Plac. I'm loth to think he did it not regard.
Max. How, not regard!
Val. Placidius, you foment, On too light grounds, my father's discontent. But when an action does two faces wear, 'Tis justice to believe what is most fair. I think, that, knowing what respect there rests For her late brother in the soldiers' breasts, He went to serve the emperor; and designed Only to calm the tempest in her mind, Lest some sedition in the camp should rise.
Max. I ever thought him loyal as he's wise. Since therefore all the Gods their spite have shewn To rob my age of a successive throne; And you who now remain, The only issue of my former bed, In empire cannot, by your sex, succeed; To bind Porphyrius firmly to the state, I will this day my Cæsar him create: And, daughter, I will give him you for wife.
Val. O day, the best and happiest of my life!
Plac. O day, the most accurst I ever knew!
[Aside.
Max. See to my son performed each funeral due: Then to the toils of war we will return, And make our enemies our losses mourn. [Exeunt.