Part 7

Cae. Murthers must vse, who doth assurance seeke.

Ag. Assurance call you enemies to make?

Caes. I make no such, but such away I take.

Ag. Nothing so much as rigour doth displease.

Caes. Nothing so much doth make me liue at ease.

Ag. What ease to him that feared is of all?

Cae. Feared to be, and see his foes to fall.

Ag. Commonly feare doth brede and nourish hate.

Cae. Hate without pow'r comes comonly too late.

Ag. A feared Prince hath oft his death desir'd.

Cae. A Prince not fear'd hath oft his wrong conspir'de.

Ag. No guard so sure, no forte so strong doth proue, No such defence, as is the peoples loue.

Caes. Nought more vnsure more weak, more like the winde, Then Peoples fauor still to chaunge enclinde.

Ag. Good Gods! what loue to gracious Prince men beare!

Caes. What honor to the Prince that is seuere!

Ag. Nought more diuine then is Benignitie.

Cae. Nought likes the Gods as doth Seueritie.

Ag. Gods all forgiue.

Cae. On faults they paines do laie.

Ag. And giue their goods.

Cae. Oft times they take away.

Ag. They wreake them not, o Caesar, at each time That by our sinnes they are to wrathe prouok'd. Neither must you (beleue, I humblie praie) Your victorie with crueltie defile. The Gods it gaue, it must not be abus'd, But to the good of all men mildlie vs'd, And they be thank'd: that hauing giu'n you grace To raigne alone, and rule this earthlie masse, They may hence-forward hold it still in rest, All scattred power vnited in one brest.

Cae. But what is he, that breathles comes so fast, Approaching vs, and going in such hast?

Ag. He semes affraid: and vnder his arme I (But much I erre) a bloudie sworde espie.

Caes. I long to vnderstand what it may be.

Ag. He hither comes: it's best we stay and see.

Dirce. What good God now my voice will reenforce, That tell I may to rocks, and hilles, and woods, To waues of sea, which dash vpon the shore, To earth, to heau'n, the woefull newes I bring?

Ag. What sodaine chaunce thee towards vs hath brought?