_Emp._ I you, Sir. _Are._ One they call _Pontius_, And't please your Grace. _Emp._ A Captain? _Are._ Yes, he was so; But speaking something roughly in his want, Especially of Wars, the Noble General Out of strict allegiance cast his fortunes. _Emp._ H'as been a valiant fellow. _Are._ So he's still. _Emp._ Alas, the General might have pardon'd follies, Souldiers will talk sometimes. _Are._ I am glad of this. _Emp._ He wants preferment as I take it. _Are._ Yes Sir; And for that noble Grace his life shall serve. _Emp._ I have a service for him: I shame a Souldier should become a Begger: I like the man _Aretus_. _Are._ Gods protect ye. _Emp._ Bid him repair to _Proculus_, and there He shall receive the business, and reward for't: I'le see him setled too, and as a Souldier, We shall want such. _Are._ The sweets of Heaven still crown ye. _Emp._ I have a fearful darkness in my soul, And till I be deliver'd, still am dying. [_Exeunt._ SCENE II. _Enter_ Maximus _alone_. _Max._ My way has taken: all the Court's in guard, And business every where, and every corner Full of strange whispers: I am least in rumour, _Enter_ Æcius _and_ Phidias. And so I'le keep my self. Here comes _Æcius_, I see the bait is swallow'd: If he be lost He is my _Martyr_, and my way stands open, And honour on thy head, his blood is reckon'd. _Æ[ci]._ Why how now friend, what makes ye here unarm'd? Are ye turn'd Merchant? _Max._ By your fair perswasions, And such a Merchant trafficks without danger; I have forgotten all, _Æcius_, And which is more, forgiven. _Æci._ Now I love ye, Truly I do, ye are a worthy _Roman_. _Max._ The fair repentance of my Prince to me Is more than sacrifice of bloud and vengeance, No eyes shall weep her ruins, but mine own. _Aeci._ Still ye take more love from me: vertuous friend The gods make poor _Aecius_ worthy of thee. _Max._ Only in me y'are poor Sir: and I worthy Only in being yours: But why your arm thus, Have ye been hurt _Aecius_? _Aeci._ Bruis'd a little: My horse fell with me friend: which till this morning I never knew him do. _Max._ Pray gods it boad well; And now I think on't better, ye shall back, Let my perswasions rule ye. _Aeci._ Back, why _Maximus_? The Emperour commands me come. _Max._ I like not At this time his command. _Aeci._ I do at all times, And all times will obey it, why not now then? _Max._ I'le tell ye why, and as I have been govern'd, Be you so, noble friend: The Court's in Guard, Arm'd strongly, for what purpose, let me fear; I do not like your going.