_Pon._ My Lord, I did not wooe 'em from the Empire, Nor bid 'em turn their daring steel 'gainst _Cæsar_, The Gods for ever hate me, if that motion Were part of me: Give me but imployment, Sir; And way to live, and where you hold me vicious, Bred up in mutiny, my Sword shall tell ye, And if you please, that place I held, maintain it, 'Gainst the most daring foes of _Rome_. I am honest, A lover of my Country, one that holds His life no longer his, than kept for _Cæsar_. Weigh not (I thus low on my knee beseech you) What my rude tongue discovered, 'twas my want, No other part of _Pontius_: you have seen me, And you my Lord, do something for my Country, And both beheld the wounds I gave and took, Not like a backward Traytor. _Aeci._ All this language Makes but against you _Pontius_, you are cast, And by mine honour, and my love to _Cæsar_, By me shall never be restor'd; In my Camp I will not have a tongue, though to himself Dare talk but near sedition; as I govern, All shall obey, and when they want, their duty And ready service shall redress their needs, Not prating what they would be. _Pon._ Thus I leave ye, Yet shall my prayers still, although my fortunes Must follow you no more, be still about ye, Gods give ye where ye fight the Victory, Ye cannot cast my wishes. _Aeci._ Come my Lord, Now to the Field again. _Max._ Alas poor _Pontius_.-- [_Exeunt._ SCENE IV. _Enter_ Chilax, _at one door_, Licinius, _and_ Balbus, _at another_. _Lici._ How how? _Chi._ She's come. _Bal._ Then I'le to th' Emperour.-- [_Exit_ Balbus. _Chi._ Do; Is the Musick placed well? _Lici._ Excellent. _Chi._ _Licinius_, you and _Proclus_ receive her In the great Chamber, at her entrance, Let me alone; and do you hear _Licinius_, Pray let the Ladies ply her further off, And with much more discretion: one word more. _Lici._ Well. _Chi._ Are the Jewels, and those ropes of Pearl, _Enter Emperour_, Balbus, _and_ Proc[u]lus. Laid in the way she passes? _Lici._ Take no care man-- [_Exit_ Licinius. _Emp._ What is she come? _Chil._ She is Sir; but 'twere best, Your Grace were seen last to her. _Emp._ So I mean; Keep the Court emptie _Proculus_. _Pro._ 'Tis done Sir. _Emp._ Be not too sudden to her. _Chil._ Good your Grace, Retire, and man your self; let us alone, We are no children this way: do you hear Sir? 'Tis necessary that her waiting women Be cut off in the Lobby, by some Ladies, They'd break the business else. _Emp._ 'Tis true, they shall. _Chil._ Remember your place _Proculus_. _Pro._ I warrant ye.-- [_Exeunt Emp._ Bal. _and_ Pro.