SCENE II.

_Enter_ Delphia, _and_ Drusilla.

_Dru._ 'Tis true, that _Diocles_ is courteous, And of a pleasant nature, sweet and temperate; His Cousin _Maximinian_ proud and bloudy.

_Delph._ Yes, and mistrustful too, my Girl, take heed, Although he seem to love thee, and affect Like the more Courtier, curious complement; Yet have a care.

_Dru._ You know all my affection, And all my heart-desires are set on _Diocles_; But, Aunt, how coldly he requites this courtesie! How dull and heavily he looks upon me! Although I woo him sometimes beyond modesty, Beyond a Virgins care; how still he slights me, And puts me still off with your Prophecy, And the performance of your late prediction, That when he is Emperour, then he will marry me; Alas, what hope of that?

_Del._ Peace, and be patient, For though he be now a man most miserable, Of no rank, nor no badge of honour on him, Bred low and poor, no eye of favour shining; And though my sure Prediction of his Rising (Which can no more fail than the day or night does, Nay, let him be asleep, will overtake him) Hath found some rubs and stops, yet hear me, Neece, And hear me with a faith, it shall come to him; I'll tell thee the occasion.

_Dru._ Do, good _Aunt_; For yet I am ignorant.

_Del._ Chiding him one day For being too near, and sparing for a Souldier, Too griping, and too greedy; he made answer, When I am _Cæsar_, then I will be liberal. I, presently inspir'd with holy fire, And my prophetick Spirit burning in me, Gave answer from the gods, and this it was, _Imperator eris Romæ, cum Aprum grandem interfeceris_: Thou shalt be Emperour, O _Diocles_, When thou hast kill'd a mighty Boar. From that time (As giving credit to my words) he has employ'd Much of his life in hunting; many Boars Hideous and fierce, with his own hands he has kill'd too, But yet not lighted on the fatal one, Should raise him to the Empire; Be not sad, Neece, E're long he shall; Come, let's go entertain him, For by this time I guess he comes from hunting; And by my Art I find this very instant Some great design's o' foot.

_Dru._ The gods give good, Aunt. [_Exeunt._