SCENE III.

Sept. I feel my resolution melts again And that I am not Knave alone, but fool, In all my purposes. The Devil, Photinus, Employs me as a Property, and grown useless Will shake me off again; he told me so When I kill'd Pompey; nor can I hope better, When Cæsar is dispatch'd; Services done For such as only study their own ends, Too great to be rewarded, are return'd With deadly hate; I learn'd this Principle In his own School, yet still he fools me, well; And yet he trusts me: Since I in my nature Was fashion'd to be false, wherefore should I That kill'd my General, and a Roman, one To whom I ow'd all nourishments of life, Be true to an Egyptian? To save Cæsar, And turn Photinus's plots on his own head, As it is in my power, redeem my credit, And live to lye and swear again in fashion, Oh, 'twere a master-piece! ha!—me Cæsar, How's he got off?

Cæs. The fire has took, And shews the City like a second Troy, The Navy too is scorch'd, the people greedy To save their Wealth and Houses, whilst their Souldiers Make spoil of all; only Achillas's Troops Make good their Guard, break through them, we are safe; I'll lead you like a Thunder-bolt. Sept. Stay, Cæsar. Cæs. Who's this? the Dog, Septimius? Ant. Cut his throat. Dol. You bark'd but now, fawn you so soon? Sept. O hear me, What I'll deliver is for Cæsars safety, For all your good. Ant. Good from a mouth like thine, That never belch'd but blasphemy, and treason on Festival days! Sept. I am an altered man, altered indeed, And will give you cause to say I am a Roman. Dol. Rogue, I grant thee. Sept. Trust me, I'll make the passage smooth, and easie For your escape. Ant. I'll trust the Devil sooner, And make a safer Bargain. Sept. I am trusted With all Photinus's secrets. Ant. There's no doubt then Thou wilt be false. Sept. Still to be true to you. Dol. And very likely. Cæs. Be brief, the means? Sept. Thus, Cæsar, To me alone, but bound by terrible oaths Not to discover it, he hath reveal'd A dismal Vault, whose dreadful mouth does open A mile beyond the City: in this Cave Lye but two hours conceal'd. Ant. If you believe him, He'll bury us alive. Dol. I'll flye in the Air first. Sept. Then in the dead of night I'll bring you back Into a private room, where you shall find Photinus, and Achillas, and the rest Of their Commanders close at Council. Cæs. Good, what follows? Sept. Fall me fairly on their throats, Their heads cut off and shorn, the multitude Will easily disperse. Cæs. O Devil! away with him; Nor true to Friend nor Enemy? Cæsar scorns To find his safety, or revenge his wrongs So base a way; or owe the means of life To such a leprous Traytor, I have towr'd For Victory like a Faulcon in the Clouds, Nor dig'd for't like a Mole; our Swords and Cause Make way for us, and that it may appear We took a noble Course, and hate base Treason, Some Souldiers that would merit Cæsar's favour, Hang him on yonder Turret, and then follow The lane this Sword makes for you. [Exit. 1 Sold. Here's a Belt, Though I dye for it I'll use it. 2 Sold. 'Tis too good To truss a Cur in. Sept. Save me, here's Gold. 1 Sold. If Rome Were offered for thy ransom, it could not help thee. 2 Sold. Hang not an arse. 1 Sold. Goad him on with thy Sword; Thou dost deserve a worser end, and may All such conclude so, that their friends betray. [Exeunt.