_Ptol._ To say I grieve his fortune
As much as if the Crown I wear (his gift)
Were ravish'd from me, is a holy truth,
Our Gods can witness for me: yet, being young,
And not a free disposer of my self;
Let not a few hours, borrowed for advice,
Beget suspicion of unthankfulness,
(Which next to Hell I hate) pray you retire,
And take a little rest, and let his wounds
Be with that care attended, as they were
Carv'd on my flesh: good _Labienus_, think
The little respite, I desire shall be
Wholly emploi'd to find the readiest way
To doe great _Pompey_ service.
_Lab._ May the gods
(As you intend) protect you. [_Exit._
_Ptol._ Sit: sit all,
It is my pleasure: your advice, and freely.
_Ach._ A short deliberation in this,
May serve to give you counsel: to be honest,
Religious and thankfull, in themselves
Are forcible motives, and can need no flourish
Or gloss in the perswader; your kept faith,
(Though _Pompey_ never rise to th' height he's fallen from)
_Caesar_ himself will love; and my opinion
Is (still committing it to graver censure)
You pay the debt you owe him, with the hazard
Of all you can call yours.
_Ptol._ What's yours, (_Photinus_?)
_Pho._ _Achoreus_ (great _Ptolomy_) hath counsell'd
Like a Religious, and honest man,
Worthy the honour that he justly holds
In being Priest to _Isis_: But alas,
What in a man, sequester'd from the world,
Or in a private person, is prefer'd,
No policy allows of in a King,
To be or just, or thankfull, makes Kings guilty,
And faith (though prais'd) is punish'd that supports
Such as good Fate forsakes: joyn with the gods,
Observe the man they favour, leave the wretched,
The Stars are not more distant from the Earth
Than profit is from honesty; all the power,
Prerogative, and greatness of a Prince
Is lost, if he descend once but to steer
His course, as what's right, guides him: let him leave
The Scepter, that strives only to be good,
Since Kingdomes are maintain'd by force and blood.
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