SCENE II.
Reading edition
Enter Maximus alone.
Max. My way has taken: all the Court's in guard, And business every where, and every corner Full of strange whispers: I am least in rumour,
Enter Æcius and Phidias.
And so I'le keep my self. Here comes Æcius, I see the bait is swallow'd: If he be lost He is my Martyr, and my way stands open, And honour on thy head, his blood is reckon'd. Æ[ci]. Why how now friend, what makes ye here unarm'd? Are ye turn'd Merchant? Max. By your fair perswasions, And such a Merchant trafficks without danger; I have forgotten all, Æcius, And which is more, forgiven. Æci. Now I love ye, Truly I do, ye are a worthy Roman. Max. The fair repentance of my Prince to me Is more than sacrifice of bloud and vengeance, No eyes shall weep her ruins, but mine own. Aeci. Still ye take more love from me: vertuous friend The gods make poor Aecius worthy of thee. Max. Only in me y'are poor Sir: and I worthy Only in being yours: But why your arm thus, Have ye been hurt Aecius? Aeci. Bruis'd a little: My horse fell with me friend: which till this morning I never knew him do. Max. Pray gods it boad well; And now I think on't better, ye shall back, Let my perswasions rule ye. Aeci. Back, why Maximus? The Emperour commands me come. Max. I like not At this time his command. Aeci. I do at all times, And all times will obey it, why not now then? Max. I'le tell ye why, and as I have been govern'd, Be you so, noble friend: The Court's in Guard, Arm'd strongly, for what purpose, let me fear; I do not like your going. Aeci. Were it fire; And that fire certain to consume this body, If Cæsar sent, I would goe; never fear man, If he take me, he takes his arms away, I am too plain and true to be suspected. Max. Then I have dealt unwisely. Aeci. If the Emperour, Because he meerely may, will have my life, That's all he has to work on, and all shall have: Let him, he loves me better: here I wither, And happily may live, till ignorantly I run into a fault worth death: nay more, dishonour. Now all my sins, I dare say those of duty Are printed here, and if I fall so happy, I bless the grave I lye in, and the gods Equal, as dying on the Enemy, Must take me up a Sacrifice. Max. Goe on then, And I'le goe with ye. Aeci. No, ye may not friend. Max. He cannot be a friend, bars me Aecius, Shall I forsake ye in my doubts? Aeci. Ye must. Max. I must not, nor I will not; have I liv'd Only to be a Carpet friend for pleasure? I can endure a death as well as Cato. Aeci. There is no death nor danger in my going, Nor none must goe along. Max. I have a sword too, And once I could have us'd it for my friend. Aeci. I need no sword, nor friend in this, pray leave me; And as ye love me, do not overlove me; I am commanded none shall come: at supper I'le meet ye, and weel drink a cup or two, Ye need good Wine, ye have been sad: Farewel. Max. Farewel my noble friend, let me embrace ye E're ye depart; it may be one of us Shall never do the like again. Aeci. Yes often. Max. Farewel good dear Aecius. Aeci. Farewel Maximus Till night: indeed you doubt too much.— [Exit. Max. I do not: Goe worthy innocent, and make the number Of Cæsars sins so great, Heaven may want mercy: I'le hover hereabout to know what passes: And if he be so devilish to destroy thee, In thy bloud shall begin his Tragedy.— [Exit.