Page 37
Act. 3. Scaen. 1.
Enter Octavio, (a Book in's hand.)
Oct.
'TIs true, by proof I find it, humane reason
Views with such dim eyes what is good or ill,
That if the great Disposer of our being
Should offer to our choice all worldly blessings,
We knew not what to take.—
When I was young,
Ambition of Court-preferment fir'd me;
And as there were no happiness beyond it,
I labour'd for't and got it; no man stood
In greater favour with his Prince, I had
Honors and offices, wealth flow'd in to me,
And for my service both in peace and war
The general voice gave out I did deserve 'em.
But oh vain confidence in subordinate greatness!
When I was most secure, it was not in
The power of fortune to remove me from
The flat I firmly stood on: in a moment
My vertues were made crimes, and popular favor
(To new-rais'd men still fatal) bred suspition
That I was dangerous: which no sooner entred
Gonzago's breast, but straight my ruine follow'd:
My offices were took from me, my state seis'd on;
And had I not prevented it by flight,
The jealousie of the Duke had been remov'd
With the forfeiture of my head.
[Within Galeaz]
Or shew compassion, or I will force it.