_Herod._ Be thou but firm, that old doting iniquity of age--that horny-eyed[155] lecherous duke, thy lord--shall be baffled to extremest derision; his son prove his fool father's own issue. 312 _Nym._ And we, and thou with us, blessed and enriched past all misery of possible contempt, and above the hopes of greatest conjectures. _Herc._ Nay, as for wealth, _vilia miretur vulgus_.[156] I know by his physiognomy, for wealth he is of my addiction, and bids a fico[157] for't. _Nym._ Why, thou art but a younger brother: but poor Baldazozo. 320 _Herod._ Faith, to speak truth, my means are written in the book of fate, as yet unknown: and yet[158] I am at my fool, and my hunting gelding. Come, _Via_,[159] to this feastful entertainment. [_Exeunt._ _Remanet_ HERCULES. _Herc._ I never knew till now how old I was. By Him by whom we are, I think a prince, Whose tender sufferance never felt a gust Of bolder breathings, but still lived gently fann'd With the soft gales of his own flatterers' lips, Shall never know his own complexion. 330 Dear sleep and lust, I thank you; but for you, Mortal till now I scarce had known myself. Thou grateful poison, sleek mischief, flattery, Thou dreamful slumber (that doth fall on kings As soft and soon[160] as their first holy oil), Be thou for ever damn'd; I now repent Severe indictions to some sharp styles; Freeness, so't grow not to licentiousness, Is grateful to just states. Most spotless kingdom, And men, O happy born under good stars, 340 Where what is honest you may freely think, Speak what you think, and write what you do speak, Not bound to servile soothings! But since our rank Hath ever been afflicted with these flies (That blow corruption on the sweetest virtues), I will revenge us all upon you all With the same stratagem we still are caught, Flattery itself; and sure all know the sharpness Of reprehensive language is even blunted To full contempt. Since vice is now term'd fashion, 350 And most are grown to ill, even with defence I vow to waste this most prodigious heat, That falls into my age like scorching flames In depth of numb'd December, in flattering all In all of their extremest viciousness, Till in their own lov'd race they fall most lame, And meet full butt the close of Vice's shame. [_Exit._