Del. Peace, and be patient,
For though he be now a man most miserable,
Of no rank, nor no badge of honour on him,
Bred low and poor, no eye of favour shining;
And though my sure Prediction of his Rising
(Which can no more fail than the day or night does,
Nay, let him be asleep, will overtake him)
Hath found some rubs and stops, yet hear me, Neece,
And hear me with a faith, it shall come to him;
I'll tell thee the occasion.
Dru. Do, good Aunt;
For yet I am ignorant.
Del. Chiding him one day
For being too near, and sparing for a Souldier,
Too griping, and too greedy; he made answer,
When I am Cæsar, then I will be liberal.
I, presently inspir'd with holy fire,
And my prophetick Spirit burning in me,
Gave answer from the gods, and this it was,
Imperator eris Romæ, cum Aprum grandem interfeceris:
Thou shalt be Emperour, O Diocles,
When thou hast kill'd a mighty Boar. From that time
(As giving credit to my words) he has employ'd
Much of his life in hunting; many Boars
Hideous and fierce, with his own hands he has kill'd too,
But yet not lighted on the fatal one,
Should raise him to the Empire; Be not sad, Neece,
E're long he shall; Come, let's go entertain him,
For by this time I guess he comes from hunting;
And by my Art I find this very instant
Some great design's o' foot.
Dru. The gods give good, Aunt. [Exeunt.
SCENE III.
Enter Diocles, Maximinian, Geta, with a Boar.
Dio. Lay down the Boar.
Get. With all my heart; I am weary on't;
I shall turn Jew if I carry many such burthens:
Do you think, Master, to be Emperour
With killing Swine? you may be an honest Butcher,
Or allied to a seemly family of sowse-wives.
Can you be such an Ass, my Reverend Master,
To think these springs of Pork will shoot up Cæsars?
Max. The fool says true.
Dio. Come, leave your fooling, Sirrah,
And think of what thou shalt be when I am Emperour.