_Sosib._ What you observed: Some are born kings, and so is Cleomenes. _Cas._ A great soul dares not call himself a villain. He has that interest, and will use it nobly; To serve, and not to ruin his protector. _Sosib._ Is Egypt's safety, and the king's, and your's, Fit to be trusted on a bare suppose, That he is honest? Honest, let him be; But on his own experiment, not ours. Man is but man; unconstant still, and various; There's no to-morrow in him, like to-day. Perhaps the atoms rolling in his brain Make him think honestly this present hour; The next, a swarm of base, ungrateful thoughts May mount aloft; and where's our Egypt then? Who would trust chance, since all men have the seeds Of good and ill, which should work upward first? _Cas._ All men! then you are one; and by that rule, Your wicked atoms may be working now To give bad counsel, that you still may govern. _Sosib._ I would the king would govern. _Cas._ Because you think I have too much command. _Ptol._ Would you would rule me both by turns, in quiet, And let me take my ease! _Cas._ Then my turn's first. _Sosib._ Our master's safety, in sound reason, ought To be preferred to both. _Ptol._ So thinks Cassandra too. _Cas._ No; court Sosibius, and cast Cassandra off. _Ptol._ What have I said, or done, To merit this unkindness? Tell me but what you think of Cleomenes, And be my oracle. _Cas._ I know him grateful. _Sosib._ To know him grateful, is enough for Jove. _Cas._ And therefore not too much for me in Egypt: I say, I know him honest. _Ptol._ Then I know it. Now may Sosibius speak? _Cas._ He may; but not to contradict my knowledge. _Sosib._ Then I concur, to let him go for Greece; And wish our Egypt fairly rid of him. For, as our Apis, though in temples fed, And under golden roofs, yet loaths his food, Because restrained; and longs to roam in meads, Among the milky-mothers of the herd: So, Cleomenes, kept by force in Egypt, Is sullen at our feasts, abhors our dainties, And longs to change them for his Spartan broth[43]. He may be dangerous here; then send him hence, With aid enough to conquer all he lost, And make him formidable to mankind. _Cas._ He may be formidable then to us? That thou wouldst say. _Sosib._ No; for you know him grateful. _Cas._ Would thou wouldst learn to speak without a double, Thou Delphian statesman! [_Rises._ _Sosib._ Would I could know your wishes, that I might! I would but smooth their way, and make them easy. [_Bowing._