Their talk at table, and their thanks at end; 4
And you are darken'd in this action, sir,
Even by your own.
Auf. I cannot help it now,
Unless, by using means, I lame the foot
Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier, 8
Even to my person, than I thought he would
When first I did embrace him; yet his nature
In that's no changeling, and I must excuse
What cannot be amended.
Lieu. Yet, I wish, sir,— 12
I mean for your particular,—you had not
Join'd in commission with him; but either
Had borne the action of yourself, or else
To him had left it solely. 16
Auf. I understand thee well; and be thou sure,
When he shall come to his account, he knows not
What I can urge against him. Although it seems,
And so he thinks, and is no less apparent 20
To the vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly,
And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state,
Fights dragon-like, and does achieve as soon
As draw his sword; yet he hath left undone 24
That which shall break his neck or hazard mine,
Whene'er we come to our account.
Lieu. Sir, I beseech you, think you he'll carry Rome?
Auf. All places yields to him ere he sits down; 28
5 darken'd: dimmed in glory
action: campaign
6 your own: your own troops
7 using means: employing treachery
11 no changeling: i.e. still what it always was
13 particular: personal advantage
14 commission: authority
15 borne . . . yourself: taken the whole command yourself
21 bears . . . fairly: behaves honorably in all respects
23 achieve: conquer
24–26 yet . . . account; cf. n.
27 carry: take by force
28 sits down: besieges
