Act 4 — Scene VII. A camp, at a small distance from Rome.

Auf. Do they still fly to the Roman? Lieu. I do not know what witchcraft's in him, but[3655] Your soldiers use him as the grace 'fore meat, Their talk at table and their thanks at end; And you are darken'd in this action, sir, 5 Even by your own. Auf. I cannot help it now,[3656] Unless, by using means, I lame the foot[3656] Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier,[3657] Even to my person, than I thought he would When first I did embrace him: yet his nature 10 In that's no changeling; and I must excuse What cannot be amended. Lieu. Yet I wish, sir— I mean for your particular—you had not Join'd in commission with him; but either[3658][3659] Had borne the action of yourself, or else[3658][3659] 15 To him had left it solely.[3658] Auf. I understand thee well; and be thou sure, When he shall come to his account, he knows not What I can urge against him. Although it seems,[3660] And so he thinks, and is no less apparent 20 To the vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly, And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state, Fights dragon-like, and does achieve as soon As draw his sword, yet he hath left undone That which shall break his neck or hazard mine, 25 Whene'er we come to our account.[3661] Lieu. Sir, I beseech you, think you he'll carry Rome?[3661][3662] Auf. All places yield to him ere he sits down;[3663] And the nobility of Rome are his: The senators and patricians love him too:[3664] 30 The tribunes are no soldiers; and their people Will be as rash in the repeal, as hasty To expel him thence. I think he'll be to Rome As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it[3665] By sovereignty of nature. First he was 35 A noble servant to them; but he could not Carry his honours even: whether 'twas pride,[3666] Which out of daily fortune ever taints The happy man; whether defect of judgement,[3667] To fail in the disposing of those chances 40 Which he was lord of; or whether nature,[3668][3669] Not to be other than one thing, not moving[3669] From the casque to the cushion, but commanding peace[3670] Even with the same austerity and garb As he controll'd the war; but one of these— 45 As he hath spices of them all, not all,[3671][3672] For I dare so far free him—made him fear'd,[3671] So hated, and so banish'd: but he has a merit,[3673] To choke it in the utterance. So our virtues[3674] Lie in the interpretation of the time;[3675] 50 And power, unto itself most commendable, Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair[3676] To extol what it hath done. One fire drives out one fire; one nail, one nail; Rights by rights fouler, strengths by strengths do fail.[3677] 55 Come, let's away. When, Caius, Rome is thine, Thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine. [Exeunt.[3678]