know thou wilt stir for Gold.
Sept. 'Tis all my motion.
Pho. There, take that for thy service, and farewel;
I have greater business now.
Sept. I am still your own, Sir.
Pho. One thing I charge thee, see me no more, Septimius,
Unless I send. [Exit.
Sept. I shall observe your hour.
So, this brings something in the mouth, some savour;
This is the Lord I serve, the Power I worship,
My Friends, Allies, and here lies my Allegiance.
Let People talk as they please of my rudeness,
And shun me for my deed; bring but this to 'em,
(Let me be damn'd for blood) yet still I am honourable,
This God creates new tongues, and new affections;
And though I had kill'd my Father, give me Gold
I'll make men swear I have done a pious Sacrifice;
Now I will out-brave all; make all my Servants,
And my brave deed shall be writ in Wine, for vertuous. [Exit.