Seianus his fall. VVritten by Ben: Ionson Jonson, Ben, 1573?-1637. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription B12727 of text S123959 in the English Short Title Catalog. Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 295KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 55 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 B14291

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 eng Sejanus, Lucius Aelius, d. 31 -- Drama -- Early works to 1800. eebo Seianus his fall. VVritten by Ben: Ionson Jonson, Ben, 1573?-1637. 1605 109 44680 117 4 0 0 0 0 27.08 C The rate of 27.08 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2014-03 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2014-05 Sampled and proofread 2014-05 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2015-03 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

SEIANVS HIS FALL .

Written by BEN . IONSON .

MART . Non hîc Centauros , non Gorgonas , Harpyasque Inuenies : Hominem pagina nostra sapit .

AT LONDON Printed by G. Elld , for Thomas Thorpe . 1605.

To the Readers .

THe following , and voluntary Labours of my Friends , prefixt to my Booke , haue releiued me in much , whereat ( without them ) I should necessarilie haue touchd : Now , I will onely vse three or foure short , and needfull Notes , and so rest .

First , if it be obiected , that what I publish is no true Poëme ; in the strict Lawes of Time . I confesse it : as also in the want of a proper Chorus , whose Habite , and Moodes are such , and so difficult , as not any , whome I haue seene since the Auntients , ( no not they who haue most presently affected Lawes ) haue yet come in the way off . Nor is it needful , or almost possible , in these our Times , and to such Auditors , as commonly Things are presented , to obserue the ould state , and splendour of Drammatick Poëmes , with preseruation of any popular delight . But of this I shall take more seasonable cause to speake ; in my Obseruations vpon Horace his Art of Poetry , which ( with the Text translated ) I intend , shortly to publish . In the meane time , if in truth of Argument , dignity of Persons , grauity and height of Elocution , fulnesse and frequencie of Sentence , I haue discharg'd the other offices of a Tragick writer , let not the absence of these Formes be imputed to me , wherein I shall giue you occasio● hereafter ( and without my boast ) to thinke I could b●●ter prescribe , then omit the due vse , for want of a con●enient knowledge .

The next is least in some nice nostrill , the Quotations might sauour affected , I doe let you know , that I abhor nothing more ; and haue onely done it to shew my integrity in the Story , and saue my selfe in those common Torturers , that bring all wit to the Rack : whose Noses are euer like Swine spoyling , and rooting vp the Muses Gard●ns , and their whole Bodies , like Moles , as blindly working vnder Earth to cast any , the least , hilles vpon Vertue .

Whereas , they are in Latine and the worke in English , it was presupposd , none but the Learned would take the paynes to conferre them , the Authors themselues being all in the learned Tongues , saue one , with whose English side I haue had little to doe ▪ To which it may be required , since I haue quoted the Page , to name what Editions I follow'd . Tacit. Lips . in 4o . Antuerp . edit. 600. Dio . Folio . Hen . Step 92. For the rest , as Sueton . Seneca . &c. the Chapter doth sufficiently direct , or the Edition is not varied .

Lastly I would informe you , that this Booke , in all numbers , is not the same with that which was acted on the publike Stage , wherein a second Pen had good share : in place of which I haue rather chosen , to put weaker ( and no doubt lesse pleasing ) of mine own , then to defraud so happy a Genius of his right , by my lothed vsurpation .

Fare you well . And if you read farder of me , and like , I shall not be afraid of it though you praise me out .

Neque enim mihi cornea fibra est .

But that I should plant my felicity , in your generall saying Good , or Well , &c. were a weaknesse which the better sort of you might worthily coutenme , if not absolutely hate me for .

BEN . IONSON . and no such . Quem Palma negata macrum , donata reducit opimum .
In SEIANVM BEN . IONSON I Et Musis , et sibi in Delicijs . SO brings the wealth-contracting Ieweller Pearles and deare Stones , from richest shores & streame● , As thy accomplisht Trauaile doth confer From skill-inriched soules , their wealthier Gems ; So doth his hand enchase in ammeld Gould , Cut , and adornd beyond their Natiue Merits , His solid Flames , as thine hath here inrould In more then Goulden Verse , those betterd spirits ; So he entreasures Princes Cabinets , As thy Wealth will their wished Libraries ; So , on the throate of the rude Sea , he sets His ventrous foote , for his illustrous Prise ; And through wilde Desarts , armd with wilder Beasts , As thou aduenturst on the Multitude , Vpon the boggy , and engulfed brests Of Hyrelings , sworne to finde most Right , most rude : And he , in stormes at Sea , doth not endure , Nor in vast Desarts , amongst Woolues , more danger ; Then we , that would with Vertue liue secure , Sustaine for her in euery Vices anger . Nor is this Allegorie vniustly rackt , to this strange length ; Onely that Iewels are , In estimation meerely , so exact : And thy worke , in it selfe , is deare and Rare . Wherein Minerua had beene vanquished , Had she , by it , her sacred Loomes aduanc't , And through thy subiect wouen her graphicke Thread , Contending therein , to be more entranc't ; For , though thy hand was scarce addrest to drawe The Semi-circle of Seianus life , Thy Muse yet makes it the whole Sphaere , and Lawe To all State Liues : and bounds Ambitions strife . And as a little Brooke creepes from his Spring , With shallow tremblings , through the lowest Vales , As if he feard his streame abroad to bring , Least prophane Feete should wrong it , and rude Gales , But finding happy Channels , and supplies Of other Fordes mixe with his modest course , He growes a goodly Riuer , and descries The strength , that mannd him , since he left his Source ; Then takes he in delight some Meades , and Groues , And , with his two-edg'd waters , flourishes Before great Palaces , and all Mens Loues Build by his shores , to greete his Passages : So thy chaste Muse , by vertuous selfe-mistrust , Which is a true Marke of the truest Merit , In Virgin feare of Mens illiterate Lust , Shut her soft wings , and durst not showe her spirit ; Till , nobly cherisht , now thou lett'st her flie , Singing the sable Orgies of the Muses , And in the highest Pitche of Tragedie , Mak'st her command , al things thy Ground produces . But , as it is a Signe of Loues first firing , Not Pleasure by a louely Presence taken , And Bouldnesse to attempt ; but close Retiring , To places desolate , and Feuer-shaken ; So , when the loue of Knowledge first affects vs , Our Tongues doe falter , and the Flame doth roue Through our thinne spirits , and of feare detects vs Tattaine her Truth , whom we so truely loue . Nor can ( saith Aeschilus ) a faire young Dame , Kept long without a Husband , more containe Her amorous eye , from breaking forth in flame , When she beholds a Youth that fits her vaine ; Then any mans first taste of Knowledge truly Can bridle the affection she inspireth : But let it flie on Men , that most vnduly Haunt her with hate , and all the Loues she fireth . If our Teeth , Head , or but our Finger ake , We straight seeke the Phisitian ; If a Feuer , Or any curefull maladie we take , The graue Phisitian is desired euer : But if proud Melancholie , Lunacie , Or direct Madnesse ouer-heate our braines , We Rage , Beate out , or the Phisitian flie , Loosing with vehemence , euen the sense of Paines . So of Offenders , they are past recure , That with a tyranous spleene , their stings extend Gainst their Reprouers ; They that will endure All discreete Discipline , are not said t' offend . Though Others qualified , then , with Naturall skill , ( More sweete mouthd , and affecting shrewder wits ) Blanche Coles , call Illnesse , good , and Goodnesse ill , Breath thou the fire , that true-spoke Knowledge fits . Thou canst not then be Great ? yes . Who is he , ( Said the good Spartane King ) greater then I , That is not likewise iuster ? No degree can boast of emminence , or Emperie , ( As the great Stagerite held ) in any One Beyond Another , whose Soule farther sees , And in whose Life the Gods are better knowne : Degrees of Knowledge difference all Degrees . Thy Poëme , therefore , hath this due respect , That it lets passe nothing , without obseruing , Worthy Instruction ; or that might correct Rude manners , and renowne the well deseruing : Performing such a liuely Euidence in thy Narrations , that thy Hearers still Thou turnst to thy Spectators ; and the sense That thy Spectators haue of good or ill , Thou ini●ct'st ioyntly to thy Readers soules . So deare is held , so deckt thy numerous Taske , As thou putt'st handles to the Thespian Boules , Or stuckst rich Plumes in the Palladian Caske . All thy worth , yet , thy selfe must Patronise , By quaffing more of the Castalian Head ; In expiscation of whose Mysteries , Our Netts must still be clogd , with heauy Lead , To make them sincke , and catche : For cheerefull Gould , Was neuer found in the Pierian Streames , But Wants , and Scornes , and Shames for siluer sould . What , what shall we elect in these extreames ? Now by the Shafts of the great CYRRHAN Poet , That beare all light , that is , about the world ; I would haue all dull Poet-Haters know it , They shall be soule-bound , and in darknesse hurld , A thousand yeares , ( as Sathan was , their Syre ) Ere Any worthy , the Poetique Name , ( Might I , that warme but , at the Muses fire , Presume to guard it ) should let Deathlesse Fame Light halfe a beame of all her hundred Eyes , At his dimme Taper , in their memories . Flie , flie , you are to neare ; so odorous Flowers being held too neere the Sensor of our Sense , Render not pure , nor so sincere their powers , As being held a little distance thence ; Because much troubled Earthy parts improue them : Which mixed with the Odors we exhall , Do vitiate what we drawe in . But remooue them A little space , the Earthy parts do fall , And what is pure , and hote by his tenuitye , is to our powers of Sauor purely borne . But flie , or staie : Use thou the assiduitie , Fit for a true Contemner of their scorne . Our Phoebus may , with his exampling Beames , Burne out the webs from their Arachnean eyes , Whose Knowledge ( Day-star to all Diadems , ) Should banish knowledge-hating Policies : So others , great in the Scientiall grace , His Chancelor , fautor of all humane Skils ; His Treasurer , taking thèm into his Place , Northumber , that , with thèm , his Crescent fils , Graue Worc'ster , in whose Nerues they guard their fire , Northampton , that to all his height in bloud , H●ightens his soule , with thèm , And Deuonshire , In whom their Streams , ebd to their Spring , are Floud , Oraculous Salisburie , whos● inspired voice , In State proportions , sings their misteries , And ( though last Namd ) first , in whom They reioyce , To whose true worth , Th●y vow most obsequies , Most Noble Suffolke , who by Nature Noble , And iudgement vertuous , cannot fall by Fortune , Who when our Hearde , came not to drinke , but trouble The Muses waters , did a Wall importune , ( Midst of assaults ) about their sacred Riuer ; In whose behalfes , my poore Soule , ( consecrate To poorest Vertue ) to the longest Liuer , His Name , in spight of Death , shall propagate . O could the World but feele how sweete a touch A good Deed hath in one in loue with Goodnesse , ( If Poesie were not rauished so much , And her composde Rage , held the simplest Woodnesse , Though of all heates , that temper humane braines , Hers euer was most subtle , high , and holy , First binding sauadge Liues , in ciuile Chaines : Solely religious , and adored solely , If men felt this ) they would not thinke a Loue , That giues it selfe , in her , did vanities giue ; Who is ( in Earth , though lowe ) in Worth aboue , Most able t' honour Life , though least to liue . And so good Friend , safe passage to thy Freight , To thee a long Peace , through a vertuous strife , In which , lets both contend to Vertues height , Not making Fame our Obiect , but good life . COme forth SEIANVS , fall before this Booke , And of thy Falles Reuiuer , aske forgiuenesse , That thy lowe Birth and Merits , durst to looke A Fortune in the face , of such vneuennesse ; For so his feruent loue to Vertue , hates , That her pluckt plumes should wing Vice to such calling , That he presents thee to all marking States , As if thou hadst beene all this while in falling . His strong Arme plucking , from the Midle-world , Fames Brazen House , and layes her Towre as lowe , As HOMERS Barathrum ; that , from Heauen hurld , Thou might'st fall on it : and thy Ruines growe To all Posterities , from his worke , the Ground , And vnder Heau'n , nought but his Song might sound . Haec Commentatus est Georgius Chapmannus .
For his worthy Friend , the Author . IN that , this Booke doth deigne SEIANV'S name , Him vnto more , then Caesars Loue , it brings : For , w●ere he could not with Ambition's wings , One Quill doth heaue him to the height of Fame . Yee great-Ones though , ( whose ends may be the same , ) Know , that ( how euer we do flatter Kings ) Their Fauours ( like themselues ) are fading things , With no lesse Enuie had , then lost with Shame . Nor make your selues lesse honest then you are , To make our Author wiser then he is : Ne of such Crimes accuse him , which I dare By all his Muses sweare , be none of his . The Men are not , some Faults may be these Times : He acts those Men , and they did act these Crimes . HVGH HOLLAND .
To the deseruing Author . WHen I respect thy argument , I see An Image of those Times : but when I view The wit , the workemanship , so rich , so true , The Times themselues do seeme retriu'd to me . And as Seianus , in thy Tragedie , Falleth from Caesars grace ; euen so the Crew Of common Play-wrights , whom Opinion blew Big with false greatnesse , are disgrac'd by thee . Thus , in one Tragedie , thou makest twaine : And , since faire workes of Iustice fit the part Of Tragick writers , Muses doe ordaine That all Tragedians , Maisters of their Arte , Who shall hereafter follow on this tract , In writing well , thy Tragedie shall acte . CYGNVS .
To his learned , and beloued Friend , vpon his aequall worke . SEIANVS , great , and eminent in Rome , Rays'd aboue all the Senate , both in grace Of Princes fauour , authority , place , And popular dependance ; yet , how soone , Euen with the instant of his ouerthrowe , Is all this Pride and Greatnesse now forgot , ( Onely that in Former grace he stood not ) By them which did his State , not Treason knowe ! His very Flatterers , that did adorne Their neckes with his rich Meddales , now in flame Consume them , and would loose euen his Name , Or else recite it with reproach , or scorne ! This was his Romane Fate . But now thy Muse To vs that neither knew his Height , nor Fall , Hath rays'd him vp with such memoriall , All future States and Times his name shall vse . What , not his Good , nor Ill could once extend To the next Age , thy Verse , industrious , And learned Friend , hath made illustrious To this . Nor shall his , or thy fame haue end . Th. R.
Amicis , amici nostri dignissimi , dignissimis , Epigramma . D. IOHANNES MARSTONIVS . YEE ready Friendes , spare your vnneedfull Bayes , This worke dispairefull Enuie must euen praise : Phoebus hath voic'd it , loud , through ecchoing skies , SEIANVS FALL shall force thy Merit rise . For neuer English shall , or hath before Spoake fuller grac'd . He could say much , not more .
Vpon SEIANVS . HOw high a Poore man showes in low estate Whose Base is firme , and whole Frame competent , That sees this Cedar , made the Shrub of Fate , Th'on●s little , lasting ; Th' others confluence spent . And as the Lightning comes behind the Thunder From the torne Cloud , yet first inuades our Sense , So euery violent Fortune , that to wonder Hoists men aloft , is a cleere euidence Of a vaunt curring blow the Fates haue giuen To his forst state : swift Lightning blindes his eyes , While Thunder from comparison hating Heauen Dischargeth on his height , and there it lyes : If men will shun swolne Fortunes ruinous blastes , Let them vse Temperance . Nothing violent lastes . William Strachey .
To him that hath so excell'd on this excellent subiect . THy Poeme ( pardon me ) is meere deceat . Yet such deceate , as thou that dost beguile , Are iuster farre then they who vse no wile : And they who are deceaued by this feat , More wise ●h●● such who can eschewe thy cheat . For thou hast giuen each parte so iust a stile , That Men suppose the Action now on file ; ( And Men suppose , who are of best conceat . ) Yet some there be , that are not moou'd hereby , And others are so quick , that they will spy Where later Times are in some speech enweau'd ; Those wary Simples , and these simple Elfes : They are so dull , they cannot be deceau'd , These so vniust , they will decêaue themselues . {αβγδ} .
To the most vnderstanding Poet . WHen in the GLOBES faire Ring , our Worlds best Stage , I saw Seianus , set with that rich foyle , I look 't the Author should haue borne the spoile Of conquest , from the Writers of the Age : But when I veiw'd the Peoples beastly rage , Bent to confound thy graue , and learned toile , That cost thee so much sweat , and so much oyle , My indignation I could hardly ' asswage . And many there ( in passion ) scarce could tell Whether thy fault , or theirs deseru'd most blame ; Thine , for so shewing , theirs , to wrong the same : But both they left within that doubtfull Hell . From whence , this Publication setts thee free : They , for their Ignorance , still damned bee . Ev. B.
THE ARGVMENT .

AELIVS Seianus , Sonne to Scius Strabo , a Gent●eman of Rome , and borne at Vulfinium , after his long seruice in Court , first , vn●er Augustus ; ●fterward , Tiberius : grew into that fauour with the Latter , and wonne him by tho●e Artes , as there w●nted no●hing but the Name to make him a Copartner of the Empire . Which greatnes of his , Drusus the Emperours sonne not brooking , after many smotherd d●slikes , it one day breaking out ; the Prince strok● 〈◇〉 publiqu●ly on ●he Face . To reuenge which disgrace , ( Liuia , the wife of Drusus , beeing ●efore corrupted by him to her dishonor , & the d scouery of her husbands Councells ) Seianus practiseth w●th , together w●th her Phisitian , calld Eudemus , & one Lygdus an Eunuch , to poison Drusus . This their inhumane Act hauing successeful , and vnsuspected passage , it emboldeneth S●ianus to farther , and more insolent Proiects , e●en the ambition of the Empire : where finding the Lets he must encounter to be many , and hard , in respe●t of the issue of Germanicus ( who were next in hope ) he deuiseth to make Tibe●ius selfe , his meanes ; and instill's in●o his eares many doubts , and suspicions both against the Princes , and their mother Agrippina : which Caesar iealously hearkning too , as couetously consenteth to their Ruine , and their Friends , in this time , the better to mature and strengthen his Designe , hee labours to marry Liuia , and worketh ( withall his Ingine ) to remoue Tiberius from the knowledge of publique Busines , with allurements of a quiet and seperated Life ; the latter of which Tiber●as , ( out of a pronenesse to Lust and a desire to hide th●se vnnatural Pleasures which he could not so publiquely practise ) embraceth : the former inkindleth his Feares , & there giues him first cause of doubt , or suspect toward Seianus . Against whom , he raiseth ( in priuat● ) a new Instrument , one Sertorius Macro , and by him vnderwo●keth , discouers the others Counsells , his Means , his Ends , sounds the Affections of the Scuators , deu●des , distracts them : at last , when Seianus lest looketh , and ●s most Secu●e ( with praetext of doing him an vn-wonted honour in the Senat ) he tr●ynes him from his Guardes ; with one Letter , & in one Day , hath him suspected , accus'd , condemned , and torne in peices , by the rage of the People .

This do we aduance as a marke of Terror to all Traytors , & Treasons ; to shewe how iust the Heauens are in powring and thundring downe a weighty vengeance on their vnnatural intents , euen to the worst Princes : Much more to those , for guard of whose Piety and Vertue , the Angels are in continuall watch , and God himselfe miraculously working .

The names of the Actors . 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 . POSTVMVS . TRIO . MINVTIVS . SATRIVS . NATTA . OPSIVS . TRIBVNI . AGRIPPINA . LIVIA . SOSIA . PRAECONES . FLAMEN . TVBICINES . NVNTIVS . LICTORES . MINISTRI . TIBICINES . SERWS .
SEIANVS .
ACTVS PRIMVS . SABINVS . SILIVS . NATTA . LATIARIS . CORDVS . SATRIVS . ARRVNTIVS . EVDEMVS . HATERIVS . &c. SAB . HAile De Calo Silio . vid. Tacit. Lips . edit. 4o . Anna . lib . 1. pag . 11. lib . 2. pag . 28. & 33. Caius Silius . SIL . De Titio Sabino . vid Tac . lib . 4. pag . 79. Titius Sabinus , Hayle . Yo' are rarely met in Court ! SAB . Therfore , well met . SIL . 't is true : Indeed , this Place is not our Sphaere . SAB . No Silius , we are no good Inginers ; We want the fine Artes , and their thriuing vse Should make vs grac'd , or fauor'd of the Times : We haue no shift of Faces , no cleft Tongues , No soft , and glutinous bodies , that can stick , Like Snailes , on painted walls ; or , on our brests , Creepe vp , to fall , from that proud height , to which We did by Tac . Annal . lib 1. pag . 2. 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 Iuuenal . Sat. 1. ver . 75. can say , we owe vnto our Crimes ; We burne with no Et Sat. 3. ver . 49. &c. 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 do aduance To that so courted point . SIL . But yonder leane A paire that doe . ( SAB . Good Cossen De Latiari , coms . Tac . Annal . lib . 4 pag . 94. & Dion . Step . edit. fol. lib . 58. pag . 711. Latiaris . ) SIL . De Satrio Secundo , & Satrius Secundus , and Pinnario Natta . Leg Tacit. Annal . lib . 4. pag . 83. Et de Satrio . cons . Senec . consol . ad Marciam . Pinnarius Natta , The great Seianus 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 bene made fit Organs : These can lie , Flatter , and sweare , forsweare , depraue , Vid . Sen. de Benef . lib . 3. cap . 26. informe , Smile , and betray ; make guilty men ; then beg The forfeit liues , to get the liuings ; cut Mens throates with whisprings ; sell to gaping Suitors The empty smoake , that flies about the Pallace ; 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 clock ; And true , as Turkise in the deare Lords ring , Looke Iuuenal . Sat. 3. ver . 105. 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 , Alasse ! these things Deserue no note , confer'd with other vile , And Vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 1. pag . 3. filthier Flatteries , that corrupt the times : When , not alone our Gentries Chiefe , are faine To make their safty from such sordide Acts , But Tac . Annal . lib 3. pag . 69. all our Consuls , and no little part Of such as haue bene Praetors , yea , the most Of Pedarij . Senators , that else not vse their voyces , Start vp in publique Senate , and there striue Who shall propound most abiect things , and base , So much , as oft Tiberius hath bene heard , Leauing the Court , to cry , Ibid . 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 seruility . SIL . Well , all is worthy of vs , were it more , Who with our riots , pride , and ciuill hate , Haue so prouok'd the Iustice of the Gods We that ( within these fourescore yeares ) were borne Free , aequall 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 : Lege Tac . Ann. lib . 1. pag . 24. de Romano Hispane , & caeteris . ibid . et lib . 3. Ann. pag . 61. & 62. Iuuen . Sat. 10. ver . 87. Suet . Tib . cap . 61 Euery ministring Spie That will accuse , and sweare , is Lord of you , Of me , of all , our Fortunes , and our Liues . Our Vid . Tac . Ann. 1. pag . 4. & lib . 3. pa. 62. Suet . Tib . cap . 61 Senec . de Benef . lib . 3. cap . 26. loookes are call'd to question , and our wordes , How innocent so euer , are made Crimes ; We shall not shortly dare to tell our dreames , Or thinke but 't will be Treason . SAB . " Tirannes Artes " Are to giue Flatterers grace , Accusers power , " That those may seeme to kill whom they deuoure . Now De Cremutio Cordo vid Tacit. Annal . lib . 4. pag . 83. 84. Senec . consol . ad Marciam . Dio . lib . 57. pag 710. Suet . Aug. ca. 35. lib . cap . 61. Cal cap . 16. good Cremutius Cordus . COR . Haile to your Lordship . NAT. Who 's that salutes your Cosin ? LAT . 't is one Cordus , 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 Caius Caesars ; and Leg . Suet . Aug. ca. 35. so downe to these , NAT. How stands h' affected to the present state ? Is he or Vid . de factio . Tac . Ann. lib . 2. pag . 39. & lib . 4. pa. 79 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. Cordus do you call him ? LA . I. SAB . But these our times Are not the same Arruntius . De Lu . Aruntio isto , vid. Tac . Ann. lib . 1. pag . 6. & lib . 3. pag . 60. & Dion . Rom. Hist . lib . 58. ARR . Times ? the Men , The Men are not the same : 't is wee 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 die his Master . Or where the constant Brutus , that ( being proofe Against all charme of benefits ) did strike So braue a blowe into the monsters heart That sought ( vnkindly ) to captiue his countrie ? O they are fled the light . Those mighty 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 smoake , wherewith we labour so , Ther 's nothing Romane in vs ; nothing good , Gallant , or great : T is true , that Cordus say's , Braue Cassius was the last of all that race . SAB . Stand by , Lord Lege de Dru●o . Tac . Anna . lib . 1 pag , 9. Suet Tib . cap . 52. Dio . Rom. hist lib . 57. pag . 699 , Drusus . HAT . Th' emp'rours son , giue place . SIL . I like the Prince well . ARR . Tacit. Ann. lib . 3. pag . 62. A riotous youth , There 's little hope of him . SAB . That fault his Age Will , as it growes , correct . Me thinkes , hee beares Himselfe , each day , more noblie then other : And winnes no lesse on mens affections Then doth his Father loose . Beleeue me ' I loue him ; And chiefely vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. for opposing to Seianus . SIL . And I Ann. lib . 4 pag . 75. 76. for gracing his yong kinsman so , The Nero . Drusus . Calus , qui in castris geni●us , et Caligula nominatus . Tac an . l. 1. sonnes of Prince De Germanico . cons . Tac . Anna . lib . 1. pag . 14. et Dion Hist . Rom. l. 57. p. 694. Germanicus ; It shewes A gallant clearnesse in him , a streight minde , That enuies not , in them , their Fathers name . ARR . His Name was , while he liu'd , aboue all envie ; And beeing dead , without it . O that man ! If there were seedes of the old vertue left , They liu'd in him . SIL . He had the fruicts , Arruntius , More then the seedes : vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 79. Sabinus , 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 , nearer to the Gods , Then Men , in nature ; Of a body ' as fayre As was his mind ; and no lesse reuerend In face , then fame : Tac . An. l. 2. pag . 47 et Dion . his . Rom. lib . 57 pag . 705. He could so vse his state , Temp'ring his greatnesse , with his grauitie , As it auoided all selfe-love in him , And spight in others . What his Funeralls lack'd In Images , and Pompe , they had supplied With honourable sorrow , Souldiers sadnesse , A kind of silent mourning , such , as Men ( Who knowe no teares , but from their Captiues , ) vse To shew in so great Losses . COR . I thought once , Considering their Formes , Age , Manner of deathes , The neernesse of the places , where they fell , T' haue paralell'd him with great Alexander : For both were of best feature , of high race , Year'd but to thirty , and , in forrayne 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 Bondmans . 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 : Vide . apud Vell . Patercul . lips . 4o . pag . 30. 33. 35. 47. istorum hominum Caracteres . Pompei's dignity , The innocence of Cato , Caesar's spirit , Wise Brutus temp'rance , and euery virtue , 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 remaining greatest . ARR . I am sure He was to great for vs , Vide Tac lib . 2. Annae . pag . 28. & pag . 34. Dio . Rom. hist . lib . 57. pag . 705. 706. and that they knew Who did remooue him hence . SAB . When men grow fast Honor'd , and lou'd , There is a trick in state ( which Iealous princes neuer faile to vse ) How to decline that grouth , with fayre pretext , And honourable coulours of Emploiment , Eyther by Embassy , the War , or such , To shift them forth into another ayre , Where they may purge , and lessen ; Con . Tac . Ann. l. 2. p. 39. de occultis mandatis Pisoni . et postea pag 42. 43 48. Oratio . Do . Celeris Est tibi Augustae consciencia , est Caesaris fauor , sed in occulto . &c Leg . Suet . Tib . cap . 52 Dio . p. 706 So was he : And had his Secon'ds there , sent by Tiberius , 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 , vid . Tac . Annal . l. 2. pag . 46. & 47. lib . 3. p. 54. et Suet . Calig . cap . 1. & 2. a fine poison Was thought on , to mature their practises . COR . Here comes De Seiano . vid. Tacit. Annal . l. 1. pag . 9. l. 4. princip . et per tot . Suet . Tib . Dion . lib . 57. & 58. Plin . et Senec . Seianus . SIL . Now obserue the stoupes , The bendings , and the falls . ARR . Most creeping base ! SEIANVS . SATRIVS . TERENTIVS . &c. SEI . 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 ? SA . Please your Lordsh . It is De Eudemo . isto . vid. Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. EVDEMVS , the Phisitian To Liuia , Drusu's wife . SEI On with your suit . Would buy you said . SAT . A Tribunes place , my Lord . SEI . What will he giue ? SAT . Monetae nostrae 375. li. vide Budaeum . de Asse . lib . 2. pag . 64. Fiftie Sestertia , SEI . Liuia's Phisitian 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 wil well like off , when you see him ; And one , you may make yours , by the graunt . SEI . Well , let him bring his monie , and his name . SAT . Thank your lordship . He shal my Lord . SEI . Come hither . Know you this same Eudemus ? Is he learn'd ? SAT . Reputed so , my Lord : and of deepe practise . 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 Honor ! Seest thou this , ô Sunne , And doe wee see thee after ? Me thinks , day Should loose his light , when men do loose their shames , And , for the emptie circumstance of life , Betray their cause of liuing . SIL . Nothing so . De ingenio , moribus , & potentia , Seiani . l●g . Tac . Annal . lib . 4. pag . 74. Dio . Hist . Rom. l●b . 57. pag . 708. Seianus can repayre , if Ioue should ruine . He is the now Court-God ; And well applied 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 Elisium 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 Caius Caesar , diui Augusti nepos . cons . Tacit. Ann. lib . 4. pa. 74. Caiu's trencher , when for hire , He Tac ibid . & Dion . hist . Rom. lib . 57. pag . 706. prostituted his abused bodie To that great Gourmond , fat Apicius ; And was the noted Pathike of the time . SAB . And , now , Inuen . Sat. 10. vers . 63. the second face of the whole world . The partner of the empire , hath his image Rear'd equall with Tiberius , borne in Ensignes ; Command's , disposes euery dignity , Tacit. ibid . 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 . Dion . ibid . 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 riot ; And that if any sodaine Enterprise Should be attempted , their vnited strength Would be farre more , then seuer'd ; and their life More , strict , if from the City more remou'd , SAB . Where , now , he builds , what kind of Fort's he please , Tacit. ibid . Is hard to court the Souldier , by his name , Woes , feasts the chiefest men of Action , Whose wants , not loues , compell them to be his . Ibid . And , though he nere were liberall by kind , Yet , to his owne darke endes , hee 's most profuse , Et Dion . ibid . Lauish , and letting flie , he cares not what To his Ambition . ARR . yet , hath hee 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 Tiberius I hope , will keepe ; how ere he hath fore-gone The dignity , and power . SIL . Sure , while he liues . ARR . And dead , it comes to Drusus . should he saile , To the braue Issue of Germanicus ; And Nero . Drusus . Caligula . they are three ; To many ( ha ? ) for him To haue a plot vpon ? SAB . I doe not know The heart of his disseignes ; but , sure , their face Lookes farther then the present . ARR By the Gods , Tacit. ibid . If I could gesse he had but such a thought My sword should cleaue him downe from head to heart , But I would find it out : and with my hand I 'ld hurle his panting braine about the ayre , In mites , as small as Atomi , to' vndoe The knotted bed — SAB . You' are obseru'd , Arruntius . ARR . Death ! I dare tell him so ; and all his Spies : You Sir , I would , do you looke ? and you . SAB . Forbeare . SATRIVS . EVDEMVS . SEIANVS . SAT . Here , he will instant be ; Lett 's walke a turne . Yo' are in a muse , Eudemus ? EVD . Not I , Sir . I wonder he should marke me out so ! well , Ioue , and Apollo forme it for the best . SAT . Leg . Terentij defensionem . Tac . Annal . li . 6. pag . 102. Your Fortune 's made vnto you now , Eudemus , If you can but lay hold vpon the meanes ; Do but obserue his humour , and — beleeue it — He ' is the noblest Romane , where he takes — Here comes his Lordship . SEI . Now , good Satrius . 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 ? Satrius — I haue a griefe , Sir That will desire your helpe . Your name's Eudemus ? EVD . Yes . SEI . Sir ? EVD . It is my Lord . SEI . I heare , you are Phisitian to Germanici soror , vxor Drusi . vid. Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. Liuia , the Princesse ? EVD . I minister vnto her , my good Lord . SEI . You minister to a royall Lady , then . EVD . She is , my Lord ; and faire . SEI . That 's vnderstood Of all their sexe , who are , or would be so ; And those , that would be , Phisick soone can make 'hem : For those that are , their Beauties feare no coullors . EVD . Your Lordship is conceited . SEI . Sir you know it . And can ( if neede be ) read a learned Lecture , On this , and other secrets . Pray you tell me , What more of Ladies , besides Liuia , Haue you your Patients ? EVD . Many , my good Lord . The great Mater Tiberii . vid. Tac . Annal . lib . 1. 2. 3. 4. moritur . 5. Suet . Tib . Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 57. 58. Augusta , Delicium Augustae . Tac . Ann. lib . 2. & 4. Urgulania , Mutilia Adultera Iulij Postumi . Tacit. Ann. lib . 4. pag . 77. Prisca , and Pisonis vxor . Tac . Ann. lib . 2. 3. & 4. Plancina , diuers — SEI . And , all these tell you the particulars Of euery seuerall griefe ? how first it grew , And then encreasd , 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 Vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. & Plin . Nat. Hist . lib . 29. cap . 1. only Cabinets , in Court , To Ladies priuacies . Faith ; which of these Is the most pleasant Lady , in her physick ? Come , you are modest now . EVD . 't is fit , my Lord . SEI . Why Sir , I do not aske you of their vrines , Whose smels most violet ? or whose seige is best ? Or who makes hardest faces on the stoole ? Which Lady sleepes with her owne face a nights ? Which puts her teeth of , with her clothes , in Court ? Or , which her haire ? 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 thinkes , Augusta should be most peruerse , And froward in her fit ? EVD . Shee ' is so , my Lord . SEI . I knew it . And Mutilia the most iocund ? EVD . 't is very true , my Lord . SEI . And , why would you Conceale this from me , now ? Come , what 's Liuia ? I know , shee 's quick , and quaintly spirited , And will haue strange thoughts , when sh' is at leasure ; Shee tells 'hem all to you ? EVD . My noblest Lord , He breaths not in the Empire , or the Earth , Whom I would be ambitious to serue ( In any act , that may preserue mine honor ) Before your Lord-ship . 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 breath honor , that do suck in gaine . EVD . But , good my Lord , if I should thus betray The councels of my Patient , and a Ladyes 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 Cons . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. loue to Liuia : 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 Eudemus , ( 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 Tac . ibid . Seianus 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 . whether I shall fetch your Lordship . SEI . Let me adore my Aesculapius . 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 Sirrupes , or — Be gone , my Friend , Not barely stiled , but created so ; Expect things , greater then thy largest hopes , To ouertake thee . Fo●tune , shall be taught To know how ill she hath deseru'd thus long , To come behind thy wishes . Goe , and speed ; " Ambition makes more trusly slaues , then Need . These Eud . specie art● frequés secretis . Tacit. ibid . vid. Plin . Nat. Hist . lib . 29. cap . 1. in criminat . Medicorum . fellowes , by the fauor of their Arte , Haue , still , the meanes to tempt , oftimes , the power ; If Liuia will be now corrupted , then Thou hast the way , Seianus to worke out His secrets , who ( thou knowest ) endures thee not , Her husband Drusus : and to worke against them . Prosper it , Pallas , thou , that betterst wit ; For Venus hath the smallest share in it . TIBERIVS . SEIANVS . DRVSVS . TIB . De initio Tiberij Principatus vid. Tac . Ann. lib . 1. pag . 23. lib . 4. pag . 75. et Suet . Tib . cap . 27. De Haterio . vid. Tacit. Ann. lib . 1. pag . 6. We not endure these flatteries ; 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 Flatterie . O what is it , proud Slime will not beleeue Of his owne worth , to heare it equall praisd 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 confederacie , To haue your priuate Parasite redeeme What hee , in publique subtilty , will loose To making him a name . HAT . Right mighty Lord . TIB . Cons . Tac . Anna . lib . 2. pag . 50. Et Suet . Tib . cap . 27. & 29. 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 . Nullam aequè Tiberius , ex virtutibus suis quàm dissimulationem dilig●bat . Tac . Annal . lib . 4. pag . 95. Rarely dissembled . ARR . Princelike , to the life . " SAB . When power , that may command , so much descends , " Their bondage , whome it stoupes to , it intends . TIB . Whence are these Letters ? HAT From the Senate . TIB . So . Whence these ? LA . From thence too . TI . Are they sitting now ? LAT , They stay thy answere , Caesar . SIL . If this Man Had but a mind , allied vnto his wordes . How blist a fate where it to vs , and Rome ? We could not thinke that state , for which to change , Although the ayme were our old Liberty : The Ghosts Bruti , Cassit , Catonis . &c. of those that fell for that , would greeue Their bodies liu'd not , nowe , againe to serue . " Men are deceiu'd , who thinke there can be thrall " Beneath a vertuous Prince . Wish'd liberty " Nere louelier lookes , then vnder such a crowne . But , Vid . Dio hist . Rō . lib . 57. de moribus T●● erij . p. 690 when his Grace is merely but lip-good , And , that no longer , then he aires himselfe Abroad in publique , there , to seeme to shun The stroakes , 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 Tyrannis fere oritur ex nimiâ procerum ad●●atione , in principem . Arist . Pol . lib . 5. ca. 10 11. et Delatorum auctoritate . Lege Tac . Dio . Suet . Tib . per totum . Sub quo decreta accusatoribus praecipua praemia . Vid . Suet . Tib . cap . 61 & Sen. Benefi . lib . 3. cap . 26. Midwife vnto Princes rage : " And nothing sooner , doth helpe forth 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 blindmen : We that know the euill , Should hunt the Tineas , Soricesque Palatij vocat istos Sext . Aurel Victor . et Tac . hist . li. 1. pag . 233 qui secretis criminationibus infamant ignarum , & quò incautior deciperetur , palam laudatum . &c. Pallace-rattes , or giue them bane ; Fright hence these worse then Rauens , that deuoure The quick , where they but pray vpon the dead : He shall be told it . SAB . Stay , Arruntius , We must abide our opportunitie : And practise what is fit , as what is needefull . " 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 , Ioue , ( Say not , but I do call vpon thee now . ) Of all wild beasts , preserue me from a Tyranne ; And of all tame , a Flatterer : SIL . T is well prai'd . TIB . Returne the Lords this voice , we are their Creature : And it is fit , a good , and honest Prince , Whom Vid . Suet . Tib . ca. 29 et Dio . hist . Rom. lib . 57. pa. 696 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 ere repent vs , to haue wish'd The Senate iust , and fauo'ring Lords vnto vs , " Since their free loues do yeeld no lesse defence " To '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 Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 84. & 85. sute of Spaine , t' erect a Temple In honour of our Mother , and our selfe , Wee must ( with pardon of the Senate ) not Assent therto . Their Lordships may obiect Our not denying the same late request Vnto the Asian Citties ; We desire That our defence , for suffering that , be knowne In these briefe reasons , with our after purpose . Since Deified Augustus hindred not A Temple to be built , at Pergamum , In honour of himselfe , and sacred Rome , We , Cons . Strab . lib . 6 de Tib . that haue all his deedes , and words 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 gayne 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 Augustus Name Would early vanish , should it be prophan'd With such promiscuous flatteries . For our part , Wee here protest it , and are couetous Posterity should know it , we are mortall ; And can but deedes of men : 't were glory ' inough , Could wee be truely a Prince . And they shall adde Abounding grace , vnto our memory , That shall report vs worthy our Fore-fathers , Carefull of your affaires , constant in daungers , And not affraid of any priuate frowne For publike good . These things shall be to vs Temples , and Statues , reared in your mindes , The fayrest , and most during Imag'rie ; For those of stone , or brasse , if they become Odious in iudgement of posterity , Are more contemn'd , as dying sepulchers , Then tâne for liuing moniments . 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 fayre praise , T' accompany our Actions , and our Name : " The rest of Greatnesse Princes may command , " And ( therefore ) may neglect ; Only , a long , " A lasting , high , and happy Memory " They should , without beeing satisfied , pursue . " Contempt of fame begets contempt of vertue . NAT. Rare ! SAT . most diuine . SEI . The Oracles are ceas'd , That onely Caesar , with their tongue , might speake . ARR . Let me be gone , most felt , & open this ! COR . Stay . ARR . What ? to heare more cunning , and fine words , with their sound flatter'd , ere their sense be meant ? TIB . Their Tac . lib . 3. pag . 71. choise of Antium , there to place the guift vow'd to the Fortuna equestris . ibid . Goddesse , for our Mothers health , We will the Senate know , wee fayrely like ; As also of their Tac . ibid . grant to Lepidus , For his repayring the Aemilian place , And restauration of those Monuments ; Their Grace too Tac . Ann. lib 3. pa. 70. in confining of Silanus , to th'other Is'le Cithera . at the sute Of his Torquata virgo vestalis , cuius memoriam scruat marmor Romae . vid. Lip . comment . in Tacit. religious Sister , much commends Their policie , so tempred with their mercy . But , Tac . Ann. lib . 3. pa. 71. for the honors , which they haue decreed To our Seianus , to aduance his statue In Pompei's Theatre ( whose ruining fire His vigilance , and labor kept restraind In that one Losse ) they haue there●n out-gone Their owne great wisedomes , by their skilful choise And placing of their bounties , on a man , Whose merit more adornes the dignity , Then that can him : and giues a benefit In taking , greater then it can receiue . Blush not , Seianus , Tacit. Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. 76. thou great aide of Rome , Associate of our labors , our chiefe Helper , Let vs not force thy simple modestie With offring at thy praise , for more we cannot , Since ther 's no voice can take it . No man , here , Receiue our speaches , as Hyperbole's ; For we are farre from flat'ring our friend , ( Let enuie 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 , " Abo●e the poore lowe 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 . Vid . Sen. cons . ad Marc . cap . 22. Great Pompei's Theatre was neuer ruin'd Till now , that proud Seianus hath a statue Rear'd on his ashes . ARR . Place the shame of Souldiers , Aboue the best of Generalls ? crack the world : And bruise the name of Romanes into dust , Ere we behold it . SIL . Check your passion ; Lord Drusus tarries . DRV . Tacit. Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. 76. Is my Father mad ? Wearie of life , and rule , Lords ? thus to heaue An Idol vp with praise ? make him his mate ? His riuall in the Empire ? ARR . O good Prince ! DRV . Tac . ibid . Allow him statues ? titles ? honors ? such As he himselfe refuseth ? ARR . Braue , braue Drusus ! " DRV . The first ascents to soueraignty are hard " But , entred once , there neuer wants or meanes , " Or ministers , to helpe th'Aspirer on . ARR . True , gallant Drusus . DRV . We must shortly pray To Modesty , that he will rest contented ARR . I , where he is , and not write Emp'rour . SEIANVS . &c. SEI . 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 ? Do you lift ? Aduance you ? Take Tac sequimur , Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. quanquam apud Dionē , & Zonaram , aliter legitur . that . ARR . Good ! Braue ! Excellent braue Prince ! DRV . Nay come , approach . What ? stand you of ? at gaze ? It lookes too full of death , for thy cold spirit . Auoide mine eye , dull Camell , or my sword Shall make thy brau'ry fitter for a graue , Then for a triumph . I le aduance a statue O' your owne bulke ; but 't shall be on the Seruile ( apud Romanos ) et ignominiosi●simum mortis g●nus erat supplicium Crucis , vt ex Liu . ipso Tac . Dio . & omnibus ferè antiquis , praes●rtim historicis constet . vid. Plaut . in Mil . Amph. Aulu . Horat . lib . 1. Ser . 3. Petr . in Satyrico . & Iuu . Sat. 6. Pone cruce seruo , &c Crosse , Where I will naile your pride , at breadth , and length , And crack those sinewes , which are yet but stretch'd With your swolne Fortunes rage . ARR . A noble Prince ! ALL . A Sic Drusus ob violetiam cognominatus . vid. Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 57. pag . 701. Castor , a Castor , a Castor , &c. SEIANVS . SEI He that , with such wrong mou'd , can beare it through With patience , and an euen mind , knowes how To turne it back . " Wrath , couer'd , carries fate : " Reuenge is lost , if I professe my hate . What was my practise late , I 'le now pursue As my fell Iustice ; This hath stild it new . MV . CHORVS .
ACTVS SECVNDVS . SEIANVS . LIVIA . EVDEMVS . SEI . Phisitian , thou art worthy of a Prouince , For the great fauors done vnto our loues ; And , but that greatest Liuia beares a part In the requitall of thy Seruices , I should alone , despaire of ought , like meanes , To giue them worthy satisfaction . LIV . Eudemus , ( I will see it ) shall receiue A fit , and full reward , for his large merit . But for Vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. 76. this potion , we intend to Drusus , ( No more our Husband , now ) whom shall we choose As the most apt , and abled Instrument , To minister it to him ? EVD . I say , Tac . ibid . Lygdus : SEI . Lygdus ? what 's he ? LIV . An Eunuch Drusus loues . EVD . I , and his Cup-bearer . SEI . Name not a second . If Drusus loue him , and he haue that place , We cannot thinke a fitter . EVD . True , my Lord , For free Accesse , and Trust are two maine aydes . SEI , Skilfull Phisitian ! 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 . Spadonis animum stupro deuinxit . Tac . ibid . Send him to me , I 'le worke him . Royall Lady , Though I haue lou'd you long , and with that height Of zeale , and duety , ( like the Fire , which more It mountes , it trembles ) thinking nought could adde Vnto the feruor , 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 Drusus ; but to shine Bright , as the Moone , among the lesser lights , And share the sou'raignty of all the world . Then Liuia triumphs in her proper spheare , When she , and her Seianus shall diuide The name of Caesar , and d Augusta's starre Be dimm'd with glory of a brighter beame ; When Germanici vxor . Aggrippina's fires are quite extinct , And the scarce-seene Tiberius borrowes all His litle light from vs , whose folded armes Shall make one perfect Orbe . Who 's that ? Eudemus , Looke , 't is not Drusus ? Lady , do not feare . LIV . Not I , my Lord . My feare , and loue of him Left me at once . SEI . Illustrous Lady ! stay . EVD . I le tell his Lordship . SEI . Who is 't , Eudemus ? EVD . One of your Lordships seruants , brings you word The Emp'rour hath sent for you . SEI . ô ! where is he ? With your faire leaue , deare Princesse . I le but aske A question , and returne . EVD . Fortunate Princesse ! How are you blest in the fruition Of this vnaequald man , this Soule of Rome , The Empires life , and voyce of Caesars world ! LIV . So blessed , my Eudemus , 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 cleare , 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 Cerussa ( apud Romanos ) inter fictitios colores erat , et quae solem ob calorem timebat . vid. Mar. lib . 2. Epig . 41. Qua cretata timet Fabul●a nimbum , Cerussata timet Sabella solem . Ceruse , You should haue vs'd of the white oyle I gaue you . Seianus , for your loue ? his very name Commaundeth aboue Cupid , or his shafts — ( LIV . Nay , now yo' haue made it worse . EV . I 'le help it straight . ) And , but pronounc'd , is a sufficient Charme Against all rumor ; and of absolute power To satisfie for any Ladyes honor , ( LIV . What do you now , Eudemus ? EVD . Make a light Fucus , To touch you ôre withall . ) Honor'd Seianus ! What Act ( though nêre so strange , and insolent ) But that addition will at least beare out , If 't do not expiate ? LIV . Here good Phisitian . EVD . I like this studie to preserue the loue Of such a man , that comes not euery houre To greete the world . ( 't is now well , Lady , you should Vse of the Dentifrice , I prescrib'd you , too , To cleare your teeth , and the prepar'd Pomatum , To smoth the skin ; ) A Lady cannot be Too curious of her forme , that still would hould The heart of such a person , made her captiue , As you haue his : who to endeare him more In your cleare eye , hath Ex qu● tres liber●● genuerat , ut pellici suspectaretur . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. put away his Wife , The Trouble of his bed , and your delights , Fayre Apicata , and made spacious roome To your new pleasures . LIV . Haue not we return'd That , with our hate of Drusus , and Leg . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 76. discouery Of all his councels ? EVD . Yes , and wisely , Lady , The ages that succeede , and stand far of 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 Drusus ; But , when they shall heare That , and the thunder of Seianus meete , Seianus , whose high name doth strike the starres , And rings about the concaue , great Seianus , Whose glories , stile , and titles are himselfe , The often iterating of Seianus : They then will loose 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 certaine yours , as it is my bodies . And wise Physitian , Tac . ibid . Et Dion . Hist . Rom. lib . 57. pag . 709. so prepare the poison As you may lay the subtile operation vpon some naturall disease of his . Your Eunuch send to me . I kisse your handes Glory of Ladies , and commend my loue To your best faith , and memory . LIV . My Lord , I shall but change your words . Farewell . Yet , this Remember for your heed , he loues you not ; You knowe what I haue told you ? His dissignes Are full of grudge , and danger : we must vse More then a common speed . SEI . Excellent Lady , How you do fire my bloud ! LIV . Well , you must goe ? " The thoughts be best , are least set forth to shew . EVD . when will you take some Phisicke , Lady ? LIV . When I shall , Eudemus : But let Drusus drug Be first prepard . EVD . Were Lygdus made , that 's done ; I haue it ready . And to morrowe morning , I 'le send you a perfume , first to resolue And procure sweat , and then prepare a Bath To clense , and cleare 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 fourteen howres , This change came timely , Lady , for your health ; And the restoring your complexion , Which Drusus choller had almost burnt vp ; Wherein your Fortune hath praescrib'd you better Then Art could doe . LIV . Thankes good Phisitian , I le vse my fortune ( you shall see ) with reuerence . Is my coach readie ? EVD . It attends your highnesse . SEIANVS . SEI . If this be not Reuenge , when I haue done And made it perfect , let Hi apud Romanos barbari , & vilissimi aestimab . Iuuen . Marti . &c. Aegyptian slaues , Parthians , and bare-foote Hebrewes brand my face , And print my body full of Iniuries . Thou lost thy selfe , child Drusus , when thou thought'st Thou could'st out-skip my vengeance ; or out-stand The power I had to crush thee into Aire : Thy Follies now shall tast what kind of man They haue prouok'd , and this thy Fathers house Crack 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 ore-spread The worlds wide face , which no posterity Shall ere approoue , nor yet keepe silent ; Things That for their cunning , close , and cruell marke , Thy Father would wish his : and shall ( perhaps ) Carrie 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 Ioue , Betweene his power , and thine , there is no oddes . T was Jdem & Petro . Arbiter . Saty . & Statius . lib . 3. only Feare , first , in the world made Gods . TIBERIVS . SEIANVS . TIB . Is yet Seianus come ? SEI . H' is here dreâd Caesar . TIB . Let all depart that chamber , and the next : Sit downe my Comfort . De hac consultatione . vid. Suet . Tib . cap . 55. When the master Prince Of all the world , Seianus , 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 kind forbid . SEI . Do pollicie , 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 , pietie , 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 do any thing , but feare ; " All the Command of Sceptres quite doth perish " If it begin 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 do all things cruelly , " Not safely : SEI . Yes , and do them throughly . TIB . Knowes yet , Seianus , whom we point at ? SEI . I , Or else my thought , my sense , or both do erre : 't is De Agrip . vid. Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 57. pag . 694. Agrippina ? TIB . She ; and her proud race . SEI . Proud ? De Seiani consil . in Agrip . l●g . Tacit. Ann. l●b . 1. pag . 23. & lib . 4. pag . 77. 79. de Tib . susp . lib 3 pa. 52. dangerous , Caesar . For in them apace The fathers spirit shootes vp . Germanicus Liues in their lookes , their gate , their forme , Gnaris omnibus laetam Tiberio Germ●nici mortem malè dissimula●i . Tac . lib . 3. ibid . Huc confer Taciti narrat . de morte Pisonis . pag . 55. & lib . 4. pag . 74. Germanici mor●e inter prospera ducebat . t' vpbraide vs With his close death , if not reuenge the same . TI . The act 's not known . SE . Not prou'd . " But whispring fame " Knowledge , and proofe doth to the iealous giue , " Who , then to fayle , would their owne thought beleeue : " It is not safe , the Children draw long breath , " That are prouoked by a Parents death . " TIB . It is as daungerous , to make them hence , " If nothing but their birth be their offence . SEI . Stay , till they strike at Caesar : then their crime Will be inough , but late , and out of time For him to punish . TIB . Do they purpose it ? SIE . You knowe sir . " Thunder speakes not till it hit . " Be not secure : None swiftlier are opprest , " Then they , whome confidence betraies to rest : " Let not your daring make your danger such , " All power 's to be fear'd , where 't is to much . The Youth's are ( of themselues ) hot , violent , Ful of great thought ; and that De ani . viri●i Agrip . consul . Tacit. Ann. lib . 1. pag . 12. & 22. lib . 2. pa. 47. male-spirited Dame , Their Mother , slacks no meanes to put them on , By large allowance , popular presentings , Encrease of traine , and state , suing for titles , Hath ●a● . Ann. li● . 4. pa. 79. them commended with like prayers , like vowes , To the same Gods , with Caesar : Daies and nights She spends in banquets , and ambitious feastes For the Nobility ; where Caius Silius , Titius Sabinus , old Arruntius , Asinius Gallus , Furnius , Regulus , And others , of that discontented list , Are the prime Guests . There , and to these she tels Whose Erat enim Neptis Augusti . Agrippae , & Iuliae filia , Germanici vxor , Suet . Aug. cap . 64. Niece she was , whose Daughter , and whose Wife , And then must they compare her with Augusta , I and prefer her too , commend her forme , Extoll her De faecunditate eius . vid. Tacit. Ann. lib . 2. pag . 39. & lib . 4. pa. 77. fruictfulnesse ; at which a showre Falls for the memory of Germanicus , Which they blow ouer straight , with windy praise , And puffing hopes of her aspiring Sonnes ; Who , with these howrely ticklings , grow so pleas'd , And wantonly conceipted of themselues , As , now , they stick not to beleeue they 'are such , As these do giue 'hem out : and would be thought ( More then competitors ) immediate Heyres . Whilst to their thirst of rule they winne the Rout ( That 's still the friend of nouelty ) Displicere regnantibus ciuilia filiorum ingenia : neque ob aliud interceptos , quàm quia Pop . Rom. aequo iure complecti , redditâ libertate , agitauerint . Not . Tacit. lib 2. Ann. pag 49. with hope Of future freedome , which on euery change , That greedily , though emptily , expects . " Caesar , t is age in all things breeds neglects , " And Princes , that will keepe ould dignitie , " Must not admit too youthfull Heyres stand by ; " Not their owne Issue : but so darkely set " As shadowes are in picture , to giue height " And lustre to themselues . TIB . Vid . Suet . Tib cap . 54 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 Sr. will you worke ? TIB . Confine 'hem , SEI . No. They are to great , and that too faint a blowe , 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 bee , not to detect The smallest chord , or line of your suspect , For such , who knowe the weight of Princes feare , Will , when they finde themselues discouer'd , reare Their Forces , like seene Snakes , that else would lie Rould in their circles close : " Nought is more high , " Daring , or desperate , then Offenders found ; " Where guilt is , rage , and courage both abound . The course must bee , to let 'hem still swell vp , Riot , and surfet on blind Fortunes cup ; Giue 'hem more place , more dignities , more stile , Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 76.79 . 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 them 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 hearts . " While thus your thought vnto a meane is tied , " You neither dare inough , nor do prouide . " All modestie is fond ; and chiefely where " The Subiect is no lesse compeld to beare , " Then praise his Sou'raignes Acts. TIB . Tiberium varijs artibus deuin●it adeo ( Seianus ) vt obscurum aduersum alios , sibi vni incautum , intect●que efficeret . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pa. 74. vid . Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 57. pag . 707. We can no longer Keepe on our masque to thee , our deare Seianus ; Thy thoughts are ours , in all , and we but proou'd Their voice , in our dissignes , which by assenting Hath more confirm'd vs , then if heartning Ioue Had , from his hundred statues , bid vs strike , And at the stroake Premere pollicem , apud Romā . maximi fauoris erat Signum . Hor. epist. ad Lollium . Fautor vtroque tuum laudabit pollice ludum . Et Plin . Nat. Hist . lib . 28. cap . 2. Pollices , cum faucamus , premere etiam prouerbio iubemur . De interp . loci . vid. Ang. Pol . Miscell . cap . xlii . et Turn . Aduer . lib . xi . cap . vi . clickt all his marble Thumb's . Bur , who shall first be strooke ? SEI . first , Caius Silius ; He is the most of marke , and most of danger : In powre , and reputation equall strong , Hauing Tac . lib . Ann. 3. pag . 63. & lib . 4. pag . 79. commanded an imperiall armie Seauen yeares togither , vanquish'd Sacrouir In Germanie , and thence obtain'd to weare The ornaments triumphall . His steepe fall , By how much it doth giue the weightier crack , Will send more wounding terror to the rest , Command them stand aloofe , and giue more way To our surprising of the principall . TIB . But what Tac . ibid . Sabinus ? SEI . Let him growe a while , His fate is not yet ripe : we must not pluck At all togither , least we catch our selues . And ther 's Arruntius too , he only talkes . But Tac . ibid . Sosia , Silius wife , would be wound in Now , for she hath a Fury in her brest More , then Hell euer knew ; and would be sent Thither in time . Then is there one Vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 83. Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 57. pag . 710. et Sen. co●s . ad Mar. cap . 1. et fus●●● . cap . 12. Cremutius Cordus , a writing fellow , they haue got To gather Notes of the praecedent times , And make them into Annal's ; a most tart And bitter spirit ( I heare ) who , vnder coulor Of praysing those , doth taxe the present state , Censures the men , the actions , leaues no trick , No practise vn-examind , paralells The times , the gouernments ; a profest Champion For the old liberty : TIB . A perishing wretch . As if there were that Chaos bred in things , That Lawes , and Liberty would not rather choose To be quite broken , and tâne hence by vs , Then haue the staine to be preseru'd by such . Haue we the meanes , to make these guilty , 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 ready . TIB . But how ? let vs consult . SEI . We shall mispend The time of action . " Councells are vnfit " In businesse , where all rest is more pernicious " Then rashnesse can be . Acts of this close kinde " Thriue more by execution , then aduise : " There is no lingring in that worke begonne , " Which cannot praised be , vntill through donne . TIB . Edicto vt plurimum Senatores in curiam vocatos constat . Tacit. Ann. lib . 1. pag . 3. Our Edict shall forthwith , commaund a Court . While I can liue , I will praeuent Earths fury ; {αβγδ} . POSTVMVS . SEIANVS . POS . My Lord Seianus ? SEI . Vulgaris quidā versus , quem saepe Tiber . recitasse memoratur . Dion . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. 729. Iulius Postumus , Come with my wish ! what newes from Agrippina's , POS . Faith none . They all lock vp themselues , a'late ; Or talke in character : De Iulio Postumo . vid. Tacit. Ann. lib . 4. pag . 77. I haue not seene A company so chang'd . Except they had Intelligence by Augury ' of our practise . SE . When were you there ? PO . Last night . SE . And what ghests found you ? POS . Sabinus , Silius , ( the old list , ) Arruntius , Furnius , and Gallus . SEI . Would not these talke ? POS . Little . And yet we offered choyse of argument . Satrius was with me . SEI . Well : 't is guilt inough Their often meeting . You forgot Proximi Agrip . in li●ieban●ur pra ●s sermonibus tumidos spiritus perstimulare . Tacit. ibid . t' extoll The hospitable Lady ? POS . No , that trick Was well put home , and had succeeded too , But that Sabinus cought a caution out ; For she began to swell : SEI . And , may shee burst . Iulius , I would haue you goe instantly , Vnto the Pallace of the great Augusta , And , by Mut●lia Prisca , quae in an●●●m Augustae vali●a . Tac . ib●d . your kindest friend , get swift accesse ; Acquaint her , with these meetings . Tell Verba Silij immodice iactata vid. apud Tac . Ann. l b . 4. pa. 79. the words You brought mee ( th'other day ) of Silius , Adde somewhat to ' hem . Make her vnderstand The danger of Sabinus , and the Times , Out of his closenesse . Giue Arruntius , wordes Of malice against Caesar ; so , to Gallus : But ( aboue all ) to Agrippina . Say , ( As you may truely ) Tacit. Ann. lib . 4. pag . 77. that her infinite Pride , Propt with the hopes of her too-fruictfull wombe , With popular studies gapes for sou'raigntie ; And threatens Caesar . Pray Augusta , then , That for her owne , great Caesars , and the pub - Lique safety , she bee pleas d to vrge these dangers . Cesar is too secure , ( he must be told , And best hee 'll take it from a Mothers tongue . ) Alasse ! What is 't for vs to sound , t' explore , To watch , oppose , plot , practise , or preuent , If he , for whome it is so strongly labour'd , Shall , out of greatnesse , and free spirit , bee Supinely negligent ? Haec apud Tac . lege . lib . 4. Ann. pag . 79. Our Citty's now Deuided , as in time o' th' ciuill Warre And Men forbeare not to declare themselues Of Agrippina's party . Euery day , The Faction multiplies ; and will do more If not resisted : You can best enlarge it As you finde audience . Noble Postumus , Commend me to your Prisca ; and pray her She will solicite this great businesse To earnest , and most present execution , With all her vtmost credit with Augusta . POS . I shall not faile in my instructions . SEI , This second ( from his Mother ) will well vrge Our late dissigne , and spur on Caesars rage : Which else might grow remisse . " The way , to put " A Prince in blood , is to present the shapes " Of daungers , greater then they are ( like late , " Or early shadowes ) and , sometimes , to faine " Where there are none , onely , to make him feare ; " His Feare wil 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 Tiberius into Tyranny , And make him toile , to turne aside those blocks , Which I alone , could not remooue with safety . Drusus once gone , Quorum non dubia successio , neque spargi venenum in tres poterat ▪ &c. Vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 77. Germanicus three sonnes Would clog my way ; whose guards haue too much faith To be corrupted : and their Mother knowne Of too-too vnreproou'd a chastitie , To be attempted , as light Liuia was . Worke then my Art on Caesar's feares , as they On those they feare , till all my lets 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 safety , I will rise , By making him the publike Sacrifice . SATRIVS NATTA . SAT . They ' are growne exceeding circumspect , and wary . NAT. They haue vs in the wind : And yet , Arruntius Cannot containe himselfe . SAT . Tut . hee 's not yet Look'd after , Silins . Sabinus . de quibus suprà . there are others more desir'd , That are more silent . NAT. Here he comes . Away . SABINVS . ARRWNTIVS . CORDVS . SAB . How is it , that these Beagles haunt the house Of Agrippina ? ARR . O Tib . Tempor . Delatores genus hominum publico exitio repertum , & poenis quide nunquam satis coërcitum , per praemia eliciebantur . Tac . Annal . lib . 4 pa. 82. 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 Hangmen Should be my companie . COR Here comes another . ARR . I , ther 's a man , De Domit . Af. vid. Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 89. 93. After the Oratour , One , that hath phrases , figures , and fine flowers , To strew his Rethorique with , and Quoquo facinore properus clarescere . Tacit. ibid . & infra . prosperiore eloquentiae quàm morum famá fuit . et pag . 93. diu egens , et parto nuper praemio malè vsus , plura ad flagitia accingeretur . doth make hast To get him note ; or name , by any offer Where Bloud , or Gaine be obiects ; steepes his words , 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 could curse , he , he . SAB . Contemne the Slaues , " Their present liues will be their future graues . SILIVS . AGRIPPINA . NERO . SOSIA . SIL . May 't please your Highnes not forget your selfe , I dare not , with my manners , to attempt Your trouble farder . AGR . Farewell . noble Silius . SIL , Most royall Princesse . AGR . Sosia staies with vs ? SIL . Shee is your seruant , and doth owe your grace An honest , but vnprofitable loue . AGR . How can that be , when ther 's no gaine , but vertu's ? SIL . You take the morall , not the politique sense . I meant , as shee is bold , and free of speech , Earnest Vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 79. 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 : Tac . lib . 4. Annal . pag . 77. For your state Is waited on by enuies , as by eyes ; And euery second guest , your tables take , Is a fee'd Spie , t' obserue who goes , who comes , What conference you haue , with whome , where , when , What the discourse is , what the lookes , the thoughts Of eu'ry person there , they do extract , And make into a substance . ARR . Heare me , Silius , Were all Tiberius body stuck with eyes , And eu'ry wall , and hanging in my house Transparent , as this Lawne I weare , or ayre ; Yea , had Seianus both his eares as long ▪ As to my inmost closet : I would hate To whisper any thought , or change an act , To be made Iuno'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 Tac . ibid . & pag . 90. & 92. with what officious face , Satrius , 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 Augusta , yea , and at Tiberius , Tell trickes of Iiuia , and Seianus , all T' excite , and call your indignation on , That they might heare it at more liberty . AG . Yo' are too suspitious , Silius . SIL . Pray the Gods I be so Agrippina : But I feare Some subtill practise . Suet . Tib . cap . 2. Dion . Rom. Hist . lib . 57. pag . 705. They , that durst to strike At so examplêsse , and vn-blam'd a life , As , that of the renown'd Germanicus , Will not sit downe , with that exploit alone : " He threatents many , that hath iniurd one . NER . 't were best rip forth their tongues , feare out their eyes , When next they come . SOS . A fit reward for spies . DRVSVS in : AGRIPPINA , &c. DRV . Heare you the rumour ? AG . What ? DRV . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. 75. 76. 77. Drusus is dying : AG . dying ? NE . That 's strang ! AG . yo' were with him yesternight . DRV . One met Eudemus , the Physitian , 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 quick ! what should be his disease ? SIL . Tacit. ibid . Poison . poyson . AGR . How , Silius ! NER . What 's that ? SIL . Nay , nothing . There was ( late ) a certaine blow Giu'n o' the face . NER . I , to Seianus ? SIL . True . DRV . And what of that ? SIL . I 'am glad I gaue it not . NER . But , there is somwhat else ? SIL . Yes , priuate meetings , With a great Lady , at a Phisitians , And , a Wife turn'd away . NER . Ha! SIL . Toyes , meere toyes : What wisdom 's now i' th' streetes ? i' th' common mouth ? DRV . Feares , whisp'rings , tumults , noyse , I know not what : They say , Vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 76. the Senate sit . SIL . I 'le thether , straight ; And see what 's in the Forge . AGR . Good Silius doe . Sosia , and I will in . SIL . Haste you , my Lords , To visite the sick Prince : Tender your loues , And sorrowes to the people . This Seianus ( Trust my diuining soule ) hath plots on all : " No Tree , that stops his prospect , but must fall . MV . CHORVS .
ACTVS TERTIVS . THE SENATE . PRAECONES . LICTORES . VARRO . SEIANVS . LATIARIS . COTTA . AFER . GALLVS . LEPIDVS . ARRVNTIVS . SEI . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 79. 't is only a 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 enmity Betweene your Father , and his , may better do it , As free from all suspition of a practise . Here be your Notes , what points to touch at ; Read : Be 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 take him vnprepar'd . AFE . And prosecute All Tac . ibid . Sed cuncta questione maiestatis exercita . vnder name of Treason . VAR . I conceiue . SAB . Drusus being dead , Caesar will not be here . GAL. What should the businesse of this Senate be ? ARR . That can my subtle whisperers tell you : We , That are the good-dull-noble Lookers on , Are only call'd to keepe the Marble warme . What should we do 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 do trauaile , now they worke ; Their Faces runne like shittles , they are weauing Some curious cobweb to catch Flies . SAB . Obserue , They take their places . ARR . What Tac . eod . lib . pag . 76. Consulesque sede vulgari per speciem maestitiae sedentes . so low ? GAL. ô yes , They must be seene to flatter Caesar's griefe Though but in sitting . VAR . Bid vs silence . PRAE . Silence . VAR . Praefatio solennis Consulùm Rom. vid. Bar . Briss . de for . lib . 2. FATHERS CONSCRIPT may this our present meeting Turne faire , and fortunate to the COMMON WEALTH . SILIVS , &c. SEI . See , Silius enters . SIL . Haile graue Fathers . LIC . Stand . Silius , forbeare thy place . SEN . How ! PRAE . Silius , stand forth , The Consul hath to charge thee . LIC . Roome for Caesar . ARR . Is he come too ? nay then expect a trick . SAB . Silius accusd ? sure he will answere nobly . TIBERIVS . &c. TIB . We stand amazed , Fathers , to behold This generall deiection . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pa. 76. 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 honor of the Empire stoupe : Though I , in my peculiar selfe , may meete Iust reprehension , that so sodainely , And , in so fresh a griefe , would greete the Senate . When priuate tongues , of Kinsmen , and Allies , ( Inspir'd with comforts ) loathly are endur'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 embraces of the Common-wealth . Our mother , great Augusta , ' is strooke with time . Our selfe imprest with aged Characters , Drusus 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 Germanicus , Nero , and Drusus : Might it please the Consul Honor them in , ( They both attend without . ) I would present them to the Senates care ; And raise those springs of ioy , that should exhaust These flouds of sorrow , in your drowned eyes . ARR . By Ioue , I am not Oedipus inough , To vnderstand this Sphynx . SAB . The Princes come . NERO . DRVSVS . iu . TIB . Approach you noble Nero , noble Drusus , These Princes Fathers , when their Parent died , I gaue vnto their Vncle , with this praier , That , though he 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 worthes to him , and to posteritie : Drusus tâne hence , I turne my prayers to you , And , 'fore our Countrey , and our Gods , beseech You take , and rule , Augustus nephewes sonnes , Sprung of the noblest Auncestors ; and so Accomplish both my dutie , and your owne . Nero , and Drusus , Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pa. ●6 these shal 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 Gods , Make all their actions answere to their blouds : Let their great Titles find encrease by them , Not they by Titles : Set them as in place , So in example , aboue all the Romanes ; And may they know no Riualls , 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 . Releiue me , Fathers , with your generall voyce . SEN . May all the Gods consent to Caesar's wish , And adde to any honors , that may crowne The hopefull Issue of Germanicus . 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 — Tiberius heart Lies a thought farder then another Mans . TIB . My Comforts are so flowing in my Ioyes , As , in them , all my streames of greife 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 coueteously 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 . Tac . ibid . Ad vana & toties inrisa reuolutus , de reddendâ Rep. vtque Consules , seu quis alius regimen susciperent . Laugh Fathers , laugh : Ha' you no spleenes about you ? ) TIB . The Burden is too heauy , I susteine On my vnwilling shoulders ; and I pray It may be taken of , 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 tast it then ? SAB . It takes away my fayth to any thing Hee shall hereafter speake . ARR . I , to pray that , Which would be to his head as hot as Thunder , ( Gayn'st which he weares Tonitrua praeter modum e●●autsce●at : & tu batiore coelo nunquam no coronam lauream capite gest●uit , quòd fulmine afflari negetur id genus frondis . Suet . Tib . cap . 69. vid . Plin . Nat. Hist . lib . 15. cap . 30. that Charme ) should but the Court Receyue him at his word . GAL. Heare . TIB . For my selfe , I know my weaknesse , and so little couet ( Like some gone past ) the weight that will oppresse me , As my ambition is the counter-poynt . ( ARR Finely mainteind ; 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 greiu'd Senates vowes , Or Romes necessity . ( GAL. He comes about . ARR . More nimbly then Vertumnus . ) 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 Semper perplexa & obscura . Orat . Tib . vid. Tacit. Ann. lib . 1. pag . 5. be glad to practise my obedience . ( ARR . You must , and will Sir . We do know it . ) SEN . Caesar . Liue long , and happy , great , and royall Caesar , The Gods preserue thee , and thy Modesty , Thy Wisdome , and thy Innnocence . ( ARR . where is 't ? The Prayer 's made before the Subiect . ) SEN . Guard His Meekenesse , loue , his Piety , his Care , His Bounty — ARR . And his Subtelty , I 'le put in : Yet hee 'll keepe that himselfe , without the Gods . All prayer's are vayne 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 . Proceede to your affaires . ARR . Now , Silius , guard thee ; The Curtin's drawing . Afer aduanceth . PRAE , Silence . AFE . Cite Caius Silius . PRAE . Citabatur reus è tribunalis voce praconis . Vid . Bar . Briflon lib . 5. de for . Caius Silius . SIL . Here . AFE . The triumph that thou hadst in Germany For thy late victorie on Sacrouir , Thou hast enioyd so freely , Caius Silius , As no man it enuy'd thee ; nor would Caesar , Or Rome admit , that thou wert then defrauded Of any honours , thy deserts could claime ▪ In the faire seruice of the Common wealth : But now , if , after all their Loues , and Graces , ( Thy actions , and their courses beeing discouer'd ) It shall appeare to Caesar , and this Senate , Thou hast defil'd those Glories , with thy crimes — SIL . Crimes ? AF . Patience , Silius . 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 Howses That some Informer gapes for ? Is my strength Too much to be admitted ? Or my knowledge ? These Vid . Suet . Tiber . Tac . Dio . Senec . now are crimes . AFE . Nay Silius , 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 mercenary Tongue , and Art. Wher 's my Accuser ? VAR . Here . ARR . Varro ? The Consul ? Is he thrust in ? VAR . 't is I accuse thee , Silius . Against the Maiestie of Rome , and Caesar , I do pronounce thee here a guilty cause , First , Tac . lib . 4. pag . 79. Conscientiâ belli , Sacrouir diu dissimulatus , victoria per auaritiam faedata , & vxor Sosia arguebantur . of beginning , and occasioning , Next , drawing out the warre in Bellum Sacrouirianum in Gall . erat . Triumph . in Germ . vid. Tac . Ann. lib . 3. pag . 63. Gallia , For which thou late triumph'st ; dissembling long That Sacrouir to be an enemy , Onely to make thy Entertainment more , Whilst thou , and thy wife Sosia poll'd the Prouince ; Wherein , with sordide-base desire of gaine , Thou hast discredited thy Actions worth And bene a Traitor to the state . SIL . Thou liest . ARR . I thanke thee Silius , speake so still , and often . VAR . Vid . accusandi formulam apud . Be●ssō . lib . 5. de For . 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 Consul-ship be out , TIB . We cannot , Nor may we graunt it . SIL . Why ? shall he designe My day of triall ? is he my accuser ? And must hee be my iudge ? TIB . It hath beene vsuall , And is a right , that custome hath allow'd The Tac . Annal . lib . 4. pa. 79. Aduersatus est Caesar : solitum quippe Magistratibus , die priuatis dicere , nec infringendum Consulis ius , cuius vigilijs , &c. b 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 labor'd , as the Common-wealth Receiue no losse , by any oblique course . SIL . Caesar , thy fraud is worse then violence . TIB . Silius mistake vs not , we dare not vse The credit of the Consul , to thy wrong , But onely do preserue his place , and power , So farre as it concernes the dignity , And honour of the State . ARR . Beleeue him Silius . COT . Why so he may Arruntius . 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 Authority 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 more ? SIL . No my well-spoken Man , I would no more ; Nor lesse : might I inioy it naturall , Not taught to speake vnto your present endes , 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 of the State , That here art made a present instrument To Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pa. 79. Immissusque Varro Consul , qui paternas inimicitias obtendens , odijs Seiani per dedecus suum gratificabatur . gratifie it with thine owne disgrace . SEI . This , to the Consull , is most insolent ! And impious ! SEL . I , take part . Reueale your selues . Alasse , I sent not your confed'racies ? Your plots , and combinations ? I not know Minion Seianus hates mee ; and that all This boast of Law , and Law , is but a forme , A net of Vulcanes filing , a mere ingine , To take that life by a pretext of Iustice , Which you pursue in malice ? I want braine , Or nostrill to perswade mee , that your endes , And purposes are made to what they are , Before my answer ? O you equall Gods , Whose iustice not a world of wolfe-turnd men Shall make me to accuse , ( how ere prouoke ) Haue I for this so oft engag'd my selfe ? Stoode in the heate , and feruor of a fight , When Phoebus sooner hath forsooke the day Then I the field ? Against the blew-ey'd Gaules ? And crisped Germanes ? when our Roman Eagles Haue fann'd the fire , with their labouring winges , And no blow dealt , that left not death behind it : When I haue charg'd , alone , into the troopes Of Popuii Germ . hodie Geldii in Belgica sunt inter Mosam & Rhenum : quos celebrat Mart . Spect . 3. Crinibus in nodum tortis venêre Sicamb●● . curl'd Sicambrians , routed them , and came Not of , with backward ensignes of a slaue , But forward markes , wounds on my brest , and face , Were meant to thee O Caesar , and thy Rome ? And haue I this returne ? did I , for this , Performe so noble , and so braue defeate , On Sacrouir , ( O Ioue , let it become mee To boast my deedes , when he , whom they concerne , Shall thus forget them . ) AFE . Silius , Silius , These are the common customes of thy blood , When it is high with wine , as now with rage : This well agrees , with Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 79. that intemperate vant , Thou lately mad'st at Agrippina's Table , That when all other of the Troopes were prone To fall into rebellion , onely thine Remain'd in their Obedience . Thou wert hee , That sau'dst the Empire ; which had then bene lost , Had but thy Legions , there , rebell'd , or mutin'd . Thy Vertue met , and fronted euery perill . Thou gau'st to Caesar , and to Rome their surety . Their Name , their Strength , their Spirit , and their State , Their Beeing was a Donatiue from thee . ARR . Well worded , and most like an Orator . TIB . Is this true , Silius ? SIL . Saue thy question , Caesar . Thy Spie , of famous credit , hath affirmd it . ARR . Excellent Romane ! SAB . He doth answer stoutly . SEI . If this be so , there needes no farder cause Of crime against him . VAR . What can more impeach The royall dignity , 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 Silius merit . ARR . Gallus o' that side to ? SIL . Come , do not hunt , And labour so about for circumstance , To make him guilty , whom you haue fore-dom'd : Take shorter wayes , I le meete 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 mee hatred : so soone , all best Turnes , With Princes , do conuert to 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 make 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 . SE . A Censure . SIL . Stay , Stay most officious Senate , I shall streight , Delude thy fury . Silius 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 : She her selfe When Vertue doth oppose , must loose her threates . All that can happen in Humanity , The frowne of Caesar , proud Seianus hatred , Base Varro's spleene , and Afers bloudying tongue , The Senates seruile flattery , and these Mustred to kill , I 'am fortified against ; And can looke downe vpon : they are beneath mee . 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 , Onely 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 Tiberius Tyranny , Looke vpon Silius , and so learne to die . VAR . O desperate Act ! ARR . An honourable hand ! Tac . ibid ▪ TIB . Looke , is he dead ? SAB . 't was nobly strooke , and home . ARR . My thought did prompt him to it . Farewell Silius . Be famous euer for thy great example . TIB . We are not pleasd , in this sad accident , That thus hath stalled , and abusd 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 dignity , and safety , thus to mourne The deseru'd end of so profest a traytor , And doth , by this his lenity , instruct Others as factious , to the like offence . TIB . The confiscation meerely of his state Had bene inough . ARR . ô , 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 The which the Law doth cast on the Informers , Should be inough ; the rest goe to the Children : Wherein the Prince shall shew humanity And bounty , 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 necessity . This Lepidus Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pa. 80. 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 ? Cremutius Cordus ? what ? is he brought in ? ARR . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 83. 84. Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 57 pag . 710. More bloud vnto the banquet ? Noble Cordus , I wish thee good : Be as thy writings , free , And honest . TIB . What is he ? SEI . For th' Annal's , Caesar . CORDVS . SATRIVS . NATTA . PRAE . Cremutius Cordus . COR . Here . PRAE . Satrius Secundus , Pinnarius Natta , You are his Accusers . ARR . Two of Seianus Bloud-hounds , whom he breeds With humane flesh , to bay at Citizens . AFE . Stand forth before the Senate , and confront him . SAT . I do accuse thee here , Cremutius Cordus , To be a man factious , and daungerous . A sower of sedition in the State , A turbulent , and discontented spirit , Which I will prooue from thine owne writings , here , The Annal's thou last publish'd ; where thou bit'st The present Age , and wtih a vipers tooth , Being a Member of it , darst 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 Brutus , and affirm'st That Cassius was the last of all the Romanes . Cor . How ! what are we then ? VAR . What is Caesar ? nothing ? A●● . My Lords , this strikes at euery Romans priuate , In whom raignes gentry , and estate of spirit , To haue a Brutus brought in paralell , A Parricide , an Enimie of his countrie , Rank'd , and preferr'd to any reall worth That Rome now holdes . This is most strangely inuectiue . Most full of spight , and insolent vpbraiding . Nor i's 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 glaunce of his licentious pen ? Caesar , if Cassius 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 comprehendes . Brutus , and Cassius , I am charg'd , t' haue praysd . Whose deedes , when many more , besides my selfe , Haue writt , not one hath mention'd without honor . Great Titus Liuius , great for eloquence , And fayth , amongst vs , in his Historie , with so great prayses Pompey did extoll , As oft Augustus call'd him a Pompeian : Yet this not hurt their friendship . In his Booke He often names Scipio , Afranius , Yea the same Cassius , and this Brutus too , As worthi'st men ; not Theeues , and Parricides , Which notes vpon their fames , are now imposd . Asinius Pollio's writings quite throughout Septem dec lib . Hist . scripsi● vid. Suid . Suet . Giue them a noble memory ; So Messalla Renowm'd his Generall Cassius : yet both these Liu'd with Augustus , full of wealth , and honors . To Cicero's booke , where Cato was heau'd vp Aequall with heau'n , what else did Caesar answer , Being then Dictator , but with a penn'd Oration , As if before the Iudges ? Do but see Antonius Letters ; Read but Brutus pleadings , What vile reproach they hold against Augustus , False I confesse , but with much bitternesse . The Epigram's of Bibaculus , and Catullus , Are read , full stuft with spight of both the Caesars ; Yet Deified Iulius , and no lesse Augustus , 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 be , they die supprest , " But , if with rage acknowledg'd , they are confest . The Greekes I slip , whose licence not alone , But also Lust d●d 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 Brutus , and with Cassius , Arm'd , and possessd of the Philippi fields , Incense the people in the ciuill cause , With dangerous speaches ? Or do they , being slaine Seuenty yeares since , as by their Images ( Which not the Conquerour hath defac'd ) appeares , Retaine that guilty memory , with Writers ? " Posterity paies euery man his honour . Nor shall their want , though I condemned am , That will not only Cassius well approue , And of great Brutus honour mindefull bee , But that will , also , mention make of me . ARR . Freely , and nobly spoken . SAB . With good temper , I like him , that hee is not moou'd with passion . ARR . He puts 'hem to their whisper . TIB . Take Egressus dciu senatu , vitum absti nentiâ finiuit . Tac . ibid . Generosam eius morte vid. apud Sen. Cons . ad Mar. cap . 22. him hence , We shall determine of him at next sitting . COT . Meane time , giue order that his bookes be burn'd . To the' Aediles . SEI . You haue well aduisd . AFE . It fits not such licentious things should liue T' upbraid 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 . SABINNS . LEPIDVS . ARR . Let 'hem be burnt ? ô how ridiculous Appeares the Senate's brainlesse diligence Who think they can , with present power , extinguish The memorie of all succeeding times . SAB . T is true , when ( contrary ) the punishment Of wit , doth make th'authority encrease . Nor do they ought , that vse this cruelty Of interdiction , and this rage of burning ; But purchase to themselues rebuke , and shame , And to the Writers an Manserunt eius libri occultati & editi . Tac . ibid . Scripserat hic Cremut . bella c●uilia , & res August . exstantque Fragmentae in Suasoriâ sextâ Senec . 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 Lepidus . Augustus well foresaw what we should suffer , Vnder Tiberius , when he did pronounce The Suet . Tib . cap . 21. Roman race most wretched , that should liue Betweene so slowe iawes , and so long a bruising . TIBERIVS . SEIANVS . TIB , This Businesse hath succeeded well , Seianus : And quite remou'd all Iealousie of practise 'Gainst Agrippina , and our Nephewes . Now , We must bethinke vs how to plant our Ingines For th' other paire , Sabinus , and Arruntius , And Vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 1. pag . 6. lib . 2. pag . 35. Gallus 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 begun : Sabinus shall be next . TIB . Rather Arruntius . SEI . By any meanes , preserue him . His franke tongue Being lent the raines , will take away all thought Of malice , in your course against the rest . We must keepe him to stalke with . TIB . Dearest head , To thy most fortunate designe I yeeld it . SEI . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. 85. Sir — I haue bene so long traind vp in grace , First with your Father , great Augustus , since , To your most happy bounties so inur'd , As I not sooner would commit my hopes Or wishes to the Gods , then to your Eares . Nor haue I euer , yet , bene couetous ▪ Of ouer bright , and dazling honors , rather To watch , and trauell in great Caesar's safety , With the most common Souldier . TIB . T is confest . SEI . The only Gaine , and which I count most faire Of all my fortunes , is that mighty Caesar Hath thought me Filia eius Claudij filio desponsa . worthy his alliance . Hence Beginne my Hopes . TIB . H'mh ? SEI . I haue heard , Augustus 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 Liuia , And I be had in minde , as Caesars friend , I would but vse the glory 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-vnaequall 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 Prince . TIB . We cannot but commend thy piety Most-lou'd Seianus , in acknowledging Those , bounties ; which we faintly , such , remember . But to thy suite . 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 answer . For Liuia , she can best , her selfe , resolue If she will marry after Drusus , or Continue in the Famely ; besides She hath a Mother , and a Grandame yet , Whose neerer councels she may guide her by : But I will simply deale . That Enmity , Thou fearst in Agrippina , would burne more , If Liuias marriage should ( as 't were in parts ) Deuide th' imperiall house ; an Aemulation Betweene the women might breake forth ; & Discord Ruine the Sonnes , and Nephues , on both hands . What if it cause some present difference ? Thou art not safe , Seianus , if thou proue it . Canst thou beleeue , that Liuia , who was wife To August . Nepoti & M. V●psanij Agrippae fi●io ex ●ulia . Caius Caesar , then to Drusus , now Will be contented to grow old with thee , Borne but a priuate Gentleman of Rome ? And raise 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 Ancestours , In highest place of Empire ) will endure it ? The State thou hold'st already , is in talke ; Men murmure at thy greatnesse ; and the Nobles Stick not , in publick , 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 Liuia's designements . What we had purpos'd to thee , in our thought , And with what neare degrees of Loue to bind thee , And make thee aequall to vs , for the present We will forbeare to speake . Only thus much Beleeue , our lou'd Seianus , we not know That height in Bloud , or Honour , which thy vertue , And mind 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 suite . Caesar hath taught me better to refuse , Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pa. 85. Dio . lib . 58. Then I knew how to aske . How pleaseth Caesar T'imbrace my late aduise , 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 Seianus ! we will straight peruse them : Goe forward in our maine dissigne , and prosper . SEIANVS . SEI . If those but take , I shall . Dull , heauie Caesar ! Wouldst 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 hast preuent that change , When thou mightst winne all to thy selfe againe , By forfeiture of me ? Did those fond words Flie swifter from thy lippes , 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 hadst snuft vp Hemlocke , or tâne downe The iuice of Poppy , and of Mandrakes . Sleepe , Voluptuous Caesar , and Security . 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 Citty businesse , The multitude of suites , the confluence Of suitors , then their importunacies , The manifold distractions he must suffer , Besides ill rumors , enuies , and reproches , All which , a quiet and retired life , ( Larded with ease , and pleasure ) did auoid ; Tac . ibid . And yet , for any weighty , and great affaire , The fittest place to giue the soundest Counsels . By this , shall I remoue 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 . SERWS . TIB . To marry Liuia ? will no lesse , Seianus , Content thy aymes ? no lower obiect ? well ? Thou knowst how thou art wrought into our trust ; Wouen in our dissigne ; and thinkst , we must Now vse thee , whatsoêre 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 leane our iourney off , were sinne 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 necessary vse ; As ours doth now : more in Seianus pride , Then all fell Agrippina's hates beside : " They are the dreadfull Enemies , we raise " With fauors , and make dangerous , with praise ; " The Iniur'd by vs may haue will alike , " But 't is the Fauorite 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 supreame skill , to grace " No man too much ; but hold a certaine space " Betweene th'ascenders Rise , and thine owne Flat , " Least , when all Rounds be reach'd , his ayme be that . T is thought . Is De Macrone isto , vid. Dio . Rom. Hist . lib . 58 pag . 718. & Tac . Ann. lib . 6. pag . 109. 114. 115. Macro in the Pallace ? 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 : " Neede doth allow " What choise would not . I 'haue heard , that Aconite Being timely taken , hath a healing might Against the Scorpions stroake ; the proofe wee 'll giue : That , while two poysons wrastle , we may liue . He 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 feedes great Natures , they will sway him ; " Who nourisheth a Lion , must obay him . TIBERIVS . MACRO . TIB . Macro , we sent for you . MAC. I heard so , Caesar . TIB . ( Leaue vs a while ! ) When you shall know , good Macro , The causes of our sending , and the endes ; You then will hearken nearer : and be pleas'd You stand so high , both in our choise , and trust . MAC. The humblest place in Caesars choyse , or trust , May make glad Macro proud ; without ambition , Saue to do Caesar seruice : TIB . Leaue our Courtings . We are in purpose , Macro , to Suet . Tib . cap . 4. Dio . Rom. Hist . lib . 58. pag . 711. depart The Citty for a time , and see Campania ; Not for our pleasures , but to dedicate A paire of Temples , one , to Iupiter At Capua ; Th' other at Nola , to Augustus : Suet . Tib . cap . 40. Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pa. 91 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 , Drusus ; I , And on Seianus : Not , that we distrust His Loyalty , or do 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 much humor , 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 well-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 chastice ; Thinke , and vse thy meanes , Cons . Suet . Tib . cap . 65. Et Dion . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 714. 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 Sauiour both of Caesar , and of Rome . We will not take thy answere , but in Act : Whereto , as thou proceed'st , we hope to heare ●y trusted Messengers : If 't be enquir'd , Wherefore we calld you ; Say , you haue in charge To see our Chariots ready , and our Horse : Be still our lou'd , and ( shortly ) honor'd Macro . MACRO . MAC. De Mac●one , et ingenio eius , consul . Tacit. Ann. lib . 6. pag . 114. 115. I will not aske , why Caesar bids do 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 prise , can hit his Princes scope . Nor must he looke at what , or whom to strike , But loose 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 Heire In compasse , though but one ; worke all my Kin To swift perdition ; leaue no vntraind engin , For Friendship , or for Innocence ; nay make The Gods all guilty ; I would vndertake This , being imposd 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 troden paths , that Truth and Right respect ; " And proue new , wilder wayes : For Vertue , there , " Is not that narrow thing , she is elsewhere . " Mens Fortune there is Vertue ; Reason , their Will : " Their Licence , Law ; and their Obseruance , Skill . " Occasion is their foile ; Conscience , their staine ; Vid . Dion . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 718. &c. " Profit , their lustre : and what else is , vaine . If then it be the Lust of Caesars power , T' haue raisd Seianus vp , and in an houre Ore 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 . MV . CHORVS .
ACTVS QVARTVS . GALLVS . AGRIPPINA . NERO . DRVSVS . CALIGVLA . GAL. Agrippina semper atrox , tum et periculo proinquae accensa . Tacit. Ann. lib . 4. pag . 89. 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 Gallus ? Be lewd Seianus 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 Silius safe ? or the good Sosia safe ? Or was my Neiee , Pulchra et Furnius damnat . Tac . ibid . deare Claudia Pulchra safe ? Or innocent Furnius ? They that latest haue ( By being made guilty ) Afer primoribus Oratorum additus , divulgato ingenio , &c. ibid . added reputation To Afers Eloquence ? O foolish Friends , Could not so fresh example warne your loues , But you must buy my Fauors , with that losse Vnto your selues : And , when you might perceiue That Caesars Cause of raging must forsake him , Before his Will ? Away , good Gallus , leaue mee . Here to be seene , is Daunger ; 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 Drusus ? We Are they be shot at ; Let vs fall apart : Not , in our ruines , sepulchre our Friends . Or shall we do some Action , like Offence , To mocke their studies , that would make vs faulty ? And frustrate Practise , by preuenting it ? The Daunger'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 , Seianus is come back 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 turnd too good , to both . GAL. What was 't ? NER . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pa. 91 Tiberius sitting at his meat , In a Farme house , they call Praetorium Sueto . appellat . Tib . cap . 39. Spelunca , sited By the Sea-side , among the Fundane Hills , Within a naturall Caue , part of the Grot ( About the entry ) fell , and ouer-whelm'd Some of the Wayters ; Others ran away : Onely Seianus , with his knees , hands , face , Ore-hanging Caesar , did oppose himselfe To the remaining ruines , and was found In that so labouring posture , by the Souldiers That came to succour him . With which aduenture , He hath so fixt himselfe Praebuitque ipsi materiem , cur amicitiae constantiaeque Seiani magis fideret . Tacit. ibid . 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 Drusus , and Caligula , Your places are the next , and therefore most In their offence . Thinke on your birth , and blood , Awake your spirits , meete their violence , " T is Princely , when a Tyranne doth oppose ; " And is a fortune sent to excercise " Your vertue , as the wind doth try strong trees : " Who by vexation grow more sound , and firme . After your Fathers Fall , and Vnckles Fate , What can you hope , but all the change of stroake That Force , or Slight can giue ? then stand vpright ; And though you do not act , yet suffer nobly : Be worthy of my wombe , and take strong cheare ; " What we do know will come , we should not feare . MACRO . MAC. 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 ayre ; 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 formost blowe . LATIARIS . RVFVS . OPSIVS . LAT . It is a seruice , Lord Sabinum adgrediuntur cupidine Consulatus , ad que non nisi per Seianum aditus : neque Seiani voluntas , nisi scelere quaerebatur . Tac . lib . 4. pag . 94. Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 711. Seianus will See well requited , and accept of nobly . Here place your selues , betweene the Roofe , and Seeling , And when I bring him to his words of daunger , 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 obtaine the Consulship For one of vs. OPS . We cannot thinke of lesse , To bring in one , so dangerous as Sabinus . RVF . He was a Follower of Germanicus , And still is an Obseruer of his wife , And children , Eoque apud bonos laudatus , et grauis iniquis . Tac . ibid . though they be declin'd in grace ; A dayly Visitant , keeps them company In priuate , and in publique ; and is noted To be the onely Client , of the House : Pray Ioue , he will be free to Latiaris . OPS . He 'is alli'd to him , and doth trust him well . RVF . And hee 'll requite his trust ? OPS . To doe an Office So gratefull to the State , I know no man But would straine nearer bands , then kindred . RVF . List , I heare them come . OPS . Shift to Haut minus turpi latebrá quam detest andâ fraude , sese abstrudunt ; foraminibus & rim●s aurem admouent . our Holes , with silence . LATIARIS . SABINVS . LAT . 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-renownd Germanicus : Whose ample merit when I call to thought , And see his Wife , and Issue obiects made To so much enuie , iealousy , and hate , It makes me ready to accuse the Gods Of negligence , as Men of tyranny . SAB . They must be patient , so must we . LAT . O Ioue . 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 Ne Nox quidem secura cum vxor ( Neronis ) vigilias , somnos , suspi●ia matri Liuiae , atque illa Seiano patefaceret . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pa. 92 Bed assaults Our peace , and safety ? when our Writings are , By any enuious Instruments ( that dare Apply them to the guilty ) 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 empty shade Of Liberty , is reft vs ? and we made , The prey to greedy Vultures , and vile Spies , That first transfixe vs with their murdering eyes ? LAT . Me thinks , the Genius of the Romane Race Should not be so extinct , but that bright Flame Of Liberty might be reuiud againe , ( Which no good Man but with his life , should loose ) 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 Honor , Name , The Immortality of euery soule That is not Bastard , or a Slaue in Rome , Therein concernd : Whereto , if men would change The weari'd Arme , and for the weighty Shield So long sustaind , employ the facile Sword , We might haue some assurance of our vowes . This Asses fortitude doth tire vs all . It must be actiue valour must redeeme Our losse , or none . The Rock , and our hard Steele Should meete , t' enforce those glorious fires againe , Whose splendour chear'd the world , and heate gaue life No lesse then doth the Sunne 's . SAB . 't were better stay , In lasting darknesse , 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 purchasd by the Sword . LAT . Why we are worse , if to be Slaues , and bond To Caesars Slaue , be such , the proud Seianus ? He that is All , do's all , giues Caesar leaue To hide his Facies vlcerosa , ac plerumque medicaminibus inter stincta . Tac . Ann. lib . 18. pag . 91. vlcerous , and anointed Face , With his bald Crowne at Tac . ibid . 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 Art , As well as Power . LAT . And villanie in both . Do you obserue where Liuia lodges ? How Drusus came dead ? What men haue bin cut off ? SAB . Yes , those are things remoou'd : I nearer look 't , Into his later practise , where he stands Declar'd a Master in his Mystery . First , ere Tiberius 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 Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 90. to poyson her : Draue them to frownes , to mutuall iealousies , Which , now , in visible hatred are burst out . Since , he hath had his hired Instruments To worke Tac . lib . eod . pag . 91. 92. on Nero , and to heaue him vp ; To tell him Caesar's old ; That all the People , Yea , all the Army haue their eies on him ; That both do 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 practise 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 Drusus ( a fierce nature , And fitter for his snares , because ambitious , And full of enuie ) Tac . ibid . him he clasp's , and huggs , Poysons with praise , tels him what hearts he weares , How bright he stands in popular expectance ; That Rome doth suffer with him , in the wrong His Mother doos 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 yeares ! 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 , Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 94. 95. My most officious Instruments of State ; Men of all vses : Drag me hence , away . The Yeare is well begunne , and I fall fit , To be an Offring to Seianus . Goe . OPS . Couer him with his garments , hide his Face . SAB . It shall not neede . Forbeare your rude assault , " The fault's not shamefull Villany makes a fault . MACRO . CALIGVLA . MAC. Sir , but obserue how thick your Dangers meete In his cleare drifts . Your Tac . lib . 5 pag . 98. Mother and your Brothers Now cited to the Senate . Their Friend Asinium Gall . eodem die & conuiuam Tiberij fuisse , et eo suborn ante damnatum , narrat . Dio . lib . 58. pag . 713. Gallus Feasted to day by Caesar , since committed . Sabinus here we met , hurried 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 G●ue vp your selfe , entirely , to your Vncle . Tell Caesar , ( since your Mother is Vid . Tac . lib eod . pag . 94. Suet . Tib . cap . 53. accusd To flie for succours to Augustus Statue , And to the Army , with your Brethren , ) You Haue rather chose to place your aydes in him , Then liue suspected ; or in hourely feare To be thrust out , by bold Seianu'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 runne , with commune safety . All which ( vpon the second ) I 'le make plaine , And Both shall loue , and trust with Caesar gaine . CAL . Away then , lett 's prepare vs for our iourney . ARRVNTIVS . ARR . 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 drâd power ; and blow dust , and smoake Into thy nostrils ? Ioue , will nothing wake thee ? Must vile Seianus 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 mountaine vpon mountaine , 'gainst your state — Be good vnto me , Fortune , and you Powers Whom I , expostulating , haue profan'd ; I see ( what s aequall with a Prodigie ) A great , a noble Romane , and an honest , Liue an old man . O , De Lepido isto , vid. Tac . Ann. lib . 1. pag . 6. lib . 3 pag . 60. 65. et lib . 4. pag . 81. Marcus Lepidus , 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 . LEP . What we are left to be , we will be , Lucius , Though Tyranny did stare , as wide as Death , To fright vs from it . ARR . ' Thath so , on Sabinus ! LEP . I saw him now drawne from the Gemonies , And ( what increasd the direnesse of the fact ) His Dio . Rom. Hist . lib . 58. pag . 712. Et Tacit. Ann. lib . 4. pag . 94. faithfull Dog ( vpbraiding all vs Romanes ) Neuer forsooke the corp's , but , seeing it throwne Into the streame , leapd in , and drownd with it : ARR . O Act ! to be enui'd him , of vs men . We are the next , the Hooke laies hold on , Marcus : What are thy Artes ( good Patriot , teach them me ) That haue preseru'd thy hayres , to this white die , And kept so reuerend , and so deare a head , Safe , on his comely shoulders ? LIP . Arts , Arruntius ? None , Tac . Cons . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 80. 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 mee , Not tempting the Wolues iawes : these are my Artes . ARR . I would beginne to study 'hem , if I thought They would secure me . May I pray to Ioue , In secret , and be safe ? I , or aloud ? With open wishes ? So I doe not mention Tiberius , or Seianus ? Yes , I must , If I speake out . T is hard , that . May I thinke , And not be rackt ? What daunger is 't to dreame ? Talke in ones sleepe ? or cough ? who knowes the Law ? May'I shake my head , without a Comment ? Say It raynes , or it holds vpp , and not be throwne Vpon the Scalae Gēon●ae fuerunt in Auentino , prope Templum Iunonis reginae à Camillo captis Veijs , dicaetum : Agemitu et planctu dictas vult Rhodig . In quas contumeliae causâ cadaucra proicctae . aliquando a Carnifice vnco trahebantur . Vid . Tac . Suet . Dio . Sence . Iunenal . Gemonies ? These now are things , Whereon mens Fortune , yea their Fate depends . Nothing hath priuiledge 'gainst the violent eare . No Place , no Day , no Hower ( we see ) is free ( Not our religious , and most sacred Times ) From some one kind of cruelty : All matter , Nay all occasion pleaseth . Madmens rage , The idlenesse of Dronkerds , 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 alwaies one : Death , with some little difference of Place , Or Time — what 's this ? Prince Nero ? Guarded ? De Lacon . vid. Dio . Rom. Hist . lib . 58. pag . 718. LACO . NERO . LEPIDVS . ARRVNTIVS . LAC . 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 . H' is Suet . Tib . cap . 54. banish'd into Pontia , by the Senate . ARR . Do ' I see ? and heare ? and feele ? May I trust Sense ? Or doth my Phant'sy forme it ? LEP . Wher 's his Brother ? LAC . Drusus is Suet . ibid . prisoner in the Palace . ARR . Ha ? I smell it now : T is ranke . Wher 's Agrippina ? LAC . The Princesse is Suet . Tib . cap . 53. confin'd , to Pandataria . ARR . Bolts , Vulcan ; Bolts for Ioue : Phoebus , thy Bow ; Sterne Mars , thy Sword ; and blew-eyd 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 Tac . vid. Ann. lib . 3. pag . 62. Complement of all Accusings ? that Will hit , when all else failes . LEP . This turne is strange ! But yesterday , the People would not heare Far lesse obiected , but cry'd , Tac . lib . 5. Ann. pag . 98 Caesars Letters Were false , and forg'd ; That all these Plotts were Malice : And that the ruine of the Princes House Was practis'd 'gainst his knowledge . Where are now Their voices ? now , that they behold his Heyres Lock'd vp , disgrac'd , led into exile ? ARR . Hush'd . Drown'd in their bellies . Wild Seianus breath Hath , like a Whirle-wind , scatterd that poore dust , With this rude blast . Wee 'll talke no treason , Sir , If that be it you stand for ? Fare you well . We haue no neede of Horse-leaches . Good Spie , Now you are spi'd , be gone . LEP . I feare , you wrong him . He has the voice to be an honest Romane . ARR . And trusted to this office ? Lepidus , I 'ld sooner trust Greeke-Sinon , then a Man Our State emploies . Hee 's gone : and being gone , I dare tell you ( whome I dare better trust ) That our Tiberius in tenebris videret . testibus Dion . Hist . Rom. lib . 57. pag . 691. Et Plini . Nat. Hist . lib . 11. cap . 37. Night-ey'd Tiberius doth not see His Minions driftes ; Or , if he doe , H' is not So errant subtill , as we Fooles doe take him : To breed a Mungrill vp , in his owne House , With his owne Blood , and ( if the good Gods please ) At his owne Throate , traine him , to take a leape . I do not beg it , Heau'n : but , if the Fates Graunt it these eyes , they must not winke . LEP . They must Not see it , Lucius . ARR . Who should let ' hem ? LEP . Zeale , And Duty ; 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 loathed person Cons Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 91. fouler then all crimes : An Emp'rour , onely in his lusts . Retir'd ( From all reguard of his owne fame , or Rome's ) Into an Vid . Suet . Tib . de s●cessu Caprensi . cap . 43. Dio . pag . 715. Iuue . Sat. 10. obscure Iland ; where he liues ( Acting his Tragedies with a Comick face ) Amidst his rout of Chaldee's : Tac . l●b . Annal . 6. pag . 106. Dio . Rom. Hist . lib . 57. pag 706. Suet . Tib . cap . 62. Suet . ibid . Suet . Tib . cap . 44. spending howres , Daies , weekes , and monthes 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 mock Fate . Nay , muse not : these Are far from endes of euill , scarse degrees . He hath his Slaughter-house , at Capreae ; Where he doth study Murder , as an Art : And they are dearest in his grace , that can Deuise the deepest tortures . Thether , too , He hath his Boyes , and beauteous Girles tâne 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 . Tacit. Ann. lib . 6. pag . 100. Suet . Tib . cap . 43. Some are allur'd Some threatned ; Others , ( by their friends detaind ' ) 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 Leg . Dio . Rom. Hist . lib . 58. pag . 714. the Ward To his owne Vassall , a stale Catamite : Whome hee ( vpon our low , and suffering neckes ) Hath rays'd , from excrement , to side the Gods , And haue his proper Sacrifice in Rome : Which Ioue beholds , and yet will sooner riue A senslesse Oke with thunder , then his Trunck . LACO . De Pomponio , & Minutio . vid. Tac . Ann. lib . 6. POMPONIVS . MINVTIVS . &c. LAC . These Dio Rom. Hist . lib . 58. pag . 716. 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 . ) MAR . One day , hee 's well ; and will returne to Rome : Dio . ibid . The next day , sick ; and knowes not when to hope it . LAC . True , and to day , one of Seianus Friends Honor'd by speciall writ ; and on the morrow Another punish'd — POM . By more speciall writ . MIN . Dio . ibid . This man receiues his praises of Seianus , A second but slight mention ; A third none : A fourth rebukes . And thus he leaues the Senate Diuided ▪ and suspended , all vncertaine . LAC . These forked tricks , I vnderstand 'hem not . Would he would tell vs whome 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 , Seianus stil goes on , And mounts we see : Leg . Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pag . 96. New Statues are aduanc'd , Fresh leaues of Titles , large Inscriptions read , His Adulationis pleni omnes eius Fortunam iurabant . Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 714. Fortune sworne by , himselfe new gone out Caesars Dio . pag . 714. Suet . Tib . cap . 65. Colleague , in the fifth Consulship , More Altars smoake to him then al the Gods : What would we more ? ( AR . That the deare smoake would choake him . LAC . But there are Dio . H●st . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 718. Letters come ( they say ) eu'n now , Which do forbid that last . MIN , do you heare so ? LAC . Yes . POM . By Castor , that 's the worst . ( ARR . By Pollux , best . ) MIN . I did not like the signe , when De Regulo . Cons . Dio . pag . 718. Regulus ( Whome all we know no freind vnto Seianus ) Did , by Tiberius so precise command , Succeed a Fellow in the Consulship : It boded somewhat . POM . Not a moate . His Dio . ibid . Partner , Fulcinius Trio , is his owne ; and sure . Here comes Terentius . He can giue vs more . LEP . I le nere beleeue , but Caesar hath some sent Of bold Seianus footing . Suet . Tib . cap . 65. These crosse points Of varying Letters , and opposing Consuls , Mixing his honors , and his punishments , Fayning now ill , now well , Dio . pag . 716. raysing Seianus , And then depressing him , ( as now of late In all reports we haue it ) cannot bee Empty of practise : T is Tiberius Art. For ( hauing found his Fauorite growne to great , And , with his greatnesse , strong , Dio . pag . 714. 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 , Dio . pag . 716. 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 , o returne all Obiects in their way . ARR . You may be a Linceus , Lepidus : 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 Throat , by Law . LEP . I , " but his Feare " Would neere be masqu'd , all be his Vices were . POM . His Lordship then is still in grace ? TER . Assure you , Neuer in more , eyther of grace , or power . POM . The Gods are wise , and iust . ARR . The Fiendes they are . To suffer thee belye ' hem ? TER . I haue here His last , and present Letters , where he writes him The Partner of his Cares , and his Seianus — LAC . But is that true , it 't is Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58 pag . 718. 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 , Do wretched men beleeue what they would haue ! Lookes this like Plot ? LEP . Noble Arruntius , stay . ) LAC . He names him here Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58 pag . 718. without his Titles . ( LEP Note . ARR . Yes , and come of your notable Foole . I will . ) LAC . No other , then Seianus . POM . That 's but hast In him that writes . Here he giues large amends . MAR . And with his own hand written ? POM . Yes . LAC . Indeed ? TER . Beleeue it , Gentlemen , Seianus brest Neuer receiu'd more full contentments in , Then at this present . POM . Takes he well Dio . pag . 717. th'escape Of young Caligula , with Macro ? TER . Faith , At the first ayre , it somewhat mated him . ( LEP . Obserue you ? ARR . Nothing . Riddles . Till I see Seianus strooke , no sound thereof strikes me . ) POM . I like it not . I muse h'would not attempt Somewhat Dio . ibid . against him in the Consulship Seeing the people ' ginne to fauour him . TER . He doth repent it , now ; but De Pagoniano . vid. Tac . Annal . lib . 6. pag . 101. alibi Paconiano . H' has employd Pagonianus after him : and he holds That correspondence , there , with all that are Neare 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 Caligula ? POM . ô Sir , Tac . cons . Annal . lib . 6. pag . 114. 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 to'assure his sleepes . Who , to be fauor'd of the rising Sunne , Would not lend little of his waning Moone ? 't is the saf'st Ambition . Noble Terentius . TER . The night growes fast vpon vs. At your seruice . MV . CHORVS .
ACTVS QVINTVS . SEIANVS . SEI . 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 houre , Wherein I see my thoughts reach'd by my power : But this , and gripe my wishes . De fasta Seiani . leg . Dion . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 715. Great , and high The world knowes onely 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 Knock 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 , Et Tacit. Ann. lib . 4. pag . 96. " 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 neare a stay . Caligula , Would thou stood'st stiffe , and many in our way . Windes loose their strength , when they do empty fly , Vn met of woods or buildings ; Great fires dye That want their matter to withstand 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 Seianus strife , durst Fates but bring it forth . TERENTIVS . SEIANVS . TER . Safety , to great Seianus . SEI . Now , Terentius ? TER . hear not my Lord the wonder ? SEI . Speake it , No. TER . I meete it violent in the peoples mouths , Who runne , in routes , to Pompey's Theatre , To view your Statue : Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 717. which , they say , sends forth A smoake , as from a furnace , black , and dreadfull , SEI . Some Traitor 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 . SAT . The Dio . ibid . Head , my Lord , already is tâne 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 flattery ? 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 Seianus , in ●y daies ( And by his sacred Fortune I affirme it ) I haue not seene a more extended , growne , Foule , spotted , venomous , ougly — 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 , Terentius ? I thinke you meane to make 't a Prodigie In your reporting ? TFR . Can the wise Seianus Thinke Heau'n hath meant it lesse ? SEI . O Superstition ! Why , then the Dio . lib . 58. pag . 715. falling of our bed , that brake This morning , burd'ned with the populous weight Of our expecting Clients to salute vs , Or Dio . pag . 716. running of the Cat , betwixt our legges , As we set foorth vnto the Capitoll , Were Prodigies ; TER . I thinke them omenous : And , would they had not hap'ned . As , to day , The Dio . ibid . fate of some your seruants ; who , diuerting Their way , not able , for the throng , to follow , Slip't downe the Gemonies , and brake their neckes : Besides , in Dio . ibid . taking your last Augury , No prosperous Bird appear'd , but croaking Rauens Flag'd vp and downe : and from the Sacrifice Flew to the Prison , where they sate , all night , Beating the ayre with their obstreperous beakes . I dare not councell , but I could entreat That great Seianus would attempt the Gods , Once more , with Sacrifice . SEI . What excellent fooles Religion makes of men ? Beleeues Terentius , ( If these were daungers , as I shame to thinke them ) The Gods could change the certaine course of Fate ? Or , if they could , they would ( now , in a moment ) For a Beiues fat , or lesse , be brib'd t' inuert Those long D●crees ? Then thinke the Gods , l●ke 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' Olimpian hall , And ( without pitty ) lade poore Atlas back , I know not that one Deity , but Fortune ; To whome , I would throw vp , in begging smoake , One . Grani Turis . Plant . Paenu . Act. 1. Scen . 1. Et Ouid . lib . 4. Fast . grane of Incense : or whose eare I 'ld buy With thus much oyle . Her I , indeed , adore ; And keepe Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 717. her gratefull Image in my house , Some times belonging to a Roman King , But , now call'd mine , as by the better stile : To her , I care not , if ( for satisfying Your scrupu'lous phant'sies ) I goe offer . Bid Our priest prepare vs De sacris Fortunae , vid. Lil . Gre . Gyr . Synt . 17. Et Stuch . lib de Sacrif . Gent . pag . 48. Honie , Milke , and Poppie , 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 . COT Pomponius ! whether in such speed ? POM . I goe To giue my Lord Seianus notice — COT . What ? POM . of Macro . COT . Is he come ? POM . Dio Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 718. Entr'd but nowe The house of Regulus . COT . The opposite Consul ? POM . Some halfe houre since . COT . And by night too ? stay Sr. . I le beare you companie . POM . Along , then — MACRO . REGVLVS . LACO . MAC. 't is Caesars will , to haue a frequent Senate . And therefore must your Edicto vt plurimum Senatores in Curiam vocatos constat : ex Tac . Ann. lib . 1. & Liui . lib . 2. Fest . Pō . lib . 15. vid . Bar . Briss . de form . lib . 1. & Lip . Sat. Menip . Edict lay deepe mulct On such as shall be absent . REG . So it doth , Beare it my fellow Consul to ascribe . MAC. And tell him it must early be proclaim'd ; The place , Dio . ibid . Apollo's Temple . REG . That 's remembred . MAC. And at what howre ? REG . Yes . MAC. you doe forget To send one Dio . ibid . for the Prouost of the watch ? REG . I haue not : here he comes . MAC. Gracinus Laco , You are a friend most welcome : By , and by , I le speake with you . ( You must procure this List Of the Praetorian Coherts , with the names Of the Centurions , and their Tribunes . REG . I. ) MAC. I bring you Dio . ibid . letters , and a health from Caesar . LAC . Sir both come wel . MAC ( And heare you , with your note Which are the eminent Men , and most of Action . REG . That shall be done you too ) . MAC. Most worthy Laco , Caesar salutes you . ( Consull ! death , and furies ! Gone now ? ) the Argument will please you , Sir . ( Hough ! Regulus ? The anger of the Gods Follow your diligent legges , and ouer take 'hem , In likenesse of the Goute . ) ô , good my Lord , We lackt you present ; I would pray you send Another to Fulcinius 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 , do suruay the watch . What are your strengths , Gracinus ? LAC . De praefecto vigilum vid. Ros . Ant. Rom. lib . 7. et Dio . Rom. Hist . lib . 55. seauen Cohorts . MAC. You see , what Caesar writes : and ( — gone againe ? H' has sure a veine of Mercurie in his feete ) Knew you , what store of the Praetorian Souldiers Seianus 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 industry . ) Gracinus , You find what place you hold , there , in the Trust Of royall Caesar ? LAC . I , and I am — MAC. Sir , The Honors , there propos'd , are but beginnings Of his great fauours . LAC . They are more — MAC. I heard him When he did study , 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 seauen Cohorts , you say ? LAC . Yes . MAC. Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 718. Those we must Hold still in readines , 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 , 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 , Vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 6. pag . 107. Et Suet . Tib . cap . 65 to possesse the Pallace ; Enlarge Prince Drusus , 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 carrie things too — Let me borrow ' a man , Or two , to beare these — That of freeing Drusus , Caesar proiected as the last , and vtmost ; Not else to be remembred . REG . Here are seruants . MAC. These to Arruntius , These to Lepidus , This beare to Cotta , This to Latiaris . If they demaund you' of me , say , I haue tâne 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 Seianus , his great Patron ; I With trusted Laco , here , are for the guards : Then , to diuide . " For , Night hath many eyes , " Whereof , though most do sleepe , yet some are Spies . Hi omnibus sacrificijs interesse solebant . Ros . Ant. Rom. lib . 3. Stuch . de Sac . pag . 72. TVBICINES . TIBICINES . PRAECONES . Ex ijs , qui Flamines Curiales dicerentur . vid. Lil . Greg . Gyr . Synt . 17. & Onup . Pāuin . Rep. Rom. Comment . 2. FLAMEN . MINISTRI . SEIANVS . TERENTIVS . SATRIVS . &c. PRAE . Moris antiqui erat , praecones praecedere , & sacris arcere profanos . Cons . Briss . Ros . Stuch . Lil . Gyt . &c. BE ALL PROFANE FAR HENCE ; Fly , fly far of : Be absent far ; FAR HENCE BE ALL PROFANE . TVB . TIB . These sound , Obseruatum antiquis inuenimus , vt qui rem diuinam facturus esset , lautus , ac mundus accederet , & ad suas leuandas culpas , se inprimis reum dicere solitum , & noxae penituisse . Lil . Gyr . Synt . 17. while the Flamen washeth . FLA . We haue bene faulty , but repent vs now ; And bring Jn sacris puras manus , puras vestes , pura vasa , &c. Antiqui desiderabant . vt ex Virg . Plant . Tibul . Oui . &c. pluribus locis constat . pure Hands , pure Vestments , and pure Minds : MIN . Pure Vessels . MIN And pure Offrings . MIN . Ghyrlonds pure . FLA . Bestow Alius ritus , sertis aras coronare , & verbenas imponere . your Ghyrlonds : and ( with reuerence ) place The Veruin on the Altar . PRAE . Huiusmodi vocibus silentium imperatum fuisse constat . Vid . Sen. in lib . de beata vita . Seru . & Don . ad cum versum . lib . 5. AEneid . Ore fauete omnes , & cingite tempora ramis . FAVOR YOVR TONGVES . FLA . His solemnibus praefationibus in sacris vtebantur . 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 . Quibu● , in clausu , populus vel caetus à praeconibus fauere inbebatur . id est bona verba fari . Talis enim altera huius formulae interpretatio apud Briss . lib . 1. extat . Oui . lib . 1. Fast . Linguis animisque fanete . Et Metam . lib . 15. — piumque AEneadae praestant & mente , & voce fauorem . FAVOR IT WITH YOVR TONGVES . MIN .

Be present , and propitious to our vowes .

TVBICINES . TIBICINES .

While they sound againe , the Flamen Vocabatur hic Ritus Libatio . lege . Rosin . Ant. lib . 3. Bar . Brissō . de form . lib . 1. Stn chium . de Sacrif . Et Lil . Synt 17. takes of the Honey , with his finger , and tasts ; then ministers to all the rest : so of the Jn sacris Fortunae lacte , non vino libabant . ijsdem Test . Talia sacrificia {αβγδ} , & {αβγδ} dictae . Hoc est sobria , & vino carentia . Milke , in an earthen vessell , he deales about ; which done he sprinkleth , vpon the Altar , Milke ; then imposeth the Honey ; and kindleth his Gummes , and after censing about the Altar , placeth his Censer thereon , into which they Hoc reddere erat , & litare , id est propitiare , & votum impetrare : secundum Nonium Marcellum . Litare etiam Mac . lib . 3. cap . 5. explicat , sacrificio facto placare numen . In quo sens . leg . apud Plaut . Suet . Senec . &c. put seuerall branches of Poppy , and the musique ceasing , say all , Solennis formula , in donis cuiuis numini offerrendis . Accept our Offring , and be pleas'd great Goddesse .

TER . See , see , the Image stirres . SAT . And turnes away . NAT. Fortune Leg . Dio . Rom. Hist . lib . 58. pag . 717. de hoc sacrificio . 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 , scrupu'lous Priest : And gather vp thy selfe , with these thy wares , Which I , in spight of thy blind Mistresse , or Thy iugling mystery , Religion , throw Thus , scorned on the earth . Nay , hold thy looke Auerted , till I woe thee turne againe ; And thou shalt stand , to all posterity , 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 Mocke of Fooles , ( Scorne on my worthy head , ) That haue bene Tac . Ann. lib . 4. pa. 96. titled , and ador'd a God , Yea , Dio . lib . 58. pag . 716 717. sacrific'd vnto , my selfe , in Rome , No lesse then Ioue : and I be brought , to doe A peeuish Giglot rites ? Perhaps , the thought , And shame of that made Fortune turne her face , Knowing her selfe the lesser Deity , And but my Seruant : bashfull Queene , if so , Seianus thanks thy modesty . Who 's that ? POMPONIVS . De Minutio . vid. Tac . Ann. lib . 6. MINVTIVS . &c. POM . His Fortune suffers , till he heares my newes : I 'haue wayted here too long . Macro , my Lord — SEI . Speake lower , & withdraw . TER . Are these things true ? MIN . Thousands are gazing at it , in the streetes . SEI . What 's that ? TER . Minutius tells vs here , my Lord , That , a new Head being set vpon your Statue . A Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 717. Rope is since found wreath'd about it ; And , But now , Vid . Sen. Nat . Quaest. lib . 1. cap . 1. a fiery Meteor , in the forme Of a great ball , was seene to roule 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 Regulus . SEI . Terentius , — TER . My Lord ? SEI . Dio . pag . 718. Send for the Tribunes , we will straight haue vp More of the Souldiers , for our guard . Minutius , Wee pray you goe for Cotta , Latiaris , Trio the Consull , or what Senatours You know are sure , and ours . You , my good Natta , For Laco , Prouost of the watch . Now , Satrius , The Time of proofe comes on . Arme all our seruants , And without tumult . You Pomponius , Hold some good Correspondence , with the Consul , Attempt him , noble Friend . These things beginne 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 vnreproou'd ? I , Vid . Tac . Ann. lib . 1. pag . 23. that did helpe To fell the lofty Cedar of the world , Germanicus ; that , at one stroake , Ann. lib . 4. pag . 74. 75. Et Dio . lib . 57. pag . 709. cut downe Drusus , that vpright Elme ; wither'd his Vine ; Laid Tac . Lib . 4 pag . 79. Silius , and Et pag . 94. — Dion . Rom. Hist . lib . 58.712 . Sabinus , two strong Oakes , Flat on the earth ; besides those other shrubs , De Cremutio Cor . vid. Dio . Rom. Hist . lib . 57. pag . 710. Tacit. Ann. lib . 4. pa. 83. Cordus , and De Sofia . Tac . Annal . lib . 4. pa. 94. Sosiae , De Clau . & Furnio . quaere Tac . lib . 4. pa. 89. Claudia Pulchra , Furnius , and De Gallo . Tac . lib . 4. pag 95. & Dio . lib . 58. pag . 713. Gallus , which I haue grub'd vp ; And since , haue set my Axe so strong , and deepe , Into the roote of spreading De Agr. Ner . & Dru . leg . Suet . Tib . cap . 53. 54. Agrippine , Lopt off , and scatterd her proud branches , Nero , Drusus ; and De Caio . Cons . Dio . lib . 58. pag . 717. Caius too , although replanted : If you will , Destinies , that , after all , I faint , now , êre I touch my period ; You are but cruell : and I already ' haue done Things great inough . All Rome , hath bene 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 ready , and prepar'd , To giue me Empire , Temples , or their Throates , When I would aske 'hem ; And , what crownes the top , Rome , Senate , People , all the World haue seene Ioue , but my aequall ; Caesar , but my Second . " T is then your malice , Fates , who ( but your owne ) " Enuye , and feare t' haue any power long knowne . TERENTIVS . TRIBVNES . TER . Stay here : I 'le giue his Lordship , you are come . MINVTIVS . COTTA . LATIARIS . &c. MIN . Marcus Terentius , 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 me to be present there , And giue my voice , to strengthen his dissigne : 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 Seianus . NATTA . LACO . &c. NAT. Gentlemen , where 's my Lord ? TRI . Wee waite him here . COT . The Prouost Laco ? what 's the newes ? LAT . My Lord — SEIANVS . TERENTIVS . &c. SEI . 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 deuide my selfe vnto you ; Or that it lay , within our narrow powers , To satisfie for so enlarged bounty . Gracinus , we must pray you hold your Guards Vnquit , when Morning comes . Saw you the Consull ? MIN . Trio will presently be here my Lord ; COT . They are but Vid . Dio . ●●b . 58. pag . 718. 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 lett 's see . LAT . Knows not his Lordsh ? COT . It seemes so . SE . A Senate warn'd ? without my knowledge ? And on this sodaine ? Senators by Letters Required to be there ? Who brought these ? COT . Macro . SEI . Dio . ibid . Mine enemy . And when ? COT . This midnight . SEI . Time , With eu'ry other circumstance , doth giue It hath some streine of Engin in 't . How now ? SATRIVS . &c. SAT . My Lord , Sertorius Macro is without , Dio . ibid . Alone , and prayes t' haue priuate conference In businesse , of high nature , with your Lordship , He say's to mee ; and which reguards you much . SEI . Let him come here . SAT . better , my Lord , withdraw , 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 , conceald , May keepe a guard vpon vs. Noble Laco , You are our trust : And , till our ●wne Cohorts Can be brought vp , your Strengths must be our Guard , Now good Minutius , 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 thinks , 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 & Fortunes , To purchase but the looke of such a Lord ? LAC . He , that would nor be Lords foole , nor the Worlds . SEIANVS . MACRO . SEI . Macro ! most welcome , as most coueted friend , Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 718. Let me enioy my longings . When arriu'd you ? MAC. About the Merid ies noctis . Varr . Marcipor . vid. Non . Mar. cap . 6. noone of Night . SEI . Satrius , giue leaue . MAC I haue bene since I came , with both the Consul's , On a particular dissigne from Caesar . SEI , How fares it with our great , and royall Master ? MAC. Right plentifully well ; As , with a Prince , Dio . ibid . 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 meetes his bounty , as it doth In you , already the most happy , and ere The sunne shall climbe the South , most high Seianus . Let not my Lord be'amus'd . For to this end Was I by Caesar sent for , to the Isle , Which speciall caution to conceale my iourney ; And , thence , had my dispatch as priuately Dio . ibid . 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 loo'kd 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 Seianus . MAC. If bad , I should for euer loath 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 wisdome : and , because Dio . ibid . I would no iealous scruple should molest Or rack 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 , Dio . ibid . Vid . Suet . de oppress . Scian . Tib . cap . 65. The Tribuniciall Dignity , and Power : Both which Seianus is to haue this day Conferd vpon him , and by publique Senate . SEI . Fortune , be mine againe ; Thou ' hast satisfied For thy suspected loyalty . MAC. My Lord , I haue no longer time , the day approacheth , And I must back to Caesar . SEI . wher's Caligula ? MAC. That I forgot to tel your Lordship . Why , He lingers yonder , about Capreae , Disgrac'd ; Tiberius hath not seene him yet : He needes would thrust himselfe to goe with me , Against my wish , or will , but I haue quitted His forward trouble , with as tardy note As my Neglect , or Silence could bestow . Your Lordship cannot now command me ought , Because , I take no knowledge that I sawe 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 ? Satrius , Attend my honourable friend forth . O! How vaine , and vile a passion is this Feare ? What base , vncomly 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 howre ) I would not haue vouchsaf'd a quarter-looke , Or peice 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 Lion , Shake off the loos'ned Globe from her long henge , Roule all the World in darkenesse , and let loose Th' inraged Winds to turne vp Groues and Townes ; When I do feare againe , let me be strooke With forked fire , and vnpitied die : " Who feares , is worthy of Calamity . POMPONIVS . REGVLVS . TRIO . &c. POM . Is not my Lord here ? TER . Sir , he will be straight . Dio . ibid . COT . What newes Fulcinius Trio ? TRI . Good , good tidings . But , keepe it to your selfe . My Lord Seianus Is to receiue this day , in open Senate , The Tribuniciall dignity . COT . Is 't true ? TRI . No words ; not to your thought : but Sir beleeue it . LAT . What saies the Consul ? COT . ( Speake it not againe , ) He tells me , that to day my Lord Seianus — ( TRI . I must entreat you Cotta , on your honor Not to reueale it . COT . On my life , Sir ) LAT . Say . COT . Is to receiue the Tribuniciall power ; But , as you are an honorable 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 . &c. SEI . I knew the Fates had on their distaffe left More of our thread , then so . REG . Hayle great Seianus . TRI . Haile the Dio . lib . Hist . Rom. 58. pag . 718 most honor'd , CO . Happy , LAT . High Seianus . SEI . Do 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 withdraw . SEI . Yes . I will speake with you , anone . TER . My Lord What is your pleasure for the Tribunes ? SEI . Why , Let 'hem be thank't , and sent away . MIN . My Lord — LAC . Wilt please your Lo : to command me — SEI . No. You ' are troblesome . MI. The Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 715. mood is chang'd . TRI . Not speak ? TRI . Nor looke ? LAC . I. " He is wise , wil make him friendes " Of such , who neuer loue , but for their Endes . ARRVNTIVS . LEPIDVS . ARR . I , goe , make hast ; Take heede you be not last To tender your AVE matutina vox salutanti propria , apud Romanos . Vid . Brifs . de for . lib . 8. ALL HAYLE , in the wide hall Of huge Seianus : Runne , a Lictors pace ; Stay not to put your Roabes on ; But , away , With the pale troubled ensignes of great Friendship Stamp't i' your face . Now , Marcus Lepidus , You still beleeue your former Augurie ? Seianus must goe downeward ? You perceiue His wane approching fast ? LEP . Beleeue me , Lucius , 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 greiuous ? It may be so . But thinke it , they that can With idle wishes ' ssay to bring back time ; De Sanquinio . vid. 12. Ann. lib . 6. " In cases desperate , all Hope is Crime . See , see ! what troupes of his officious Friendes Flock to salute my LORD ! Et de Haterio . ibid . and start before My great , proud LORD , to get a LORD-like nod ! Attend MY LORD vnto the Senate-house ! Ex Liburnia , magnae , & procerae staturae mittebantur , qui erant Rom. Lecticarij . Test . Iuuen . Sai 3. vers . 240. — turbâ cedente vehetur Diues , & ingenti curret super ora Liburno . Bring back MY LORD ! like seruile Huishers , make Way for MY LORD ! proclaime his Idoll LORD-ship , More then ten Criers , or sixe noyse of Trumpetts ! Make leggs , kisse hands , and take a scatterd haire From my LORDS excellent shoulder . See , Sanquinius ! With his slow belly , and his dropsy ! Looke , What toyling haste he makes lyet , here 's another , Retarded with the Goute , will be afore him ! Get thee Liburnian Porters , thou grosse Foole , To beare thy'obsequious fatnesse , like thy Peeres . They ' are mett . The Goute returnes , and his great Carriage . LICTORS . CONSVLS . SEIANVS . &c. LIC . Giue way , make place ; Roome for the Consul . SA . HAYLE , HAYLE great Seianus . HAT . HAYLE my honor'd Lord . ARR . We shall be markt anone for our not HAYLE . Dio . ibid . LEP . That is all ready 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 Dio . ibid . necessityes , that helpt To the perfection of their Dignities : And hate the men , that but refraine'hem . ARR . ô There is a farder cause of hate . Their breasts Are guilty , that we know their obscure springs , And base beginnings : Thence the anger growes . On. Follow . MACRO . LACO . MAC. When all are entred , Dio pag . 718. shut the Temple doores ; And bring your Guardes vp to the Gate . LAC . I will . MAC. If you shal heare Commotion in the Senate , Present your selfe : and charge on any man Shall offer to come forth . LAC . I am instructed . THE SENATE . PRAECONES . LICTORES . REGVLVS . SEIANVS . TRIO . HATERIVS . SANQVINIVS . COTTA . POMPONIVS . LATIARIS . LEPIDVS . ARRVNTIVS . HAT . How well his Lordship lookes to day ! TRI . As if He had beene borne , or made for this howers state . COT . Your fellow Consul's come about , me thinkes ? TRI . I , hee 'is wise . SAN . Seianus trusts him well . TRI . Seianus is a noble , Vid . acclamation . Senat . Dio . pag . 719. bounteous Lord . HAT . Hee is so , and most valiant . LAT . And most wise . SEN . Hee 's euery thing . LAT . Worthy of all , and more Then bounty can bestow . TRI . This Dignity Wil make him worthy . POM . Aboue Caesar . SAN . Tut , Caesar is but the Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. 715. Rector of an I'sle , Hee of the Empire . TRI . Now he will haue power More to reward , then euer . COT . Let vs looke We be Dio . pag . 719. not slack in giuing him our voyces . LAT . Not I. SAN . Nor I. COT . The readyer we seeme To propagate his Honors , 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 . Dio . ibid . POM . I will not loose the part , I hope to share In these his Fortunes , for my Patrimony . LAT . See how Arruntius sits , and Lepidus . TRI . Let 'hem alone , they will be markt anone . 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 fauors . COT . Noble Seianus . HAT . Honor'd Seianus . LAT . Worthy and great Seianus . 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 ? O but most , Can claw his subtle elbow , or with a buzze Flie 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 . Vid . Brissonium : de formul . lib . 2. Et Lipsium Sat. Menip . MEMMIVS REGVLVS . AND . FVLCINIVS . TRIO . CONSVL'S . THESE . PRESENT . KALENDES . OF . IVNE . WITH . THE . FIRST . LIGHT . SHALL . HOLD . A. SENATE . IN . THE . TEMPLE . OF . Palatinus , à monte Palatino , dictus . APOLLO . PALATINE . ALL . THAT . ARE . FATHERS . AND . ARE . REGISTRED . FATHERS . THAT . HAVE . RIGHT . OF . ENTRING . THE . SENATE . WE . WARNE . OR . COMMAVND . YOV . BE . FREQVENTLY . PRESENT . TAKE . KNOWLEDGE . THE . BVSINESSE . IS . THE . COMMON . WEALTHES . WHOSOEVER . IS . ABSENT . HIS . FINE . OR . MVLCT . WILL . BE . TAKEN . HIS . EXCVSE . WILL . NOT . BE . TAKEN . TRI . Note , who are absent , and record their names . REG . Solemnis praefatio Consulum in relationibus . Dio . pag . 718. FATHERS CONSCRIPT . MAY WHAT I AM TO VTTER , TVRNE GOOD AND HAPPY FOR THE COMMON WEALTH . And thou APOLLO , in whose holy House We here are met , Inspire vs all , with truth , And liberty of Censure to our thought . The Maiestie of great Tiberius Caesar Propounds to this graue Senate , the bestowing Vpon the man he lones , honour'd Seianus , The Vid . Suet . Tib . cap . 65 tribuniciall dignity . and power ; Here are his Letters , signed with his signet : Alia formula solemnis . vid. Briss . lib . 2. WHAT PLEASETH NOW THE FATHERS TO BE DONE ? SEN . Read , read 'hem , open , publiquely , Read ' 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 : Seianus . — SEN . Honor'd , and noble . SEN . Good , and great Seianus . ARR . O most tame slauery , and fierce Flattery ! PRAE .

Silence .

TIBERIVS CAESAR TO THE SENATE GREETING .

Solenne exordium Epistolar . apud Romanos . Cons . Briss . de formul . lib . 8. IF . YOV . CONSCRIPT . FATHERS . WITH . YOVR . CHILDREN . BE . IN . HEALTH . IT . IS . ABOVNDANTLY . WELL . WE . WITH . OVR . FRIENDS . HERE . ARE . SO . The care of the Common-wealth , howsoeuer we are remou'd in person , cannot bee absent to our thought ; although , oftentimes , euen to Princes most present , the truth of their owne affaires is hid : then which , nothing falls out more miserable to a State , or makes the art of gouerning more difficult . But since it hath beene our easefull happinesse to enioy both the aydes , and industrie of so vigilant a Senate , wee professe to haue beene the more indulgent to our pleasures , not as beeing carelesse of our office , but rather secure of the necessity . Neither doe these common Rumors of many , and infamous Libels published against our retirement , at all afflict vs ; beeing borne more out of mens ignorance , then their malice : and will , neglected , finde their owne graue quickly , whereas too sensiblie acknowledg'd , it would make their obloquie ours . Nor doe wee desire their Authors ( though found ) bee censur'd , Vid . Sue . Tib . cap . 28. since in a free State ( as ours ) all men ought to enioy both their mindes , and tongues free .

( ARR .

The Lapwing , the Lapwing . )

Yet in things : which shall worthily , and more neare concerne the Maiesty of a Prince , we shall feare to bee so vnnaturally cruell to our owne fame , as to neglect them . True it is , CONSCRIPT FATHERS , that we haue raised Seianus , from obscure , and almost vnknowne Gentry ,

SEN .

How ! how !

to the highest , and most conspicuous point of greatnesse , and ( wee hope ) deseruingly ; yet not without daunger : it beeing a most bolde hazard in that Sou'raigne , who , by his particular loue to one , dar●● aduenture the hatred of all his other subiects .

ARR .

This Touches , the blood turnes .

But we affie in your Loues , and vnderstandings , and do no way suspect the merit of our Seianus to make our fauours offensiue to any .

SEN .

O , good , good .

Though we could haue wishd his Zeale had runne a calmer course against Agrippina , and our Nephues , howsoeuer the opennesse of their actions , declared them delinquents ; and , that he would haue remembred , no Innocence is so safe , but it reioyceth to stand in the sight of Mercie : The vse of which in vs , he hath so quite taken away , toward them , by his loyall fury , as now our Clemencie would be● thought but wearied Cruelty , if wee should offer to excercise it .

ARR .

I thanke him , there I look'd for 't . A good Foxel

Some there be , that would interpret this his publique Seuerity to be particular Ambition , and that vnder a praetext of Seruice to vs , De hâc Epist. vid. Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 719. hee doth but remooue his owne Lets ; alleadging the strengths he hath made to himselfe , by the Praetorian souldiers , by his Faction in Court and Senate , by the Offices he holds himselfe , and conferres on others , his Popularity , and Dependentes , Et Iuuen . Satyr . 10. his vrging ( and almost driuing ) vs to this our vnwilling Retirement , and lastly , his aspiring to be our Sonne inlaw ;

SEN .

' This ' strange .

ARR .

I shall anone beleeue your Vultures , Marcus .

Your wisdomes , CONSCRIPT FATHERS , are able to examine , and censure these suggestions : but , were they left to our absoluing voice , we durst pronounce them , as we thinke them , most malicious .

SEN .

O he has restor'd all , List .

Yet , are they offerd to be auerr'd , and on the liues of the Informers : What we should say , or rather what we should not say , Lords of the Senate , if this be true , our Gods , and Goddesses confound vs if wee know ! Onely , we must thinke we haue plac'd our benefits ill ; and conclude , that in our choise , either wee were wanting to the Gods , or the Gods to vs.

ARR .

The place growes hot , they shift . Wee haue not bene couetous , HONORABLE FATHERS , to change ; neither is it now , any new Lust that alters our affection , or old Loathing , but those needfull Iealousies of state , that warne wiser Princes , howrely , to prouide their safty ; and do teach them how learned a thing it is to beware of the humblest Enemie : much more of those great ones , whom their owne emploid fauours haue made fit for their feares .

SEN .

Away .

SEN .

Sit farder .

Cor .

Lett 's remooue —

ARR .

Gods ! how the leaues drop off , this little winde !

we therefore desire that the Offices he holds , be first seized by the Senate ; and himselfe suspended from all exercise of place , or power —

SE .

How !

SA .

By your leaue .

AR . Come Porcpisce ( wher 's Haterius ? Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58 pag . 719. His Gout keepes him most miserably constant . ) Your dauncing shewes a tempest . SEI . Read no more . REG . Lords of the Senate , hold your seates ; read on . SEI . These Letters they are forg'd . REG . a guard , Sit still . ARR . Here 's change . REG . Bid silence , and read forward . PRAE .

Silence , — and himselfe suspended from all excercise of place , or power , ( but till due and mature tryall bee made of his innocencie , which yet we can faintly apprehend the necessity , to doubt . ) If CONSCRIPT FATHERS , to your more searching wisdomes , there shal appeare farther cause ( or of farder proceeding , eyther to seyzure of Lands , Goods , or more — ) It is not our power that shall limite your authoritie , or our fauour , that must corrupt your iustice ; either were dishonourable in you , and both vncharitable to our selfe . Dio . ibid . We would willingly be present with your Counsailes in this businesse , but the daunger of so potent a faction ( if it should prooue so ) forbiddes our attempt : except one of the Consuls would be intreated for our safety to vndertake the guard of vs home , then wee should most readily aduenture . In the meane time , it shall not bee fit for vs to importune so iudicious a Senate , who knowe howe much they hurt the innocent , that spare the guilty , and howe gratefull a sacrifice , to the Gods , is the life of an ingratefull person . We reflect not in this on Seianus ( notwithstanding if you keepe an eye vpon him — And there is Latiaris a Senatour , and Pinnarius Natta , two of his most trusted Ministers , and so profest , whom we desire not to haue apprênded , but as the necessity of the cause exacts it .

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 property , you see what vse is made ? Hang vp the Instrument . SEI . Giue leaue . LACO . Stand , stand , He comes vpon his death , that doth aduance An inch toward my point . SEI . Haue we no friend here ? ARR . Hush't . Where now are all the HAYLES , and acclamations ? MACRO . &c. MAC. Haile , to the Consuls , and this noble Senate . Dio . ibid . SEI . Is Macro here ? O , thou art lost , Seianus . MAC. Sit still , and vnaffrighted , Reuerend Fathers . Macro , by Caesars Grace , the new-made Pronost , And now possest of the Praetorian bandes , ( An honour late belongd to that proud man ) Biddes 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 . Seianus , Seianus . Stand forth , Seianus . SEI . Am I call'd ? MAC. I , thou , Thou insolent monster , art bid stand . SEI . Why , Macro , It hath bene otherwise , betweene you , and I ? This Court , that knowes vs both , hath seene a difference , And can ( if it be pleasd to speake ) confirme Whose insolence is most . MAC. Come downe , Typhan● , If mine be most , loe thus I make it more ; Kick vp thy heeles in ayre , teare off thy roabe , Play with thy beard , and nostrils : Thus 't is fit ( And no man take compassion of thy state ) To vse th' ingratefull viper , tread his braines Into the earth . REG . For beare . MAC. If I could loose All my humanity 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 howre he first rebeld 'Gainst Caesars bounty , did condemne himselfe ? P'hlegra , the field , where all the Sonnes of Earth Muster'd against the Gods , did nere 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 dores with Bayes . SAN . And let an Oxe With gilded hornes , and Gyrlonds , straight be led Vnto the Capitoll : HAT . And sacrific'd Ieg . Iuuen . S●tyr . 10. To Ioue , for Caesars safety . TRI . All our Gods Be present still to Caesar . COT . Phoebus . SAN . Mars . HAT . Diana . SAN . Pallas . SEN . Iuno , Mercury , All guard him . MAC. Forth , thou Prodigie of men . COT . Let all the traitors Titles be defac'd . TRI . His Images , and Statues be puld 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 . LEP . Who would depend vpon the popular ayre , Or voice of men , that haue to day beheld ( That which if all the Gods had fore-declar'd , Would not haue bene 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 Desteny ! That had mens knees as frequent , as the Gods ; And Sacrifices , more , then Rome had Altars : Dio . lib . 58. pag . 719. 720. &c. 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 waited him vnto the Senate , Now , inhumanely rauish him to prison ! Whom ( but this morne ) they follow'd as their Lord , Guard through the streetes , bound like a fugitiue ! In stead of wreaths , giue fetters ; stroakes for stoopes : Blind shame for Honors ; and black taunts for Titles ! Who would trust slippery Chance ? LEP . They , that would make Themselues her spoile ; and foolishly forget , When she doth flatter , that she comes to prey : " Fortune , thou hadst no Deity , if men " Had wisdome : we haue placed thee so high , " By fond beleefe in thy felicity . SHOVTE WITHIN . The Gods guard Caesar . All the Gods guard Caesar . MACRO . LACO . SENATE . MAC. Now great Seianus , you that aw'd the State , Vid . Dion . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 720. 721. 722. 723. 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 dissignes , 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 . Thankes 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 . ARR . I prophesie , out of this Senates flattery , That this new fellow , Macro , will become A greater Prodigie in Rome , then he That now is falne . TER . ô you , whose mindes are good , And haue not forc'd all mankind , from your brests ; That yet haue so much stock of vertue left , To pitty guilty states , when they are wretched : Lend your soft eares to heare , and eyes to weepe Deedes done by men , beyond the Acts of Furies . The eager Multitude , who neuer yet Knew why to loue , or hate , but only pleas'd T' expresse their rage of power , no sooner heard The murmure of Seianus 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 fury , first they teare them downe : Then fastning ropes , drag them along the streetes , Vid . Iuuen . Sat. 10. Crying in scorne , this , this was that rich head Was crown'd with Gyrlonds , and with Odours , This That was in Rome so reuerenced . Now The Furnace , and the Bellowes shall to worke The great Seianus crack , and peice , by peice , Drop i' the Founders pit . LEP . O popular Rage ! TER . Dio . Rom. Hist . lib . 58. pag . 720. The whilst , the Senate , at the Temple of Concord , Make haste to meete againe , and thronging cry , Let vs condemne him , tread him downe in water , While he doth lie vpon the banke ; Away : Where some , more tardy , crie vnto their bearers , He will be censur'd êre 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 nere 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 dyes ? what death ? And not a Beast of all the Heard demands What was his Crime ? or who were his Accusers ? Vnder what proofe , or testimony , he fell ? There came ( saies one ) a huge , long , worded Letter From Capraeae against him . Did there so ? O , they are satisfied , no more . LEP . Alasse ! They follow Fortune , and hate men condemn'd , Iuue . Sat. 10. Guilty , or not . ARR . But had Seianus thriu'd In his dissigne , and prosperously opprest The old Tiberius , then , in that same minute These very Raskalls , that now rage like Furies , Would haue proclaim'd Seianus Emperour . LEP . But what hath follow'd ? TER . Sentence , by the Senate ; Dio . ibid . To loose his head : which was no sooner off ,

Senec . lib . de Tranq . Anim . cap . 11.

Quo die illum Senatus deduxerat , Populus in frusta diuisit , &c.

But that , and th' vnfortunate trunke were seizd 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 voices Employd at once in seuerall actes of malice . Old Men not staid with Age , Virgins with shame , Late Wiues with losse of Husbands , Mothers of Children , Loosing all griefe in ioy of his sad fall , Runne quite transported with their cruelty : 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 Fauors ; These with a thigh ; this hath cut off his hands ; And this his feete ; 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 ôre done . The whole , and All of what was great Seianus , And next to Caesar did possesse the world , Now torne , and scatterd , as he needs no graue , Each little dust couers a little part : So lies he no where , and yet often buried . NVNTIVS , &c. ARR . More of Seianus ? NVN . Yes . LEP What can be added ? We know him dead . NVN . Then there begin your pitty , There is inough behin'd , to melt eu'n Rome , And Caesar into teares : ( though neuer Slaue Could yet so highly ' offend , but Tyranny In torturing him would make him worth lamenting . ) A sonne , and daughter to the dead Seianus , ( Of whom Vid Senec . lib . de Tranq . Ani . cap . xi . there is not now so much remaining 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 Tac . Ann. lib . 5. pa. 99. Et Dion . lib . 58. pag . 720. Girle so simple , as she often askt , Where they would lead her ? for what cause they dragd her ? Cry'd , She would doe no more . That she could take Warning with beating . And because our Lawes Admit no virgin Lex enim non tam virginitati ignotum cautumque voluit quam aeta●i . Cons . Lips . Comment . Tac . immature to dye , The wittely , and strangly-cruell Macro Deliuer'd her to be deflowr'd , and spoild , By the rude lust of the licentious Hang-man , Then , to be strangled with her harmelesse brother . LEP . ô 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 returnd ) the Mother , Th' expulsed Dio . ibid . Apicata , finds them there ; Whom when she saw lie spread on the Scalae Gemoniae in quas erant protecta damnator . Corpora . 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 backward to the East , nay , make the old Deformed Chaos rise againe t'ore-whelme Them , vs , and all the world ) she fills the ayre ; Vpbraids the Heauens with their partiall doomes , Defies their tyrannous powers , and demaunds What she , and those poore Innocents haue transgress'd , That they must suffer such a share in vengeance , Dio . Hist . Rom. lib . 58. pag . 720. Whilst Liuia , Lygdus , and Eudemus liue , Who , ( as she say's , and firmely vowes , to proue it To Caesar , and the Senate ) poyson'd Drusus ? LEP . Confederats with her husband ? NVN . I. LEP . Strange Act ! ARR . And strangly opend : what say's now my Monster , The Multitude ? They reele now ? do 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 blood , And gripe the part which they did teare of him , Wish him collected , and created new . LEP . How Fortune plies her sports , when she begins To practise ' hem ! pursues , continues , addes ! Confounds , with varying her empassion'd moodes ! ARR . Dost 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 do fall , You pash your selues in peices , nêre 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 wisdome , to blaspheme , " Much more to slighten , or deny their powers . For whom the Morning saw so great , and high , Thus low , and little , 'fore the ' Euen doth lye .
FINIS .