Del. Forbear.
Dio. Look on this,
And when with horrour thou hast view'd thy deed,
(Thy most accursed deed) be thine own judge,
And see (thy guilt consider'd) if thou canst
Perswade thy self (whom thou stand'st bound to hate)
To hope or plead for mercy.
Aper. I confess
My life's a burden to me.
Dio. Thou art like thy name,
A cruel Boar, whose snout hath rooted up
The fruitfull Vineyard of the common-wealth:
I long have hunted for thee, and since now
Thou art in the Toyl, it is in vain to hope
Thou ever shalt break out: thou dost deserve
The Hangmans hook, or to be punished
More majorum, whipt with rods to death,
Or any way, that were more terrible.
Yet, since my future fate depends upon thee,
Thus, to ful[fi]ll great Delphia's Prophecie,
Aper (thou fatal Boar) receive the honour [Kills Aper.
To fall by Diocles hand. Shine clear, my Stars,
That usher'd me to taste this common air
In my entrance to the world, and give applause
To this great work. [Musick.
Del. Strike Musick from the Spheres.
Dru. O now you honour me.
Dio. Ha! in the Air!
All. Miraculous.
Max. This shews the gods approve
The Person, and the Act: then if the Senate
(For in their eyes I read the Souldiers love)
Think Diocles worthy to supply the place
Of dead Numerianus, as he stands
His Heir, in his revenge, with one consent
Salute him Emperour.
Senat. Long live Diocles:
Augustus, Pater Patriæ, and all Titles,
That are peculiar only to the Cæsars,
We gladly throw upon him.