Max. I burst with envy;
And yet these honours, which conferr'd on me,
Would make me pace on air, seem not to move him.
Dio. Suppose this done, or were it possible
I could rise higher still, I am a man,
And all these glories, Empires heap'd upon me,
Confirm'd by constant friends, and faithful Guards,
Cannot defend me from a shaking Feaver,
Or bribe the uncorrupted Dart of Death
To spare me one short minute. Thus adorn'd
In these triumphant Robes, my body yields not
A greater shadow, than it did when I
Liv'd both poor and obscure; a Swords sharp point
Enters my flesh as far; dreams break my sleep
As when I was a private man; my passions
Are stronger tyrants on me; nor is Greatness
A saving Antidote to keep me from
A Traytors poyson. Shall I praise my fortune,
Or raise the building of my happiness
On her uncertain favour? or presume
She is mine own, and sure, that yet was never
Constant to any? Should my reason fail me
(As flattery oft corrupts it) here's an example,
To speak how far her smiles are to be trusted;
The rising Sun, this morning, saw this man
The Persian Monarch, and those Subjects proud
That had the honour but to kiss his feet;
And yet e're his diurnal progress ends,
He is the scorn of Fortune: but you'll say,
That she forsook him for his want of courage,
But never leaves the bold. Now by my hopes
Of peace and quiet here, I never met
A braver Enemy; and to make it good,
Cosroe, Cassana and the rest, be free,
And ransomless return.
Cos. To see this vertue
Is more to me than Empire; and to be
O'rcome by you, a glorious victory.
Max. What o' Devil means he next?
Dio. I know that glory
Is like Alcides's Shirt, if it stay on us
Till pride hath mixt it with our blood; nor can we
Part with it at pleasure: when we would uncase,
It brings along with it both flesh and sinews,
And leaves us living Monsters.
Max. Would it were come
To my turn to put it on: I'd run the hazard.
Dio. No, I will not be pluck'd out by the ears
Out of this glorious Castle; uncompell'd
I will surrender rather; Let it suffice
I have toucht the height of humane happiness,
And here I fix nil ultra. Hitherto
I have liv'd a servant to ambitious thoughts,
And fading glories; what remains of life,
I dedicate to Vertue; and to keep
My faith untainted, farewel Pride and Pomp,
And circumstance of glorious Majestie,
Farewel for ever. Nephew, I have noted,
That you have long with sore eyes look'd upon
My flourishing Fortune; you shall have possession
Of my felicity; I deliver up
My Empire, and this gem I priz'd above it,
And all things else that made me worth your envy,
Freely unto you. Gentle Sir, your suffrage,
To strengthen this; the Souldiers love I doubt not;
His valour, Gentlemen, will deserve your favours,
Which let my prayers further. All is yours;
But I have been too liberal, and giv'n that
I must beg back again.
Max. What am I faln from!
Dio. Nay, start not; it is only the poor Grange,
The Patrimony which my father left me,
I would be Tenant to.
Max. Sir, I am yours;
I will attend you there.