Part 61

Clermont. You come something latter From Court, my lord, then I: and since newes there 5 Is every day encreasing with th'affaires, Must I not aske now, what the newes is there? Where the Court lyes? what stirre? change? what avise From England, Italie?

Ren. You must doe so, If you'll be cald a gentleman well quallified, 10 And weare your time and wits in those discourses.

Cler. The Locrian princes therefore were brave rulers; For whosoever there came new from countrie, And in the citie askt, "What newes?" was punisht: Since commonly such braines are most delighted 15 With innovations, gossips tales, and mischiefes. But as of lyons it is said and eagles, That, when they goe, they draw their seeres and tallons Close up, to shunne rebating of their sharpnesse: So our wits sharpnesse, which wee should employ 20 In noblest knowledge, wee should never waste In vile and vulgar admirations.

Ren. Tis right; but who, save onely you, performes it, And your great brother? Madame, where is he?

Char. Gone, a day since, into the countries confines, 25 To see their strength, and readinesse for service.

Ren. Tis well; his favour with the King hath made him Most worthily great, and live right royally.

Cler. I: would hee would not doe so! Honour never Should be esteem'd with wise men as the price 30 And value of their virtuous services, But as their signe or badge; for that bewrayes More glory in the outward grace of goodnesse Then in the good it selfe; and then tis said, Who more joy takes that men his good advance 35 Then in the good it selfe, does it by chance.

Char. My brother speakes all principle. What man Is mov'd with your soule? or hath such a thought In any rate of goodnesse?

Cler. Tis their fault. We have examples of it, cleare and many. 40 Demetrius Phalerius, an orator, And (which not oft meete) a philosopher, So great in Athens grew that he erected Three hundred statues of him; of all which, No rust nor length of time corrupted one; 45 But in his life time all were overthrowne. And Demades (that past Demosthenes For all extemporall orations) Erected many statues, which (he living) Were broke, and melted into chamber-pots. 50 Many such ends have fallen on such proud honours, No more because the men on whom they fell Grew insolent and left their vertues state, Then for their hugenesse, that procur'd their hate: And therefore little pompe in men most great 55 Makes mightily and strongly to the guard Of what they winne by chance or just reward. Great and immodest braveries againe, Like statues much too high made for their bases, Are overturn'd as soone as given their places. 60

Enter a Messenger with a Letter.

Messenger. Here is a letter, sir, deliver'd mee Now at the fore-gate by a gentleman.

Cler. What gentleman?

Mess. Hee would not tell his name; Hee said, hee had not time enough to tell it, And say the little rest hee had to say. 65

Cler. That was a merry saying; he tooke measure Of his deare time like a most thriftie husband.

Char. What newes?

Cler. Strange ones, and fit for a novation; Waightie, unheard of, mischievous enough.

Ren. Heaven shield! what are they?

Cler. Read them, good my lord. 70

Ren. "You are betraid into this countrie." Monstrous!

Char. How's that?

Cler. Read on.

Ren. "Maillard, your brothers Lieutenant, that yesterday invited you to see his musters, 75 hath letters and strickt charge from the King to apprehend you."

Char. To apprehend him!

Ren. "Your brother absents himselfe of purpose." 80

Cler. That's a sound one.

Char. That's a lye.

Ren. "Get on your Scotch horse, and retire to your strength; you know where it is, and there it expects you. Beleeve this as your best 85 friend had sworne it. Fare-well if you will. Anonymos." What's that?

Cler. Without a name.