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?

Enter Cæsar, Ptolomy, Antony, Dolabella, Achoreus, Apollodorus, Souldiers

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.

SCENE IV

Enter (severally) Arsino, Eros, Cleopatra

Ars. We are lost. Eros. Undone. Ars. Confusion, Fire, and Swords, And fury in the Souldiers face more horrid Circle us round. Eros. The Kings Command they laugh at, And jeer at Cæsars threats. Ars. My Brother seiz'd on By the Roman, as thought guilty of the tumult, And forc'd to bear him company, as mark'd out For his protection or revenge. Eros. They have broke Into my Cabinet; my Trunks are ransack'd. Ars. I have lost my jewels too: but that's the least: The barbarous Rascals, against all humanity, Or sense of pity, have kill'd my little Dog, And broke my Monkeys Chain. Eros. They rifled me: But that I could endure, would they proceed no further. Ars. O my Sister! Eros. My Queen, my Mistress! Ars. Can you stand unmov'd When the Earth-quake of Rebellion shakes the City, And the Court trembles? Cleo. Yes, Arsino, And with a Masculine Constancy deride Fortunes worst malice, as a Servant to My Vertues, not a Mistress; then we forsake The strong Fort of our selves, when we once yield, Or shrink at her assaults; I am still my self, And though disrob'd of Soveraignty, and ravish'd Of ceremonious duty, that attends it, Nay, grant they had slav'd my Body, my free mind Like to the Palm-tree walling fruitful Nile, Shall grow up straighter and enlarge it self 'Spight of the envious weight that loads it with: Think of thy Birth (Arsino) common burdens Fit common Shoulders; teach the multitude By suffering nobly what they fear to touch at; The greatness of thy mind does soar a pitch, Their dim eyes (darkened by their narrow souls) Cannot arrive at. Ars. I am new created, And owe this second being to you (best Sister) For now I feel you have infus'd into me Part of your fortitude. Eros. I still am fearful; I dare not tell a lie; you that were born Daughters and Sisters unto Kings, may nourish Great thoughts, which I, that am your humble handmaid Must not presume to rival. Cleo. Yet (my Eros) Though thou hast profited nothing by observing The whole course of my life, learn in my death, Though not to equal, yet to imitate Thy fearless Mistress.

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