Auf.
Go tell the lords o'th' city, I am here:
Deliver them this paper: having read it,
Bid them repair to th' market-place, where I,
Even in theirs and in the commons ears,
Will vouch the truth of it. He I accuse
The city ports by this hath enter'd, and
Intends t'appear before the people, hoping
To purge himself with words. Dispatch.

Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius's faction.
Most welcome.

1 Con.
How is it with our General?

Auf.
Even so,
As with a man by his own alms impoyson'd,
And with his charity slain.

2 Con.
Most noble Sir,
If you do hold the same intent, wherein
You wish'd us parties; we'll deliver you
Of your great danger.

Auf.
Sir, I cannot tell,
We must proceed as we do find the people.

3 Con.
The people will remain uncertain, whilst
'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either
Makes the survivor heir of all.

Auf.
I know it;
And my pretext to strike at him admits
A good construction. I rais'd him, and pawn'd
Mine honour for his truth; who being so heighten'd,
He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,
Seducing so my friends; and to this end,
He bow'd his nature, never known before,
But to be rough, unswayable, and free.

3 Con.
Sir, his stoutness
When he did stand for Consul, which he lost
By lack of stooping—

Auf.
That I would have spoke of:
Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth,
Presented to my knife his throat; I took him,
Made him joint servant with me; gave him way
In all his own desires; nay, let him chuse
Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,

My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments
In mine own person; hop'd to reap the fame
Which he did make all his; and took some pride
To do my self this wrong; 'till at the last,
I seem'd his follower, nor partner; and
He wag'd me with his countenance, as if
I had been mercenary.

1 Con.
So he did, my lord:
The army marvell'd at it, and at last
When he had carried Rome, and that we look'd
For no less spoil, than glory—

Auf.
There was it:
For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him:
At a few drops of womens rheum, which are
As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour
O our great action; therefore shall he die,
And I'll renew me in his fall. But hark. [Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the people.

1 Con.
Your native town you enter'd like a post,
And had no welcomes home, but he returns
Splitting the air with noise.

2 Con.
And patient fools,
Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear
Giving him glory.

3 Con.
Therefore at your vantage,
Ere he express himself, or move the people
With what he would say, let him feel your sword,
Which we will second, when he lies along,
After your way, his tale pronounc'd, shall bury
His reasons with his body.

Auf.
Say no more,
Here come the lords.

Enter the Lords of the City.

All Lords.
You're most welcome home.

Auf.
I have not deserv'd it.
But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd
What I have written to you?

All.
We have.

1 Lord.
And grieve to hear it.
What faults he made before the last, I think
Might have found easie fines: but there to end,
Where he was to begin, and give away
The benefit of our levies, answering us
With our own charge, making a treaty where
There was a yielding; admits no excuse.

Auf.
He approaches, you shall hear him.

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