SCENE IV.
Reading edition
Enter 3 Senators, and Affranius.
1. Guard all the posterns to the Camp Affranius, And see 'em fast, we shall be rifled else, Thou art an honest, and a worthy Captain. 2. Promise the Souldier any thing. 3. Speak gently, And tell 'em we are now in council for 'em, Labouring to choose a Cæsar fit for them, A Souldier, and a giver. 1. Tell 'em further, Their free and liberal voices shall goe with us. 2. Nay more, a negative say we allow 'em. 3. And if our choice displease 'em, they shall name him. 1. Promise three donatives, and large, Affranius. 2. And Cæsar once elected, present foes, With distribution of all necessaries, Corn, Wine, and Oyle. 3. New garments, and new Arms, And equal portions of the Provinces To them, and to their families for ever. 1. And see the City strengthned. Affra. I shall do it.— [Exit Affranius. 2. Sempronius, these are wofull times. 3. O Brutus, We want thy honesty again; these Cæsars, What noble Consuls got with blood, in blood Consume again, and scatter. 1. Which way shall we? 2. Not any way of safety I can think on. 3. Now go our wives to ruin, and our daughters, And we beholders Fulvius. 1. Every thing Is every mans that will. 2. The Vestals now Must only feed the Souldiers fire of lust, And sensual Gods be glutted with those Offerings, Age like the hidden bowels of the earth, Open'd with swords for treasure. Gods defend us, We are chaff before their fury else. [3] Away, Let's to the Temples. 1. To the Capitol. 'Tis not a time to pray now, let's be strengthen'd—
Enter Affranius.
3. How now Affranius: what good news? Affra. A Cæsar. 1. Oh who? Affr. Lord Maximus is with the Souldier, And all the Camp rings, Cæsar, Cæsar, Cæsar: He forced the Empress with him for more honour. 2. A happy choice: let's meet him. 3. Blessed fortune! 1. Away, away, make room there, room there, room.
[Exeunt Senators, Flourish.
Within. Lord Maximus is Cæsar, Cæsar, Cæsar; Hail Cæsar Maximus. Affra. Oh turning people! Oh people excellent in war, and govern'd, In peace more raging than the furious North, When he ploughs up the Sea, and makes him brine, Or the lowd falls of Nile; I must give way, Although I neither love nor hope this: Or like a rotten bridge that dares a current, When he is swell'd and high crackt, and farewel.
Enter Maximus, Eudox[i]a, Senat. and Souldiers.
Sen. Room for the Emperour. Soul. Long life to Cæsar. Afra. Hail Cæsar Maximus. Emp. Max. Your hand Afranius. Lead to the Palace, there my thanks in general, I'le showre among ye all: gods give me life, First to defend the Empire, then you Fathers, And valiant friends, the heirs of strength and vertue, The rampires of old Rome, of us the refuge; To you I open this day all I have, Even all the hazard that my youth hath purchas'd, Ye are my Children, family, and friends And ever so respected shall be, forward. There's a Proscription, grave Sempronius, 'Gainst all the flatterers, and lazie Bawds Led loose-liv'd Valentinian to his vices, See it effected. [Flourish. Sen. Honour wait on Cæsar. Sould. Make room for Cæsar there. [Exeunt all but Afra. Afra. Thou hast my fears, But Valentinian keeps my vows: Oh gods, Why do we like to feed the greedy Ravenne Of these blown men, that must before they stand, And fixt in eminence, cast life on life, And trench their safeties in with wounds, and bodies? Well froward Rome, thou wilt grow weak with changing, And die without an heir, that lov'st to breed Sons for the killing hate of sons: for me, I only live to find an enemy. [Exit.