_Cam._ Possible! pray you, stand off. If I do not mutter treason to myself, My heart will break; and yet I will not curse him; He is my king. The news you have deliver'd Makes me weary of your company; we'll salute When we meet next. I'll bring you to the door. Nay, pray you, no more compliments. _Gasp._ One thing more, And that's substantial: let your Adorni Look to himself. _Ant._ The king is much incensed Against him for Fulgentio. _Cam._ As I am, For your slowness to depart. _Both._ Farewell, sweet lady. [_Exeunt_ GASPARO _and_ ANTONIO. _Cam._ O more than impious times! when not alone Subordinate ministers of justice are Corrupted and seduced, but kings themselves, The greater wheels by which the lesser move, Are broken, or disjointed! could it be, else, A king, to sooth his politic ends, should so far Forsake his honour, as at once to break The adamant chains of nature and religion, To bind up atheism[161], as a defence To his dark counsels? Will it ever be, That to deserve too much is dangerous, And virtue, when too eminent, a crime? Must she serve fortune still, or, when stripp'd of Her gay and glorious favours, lose the beauties Of her own natural shape? O, my Bertoldo, Thou only sun in honour's sphere, how soon Art thou eclipsed and darken'd! not the nearness Of blood prevailing on the king; nor all The benefits to the general good dispensed, Gaining a retribution! But that To owe a courtesy to a simple virgin Would take from the deserving, I find in me Some sparks of fire, which, fann'd with honour's breath, Might rise into a flame, and in men darken Their usurp'd splendour. Ha! my aim is high, And, for the honour of my sex, to fall so, Can never prove inglorious.--'Tis resolved: Call in Adorni. _Clar._ I am happy in Such an employment, madam. [_Exit._ _Cam._ He's a man, I know, that at a reverent distance loves me; And such are ever faithful. What a sea Of melting ice I walk on! what strange censures Am I to undergo! but good intents Deride all future rumours. _Re-enter_ CLARINDA _with_ ADORNI. _Ador._ I obey Your summons, madam. _Cam._ Leave the place, Clarinda; One woman, in a secret of such weight, Wise men may think too much: [_Exit_ CLARINDA.] nearer, Adorni. I warrant it with a smile. _Ador._ I cannot ask Safer protection; what's your will? _Cam._ To doubt Your ready desire to serve me, or prepare you With the repetition of former merits, Would, in my diffidence, wrong you: but I will, And without circumstance, in the trust that I Impose upon you, free you from suspicion. _Ador._ I foster none of you. _Cam._ I know you do not. You are, Adorni, by the love you owe me---- _Ador._ The surest conjuration.