SCENE II.

_Enter_ Maximus _alone_.

_Max._ My way has taken: all the Court's in guard, And business every where, and every corner Full of strange whispers: I am least in rumour,

_Enter_ Æcius _and_ Phidias.

And so I'le keep my self. Here comes _Æcius_, I see the bait is swallow'd: If he be lost He is my _Martyr_, and my way stands open, And honour on thy head, his blood is reckon'd.

_Æ[ci]._ Why how now friend, what makes ye here unarm'd? Are ye turn'd Merchant?

_Max._ By your fair perswasions, And such a Merchant trafficks without danger; I have forgotten all, _Æcius_, And which is more, forgiven.

_Æci._ Now I love ye, Truly I do, ye are a worthy _Roman_.

_Max._ The fair repentance of my Prince to me Is more than sacrifice of bloud and vengeance, No eyes shall weep her ruins, but mine own.

_Aeci._ Still ye take more love from me: vertuous friend The gods make poor _Aecius_ worthy of thee.

_Max._ Only in me y'are poor Sir: and I worthy Only in being yours: But why your arm thus, Have ye been hurt _Aecius_?

_Aeci._ Bruis'd a little: My horse fell with me friend: which till this morning I never knew him do.

_Max._ Pray gods it boad well; And now I think on't better, ye shall back, Let my perswasions rule ye.

_Aeci._ Back, why _Maximus_? The Emperour commands me come.

_Max._ I like not At this time his command.

_Aeci._ I do at all times, And all times will obey it, why not now then?

_Max._ I'le tell ye why, and as I have been govern'd, Be you so, noble friend: The Court's in Guard, Arm'd strongly, for what purpose, let me fear; I do not like your going.

_Aeci._ Were it fire; And that fire certain to consume this body, If _Cæsar_ sent, I would goe; never fear man, If he take me, he takes his arms away, I am too plain and true to be suspected.

_Max._ Then I have dealt unwisely.

_Aeci._ If the Emperour, Because he meerely may, will have my life, That's all he has to work on, and all shall have: Let him, he loves me better: here I wither, And happily may live, till ignorantly I run into a fault worth death: nay more, dishonour. Now all my sins, I dare say those of duty Are printed here, and if I fall so happy, I bless the grave I lye in, and the gods Equal, as dying on the Enemy, Must take me up a Sacrifice.

_Max._ Goe on then, And I'le goe with ye.

_Aeci._ No, ye may not friend.

_Max._ He cannot be a friend, bars me _Aecius_, Shall I forsake ye in my doubts?

_Aeci._ Ye must.

_Max._ I must not, nor I will not; have I liv'd Only to be a Carpet friend for pleasure? I can endure a death as well as _Cato_.

_Aeci._ There is no death nor danger in my going, Nor none must goe along.

_Max._ I have a sword too, And once I could have us'd it for my friend.

_Aeci._ I need no sword, nor friend in this, pray leave me; And as ye love me, do not overlove me; I am commanded none shall come: at supper I'le meet ye, and weel drink a cup or two, Ye need good Wine, ye have been sad: Farewel.

_Max._ Farewel my noble friend, let me embrace ye E're ye depart; it may be one of us Shall never do the like again.

_Aeci._ Yes often.

_Max._ Farewel good dear _Aecius_.

_Aeci._ Farewel _Maximus_ Till night: indeed you doubt too much.-- [_Exit._

_Max._ I do not: Goe worthy innocent, and make the number Of _Cæsars_ sins so great, Heaven may want mercy: I'le hover hereabout to know what passes: And if he be so devilish to destroy thee, In thy bloud shall begin his Tragedy.-- [_Exit._