Sejanus His Fall

SEIANVS his FALL . A Tragoedie . Acted , in the yeere 1603 . By the K. MAIESTIES SERVANTS .

The Author B. I.

MART. Non hîc Centauros , non Gorgonas , Harpyiasque Inuenies : Hominem pagmanostra sapit .

LONDON , Printed by WILLIAM STANSBY ,

M. DC. XVI. XVI.

TO THE NO LESSE NOBLE , BY VERTVE , THEN BLOVD : Esme L. AVBIGNY . MY LORD ,

IF euer any ruine were so great , as to suruiue ; I thinke this be one I send you : the Fal of Seianus . It is a poeme , that ( if I well remember ) in your Lo. sight , suffer'd no lesse violence from our people here , then the subiect of it did from the rage of the people of Rome ; but , with a different fate , as ( I hope ) merit : For this hath out-liu'd their malice , and begot it selfe a greater fauour then he lost , the loue of good men . Amongst whom , if I make your Lo. the first it thankes , it is not without a iust confession of the bond your benefits haue , and euer shall hold vpon me .

Your Lo. most faithfull honorer , BEN IONSON .

The Argument .

AELius Seianus , sonne to Seius Strabo , a gentleman of Rome , and borne at Vulsinium , after his long seruice in court : first , vnder Augustus , afterward , Tiberius : grew into that fauour with the latter , and won him by those artes , as there wanted nothing , but the name , to make him a copartner of the Empire . Which greatnesse of his , Drusus , the Emperors sonne not brooking , after many smother'd dislikes , it one day breaking out , the Prince strooke him publikely on the face . To reuenge which disgrace , Liuia , the wife of Drusus ( being before corrupted by him to her dishonour , and the discouery of her husbands councells ) Seianus practiseth with , together with her Physitian , called Eudemus , and one , an Eunuch , to poyson Drusus . This their inhumane act hauing successefull , and vnsuspected passage , it emboldeneth Seianus to farther , & more insolent proiects , euen the ambition of the Empire : where finding the lets , he must encounter , to be many , & hard , in respect of the issue of Germanicus ( who were next in hope for the succession ) he deuiseth to make Tiberius selfe , his meanes : & instill's into his eares many doubts , and suspicions , both against the Princes , and their mother Agrippina : which Caesar iealously hearkning to , as couetously consenteth to their ruine , and their friends . In this time , the better to mature and strengthen his designe , he labours to marry Liuia , and worketh ( with all his ingine ) to remoue Tiberius from the knowledge of publike businesse , with allurements of a quiet and retyred life : the latter of which , Tiberius ( out of a pronenesse to lust , and a desire to hide those vnnaturall pleasures , which he could not so publikely practise ) embraceth : the former inkindleth his feares , and there giues him first cause of doubt , or suspect toward Seianus . Against whom , he raiseth ( in priuate ) a new instrument , one Sertorius Macro , and by him vnder-worketh , discouers the others counsells , his meanes , his ends , sounds the affections of the Senators , diuides , distracts them : at last , when Seianus least looketh , and is most secure ( with pretext of doing him an vn-wonted honour in the Senate ) he traines him from his guardes , with one letter , and in one day , hath him suspected , accused , condemned , and torne in pieces , by the rage of the people ,

The Persons of the Play . TIBERIVS . DRVSVS se . NERO . DRVSVS iu. CALIGVLA . ARRVNTIVS . SILIVS . SABINVS . LEPIDVS . CORDVS . GALLVS . REGVLVS . TERENTIVS . LACO . EVDEMVS . RVFVS . SEIANVS . LATIARIS . VARRO . MACRO . COTTA . AFER . HATERIVS . SANQVINIVS . POMPONIVS . POSTHVMVS . TRIO . MINVTIVS . SATRIVS . NATTA . OPSIVS . TRIBVNI . AGRIPPINA . LIVIA . SOSIA . PRAECONES . FLAMEN . TVBICINES . NVNTIVS . LICTORES . MINISTRI . TIBICINES . SERVVS .

THE SCENE .

ROME .

SEIANVS . Act. I.

SABINVS , SILIVS , NATTA , LATIARIS , CORDVS , SATRIVS , ARRVNTIVS , EVDEMVS , HATERIVS , &c. HAile , CAIVS SILIVS . SIL. TITIVS SABINVS , Haile . Yo' are rarely met in court ! SAB. Therefore , well met . SIL. 'T is true : Indeed , this place is not our sphaere . SAB. No , SILIVS , wee are no good inginers ; We want the fine arts , & their thriuing vse , Should make vs grac'd , or fauour'd of the times : We haue no shift of faces , no cleft tongues , No soft , and glutinous bodies , that can sticke , Like snailes , on painted walls ; or , on our brests , Creepe vp , to fall , from that proud height , to which We did by slauerie , not by seruice , clime . We are no guilty men , and then no great ; We haue nor place in court , office in state , That we can say , we owe vnto our crimes : We burne with no black secrets , which can make Vs deare to the pale authors ; or liue fear'd Of their still waking iealosies , to raise Our selues a fortune , by subuerting theirs . We stand not in the lines , that doe aduance To that so courted point . SIL. But yonder leane A paire that doe . ( SAB. Good cousin LATIARIS . ) SIL. SATRIVS SECVNDVS , and PINNARIVS NATTA , The great SEIANVS clients : There be two , Know more , then honest councells : whose close brests Were they rip'd vp to light , it would be found A poore , and idle sinne , to which their trunkes Had not beene made fit organs . These can lye , Flatter , and sweare , forsweare , depraue , informe , Smile , and betray ; make guilty men ; then beg The forfeit liues , to get the liuings ; cut Mens throates with whisprings ; sell to gaping sutors The emptie smoake , that flyes about the Palace ; Laugh , when their patron laughes ; sweat , when he sweates ; Be hot , and cold with him ; change euery moode , Habit , and garbe , as often as he varies ; Obserue him , as his watch obserues his clocke ; And true , as turkise in the deare lords ring , Looke well , or ill with him : ready to praise His lordship , if he spit , or but pisse faire , Haue an indifferent stoole , or breake winde well , Nothing can scape their catch . SAB. Alas ! these things Deserue no note , confer'd with other vile , And filthier flatteries , that corrupt the times : When , not alone our gentries chiefe are faine To make their safety from such sordide acts , But all our Consuls , and no little part Of such as haue beene Praetors , yea , the most Of Senators ( that else not vse their voyces ) Fedarij . Start vp in publique Senate , and there striue Who shall propound most abiect things , and base , So much , as oft TIBERIVS hath beene heard , Leauing the court , to crie Ô race of men , Prepar'd for seruitude ! which shew'd , that , he Who least the publique liberty could like , As loathly brook'd their flat seruilitie . SIL. Well , all is worthy of vs , were it more , Who with our ryots , pride , and ciuill hate , Haue so prouok'd the iustice of the gods . We , that ( within these fourescore yeeres ) were borne Free , equall lords of the triumphed world , And knew no masters , but affections , To which betraying first our liberties , We since became the slaues to one mans lusts ; And now to many : euery ministring spie That will accuse , and sweare , is lord of you , Of me , of all , our fortunes , and our liues . Our lookes are call'd to question , and our wordes , How innocent soeuer , are made crimes ; We shall not shortly dare to tell our dreames , Or thinke , but 't will be reason . SAB. " Tyrannes artes " Are to giue flatterers , grace ; accusers , power ; " That those may seeme to kill whom they deuoure . Now good CREMVTIVS CORDVS . COR. Haile , to your lordship . NAT. They whisper . Who 's that salutes your cousin ? LAT. 'T is one CORDVS , A gentleman of Rome : one , that has writ Annal's of late , they say , and very well . NAT. Annal's ? of what times ? LAT. I thinke of POMPEI'S , And CAIVS CAESARS ; and so downe to these . NAT. How stands h' affected to the present state ? Is he or Drusian ? or Germanican ? Or ours or neutrall ? LAT. I know him not so far . NAT. Those times are somewhat queasie to be toucht . Haue you or seene or heard part of his worke ? LAT. Not I , he meanes they shall be publike shortly . NAT. O. CORDVS do you cal him ? LAT. I . SAB. But these our times Are not the same , ARRVNTIVS . ARR. Times ? the men , The men are not the same : 't is we are base , Poore , and degenerate from th' exalted streine Of our great fathers . Where is now the soule Of god-like CATO ? he , that durst be good , When CAESAR durst be euill ; and had power , As not to liue his slaue , to dye his master . Or where the constant BRVTVS , that ( being proofe Against all charme of benefits ) did strike So braue a blow into the monsters heart That sought vnkindly to captiue his countrie ? O , they are fled the light . Those mightie spirits Lye rak'd vp , with their ashes in their vrnes , And not a sparke of their eternall fire Glowes in a present bosome . All 's but blaze , Flashes , and smoke , wherewith we labour so , There 's nothing Romane in vs ; nothing good , Gallant , or great : 'T is true , that CORDVS say's , Braue CASSIVS was the last of all that race . SAB. Drusus passeth by . Stand by , lord DRVSVS . HAT. Th' Emp'rours son , giue place . SIL. I like the prince well . ARR. A riotous youth , There 's little hope of him . SAB. That fault his age Will , as it growes , correct . Me thinkes , he beares Himselfe , each day , more nobly then other : And wins no lesse on mens affections , Then doth his father lose . Beleeue me , I loue him ; And chiefly for opposing to SEIANVS . SIL. And I , for gracing his yong kinsmen so , The sonnes of Prince GERMANICVS : It shewes A gallant cleerenesse in him , a streight minde , That enuies not , in them , their fathers name . ARR. His name was , while he liu'd , aboue all enuie ; And being dead , without it . O , that man ! If there were seedes of the old vertue left , They liu'd in him . SIL. He had the fruits , ARRVNTIVS , More then the seedes : SABINVS , and my selfe Had meanes to know him , within ; and can report him . We were his followers , ( he would call vs friends . ) He was a man most like to vertue ; In all , And euery action , neerer to the gods , Then men , in nature ; of a body as faire As was his mind ; and no lesse reuerend In face , then fame : He could so vse his state , Temp'ring his greatnesse , with his grauitie , As it auoyded all selfe-loue in him , And spight in others . What his funeralls lack'd In images , and pompe , they had supply'd With honourable sorrow , souldiers sadnesse , A kind of silent mourning , such , as men ( Who know no teares , but from their captiues ) vse To shew in so great losses . COR. I thought once , Considering their formes , age , manner of deaths , The neerenesse of the places , where they fell , T' haue paralell'd him with great ALEXANDER : For both were of best feature , of high race , Yeer'd but to thirtie , and , in forraine lands , By their owne people , alike made away . SAB. I know not , for his death , how you might wrest it : But , for his life , it did as much disdaine Comparison , with that voluptuous , rash , Giddy , and drunken Macedon's , as mine Doth with my bond-mans . All the good , in him , ( His valour , and his fortune ) he made his ; But he had other touches of late Romanes , That more did speake him : POMPEI'S dignitie , The innocence of CATO , CAESAR'S spirit , Wise BRVTVS temp'rance , and euery vertue , Which , parted vnto others , gaue them name , Flow'd mixt in him . He was the soule of goodnesse : And all our praises of him are like streames Drawne from a spring , that still rise full , and leaue The part remayning greatest . ARR. I am sure He was too great for vs , and that they knew Who did remoue him hence . SAB. When men grow fast Honor'd , and lou'd , there is a tricke in state ( Which iealous princes neuer faile to vse ) How to decline that growth , with faire pretext , And honourable colours of employment , Either by embassie , the war , or such , To shift them forth into another aire , Where they may purge , and lessen ; so was he : And had his secon'ds there , sent by TIBERIVS , And his more subtile damme , to discontent him ; To breede , and cherish mutinies ; detract His greatest actions ; giue audacious check To his commands ; and worke to put him out In open act of treason . All which snares When his wise cares preuented , a fine poyson Was thought on , to mature their practices . COR. Here comes SEIANVS . SIL. Now obserue the stoupes , The bendings , and the falls . ARR. Most creeping base !

SEIANVS , SATRIVS , TERENTIVS , &c. They passe ouer the stage . I Note 'hem well : No more . Say you . SAT. My lord , There is a gentleman of Rome would buy — SEI. How cal you him you talk'd with ? SAT. 'Please your lordship , It is EVDEMVS , the physitian To LIVIA , DRVSV'S wife . SEI. On with your sute . Would buy , you said — SAT. A Tribunes place , my lord . SEI. What will he giue ? SAT. Fiftie sestertia . SEI. LIVIA'S physitian , say you , is that fellow ? SAT. It is , my lord ; your lordships answere ? SEI. To what ? SAT. The place , my lord . 'T is for a gentleman , Your lordship will well like off , when you see him ; And one , you may make yours , by the grant . SEI. Well , let him bring his money , and his name . SAT. Thanke your lordship . He shall , my lord . SEI. Come hither . Know you this same EVDEMVS ? Is he learn'd ? SAT. Reputed so , my lord : and of deepe practice . SEI. Bring him in , to me , in the gallerie ; And take you cause , to leaue vs there , togither : I would confer with him , about a griefe . — On . ARR. So , yet ! another ? yet ? Ô desperate state Of grou'ling honour ! Seest thou this , Ô sunne , And doe wee see thee after ? Me thinkes , day Should lose his light , when men doe lose their shames , And , for the emptie circumstance of life , Betray their cause of liuing . SIL. Nothing so . SEIANVS can repaire , if IOVE should ruine . He is the now court-god ; And well applyed With sacrifice of knees , of crookes , and cringe , He will doe more then all the house of heau'n Can , for a thousand hecatombes . 'T is he Makes vs our day , or night ; Hell , and Elysium Are in his looke : We talke of RHADAMANTH , Furies , and fire-brands ; But 't is his frowne That is all these , where , on the aduerse part , His smile is more , then ere ( yet ) Poets fain'd Of blisse , and shades , nectar — ARR. A seruing boy ? I knew him , at CAIVS trencher , when for hyre , He prostituted his abused body To that great gourmond , fat APICIVS ; And was the noted pathick of the time . SAB. And , now , the second face of the whole world . The partner of the empire , hath his image Rear'd equall with TIBERIVS , borne in ensignes , Command's , disposes euery dignitie , Centurions , Tribunes , Heads of prouinces , Praetors , and Consuls , all that heretofore Romes generall suffrage gaue , is now his sale . The gaine , or rather spoile , of all the earth , One , and his house , receiues . SIL. He hath of late Made him a strength too , strangely , by reducing All the Praetorian bands into one campe , Which he command's : pretending , that the souldier By liuing loose , and scattered , fell to ryot ; And that if any sodaine enterprise Should be attempted , their vnited strength Would be far more , then seuer'd ; and their life More strict , if from the citie more remou'd . SAB. Where , now , he builds , what kind of fort 's he please , Is hard to court the souldier , by his name , Wooes , feasts the chiefest men of action , Whose wants , not loues , compell them to be his . And , though he ne're were liberall by kind , Yet , to his owne darke ends , hee 's most profuse , Lauish , and letting flye , he cares not what To his ambition . ARR. Yet , hath he ambition ? Is there that step in state can make him higher ? Or more ? or any thing he is , but lesse ? SIL. Nothing , but Emp'rour . ARR. The name TIBERIVS I hope , will keepe ; how ere he hath fore-gone The dignitie , and power . SIL. Sure , while he liues . ARR. And dead , it comes to DRVSVS . Should he fayle , To the braue issue of GERMANICVS ; And they are three : Too many ( ha ? ) for him To haue a plot vpon ? SAB. I doe not know The heart of his designes ; but , sure , their face Lookes farther then the present . ARR. By the gods , If I could gesse he had but such a thought , My sword should cleaue him downe from head to heart , But I would finde it out : and with my hand I 'ld hurle his panting braine about the ayre , In mites , as small as atomi , t o'vndoe The knotted bed — SAB. You are obseru'd , ARRVNTIVS . ARR. He turnes to Seianus clyents . Death ! I dare tell him so ; and all his spies : You , sir , I would , doe you looke ? and you . SAB. Forbeare .

SATRIVS , EVDEMVS , SEIANVS . HEere , he will instant be ; Let 's walke a turne . Yo' are in a muse , EVDEMVS ? EVD. Not I , sir . I wonder he should marke me out so ! well , IOVE , and APOLLO forme it for the best . SAT. Your fortune 's made vnto you now , EVDEMVS , If you can but lay hold vpon the meanes ; Doe but obserue his humour , and — beleeue it — He 's the noblest Romane , where he takes — Here comes his lordship . SEI. Now , good SATRIVS . SAT. This is the gentleman , my lord . SEI. Is this ? Giue me your hand , we must be more acquainted . Report , sir , hath spoke out your art , and learning : And I am glad I haue so needfull cause , ( How euer in it selfe painefull , and hard ) To make me knowne to so great vertue . Looke , Who 's that ? SATRIVS — I haue a griefe , sir , That will desire your helpe . Your name 's EVDEMVS ? EVD. Yes . SEI. Sir ? EVD. It is , my lord . SEI. I heare , you are Physitian to LIVIA , the princesse ? EVD. I minister vnto her , my good lord . SEI. You minister to a royall lady , then . EVD. She is , my lord , and fayre . SEI. That 's vnderstood Of all their sexe , who are , or would be so ; And those , that would be , physicke soone can make 'hem : For those that are , their beauties feare no collours . EVD. Your lordship is conceited . SEI. Sir , you know it . And can ( if need be ) read a learned lecture , On this , and other secrets . Pray you tell me , What more of ladies , besides LIVIA , Haue you your patients ? EVD. Many , my good lord . The great AVGVSTA , VRGVLANIA . MVTILIA PRISCA , and PLANCINA , diuers — SEI. And , all these tell you the particulars Of euery seuerall griefe ? how first it grew , And then encreas'd , what action caused that ; What passion that : and answere to each point That you will put 'hem . EVD. Else , my lord , we know not How to prescribe the remedies . SEI. Goe to , Yo' are a subtill nation , you Physitians ! And growne the onely cabinets , in court , To ladies priuacies . Faith which of these Is the most pleasant lady , in her physicke ? Come , you are modest now . EVD. 'T is fit , my lord . SEI. Why , sir , I doe not aske you of their vrines , Whose smel 's most violet ? or whose seige is best ? Or who makes hardest faces on her stoole ? Which lady sleepes with her owne face , a nights ? Which puts her teeth off , with her clothes , in court ? Or , which her hayre ? which her complexion ? And , in which boxe she puts it ? These were questions That might , perhaps , haue put your grauity To some defence of blush . But , I enquir'd , Which was the wittiest ? meriest ? wantonnest ? Harmelesse intergatories , but conceipts . Me thinks , AVGVSTA should be most peruerse , And froward in her fit ? EVD. She 's so , my lord . SEI. I knew it . And MVTILIA the most iocund ? EVD. 'T is very true , my lord . SEI. And why would you Conceale this from me , now ? Come , what 's LIVIA ? I know , she 's quick , and quaintly spirited , And will haue strange thoughts , when she 's at leasure ; She tells 'hem all to you ? EVD. My noblest lord , He breaths not in the empire , or on earth , Whom I would be ambitious to serue ( In any act , that may preserue mine honour ) Before your lordship . SEI. Sir , you can loose no honor , By trusting ought to me . The coursest act Done to my seruice , I can so requite , As all the world shall stile it honorable : " Your idle , vertuous definitions " Keepe honor poore , and are as scorn'd , as vaine : " Those deeds breathe honor , that do sucke in gaine . EVD. But , good my lord , if I should thus betray The counsels of my patient , and a ladies Of her high place , and worth ; what might your lordship , ( Who presently are to trust me with your owne ) Iudge of my faith ? SEI. Only the best , I sweare . Say now , that I should vtter you my griefe ; And with it , the true cause ; that it were loue ; And loue to LIVIA : you should tell her this ? Should she suspect your faith ? I would you could Tell me as much , from her ; see , if my braine Could be turn'd iealous . EVD. Happily , my lord , I could , in time , tell you as much , and more ; So I might safely promise but the first , To her , from you . SEI. As safely , my EVDEMVS , ( I now dare call thee so ) as I haue put The secret into thee . EVD. My lord — SEI. Protest not . Thy lookes are vowes to me , vse onely speed , And but affect her with SEIANVS loue , Thou art a man , made , to make Consuls . Goe . EVD. My lord , I le promise you a priuate meeting This day , together . SEI. Canst thou ? EVD. Yes . SEI. The place ? EVD. My gardens , whither I shall fetch your lordship . SEI. Let me adore my AESCVLAPIVS . Why , this indeed is physick ! and out-speakes The knowledge of cheape drugs , or any vse Can be made out of it ! more comforting Then all your opiates , iulebes , apozemes , Magistrall syrrupes , or — Be gone , my friend , Not barely stiled , but created so ; Expect things , greater then thy largest hopes , To ouertake thee : Fortune , shall be taught To know how ill she hath deseru'd thus long , To come behinde thy wishes . Goe , and speed . " Ambition makes more trusty slaues , then need , These fellowes , by the fauour of their arte , Haue , still , the meanes to tempt , oft-times , the power . If LIVIA will be now corrupted , then Thou hast the way , SEIANVS , to worke out His secrets , who ( thou knowest ) endures thee not , Her husband DRVSVS : and to worke against them . Prosper it , PALLAS , thou , that betterst wit ; For VENVS hath the smallest share in it .

TIBERIVS , SEIANVS , DRVSVS . WEe not endure these flatteries , One kneeles to him . let him stand ; Our empire , ensignes , axes , roddes , and state Take not away our humane nature from vs : Looke vp , on vs , and fall before the gods . SEI. How like a god , speakes CAESAR ! ARR. There , obserue ! He can indure that second , that 's no flattery . O , what is it , proud slime will not beleeue Of his owne worth , to heare it equall prais'd Thus with the gods ? COR. He did not heare it , sir . ARR. He did not ? Tut , he must not , we thinke meanely . 'T is your most courtly , knowne confederacy , To haue your priuate parasite redeeme What he , in publique subtilty , will lose To making him a name . HAT. Right mighty lord — TIB. We must make vp our eares , 'gainst these assaults Of charming tongues ; we pray you vse , no more These contumelies to vs : stile not vs Or lord , or mighty , who professe our selfe The seruant of the Senate , and are proud T' enioy them our good , iust , and fauouring lords . COR. Rarely dissembled . ARR. Prince-like , to the life . SAB. " When power , that may command , so much descends , " Their bondage , whom it stoupes to , it intends . TIB. Whence are these letters ? HAT. From the Senate . TIB. So . Whence these ? LA. From thence too . TIB. Are they sitting , now ? LAT. They stay thy answere , CAESAR . SIL. If this man Had but a minde allied vnto his words , How blest a fate were it to vs , and Rome ? We could not thinke that state , for which to change , Although the ayme were our old liberty : The ghosts of those that fell for that , would grieue Their bodies liu'd not , now , againe to serue . " Men are deceiu'd , who thinke there can be thrall " Beneath a vertuous prince . Wish'd liberty " Ne're louelier lookes , then vnder such a crowne . But , when his grace is meerely but lip-good , And , that no longer , then he aires himselfe Abroad in publique , there , to seeme to shun The strokes , and stripes of flatterers , which within Are lechery vnto him , and so feed His brutish sense with their afflicting sound , As ( dead to vertue ) he permits himselfe Be carried like a pitcher , by the eares , To euery act of vice : this is a case Deserues our feare , and doth presage the nigh , And close approach of bloud and tyranny . " Flattery is midwife vnto princes rage : " And nothing sooner , doth helpe foorth a tyranne , " Then that , and whisperers grace , who haue the time , " The place , the power , to make all men offenders . ARR. He should be told this ; and be bid dissemble With fooles , and blinde men : We that know the euill , Should hunt the Palace-rattes , or giue them bane ; Fright hence these worse then rauens , that deuoure The quicke , where they but prey vpon the dead : He shall be told it . SAB. Stay , ARRVNTIVS , We must abide our oportunity : And practise what is fit , as what is needfull . " It is not safe t' enforce a soueraigne 's eare : " Princes heare well , if they at all will heare . ARR. Ha ? Say you so ? well . In the meane time , IOVE , ( Say not , but I doe call vpon thee now . ) Of all wilde beasts , preserue me from a tyranne ; And of all tame , a flatterer . SIL. 'T is well pray'd . TIB. Returne the lords this voyce , we are their creature : And it is fit , a good , and honest prince , Whom they , out of their bounty , haue instructed With so dilate , and absolute a power , Should owe the office of it , to their seruice ; And good of all , and euery citizen . Nor shall it e're repent vs , to haue wish'd The Senate iust , and fau'ring lords vnto vs , " Since their free loues doe yeeld no lesse defence " T' a princes state , then his owne innocence . Say then , there can be nothing in their thought Shall want to please vs , that hath pleased them ; Our suffrage rather shall preuent , then stay Behind their wills : 't is empire , to obey Where such , so great , so graue , so good determine . Yet , for the sute of Spaine , t' erect a temple In honour of our mother , and our selfe , We must ( with pardon of the Senate ) not Assent thereto . Their lordships may obiect Our not denying the same late request Vnto the Asian cities : We desire That our defence , for suffering that , be knowne In these briefe reasons , with our after purpose . Since deified AVGVSTVS hindred not A temple to be built , at Pergamum , In honour of himselfe , and sacred Rome , We , that haue all his deedes , and wordes obseru'd Euer , in place of lawes , the rather follow'd That pleasing precedent , because , with ours , The Senates reuerence also , there , was ioyn'd . But , as , t' haue once receiu'd it , may deserue The gaine of pardon , so , to be ador'd With the continew'd stile , and note of gods , Through all the prouinces , were wild ambition , And no lesse pride : Yea , eu'n AVGVSTVS name Would early vanish , should it be prophan'd With such promiscuous flatteries . For our part , We here protest it , and are couetous Posteritie should know it , we are mortall ; And can but deedes of men : 't were glory inough , Could we be truely a prince . And , they shall adde Abounding grace , vnto our memorie , That shall report vs worthy our fore-fathers , Carefull of your affaires , constant in dangers , And not afraid of any priuate frowne For publike good . These things shall be to vs Temples , and statues , reared in your mindes , The fairest , and most during imag'rie : For those of stone , or brasse , if they become Odious in iudgement of posteritie , Are more contemn'd , as dying sepulchres , Then tane for liuing monuments . We then Make here our suite , alike to gods and men , The one , vntill the period of our race , T' inspire vs with a free , and quiet mind , Discerning both diuine , and humane lawes ; The other , to vouchsafe vs after death , An honourable mention , and faire praise , T' accompanie our actions , and our name : The rest of greatnesse princes may command , And ( therefore ) may neglect , only , a long , A lasting , high , and happy memorie They should , without being satisfied , pursue . Contempt of fame begets contempt of vertue . NAT. Rare ! SAT. Most diuine ! SEI. The Oracles are ceas'd , That only CAESAR , with their tongue , might speake . ARR. Let me be gone , most felt , and open this ! COR. Stay . ARR. What ? to heare more cunning , and fine wordes , With their sound flatter'd , ere their sense be meant ? TIB. Their choise of Antium , thereto place the guift Vow'd to the goddesse , for our mothers health , Fortuna equestris . We will the Senate know , we fairely like ; As also , of their grant to LEPIDVS , For his repayring the Aemilian place , And restauration of those monuments : Their grace too in consining of SILANVS , To th' other Is'le Cithera , at the sute Of his religious sister , much commends Their policie , so temp'red with their mercy . But , for the honours , which they haue decreed To our SEIANUS , to aduance his statue In POMPEI'S theatre ( whose ruining fire His vigilance , and labour kept restrain'd In that one losse ) they haue , therein , out-gone Their owne great wisedomes , by their skilfull choise , And placing of their bounties , on a man , Whose merit more adornes the dignitie , Then that can him : and giues a benefit , In taking , greater , then it can receiue . Blush not , SEIANVS , thou great aide of Rome , Associate of our labours our chiefe helper , Let vs not force thy simple modestie With offring at thy praise , for more we cannot , Since there 's no voice can take it . No man , here , Receiue our speeches , as hyperbole's ; For we are far from flatt'ring our friend , ( Let enuy know ) as from the need to flatter . Nor let them aske the causes of our praise ; Princes haue still their grounds rear'd with themselues , Aboue the poore low flats of common men , And , who will search the reasons of their acts , Must stand on equall bases . Lead , away . Our loues vnto the Senate . ARR. Caesar . SAB. Peace . COR. Great POMPEI'S theatre was neuer ruin'd Till now , that proud SEIANVS hath a statue Rear'd on his ashes . ARR. Place the shame of souldiers , Aboue the best of generalls ? cracke the world ! And bruise the name of Romanes into dust , Ere we behold it ! SIL. Checke your passion ; Lord DRVSVS tarries . DRV. Is my father mad ? Wearie of life , and rule , lords ? thus to heaue An idoll vp with praise ! make him his mate ! His riuall in the empire ! ARR. O , good prince ! DRV. Allow him statues ? titles ? honours ? such , As he himselfe refuseth ? ARR. Braue , braue DRVSVS ! DRV. The first ascents to soueraigntie are hard But , entred once , there neuer wants or meanes , Or ministers , to helpe th' aspirer on . ARR. True , gallant DRVSVS . DRV. We must shortly pray To Modestie , that he will rest contented — ARR. I , where he is , and not write emp'rour .

SEIANVS , DRVSVS , ARRVNTIVS , &c. He enters , followd with clients . THere is your bill , and yours ; Bring you your man : I haue mou'd for you , too , LATIARIS . DRV. What ? Is your vast greatnesse growne so blindly bold , That you will ouer vs ? SEI. Why , then giue way . DRV. Giue way , Colossus ? Doe you lift ? Aduance you ? Take that . Drusus strikes him . ARR. Good ! braue ! excellent braue prince ! DRV. Nay , come , approch . What ? stand you off ? at gaze ? It lookes too full of death , for thy cold spirits . Auoid mine eye , dull camell , or my sword Shall make thy brau'rie fitter for a graue , Then for a triumph . I 'le aduance a statue , O' your owne bulke ; but 't shall be on the crosse : Where I will naile your pride , at breadth , and length , And cracke those sinnewes , which are yet but stretch'd With your swolne fortunes rage . ARR. A noble prince ! ALL . A CASTOR , a CASTOR , a CASTOR , a CASTOR ! SEIANVS . HE that , with such wrong mou'd , can beare it through With patience , and an euen mind , knowes how To turne it backe . Wrath , couer'd , carryes fate : Reuenge is lost , if I professe my hate . What was my practice late , I 'le now pursue As my fell iustice . This hath stil'd it new .

CHORVS — Of Musicians .

Act. II.

SEIANVS , LIVIA , EVDEMVS . PHysitian , thou art worthy of a prouince , For the great fauours done vnto our loues ; And , but that greatest LIVIA beares a part In the requitall of thy seruices , I should alone , despaire of ought , like meanes , To giue them worthy satisfaction . LIV. EVDEMVS , ( I will see it ) shall receiue A fit , and full reward , for his large merit . But for this potion , we intend to DRVSVS , ( No more our husband , now ) whom shall we choose As the most apt , and abled instrument , To minister it to him ? EVD. I say , LYGDVS . SEI. LYGDVS ? what 's he ? LIV. An Eunuch DRVSVS loues . EVD. I , and his cup-bearer . SEI. Name not a second . If DRVSVS loue him , and he haue that place , We cannot thinke a sitter . EVD. True , my lord , For free accesse , and trust , are two maine aides . SEI. Skilfull physitian ! LIV. But he must be wrought To th' vndertaking , with some labour'd arte . SEI. Is he ambitious ? LIV. No . SEI. Or couetous ? LIV. Neither . EVD. Yet , gold is a good generall charme . SEI. What is he then ? LIV. Faith , only wanton , light . SEI. How ! Is he young ? and faire ? EVD. A delicate youth . SEI. Send him to me , I 'le worke him . Royall ladie , Though I haue lou'd you long , and with that height Of zeale , and dutie , ( like the fire , which more It mounts , it trembles ) thinking nought could adde Vnto the feruour , which your eye had kindled ; Yet , now I see your wisedome , iudgement , strength , Quicknesse , and will , to apprehend the meanes To your owne good , and greatnesse , I protest My selfe through rarefied , and turn'd all flame In your affection : Such a spirit as yours , Was not created for the idle second To a poore flash , as DRVSVS ; but to shine Bright , as the Moone , among the lesser lights , And share the sou'raigntie of all the world . Then LIVIA triumphs in her proper spheare , When shee , and her SEIANVS shall diuide The name of CAESAR ; and AVGVSTA'S starre Be dimm'd with glorie of a brighter beame : When AGRIPPINA'S fires are quite extinct , And the scarce-seene TIBERIVS borrowes all His little light from vs , whose folded armes Shall make one perfect or be . Who 's that ? EVDEMVS , Looke , 't is not DRVSVS ? Ladie , doe not feare . LIV. Not I , my Lord . My feare , and loue of him Left me at once . SEI. Illustrous ladie ! stay — EVD. I 'le tell his lordship . SEI. Who is 't , EVDEMVS ? EVD. One of your lordships seruants , brings you word The Emp'rour hath sent for you . SEI. O! where is he ? With your faire leaue , He goes out . deare Princesse . I 'le but aske A question , and returne . EVD. Fortunate Princesse ! How are you blest in the fruition Of this vnequald man , this soule of Rome , The empires life , and voice of CAESARS world ! LIV. So blessed , my EVDEMVS , as to know The blisse I haue , with what I ought to owe The meanes that wrought it . How do 'I looke to day ? EVD. Excellent cleere , beleeue it . This same fucus Was well laid on . LIV. Me thinkes , 't is here not white . EVD. Lend me your scarlet , lady . 'T is the sunne Hath giu'n some little taint vnto the ceruse , You should haue vs'd of the white oyle I gaue you . SEIANVS , for your loue ! his very name Commandeth aboue CVPID , or his shafts — ( LIV. Nay , now yo 'haue made it worse . EVD. I 'le helpe it straight . ) And , but pronounc'd , is a sufficient charme Against all rumour ; and of absolute power To satisfie for any ladies honour . ( LIV. What doe you now , EVDEMVS ? EVD. Make a light fucus , To touch you ore withall . ) Honor'd SEIANVS ! What act ( though ne're so strange , and insolent ) But that addition will at least beare out , If 't doe not expiate ? LIV. Here , good physitian . EVD. I like this studie to preserue the loue Of such a man , that comes not euery houre To greet the world . ( 'T is now well , ladie , you should Vse of the dentifrice , I prescrib'd you , too , To cleere your teeth , and the prepar'd pomatum , To smoothe the skin : ) A lady cannot be Too curious of her forme , that still would hold The heart of such a person , made her captiue , As you haue his : who , to endeare him more In your cleere eye , hath put away his wife , The trouble of his bed , and your delights , Faire Apicata , and made spacious roome To your new pleasures . LIV. Haue not we return'd That , with our hate of DRVSVS , and discouerie Of all his councels ? EVD. Yes , and wisely , lady , The ages that succeed , and stand far off To gaze at your high prudence , shall admire And reckon it an act , without your sexe : It hath that rare apparance . Some will thinke Your fortune could not yeeld a deeper sound , Then mixt with DRVSVS ; But , when they shall heare That , and the thunder of SEIANVS meet , SEIANVS , whose high name doth strike the starres , And rings about the concaue , great SEIANVS , Whose glories , stile , and titles are himselfe , The often iterating of SEIANVS : They then will lose their thoughts , and be asham'd To take acquaintance of them . SEI. I must make A rude departure , lady . CAESAR sends With all his haste both of command , and prayer . Be resolute in our plot ; you haue my soule , As certayne yours , as it is my bodies . And , wise physitian , so prepare the poyson As you may lay the subtile operation Vpon some naturall disease of his . Your eunuch send to me . I kisse your hands , Glorie of ladies , and commend my loue To your best faith , and memorie . LIV. My lord , I shall but change your wordes . Farewell . Yet , this Remember for your heed , he loues you not ; You know , what I haue told you : His designes Are full of grudge , and danger : we must vse More then a common speed . SEI. Excellent lady , How you doe fire my bloud ! LIV. Well , you must goe ? The thoughts be best , are least set forth to shew . EVD. When will you take some physick , lady ? LIV. When I shall , EVDEMVS : But let DRVSVS drug Be first prepar'd . EVD. Were LYGDVS made , that 's done ; I haue it readie . And to morrow-morning , I 'le send you a perfume , first to resolue , And procure sweat , and then prepare a bath To clense , and cleere the cutis ; against when , I 'le haue an excellent new fucus made , Resistiue 'gainst the sunne , the raine , or wind , Which you shall lay on with a breath , or oyle , As you best like , and last some fourteene houres . This change came timely , lady , for your health ; And the restoring your complexion , Which DRVSVS choller had almost burnt vp : Wherein your fortune hath prescrib'd you better Then arte could doe . LIV. Thankes , good physitian , I 'le vse my fortune ( you shall see ) with reuerence . Is my coach ready ? EVD. It attends your highnesse .

SEIANVS . IF this be not reuenge , when I haue done And made it perfect , let Aegyptian slaues , Parthians , and bare-foot Hebrewes brand my face , And print my body full of iniuries . Thou lost thy selfe , childe DRVSVS , when thou thought'st Thou could'st out-skip my vengeance : or out-stand The power I had to crush thee into ayre . Thy follyes now shall taste what kinde of man They haue prouok'd , and this thy fathers house Cracke in the flame of my incensed rage , Whose fury shall admit no shame , or meane . Adultery ? it is the lightest ill , I will commit . A race of wicked acts Shall flow out of my anger , and o're-spread The worlds wide face , which no posterity Shall e're approoue , nor yet keepe silent : Things , That for their cunning , close , and cruell marke , Thy father would wish his ; and shall ( perhaps ) Carry the empty name , but we the prize . On then , my soule , and start not in thy course ; Though heau'n drop sulphure , and hell belch out fire , Laugh at the idle terrors : Tell proud IOVE , Betweene his power , and thine , there is no oddes . 'T was onely feare , first , in the world made gods .

TIBERIVS , SEIANVS . IS yet SEIANVS come ? SEI. He 's here , dread CAESAR . TIB. Let all depart that chamber , and the next : Sit downe , my comfort . When the master-prince Of all the world , SEIANVS , saith , he feares ; Is it not fatall ? SEI. Yes , to those are fear'd . TIB. And not to him ? SEI. Not , if he wisely turne That part of fate he holdeth , first on them . TIB. That nature , bloud , and lawes of kinde forbid . SEI. Doe policie , and state forbid it ? TIB. No . SEI. The rest of poore respects , then , let goe by : State is inough to make th' act iust , them guilty . TIB. Long hate pursues such acts . SEI. Whom hatred frights , Let him not dreame on sou'raignty . TIB. Are rites Of faith , loue , piety , to be trod downe ? Forgotten ? and made vaine ? SEI. All for a crowne . The prince , who shames a tyrannes name to beare , Shall neuer dare doe any thing , but feare ; All the command of scepters quite doth perish If it beginne religious thoughts to cherish : Whole Empires fall , swaid by those nice respects . It is the licence of darke deeds protects Eu'n states most hated : when no lawes resist The sword , but that it acteth what it list . TIB. Yet so , we may doe all things cruelly , Not safely : SEI. Yes , and doe them thoroughly . TIB. Knowes yet , SEIANVS , whom we point at ? SEI. I , Or else my thought , my sense , or both doe erre : 'T is AGRIPPINA ? TIB. She ; and her proud race . SEI. Proud ? dangerous , CAESAR . For in them apace The fathers spirit shoots vp . GERMANICVS Liues in their lookes , their gate , their forme , t' vpbraide vs With his close death , if not reuenge the same . TIB. The act 's not knowne . SEI. Not prou'd . But whispring fame Knowledge , and proofe doth to the iealous giue , Who , then to faile , would their owne thought beleeue . It is not safe , the children draw long breath , That are prouoked by a parents death . TIB. It is a dangerous , to make them hence , If nothing but their birth be their offence . SEI. Stay , till they strike at CAESAR : then their crime Will be enough , but late , and out of time For him to punish . TIB. Doe they purpose it ? SEI. You know , sir , thunder speakes not till it hit . Be not secure : none swiftlier are opprest , Then they , whom confidence betrayes to rest . Let not your daring make your danger such : All power 's to be fear'd , where 't is too much . The youth's are ( of themselues ) hote , violent , Full of great thought ; and that male-spirited dame , Their mother , slackes no meanes to put them on , By large allowance , popular presentings , Increase of traine , and state , suing for titles , Hath them commended with like praiers , like vowes , To the same Gods , with CAESAR : daies and nights Shee spends in banquets , and ambitious feasts For the Nobilitie ; where CAIVS SILIVS , TITIVS SABINVS , olde ARRVNTIVS , ASINIVS GALLVS , FVRNIVS , REGVLVS , And others , of that discontented list , Are the prime guests . There , and to these , she tels Whose niece she was , whose daughter , and whose wife , And then must they compare her with AVGVSTA , I , and preferre her too , commend her forme , Extoll her fruitfulnesse ; at which a showre Fals for the memorie of GERMANICVS , Which they blow ouer straight , with windie praise , And puffing hopes of her aspiring sonnes : Who , with these hourely ticklings , grow so pleas'd , And wantonly conceited of themselues , As now , they sticke not to beleeue they 're such , As these doe giue 'hem out : and would be thought ( More then competitors ) immediate heires . Whilest to their thirst of rule they winne the rout ( That 's still the friend of noueltie ) with hope Of future freedome , which on euerie change , That greedily , though emptily , expects . CAESAR , 't is age in all things breeds neglects , And princes that will keepe olde dignitie , Must not admit too youthfull heires stand by ; Not their owne issue : but so darkely set As shadowes are in picture , to giue height , And lustre to themselues . TIB. We will command Their ranke thoughts downe , and with a stricter hand Then we haue yet put forth , their traines must bate , Their titles , feasts and factions . SEI. Or your state . But how sir , will you worke ? TIB. Confine 'hem , SEI. No . They are too great , and that too faint a blow , To giue them now : it would haue seru'd at first , When , with the weakest touch , their knot had burst . But , now , your care must be , not to detect The smallest cord , or line of your suspect , For such , who know the weight of princes feare , Will , when they find themselues discouer'd , reare Their forces , like seene snakes , that else would lye Rould in their circles , close : Nought is more high , Daring , or desperate , then offenders found ; Where guilt is , rage , and courage doth abound . The course must be , to let 'hem still swell vp , Riot , and surfet on blind fortunes cup ; Giue 'hem more place , more dignities , more stile , Call 'hem to court , to senate : in the while , Take from their strength some one or twaine , or more Of the maine Fautors ; ( It will fright the store ) And , by some by-occasion . Thus , with slight You shall disarme first , and they ( in night Of their ambition ) not perceiue the traine , Till , in the ingine , they are caught , and slaine . TIB. We would not kill , if we knew how to saue ; Yet , then a throne , 't is cheaper giue a graue . Is there no way to bind them by deserts ? SEI. Sir , wolues do change their haire , but not their harts . While thus your thought vnto a meane is tied , You neither dare inough , nor doe prouide . All modestie is fond ; and chiefly where The subiect is no lesse compeld to beare , Then praise his sou'raignes acts . TIB. We can no longer Keepe on our masque to thee , our deare SEIANVS ; Thy thoughts are ours , in all , and we but proou'd Their voice , in our designes , which by assenting Hath more confirm'd vs , then if heartning IOVE Had , from his hundred statues , bid vs strike , And at the stroke clickt all his marble thumb's . But , who shall first be strooke ? SEI. First , CAIVS SILIVS ; He is the most of marke , and most of danger : In power , and reputation equall strong , Hauing commanded an imperiall armie Seuen yeeres together , vanquish'd SACROVIR In Germanie , and thence obtain'd to weare The ornaments triumphall . His steep fall , By how much it doth giue the weightier crack , Will send more wounding terrour to the rest , Command them stand aloofe , and giue more way To our surprising of the principall . TIB. But what , SABINVS ? SEI. Let him grow awhile , His fate is not yet ripe : we must not plucke At all together , lest wee catch our selues . And ther 's ARRVNTIVS too , he only talkes . But SOSIA , SILIVS wife , would be wound in Now , for she hath a furie in her brest More , then hell euer knew ; and would be sent Thither in time . Then , is there one CREMVTIVS CORDVS , a writing fellow , they haue got To gather notes of the precedent times , And make them into Annal's ; a most tart And bitter spirit ( I heare ) who , vnder colour Of praysing those , doth taxe the present state , Censures the men , the actions , leaues no tricke , No practice vn-examin'd , paralels The times , the gouernments , a profest champion , For the old libertie — TIB. A perishing wretch . As if there were that chaos bred in things , The lawes , and libertie would not rather choose To be quite broken , and tane hence by vs , Then haue the staine to be preseru'd by such . Haue we the meanes , to make these guiltie , first ? SEI. Trust that to me : let CAESAR , by his power , But cause a formall meeting of the Senate , I will haue matter , and accusers readie . TIB. But how ? let vs consult . SEI. Wee shall mispend The time of action . Counsels are vnfit In businesse , where all rest is more pernicious Then rashnesse can be . Acts of this close kind Thriue more by execution , then aduice . There is no lingring in that worke begun , Which cannot praised be , vntill through done . TIB. Our edict shall , forthwith , command a court . While I can liue , I will preuent earths furie : Ἐμοῦ θανόντος γαῖα μιχθήτω πυρί .

POSTHVMVS , SEIANVS . MY Lord SEIANVS — SEI. IVLIVS POSTHVMVS , Come with my wish ! what newes from AGRIPPINA'S ? POS. Faith none . They all locke vp themselues a'late ; Or talke in character : I haue not seene A companie chang'd . Except they had Intelligence by augurie of our practice . SEI. When were you there ? POS. Last night . SEI. And what ghests found you ? POS. SABINVS , SILIVS , ( the olde list , ) ARRVNTIVS , FVRNIVS , and GALLVS . SEI. Would not these talke ? POS. Little . And yet we offered choice of argument . SATRIVS was with me . SEI. Well : 't is guilt inough Their often meeting . You forgot t' extoll The hospitable ladie ? POS. No , that tricke Was well put home , and had succeded too , But that SABINVS cought a caution out ; For she began to swell : SEI. And may she burst . IVLIVS , Mutilia Prisca . I would haue you goe instantly , Vnto the palace of the great AVGVSTA , And , ( by your kindest friend , ) get swift accesse ; Acquaint her , with these meetings : Tell the words You brought me , ( th' other day ) of SILIVS , Adde somewhat to 'hem . Make her vnderstand The danger of SABINVS , and the times , Out of his closenesse . Giue ARRVNTIVS words Of malice against CAESAR ; so , to GALLVS : But ( aboue all ) to AGRIPPINA . Say , ( As you may truely ) that her infinite pride , Propt with the hopes of her too fruitfull wombe , With popular studies gapes for soueraigntie ; And threatens CAESAR . Pray AVGVSTA then , That for her owne , great CAESARS , and the publique safetie , she be pleas'd to vrge these dangers . CAESAR is too secure ( he must be told , And best hee 'll take it from a mothers tongue . ) Alas ! what is 't for vs to sound , t' explore , To watch , oppose , plot , practise , or preuent , If he , for whom it is so strongly labour'd , Shall , out of greatnesse , and free spirit , be Supinely negligent ? Our citi 's now Deuided as in time o' th' ciuill warre , And men forbeare not to declare themselues Of AGRIPPINA'S partie . Euery day , The faction multiplies ; and will doe more If not resisted : you can best inlarge it As you find audience . Noble POSTHVMVS , Commend me to your PRISCA : and pray her , Shee will solicite this great businesse To earnest , and most present execution , With all her vtmost credit with AVGVSTA . POS. I shall not faile in my instructions . SEI. This second ( from his mother ) will well vrge Our late designe , and spur on CAESARS rage : Which else might grow remisse . The way , to put A prince in bloud , is to present the shapes Of dangers , greater then they are ( like late , Or early shadowes ) and , sometimes , to faine Where there are none , onely , to make him feare ; His feare will make him cruell : And once entred , He doth not easily learne to stop , or spare Where he may doubt . This haue I made my rule , To thrust TIBERIVS into tyrannie , And make him toile , to turne aside those blockes , Which I alone , could not remooue with safetie . DRVSVS once gone , GERMANICVS three sonnes Would clog my way ; whose guardes haue too much faith To be corrupted : and their mother knowne Of too-too vnreproou'd a chastitie , To be attempted , as light LIVIA was . Worke then , my art , on CAESAR'S feares , as they On those they feare , till all my betts be clear'd : And he in ruines of his house , and hate Of all his subiects , bury his owne state : When , with my peace , and safty , I will rise , By making him the publike sacrifice .

SATRIVS , NATTA . THey' are growne exceeding circumspect , and wary . NAT. They haue vs in the wind : And yet , ARRVNTIVS Cannot contayne himselfe . SAT. Tut , hee 's not yet Look'd after , there are others more desir'd , That are more silent . NAT. Here he comes . Away .

SABINVS , ARRVNTIVS , CORDVS . HOw is it , that these beagles haunt the house Of AGRIPPINA ? ARR. O , they hunt , they hunt . There is some game here lodg'd , which they must rouse , To make the great-ones sport . COR. Did you obserue How they inueigh'd 'gainst CAESAR ? ARR. I , baytes , baytes , For vs to bite at : would I haue my flesh Torne by the publique hooke , these qualified hang-men Should be my company . COR. Here comes another . ARR. I , there 's a man , AFER the oratour ! One , that hath phrases , figures , and fine flowres , To strew his rethorique with , and doth make haste To get him note , or name , by any offer Where bloud , or gaine be obiects ; steepes his wordes , When he would kill , in artificiall teares : The Crocodile of Tyber ! him I loue , That man is mine . He hath my heart , and voice , When I would curse , he , he . SAB. Contemne the slaues , Their present liues will be their future graues .

SILIVS , AGRIPPINA , NERO , SOSIA . MAy 't please your highnesse not forget your selfe , I dare not , with my manners , to attempt Your trouble farder . AGR. Farewell , noble SILIVS . SIL. Most royall princesse . AGR. SOSIA stayes with vs ? SIL. Shee is your seruant , and doth owe your grace An honest , but vnprofitable loue . AGR. How can that be , when there 's no gaine , but vertuous ? SIL. You take the morall , not the politique sense . I meant , as shee is bold , and free of speech , Earnest to vtter what her zealous thought Trauailes withall , in honour of your house ; Which act , as it is simply borne in her , Pertakes of loue , and honesty , but may , By th' ouer-often , and vnseason'd vse , Turne to your losse , and danger : For your state Is wayted on by enuies , as by eyes ; And euery second ghest your tables take , Is a fee'd spie , t' obserue who goes , who comes , What conference you haue , with whom , where , when , What the discourse is , what the lookes , the thoughts Of eu'ry person there , they doe extract , And make into a substance . ARR. Heare me , SILIVS , Were all TIBERIVS body stuck with eyes , And eu'ry wall , and hanging in my house Transparent , as this lawne I weare , or ayre ; Yea , had SEIANVS both his eares as long As to my in-most closet : I would hate To whisper any thought , or change an act , To be made IVNO'S riuall . Vertues forces Shew euer noblest in conspicuous courses . SIL. 'T is great , and brauely spoken , like the spirit Of AGRIPPINA : yet , your highnesse knowes , There is nor losse , nor shame in prouidence : Few can , what all should doe , beware inough . You may perceiue with what officious face , SATRIVS , and NATTA , AFER , and the rest Visite your house , of late , t' enquire the secrets ; And with what bold , and priuiledg'd arte , they raile Against AVGVSTA : yea , and at TIBERIVS , Tell tricks of LIVIA , and SEIANVS , all T' excite , and call your indignation on , That they might heare it at more libertie . AGR. Yo' are too suspitious , SILIVS . SIL. Pray the gods , I be so AGRIPPINA : But I feare Some subtill practice . They , that durst to strike At so examp-lesse , and vn-blam'd a life , As , that of the renown'd GERMANICVS , Will not sit downe , with that exploit alone : " He threatens many , that hath iniur'd one . NER. 'T were best rip forth their tongues , seare out their eies , When next they come . SOS. A fit reward for spies .

DRVSVS in : AGRIPPINA , NERO , SILIVS . HEare you the rumour ? AGR. What ? DRV. DRVSVS is dying . AGR. Dying ? NER. That 's strange ! AGR. Yo' were with him , yesternight . DRV. One met EVDEMVS , the Physician , Sent for , but now : who thinkes he cannot liue . SIL. Thinkes ? if 't be arriu'd at that , he knowes , Or none . AGR. This 's quicke ! what should bee his disease ? SIL. Poyson . Poyson — AGR. How , SILIVS ! NER. What 's that ? SIL. Nay , nothing . There was ( late ) a certaine blow Giu'n o' the face . NER. I , to SEIANVS ? SIL. True . DRV. And , what of that ? SIL. I 'am glad I gaue it not . NER. But , there is somewhat else ? SIL. Yes , priuate meetings , With a great ladie , at a physicians , And , a wife turn'd away — NER. Ha! SIL. Toyes , meere toyes : What wisdom 's now i' th' streets ? i' th' common mouth ? DRV. Feares , whisp'rings , tumults , noyse , I know not what : They say , the Senate sit . SIL. I 'le thither , straight ; And see what 's in the forge . AGR. Good SILIVS doe . SOSIA , and I will in . SIL. Haste you , my lords , To visit the sicke prince : tender your loues , And sorrowes to the people . This SEIANVS ( Trust my diuining soule ) hath plots on all : No tree , that stops his prospect , but must fall .

CHORVS — Of Musicians .

Act III. THE SENATE .

SEIANVS , VARRO , LATIARIS . COTTA , AFER . GALLVS , LEPIDVS , ARRVNTIVS . PRAECONES , LICTORES . T Is only you must vrge against him , VARRO , Nor I , nor CAESAR may appeare therein , Except in your defence , who are the Consul : And , vnder colour of late en'mitie Betweene your father , and his , may better doe it , As free from all suspition of a practice . Here be your notes , what points to touch at ; read : Bee cunning in them . AFER ha's them too . VAR. But is he summon'd ? SEI. No . It was debated By CAESAR , and concluded as most fit To him take vnprepar'd . AFE. And prosecute All vnder name of treason . VAR. I conceiue . SAB. DRVSVS being dead , CAESAR will not be here . GAL. What should the businesse of this Senate bee ? ARR. That can my subtile whisperers tell you : We , That are the good dull-noble lookers on , Are only call'd to keepe the marble warme . What should we doe with those deepe mysteries , Proper to these fine heads ? let them alone . Our ignorance may , perchance , helpe vs be sau'd From whips , and furies . GAL. See , see , see , their action ! ARR. I , now their heads doe trauaile , now they worke ; Their faces runne like shittles , they are weauing Some curious cobweb to catch flyes . SAB. Obserue , They take their places . ARR. What so low ? GAL. O yes , They must be seene to flatter CAESARS griefe Though but in sitting . VAR. Bid vs silence . PRAE. Silence . VAR. Fathers Conscript , may this our present meeting Turne faire , and fortunate to the Common-wealth .

SILIVS , SENATE . SEe , SILIVS enters . SIL. Haile graue Fathers . LIC. Stand . SILIVS , forbeare thy place . SEN. How ! PRAE. SILIVS stand forth , The Consul hath to charge thee . LIC. Roome for CAESAR . ARR. Is he come too ? nay then expect a tricke . SAB. SILIVS accus'd ? sure he will answere nobly .

TIBERIVS , SENATE . WE stand amazed , Fathers , to behold This generall deiection . Wherefore sit Romes Consuls thus dissolu'd , as they had lost All the remembrance both of stile , and place ? It not becomes . No woes are of fit waight , To make the honour of the empire stoope : Though I , in my peculiar selfe , may meete Iust reprehension , that so suddenly , And , in so fresh a griefe , would greet the Senate , When priuate tongues , of kinsmen , and allies , ( Inspir'd with comforts ) lothly are indur'd , The face of men not seene , and scarce the day , To thousands , that communicate our losse . Nor can I argue these of weaknesse ; since They take but naturall wayes : yet I must seeke For stronger aides , and those faire helpes draw out From warme imbraces of the common-wealth . Our mother , great AVGVSTA , is strooke with time , Our selfe imprest with aged characters , DRVSVS is gone , his children young , and babes , Our aimes must now reflect on those , that may Giue timely succour to these present ills , And are our only glad-suruiuing hopes , The noble issue of GERMANICVS , NERO , and DRVSVS : might it please the Consul Honour them in , ( they both attend without . ) I would present them to the Senates care , And raise those sunnes of ioy , that should drinke vp These flouds of sorrow , in your drowned eyes . ARR. By IOVE , I am not OEDIPVS inough , To vnderstand this SPHYNX . SAB. The princes come .

TIBERIVS , NERO , DRVSVS iunior . APproch you noble NERO , noble DRVSVS , These princes , Fathers , when their parent dyed , I gaue vnto their vncle , with this prayer , That , though h' had proper issue of his owne , He would no lesse bring vp , and foster these , Then that selfe-bloud ; and by that act confirme Their worths to him , and to posteritie . DRUSUS tane hence , I turne my prayers to you , And , 'fore our countrie , and our gods , beseech You take , and rule AVGVSTVS nephewes sonnes , Sprung of the noblest ancestors ; and so Accomplish both my dutie , and your owne . NERO , and DRVSVS , ( these shall be to you In place of parents , these your fathers , these , And not vnfitly : For you are so borne , As all your good , or ill 's the common-wealths . Receyue them , you strong guardians ; and blest go`ds Make all their actions answere to their blouds : Let their great titles find increase by them , Not they by titles . Set them , as in place , So in example , aboue all the Romanes : And may they know no riuals , but themselues . Let fortune giue them nothing ; but attend Vpon their vertue : and that still come forth Greater then hope , and better then their fame . Relieue me , Fathers , with your generall voyce . SEN. May all the gods consent to CAESAR'S wish , A forme of speaking they had . And adde to any honours , that may crowne The hopefull issue of GERMANICVS . TIB. We thanke you , reuerend Fathers , in their right . ARR. If this were true now ! but the space , the space Betweene the brest , and lips — TIBERIVS heart Lyes a thought farder , then another mans . TIB. My comforts are so flowing in my ioyes , As , in them , all my streames of griefe are lost , No lesse then are land-waters in the sea , Or showres in riuers ; though their cause was such , As might haue sprinkled eu'n the gods with teares : Yet since the greater doth embrace the lesse , We couetously obey . ( ARR. Well acted , CAESAR . ) TIB. And , now I am the happy witnesse made Of your so much desir'd affections , To this great issue , I could wish , the fates Would here set peacefull period to my dayes ; How euer , to my labours , I intreat ( And beg it of this Senate ) some fit ease . ( ARR. Laugh , Fathers , laugh : Ha' you no spleenes about you ? ) TIB. The burden is too heauy , I sustayne On my vnwilling shoulders ; and I pray It may be taken off , and re-confer'd Vpon the Consuls , or some other Romane , More able , and more worthy . ( ARR. Laugh on , still . ) SAB. Why , this doth render all the rest suspected ! GAL. It poysons all . ARR. O , do you taste it then ? SAB. It takes away my faith to any thing He shall hereafter speake . ARR. I , to pray that , Which would be to his head as hot as thunder , A wreath of laurell . ( Gain'st which he weares that charme ) should but the court Receiue him at his word GAL. Heare . TIB. For my selfe , I know my weakenesse , and so little couet ( Like some gone past ) the waight that will oppresse me , As my ambition is the counter-point . ( ARR. Finely maintain'd ; good still . ) SEI. But Rome , whose bloud , Whose nerues , whose life , whose very frame relyes On CAESAR'S strength , no lesse then heau'n on ATLAS , Cannot admit it but with generall ruine . ( ARR. Ah! are you there , to bring him of ? ) SEI. Let CAESAR No more then vrge a point so contrary To CAESARS greatnesse , the grieu'd Senates vowes , Or Romes necessitie . ( GAL. He comes about . ARR. More nimbly then VERTVMNVS . ) TIB. For the publique , I may be drawne , to shew , I can neglect All priuate aymes ; though I affect my rest : But , if the Senate still command me serue , I must be glad to practise my obedience . ( ARR. You must , and will , sir . We doe know it . ) SEN. CAESAR , Liue long , Another forme . and happy , great , and royall CAESAR , The gods preserue thee , and thy modestie , Thy wisedome , and thy innocence . ( ARR. Where is 't ? The prayer 's made before the subiect . ) SEN. Guard His meekenesse , IOVE , his pietie , his care , His bountie — ARR. And his subtlety , I 'le put in : Yet hee 'll keepe that himselfe , without the gods . All prayer's are vaine for him . TIB. We will not hold Your patience , Fathers , with long answere ; but Shall still contend to be , what you desire , And worke to satisfie so great a hope : Proceed to your affaires . ARR. Now , SILIVS , guard thee ; The curtin 's drawing . AFER aduanceth . PRAE. Silence . AFE. Cite CAIVS , SILIVS . PRAE. CAIVS SILIVS . SIL. Here . AFE. The triumph that thou hadst in Germanie For thy late victorie on SACROVIR , Thou hast enioy'd so freely , CAIVS SILIVS , As no man it enuy'd thee ; nor would CAESAR , Or Rome admit , that thou wert then defrauded Of any honours , thy deserts could clayme , In the faire seruice of the common-wealth : But now , if , after all their loues , and graces , ( Thy actions , and their courses being discouer'd ) It shall appeare to CAESAR , and this Senate , Thou hast defil'd those glories , with thy crimes — SIL. Crimes ? AFE. Patience , SILIVS . SIL. Tell thy moile of patience , I am a Romane . What are my crimes ? Proclaime them . Am I too rich ? too honest for the times ? Haue I or treasure , iewels , land , or houses That some informer gapes for ? Is my strength Too much to be admitted ? Or my knowledge ? These now are crimes . AFE. Nay , SILIVS , if the name Of crime so touch thee , with what impotence Wilt thou endure the matter to be search'd ? SIL. I tell thee , AFER , with more scorne , then feare : Employ your mercenarie tongue , and arte . Where 's my accuser ? VAR. Here . ARR. VARRO ? The Consul ? Is he thrust in ? VAR. 'T is I accuse thee , SILIVS . Against the maiestie of Rome , and CAESAR , I doe pronounce thee here a guiltie cause , First , of beginning , and occasioning , Next , drawing out the warre in Gallia , For which thou late triumph'st ; dissembling long That SACROVIR to be an enemie , Only to make thy entertainement more , Whil'st thou , and thy wife SOSIA poll'd the prouince ; Wherein , with sordide-base desire of gaine , Thou hast discredited thy actions worth And beene a traytor to the state . SIL. Thou lyest . ARR. I thanke thee , SILIVS , speake so still , and often . VAR. If I not proue it , CAESAR , but iniustly Haue call'd him into tryall , here I bind My selfe to suffer , what I claime 'gainst him ; And yeeld , to haue what I haue spoke , confirm'd By iudgement of the court , and all good men . SIL. CAESAR , I craue to haue my cause defer'd , Till this mans Consulship be out . TIB. We cannot , Nor may we graunt it . SIL. Why ? shall he designe My day of tryall ? is he my accuser ? And must he be my iudge ? TIB. It hath beene vsuall , And is a right , that custome hath allow'd The magistrate , to call forth priuate men ; And to appoint their day : Which priuiledge We may not in the Consul see infring'd , By whose deepe watches , and industrious care It is so labour'd , as the common-wealth Receiue no losse , by any oblique course . SIL. CAESAR , thy fraud is worse then violence . TIB. SILIVS , mistake vs not , we dare not vse The credit of the Consul , to thy wrong , But only doe preserue his place , and power , So farre as it concernes the dignitie , And honor of the state . ARR. Beleeue him , SILIVS . COT. Why , so he may , ARRVNTIVS . ARR. I say so . And he may choose too . TIB. By the capitoll , And all our gods , but that the deare republick , Our sacred lawes , and iust authoritie Are interess'd therein , I should be silent . AFE. Please' CAESAR to giue way vnto his tryall . He shall haue iustice . SIL. Nay , I shall haue law ; Shall I not AFER ? speake . AFE. Would you haue 〈◊〉 SIL. No , my well-spoken man , I would no more ; Nor lesse : might I inioy it naturall , Not taught to speake vnto your present ends , Free from thine , his , and all your vnkind handling , Furious enforcing , most vniust presuming , Malicious , and manifold applying , Foule wresting , and impossible construction . AFE. He raues , he raues . SIL. Thou durst not tell me so , Had'st thou not CAESARS warrant . I can see Whose power condemnes me . VAR. This betrayes his spirit . This doth inough declare him what he is . SIL. What am I ? speake . VAR. An enemie to the state . SIL. Because I am an enemie to thee , And such corrupted ministers o' the state , That here art made a present instrument To gratifie it with thine owne disgrace . SEI. This , to the Consul , is most insolent ! And impious ! SIL. I , take part . Reueale your selues . Alas , I sent not your confed'racies ? Your plots , and combinations ? I not know Minion SEIANVS hates me ; and that all This boast of law , and law , is but a forme , A net of VULCANES filing , a meere ingine , To take that life by a pretext of iustice , Which you pursue in malice ? I want braine , Or nostrill to perswade me , that your ends , And purposes are made to what they are , Before my answere ? O , you equall gods , Whose iustice not a world of wolfe-turn'd men Shall make me to accuse ( how ere prouoke ) Haue I for this so oft engag'd my selfe ? Stood in the heate , and feruor of a fight , When PHOEBVS sooner hath forsooke the day Then I the field ? Against the blue-ey'd Gaules ? And crisped Germanes ? when our Romane Eagles Haue fann'd the fire , with their labouring wings , And no blow dealt , that left not death behind it ? When I haue charg'd , alone , into the troopes Of curl'd Sicambrians , routed them , and came Not off , with backward ensignes of a slaue , But forward markes , wounds on my brest , and face , Were meant to thee , Ô CAESAR , and thy Rome ? And haue I this returne ? did I , for this , Performe so noble , and so braue defeate , On SACROVIR ? ( Ô IOVE , let it become me To boast my deedes , when he , whom they concerne , Shall thus forget them . ) AFE. SILIVS , SILIVS , These are the common customes of thy bloud , When it is high with wine , as now with rage : This well agrees , with that intemperate vaunt , Thou lately mad'st at AGRIPPINA'S table , That when all other of the troopes were prone To fall into rebellion , only yours Remain'd in their obedience . You were he , That sau'd the empire ; which had then beene lost , Had but your legions , there , rebell'd , or mutin'd . Your vertue met , and fronted euery perill . You gaue to CAESAR , and to Rome their surety . Their name , their strength , their spirit , and their state , Their being was a donatiue from you . ARR. Well worded , and most like an Orator . TIB. Is this true , SILIVS ? SIL. Saue thy question , CAESAR . Thy spie , of famous credit , hath affirm'd it . ARR. Excellent Romane ! SAB. He doth answere stoutly . SEI. If this be so , there needes no farder cause Of crime against him . VAR. What can more impeach The royall dignitie , and state of CAESAR , Then to be vrged with a benefit He cannot pay ? COT. In this , all CAESARS fortune Is made vnequall to the courtesie . LAT. His meanes are cleane destroy'd , that should requite . GAL. Nothing is great inough for SILIVS merit . ARR. GALLVS on that side to ? SIL. Come , doe not hunt , And labour so about for circumstance , To make him guiltie , whom you haue fore-doom'd : Take shorter wayes , I 'le meet your purposes . The wordes were mine , and more I now will say : Since I haue done thee that great seruice , CAESAR , Thou still hast fear'd me ; and , in place of grace , Return'd me hatred : so soone , all best turnes , With doubtfull Princes , turne deepe iniuries In estimation , when they greater rise , Then can be answer'd . Benefits , with you , Are of no longer pleasure , then you can With ease restore them ; that transcended once , Your studies are not how to thanke , but kill . It is your nature , to haue all men slaues To you , but you acknowledging to none . The meanes that makes your greatnesse , must not come In mention of it ; if it doe , it takes So much away , you thinke : and that , which help'd , Shall soonest perish , if it stand in eye , Where it may front , or but vpbraid the high . COT. Suffer him speake no more . VAR. Note but his spirit . AFE. This shewes him in the rest . LAT. Let him be censur'd . SEI. He hath spoke inough to proue him CAESARS foe . COT. His thoughts looke through his words . SEI. A censure . SIL. Stay , Stay , most officious Senate , I shall straight Delude thy furie . SILIVS hath not plac'd His guards within him , against fortunes spight , So weakely , but he can escape your gripe That are but hands of fortune : Shee her selfe When vertue doth oppose , must lose her threats . All that can happen in humanitie , The frowne of CAESAR , proud SEIANVS hatred , Base VARRO'S spleene , and AFERS bloudying tongue , The Senates seruile flatterie , and these Mustred to kill , I 'am fortified against ; And can looke downe vpon : they are beneath me . It is not life whereof I stand enamour'd : Nor shall my end make me accuse my fate . The coward , and the valiant man must fall , Only the cause , and manner how , discernes them : Which then are gladdest , when they cost vs dearest . Romanes , if any here be in this Senate , Would know to mock TIBERIVS tyrannie , Looke vpon SILIVS , and so learne to die . VAR. O , desperate act ! ARR. An honorable hand ! TIB. Looke , is he dead ? SAB. 'T was nobly strooke , and home . ARR. My thought did prompt him to it . Farewell , SILIVS . Be famous euer for thy great example . TIB. We are not pleas'd , in this sad accident , That thus hath stalled , and abus'd our mercy , Intended to preserue thee , noble Romane : And to preuent thy hopes . ARR. Excellent wolfe ! Now he is full , he howles . SEI. CAESAR doth wrong His dignitie , and safetie , thus to mourne The deseru'd end of so profest a traytor , And doth , by this his lenitie , instruct Others as factious , to the like offence . TIB. The confiscation meerely of his state Had beene inough . ARR. O , that was gap'd for then ? VAR. Remoue the body . SEI. Let citation Goe out for SOSIA . GAL. Let her be proscrib'd . And for the goods , I thinke it fit that halfe Goe to the treasure , halfe vnto the children . LEP. With leaue of CAESAR , I would thinke , that fourth Part , which the law doth cast on the informers , Should be inough ; the rest goe to the children : Wherein the Prince shall shew humanitie , And bountie , not to force them by their want ( Which in their parents trespasse they deseru'd ) To take ill courses . TIB. It shall please vs . ARR. I , Out of necessitie . This LEPIDVS Is graue and honest , and I haue obseru'd A moderation still in all his censures . SAB. And bending to the better — Stay , who 's this ? CREMVTIVS CORDVS ? what ? is he brought in ? ARR. More bloud vnto the banquet ? Noble CORDVS , I wish thee good : Be as thy writings , free , And honest . TIB. What is he ? SEI. For th' Annal's , CAESAR .

PRAECO , CORDVS , SATRIVS , NATTA . CREMVTIVS CORDus . COR. Here . PRAE. SATRIVS SECVNDus , PINNARIVS NATTA , you are his accusers . ARR. Two of SEIANVS bloud-hounds , whom he breeds With humane flesh , to bay at citizens . AFE. Stand forth before the Senate , and confront him . SAT. I doe accuse thee here , CREMVTIVS CORDVS , To be a man factious , and dangerous , A sower of sedition in the state , A turbulent , and discontented spirit , Which I will proue from thine owne writings , here , The Annal's thou hast publish'd ; where thou bit'st The present age , and with a vipers tooth , Being a member of it , dar'st that ill Which neuer yet degenerous bastard did Vpon his parent . NAT. To this , I subscribe ; And , forth a world of more particulars , Instance in only one : Comparing men , And times , thou praysest BRVTVS , and affirm'st That CASSIVS was the last of all the Romanes . COT. How ! what are we then ? VAR. What is CAESAR ? nothing ? AFE. My lords , this strikes at euery Romanes priuate , In whom raignes gentrie , and estate of spirit , To haue a BRVTVS brought in parallel , A parricide , an enemie of his countrie , Rank'd , and preferr'd to any reall worth That Rome now holds . This is most strangely inuectiue . Most full of spight , and insolent vpbraiding . Nor is 't the time alone is here dispris'd , But the whole man of time , yea CAESAR'S selfe Brought in disualew ; and he aym'd at most By oblique glance of his licentious pen . CAESAR , if CASSIVS were the last of Romanes , Thou hast no name . TIB. Let 's heare him answere . Silence . COR. So innocent I am of fact , my lords , As but my words are argu'd ; yet those words Not reaching eyther prince , or princes parent : The which your law of treason comprehends . BRVTVS , and CASSIVS , I am charg'd , t' haue prays'd : Whose deedes , when many more , besides my selfe , Haue writ , not one hath mention'd without honour . Great TITVS LIVIVS , great for eloquence , And faith , amongst vs , in his historie , With so great prayses POMPEY did extoll , As oft AVGVSTVS call'd him a POMPEIAN : Yet this not hurt their friendship . In his booke He often names SCIPIO , AFRANIVS , Yea , the same CASSIVS , and this BRVTVS too , As worthi'st men ; not theeues , and parricides , Which notes , vpon their fames , are now impos'd . ASINIVS POLLIO'S writings quite throughout Giue them a noble memorie ; SO MESSALLA Renown'd his generall CASSIVS : yet both these Liu'd with AVGVSTVS , full of wealth , and honours . To CICERO'S booke , where CATO was heau'd vp Equall with heau'n , what else did CAESAR answere , Being then Dictator , but with a penn'd oration , As if before the iudges ? Doe but see ANTONIVS letters ; read but BRVTVS pleadings : What vile reproch they hold against AVGVSTVS , False I confesse , but with much bitternesse . The Epigram's of BIBACVLVS , and CATVLLVS , Are read , full stuft with spight of both the CAESARS ; Yet deified IVLIVS , and no lesse AVGVSTVS ! Both bore them , and contemn'd them : ( I not know Promptly to speake it , whether done with more Temper , or wisdome ) for such obloquies If they despised bee , they dye supprest , But , if with rage acknowledg'd , they are confest . The Greekes I slip , whose licence not alone , But also lust did scape vnpunished : Or where some one ( by chance ) exception tooke , He words with words reueng'd . But , in my worke , What could be aim'd more free , or farder of From the times scandale , then to write of those , Whom death from grace , or hatred had exempted ? Did I , with BRVTVS , and with CASSIVS , Arm'd , and possess'd of the PHILIPPI fields , Incense the people in the ciuill cause , With dangerous speeches ? or doe they , being slaine Seuentie yeeres since , as by their images ( Which not the conquerour hath defac'd ) appeares , Retaine that guiltie memorie with writers ? Posterie payes euerie man his honour . Nor shall there want , though I condemned am , That will not only CASSIVS well approue , And of great BRVTVS honour mindfull be , But that will , also , mention make of me . ARR. Freely , and nobly spoken . SAB. With good temper , I like him , that he is not moou'd with passion . ARR. He puts 'hem to their whisper . TIB. Take him hence , We shall determine of him at next sitting . COT. Meane time , giue order , that his bookes be burn't , To the' Aediles . SEI. You haue well aduis'd . AFE. It fits not such licentious things should liue T' vpbraid the age . ARR. If th' age were good , they might . LAT. Let 'hem be burnt . GAL. All sought , and burnt , to day . PRAE. The court is vp , Lictors , resume the fasces .

ARRVNTIVS , SABINVS , LEPIDVS . LEt 'hem be burnt ! Ô , how ridiculous Appeares the Senate's brainlesse diligence , Who thinke they can , with present power , extinguish The memorie of all succeeding times ! SAB. 'T is true when ( contrarie ) the punishment Of wit , doth make th' authoritie increase . Nor doe they ought , that vse this crueltie Of interdiction , and this rage of burning ; But purchase to themselues rebuke , and shame , And to the writers an eternall name . LEP. It is an argument the times are sore , When vertue cannot safely be aduanc'd ; Nor vice reproou'd . ARR. I , noble LEPIDVS , AVGVSTVS well foresaw , what we should suffer , Vnder TIBERIVS , when he did pronounce The Roman race most wretched , that should liue Betweene so slow iawes , and so long a bruising .

TIBERIVS , SEIANVS . THis businesse hath succeeded well , SEIANVS : And quite remoou'd all iealousie of practice 'Gainst AGRIPPINA , and our nephewes . Now , We must bethinke vs how to plant our ingines For th' other paire , SABINVS , and ARRVNTIVS , And GALLVS too ( how ere he flatter vs , ) His heart we know . SEI. Giue it some respite , CAESAR . Time shall mature , and bring to perfect crowne , What we , with so good vultures , haue begunne : SABINVS shall be next . TIB. Rather ARRVNTIVS . SEI. By any meanes , preserue him . His franke tongue Being lent the reines , will take away all thought Of malice , in your course against the rest . We must keep him to stalke with . TIB. Dearest head , To thy most fortunate designe I yeeld it . SEI. Sir — I' haue beene so long train'd vp in grace , First , with your father , great AVGVSTVS , since , With your most happie bounties so familiar , As I not sooner would commit my hopes Or wishes to the gods , then to your eares . Nor haue I euer , yet , beene couetous Of ouer-bright , and dazling honours : rather To watch , and trauaile in great CAESAR'S safetie , With the most common souldier . TIB. 'T is confest . SEI. The only gaine , and which I count most faire Of all my fortunes , His daughter was betroth'd to Claudius , his sonne . is that mightie CAESAR Hath thought me worthie his alliance . Hence Beginne my hopes . TIB. H'mh ? SEI. I haue heard , AVGVSTVS In the bestowing of his daughter , thought But euen of gentlemen of Rome : If so , ( I know not how to hope so great a fauour ) But if a husband should be sought for LIVIA , And I be had in minde , as CAESARS freind , I would but vse the glorie of the kindred . It should not make me slothfull , or lesse caring For CAESARS state ; it were inough to me It did confirme , and strengthen my weake house , Against the-now-vnequall opposition Of AGRIPPINA ; and for deare reguard Vnto my children , this I wish : my selfe Haue no ambition farder , then to end My dayes in seruice of so deare a master . TIB. We cannot but commend thy pietie Most-lou'd SEIANVS , in acknowledging Those bounties ; which we faintly , such , remember . But to thy suit . The rest of mortall men , In all their drifts , and counsels , pursue profit : Princes , alone , are of a different sort , Directing their maine actions still to fame . We therefore will take time to thinke , and answere . For LIVIA , she can best , her selfe , resolue If she will marrie after DRVSVS , or Continue in the family ; besides She hath a mother , and a grandame yet , Whose neerer counsels she may guide her by : But I will simply deale . That enmitie , Thou fear'st in AGRIPPINA , would burne more , If LIVIAS marriage should ( as 't were in parts ) Deuide th' imperiall house ; an emulation Betweene the women might breake forth ; and discord Ruine the sonnes , and nephues , on both hands . What if it cause some present difference ? Thou art not safe , SEIANVS , if thou prooue it . Canst thou beleeue , that LIVIA who was wife To CAIVS CAESAR , then to DRVSVS , now Will be contented to grow old with thee , Borne but a priuate gentleman of Rome ? And rayse thee with her losse , if not her shame ? Or say , that I should wish it , canst thou thinke The Senate , or the people ( who haue seene Her brother , father , and our ancestors , In highest place of empire ) will indure it ? The state thou hold'st alreadie , is in talke ; Men murmure at thy greatnesse ; and the nobles Sticke not , in publike , to vpbraid thy climbing Aboue our fathers fauours , or thy scale : And dare accuse me , from their hate to thee . Be wise , deare friend . We would not hide these things For friendships deare respect . Nor will we stand Aduerse to thine , or LIVIA'S designements . What we had purpos'd to thee , in our thought , And with what neere degrees of loue to bind thee , And make thee equall to vs , for the present , We will forbeare to speake . Only thus much Beleeue our lou'd SEIANVS , we not know That height in bloud , or honour , which thy vertue , And minde to vs , may not aspire with merit ; And this wee 'll publish , on all watch'd occasion The Senate , or the people shall present . SEI. I am restor'd , and to my sense againe , Which I had lost in this so blinding suit . CAESAR hath taught me better to refuse , Then I knew how to aske . How pleaseth CAESAR T' imbrace my late aduice , for leauing Rome ? TIB. We are resolu'd . SEI. Here are some motiues more Which I haue thought on since , may more confirme . TIB. Carefull SEIANVS ! we will straight peruse them : Goe forward in our maine designe , and prosper .

SEIANVS . IF those but take , I shall . Dull , heauie CAESAR ! Would'st thou tell me , thy fauours were made crimes ? And that my fortunes were esteem'd thy faults ? That thou , for me , wert hated ? and not thinke I would with winged haste preuent that change , When thou might'st winne all to thy selfe againe , By forfeiture of me ? Did those fond words Fly swifter from thy lips , then this my braine , This sparkling forge , created me an armor T' encounter chance , and thee ? Well , read my charmes , And may they lay that hold vpon thy senses , As thou had'st snuft vp hemlocke , or tane downe The iuice of poppie , and of mandrakes . Sleepe , Voluptuous CAESAR , and securitie Seize on thy stupide powers , and leaue them dead To publique cares , awake but to thy lusts . The strength of which makes thy libidinous soule Itch to leaue Rome ; and I haue thrust it on : With blaming of the citie businesse , The multitude of suites , the confluence Of suitors , then their importunacies , The manifold distractions he must suffer , Besides ill rumours , enuies , and reproches , All which , a quiet and retired life , ( Larded with ease , and pleasure ) did auoid ; And yet , for any weightie , and great affaire , The fittest place to giue the soundest counsels . By this , shall I remooue him both from thought , And knowledge of his owne most deare affaires ; Draw all dispatches through my priuate hands ; Know his designements , and pursue mine owne ; Make mine owne strengths , by giuing suites , and places ; Conferring dignities , and offices : And these that hate me now , wanting accesse To him , will make their enuie none , or lesse . For when they see me arbiter of all , They must obserue : or else , with CAESAR fall .

TIBERIVS , SERVUS . TO marry LIVIA ? will no lesse , SEIANVS , Content thy aimes ? no lower obiect ? well ! Thou know'st how thou art wrought into our trust ; Wouen in our designe ; and think'st , we must Now vse thee , whatsoere thy proiects are : 'T is true . But yet with caution , and fit care . And , now we better thinke — who 's there , within ? SER. CAESAR ? TIB. To leaue our iourney off , were sin 'Gainst our decree'd delights ; and would appeare Doubt : or ( what lesse becomes a prince ) low feare . Yet , doubt hath law , and feares haue their excuse , Where princes states plead necessarie vse ; As ours doth now : more in SEIANVS pride , Then all fell AGRIPPINA'S hates beside . Those are the dreadfull enemies , we raise With fauours , and make dangerous , with prayse ; The iniur'd by vs may haue will alike , But 't is the fauourite hath the power , to strike : And furie euer boyles more high , and strong , Heat' with ambition , then reuenge of wrong . 'T is then a part of supreme skill , to grace No man too much ; but hold a certaine space Betweene th' ascenders rise , and thine owne flat , Lest , when all rounds be reach'd , his aime be that . 'T is thought — IS MACRO in the palace ? See : If not goe , seeke him , to come to vs — Hee Must be the organ , we must worke by now ; Though none lesse apt for trust : Need doth allow What choise would not . I' haue heard , that aconite Being timely taken , hath a healing might Against the scorpions stroke ; the proofe wee 'll giue : That , while two poysons wrastle , we may liue . Hee hath a spirit too working , to be vs'd But to th' encounter of his like ; excus'd Are wiser sou'raignes then , that raise one ill Against another , and both safely kill : The prince , that feeds great natures , they will sway him ; Who nourisheth a lyon , must obey him . TIBERIVS , MACRO . MAcro , we sent for you . MAC. I heard so , CAESAR . TIB. ( Leaue vs awhile . ) When you shal know , good MACRO , The causes of our sending , and the ends ; You then will harken neerer : and be pleas'd You stand so high , both in our choise , and trust . MAC. The humblest place in CAESARS choise , or trust , May make glad MACRO proud ; without ambition : Saue to doe CAESAR seruice . TIB. Leaue our courtings . We are in purpose , MACRO , to depart The citie for a time , and see Campania ; Not for our pleasures , but to dedicate A paire of temples , one , to IVPITER At Capua , th' other at Nola , to AVGVSTVS : In which great worke , perhaps , our stay will be Beyond our will produc 't . Now , since we are Not ignorant what danger may be borne Out of our shortest absence , in a state So subiect vnto enuie , and embroild With hate , and faction ; we haue thought on thee , ( Amongst a field of Romanes , ) worthiest MACRO , To be our eye , and eare , to keepe strict watch On AGRIPPINA , NERO , DRVSVS , I , And on SEIANVS : Not , that we distrust His loyaltie , or doe repent one grace , Of all that heape , we haue conferd on him . ( For that were to disparage our election , And call that iudgement now in doubt , which then Seem'd as vnquestion'd as an oracle , ) But , greatnesse hath his cankers . Wormes , and moaths Breed out of too fit matter , in the things Which after they consume , transferring quite The substance of their makers , int' themselues . MACRO is sharpe , and apprehends . Besides , I know him subtle , close , wise , and wel-read In man , and his large nature . He hath studied Affections , passions , knowes their springs , their ends , Which way , and whether they will worke : 't is proofe Inough , of his great merit , that we trust him . Then , to a point ; ( because our conference Cannot be long without suspition ) Here , MACRO , we assigne thee , both to spie , Informe , and chastise ; thinke , and vse thy meanes , Thy ministers , what , where , on whom thou wilt ; Explore , plot , practise : All thou doost in this , Shall be , as if the Senate , or the Lawes Had giu'n it priuiledge , and thou thence stil'd The sauier both of CAESAR , and of Rome . We will not take thy answere , but in act : Whereto , as thou proceed'st , we hope to heare By trusted messengers . If 't be enquir'd , Wherefore we call'd you , say , you haue in charge To see our chariots readie , and our horse : Be still our lou'd , and ( shortly ) honor'd MACRO .

MACRO . I Will not aske , why CAESAR bids doe this : But ioy , that he bids me . It is the blisse Of courts , to be imploy'd ; no matter , how : A princes power makes all his actions vertue . We , whom he workes by , are dumbe instruments , To doe , but not enquire : His great intents Are to be seru'd , not search'd . Yet , as that bow Is most in hand , whose owner best doth know T' affect his aymes , so let that states-man hope Most vse , most price , can hit his princes scope . Nor must he looke at what , or whom to strike , But lose at all ; each marke must be alike . Were it to plot against the fame , the life Of one , with whom I twin'd ; remoue a wife From my warme side , as lou'd , as is the ayre ; Practise away each parent ; draw mine heyre In compasse , though but one ; worke all my kin To swift perdition ; leaue no vntrain'd engin , For friendship , or for innocence ; nay , make The gods all guiltie : I would vndertake This , being impos'd me , both with gaine , and ease . The way to rise , is to obey , and please . He that will thriue in state , he must neglect The trodden paths , that truth and right respect ; And proue new , wilder wayes : for vertue , there , Is not that narrow thing , shee is else-where . Mens fortune there is vertue ; reason , their will : Their licence , law ; and their obseruance , skill . Occasion , is their foile ; conscience , their staine ; Profit , their lustre : and what else is , vaine . If then it be the lust of CAESARS power , T' haue rais'd SEIANVS vp , and in an hower O're-turne him , tumbling , downe , from height of all ; We are his ready engine : and his fall May be our rise . It is no vncouth thing To see fresh buildings from old ruines spring .

CHORVS — Of Musicians .

Act IIII .

GALLVS , AGRIPPINA , NERO , DRVSVS , CALIGVLA . YOu must haue patience , royall AGRIPPINA . AGR. I must haue vengeance , first : and that were nectar Vnto my famish'd spirits . O , my fortune , Let it be sodaine thou prepar'st against me ; Strike all my powers of vnderstanding blind , And ignorant of destinie to come : Let me not feare , that cannot hope . GAL. Deare Princesse , These tyrannies , on your selfe , are worse then CAESAR'S . AGR. Is this the happinesse of being borne great ? Still to be aim'd at ? still to be suspected ? To liue the subiect of all iealousies ? At least the colour made , if not the ground To euery painted danger ? who would not Choose once to fall , then thus to hang for euer ? GAL. You might be safe , if you would — AGR. What , my GALLVS ? Be lewd SEIANVS strumpet ? Or the baud To CAESARS lusts , he now is gone to practise ? Not these are safe , where nothing is . Your selfe , While thus you stand but by me , are not safe . Was SILIVS safe ? or the good SOSIA safe ? Or was my niece , deare CLAVDIA PVLCHRA safe ? Or innocent FVRNIVS ? They , that latest haue ( By being made guiltie ) added reputation To AFERS eloquence ? O , foolish friends , Could not so fresh example warne your loues , But you must buy my fauours , with that losse Vnto your selues : and , when you might perceiue That CAESARS cause of raging must forsake him , Before his will ? Away , good GALLVS , leaue me . Here to be seene , is danger ; to speake , treason : To doe me least obseruance , is call'd faction . You are vnhappy in me , and I in all . Where are my sonnes ? NERO ? and DRVSVS ? We Are they , be shot at ; Let vs fall apart : Not , in our ruines , sepulchre our friends . Or shall we doe some action , like offence , To mocke their studies , that would make vs faultie ? And frustrate practice , by preuenting it ? The danger 's like : for , what they can contriue , They will make good . No innocence is safe , When power contests . Nor can they trespasse more , Whose only being was all crime , before . NER. You heare , SEIANVS is come backe from CAESAR ? GAL. No . How ? Disgrac'd ? DRV. More graced now , then euer . GAL. By what mischance ? CAL. A fortune , like inough Once to be bad . DRV. But turn'd too good , to both . GAL. What was 't ? NER. TIBERIVS sitting at his meat , In a farme house , they call Spelunca , sited By the sea-side , among the Fundane hills , Within a naturall caue , part of the grot ( About the entrie ) fell , and ouer-whelm'd Some of the wayters ; others ran away : Only SEIANVS , with his knees , hands , face , Ore-hanging CAESAR , did oppose himselfe To the remayning ruines , and was found In that so labouring posture , by the souldiers That came to succour him . With which aduenture , He hath so sixt himselfe in CAESAR'S trust , As thunder cannot mooue him , and is come With all the height of CAESARS praise , to Rome . AGR. And power , to turne those ruines all on vs ; And bury whole posterities beneath them . NERO , and DRVSVS , and CALIGVLA , Your places are the next , and therefore most In their offence . Thinke on your birth , and bloud , Awake your spirits , meete their violence , 'T is princely , when a tyran doth oppose ; And is a fortune sent to exercise Your vertue , as the wind doth trie strong trees : Who by vexation grow more sound , and firme . After your fathers fall , and vncles fate , What can you hope , but all the change of stroke That force , or slight can giue ? then stand vpright ; And though you doe not act , yet suffer nobly : Be worthy of my wombe , and take strong cheare ; What we doe know will come , we should not feare .

MACRO . REturn'd so soone ? renew'd in trust , and grace ? Is CAESAR then so weake ? or hath the place But wrought this alteration , with the aire ; And he , on next remoue , will all repaire ? MACRO , thou art ingag'd : and what before Was publique ; now , must be thy priuate , more . The weale of CAESAR , fitnesse did imply ; But thine owne fate confers necessity On thy employment : and the thoughts borne nearest Vnto our selues , moue swiftest still , and dearest . If he recouer , thou art lost : yea , all The weight of preparation to his fall Will turne on thee , and crush thee . Therefore , strike Before he settle , to preuent the like Vpon thy selfe . He doth his vantage know , That makes it home , and giues the foremost blow .

LATIARIS , RVFVS , OPSIVS . IT is a seruice , great SEIANVS will See well requited , and accept of nobly . Here place your selues , betweene the roofe , and seeling , And when I bring him to his wordes of danger , Reueale your selues , and take him . RVF. Is he come ? LAT. I 'le now goe fetch him . OPS. With good speed . I long To merit from the state , in such an action . RVF. I hope , it will obtayne the Consul-ship For one of vs . OPS. We cannot thinke of lesse , To bring in one , so dangerous as SABINVS . RVF. He was a follower of GERMANICVS , And still is an obseruer of his wife , And children , though they be declin'd in grace ; A daily visitant , keepes them companie In priuate , and in publique ; and is noted To be the only client , of the house : Pray IOVE , he will be free to LATIARIS . OPS. H 'is alli'd to him , and doth trust him well . RVF. And he 'll requite his trust ? OPS. To doe an office So gratefull to the state , I know no man But would straine neerer bands , then kindred — RVF. List , I heare them come . OPS. Shift to our holes , with silence .

LATIARIS , SABINVS . IT is a noble constancie you shew To this afflicted house : that not like others , ( The friends of season ) you doe follow fortune , And in the winter of their fate , forsake The place , whose glories warm'd you . You are iust , And worthy such a princely patrones loue , As was the worlds-renown'd GERMANICVS : Whose ample merit when I call to thought , And see his wife and issue , obiects made To so much enuie , iealousie , and hate , It makes me ready to accuse the gods Of negligence , as men of tyrannie . SAB. They must be patient , so must we . LAT. O IOVE . What will become of vs , or of the times , When , to be high , or noble , are made crimes ? When land , and treasure are most dangerous faults ? SAB. Nay , when our table , yea our bed assaults Our peace , and safetie ? when our writings are , By any enuious instruments ( that dare Apply them to the guiltie ) made to speake What they will haue , to fit their tyrannous wreake ? When ignorance is scarcely innocence : And knowledge made a capitall offence ? When not so much , but the bare emptie shade Of libertie , is reft vs ? and we made , The prey to greedie Vultures , and vile spies , That first transfixe vs with their murdering eyes ? LAT. Me thinkes , the Genius of the Romane race Should not be so extinct , but that bright flame Of libertie might be reuiu'd againe , ( Which no good man but with his life , should lose ) And we not sit like spent , and patient fooles Still puffing in the darke , at one poore coale , Held on by hope , till the last sparke is out . The cause is publique , and the honour , name , The immortalitie of euery soule That is not bastard , or a slaue in Rome , Therein concern'd : Whereto , if men would change The weari'd arme , and for the waightie shield So long sustain'd , employ the facile sword , We might haue some assurance of our vowes . This asses fortitude doth tyre vs all . It must be actiue valour must redeeme Our losse , or none . The rocke , and our hard steele Should meete , t' enforce those glorious fires againe , Whose splendor cheer'd the world , and heat gaue life No lesse then doth the sunne's . SAB. 'T were better stay , In lasting darkenesse , and despaire of day . No ill should force the subiect vndertake Against the soueraigne ; more then hell should make The gods doe wrong . A good man should , and must Sit rather downe with losse , then rise vniust . Though , when the Romanes first did yeeld themselues To one mans power , they did not meane their liues , Their fortunes , and their liberties , should be His absolute spoile , as purchas'd by the sword . LAT. Why we are worse , if to be slaues , and bond To CAESARS slaue , be such , the proud SEIANVS ? He that is all , do's all , giues CAESAR leaue To hide his vlcerous , and anointed face , With his bald crowne at Rhodes , while he here stalkes Vpon the heads of Romanes , and their Princes , Familiarly to Empire . SAB. Now you touch A point indeed , wherein he shewes his arte , As well as power . LAT. And villany in both . Doe you obserue where LIVIA lodges ? How DRVSVS came dead ? What men haue beene cut off ? SAB. Yes , those are things remou'd : I neerer look't , Into his later practice , where he stands Declar'd a master in his mysterie . First , ere TIBERIVS went , he wrought his feare , To thinke that AGRIPPINA sought his death . Then put those doubts in her ; sent her oft word , Vnder the show of friendship , to beware Of CAESAR , for he laid to poyson her : Draue them to frownes , to mutuall iealousies , Which , now , in visible hatred are burst out . Since , he hath had his hyred instruments To worke on NERO , and to heaue him vp ; To tell him CAESAR'S old ; That all the people , Yea , all the armie haue their eyes on him ; That both doe long to haue him vndertake Something of worth , to giue the world a hope ; Bids him to court their grace ; the easie youth , Perhaps , giues eare , which straight he writes to CAESAR ; And with this comment : See yon'd dangerous boy , Note but the practice of the mother , there , Shee 's tying him , for purposes at hand , With men of sword . Here 's CAESAR put in fright 'Gainst sonne , and mother . Yet , he leaues not thus . The second brother DRVSVS ( a fierce nature , And fitter for his snares , because ambitious , And full of enuie ) him he clasp's , and hugs , Poysons with praise , tells him what hearts he weares , How bright he stands in popular expectance ; That Rome doth suffer with him , in the wrong His mother does him , by preferring NERO : Thus sets he them asunder , each 'gainst other , Proiects the course , that serues him to condemne , Keepes in opinion of a friend to all , And all driues on to ruine . LAT. CAESAR sleepes , And nods at this ? SAB. Would he might euer sleepe , Bogg'd in his filthy lusts . OPS. Treason to CAESAR . RVF. Lay hands vpon the traytor , LATIARIS , Or take the name thy selfe . LAT. I am for CAESAR . SAB. Am I then catch'd ? RVF. How thinke you , sir ? you are . SAB. Spies of this head ! so white ! so full of yeeres ! Well , my most reuerend monsters , you may liue To see your selues thus snar'd . OPS. Away with him . LAT. Hale him away . RVF. To be a spie for traytors , Is honorable vigilance . SAB. You doe well , My most officious instruments of state ; Men of all vses : Drag me hence , away . The yeere is well begun , and I fall fit , To be an offring to SEIANVS . Goe . OPS. Couer him with his garments , hide his face . SAB. It shall not need . Forbeare your rude assault , The fault 's not shamefull villanie makes a fault .

MACRO , CALIGVLA . SIr , but obserue how thicke your dangers meete In his cleare drifts ! Your mother , and your brothers , Now cited to the Senate ! Their friend , GALLVS , Feasted to day by CAESAR , since committed ! SABINVS , here we met , hurryed to fetters ! The Senators all strooke with feare , and silence , Saue those , whose hopes depend not on good meanes , But force their priuate prey , from publique spoile ! And you must know , if here you stay , your state Is sure to be the subiect of his hate , As now the obiect . CAL. What would you aduise me ? MAC. To goe for Capreae presently : and there Giue vp your selfe , entirely , to your vncle . Tell CAESAR ( since your mother is accus'd To flie for succours to AVGVSTVS statue , And to the armie , with your brethren ) you Haue rather chose , to place your aides in him , Then liue suspected ; or in hourely feare To be thrust out , by bold SEIANV'S plots : Which , you shall confidently vrge , to be Most full of perill to the state , and CAESAR , As being laid to his peculiar ends , And not to be let run , with common safety . All which ( vpon the second ) I 'le make plaine , So both shall loue , and trust with CAESAR gaine . CAL. Away then , let 's prepare vs for our iourney .

ARRVNTIVS . STill , do'st thou suffer heau'n ? will no flame , No heate of sinne make thy iust wrath to boile In thy distemp'red bosome , and ore-flow The pitchy blazes of impietie , Kindled beneath thy throne ? Still canst thou sleepe , Patient , while vice doth make an antique face At thy drad power , and blow dust , and smoke Into thy nostrils ? IOVE , will nothing wake thee ? Must vile SEIANVS pull thee by the beard , Ere thou wilt open thy black-lidded eye , And looke him dead ? Well! Snore on , dreaming gods : And let this last of that proud Giant-race , Heaue mountayne vpon mountayne , 'gainst your state — Be good vnto me , fortune , and you powers , Whom I , expostulating , haue profan'd ; I see ( what 's equall with a prodigie ) A great , a noble Romane , and an honest , Liue an old man ! O , MARCVS LEPIDVS , When is our turne to bleed ? Thy selfe , and I ( Without our boast ) are a'most all the few Left , to be honest , in these impious times .

LEPIDVS , ARRVNTIVS . WHat we are left to be , we will be , LVCIVS , Though tyrannie did stare , as wide as death , To fright vs from it . ARR. 'T hath so , on SABINVS . LEP. I saw him now drawne from the Gemonies , And ( what increas'd the direnesse of the fact ) His faithfull dogge ( vpbraiding all vs Romanes ) Neuer forsooke the corp's , but , seeing it throwne Into the streame , leap'd in , and drown'd with it . ARR. O act ! to be enui'd him , of vs men ! We are the next , the hooke layes hold on , MARCVS : What are thy artes ( good patriot , teach them me ) That haue preseru'd thy haires , to this white die , And kept so reuerend , and so deare a head , Safe , on his comely shoulders ? LEP. Arts , ARRVNTIVS ? None , but the plaine , and passiue fortitude , To suffer , and be silent ; neuer stretch These armes , against the torrent ; liue at home , With my owne thoughts , and innocence about me , Not tempting the wolues iawes : these are my artes . ARR. I would begin to studie 'hem , if I thought They would secure me . May I pray to IOVE , In secret , and be safe ? I , or aloud ? With open wishes ? so I doe not mention TIBERIVS , or SEIANVS ? yes , I must , If I speake out . 'T is hard , that . May I thinke , And not be rackt ? What danger is 't to dreame ? Talke in ones sleepe ? or cough ? who knowes the law ? May I shake my head , without a comment ? say It raines , or it holds vp , and not be throwne Vpon the Gemonies ? These now are things , Whereon mens fortune , yea their fate depends . Nothing hath priuiledge 'gainst the violent eare . No place , no day , no houre ( we see ) is free . ( Not our religious , and most sacred times ) From some one kind of crueltie : all matter , Nay all occasion pleaseth . Mad-mens rage , The idlenesse of drunkards , womens nothing , Iesters simplicity , all , all is good That can be catch'd at . Nor is now th' euent Of any person , or for any crime , To be expected ; for , 't is alwayes one : Death , with some little difference of place , Or time — what 's this ? Prince NERO ? guarded ?

LACO , NERO , LEPIDVS , ARRVNTIVS . ON , Lictors , keepe your way : My lords , forbeare . On paine of CAESARS wrath , no man attempt Speech with the prisoner . NER. Noble friends , be safe : To loose your selues for wordes , were as vaine hazard , As vnto me small comfort : Fare you well . Would all Rome's suffrings in my fate did dwell . LAC. Lictors , away . LEP. Where goes he , LACO ? LAC. Sir , His banish'd into Pontia , by the Senate . ARR. Do I see ? and heare ? and feele ? May I trust sense ? Or doth my phant'sie forme it ? LEP. Where 's his brother ? LAC. DRVSVS is prisoner in the palace . ARR. Ha ? I smell it now : 't is ranke . Where 's AGRIPPINA ? LAC. The princesse is confin'd , to Pandataria . ARR. Bolts , VULCAN ; bolts , for IOVE ! PHOEBVS , thy bow ; Sterne MARS , thy sword ; and blue-ey'd Maid , thy speare ; Thy club , ALCIDES : all the armorie Of heauen is too little ! — Ha ? to guard The gods , I meant . Fine , rare dispatch ! This same Was swiftly borne ! confin'd ? imprison'd ? banish'd ? Most tripartite ! The cause , sir ? LAC. Treason . ARR. O ? The complement of all accusings ? that Will hit , when all else failes . LEP. This turne is strange ! But yesterday , the people would not heare Farre lesse obiected , but cry'd , CAESARS letters Were false , and forg'd ; that all these plots were malice : And that the ruine of the Princes house Was practis'd 'gainst his knowledge . Where are now Their voyces ? now , that they behold his heires Lock'd vp , disgrac'd , led into exile ? ARR. Hush'd . Drown'd in their bellies . Wild SEIANVS breath Hath , like a whirle-wind , scatter'd that poore dust , With this rude blast . He turnes to Laco , and the rest . Wee 'll talke no treason , sir , If that be it you stand for ? Fare you well . We haue no need of horse-leeches . Good spie , Now you are spi'd , be gone . LEP. I feare , you wrong him . He has the voyce to be an honest Romane . ARR. And trusted to this office ? LEPIDVS , I 'ld sooner trust Greeke-SINON , then a man Our state employes . Hee 's gone : and being gone , I dare tell you ( whom I dare better trust ) That our night-ey'd TIBERIVS doth not see His minions drifts ; or , if he doe , h 'is not So errant subtill , as we fooles doe take him : To breed a mungrell vp , in his owne house , With his owne bloud , and ( if the good gods please ) At his owne throte , flesh him , to take a leape . I doe not beg it , heau'n : but , if the fates Grant it these eyes , they must not winke . LEP. They must Not see it , LVCIVS . ARR. Who should let 'hem ? LEP. Zeale , And dutie ; with the thought , he is our Prince . ARR. He is our monster : forfeited to vice So far , as no rack'd vertue can redeeme him . His lothed person fouler then all crimes : An Emp'rour , only in his lusts . Retir'd ( From all regard of his owne fame , or Rome's ) Into an obscure Iland ; where he liues ( Acting his tragedies with a comick face ) Amid'st his rout of Chaldee's : spending houres , Dayes , weekes , and months , in the vnkind abuse Of graue astrologie , to the bane of men , Casting the scope of mens natiuities , And hauing found ought worthy in their fortune , Kill , or precipitate them in the sea , And boast , he can mocke fate . Nay , muse not : these Are farre from ends of euill , scarse degrees . He hath his slaughter-house , at Capreae ; Where he doth studie murder , as an arte : And they are dearest in his grace , that can Deuise the deepest tortures . Thither , too , He hath his boyes , and beauteous girles tane vp , Out of our noblest houses , the best form'd , Best nurtur'd , and most modest : what 's their good Serues to prouoke his bad . Some are allur'd , Some threatned ; others ( by their friends detain'd ) Are rauish'd hence , like captiues , and , in sight Of their most grieued parents , dealt away Vnto his spintries , sellaries , and slaues , Masters of strange , and new-commented lusts , For which wise nature hath not left a name . To this ( what most strikes vs , and bleeding Rome , ) He is , with all his craft , become the ward To his owne vassall , a stale catamite : Whom he ( vpon our low , and suffering necks ) Hath rais'd , from excrement , to side the gods , And haue his proper sacrifice in Rome : Which IOVE beholds , and yet will sooner riue A senslesse oke with thunder , then his trunck .

LACO , POMPONIVS , MINVTIVS , TERENTIVS . To them . THese letters make men doubtfull what t' expect , Whether his comming , or his death . POM. Troth , both : And which comes soonest , thanke the gods for . ( ARR. List , Their talke is CAESAR , I would heare all voyces . ) MIN. One day , hee 's well ; and will returne to Rome : The next day , sicke ; and knowes not when to hope it . LAC. True , and to day , one of SEIANVS friends Honour'd by speciall writ ; and on the morrow Another punish'd — POM. By more speciall writ . MIN. This man receiues his praises of SEIANVS , A second , but slight mention ; a third , none : A fourth , rebukes . And thus he leaues the Senate Diuided , and suspended , all vncertayne . LAC. These forked tricks , I vnderstand 'hem not , Would he would tell vs whom he loues , or hates , That we might follow , without feare , or doubt . ( ARR. Good HELIOTROPE ! Is this your honest man ? Let him be yours so still . He is my knaue . ) POM. I cannot tell , SEIANVS still goes on , And mounts , we see : New statues are aduanc'd , Fresh leaues of titles , large inscriptions read , His fortune sworne by , himselfe new gone out CAESARS colleague , in the fifth Consulship , More altars smoke to him , then all the gods : What would wee more ? ( ARR. That the deare smoke would choke him , That would I more . LEP. Peace , good ARRVNTIVS . ) LAC. But there are letters come ( they say ) eu'n now , Which doe forbid that last . MIN. Doe you heare so ? LAC. Yes . POM. By POLLVX , that 's the worst . ( ARR. By HERCVLES , best . ) MIN. I did not like the signe , when REGVLVS , ( Whom all we know no friend vnto SEIANVS ) Did , by TIBERIVS so precise command , Succeed a fellow in the Consulship : It boded somewhat . POM. Not a mote . His partner , FVLCINIVS TRIO , is his owne , and sure . Here comes TERENTIVS . They whisper with Terentius . He can giue vs more . LEP. I 'le ne're beleeue , but CAESAR hath some sent Of bold SEIANVS footing . These crosse points Of varying letters , and opposing Consuls , Mingling his honours , and his punishments , Fayning now ill , now well , raysing SEIANVS , And then depressing him , ( as now of late In all reports we haue it ) cannot be Emptie of practice : 'T is TIBERIVS arte . For ( hauing found his fauorite growne too great , And , with his greatnesse , strong ; that all the souldiers Are , with their leaders , made at his deuotion ; That almost all the Senate are his creatures , Or hold on him their maine dependances , Either for benefit , or hope , or feare ; And that himselfe hath lost much of his owne , By parting vnto him ; and by th' increase Of his ranke lusts , and rages , quite disarm'd Himselfe of loue , or other publique meanes , To dare an open contestation ) His subtilty hath chose this doubling line , To hold him euen in : not so to feare him , As wholly put him out , and yet giue checke Vnto his farder boldnesse . In meane time , By his employments , makes him odious Vnto the staggering rout , whose aide ( in fine ) He hopes to vse , as sure , who ( when they sway ) Beare downe , ore-turne all obiects in their way . ARR. You may be a LINCEVS , LEPIDVS : yet , I See no such cause , but that a politique tyranne ( who can so well disguise it ) should haue tane A neerer way : fain'd honest , and come home To cut his throte , by Law . LEP. I , but his feare Would ne're be masqu'd , all-be his vices were . POM. His lordship then is still in grace ? TER. Assure you , Neuer in more , either of grace , or power . POM. The gods are wise , and iust . ARR. ( The fiends they are . To suffer thee belie 'hem ? ) TER. I haue here His last , and present letters , where he writes him The Partner of his cares , and his SEIANVS — LAC. But is that true , it 't is prohibited , To sacrifice vnto him ? TER. Some such thing CAESAR makes scruple of , but forbids it not ; No more then to himselfe : sayes , he could wish It were forborne to all . LAC. Is it no other ? TER. No other , on my trust . For your more surety , Here is that letter too . ARR. ( How easily , Doe wretched men beleeue , what they would haue ! Lookes this like plot ? LEP. Noble ARRVNTIVS , stay . ) LAC. He names him here without his titles . LEP. ( Note . ARR. Yes , and come of your notable foole . I will . ) LAC. No other , then SEIANVS . POM. That 's but haste In him that writes . Here he giues large amends . MAR. And with his owne hand written ? POM. Yes . LAC. Indeed ? TER. Beleeue it , gentlemen , SEIANVS brest Neuer receiu'd more full contentments in , Then at this present . POM. Takes he well th' escape Of young CALIGVLA , with MACRO ? TER. Faith , At the first aire , it somewhat troubled him . LEP. ( Obserue you ? ARR. Nothing . Riddles . TIll I see SEIANVS strooke , no sound thereof strikes me . ) POM. I like it not . I muse h' would not attempt Somewhat against him in the Consul-ship , Seeing the people 'ginne to fauour him . TER. He doth repent it , now ; but h' has employ'd PAGONIANVS after him : and he holds That correspondence , there , with all that are Neere about CAESAR , as no thought can passe Without his knowledge , thence , in act to front him . POM. I gratulate the newes . MAC. But , how comes MACRO So in trust , and fauour , with CALIGVLA ? POM. O sir , he ha's a wife ; and the young Prince An appetite : he can looke vp , and spie Flies in the roofe , when there are fleas i' bed ; And hath a learned nose t o'assure his sleepes . Who , to be fauour'd of the rising sunne , Would not lend little of his waning moone ? 'T is the saf'st ambition . Noble TERENTIVS . TER. The night growes fast vpon vs. At your seruice .

CHORVS — Of Musicians .

Act V.

SEIANVS . SWell , swell , my ioyes : and faint not to declare Your selues , as ample , as your causes are . I did not liue , till now ; this my first hower : Wherein I see my thoughts reach'd by my power . But this , and gripe my wishes . Great , and high , The world knowes only two , that 's Rome , and I. My roofe receiues me not ; 't is aire I tread : And , at each step , I feele my aduanced head Knocke out a starre in heau'n ! Rear'd to this height , All my desires seeme modest , poore , and sleight , That did before sound impudent : 'T is place , Not bloud , discernes the noble , and the base . Is there not something more , then to be CAESAR ? Must we rest there ? It yrkes , t' haue come so far , To be so neere a stay . CALIGVLA , Would thou stood'st stiffe , and many , in our way . Windes lose their strength , when they doe emptie flie , Vn-met of woods or buildings ; great fires die That want their matter to with-stand them : so , It is our griefe , and will be our losse , to know Our power shall want opposites ; vnlesse The gods , by mixing in the cause , would blesse Our fortune , with their conquest . That were worth SEIANVS strife : durst fates but bring it forth .

TERENTIVS , SEIANVS . SAfety , to great SEIANVS . SEI. Now , TERENTIVS ? TER. Heares not my lord the wonder ? SEI. Speake it , no . TER. I meete it violent in the peoples mouthes , Who runne , in routs , to POMPEY'S theatre , To view your statue : which , they say , sends forth A smoke , as from a fornace , black , and dreadfull . SEI. Some traytor hath put fire in : ( you , goe see . ) And let the head be taken off , to looke What 't is — Some slaue hath practis'd an imposture , To stirre the people . How now ? why returne you ?

SATRIVS , NATTA . THe head , my lord , already is tane off , I saw it : and , at op'ning , there leap't out A great , and monstrous serpent ! SEI. Monstrous ! why ? Had it a beard ? and hornes ? no heart ? a tongue Forked as flatterie ? look'd it of the hue , To such as liue in great mens bosomes ? was The spirit of it MACRO'S ? NAT. May it please The most diuine SEIANVS , in my dayes , ( And by his sacred fortune , I affirme it ) I haue not seene a more extended , growne , Foule , spotted , venomous , vgly — SEI. O , the fates ! What a wild muster 's here of attributes , T' expresse a worme , a snake ? TER. But how that should Come there , my lord ! SEI. What! and you too , TERENTIVS ? I thinke you meane to make 't a prodigie In your reporting ? TER. Can the wise SEIANVS Thinke heau'n hath meant it lesse ? SEI. O , superstition ! Why , then the falling of our bed , that brake This morning , burd'ned with the populous weight Of our expecting clients , to salute vs ; Or running of the cat , betwixt our legs , As we set forth vnto the capitoll , Were prodigies . TER. I thinke them ominous ! And , would they had not hap'ned . As , to day , The fate of some your seruants ! who , declining Their way , not able , for the throng , to follow , Slip't downe the Gemonies , and brake their necks ! Besides , in taking your last augurie , No prosperous bird appear'd , but croking rauens Flag'd vp and downe : and from the sacrifice Flew to the prison , where they sate , all night , Beating the aire with their obstreperous beakes ! I dare not counsell , but I could entreat That great SEIANVS would attempt the gods , Once more , with sacrifice . SEI. What excellent fooles Religion makes of men ? Beleeues TERENTIVS , ( If these were dangers , as I shame to thinke them ) The gods could change the certayne course of fate ? Or , if they could , they would ( now , in a moment ) For a beeues fat , or lesse , be brib'd t' inuert Those long decrees ? Then thinke the gods , like flies , Are to be taken with the steame of flesh , Or bloud , diffus'd about their altars : thinke Their power as cheape , as I esteeme it small . Of all the throng , that fill th' Olympian hall , And ( without pitty ) lade poore ATLAS back , I know not that one deity , but Fortune ; To whom , I would throw vp , in begging smoke , One grane of incense : or whose eare I 'ld buy With thus much oyle . Her , I , indeed , adore ; And keepe her gratefull image in my house , Some-times belonging to a Romane king , But , now call'd mine , as by the better stile : To her , I care not , if ( for satisfying Your scrupulous phant'sies ) I goe offer . Bid Our priest prepare vs honny , milke , and poppy , His masculine odours , and night-vestments : say , Our rites are instant , which perform'd , you 'll see How vaine , and worthy laughter , your feares be .

COTTA , POMPONIVS . POMPONIVS ! whither in such speed ? POM. I goe To giue my lord SEIANVS notice — COT. What ? POM. Of MACRO . COT. Is he come ? POM. Entr'd but now The house of REGVLVS . COT. The opposite Consul ? POM. Some halfe houre since . COT. And , by night too ! stay , sir ; I 'le beare you companie . POM. Along , then —

MACRO , REGVLVS , LACO . T Is CAESARS will , to haue a frequent Senate . And therefore must your edict lay deepe mulct On such , as shall be absent . REG. So it doth . Beare it my fellow Consul to adscribe . MAC. And tell him it must early be proclaim'd ; The place , APOLLO'S temple . REG. That 's remembred . MAC. And at what houre ? REG. Yes . MAC. You doe forget To send one for the Prouost of the watch ? REG. I haue not : here he comes . MAC. GRACINVS LACO , You' are a friend most welcome : by , and by , I 'le speake with you . ( You must procure this list Of the Praetorian cohorts , with the names Of the Centurions , and their Tribunes . REG. I . ) MAC. I bring you letters , and a health from CAESAR — LAC. Sir , both come well . MAC. ( And heare you , with your note , Which are the eminent men , and most of action . REG. The Consul goes out . That shall be done you too . ) MAC. Most worthy LACO , CAESAR salutes you . ( Consul ! death , and furies ! Gone now ? ) the argument will please you , sir . ( Hough ! REGVLVS ? The anger of the gods Follow his diligent legs , and ouer'take 'hem , Returnes : In likenesse of the gout . ) O , good my lord , We lackt you present ; I would pray you send Another to FVLCINIVS TRIO , straight , To tell him , you will come , and speake with him : ( The matter wee 'le deuise ) to stay him , there , While I , with LACO , doe suruay the watch . Goes out againe . What are your strengths , GRACINVS ? LAC. Seuen cohorts . MAC. You see , what CAESAR writes : and ( — gone againe ? H' has sure a veine of mercury in his feet ) Knew you , what store of the praetorian souldiers SEIANVS holds , about him , for his guard ? LAC. I cannot the iust number : but , I thinke , Three centuries . MAC. Three ? good . LAC. At most , not foure . MAC. And who be those Centurions ? LAC. That the Consul Can best deliuer you . MAC. ( When h 'is away : Spight , on his nimble industrie . ) GRACINVS , You find what place you hold , there , in the trust Of royall CAESAR ? LAC. I , and I am — MAC. Sir , The honours , there propos'd , are but beginnings Of his great fauours . LAC. They are more — MAC. I heard him When he did studie , what to adde — LAC. My life , And all I hold — MAC. You were his owne first choise ; Which doth confirme as much , as you can speake : And will ( if we succeed ) make more — Your guardes Are seuen cohorts , you say ? LAC. Yes . MAC. Those we must Hold still in readinesse , and vndischarg'd . LAC. I vnderstand so much . But how it can — MAC. Be done without suspition , you 'll obiect ? REG. What 's that ? LAC. The keeping of the watch in armes , Returnes . When morning comes . MAC. The Senate shall be met , and set So early , in the temple , as all marke Of that will be auoided . REG. If we need , We haue commission , to possesse the palace , Enlarge prince DRVSVS , and make him our chiefe . MAC. ( That secret would haue burn't his reuerend mouth , Had he not spit it out , now : ) by the gods , You carry things too — let me borrow 'a man , Or two , to beare these — That of freeing DRVSVS , CAESAR proiected as the last , and vtmost ; Not else to be remembred . REG. Here are seruants . MAC. These to ARRVNTIVS , these to LEPIDVS , This beare to COTTA , this to LATIARIS . If they demand you 'of me : say , I haue tane Fresh horse , and am departed . You ( my lord ) To your colleague , and be you sure , to hold him With long narration , of the new fresh fauours , Meant to SEIANVS , his great patron ; I , With trusted LACO , here , are for the guards : Then , to diuide . For , night hath many eies , Whereof , though most doe sleepe , yet some are spies .

PRAECONES , FLAMEN , MINISTRI , SEIANVS , TERENTIVS , SATRIVS , &c. BE all profane farre hence ; Flie , flie farre off : Be absent farre . Farre hence be all profane . FLA. We haue beene faultie , Tub. Tib. Sound , while the Flamen washeth . but repent vs now , And bring pure hands , pure vestments , and pure minds . MIN. Pure vessells . MIN. And pure offrings . MIN. Garlands pure . FLA. Bestow your garlands : and ( with reuerence ) place The veruin on the altar . PRAE. Fauour your tongues . FLA. Great mother FORTVNE , Queene of humane state , Rectresse of action , Arbitresse of fate , To whom all sway , all power , all empire bowes , Be present , and propitious to our vowes . PRAE. Fauour it with your tongues . MIN. Be present , and propitious to our vowes . While they sound againe , the Flamen takes of the hony , with his finger , & tasts , then ministers to all the rest : so of the milk , in an earthen vessel , he deals about ; which done , he sprinkleth , vpon the altar , milke ; then imposeth the hony , and kindleth his gummes , and after censing about the altar placeth his censer thereon , into which they put seuerall branches of poppy , and the musique ceasing , proceed . Accept our offring , and be pleas'd , great goddesse . TER. See , see , the image stirres ! SAT. And turnes away ! NAT. Fortune auerts her face ! FLA. Auert , you gods , The prodigie . Still ! still ! Some pious rite We haue neglected . Yet ! heau'n , be appeas'd . And be all tokens false , or void , that speake Thy present wrath . SEI. Be thou dumbe , scrupulous priest : And gather vp thy selfe , with these thy wares , Which I , in spight of thy blind mistris , or Thy iuggling mysterie , religion , throw Thus , scorned on the earth . Nay , hold thy looke Auerted , till I woo thee , turne againe ; And thou shalt stand , to all posteritie , Th' eternall game , and laughter , with thy neck Writh'd to thy taile , like a ridiculous cat . Auoid these fumes , these superstitious lights , And all these coos'ning ceremonies : you , Your pure , and spiced conscience . I , the slaue , And mock of fooles , ( scorne on my worthy head ) That haue beene titled , and ador'd a god , Yea , sacrific'd vnto , my selfe , in Rome , No lesse then IOVE : and I be brought , to doe A peeuish gigglot rites ? Perhaps , the thought , And shame of that made Fortune turne her face , Knowing her selfe the lesser deitie , And but my seruant . Bashfull queene , if so , SEIANVS thankes thy modestie . Who 's that ?

POMPONIVS , SEIANVS , MINVTIVS , &c. HIs fortune suffers , till he heares my newes : I haue waited here too long . MACRO , my lord — SEI. Speake lower , & with-draw . TER. Are these things true ? MIN. Thousands are gazing at it , in the streets . SEI. What 's that ? TER. MINVTIVS tells vs here , my lord , That , a new head being set vpon your statue , A rope is since found wreath'd about it ! and , But now , a fierie meteor , in the forme Of a great ball , was seene to rowle along The troubled ayre , where yet it hangs , vnperfect , The amazing wonder of the multitude ! SEI. No more . That MACRO' 's come , is more then all ! TER. Is MACRO come ? POM. I saw him . TER. Where ? with whom ? POM. With REGVLVS . SEI. TERENTIVS — TER. My lord ? SEI. Send for the Tribunes , we will straight haue vp More of the souldiers , for our guard . MINVTIVS , We pray you , goe for COTTA , LATIARIS , TRIO the Consul , or what Senators You know are sure , and ours . You , my good NATTA , For LACO , Prouost of the watch . Now , SATRIVS , The time of proofe comes on . Arme all our seruants , And without tumult . You , POMPONIVS , Hold some good correspondence , with the Consul , Attempt him , noble friend . These things begin To looke like dangers , now , worthy my fates . Fortune , I see thy worst : Let doubtfull states , And things vncertaine hang vpon thy will : Me surest death shall render certaine still . Yet , why is , now , my thought turn'd toward death , Whom fates haue let goe on , so farre , in breath , Vncheck'd , or vnreprou'd ? I , that did helpe To fell the loftie Cedar of the world , GERMANICVS ; that , at one stroke , cut downe DRVSVS , that vpright Elme ; wither'd his vine ; Laid SILIVS , and SABINVS , two strong Okes , Flat on the earth ; besides , those other shrubs , CORDVS , and SOSIA , CLAVDIA PVLCHRA , FVRNIVS , and GALLVS , which I haue grub'd vp ; And since , haue set my axe so strong , and deepe Into the roote of spreading AGRIPPINE ; Lopt off and scatter'd her proud branches , NERO , DRVSVS , and CAIVS too , although re-planted ; If you will , destinies , that , after all , I faint , now , ere I touch my period ; You are but cruell : and I alreadie haue done Things great inough . All Rome hath beene my slaue ; The Senate sate an idle looker on , And witnesse of my power ; when I haue blush'd , More , to command , then it to suffer ; all The Fathers haue sate readie , and prepar'd , To giue me empire , temples , or their throtes , When I would aske 'hem ; and ( what crownes the top ) Rome , Senate , people , all the world haue seene IOVE , but my equall : CAESAR , but my second . 'T is then your malice , fates , who ( but your owne ) Enuy , and feare , t' haue any power long knowne .

TERENTIVS , TRIBVNES . STay here : I 'le giue his lordship , you are come .

MINVTIVS , COTTA , LATIARIS . They confer their letters . MARCVS , TERENTIVS , pray you tell my lord , Here 's COTTA , and LATIARIS . TER. Sir , I shall . COT. My letter is the very same with yours ; Onely requires mee to bee present there , And giue my voyce , to strengthen his designe . LAT. Names he not what it is ? COT. No , nor to you . LAT. 'T is strange , and singular doubtfull ! COT. So it is ? It may bee all is left to lord SEIANVS .

NATTA , LACO . To them . GEntlemen , where 's my lord ? TRI. Wee wait him here . COT. The Prouost LACO ? what 's the newes ? LAT. My lord —

To them . SEIANVS . NOw , my right deare , noble , and trusted friends ; How much I am a captiue to your kindnesse ! Most worthy COTTA , LATIARIS ; LACO , Your valiant hand ; and gentlemen , your loues . I wish I could diuide my selfe vnto you ; Or that it lay , within our narrow powers , To satisfie for so enlarged bountie . GRACINVS , we must pray you , hold your guardes Vnquit , when morning comes . Saw you the Consul ? MIN. TRIO will presently be here , my lord . COT. They are but giuing order for the edict , To warne the Senate . SEI. How ! the Senate ? LAT. Yes . This morning , in APOLLO'S temple . COT. We Are charg'd , by letter , to be there , my lord . SEI. By letter ? pray you let 's see ! LAT. Knowes not his lordship ! COT. It seemes so ! SEI. A Senate warn'd ? without my knowledge ? And on this sodaine ? Senators by letters Required to be there ! who brought these ? COT. MACRO . SEI. Mine enemie ! And when ? COT. This mid-night . SEI. Time , With eu'ry other circumstance , doth giue It hath some streine of engin in 't ! How now ?

SATRIVS , SEIANVS , &c. MY lord , SERTORIVS MACRO is without , Alone , and prayes t' haue priuate conference In businesse , of high nature , with your lordship , ( He say's to me ) and which reguards you much . SEI. Let him come here . SAT. Better , my lord , with-draw , You will betray what store , and strength of friends Are now about you ; which he comes to spie . SEI. Is he not arm'd ? SAT. Wee 'll search him . SEI. No , but take , And lead him to some roome , where you , conceal'd , May keepe a guard vpon vs . Noble LACO , You are our trust : and , till our owne cohorts Can be brought vp , your strengths must be our guard . Now , He salutes them humbly . good MINVTIVS , honour'd LATIARIS , Most worthy , and my most vnwearied friends : I returne instantly . LAT. Most worthy lord ! COT. His lordship is turn'd instant kind , me thinkes , I' haue not obseru'd it in him , heretofore . TRI. 1. 'T is true , and it becomes him nobly . MIN. I Am rap't withall . TRI. 2. By MARS , he has my liues , ( Were they a million ) for this onely grace . LAC. I , and to name a man ! LAT. As he did me ! MIN. And me ! LAT. Who would not spend his life and fortunes , To purchase but the looke of such a lord ? LAC. He , that would nor be lords foole , nor the worlds .

SEIANVS , MACRO . MACRO ! most welcome , as most coueted friend ! Let me enioy my longings . When arriu'd you ? MAC. About the noone of night . SEI. SATRIVS , giue leaue . MAC. I haue beene , since I came , with both the Consuls , On a particular designe from CAESAR . SEI. How fares it with our great , and royall master ? MAC. Right plentifully well ; as , with a prince , That still holds out the great proportion Of his large fauours , where his iudgement hath Made once diuine election : like the god , That wants not , nor is wearied to bestow Where merit meets his bountie , as it doth In you , alreadie the most happy , and ere The sunne shall climbe the south , most high SEIANVS . Let not my lord be amus'd . For , to this end Was I by CAESAR sent for , to the isle , With speciall caution to conceale my iourney ; And , thence , had my dispatch as priuately Againe to Rome ; charg'd to come here by night ; And , onely to the Consuls , make narration Of his great purpose : that the benefit Might come more full , and striking , by how much It was lesse look'd for , or aspir'd by you , Or least informed to the common thought . SEI. What may this be ? part of my selfe , deare MACRO ! If good , speake out : and share with your SEIANVS . MAC. If bad , I should for euer lothe my selfe , To be the messenger to so good a lord . I doe exceed m' instructions , to acquaint Your lordship with thus much ; but 't is my venture On your retentiue wisedome : and , because I would no iealous scruple should molest Or racke your peace of thought . For , I assure My noble lord , no Senator yet knowes The businesse meant : though all , by seuerall letters , Are warned to be there , and giue their voyces , Onely to adde vnto the state , and grace Of what is purpos'd . SEI. You take pleasure , MACRO , Like a coy wench , in torturing your louer . What can be worth this suffering ? MAC. That which followes , The tribuniciall dignitie , and power : Both which SEIANVS is to haue this day Confer'd vpon him , and by publique Senate . SEI. Fortune , be mine againe ; thou hast satisfied For thy suspected loyaltie . MAC. My lord , I haue no longer time , the day approcheth , And I must backe to CAESAR . SEI. Where 's CALIGVLA ? MAC. That I forgot to tell your lordship . Why , He lingers yonder , about Capreae , Disgrac'd ; TIBERIVS hath not seene him yet : He needs would thrust himselfe to goe with me , Against my wish , or will , but I haue quitted His forward trouble , with as tardie note As my neglect , or silence could afford him . Your lordship cannot now command me ought , Because , I take no knowledge that I saw you , But I shall boast to liue to serue your lordship : And so take leaue . SEI. Honest , and worthy MACRO , Your loue , and friendship . Who 's there ? SATRIVS , Attend my honourable friend forth . O! How vaine , and vile a passion is this feare ? What base , vncomely things it makes men doe ? Suspect their noblest friends , ( as I did this ) Flatter poore enemies , intreat their seruants , Stoupe , court , and catch at the beneuolence Of creatures , vnto whom ( within this houre ) I would not haue vouchsaf'd a quarter-looke , Or piece of face ? By you , that fooles call gods , Hang all the skie with your prodigious signes , Fill earth with monsters , drop the scorpion downe , Out of the zodiack , or the fiercer lyon , Shake off the loos'ned globe from her long henge , Rowle all the world in darkenesse , and let loose Th' inraged windes to turne vp groues and townes ; When I doe feare againe , let me be strooke With forked fire , and vnpittyed die : Who feares , is worthy of calamitie .

POMPONIVS , REGVLVS , TRIO . To the rest . IS not my lord here ? TER. Sir , he will be straight . COT. What newes , FVLCINIVS TRIO ? TRI. Good , good tidings . ( But , keepe it to your selfe ) My lord SEIANVS Is to receiue this day , in open Senate , The tribuniciall dignitie . COT. Is' t true ? TRI. No wordes ; not to your thought : but , sir , beleeue it . LAT. What sayes the Consul ? COT. ( Speake it not againe , ) He tells me , that to day my lord SEIANVS — ( TRI. I must entreat you COTTA , on your honour Not to reueale it . COT. On my life , sir . ) LAT. Say . COT. Is to receiue the tribuniciall power . But , as you are an honourable man , Let me coniure you , not to vtter it : For it is trusted to me , with that bond . LAT. I am HARPOCRATES . TER. Can you assure it ? POM. The Consul told it me , but keepe it close . MIN. Lord LATIARIS , what 's the newes ? LAT. I 'le tell you , But you must sweare to keepe it secret —

SEIANVS . To them . I Knew the fates had on their distaffe left More of our thread , then so . REG. Haile , great SEIANVS . TRI. Haile , the most honor'd . COT. Happy . LAT. High SEIANus . SEI. Doe you bring prodigies too ? TRI. May all presage Turne to those faire effects , whereof we bring Your lordship newes . REG. May 't please my lord with-draw . SEI. To some that stand by . Yes ( I will speake with you , anon . ) TER. My lord , What is your pleasure for the Tribunes ? SEI. Why , Let 'hem be thank't , and sent away . MIN. My lord — LAC. Wil t please your lordship to command me — SEI. No . You are troublesome . MIN. The mood is chang'd . TRI. Not speake ? TRI. Nor looke ? LAC. I . He is wise , will make him friends Of such , who neuer loue , but for their ends .

ARRVNTIVS , LEPIDVS . Diuers other Senators passing by them . I , Goe , make haste ; take heed you be not last To tender your All haile , in the wide hall Of huge SEIANVS : runne , a Lictors pace ; Stay not to put your robes on ; but , away , With the pale troubled ensignes of great friendship Stamp't i' your face ! Now , MARCVS LEPIDVS , You still beleeue your former augurie ? SEIANVS must goe downe-ward ? you perceiue His wane approching fast ? LEP. Beleeue me , LVCIVS , I wonder at this rising ! ARR. I , and that we Must giue our suffrage to it ? you will say , It is to make his fall more steepe , and grieuous ? It may be so . But thinke it , they that can With idle wishes 'ssay to bring backe time : In cases desperate , all hope is crime . See , see ! what troups of his officious friends Flock to salute my lord ! and start before My great , proud lord ! to get a lord-like nod ! Attend my lord , vnto the Senate-house ! Bring back my lord ! like seruile huishers , make Way for my lord ! proclaime his idoll lord-ship , More then ten cryers , or sixe noise of trumpets ! Make legs , kisse hands , and take a scatter'd haire From my lords eminent shoulder ! See , SANQVINIVS ! With his slow belly , and his dropsie ! looke , What toyling haste he makes ! yet , here 's another , Retarded with the gout , will be afore him ! Get thee liburnian porters , thou grosse foole , To beare thy obsequious fatnesse , like thy peeres . They are met ! The gout returnes , and his great carriage .

LICTORS , CONSVLS , SEIANVS , &c. Passe ouer the stage . GIue way , make place ; roome for the Consul . SAN. Haile , Haile , great SEIANVS . HAT. Haile , my honor'd lord . ARR. We shall be markt anon , for our not-haile . LEP. That is already done . ARR. It is a note Of vpstart greatnesse , to obserue , and watch For these poore trifles , which the noble mind Neglects , and scornes . LEP. I , and they thinke themselues Deepely dishonor'd , where they are omitted , As if they were necessities , that helpt To the perfection of their dignities : And hate the men , that but refraine 'hem . ARR. O! There is a farder cause of hate . Their brests Are guiltie , that we know their obscure springs , And base beginnings : thence the anger growes . On . Follow .

MACRO , LACO . WHen all are entred , shut the temple doores ; And bring your guardes vp to the gate . LAC. I will . MAC. If you shall heare commotion in the Senate , Present your selfe : and charge on any man Shall offer to come forth . LAC. I am instructed .

THE SENATE . HATERIVS , TRIO , SANQVINIVS , COTTA , REGVLVS , SEIANVS , POMPONIVS , LATIARIS , LEPIDVS , ARRVNTIVS , PRAECONES , LICTORES . HOw well his lordship lookes to day ! TRI. As if He had beene borne , or made for this houres state . COT. Your fellow Consul 's come about , me thinkes ? TRI. I , he is wise . SAN. SEIANVS trusts him well . TRI. SEIANVS is a noble , bounteous lord . HAT. He is so , and most valiant . LAT. And most wise . SEN. Hee 's euery thing . LAT. Worthy of all , and more Then bountie can bestow . TRI. This dignitie Will make him worthy . POM. Aboue CAESAR . SAN. Tut , CAESAR is but the rector of an I'sle , He of the empire . TRI. Now he will haue power More to reward , then euer . COT. Let vs looke We be not slack in giuing him our voyces . LAT. Not I . SAN. Nor I . COT. The readier we seeme To propagate his honours , will more bind His thought , to ours . HAT. I thinke right , with your lordship . It is the way to haue vs hold our places . SAN. I , and get more . LAT. More office , and more titles . POM. I will not lose the part , I hope to share In these his fortunes , for my patrimonie . LAT. See , how ARRVNTIVS sits , and LEPIDVS . TRI. Let 'hem alone , they will be markt anon . SEN. I 'le doe with others . SEN. So will I . SEN. And I . Men grow not in the state , but as they are planted Warme in his fauours . COT. Noble SEIANVS ! HAT. Honor'd SEIANVS ! LAT. Worthy , and great SEIANVS ! ARR. Gods ! how the spunges open , and take in ! And shut againe ! looke , looke ! is not he blest That gets a seate in eye-reach of him ? more , That comes in eare , or tongue-reach ? Ô , but most , Can claw his subtle elbow , or with a buzze Fly-blow his eares . PRAET. Proclaime the Senates peace ; And giue last summons by the edict . PRAE. Silence : In name of CAESAR , and the SENATE . Silence . MEMMIVS REGVLVS , and FVLCINIVS TRIO , consuls , these present kalends of Iune , with the first light , shall hold a senate , in the temple of APOLLO PALATINE , all that are Fathers , and are registred Fathers , that haue right of entring the Senate , we warne , or command , you be frequently present , take knowledge the businesse is the common-wealths , whosoeuer is absent , his fine , or mulct , will be taken , his excuse will not be taken . TRI. Note , who are absent , and record their names . REG. Fathers Conscript . May , what I am to vtter . Turne good , and happy , for the common-wealth . And thou APOLLO , in whose holy house We here are met , inspire vs all , with truth , And libertie of censure , to our thought . The maiestie of great TIBERIVS CAESAR Propounds to this graue Senate , the bestowing Vpon the man he loues , honour'd SEIANVS , The tribuniciall dignitie , and power ; Here are his letters , signed with his signet : What pleaseth now the Fathers to be done ? SEN. Reade , reade 'hem , open , publiquely , reade 'hem . COT. CAESAR hath honour'd his owne greatnesse much , In thinking of this act . TRI. It was a thought Happy , and worthy CAESAR . LAT. And the lord , As worthy it , on whom it is directed ! HAT. Most worthy ! SAN. Rome did neuer boast the vertue That could giue enuie bounds , but his : SEIANVS — SEN. Honour'd , and noble ! SEN. Good , and great SEIANVS ! ARR. O , most tame slauerie , and fierce flatterie ! PRAE. Silence . REG. A guard on LATIARIS . ARR. O , the spie ! The reuerend spie is caught , who pitties him ? Reward , sir , for your seruice : now , you ha' done Your propertie , you see what vse is made ? Hang vp the instrument . SEI. Giue leaue . LAC. Stand , stand , He comes vpon his death , that doth aduance An inch toward my point . SEI. Haue we no friends here ? ARR. Hush't . Where now are all the hailes , and acclamations ?

MACRO , SENATE . HAile , to the Consuls , and this noble Senate . SEI. Is MACRO here ? O , thou art lost , SEIANVS . MAC. Sit still , and vn-affrighted , reuerend Fathers . MACRO , by CAESARS grace , the new-made Prouost , And now possest of the praetorian bands , An honour late belong'd to that proud man , Bids you , be safe : and to your constant doome Of his deseruings , offers you the surety Of all the souldiers , tribunes , and centurions , Receiu'd in our command . REG. SEIANVS , SEIANVS , Stand forth , SEIANVS . SEI. Am I call'd ? MAC. I , thou , Thou insolent monster , art bid stand . SEI. Why , MACRO , It hath beene otherwise , betweene you , and I ? This court , that knowes vs both , hath seene a difference , And can ( if it be pleas'd to speake ) confirme , Whose insolence is most . MAC. Come downe Typhoeus , If mine be most , loe , thus I make it more ; Kicke vp thy heeles in ayre , teare off thy robe , Play with thy beard , and nostrills . Thus 't is fit , ( And no man take compassion of thy state ) To vse th' ingratefull viper , tread his braines Into the earth . REG. Forbeare . MAC. If I could lose All my humanitie now , 't were well to torture So meriting a traytor . Wherefore , Fathers , Sit you amaz'd , and silent ? and not censure This wretch , who in the houre he first rebell'd 'Gainst CAESARS bountie , did condemne himselfe ? P'hlegra , the field , where all the sonnes of earth Muster'd against the gods , did ne're acknowledge So proud , and huge a monster . REG. Take him hence . And all the gods guard CAESAR . TRI. Take him hence . HAT. Hence . COT. To the dungeon with him . SAN. He deserues it . SEN. Crowne all our doores with bayes . SAN. And let an oxe With gilded hornes , and garlands , straight be led Vnto the capitoll . HAT. And sacrific'd To IOVE , for CAESARS safety . TRI. All our gods Be present still to CAESAR . COT. PHOEBVS . SAN. MARS . HAT. DIANA . SAN. PALLAS . SEN. IVNO , MERCVRIE , All guard him . MAC. Forth , thou prodigie of men . COT. Let all the traytors titles be defac'd . TRI. His images , and statues be pull'd downe . HAT. His chariot-wheeles be broken . ARR. And the legs Of the poore horses , that deserued naught , Let them be broken too . LEP. O , violent change , And whirle of mens affections ! ARR. Like , as both Their bulkes and soules were bound on fortunes wheele , And must act onely with her motion !

LEPIDVS , ARRVNTIVS . WHo would depend vpon the popular ayre , Or voyce of men , that haue to day beheld ( That which if all the gods had fore-declar'd , Would not haue beene beleeu'd ) SEIANVS fall ? He , that this morne rose proudly , as the sunne ? And , breaking through a mist of clients breath , Came on as gaz'd at , and admir'd , as he When superstitious Moores salute his light ! That had our seruile nobles waiting him As common groomes ; and hanging on his looke , No lesse then humane life on destinie ! That had mens knees as frequent , as the gods ; And sacrifices , more , then Rome had altars : And this man fall ! fall ? I , without a looke , That durst appeare his friend ; or lend so much Of vaine reliefe , to his chang'd state , as pitty ! ARR. They , that before like gnats plaid in his beames , And throng'd to circumscribe him , now not seene ! Nor deigne to hold a common seate with him ! Others , that wayted him vnto the Senate , Now , inhumanely rauish him to prison ! Whom ( but this morne ) they follow'd as their lord , Guard through the streets , bound like a fugitiue ! In stead of wreaths , giue fetters ; strokes , for stoops : Blind shame , for honours ; and black taunts , for titles ! Who would trust slippery chance ? LEP. They , that would make Themselues her spoile : and foolishly forget , When shee doth flatter , that shee comes to prey . Fortune , thou hadst no deitie , if men Had wisedome : we haue placed thee so high , By fond beliefe in thy felicitie . SEN. The gods guard CAESAR . Shout within . All the gods guard CAESAR .

MACRO , REGVLVS , SENATORS . NOw great SEIANVS , you that aw'd the state , And sought to bring the nobles to your whip , That would be CAESARS tutor , and dispose Of dignities , and offices ! that had The publique head still bare to your designes , And made the generall voyce to eccho yours ! That look'd for salutations , twelue score off , And would haue pyramid's , yea , temples rear'd To your huge greatnesse ! now , you lie as flat , As was your pride aduanc'd . REG. Thanks , to the gods . SEN. And praise to MACRO , that hath saued Rome . Liberty , liberty , liberty . Lead on , And praise to MACRO , that hath saued Rome .

ARRVNTIVS , LEPIDVS , TERENTIVS . I Prophesie , out of this Senates flatterie , That this new fellow , MACRO , will become A greater prodigie in Rome , then he That now is falne . TER. O you , whose minds are good , And haue not forc'd all mankind , from your brests ; That yet haue so much stock of vertue left , To pitty guiltie states , when they are wretched : Lend your soft eares to heare , and eyes to weepe Deeds done by men , beyond the acts of furies . The eager multitude , ( who neuer yet Knew why to loue , or hate , but onely pleas'd T' expresse their rage of power ) no sooner heard The murmure of SEIANVS in decline , But with that speed , and heate of appetite , With which they greedily deuoure the way To some great sports , or a new theatre ; They fill'd the capitoll , and POMPEI'S circke , Where , like so many mastiues , biting stones , As if his statues now were sensitiue Of their wild furie ; first , they teare them downe : Then fastning ropes , drag them along the streets , Crying in scorne , this , this was that rich head Was crown'd with garlands , and with odours , this That was in Rome so reuerenced . Now The fornace , and the bellowes shall too worke The great SEIANVS crack , and piece , by piece , Drop i' the founders pit . LEP. O , popular rage ! TER. The whilst , the Senate , at the temple of Concord , Make haste to meet againe , and thronging cry , Let vs condemne him , tread him downe in water , While he doth lie vpon the banke ; away : Where some , more tardie , cry vnto their bearers , He will be censur'd ere we come , runne knaues , And vse that furious diligence , for feare Their bond-men should informe against their slacknesse , And bring their quaking flesh vnto the hooke : The rout , they follow with confused voyce , Crying , they' are glad , say they could ne're abide him ; Enquire , what man he was ? what kind of face ? What beard he had ? what nose ? what lips ? protest , They euer did presage h' would come to this : They neuer thought him wise , nor valiant : Aske After his garments , when he dies ? what death ? And not a beast of all the herd demands , What was his crime ? or , who were his accusers ? Vnder what roofe , or testimonie , he fell ? There came ( sayes one ) a huge , long , worded letter From Capreae against him . Did there so ? O , they are satisfied , no more . LEP. Alas ! They follow fortune , and hate men condemn'd , Guiltie , or not . ARR. But , had SEIANVS thriu'd In his designe , and prosperously opprest The old TIBERIVS , then , in that same minute These very raskals , that now rage like furies , Would haue proclaim'd SEIANVS emperour . LEP. But what hath follow'd ? TER. Sentence , by the Senate ; To lose his head : which was no sooner off , But that , and th' vnfortunate trunke were seiz'd By the rude multitude ; who not content With what the forward iustice of the state , Officiously had done , with violent rage Haue rent it limbe , from limbe . A thousand heads , A thousand hands , ten thousand tongues , and voyces , Employ'd at once in seuerall acts of malice ! Old men not staid with age , virgins with shame , Late wiues with losse of husbands , mothers of children , Losing all griefe in ioy of his sad fall , Runne quite transported with their crueltie ! These mounting at his head , these at his face , These digging out his eyes , those with his braine , Sprinkling themselues , their houses , and their friends ; Others are met , haue rauish'd thence an arme , And deale small pieces of the flesh for fauours ; These with a thigh ; this hath cut off his hands ; And this his feet ; these fingers , and these toes ; That hath his liuer ; he his heart : there wants Nothing but roome for wrath , and place for hatred ! What cannot oft be done , is now ore-done . The whole , and all of what was great SEIANVS , And next to CAESAR did possesse the world , Now torne , and scatter'd , as he needs no graue , Each little dust couers a little part : So lyes he no where , and yet often buryed !

ARRVNTIVS , NVNTIVS , LEPIDVS , TERENTIVS . MOre of SEIANVS ? NVN. Yes . LEP. What can be added ? We know him dead . NVN. Then , there begin your pitty . There is inough behind , to melt eu'n Rome , And CAESAR into teares : ( since neuer slaue Could yet so highly offend , but tyrannie , In torturing him , would make him worth lamenting . ) A sonne , and daughter , to the dead SEIANVS , ( Of whom there is not now so much remayning As would giue fastning to the hang-mans hooke ) Haue they drawne forth for farder sacrifice ; Whose tendernesse of knowledge , vnripe yeares , And childish silly innocence was such , As scarse would lend them feeling of their danger : The girle so simple , as shee often askt , Where they would lead her ? for what cause they drag'd her ? Cry'd , shee would doe no more . That shee could take Warning with beating . And because our lawes Admit no virgin immature to die , The wittily , and strangely-cruell MACRO , Deliuer'd her to be deflowr'd , and spoil'd , By the rude lust of the licentious hang-man , Then , to be strangled with her harmelesse brother . LEP. O , act , most worthy hell , and lasting night , To hide it from the world ! NVN. Their bodies throwne Into the Gemonies , ( I know not how , Or by what accident return'd ) the mother , Th' expulsed APICATA , finds them there ; Whom when shee saw lie spred on the degrees , After a world of furie on her selfe , Tearing her haire , defacing of her face , Beating her brests , and wombe , kneeling amaz'd , Crying to heauen , then to them ; at last , Her drowned voyce gate vp aboue her woes : And with such black , and bitter execrations , ( As might affright the gods , and force the sunne Runne back-ward to the east , nay , make the old Deformed CITAOS rise againe , t' ore-whelme Them , vs , and all the world ) shee fills the aire ; Vpbraids the heauens with their partiall doomes , Defies their tyrannous powers , and demands , What shee , and those poore innocents haue transgress'd , That they must suffer such a share in vengeance , Whilst LIVIA , LYGDVS , and EVDEMVS liue , Who , ( as shee say's , and firmely vowes , to proue it To CAESAR , and the Senate ) poyson'd DRVSVS ? LEP. Confederates with her husband ? NVN. I . LEP. Strange act ! ARR. And strangely open'd : what say's now my monster , The multitude ? they reele now ? doe they not ? NVN. Their gall is gone , and now they 'gin to weepe The mischiefe they haue done . ARR. I thanke 'hem , rogues ! NVN. Part are so stupide , or so flexible , As they beleeue him innocent ; all grieue : And some , whose hands yet reeke with his warme bloud , And gripe the part which they did teare of him , Wish him collected , and created new . LEP. How fortune plies her sports , when shee begins To practise 'hem ! pursues , continues , addes ! Confounds , with varying her empassion'd moodes ! ARR. Do'st thou hope fortune to redeeme thy crimes ? To make amends , for thy ill placed fauours , With these strange punishments ? Forbeare , you things , That stand vpon the pinnacles of state , To boast your slippery height ; when you doe fall , You pash your selues in pieces , nere to rise : And he that lends you pitty , is not wise . TER. Let this example mooue th' insolent man , Not to grow proud , and carelesse of the gods : It is an odious wisedome , to blaspheme , Much more to slighten , or denie their powers . For , whom the morning saw so great , and high , Thus low , and little , 'fore the euen doth lie .

THE END

This Tragoedie was first acted , in the yeere 1603 .

By the Kings Maiesties SERVANTS .

The principall Tragoedians were , RIC. BVRBADGE . AVG. PHILIPS . WILL . SLY . IOH. LOWIN . WILL . SHAKE-SPEARE . IOH. HEMINGS . HEN. CONDEL . ALEX. COOKE .

With the allowance of the Master of REVELLS .

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Textual Notes

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A04632_05-193-b-0910 TIBIOINES TIBICINES . A04632_05-203-b-3270 dentisrice now well , ladie , you should Vse of the dentifrice , I prescrib'd you , too , To cleere your A04632_05-209-a-3210 Wherefo●e Fathers , to behold This generall deiection . Wherefore sit Romes Consuls thus dissolu'd , as they A04632_05-209-b-2440 D●VSVS Their worths to him , and to posteritie . DRUSUS tane hence , I turne my prayers to you , A04632_05-216-a-3940 pronouuce should suffer , Vnder TIBERIVS , when he did pronounce The Roman race most wretched , that should A04632_05-216-b-1510 forunate Dearest head , To thy most fortunate designe I yeeld it . A04632_05-218-a-2450 Heat'with furie euer boyles more high , and strong , Heat' with ambition , then reuenge of wrong . A04632_05-218-a-4220 ●eeds and both safely kill : The prince , that feeds great natures , they will sway him ; VVho A04632_05-237-a-4180 Con●ounds practise'hem ! pursues , continues , addes ! Confounds , with varying her empassion'd moodes !