_Leon._ Cease; no more. 150 You smell this business with a sense as cold As is a dead man's nose: but I do see't and feel't, As you feel doing thus; and see withal The instruments that feel. _Ant._ I fit be so, We need no grave to bury honesty: 155 There's not a grain of it the face to sweeten Of the whole dungy earth. _Leon._ What! lack I credit? _First Lord._ I had rather you did lack than I, my lord, Upon this ground; and more it would content me To have her honour true than your suspicion, 160 Be blamed for't how you might. _Leon._ Why, what need we Commune with you of this, but rather follow Our forceful instigation? Our prerogative Calls not your counsels, but our natural goodness Imparts this; which if you, or stupified 165 Or seeming so in skill, cannot or will not Relish a truth like us, inform yourselves We need no more of your advice: the matter, The loss, the gain, the ordering on't, is all Properly ours. _Ant._ And I wish, my liege, 170 You had only in your silent judgement tried it, Without more overture. _Leon._ How could that be? Either thou art most ignorant by age, Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight, Added to their familiarity, 175 Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation But only seeing, all other circumstances Made up to the deed,--doth push on this proceeding: Yet, for a greater confirmation, 180 For in an act of this importance 'twere Most piteous to be wild, I have dispatch'd in post To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple, Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know Of stuff'd sufficiency: now from the oracle 185 They will bring all; whose spiritual counsel had, Shall stop or spur me. Have I done well? _First Lord._ Well done, my lord. _Leon._ Though I am satisfied and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle 190 Give rest to the minds of others, such as he Whose ignorant credulity will not Come up to the truth. So have we thought it good From our free person she should be confined, Lest that the treachery of the two fled hence 195 Be left her to perform. Come, follow us; We are to speak in public; for this business Will raise us all. _Ant._ [_Aside_] To laughter, as I take it, If the good truth were known. [_Exeunt._ LINENOTES: SCENE I. A room....] The Palace. Theobald. The Scene continues. Pope.