Æci. Why should you protect him?
Goe to, it shews not honest.
Max. Taint me not,
For that shews worse Æcius: All your friendship
And that pretended love ye lay upon me,
Hold back my honesty, is like a favour
You do your slave to day, to morrow hang him,
Was I your bosome piece for this?
Æci. Forgive me,
The nature of my zeal, and for my Country,
Makes me sometimes forget my self; for know,
Though I most strive to be without my passions,
I am no God: For you Sir, whose infection
Has spread it self like poyson through the army,
And cast a killing fog on fair allegiance,
First thank this noble Gentleman, ye had dy'd else;
Next from your place, and honour of a Souldier,
I here seclude you.
Pon. May I speak yet?
Max. Hear him.
Æci. And while Aecius holds a reputation,
At least command, ye bear no arms for Rome Sir.
Pon. Against her I shall never: the condemn'd man
Has yet that priviledge to speak, my Lord;
Law were not equall else.
Max. Pray hear Aecius,
For happily the fault he has committed,
Though I believe it mighty, yet considered,
If mercy may be thought upon, will prove
Rather a hastie sin, than heynous.
Aeci. Speak.
Pon. 'Tis true my Lord, ye took me tir'd with peace,
My words almost as ragged as my fortunes.
'Tis true I told the Souldier, whom we serv'd,
And then bewail'd, we had an Emperour
Led from us by the flourishes of Fencers;
I blam'd him too for women.