SCENE II.

_Enter_ Diocles, Niger, _Senators, Guard_.

_Dio._ Talk not of comfort; I have broke my faith, And the gods fight against me; and proud man, However magnified, is but as dust Before the raging whirl-wind of their justice. What is it to be great? ador'd on Earth? When the immortal Powers that are above us Turn all our Blessings into horrid Curses, And laugh at our resistance, or prevention Of what they purpose? O the Furies that I feel within me! whipt on, by their angers, For my tormentors. Could it else have been In Nature, that a few fugitive _Persians_, Unfriended, and unarmed too, could have rob'd me (In _Rome_, the World's _Metropolis_, and her glory; In _Rome_, where I command, inviron'd round With such invincible Troops that know no fear, But want of noble Enemies) of those jewels I priz'd above my life, and I want power To free them, if those gods I have provok'd Had not given spirit to the undertakers, And in their deed protected 'em?

_Nig._ Great _Cæsar_, Your safety does confirm you are their care, And that howe'r their practices reach others, You stand above their malice.

_1 Sen. Rome_ in us Offers (as means to further your revenge) The lives of her best Citizens, And all they stand possess'd of.

_1 Guard._ Do but lead us on With that invincible and undaunted Courage Which waited bravely on you, when you appear'd The minion of Conquest; married rather To glorious Victory, and we will drag (Though all the Enemies of life conspire Against our undertakings) the proud _Persian_, Out of his strongest hold.

_2 Guard._ Be but your self, And do not talk but do.

_3 Guard._ You have hands and swords, Limbs to make up a well proportion'd Army, That only want in you an Head to lead us.

_Dio._ The gods reward your goodness; and believe, Howe'r (for some great sin) I am mark't out The object of their hate, though _Jove_ stood ready To dart his three-fold thunder on this head, It could not fright me from a fierce pursuit Of my revenge; I will redeem my friends, And with my friends mine honour; at least fall Like to my self, a Souldier.

_Nig._ Now we hear Great _Dioclesian_ speak.

_Dio._ Draw up our Legions, And let it be your care (my much lov'd _Niger_) To hasten the remove; And, fellow Souldiers, Your love to me will teach you to endure Both long and tedious Marches.

_1 Guard._ Dye he accurs'd That thinks of rest or sleep, before he sets His foot on _Persian_-Earth.

_Nig._ We know our glory; The dignity of _Rome_, and what's above All can be urg'd, the quiet of your mind Depends upon our haste.

_Dio._ Remove to night; Five days shall bring me to you.

_All._ Happiness To _Cæsar_, and glorious victory. [_Exeunt._

_Dio._ The cheerfulness of my Souldiers gives assurance Of good success abroad; if first I make My peace at home here. There is something chides me, And sharply tells me, that my breach of faith To _Delphia_ and _Drusilla_, is the ground Of my misfortunes; And I must remember, While I was lov'd, and in great _Delphia's_ Grace, She was as my good Angel, and bound Fortune To prosper my designs; I must appease her; Let others pay their Knees, their Vows, their Prayers To weak imagin'd Powers; She is my All, And thus I do invoke her. Knowing _Delphia_, Thou more than Woman, and though thou vouchsafest To grace the Earth with thy celestial Steps, And taste this grosser air, thy heavenly Spirit Hath free access to all the secret Counsels Which a full Senate of the gods determine When they consider man: The brass leav'd Book Of Fate lies open to thee, where thou read'st, And fashionest the destinies of men At thy wish'd pleasures; Look upon thy creature, And as thou twice hast pleased to appear To reprehend my falshood, now vouchsafe To see my low submission. [Delphia _and_ Drusilla _appear_.

_Del._ What's thy Will? False, and unthankful, (and in that deserving All humane sorrows) darst thou hope from me Relief or Comfort?

_Dio._ Penitence does appease Th' incensed Powers, and Sacrifice takes off Their heavy angers; thus I tender both; The Master of great _Rome_, and in that, Lord Of all the Sun gives heat and being to, Thus sues for mercy; Be but as thou wert, The Pilot to the Bark of my good fortunes, And once more steer my actions to the Port Of glorious Honour, and if I fall off Hereafter from my faith to this sweet Virgin, Joyn with those Powers that punish perjury, To make me an example to deter Others from being false.

_Dru._ Upon my soul, You may believe him; nor did he e'r purpose To me but nobly; he made tryal how I could endure unkindness; I see Truth Triumphant in his sorrow. Dearest Aunt, Both credit him, and help him; and on assurance That what I plead for, you cannot deny, I raise him thus, and with this willing kiss I seal his pardon.

_Dio._ O that I e'r lookt Beyond this abstract of all womans goodness.

_Del._ I am thine again; thus I confirm our league; I know thy wishes, and how much thou suffer'st In honour for thy friends; thou shalt repair all; For to thy Fleet I'll give a fore-right wind To pass the _Persian_ Gulf; remove all lets That may molest thy Souldiers in their March That pass by land, and destiny is false, If thou prove not victorious; Yet remember, When thou art rais'd up to the highest point Of humane happiness, such as move beyond it Must of necessity descend. Think on't, And use those Blessings that the gods pour on you With moderation.

_Dio._ As their Oracle I hear you, and obey you, and will follow Your grave directions.

_Del._ You will not repent it. [_Exeunt._