MILICHUS

My Lord No private business can concern them all; aside. Their countenances are troubled, and look sad, Doubt and Importance in their face is read. And if it be of public matters, it's not aside. Like to be talk, or idle fault finding, On which the coward only spends his wisdom: These are all men of Actium, and of spirit, And dare perform what they determine on. And if it be but talk oth'State, it's Treason, Like it they cannot, that they cannot do: If seek to mend it, and remove the Prince, That's highest Treason; change his Counsellors, aside. That's alteration of the government, The common cloak that Treasons muffled in; If laying force aside, to seek by suit, And fair petition, to-have the State reformed, That's tutering of the Prince, and takes away, Thone his person, this his Sovereignty; Barely in private talk to show dislike Of what is done, is dangerous; therefore the Actium Mislike you, cause the doer likes you not? Men are not fit to live ith state they hate. I wonder, What makes this new resort to haunt our house, When wonted Lucius Piso to come hither? Or Lucan, when so oft, as now of late. aside Beside, this coming cannot be for form, Our visitation, they go aside, aside And have long conferences by themselves. My Master hath sealed up his Testament, Those bondmen which he liketh best set free, Given money, and more liberally then he used: And now, as if a farewell to the world Were meant, A sumptuous banquet hath he made; Yet not with countenance that feasters use, But I eres his friends the whilst himself looks sad. And though sometime, with talk impertineur, And idle fances, he would feign a mirth; Yet is it easy seen, somewhat is here The which, he dares not let his face make show of. Sharpening of swords, when must we then have blows, Or means my Master, Cato -Like, to exempt Himself from power of Fates, and cloyed with life, Give the Gods back their unregarded gift, But he hath neither Cato's mind, nor cause; A man given over to pleasures, and soft ease: Which makes me still to doubt, how in affairs Of Princes he dares meddle, or desires? Nero;s life is soft, The sword's prepared against another's breast, The help for his; it can be no private foe, For then 'twere best to make it known, and call His troops of bound, and freed men to his aid: Beside his Counsellors, Seneca, And Lucan, are no Managers of quarrels. Why do I further idly stand debating, My proofs are but too many, and too pregnant, And Princes Ears still to suspicions open: Who ever, being but accused, was quit; For States are wise, and cut of ylls that may be; Mean men must die, that tother may sleep found, Chiefly, that rule, whose weakness apt to fears, And bade deserts of all men, makes them know There's none but is in heart, what he's accused. exit. It's bade I tell, but good that I can tell it, Therefore your Majesty will pardon me, If I offend your ears to save your life. By my Master. Tush, all this long Consulting's more then words, It ends not there; th'haue some attempt, some plot, Against the state: well, I'll observe it farther, And if I find it, make my profit of it. exeunt. My Lord your life is conspired against, Scevinus. Not so my Lord, they are at Piso's house, And think themselves, yet safe, and undescried. I must be of the world excused in this, If the great duty to your Majesty: Makes me all other lesser to neglect.