A good construction. I rais'd him, and I 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, 24
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 28
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 32
In all his own desires; nay, let him choose
Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,
My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments
In mine own person; holp to reap the fame 36
Which he did end all his; and took some pride
To do myself this wrong: till, at the last,
I seem'd his follower, not partner; and
He wag'd me with his countenance, as if 40
I had been mercenary.
1. Con. So he did, my lord:
The army marvell'd at it; and, in the last,
When we had carried Rome, and that we look'd
For no less spoil than glory,—
Auf. There was it; 44
For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.
21 good construction: justification
23 By flattery he increased his power in his new environment
26 free: independent
32 way: freedom of action
34 files: troops
35, 36 serv'd . . . person: personally assisted him in his designs
37 end: garner, store away
40 wag'd: rewarded
countenance: patronizing favor
42 in the last: finally
45 my sinews . . . stretch'd: I shall exert all my force
