_Cœn._ Can you deny, my lord, that you were present, When Cleomenes taxed the court, and king, With brutal vices?
_Clean._ I remember somewhat Of certain horses which he could not buy, And saw thee go away dissatisfied; Which to prevent, I meant to purchase them: The rest I heard not, nor believe he spoke.
_Cas._ Cleanthes added farther; that thou saidst,--
_Ptol._ And we would know, ere tortures force it from thee.
_Sosib._ Now comes the fatal stroke. [_Aside._
_Clean._ No, thou addest it all; And I demand the combat.
_Sosib._ Think first, Cleanthes! Think before you hazard Your life and honour in this bold appeal: Somewhat you might have said, nay more, you ought, Since I commanded you to be a spy On Cleomenes' acts and close designs.
_Clean._ The good old liar would preserve my life, And I must steer his course. [_Aside._ I think----I farther added,---- [_To the King._
_Ptol._ 'Tis forgiven; So wholly pardoned, that I will not hear it; Good spies are useful, and must be encouraged. But what must next be done with Cleomenes?
_Sosib._ Dispatch him, as the source of all your fears. Observe the mounting billows of the main, Blown by the winds into a raging storm; Brush off those winds, and the high waves return Into their quiet first created calm:-- Such is the rage of busy blustering crowds, Fomented by the ambition of the great: Cut off the causes, and the effect will cease; And all the moving madness fall to peace.
_Ptol._ Let him be seized, in order to his death; I am in haste, you know it, for my progress. A thousand pleasures wait me at Canopus, And this poor trifling business of one life Encumbers all.--Cassandra, are you ready? We will be seen like Isis and Osiris, Drawn in one chariot, for admiring eyes To worship as we pass.
_Cas._ A word in private;--Cœnus, attend without. [_Exit._
[CASSANDRA _leads the King to a corner of the Stage_; _Sosibius_ _takes his Son to the other_.
_Sosib._ [_To Clean._] Now I am twice your father, by preserving The life I gave you, which your folly hazarded. Break off all friendship with that Spartan king, Or never see me more: His fate's resolved, Nor can you stem the tide; avoid his ruins; Reply not, but obey.
_Sosib._ Thou overjoyest me: Follow, we'll talk farther. [_Exeunt_ SOSIB. _and_ CLEAN.