Lucio. The very same my Lord.
Duk[e]. A Courtier call'st thou him?
Believe me Lucio, there be many such
About our Court, respected, as they think,
Even by our self; with thee I will be plain:
We Princes do use, to preferre many for nothing, and to take particular and free knowledg[e], almost in the nature of acquaintance of many; whom we do use only for our pleasures, and [d]o give largely to numbers; more out of policy to be thought liberal, and by that means to make the people strive to deserve our Love; than to reward any particular desert of theirs, to whom we give: and do suffer our selves to hear flatterers, more for recreation
Than for love of it, though we seldom hate it:
And yet we know all these, and when we please,
Can touch the wheel, and turn their names about.
Luc. I wonder they that know their states so well, should fancy such base slaves.
Duke. Thou wond'rest Lucio,
Dost not thou think, if thou wert Duke of Milan,
Thou should'st be flattered?
Luc. I know my Lord, I would not.
Duke. Why so, I thought till I was Duke, I thought I should have left me no more flatterers, than there are now Plain-dealers; and yet for all this my resolution, I am most palpably flattered: the poor man may loath covetousness and flattery, but fortune will alter the mind when the wind turns: there may be well a little conflict, but it will drive the billows before it.
Arrigo it grows late, for see, fair Thetis hath undone the barrs
To Phebus team; and his unrival'd light,
Hath cha'd the mornings modest blush away:
Now must we to our love, bright Paphian Queen;
Thou Cytherean goddess, that delights
In stirring glances, and art still thy self,
More toying than thy team of Sparrows be;
Thou laughing Errecina, oh inspire
Her heart with love, or lessen my desire. [Exeunt.