_Sac._ [_aside_]. My lord! How basely was this slave brought up, That knows no titles fit for dignity, To grace his master with hyperboles! My lord! Why, the basest baron of fair Africa Deserves as much: yet County Sacripant Must he a swain salute with name of lord.-- Sirrah, what thinks the Emperor of my colours, Because in field I wear both blue and red at once? _Man._ They deem, my lord, your honour lives at peace, As one that's neuter in these mutinies, And covets to rest equal friends to both; Neither envious to Prince Mandricard, Nor wishing ill unto Marsilius, That you may safely pass where'er you please, With friendly salutations from them both. _Sac._ Ay, so they guess, but level far awry; For if they knew the secrets of my thoughts, Mine emblem sorteth to another sense. I wear not these as one resolv'd to peace, But blue and red as enemy to both; Blue, as hating King Marsilius, And red, as in revenge to Mandricard: Foe unto both, friend only to myself, And to the crown, for that's the golden mark Which makes my thoughts dream on a diadem. See'st not thou all men presage I shall be king? Marsilius sends to me for peace; Mandricard puts off his cap, ten mile off: Two things more, and then I cannot miss the crown. _Man._ O, what be those, my good lord? _Sac._ First must I get the love of fair Angelica. Now am I full of amorous conceits, Not that I doubt to have what I desire, But how I might best with mine honour woo: Write, or entreat,--fie, that fitteth not; Send by ambassadors,--no, that's too base; Flatly command,--ay, that's for Sacripant: Say thou art Sacripant, and art in love, And who in Africa dare say the county nay? O Angelica, Fairer than Chloris when in all her pride Bright Maia's son entrapp'd her in the net Wherewith Vulcan entangled the god of war! _Man._ Your honour is so far in contemplation of Angelica as you have forgot the second in attaining to the crown. _Sac._ That's to be done by poison, prowess, or any means of treachery, to put to death the traitorous Orlando.--But who is this comes here? Stand close. [_They retire._ _Enter_ ORGALIO. _Org._ I am sent on embassage to the right mighty and magnificent, alias, the right proud and pontifical, the County Sacripant; for Marsilius and Orlando, knowing him to be as full of prowess as policy, and fearing lest in leaning to the other faction he might greatly prejudice them, they seek first to hold the candle before the devil, and knowing him to be a Thrasonical mad-cap, they have sent me a Gnathonical[146] companion, to give him lettuce fit for his lips. Now, sir, knowing his astronomical humours, as one that gazeth so high at the stars as he never looketh on the pavement in the streets,--but whist! _lupus est in fabula._