_Leo._ to _Bert._ Buried in private, and so suddenly! It crosses my design, which was to allow The rites of funeral fitting his degree, With all the pomp of mourning. _Bert._ It was not safe: Objects of pity, when the cause is new, Would work too fiercely on the giddy crowd: Had Caesar's body never been exposed, Brutus had gained his cause. _Leo._ Then, was he loved? _Bert._ O, never man so much, for saint-like goodness. _Ped._ Had bad men feared him, but as good men loved him, He had not yet been sainted. [_Aside._ _Leo._ I wonder how the people bear his death. _Bert._ Some discontents there are; some idle murmurs. _Ped._ How, idle murmurs! Let me plainly speak: The doors are all shut up; the wealthier sort, With arms across, and hats upon their eyes, Walk to and fro before their silent shops; Whole droves of lenders crowd the bankers' doors, To call in money; those, who have none, mark Where money goes; for when they rise, 'tis plunder: The rabble gather round the man of news, And listen with their mouths; Some tell, some hear, some judge of news, some make it; And he, who lies most loud, is most believed. _Leo._ This may be dangerous. _Raym._ Pray heaven it may! [_Aside._ _Bert._ If one of you must fall, Self-preservation is the first of laws; And if, when subjects are oppressed by kings, They justify rebellion by that law, As well may monarchs turn the edge of right To cut for them, when self-defence requires it. _Leo._ You place such arbitrary power in kings, That I much fear, if I should make you one, You'll make yourself a tyrant; let these know By what authority you did this act. _Bert._ You much surprise me, to demand that question: But, since truth must be told, 'twas by your own. _Leo._ Produce it; or, by heaven, your head shall answer The forfeit of your tongue. _Raym._ Brave mischief towards. [_Aside._ _Bert._ You bade me. _Leo._ When, and where? _Bert._ No, I confess, you bade me not in words; The dial spoke not, but it made shrewd signs, And pointed full upon the stroke of murder: Yet this you said, You were a woman, ignorant and weak, So left it to my care. _Leo._ What, if I said, I was a woman, ignorant and weak, Were you to take the advantage of my sex, And play the devil to tempt me? You contrived, You urged, you drove me headlong to your toils; And if, much tired, and frighted more, I paused, Were you to make my doubts your own commission? _Bert._ This 'tis, to serve a prince too faithfully; Who, free from laws himself, will have that done, Which, not performed, brings us to sure disgrace; And, if performed, to ruin. _Leo._ This 'tis, to counsel things that are unjust; First, to debauch a king to break his laws, Which are his safety, and then seek protection From him you have endangered; but, just heaven, When sins are judged, will damn the tempting devil, More deep than those he tempted.