RAM. Stay, I entreat thee--one hath now prevailed.
So far is certain.
OSMA. Ay, the right prevails.
RAM. Transient and vain their joyance, who rejoice
Precipitately and intemperately,
And bitter thoughts grow up where'er it fell.
OSMA. Nor vain and transient theirs, who idly float
Down popularity's unfertile stream,
And fancy all their own that rises round?
RAM. If thou still lovest, as I know thou dost,
Thy king -
OSMA. I love him; for he owes me much,
Brave soul! and cannot, though he would, repay.
Service and faith, pure faith and service hard,
Throughout his reign, if these things be desert,
These have I borne toward him, and still bear.
RAM. Come, from thy solitary eiry come,
And share the prey, so plenteous and profuse,
Which a less valorous brood will else consume.
Much fruit is shaken down in civil storms:
And shall not orderly and loyal hands
Gather it up? (Loud shouts.) Again! and still refuse?
How different are those citizens without
From thee! from thy serenity! thy arch,
Thy firmament, of intrepidity!
For their new lord, whom they have never served,
Afraid were they to shout, and only struck
The pavement with their ferrules and their feet:
Now they are certain of the great event
Voices and hands they raise, and all contend
Who shall be bravest in applauding most.
Knowest thou these?
OSMA. Their voices I know well -
And can they shout for him they would have slain?
A prince untried they welcome; soon their doubts
Are blown afar.
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