_Albi._ The silly serpent, found by country swain, And cut in pieces by his furious blows, Yet if her head do 'scape away untouch'd, As many write, it very strangely goes To fetch an herb, with which in little time Her batter'd corpse again she doth conjoin: But if by chance the ploughman's sturdy staff Do hap to hit upon the serpent's head, And bruise the same, though all the rest be sound Yet doth the silly serpent lie for dead, Nor can the rest of all her body serve To find a salve which may her life preserve. Even so, my lord, if Naples once be lost, Which is the head of all your grace's land, Easy it were for the malicious foe To get the other cities in their hand: But if from them that Naples town be free, I do not doubt but safe the rest shall be; And therefore, mighty king, I think it best, To succour Naples rather than the rest. _Beli._ 'Tis bravely spoken; by my crown I swear, I like thy counsel, and will follow it. But hark, Albinius, dost thou know the man, That doth so closely overthwart us stand? [_Pointing towards_ ALPHONSUS. _Albi._ Not I, my lord, nor never saw him yet. _Beli._ Then, prithee, go and ask him presently, What countryman he is, and why he comes Into this place? perhaps he is some one, That is sent hither as a secret spy To hear and see in secret what we do. [ALBINIUS _and_ FABIUS _go toward_ ALPHONSUS. _Albi._ My friend, what art thou, that so like a spy Dost sneak about Belinus' royal camp? _Alphon._ I am a man. _Fabi._ A man! we know the same: But prithee, tell me, and set scoffing by, What countryman thou art, and why you come, That we may soon resolve the king thereof? _Alphon._ Why, say I am a soldier. _Fabi._ Of whose band? _Alphon._ Of his that will most wages to me give. _Fabi._ But will you be Content to serve Belinus in his wars? _Alphon._ Ay, if he'll reward me as I do deserve, And grant whate'er I win, it shall be mine Incontinent. _Albi._ Believe me, sir, your service costly is: But stay a while, and I will bring you word What King Belinus says unto the same. [_Goes towards_ BELINUS. _Beli._ What news, Albinius? who is that we see? _Albi._ It is, my lord, a soldier that you see, Who fain would serve your grace in these your wars, But that, I fear, his service is too dear. _Beli._ Too dear, why so? what doth the soldier crave? _Albi._ He craves, my lord, all things that with his sword He doth obtain, whatever that they be.