_Æci._ I'le tell ye And I must tell ye truth, were it not hazard, And almost certain loss of all the Empire, I would join with ye: were it any mans But his life, that is life of us, he lost it For doing of this mischief: I would take it, And to your rest give ye a brave revenge: But as the rule now stands, and as he rules, And as the Nations hold in disobedience, One pillar failing, all must fall; I dare not: Nor is it just you should be suffer'd in it, Therefore again take heed: On forraign foes We are our own revengers, but at home On Princes that are eminent and ours, 'Tis fit the Gods should judge us: be not rash, Nor let your angry steel cut those ye know not, For by this fatal blow, if ye dare strike it, As I see great aims in ye, those unborn yet, And those to come of them, and these succeeding Shall bleed the wrath of _Maximus_: for me As ye now bear your self, I am your friend still, If ye fall off I will not flatter ye, And in my hands, were ye my soul, you perish'd: Once more be careful, stand, and still be worthy, I'le leave you for this hour. [_Exit._ _Max._ Pray do, 'tis done: And friendship, since thou canst not hold in dangers, Give me a certain ruin, I must through it. [_Exit._ _Actus Quartus. Scena Prima._ _Enter Emperour_, Licinius, Chilax, _and_ Balbus. _Emper._ Dead? _Chil._ So 'tis thought, Sir. _Emper._ How? _Lici._ Grief, and disgrace, As people say. _Empe._ No more, I have too much on't, Too much by you, you whetters of my follies, Ye Angel formers of my sins, but Devils; Where is your cunning now? you would work wonders, There was no chastity above your practice, You would undertake to make her love her wrongs, And doate upon her rape: mark what I tell ye, If she be dead-- _Chil._ Alas Sir. _Empe._ Hang ye Rascals, Ye blasters of my youth, if she be gone, 'Twere better ye had been your Fathers Camels, Groan'd under daily weights of wood and water: Am I not _Cæsar_? _Lici._ Mighty and our Maker. _Empe._ Than thus have given my pleasures to destruction. Look she be living, slaves. _Lici._ We are no Gods Sir, If she be dead, to make her new again.