SCENE II.

_Enter_ Maximinian, _and_ Aurelia.

_Aur._ Why droops my Lord, my Love, my life, my _Cæsar_? How ill this dulness doth comport with greatness! Does not (with open arms) your fortune court you? _Rome_ know you for her Master, I my self Confess you for my husband? love, and serve you? If you contemn not these, and think them curses, I know no blessings that ambitious flesh Could wish to feel beyond 'em.

_Max._ Best _Aurelia_, The parent and the nurse to all my Glories, 'Tis not that thus embracing you, I think There is a Heaven beyond it, that begets These sad retirements; but the fear to lose What it is hell to part with: better to have liv'd Poor and obscure, and never scal'd the top Of hilly Empire, than to die with fear To be thrown headlong down, almost as soon As we have reach'd it.

_Aur._ These are Pannick terrours You fashion to your self: Is not my Brother (Your equal and copartner in the Empire) Vow'd and confirm'd your friend? the Souldier constant? Hath not your Uncle _Dioclesian_ taken His last farewel o'th' world? What then can shake ye?

_Max._ The thought I may be shaken: and assurance That what we do possess is not our own, But has depending on anothers favour: For nothing's more uncertain (my _Aurelia_) Than power that stands not on his proper Basis, But borrows his foundation. I'le make plain My cause of doubts and fears; for what should I Conceal from you, that are to be familiar With my most private thoughts? Is not the Empire My Uncles gift? and may he not resume it Upon the least distaste? Does not _Charinus_ Cross me in my designs? And what is Majestie When 'tis divided? Does not the insolent Souldier Call my command his donative? And what can take More from our honour? No (my wise _Aurelia_,) If I to you am more than all the world, As sure you are to me; as we desire To be secure, we must be absolute, And know no equal: when your Brother borrows The little splendor that he has from us, And we are serv'd for fear, not at entreaty, We may live safe; but till then, we but walk With heavie burthens on a sea of glass, And our own weight will sink us.

_Aur._ Your Mother brought you Into the world an Emperour: you perswade But what I would have counsell'd: Nearness of blood, Respect of pietie, and thankfulness, And all the holy dreams of vertuous fools Must vanish into nothing, when Ambition (The maker of great minds, and nurse of honour) Puts in for Empire. On then, and forget Your simple Uncle; think he was the Master (In being once an Emperour) of a Jewel, Whose worth and use he knew not: For _Charinus_, No more my Brother, if he be a stop To what you purpose; he to Me's a stranger, And so to be remov'd.

_Max._ Thou more than woman, Thou masculine Greatness, to whose soaring spirit To touch the stars seems but an easie flight; O how I glory in thee! those great women Antiquitie is proud of, thou but nam'd, Shall be no more remembred: but persevere, And thou shalt shine among those lesser lights,

_Enter_ Charinus, Niger, _Guard_.

To all posteritie like another _Phebe_, And so ador'd as she is.

_Aur._ Here's _Charinus_, His brow furrow'd with anger.

_Max._ Let him storm, And you shall hear me thunder.

_Cha._ He dispose of My Provinces at his pleasure? and confer Those honours (that are only mine to give) Upon his creatures?

_Nig._ Mighty Sir, ascribe it To his assurance of your love and favour, And not to pride or malice.

_Cha._ No, good _Niger_, Courtesie shall not fool me; he shall know I lent a hand to raise him, and defend him, While he continues good: but the same strength If pride make him usurp upon my Right, Shall strike him to the Center. You are well met, Sir.

_Max._ As you make the Encounter: Sir, I hear, That you repine, and hold your self much griev'd, In that, without your good leave, I bestow'd The Gallian Proconsulship upon A follower of mine.

_Cha._ 'Tis true: and wonder You durst attempt it.

_Max._ Durst, _Charinus_?

_Cha._ Durst: Again, I speak it: Think you me so tame, So leaden and unactive, to sit down With such dishonour? But, recal your grant, And speedily; or by the _Roman_ ---- Thou tripst thine own heels up, and hast no part In _Rome_, or in the Empire.

_Max._ Thou hast none, But by permission: Alas, poor _Charinus_, Thou shadow of an Emperour, I scorn thee, Thee, and thy foolish threats: the gods appoint him The absolute disposer of the Earth, That has the sharpest sword. I am sure, _Charinus_, Thou wear'st one without edge. When cruel _Aper_ Had kill'd _Numerianus_, thy Brother, (An act that would have made a trembling coward More daring than _Alcides_) thy base fear Made thee wink at it: then rose up my Uncle (For the honour of the Empire, and of _Rome_) Against the Traitor, and among his Guards Punish'd the treason: This bold daring act Got him the Souldiers suffrages to be _Cæsar_. And howsoever his too gentle nature Allow'd thee the name only, as his gift, I challenge the succession.

_Cha._ Thou ar[t] cozen'd. When the receiver of a courtesie Cannot sustain the weight it carries with it, 'Tis but a Trial, not a present Act. Thou hast in a few dayes of thy short Reign, In over-weening pride, riot and lusts, Sham'd noble _Dioclesian_, and his gift: Nor doubt I, when it shall arrive unto His certain knowledge, how the Empire groans Under thy Tyranny, but he will forsake His private life, and once again resume His laid-by Majestie: or at least, make choice Of such an _Atlas_ as may bear this burthen, Too heavie for thy shoulders. To effect this, Lend your assistance, Gentlemen, and then doubt not But that this mushroom (sprung up in a night) Shall as soon wither. And for you, _Aurelia_, If you esteem your honour more than tribute Paid to your loathsome appetite, as a Furie Flie from his loose embraces: so farewel; E're long you shall hear more. [_Exeunt._

_Aur._ Are you struck dumb, That you make no reply?

_Max._ Sweet, I will do, And after talk: I will prevent their plots, And turn them on their own accursed heads. My Uncle? good: I must not know the names Of Pietie or Pitie. Steel my heart, Desire of Empire, and instruct me, that The Prince that over others would bear sway, Checks at no Let that stops him in his way. [_Exeunt._