Enter the Emperour, and Chilax.
Emp. Is that the best news?
Chil. Yet the best we know, Sir.
Emp. Bid Maximus come to me, and be gone then;
Mine own head be my helper, these are fools:
How now Æcius, are the Souldiers quiet?
Æcius. Better I hope, Sir, than they were.
Emp. They are pleas'd, I hear,
To censure me extreamly for my pleasures,
Shortly they'll fight against me.
Æcius. Gods defend, Sir.
And for their censures they are such shrew'd Judgers;
A donative of ten Sestertias
I'll undertake shall make 'em ring your praises
More than they sang your pleasures.
Emp. I believe thee;
Art thou in love, Æcius, yet?
Æcius. O no Sir;
I am too course for Ladies; my embraces,
That only am acquainted with Alarms,
Would break their tender Bodies.
Emp. Never fear it,
They are stronger than ye think, they'll hold the Hammer.
My Empress swears thou art a lusty Souldier,
A good one I believe thee.