e message thy consent wast had?
_Printus:_ I no participation in it took!

_Francos, (severely:)_
Thy words do seem to have a double ring.
But hie thee hence, while I investigate.
The Democratic creed doth only know
Complete submission on the henchman's part
To him who momentary at the helm
Doth guide the ship of state through calm and storm.
To think in words, disloyalty proclaims;
But act subservient fealty do prove.
_(Exit Printus)_
_Quezox:_ Most noble Sire, thy courage I admire
But Somnolent doth wait without the door.
_Francos:_ Ha! He doth quickly to my call respond,
But bid him enter. I will quick despatch
The matter which thy urgent hopes demand.
_(Enter Quezox and Somnolent)_
_Quezox:_ Sire, here is he who holds our wide domain
Within the hollow of his cunning hand.
_Francos:_ Sweet sire, an era new we usher in,
And knowing well that thou dost entertain
Oposing views upon a vital point,
Twere best for thee to cast the mantle off.
_Somnolent:_ In sooth, good sir, I find our minds as one.
If Quezox's methods shall perchance obtain,
'Twere better that some henchman of his choice
Should do untieing of his fiscal knots.
_(Exit Somnolent)_
_Quezox:_ Sire, in the anteroom doth stand McDuff,
With bearing like a criminal of state,
Sustained by stubborn pride as he doth walk
With measured, kingly step unto the block.
_Francos:_ Go bid him enter, and on thy return,
Take precedence; twere well to demonstrate
The high esteem which Caesar for thee feels
And give his party pride a parting dig.
_(Enter Quezox and McDuff)_
_Quezox:_ My Liege, McDuff, who fills a council seat
Within the party which has long controlled
Affairs politic in these tropic Isles,
Would fain resign the office he now holds.
_Francos, consolingly:_ Events march on, and as the whirligig
Of time revolves, so 'tis with politics.
To-day one soars aloft on Vict'ry's wings;
Tomorrow Fate those pinions proud may clip.
'Tis here Philosophy a cooling draught
Kindly present to him who, from his seat,
Is thrust by Fort