Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10 — John Shaqi
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Affra._ I shall do it.-- [_Exit_ Affranius.
_2. Sempronius_, these are wofull times.
_3._ O _Brutus_,
We want thy honesty again; these _Cæsars_,
What noble Consuls got with blood, in blood
Consume again, and scatter.
_1._ Which way shall we?
_2._ Not any way of safety I can think on.
_3._ Now go our wives to ruin, and our daughters,
And we beholders _Fulvius_.
_1._ Every thing
Is every mans that will.
_2._ The Vestals now
Must only feed the Souldiers fire of lust,
And sensual Gods be glutted with those Offerings,
Age like the hidden bowels of the earth,
Open'd with swords for treasure.
Gods defend us,
We are chaff before their fury else.
_[3]_ Away,
Let's to the Temples.
_1._ To the Capitol.
'Tis not a time to pray now, let's be strengthen'd--
_Enter_ Affranius.
_3._ How now _Affranius_: what good news?
_Affra._ A _Cæsar_.
_1._ Oh who?
_Affr._ Lord _Maximus_ is with the Souldier,
And all the Camp rings, _Cæsar_, _Cæsar_, _Cæsar_:
He forced the Empress with him for more honour.
_2._ A happy choice: let's meet him.
_3._ Blessed fortune!
_1._ Away, away, make room there, room there, room.
[_Exeunt Senators, Flourish._
_Within._ Lord Maximus is _Cæsar_, _Cæsar_, _Cæsar_;
Hail _Cæsar Maximus_.
_Affra._ Oh turning people!
Oh people excellent in war, and govern'd,
In peace more raging than the furious North,
When he ploughs up the Sea, and makes him brine,
Or the lowd falls of _Nile_; I must give way,
Although I neither love nor hope this:
Or like a rotten bridge that dares a current,
When he is swell'd and high crackt, and farewel.
_Enter_ Maximus, Eudox[i]a, _Senat. and Souldiers_.
_Sen._ Room for the Emperour.
_Soul._ Long life to _Cæsar_.
_Afra._ Hail _Cæsar Maximus_.
_Emp._ _Max._ Your hand _Afranius_.
Lead to the Palace, there my thanks in general,
I'le showre among ye all: gods give me life,
First to defend the Empire, then you Fathers,
And valiant friends, the heirs of strength and vertue,
The rampires of old _Rome_, of us the refuge;
To you I open this day all I have,
Even all the hazard that my youth hath purchas'd,
Ye are my Children, family, and friends
And ever so respected shall be, forward.
There's a Proscription, grave _Sempronius_,
'Gainst all the flatterers, and lazie Bawds
Led loose-liv'd _Valentinian_ to his vices,
See it effected. [_Flourish._
_Sen._ Honour wait on _Cæsar_.
_Sould._ Make room for _Cæsar_ there. [_Exeunt all but_ Afra.
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