_Ant._ I admire it: In seeking to reduce both state and people To a fixed order, their judicious king Begins at home; quits first his royal palace Of flattering sycophants, of dissolute And infamous persons,--which he sweetly terms His master's master-piece, the work of Heaven; Considering duly that a prince's court Is like a common fountain, whence should flow Pure silver drops in general, but if't chance Some cursed example poison't near the head, Death and diseases through the whole land spread. And what is't makes this blessèd government But a most provident council, who dare freely Inform him the corruption of the times? Though some o' the court hold it presumption To instruct princes what they ought to do, It is a noble duty to inform them What they ought to foresee.--Here comes Bosola, The only court-gall; yet I observe his railing Is not for simple love of piety: Indeed, he rails at those things which he wants; Would be as lecherous, covetous, or proud, Bloody, or envious, as any man, If he had means to be so.--Here's the cardinal. _Enter the_ Cardinal _and_ BOSOLA. _Bos._ I do haunt you still. _Card._ So. _Bos._ I have done you better service than to be slighted thus. Miserable age, where only the reward of doing well is the doing of it! _Card._ You enforce your merit too much. _Bos._ I fell into the galleys in your service; where, for two years together, I wore two towels instead of a shirt, with a knot on the shoulder, after the fashion of a Roman mantle. Slighted thus! I will thrive some way: blackbirds fatten best in hard weather; why not I in these dog-days? _Card._ Would you could become honest! _Bos._ With all your divinity do but direct me the way to it. I have known many travel far for it, and yet return as arrant knaves as they went forth, because they carried themselves always along with them. [_Exit_ Cardinal.] Are you gone? Some fellows, they say, are possessed with the devil, but this great fellow were able to possess the greatest devil, and make him worse. _Ant._ He hath denied thee some suit? _Bos._ He and his brother are like plum-trees that grow crooked over standing-pools; they are rich and o'er-laden with fruit, but none but crows, pies, and caterpillars feed on them. Could I be one of their flattering panders, I would hang on their ears like a horseleech, till I were full, and then drop off. I pray, leave me. Who would rely upon these miserable dependancies, in expectation to be advanced to-morrow? what creature ever fed worse than hoping Tantalus? nor ever died any man more fearfully than he that hoped for a pardon. There are rewards for hawks and dogs when they have done us service; but for a soldier that hazards his limbs in a battle, nothing but a kind of geometry is his last supportation. _Delio._ Geometry!