_Panth._ Not so; I see some peeping from their doors.-- What are you? friends, or foes? _Four Egyptians appear, peeping from the opposite Entrances of the Stage._ _1 Egypt._ Friends, friends; all honest men, And hearty to the cause. _Clean._ Explain what cause; and give the general cry. _1 and 2 Egypt._ Liberty and Magas. _Cleom._ [_In their Tone._] Liberty and Magas! The cowards whisper liberty so softly, As if they were afraid the gods would hear it, And take them at their word. _1 Egypt._ No, friend: We vulgar never fear the gods; but we whisper, for fear our o'erthwart neighbours should hear us cry, Liberty, and betray us to the government. _Clean._ Of what side are you there? [_To the opposite Egyptian._ _3 Egypt._ That's according as you succeed: of your side hitherto. _Panth._ If you are men, come join with us. _4 Egypt._ You are too few for us to join with you; but get the greater party of your side, and we'll be sure to help the common cry. _Cleom._ Dare you do nothing to assert your freedom? _3 Egypt._ Yes,--we'll pray devoutly for you. _Clean._ The brave pray with their swords; that's a man's part. _4 Egypt._ Praying with our swords, the law calls fighting; and fighting is bloodshed; and bloodshed is hanging; and hanging is the part of a dog, and not of a man, in my opinion. _1 Egypt._ Every one for himself. [_Egyptian Trumpets within._ The government is a coming. [_They shrink back in a Fright, and clap the Doors._ _Clean._ Run! couch, you cowards, to your tyrant lords. A dog you worship, and partake his nature; A race of speaking spaniels. _Panth._ Let them go; we'll do our work without them. _Clean._ The comfort is, our foes are like our friends; Holiday heroes, drawn out once a month, At public charge, to eat, and to be drunk; Mere mouths of war. _Enter_ SOSIBIUS _and_ CŒNUS, _at the Head of many Egyptians: They, who spoke before, bolt out of their Doors, and join with them_. _Sosib._ 'Twas what I always feared,--even when I saved thee,-- To find thee thus engaged among my foes: But yet, submit; and I can yet forgive thee. Consider,--for 'tis all I've time to say,-- Thou fight'st against thy father. _Clean._ Against my father's cause, but not my father: If you would needs become yourself a slave, And get me such, I must redeem us both, And will, or perish in the brave attempt. _Sosib._ Withdraw thyself from ruin, I command thee. _Clean._ Command I cannot; but I beg you, sir, Engage not for an arbitrary power, That odious weight upon a free-born soul. _Sosib._ This is too much.--Fall on, but spare my son. _Enter_ CASSANDRA, _attended_. _Cas._ Sosibius, hold! Withdraw your men to distance. You know this signet: Obey your king in me. [_Shews the Signet._