_Cas._ 'Twas kindly asked. _Ptol._ A foul-mouthed villain. _Sosib._ So I should have thought, But that this lady knows him good and grateful. _Cœn._ Madam, I stand suspected without cause; And, but I fear revenge from this great man, I could say more. _Cas._ I thought he was concerned. _Sosib._ Who, I? _Cas._ Speak boldly, Grecian, I protect thee. _Cœn._ Cleanthes then was present, and he added---- _Enter_ CLEANTHES. But he appears in time to hear his charge. _Sosib._ My dear, dear son! [_Aside._ I fear thy lavish tongue has ruined thee; What can I do to save thee? _Cas._ Well, proceed. _Cœn._ Can you deny, my lord, that you were present, When Cleomenes taxed the court, and king, With brutal vices? _Clean._ I remember somewhat Of certain horses which he could not buy, And saw thee go away dissatisfied; Which to prevent, I meant to purchase them: The rest I heard not, nor believe he spoke. _Cas._ Cleanthes added farther; that thou saidst,-- _Ptol._ And we would know, ere tortures force it from thee. _Sosib._ Now comes the fatal stroke. [_Aside._ _Cœn._ He added farther,---- _Clean._ No, thou addest it all; And I demand the combat. _Ptol._ Let him speak. _Sosib._ Think first, Cleanthes! Think before you hazard Your life and honour in this bold appeal: Somewhat you might have said, nay more, you ought, Since I commanded you to be a spy On Cleomenes' acts and close designs. _Clean._ The good old liar would preserve my life, And I must steer his course. [_Aside._ I think----I farther added,---- [_To the King._ _Ptol._ 'Tis forgiven; So wholly pardoned, that I will not hear it; Good spies are useful, and must be encouraged. But what must next be done with Cleomenes? _Sosib._ Dispatch him, as the source of all your fears. Observe the mounting billows of the main, Blown by the winds into a raging storm; Brush off those winds, and the high waves return Into their quiet first created calm:-- Such is the rage of busy blustering crowds, Fomented by the ambition of the great: Cut off the causes, and the effect will cease; And all the moving madness fall to peace. _Ptol._ Let him be seized, in order to his death; I am in haste, you know it, for my progress. A thousand pleasures wait me at Canopus, And this poor trifling business of one life Encumbers all.--Cassandra, are you ready? We will be seen like Isis and Osiris, Drawn in one chariot, for admiring eyes To worship as we pass. _Cas._ A word in private;--Cœnus, attend without. [_Exit._ [CASSANDRA _leads the King to a corner of the Stage_; _Sosibius_ _takes his Son to the other_.