[22] _Flesh'd his maiden sword._] These words are from Shakspeare, of whose works Massinger appears to have been a great reader. [23] _Whose power_, &c.] An imitation of the well-known line, _Divisum imperium cum Jove Cæsar habet_.--GIFFORD. [24] K. of Epire. _We are now Slaves to thy power_, &c.] I have observed several imitations of Massinger in the dramas of Mason: there is, for instance, a striking similarity between this spirited speech, and the indignant exclamation of the brave but unfortunate Caractacus: ----"Soldier, I had arms, Had neighing steeds to whirl my iron cars, Had wealth, dominions: dost thou wonder, Roman, I fought to save them? What if Cæsar aims To lord it universal o'er the world, Shall the world tamely crouch to Cæsar's footstool?" GIFFORD. [25] _And do 't with safety._] This is admirably expressed: the maxim, however, though just, is of the most dangerous nature; for what ambitious chief will ever allow the state to be "raised to her perfection," or that the time for using "mercy with safety" is arrived? Even Dioclesian has his exceptions,--strong ones too! for Rome was old enough in his time. There is an allusion to Virgil, in the opening of this speech: _Res dura, et novitas regni me talia cogunt Moliri, &c._ GIFFORD. [26] --------_as weak Perseus Did great Æmilius._] It is said that Perseus sent to desire Paulus Æmilius not to exhibit him as a spectacle to the Romans, and to spare him the indignity of being led in triumph. Æmilius replied coldly: _The favour he asks of me is in his own power; he can procure it for himself_.--COXETER. [27] _To match where they affect not._] This does better for modern than Roman practice; and, indeed, the author was thinking more of Hamlet than Dioclesian, in this part of the dialogue.--GIFFORD. [28] _Owes_.] i. e. _owns_. [29] _Fair Venus' son, draw forth a leaden dart._] The idea of this double effect, to which Massinger has more than one allusion, is from Ovid: _Filius huic Veneris; figat tuus omnia, Phoebe, Te meus arcus, ait:--Parnassi constitit arce, Eque sagittifera promsit duo tela pharetra Diversorum operum; fugat hoc, facit illud amorem. Quod facit, auratum est, et cuspide fulget acuta; Quod fugat, obtusum est, et habet sub arundine plumbum._ Met. lib. i. 470. GIFFORD. [30] --------_The fox, When he saw first the forest's king_, &c.] The fable is from the Greek. In a preceding line there is an allusion to the proverb, _Procul a Jove, sed procul a fulmine_.--GIFFORD.