Por. You press me down with such a glorious fate, [Kneeling again.
I cannot rise against the mighty weight. Permit I may retire some little space, And gather strength to bear so great a grace. [Exit bowing.
Plac. How love and fortune lavishly contend, Which should Porphyrius' wishes most befriend! The mid-streams his; I, creeping by the side, Am shouldered off by his impetuous tide. [Aside.
Enter Valerius hastily.
Val. I hope my business may my haste excuse; For, sir, I bring you most surprising news. The Christian princess in her tent confers With fifty of our learned philosophers; Whom with such eloquence she does persuade, That they are captives to her reasons made. I left them yielding up their vanquished cause, And all the soldiers shouting her applause; Even Apollonius does but faintly speak, Whose voice the murmurs of the assistants break.
Max. Conduct this captive Christian to my tent; She shall be brought to speedy punishment. I must in time some remedy provide, [Exit Val.
Lest this contagious error spread too wide.
Plac. To infected zeal you must no mercy shew; For, from religion all rebellions grow.
Max. The silly crowd, by factious teachers brought To think that faith untrue, their youth was taught, Run on in new opinions, blindly bold, Neglect, contemn, and then assault the old. The infectious madness seizes every part, And from the head distils upon the heart. And first they think their prince's faith not true, And then proceed to offer him a new; Which if refused, all duty from them cast, To their new faith they make new kings at last.
Plac. Those ills by mal-contents are often wrought, That by their prince their duty may be bought. They head those holy factions which they hate, To sell their duty at a dearer rate. But, sir, the tribune is already here, With your fair captive.