Chapter 3

_Enter_ Septimius.

_Sept._ I feel my resolution melts again And that I am not Knave alone, but fool, In all my purposes. The Devil, _Photinus_, Employs me as a Property, and grown useless Will shake me off again; he told me so When I kill'd _Pompey_; nor can I hope better, When _Cæsar_ is dispatch'd; Services done For such as only study their own ends, Too great to be rewarded, are return'd With deadly hate; I learn'd this Principle In his own School, yet still he fools me, well; And yet he trusts me: Since I in my nature Was fashion'd to be false, wherefore should I That kill'd my General, and a _Roman_, one To whom I ow'd all nourishments of life, Be true to an _Egyptian_? To save _Cæsar_, And turn _Photinus's_ plots on his own head, As it is in my power, redeem my credit, And live to lye and swear again in fashion, Oh, 'twere a master-piece! ha!--me _Cæsar_, How's he got off?

_Enter_ Cæsar, Ptolomy, Antony, Dolabella, Achoreus, Apollodorus, _Souldiers._

_Cæs._ The fire has took, And shews the City like a second _Troy_, The Navy too is scorch'd, the people greedy To save their Wealth and Houses, whilst their Souldiers Make spoil of all; only _Achillas's_ Troops Make good their Guard, break through them, we are safe; I'll lead you like a Thunder-bolt.

_Sept._ Stay, _Cæsar_.

_Cæs._ Who's this? the Dog, _Septimius_?

_Ant._ Cut his throat.

_Dol._ You bark'd but now, fawn you so soon?

_Sept._ O hear me, What I'll deliver is for _Cæsars_ safety, For all your good.

_Ant._ Good from a mouth like thine, That never belch'd but blasphemy, and treason on Festival days!

_Sept._ I am an altered man, altered indeed, And will give you cause to say I am a _Roman_.

_Dol._ Rogue, I grant thee.

_Sept._ Trust me, I'll make the passage smooth, and easie For your escape.

_Ant._ I'll trust the Devil sooner, And make a safer Bargain.

_Sept._ I am trusted With all _Photinus's_ secrets.

_Ant._ There's no doubt then Thou wilt be false.

_Sept._ Still to be true to you.

_Dol._ And very likely.

_Cæs._ Be brief, the means?

_Sept._ Thus, _Cæsar_, To me alone, but bound by terrible oaths Not to discover it, he hath reveal'd A dismal Vault, whose dreadful mouth does open A mile beyond the City: in this Cave Lye but two hours conceal'd.

_Ant._ If you believe him, He'll bury us alive.

_Dol._ I'll flye in the Air first.

_Sept._ Then in the dead of night I'll bring you back Into a private room, where you shall find _Photinus_, and _Achillas_, and the rest Of their Commanders close at Council.

_Cæs._ Good, what follows?

_Sept._ Fall me fairly on their throats, Their heads cut off and shorn, the multitude Will easily disperse.

_Cæs._ O Devil! away with him; Nor true to Friend nor Enemy? _Cæsar_ scorns To find his safety, or revenge his wrongs So base a way; or owe the means of life To such a leprous Traytor, I have towr'd For Victory like a Faulcon in the Clouds, Nor dig'd for't like a Mole; our Swords and Cause Make way for us, and that it may appear We took a noble Course, and hate base Treason, Some Souldiers that would merit _Cæsar's_ favour, Hang him on yonder Turret, and then follow The lane this Sword makes for you. [_Exit._

_1 Sold._ Here's a Belt, Though I dye for it I'll use it.

_2 Sold._ 'Tis too good To truss a Cur in.

_Sept._ Save me, here's Gold.

_1 Sold._ If _Rome_ Were offered for thy ransom, it could not help thee.

_2 Sold._ Hang not an arse.

_1 Sold._ Goad him on with thy Sword; Thou dost deserve a worser end, and may All such conclude so, that their friends betray. [_Exeunt._