Scene the First. The Town.
Enter Antonius, Canidius.
Ant.
EMpire and Glory both farewell: Come shame,
And shed thy Venom on Antonius Name:
VVither the Lawrels on his Brows and teach
The VVorld to scorn its most inglorious VVretch.
Forsaken in the choicest hour of time,
My hopes and resolutions in their prime.
Honor, my Queen and I Dictator made,
And all his rough Commands cou'd have obey'd.
Love for a while, we purpose to dethrone,
As Mariners in Storms their Sails take down.
Can Romans thus their General forsake?
Can.
They urg'd want of Provision and of Pay.
Ant.
Both which had been redrest without delay:
Th' obliging Queen—
Can.
VVhom you may thank for this—
Their general Discontent at her was lowd:
But Souldiers are a rude uncivil Crowd.
Play'rs and Minstrels, Singers and Buffoons,
Are the great Instruments and Props of Thrones.
I my old Legions to your Aid have brought,
Firm to your Side, not tainted in a Thought—
They say Photinus in the Camp was seen,
And that he was imploy'd there by the Queen.