Auf. Sir, I cannot tell: 15
We must proceed as we do find the people.
Third Con. The people will remain uncertain whilst
'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either
Makes the survivor heir of all.
Auf. I know it,
And my pretext to strike at him admits 20
A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd[3875]
Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd,
He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,[3876]
Seducing so my friends; and, to this end,
He bow'd his nature, never known before 25
But to be rough, unswayable and free.[3877]
Third Con. Sir, his stoutness[3878]
When he did stand for consul, which he lost
By lack of stooping,—[3879]
Auf. That I would have spoke of:
Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; 30
Presented to my knife his throat: I took him,
Made him joint-servant with me, gave him way
In all his own desires, nay, let him choose
Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,[3880]
My best and freshest men, served his designments 35
In mine own person, holp to reap the fame[3881][3882]
Which he did end all his; and took some pride[3882][3883]
To do myself this wrong: till at the last
I seem'd his follower, not partner, and
He waged me with his countenance, as if[3884] 40
I had been mercenary.
First Con. So he did, my lord:
The army marvell'd at it, and in the last,[3885]
When he had carried Rome and that we look'd
For no less spoil than glory—[3886]
Auf. There was it:
For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.[3887] 45
At a few drops of women's rheum, which are
As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour
Of our great action: therefore shall he die,
And I'll renew me in his fall. But hark!
[Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the people.[3888]
First Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, 50
And had no welcomes home; but he returns,
Splitting the air with noise.
Sec. Con. And patient fools,
Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear
With giving him glory.[3889]