Chapter XLVII: Act V: Scene I.1518

[_Enter_] SEJANUS.

_Sej._ Swell, swell, my joys; and faint not to declare
Yourselves as ample as your causes are.
I did not live till now: this my first hour,
Wherein I see my thoughts reach’d by my power.
But this, and gripe my wishes. Great and high,
The world knows only two, that’s Rome and I. 6
My roof receives me not; ’t is air I tread;
And, at each step, I feel my advanced head
Knock out a star in heaven! Rear’d to this height,
All my desires seem modest, poor, and slight,
That did before sound impudent; ’t is place, 11
Not blood, discerns the noble and the base.
Is there not something more than to be Caesar?
Must we rest there? it irks t’ have come so far,
To be so near a stay. Caligula, 15
Would thou stood ’st stiff, and many in our way!
Winds lose their strength, when they do empty fly,
Unmet of woods or buildings; great fires die,
That want their matter to withstand them: so,
It is our grief, and will be our loss, to know 20
Our power shall want opposites; unless
The gods, by mixing in the cause, would bless
Our fortune with their conquest. That were worth
Sejanus’ strife, durst fates but bring it forth.

[_Enter_] TERENTIUS.

_Ter._ Safety to great Sejanus!

_Sej._ Now, Terentius? 25

_Ter._ Hears not my lord the wonder?

_Sej._ Speak it; no.

_Ter._ I meet it violent in the people’s mouths,
Who run in routs to Pompey’s theatre,
To view your statue; which, they say, sends forth
A smoke, as from a furnace, black and dreadful. 30

_Sej._ Some traitor hath put fire in: you, go see,
And let the head be taken off, to look
What ’t is. [_Exit_ TERENTIUS.] Some slave hath practis’d an imposture
To stir the people.—How now! Why return you?

[_Re-enter_ TERENTIUS, _with_] SATRIUS _and_ NATTA.

_Sat._ The head, my lord, already is ta’en off, 35
I saw it; and, at opening, there leapt out
A great and monstrous serpent.

_Sej._ Monstrous! Why?
Had it a beard, and horns? no heart? a tongue
Forked as flattery? Look’d it of the hue
To such as live in great men’s bosoms? Was 40
The spirit of it Macro’s?

_Nat._ May it please
The most divine Sejanus, in my days,
(And by his sacred fortune, I affirm it,)
I have not seen a more extended, grown,
Foul, spotted, venomous, ugly——

_Sej._ O, the fates! 45
What a wild muster ’s here of attributes,
T’ express a worm, a snake!

_Ter._ But how that should
Come there, my lord?

_Sej._ What, and you too, Terentius!
I think you mean to make ’t a prodigy
In your reporting.

_Ter._ Can the wise Sejanus 50
Think heav’n hath meant it less?

_Sej._ O, superstition!
Why, then the falling of our bed, that brake
This morning, burd’ned with the populous weight
Of our expecting clients, to salute us;
Or running of the cat betwixt our legs, 55
As we set forth unto the Capitol,
Were prodigies.

_Ter._ I think them ominous:
And would they had not happ’ned! As, to-day,
The fate of some your servants: who declining[1519]
Their way, not able, for the throng, to follow,
Slipt down the Gemonies, and brake their necks! 61
Besides, in taking your last augury,
No prosperous bird appear’d; but croaking ravens
Flagg’d up and down, and from the sacrifice
Flew to the prison, where they sat all night, 65
Beating the air with their obstreperous beaks!
I dare not counsel, but I could entreat,
That great Sejanus would attempt the gods
Once more with sacrifice.

_Sej._ What excellent fools
Religion makes of men! Believes Terentius, 70
If these were dangers, as I shame to think them,
The gods could change the certain course of fate?
Or, if they could they would, now in a moment,
For a beeve’s fat, or less, be brib’d t’ invert
Those long decrees? Then think the gods, like flies, 75
Are to be taken with the steam of flesh,
Or blood, diffus’d about their altars: think
Their power as cheap as I esteem it small.
Of all the throng that fill th’ Olympian hall,
And, without pity, lade poor Atlas’ back, 80
I know not that one deity, but Fortune,
To whom I would throw up, in begging smoke,
One grain of incense; or whose ear I’d buy
With thus much oil. Her I indeed adore;
And keep her grateful image in my house, 85
Sometimes belonging to a Roman king,
But now call’d mine, as by the better style:
To her I care not, if, for satisfying
Your scrupulous phant’sies, I go offer. Bid
Our priest prepare us honey, milk, and poppy, 90
His masculine odours, and night-vestments: say
Our rites are instant; which perform’d, you ’ll see
How vain, and worthy laughter, your fears be. [_Exeunt._]

[SCENE II.][1520]

[_Enter_] COTTA _and_ POMPONIUS.

_Cot._ Pomponius, whither in such speed?

_Pom._ I go.
To give my lord Sejanus notice——

_Cot._ What?

_Pom._ Of Macro.

_Cot._ Is he come?

_Pom._ Ent’red but now
The house of Regulus.

_Cot._ The opposite consul!

_Pom._ Some half hour since.

_Cot._ And by night too! Stay, sir; 5
I ’ll bear you company.

_Pom._ Along then. [_Exeunt._]

[SCENE III.][1521]

[_Enter_] MACRO, REGULUS, [_and_ Attendant.]

_Mac._ ’T is Caesar’s will to have a frequent senate;
And therefore must your edict lay deep mulct
On such as shall be absent.

_Reg._ So it doth.
Bear it my fellow consul to adscribe.[1522]

_Mac._ And tell him it must early be proclaim’d: 5
The place Apollo’s temple. [_Exit_ Attendant.]

_Reg._ That ’s rememb’red.

_Mac._ And at what hour?

_Reg._ Yes.

_Mac._ You do forget
To send one for the provost of the watch.

_Reg._ I have not: here he comes.

[_Enter_] LACO.

_Mac._ Gracinus Laco,
You are a friend most welcome: by and by, 10
I ’ll speak with you.—You must procure this list
Of the praetorian cohorts, with the names
Of the centurions, and their tribunes.

_Reg._ Ay.

_Mac._ I bring you letters, and a health from Caesar.

_Lac._ Sir, both come well.

_Mac._ And, hear you? with your note, 15
Which are the eminent men, and most of action.

_Reg._ That shall be done you too. _Goes out._

_Mac._ Most worthy Laco,—
Caesar salutes you.—Consul! death and furies!
Gone now!—The argument will please you, sir.—
Ho! Regulus! The anger of the gods 20
Follow your diligent legs, and overtake ’em,
In likeness of the gout!
_Re-enter_ REGULUS.
O, my good lord,
We lackt you present: I would pray you send
Another to Fulcinius Trio, straight,
To tell him you will come and speak with him: 25
The matter we ’ll devise, to stay him there,
While I with Laco do survey the watch.
REGULUS _goes out again_.
What are your strengths, Gracinus?

_Lac._ Seven cohorts.

_Mac._ You see what Caesar writes; and—Gone again!
H’ as sure a vein of mercury in his feet.—— 30
Know you what store of the praetorian soldiers
Sejanus holds about him, for his guard?

_Lac._ I cannot the just[1523] number; but I think
Three centuries.

_Mac._ Three! good.

_Lac._ At most not four.

_Mac._ And who be those centurions?

_Lac._ That the consul 35
Can best deliver you.

_Mac._ When he’s away!
Spite on his nimble industry!—Gracinus,
You find what place you hold, there, in the trust
Of royal Caesar?

_Lac._ Ay, and I am——

_Mac._ Sir, 39
The honours there propos’d are but beginnings
Of his great favours.

_Lac._ They are more——

_Mac._ I heard him
When he did study what to add.

_Lac._ My life,
And all I hold——

_Mac._ You were his own first choice!
Which doth confirm as much as you can speak;
And will, if we succeed, make more——Your guards 45
Are seven cohorts, you say?

_Lac._ Yes.

_Mac._ Those we must
Hold still in readiness and undischarg’d.

_Lac._ I understand so much. But how it can——

_Mac._ Be done without suspicion, you’ll object?

_Re-enter_ REGULUS.

_Reg._ What’s that.

_Lac._ The keeping of the watch in arms, 50
When morning comes.

_Mac._ The senate shall be met, and set
So early in the temple, as all mark
Of that shall be avoided.

_Reg._ If we need,
We have commission to possess the palace, 54
Enlarge Prince Drusus, and make him our chief.

_Mac._ (_Aside._) That secret would have burnt his reverend mouth,
Had he not spit it out now.——By the gods.
You carry things too——Let me borrow a man
Or two, to bear these——That of freeing Drusus,
Caesar projected as the last and utmost; 60
Not else to be rememb’red.

[_Enter_ Servants.]

_Reg._ Here are servants.

_Mac._ These to Arruntius, these to Lepidus.
This bear to Cotta, this to Latiaris.
If they demand you of me, say I have ta’en
Fresh horse and am departed. [_Exeunt_ Servants.] You, my lord, 65
To your colleague, and be you sure to hold him
With long narration of the new fresh favours,
Meant to Sejanus, his great patron; I,
With trusted Laco, here, are for the guards:
Then, to divide. For night hath many eyes, 70
Whereof, though most do sleep, yet some are spies. [_Exeunt._]

[SCENE IV.][1524]

[_Enter_] Praecones, Flamen, [Tubicines, Tibicines,] Ministri, SEJANUS, TERENTIUS, SATRIUS, [NATTA,] _etc._

_Prae._ Be all profane far hence; fly, fly far off:
Be absent far; far hence be all profane!

Tubicines[1525] _and_ Tibicines[1526] _sound while the_ Flamen _washeth_.

_Fla._ We have been faulty, but repent us now.
And bring pure hands, pure vestments, and pure minds. 4

_1 Min._ Pure vessels.

_2 Min._ And pure offerings.

_3 Min._ Garlands pure.

_Fla._ Bestow your garlands: and, with reverence place
The vervain[1527] on the altar.

_Prae._ Favour your tongues.

_While they sound again, the_ Flamen _takes of the honey with his
finger, and tastes, then ministers to all the rest: so of the milk
in an earthen vessel, he deals about; which done, he sprinkleth upon
the altar, milk; then imposeth the honey, and kindleth his gums, and
after censing about the altar, placeth his censer thereon, into which
they put several branches of poppy, and the music ceasing, proceed._

_Fla._ Great mother Fortune, queen of human state,
Rectress of action, arbitress of fate,
To whom all sway, all power, all empire bows,
Be present, and propitious to our vows! 11

_Prae._ Favour it with your tongues.

_Min._ Be present, and propitious to our vows!
Accept our off’ring, and be pleas’d, great goddess. 14

_Ter._ See, see, the image stirs!

_Sat._ And turns away!

_Nat._ Fortune averts her face!

_Fla._ Avert, you gods,
The prodigy. Still! still! some pious rite
We have neglected. Yet, heav’n be appeas’d,
And be all tokens false or void, that speak 19
Thy present wrath!

_Sej._ Be thou dumb, scrupulous priest:
And gather up thyself, with these thy wares,
Which I, in spite of thy blind mistress, or
Thy juggling mystery, religion, throw
Thus scorned on the earth.
[_Overturns the statue and the altar._]
Nay, hold thy look
Averted till I woo thee turn again; 25
And thou shalt stand, to all posterity,
Th’ eternal game and laughter, with thy neck
Writh’d to thy tail, like a ridiculous cat.
Avoid[1528] these fumes, these superstitious lights,
And all these cos’ning[1529] ceremonies; you, 30
Your pure and spiced[1530] conscience!
[_Exeunt all but_ SEJANUS, TERENTIUS, SATRIUS, _and_ NATTA.]
I, the slave
And mock of fools, (scorn on my worthy head!)
That have been titled and ador’d a god,
Yea sacrific’d unto, myself, in Rome,
No less than Jove: and I be brought to do 35
A peevish giglot[1531] rites! Perhaps the thought
And shame of that made Fortune turn her face,
Knowing herself the lesser deity,
And but my servant.—Bashful queen, if so,
Sejanus thanks thy modesty.—Who’s that? 40

[_Enter_] POMPONIUS _and_ MINUTIUS.

_Pom._ His fortune suffers, till he hears my news:
I have waited here too long. Macro, my lord——

_Sej._ Speak lower and withdraw. [_Takes him aside._]

_Ter._ Are these things true?

_Min._ Thousands are gazing at it in the streets.

_Sej._ What’s that?

_Ter._ Minutius tells us here, my lord, 45
That a new head being set upon your statue,
A rope is since found wreath’d about it! and,
But now, a fiery meteor in the form
Of a great ball was seen to roll along 49
The troubled air, where yet it hangs unperfect,
The amazing wonder of the multitude!

_Sej._ No more. That Macro ’s come, is more than all!

_Ter._ Is Macro come?

_Pom._ I saw him.

_Ter._ Where? with whom?

_Pom._ With Regulus.

_Sej._ Terentius!

_Ter._ My lord.

_Sej._ Send for the tribunes, we will straight have up 55
More of the soldiers for our guard. [_Exit_ TER.] Minutius,
We pray you go for Cotta, Latiaris,
Trio the consul, or what senators
You know are sure, and ours. [_Exit_ MIN.] You, my good Natta,
For Laco, provost of the watch. [_Exit NAT._] Now, Satrius, 60
The time of proof comes on; arm all our servants,
And without tumult. [_Exit_ SAT.] You, Pomponius,
Hold some good correspondence with the consul:
Attempt him, noble friend. [_Exit_ POMP.] These things begin
To look like dangers, now, worthy my fates. 65
Fortune, I see thy worst: let doubtful states,
And things uncertain hang upon thy will;
Me surest death shall render certain still.
Yet, why is now my thought turn’d toward death,
Whom fates have let go on so far in breath, 70
Uncheck’d or unreprov’d? I, that did help
To fell the lofty cedar of the world
Germanicus; that at one stroke cut down
Drusus, that upright elm; wither’d his vine;
Laid Silius and Sabinus, two strong oaks, 75
Flat on the earth; besides those other shrubs,
Cordus and Sosia, Claudia Pulchra,
Furnius and Gallus, which I have grubb’d up;
And since, have set my axe so strong and deep
Into the root of spreading Agrippine; 80
Lopt off and scatter’d her proud branches, Nero,
Drusus; and Caius too, although replanted.
If you will, Destinies, that after all,
I faint now ere I touch my period.
You are but cruel; and I already have done 85
Things great enough. All Rome hath been my slave;
The senate sate an idle looker-on,
And witness of my power; when I have blush’d
More to command than it to suffer:[1532] all
The fathers have sat ready and prepar’d 90
To give me empire, temples, or their throats,
When I would ask ’em; and, what crowns the top,
Rome, senate, people, all the world have seen
Jove but my equal; Caesar but my second.
’T is then your malice, Fates, who, but your own, 95
Envy and fear t’ have any power long known. [_Exit._]

[SCENE V.][1533]

[_Enter_] TERENTIUS _and_ Tribunes.

_Ter._ Stay here: I’ll give[1534] his lordship you are come.

[_Enter_] MINUTIUS, COTTA, LATIARIS.

_Min._ Marcus Terentius, pray you tell my lord
Here’s Cotta, and Latiaris.

_Ter._ Sir, I shall. [_Exit._]

_Cot._ My letter is the very same with yours;
Only requires me to be present there, 5
And give my voice to strengthen his design.

_Lat._ Names he not what it is?

_Cot._ No, nor to you.

_Lat._ ’T is strange and singular doubtful!

_Cot._ So it is,
It may be all is left to lord Sejanus.

[_Enter_] NATTA _and_ GRACINUS LACO.

_Nat._ Gentlemen, where ’s my lord?

_Tri._ We wait him here. 10

_Cot._ The provost Laco! What’s the news?

_Lat._ My lord——

[_Enter_] SEJANUS.

_Sej._ Now, my right dear, noble, and trusted friends,
How much I am a captive to your kindness!
Most worthy Cotta, Latiaris, Laco,
Your valiant hand; and, gentlemen, your loves.
I wish I could divide myself unto you; 15
Or that it lay within our narrow powers,
To satisfy for so enlarged bounty.
Gracinus, we must pray you, hold your guards
Unquit when morning comes. Saw you the consul? 20

_Min._ Trio will presently be here, my lord.

_Cot._ They are but giving order for the edict,
To warn the senate?

_Sej._ How! the senate?

_Lac._ Yes.
This morning in Apollo’s temple—

_Cot._ We
Are charg’d by letter to be there, my lord. 25

_Sej._ By letter! Pray you let’s see.

_Lat._ Knows not his lordship?

_Cot._ It seems so!

_Sej._ A senate warn’d! without my knowledge!
And on this sudden! Senators by letters
Required to be there! Who brought these?

_Cot._ Macro, 30

_Sej._ Mine enemy! And when?

_Cot._ This midnight.

_Sej._ Time,
With ev’ry other circumstance, doth give
It hath some strain of engine[1535] in ’t!—How now?

[_Enter_] SATRIUS.

_Sat._ My lord, Sertorius Macro is without,
Alone, and prays t’ have private conference 35
In business of high nature with your lordship,
He says to me, and which regards you much.

_Sej._ 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 spy. 40

_Sej._ Is he not arm’d?

_Sat._ We’ll search him.

_Sej._ No; but take,
And lead him to some room, where you conceal’d
May keep a guard upon us. [_Exit_ SAT.] Noble Laco,
You are our trust; and till our own cohorts
Can be brought up, your strengths must be our guard. 45
Now, good Minutius, honour’d Latiaris,

_He salutes them humbly._

Most worthy and my most unwearied friends;
I return instantly. [_Exit._]

_Lat._ Most worthy lord!

_Cot._ His lordship is turn’d instant kind, methinks;
I have not observ’d it in him heretofore. 50

_1 Tri._ ’T is true, and it becomes him nobly.

_Min._ I
Am rapt withal.

_2 Tri._ By Mars, he has my lives,
Were they a million, for this only grace.

_Lac._ Ay, and to name a man!

_Lat._ As he did me!

_Min._ And me!

_Lat._ Who would not spend his life and fortunes
To purchase but the look of such a lord? 55

_Lac._ [_Aside._] He that would nor be lord’s fool, nor the world’s.
[_Exeunt._]

[SCENE VI.][1536]

_Enter_ SEJANUS, MACRO, _and_ SATRIUS.

_Sej._ Macro! most welcome, as most coveted friend!
Let me enjoy my longings. When arriv’d you?

_Mac._ About the noon of night.

_Sej._ Satrius, give leave. [_Exit_ SATRIUS.]

_Mac._ I have been, since I came, with both the consuls,
On a particular design from Caesar. 5

_Sej._ How fares it with our great and royal master?

_Mac._ Right plentifully well; as with a prince
That still holds out the great proportion
Of his large favours, where his judgment hath
Made once divine election: like the god 10
That wants not, nor is wearied to bestow
Where merit meets his bounty, as it doth
In you, already the most happy, and, ere
The sun shall climb the south, most high Sejanus.
Let not my lord be amus’d.[1537] For to this end 15
Was I by Caesar sent for to the isle,
With special caution to conceal my journey;
And thence had my despatch as privately
Again to Rome; charg’d to come here by night;
And only to the consuls make narration 20
Of his great purpose: that the benefit
Might come more full, and striking, by how much
It was less look’d for, or aspir’d by you,
Or least informed to the common thought.

_Sej._ What may this be? Part of myself, dear Macro, 25
If good, speak out; and share with your Sejanus.

_Mac._ If bad, I should for ever loathe myself
To be the messenger to so good a lord.
I do exceed my instructions to acquaint
Your lordship with thus much; but ’t is my venture 30
On your retentive wisdom: and because
I would no jealous scruple should molest
Or rack your peace of thought. For I assure
My noble lord, no senator yet knows
The business meant: though all by several letters 35
Are warned to be there, and give their voices,
Only to add unto the state and grace
Of what is purpos’d.

_Sej._ You take pleasure, Macro,
Like a coy wench, in torturing your lover. 39
What can be worth this suffering?

_Mac._ That which follows,
The tribunitial dignity and power:
Both which Sejanus is to have this day
Conferr’d upon him, and by public senate.

_Sej._ Fortune be mine again! [_Aside._] Thou hast satisfied
For thy suspected loyalty.

_Mac._ My lord, 45
I have no longer time, the day approacheth,
And I must back to Caesar.

_Sej._ Where’s Caligula?

_Mac._ That I forgot to tell your lordship. Why,
He lingers yonder about Capreae,
Disgrac’d; Tiberius hath not seen him yet. 50
He needs would thrust himself to go with me,
Against my wish or will; but I have quitted
His forward trouble,[1538] with as tardy note
As my neglect or silence could afford him. 54
Your lordship cannot now command me aught,
Because I take no knowledge that I saw you;
But I shall boast to live to serve your lordship;
And so take leave.

_Sej._ Honest and worthy Macro:
Your love and friendship. [_Exit_ MACRO.] Who’s there? Satrius,
Attend my honourable friend forth.—O! 60
How vain and vile a passion is this fear,
What base uncomely things it makes men do!
Suspect their noblest friends, as I did this,
Flatter poor enemies, entreat their servants,
Stoop, court, and catch at the benevolence 65
Of creatures unto whom, within this hour,
I would not have vouchsaf’d a quarter-look,
Or piece of face! By you that fools call gods,
Hang all the sky with your prodigious signs,
Fill earth with monsters, drop the scorpion down 70
Out of the zodiac, or the fiercer lion,
Shake off the loos’ned globe from her long hinge,
Roll all the world in darkness, and let loose
Th’ enraged winds to turn up groves and towns!
When I do fear again, let me be struck 75
With forked fire, and unpitied die;
Who fears, is worthy of calamity. [_Exit._]

[SCENE VII.][1539]

[_Enter_ TERENTIUS, MINUTIUS, LACO, COTTA, LATIARIS, _and_] POMPONIUS; REGULUS, TRIO, [_and others, on different sides._]

_Pom._ Is not my lord here?

_Ter._ Sir, he will be straight.

_Cot._ What news, Fulcinius Trio?

_Tri._ Good, good tidings;
But keep it to yourself. My lord Sejanus
Is to receive this day in open senate
The tribunitial dignity.

_Cot._ Is’t true? 5

_Tri._ No words, not to your thought: but, sir, believe it.

_Lat._ What says the consul?

_Cot._ Speak it not again:
He tells me that to-day my lord Sejanus——

_Tri._ I must entreat you, Cotta, on your honour
Not to reveal it.

_Cot._ On my life, sir.

_Lat._ Say. 10

_Cot._ Is to receive the tribunitial power,
But, as you are an honourable man,
Let me conjure you not to utter it;
For it is trusted to me with that bond.

_Lat._ I am Harpocrates.

_Ter._ Can you assure it? 15

_Pom._ The consul told it me; but keep it close.

_Min._ Lord Latiaris, what’s the news?

_Lat._ I’ll tell you;
But you must swear to keep it secret.

[_Enter_] SEJANUS.

_Sej._ I knew the Fates had on their distaff left
More of our thread, than so.

_Reg._ Hail, great Sejanus! 20

_Tri._ Hail, the most honour’d!

_Cot._ Happy!

_Lat._ High Sejanus!

_Sej._ Do you bring prodigies too?

_Tri._ May all presage
Turn to those fair effects, whereof we bring
Your lordship news.

_Reg._ May’t please my lord withdraw.

_Sej._ Yes:—I will speak with you anon.

_To some that stand by._

_Ter._ My lord, 25
What is your pleasure for the tribunes?

_Sej._ Why,
Let ’em be thankt and sent away.

_Min._ My lord——-

_Lac._ Will’t please your lordship to command me——-

_Sej._ No:
You are troublesome.

_Min._ The mood is chang’d.

_Tri._ Not speak,
Nor look!

_Lac._ Ay, he is wise, will make him friends
Of such who never love but for their ends.
[_Exeunt._] 31

[SCENE VIII.][1540]

[_Enter_] ARRUNTIUS _and_ LEPIDUS, _divers other_ Senators _passing by them_.

_Arr._ Ay, go, make haste; take heed you be not last
To tender your “All Hail” in the wide hall
Of huge Sejanus: run a lictor’s pace:
Stay not to put your robes on; but away
With the pale troubled ensigns of great friendship 5
Stampt i’ your face! Now, Marcus Lepidus,
You still believe your former augury?
Sejanus must go downward! You perceive
His wane approaching fast!

_Lep._ Believe me, Lucius,
I wonder at this rising.

_Arr._ Ay, and that we 10
Must give our suffrage to it. You will say,
It is to make his fall more steep and grievous.
It may be so. But think it, they that can
With idle wishes ’say[1541] to bring back time:
In cases desperate, all hope is crime. 15
See, see! what troops of his officious friends
Flock to salute my lord, and start before
My great proud lord! to get a lord-like nod!
Attend my lord unto the senate-house! 19
Bring back my lord! like servile ushers, make
Way for my lord! proclaim his idol lordship,
More than ten criers, or six noise of trumpets![1542]
Make legs, kiss hands, and take a scatter’d hair
From my lord’s eminent shoulder! See, Sanguinius,
With his slow belly, and his dropsy! Look, 25
What toiling haste he makes! Yet here’s another
Retarded with the gout, will be afore him.
Get thee Liburnian porters, thou gross fool,
To bear thy obsequious fatness, like thy peers.
They met! The gout returns, and his great carriage. 30

Lictors, Consuls, [REGULUS _and_ TRIO] SEJANUS, [SATRIUS, SANGUINIUS, HATERIUS, _and many other_ Senators] _pass over the stage_.

_Lict._ Give way, make place, room for the consul!

_San._ Hail,
Hail, great Sejanus!

_Hat._ Hail, my honour’d lord!

_Arr._ We shall be markt anon, for our not Hail.

_Lep._ That is already done.

_Arr._ It is a note,
Of upstart greatness, to observe and watch 35
For these poor trifles, which the noble mind
Neglects and scorns.

_Lep._ Ay, and they think themselves
Deeply dishonour’d where they are omitted,
As if they were necessities that helpt
To the perfection of their dignities; 40
And hate the men that but refrain ’em.

_Arr._ O!
There is a farther cause of hate. Their breasts
Are guilty that we know their obscure springs
And base beginnings; thence the anger grows.
On. Follow. [_Exeunt._] 45

[SCENE IX.][1543]

[_Enter_] MACRO _and_ LACO.

_Mac._ When all are ent’red, shut the temple doors;
And bring your guards up to the gate.

_Lac._ I will.

_Mac._ If you shall hear commotion in the senate,
Present yourself: and charge on any man 4
Shall offer to come forth.

_Lac._ I am instructed. [_Exeunt._]

[SCENE X.][1544]

_The Senate._

HATERIUS, TRIO, SANGUINIUS, COTTA, REGULUS, SEJANUS, POMPONIUS, LATIARIS, LEPIDUS, ARRUNTIUS; Praecones, Lictores.

_Hat._ How well his lordship looks to-day!

_Tri._ As if
He had been born, or made for this hour’s state.

_Cot._ Your fellow consul’s come about, methinks?

_Tri._ Ay, he is wise,

_San._ Sejanus trusts him well.

_Tri._ Sejanus is a noble, bounteous lord. 5

_Hat._ He is so, and most valiant.

_Lat._ And most wise.

[1] _Sen._ He’s everything.

_Lat._ Worthy of all, and more
Than bounty can bestow.

_Tri._ This dignity
Will make him worthy.

_Pom._ Above Caesar.

_San._ Tut,
Caesar is but the rector of an isle, 10
He of the Empire.

_Tri._ Now he will have power
More to reward than ever.

_Cot._ Let us look
We be not slack in giving him our voices.

_Lat._ Not I.

_San._ Nor I.

_Cot._ The readier we seem
To propagate his honours, will more bind 15
His thoughts to ours.

_Hat._ I think right with your lordship;
It is the way to have us hold our places.

_San._ Ay, and get more.

_Lat._ More office and more titles.

_Pom._ I will not lose the part I hope to share
In these his fortunes, for my patrimony. 20

_Lat._ See how Arruntius sits, and Lepidus!

_Tri._ Let ’em alone, they will be markt anon.

_1 Sen._ I’ll do with others.

_2 Sen._ So will I.

_3 Sen._ And I.
Men grow not in the state but as they are planted
Warm in his favours.

_Cot._ Noble Sejanus! 25

_Hat._ Honour’d Sejanus!

_Lat._ Worthy and great Sejanus!

_Arr._ Gods! how the sponges open and take in
And shut again! Look, look! is not he blest
That gets a seat in eye-reach of him! more
That comes in ear, or tongue-reach? O but most 30
Can claw his subtile elbow, or with a buz
Fly-bow his ears?

_Praet._ Proclaim the senate’s peace,
And give last summons by the edict.

_Prae._ Silence!
In the name of Caesar, and the senate, silence!

“Memmius Regulus, and Fulcinius Trio, (35) consuls, these present
kalends of June, with the first light, shall hold a senate in the
temple of Apollo Palatine: all that are fathers, and are regist’red
fathers, that have right of ent’ring the senate, we warn or command
you be frequently (40) present, take knowledge the business is the
commonwealth’s: whosoever is absent, his fine or mulct will be taken,
his excuse will not be taken.”

_Tri._ Note who are absent, and record their names. 45

_Reg._ Fathers conscript, may what I am to utter
Turn good and happy for the commonwealth!
And thou, Apollo, in whose holy house
We here are met, inspire us all with truth,
And liberty of censure to our thought! 50
The majesty of great Tiberius Caesar
Propounds to this grave senate, the bestowing
Upon the man he loves, honour’d Sejanus,
The tribunitial dignity and power:
Here are his letters, signed with his signet. 55
What pleaseth now the fathers to be done?

_Sen._ Read, read ’em, open, publicly read ’em.

_Cot._ Caesar hath honour’d his own greatness much
In thinking of this act.

_Tri._ It was a thought
Happy, and worthy Caesar.

_Lat._ And the lord 60
As worthy it, on whom it is directed!

_Hat._ Most worthy!

_San._ Rome did never boast the virtue
That could give envy bounds, but his: Sejanus——

[1] _Sen._ Honour’d and noble!

[2] _Sen._ Good and great Sejanus! 64

_Arr._ O, most tame slavery, and fierce flattery!

_Prae._ Silence! (_Reads._)
“Tiberius Caesar to the Senate greeting. If you, conscript fathers,
with your children, be in health, it is abundantly well: we with
our friends here are so. The care of the commonwealth, howsoever
we are remov’d in person, (70) cannot be absent to our thought:
although, oftentimes, even to princes most present, the truth of
their own affairs is hid; than which nothing falls out more miserable
to a state, or makes the art of governing more difficult. (75) But
since it hath been our easeful happiness to enjoy both the aids and
industry of so vigilant a senate, we profess to have been the more
indulgent to our pleasures, not as being careless of our office, but
rather secure of the necessity. Neither do these common rumours of
many, (81) and infamous libels published against our retirement, at
all afflict us; being born more out of men’s ignorance than their
malice: and will, neglected, find their own grave quickly; 85
whereas, too sensibly acknowledge, it would make their obloquy ours.
Nor do we desire their authors, though found, be censur’d, since in
a free state, as ours, all men ought to enjoy both their minds and
tongues free.” 90

_Arr._ (_Aside_). The lapwing, the lapwing!
“Yet in things which shall worthily and more near concern the majesty
of a prince, we shall fear to be so unnaturally cruel to our own
fame, as to neglect them. True it is, conscript fathers, that we have
raised Sejanus from obscure, (96) and almost unknown gentry,”

_Sen._ (_Aside._) How, how!
“to the highest and most conspicuous point of greatness, and, we
hope, deservingly; yet (100) not without danger: it being a most bold
hazard in that sov’reign who, by his particular love to one, dares
adventure the hatred of all his other subjects.”

_Arr._ (_Aside._) This touches; the blood turns.
“But we affy[1545] in your loves and understandings, (106) and do no
way suspect the merit of our Sejanus, to make our favours offensive
to any.”

_Sen._ (_Aside._) O! good, good. 110
“Though we could have wished his zeal had run a calmer course against
Agrippina and our nephews, howsoever the openness of their actions
declared them delinquents; and that he would have rememb’red no
innocence is so (115) safe, but it rejoiceth to stand in the sight
of mercy: the use of which in us he hath so quite taken away toward
them, by his loyal fury, as now our clemency would be thought but
wearied cruelty, if we should offer to exercise it.”

_Arr._ (_Aside._) I thank him; there I look’d for ’t. A good fox! 121
“Some there be that would interpret this his public severity to be
particular ambition; and that, under a pretext of service to us, he
doth but remove his own lets:[1546] alleging the (125) strengths he
hath made to himself, by the praetorian soldiers, by his faction in
court and senate, by the offices he holds himself, and confers on
others, his popularity and dependents, his urging and almost driving
us to this our unwilling (130) retirement, and, lastly, his aspiring
to be our son-in-law.”

_Sen._ (_Aside._) This is strange!

_Arr._ (_Aside._) I shall anon believe your vultures,[1547] Marcus.

“Your wisdoms, conscript fathers, are able (135) to examine, and
censure[1548] these suggestions. But were they left to our absolving
voice, we durst pronounce them, as we think them, most malicious.”

_Sen._ (_Aside._) O, he has restor’d all, list! 140

“Yet are they offer’d to be averr’d, and on the lives 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
us if we know! Only we must think, (145) we have plac’d our benefits
ill; and conclude, that in our choice, either we were wanting to the
gods, or the gods to us.”
_The_ Senators _shift their places_.

_Arr._ (_Aside._) The place grows hot; they shift.

“We have not been covetous, honourable (150) fathers, to change;
neither is it now any new lust that alters our affection, or old
loathing: but those needful jealousies of state, that warn wiser
princes hourly to provide their safety; and do teach them how learned
a thing it is (155) to beware of the humblest enemy; much more of
those great ones, whom their own employ’d favours have made fit for
their fears.”

[1] _Sen._ (_Aside._) Away.

[2] _Sen._ (_Aside._) Sit farther.

_Cot._ (_Aside._) Let’s remove——

_Arr._ (_Aside._) Gods! how the leaves drop off, this little wind! 160

“We therefore desire, that the offices he holds be first seized by
the senate; and himself suspended from all exercise of place or
power——”

_Sen._ (_Aside._) How! 165

_San._ [_Thrusting by._] By your leave.

_Arr._ Come, porpoise. (_Aside._) Where’s Haterius?
His gout keeps him most miserably constant!—
Your dancing shows a tempest.

_Sej._ Read no more.

_Reg._ Lords of the senate, hold your seats: read on.

_Sej._ These letters, they are forg’d.

_Reg._ A guard! sit still. 170

_Enter_ LACO, _with the_ Guards.

_Arr._ There’s change!

_Reg._ Bid silence, and read forward.

_Prae._ Silence!—“and himself suspended from all exercise of place
or power, but till due and mature trial be made of his innocency,
which yet we can faintly apprehend the necessity to (175) doubt.
If, conscript fathers, to your more searching wisdoms, there shall
appear farther cause—or of farther proceeding, either to seizure
of lands, goods, or more—it is not our power that shall limit your
authority, or our favour (180) that must corrupt your justice: either
were dishonourable in you, and both uncharitable to ourself. We would
willingly be present with your counsels in this business; but the
danger of so potent a faction, if it should prove (185) so, forbids
our attempting it: except one of the consuls would be entreated for
our safety, to undertake the guard of us home; then we should most
readily adventure. In the meantime, it shall not be fit for us to
importune (190) so judicious a senate, who know how much they hurt
the innocent that spare the guilty; and how grateful a sacrifice to
the gods is the life of an ingrateful person. We reflect not in this
on Sejanus, (notwithstanding, if you (195) keep an eye upon him—and
there is Latiaris, a senator, and Pinnarius Natta, two of his most
trusted ministers; and so profest, whom we desire not to have
apprehended,) but as the necessity of the cause exacts it.” 200

_Reg._ A guard on Latiaris!

_Arr._ O, the spy.
The reverend spy is caught! Who pities him?
Reward, sir, for your service: now, you ha’ done
Your property.[1549] you see what use is made!
[_Exeunt_ LATIARIS _and_ NATTA _guarded_.]
Hang up the instrument.

_Sej._ Give leave.

_Lac._ Stand, stand! 206
He comes upon his death, that doth advance
An inch toward my point.

_Sej._ Have we no friends here?

_Arr._ Husht! Where now are all the hails and acclamations?

[_Enter_] MACRO.

_Mac._ Hail to the consuls, and this noble senate!

_Sej._ [_Aside._] Is Macro here? O, thou art lost, Sejanus! 210

_Mac._ Sit still, and unaffrighted, reverend fathers;
Macro, by Caesar’s grace the new-made provost,
And now possest of the praetorian bands,
An honour late belong’d to that proud man,
Bids you be safe: and to your constant doom[1550] 215
Of his deservings, offers you the surety
Of all the soldiers, tribunes, and centurions,
Receiv’d in our command.

_Reg._ Sejanus, Sejanus,
Stand forth, Sejanus!

_Sej._ Am I call’d!

_Mac._ Ay, thou,
Thou insolent monster, art bid stand.

_Sej._ Why, Macro, 220
It hath been otherwise between you and I;
This court, that knows us both, hath seen a difference,
And can, if it be pleas’d to speak, confirm
Whose insolence is most.

_Mac._ Come down, Typhoeus.
If mine be most, lo! thus I make it more; 225
Kick up thy heels in air, tear off thy robe,
Play with thy beard and nostrils. Thus ’t is fit
(And no man take compassion of thy state)
To use th’ ingrateful viper, tread his brains
Into the earth.

_Reg._ Forbear.

_Mac._ If I could lose 230
All my humanity now, ’t were well to torture
So meriting a traitor.—Wherefore, fathers,
Sit you amaz’d and silent; and not censure
This wretch, who, in the hour he first rebell’d
’Gainst Caesar’s bounty, did condemn himself?
Phlegra, the field where all the sons of earth
Muster’d against the gods, did ne’er acknowledge 237
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 deserves it. 240

_Sen._ Crown all our doors with bays.

_San._ And let an ox,
With gilded horns and garlands, straight be led
Unto the Capitol.

_Hat._ And sacrific’d
To Jove, for Caesar’s safety.

_Tri._ All our gods
Be present still to Caesar!

_Cot._ Phoebus.

_San._ Mars. 244

_Hat._ Diana.

_San._ Pallas.

_Sen._ Juno, Mercury,
All guard him!

_Mac._ Forth thou prodigy of men.
[_Exit_ SEJANUS, _guarded_.]

_Cot._ Let all the traitor’s titles be defac’d.

_Tri._ His images and statues be pull’d down.

_Hat._ His chariot-wheels be broken.

_Arr._ And the legs
Of the poor horses, that deserved nought, 251
Let them be broken too!

_Lep._ O violent change,
And whirl of men’s affections!

_Arr._ Like, as both
Their bulks and souls were bound on Fortune’s wheel,
And must act only with her motion. 255
[_Exeunt all but_] LEPIDUS _and_ ARRUNTIUS.

_Lep._ Who would depend upon the popular air,
Or voice of men, that have to-day beheld
That which, if all the gods had fore-declar’d,
Would not have been believ’d Sejanus’ fall?
He that this morn rose proudly as the sun, 260
And, breaking through a mist of clients’ breath,
Came on as gaz’d at and admir’d as he,
When superstitious Moors salute his light!
That had our servile nobles waiting him
As common grooms; and hanging on his look
No less than human life on destiny! 265
That had men’s knees as frequent as the gods;
And sacrifices more than Rome had altars:
And this man fall! fall? ay, without a look
That durst appear his friend, or lend so much
Of vain relief, to his chang’d state, as pity! 271

_Arr._ They that before, like gnats, play’d in his beams,
And throng’d to circumscribe him, now not seen,
Nor deign to hold a common seat with him!
Others, that waited him unto the senate, 275
Now inhumanely ravish him to prison,
Whom but this morn they follow’d as their lord!
Guard through the streets, bound like a fugitive.
Instead of wreaths give fetters, strokes for stoops:
Blind shame for honours, and black taunts for titles! 280
Who would trust slippery Chance?

_Lep._ They that would make
Themselves her spoil; and foolishly forget,
When she doth flatter, that she comes to prey.
Fortune, thou hadst no deity, if men
Had wisdom: we have placed thee so high, 285
By fond belief in thy felicity.
(_Shout within._) The gods guard Caesar! All the gods guard Caesar!

[_Re-enter_ MACRO,] REGULUS, [_and divers_], Senators.

_Mac._ Now, great Sejanus, you that aw’d the state,
And sought to bring the nobles to your whip;
That would be Caesar’s tutor, and dispose 290
Of dignities and offices! that had
The public head still bare to your designs,
And made the general voice to echo yours!
That look’d for salutations twelve score off,
And would have pyramids, yea, temples, rear’d
To your huge greatness; now you lie as flat 295
As was your pride advanc’d![1551]

_Reg._ Thanks to the gods!

_Sen._ And praise to Macro, that hath saved Rome!
Liberty, liberty, liberty! Lead on,
And praise to Macro, that hath saved Rome! 300
[_Exeunt all but_] ARRUNTIUS _and_ LEPIDUS.

_Arr._ I prophesy, out of the senate’s flattery,
That this new fellow, Macro, will become
A greater prodigy in Rome than he
That now is fall’n.

[_Enter_ TERENTIUS.]

_Ter._ O you, whose minds are good,
And have not forc’d all mankind from your breasts; 305
That yet have so much stock of virtue left
To pity guilty states, when they are wretched:
Lend your soft ears to hear, and eyes to weep
Deeds done by men, beyond the acts of furies.
The eager multitude (who never yet 310
Knew why to love or hate, but only pleas’d
T’ express their rage of power) no sooner heard
The murmur of Sejanus in decline,
But with that speed and heat of appetite,
With which they greedily devour the way 315
To some great sports, or a new theatre,
They fill’d the Capitol, and Pompey’s Cirque
Where, like so many mastiffs biting stones,
As if his statues now were sensitive 319
Of their wild fury; first, they tear them down;
Then fast’ning ropes, drag them along the streets,
Crying in scorn, “This, this was that rich head
Was crown’d with garlands, and with odours, this
That was in Rome so reverenced! Now
The furnace and the bellows shall to work, 325
The great Sejanus crack, and piece by piece
Drop in the founder’s pit.”

_Lep._ O popular rage!

_Ter._ The whilst the senate at the temple of Concord
Make haste to meet again, and thronging cry,
“Let us condemn him, tread him down in water,
While he doth lie upon the bank; away!” 331
While some, more tardy, cry unto their bearers,
“He will be censur’d ere we come; run, knaves,”
And use that furious diligence, for fear
Their bondmen should inform against their slackness, 335
And bring their quaking flesh unto the hook.
The rout, they follow with confused voice,
Crying they’re glad, say they could ne’er abide him;
Inquire what man he was, what kind of face,
What beard he had, what nose, what lips? protest 340
They ever did presage he’d come to this;
They never thought him wise, nor valiant; ask
After his garments, when he dies, what death;
And not a beast of all the herd demands
What was his crime, or who were his accusers,
Under what proof or testimony he fell. 346
There came, says one, a huge long-worded letter
From Capreae against him. Did there so?
O, they are satisfied; no more.

_Lep._ Alas!
They follow Fortune, and hate men condemn’d,
Guilty or not.

_Arr._ But had Sejanus thriv’d 351
In his design, and prosperously opprest
The old Tiberius; then, in that same minute,
These very rascals, that now rage like furies,
Would have proclaim’d Sejanus emperor. 355

_Lep._ But what hath follow’d?

_Ter._ Sentence by the senate,
To lose his head; which was no sooner off,
But that and th’ unfortunate trunk were seiz’d
By the rude multitude; who not content
With what the forward justice of the state 360
Officiously had done, with violent rage
Have rent it limb from limb. A thousand heads,
A thousand hands, ten thousand tongues and voices,
Employ’d at once in several acts of malice!
Old men not staid with age, virgins with shame,
Late wives with loss of husbands, mothers of children, 366
Losing all grief in joy of his sad fall,
Run quite transported with their cruelty!
These mounting at his head, these at his face,
These digging out his eyes, those with his brain
Sprinkling themselves, their houses and their friends; 371
Others are met, have ravish’d thence an arm,
And deal small pieces of the flesh for favours;
These with a thigh, this hath cut off his hands,
And this his feet; these fingers, and these toes; 375
That hath his liver, he his heart: there wants
Nothing but room for wrath, and place for hatred!
What cannot oft be done, is now o’erdone.
The whole, and all of what was great Sejanus,
And, next to Caesar, did possess the world, 380
Now torn and scatter’d, as he needs no grave
Each little dust covers a little part:
So lies he nowhere, and yet often buried!

[_Enter_] NUNTIUS.

_Arr._ More of Sejanus?

_Nun._ Yes.

_Lep._ What can be added?
We know him dead.

_Nun._ Then there begin your pity, 385
There is enough behind to melt ev’n Rome,
And Caesar into tears; since never slave
Could yet so highly offend, but tyranny,
In tormenting him, would make him worth lamenting.
A son and daughter to the dead Sejanus, 390
(Of whom there is not now so much remaining
As would give fast’ning to the hangman’s hook,)
Have they drawn forth for farther sacrifice;
Whose tenderness of knowledge, unripe years,
And childish silly innocence was such, 395
As scarce would lend them feeling of their danger:
The girl so simple, as she often askt
Where they would lead her? for what cause they dragg’d her?
Cried, she would do no more: that she could take
Warning with beating. And because our laws 400
Admit no virgin immature to die,
The wittily and strangely cruel Macro
Deliver’d her to be deflower’d and spoil’d
By the rude lust of the licentious hangman, 404
Then to be strangled with her harmless brother.

_Lep._ O, act most worthy hell, and lasting night,
To hide it from the world!

_Nun._ Their bodies thrown
Into the Gemonies, (I know not how,
Or by what accident return’d,) the mother,
Th’ expulsed[1552] Apicata, finds them there; 410
Whom when she saw lie spread on the degrees,[1553]
After a world of fury on herself,
Tearing her hair, defacing of her face,
Beating her breasts and womb, kneeling amaz’d,
Crying to heaven, then to them; at last, 415
Her drowned voice gat up above her woes,
And with such black and bitter execrations
As might affright the gods, and force the sun
Run backward to the east; nay, make the old
Deformed chaos rise again, t’ o’erwhelm 420
Them, us, and all the world, she fills the air,
Upbraids the heavens with their partial dooms,
Defies their tyrannous powers, and demands,
What she, and those poor innocents have transgress’d,
That they must suffer such a share in vengeance, 425
Whilst Livia, Lygdus, and Eudemus live,
Who, as she says, and firmly vows to prove it
To Caesar and the senate, poison’d Drusus?

_Lep._ Confederates with her husband!

_Nun._ Ay.

_Lep._ Strange act!

_Arr._ And strangely open’d. What says now my monster, 430
The multitude? They reel now, do they not?

_Nun._ Their gall is gone, and now they ’gin to weep
The mischief they have done.

_Arr._ I thank ’em, rogues.

_Nun._ Part are so stupid, or so flexible,
As they believe him innocent; all grieve: 435
And some, whose hands yet reek with his warm blood,
And grip the part which they did tear of him,
Wish him collected and created new.

_Lep._ How Fortune plies her sports, when she begins
To practise ’em! pursues, continues, adds, 440
Confounds with varying her impassion’d moods!

_Arr._ Dost thou hope, Fortune, to redeem thy crimes,
To make amend for thy ill placed favours,
With these strange punishments! Forbear, you things
That stand upon the pinnacles of state, 445
To boast your slippery height; when you do fall,
You pash[1554] yourselves in pieces, ne’er to rise;
And he that lends you pity, is not wise.

_Ter._ Let this example move the insolent man
Not to grow proud and careless of the gods. 450
It is an odious wisdom 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 even doth lie. [_Exeunt._]

VOLPONE; OR, THE FOX

BY BEN JONSON

THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY

VOLPONE, a Magnifico.
MOSCA, his Parasite.
VOLTORE, an Advocate.
CORBACCIO, an old Gentleman.
CORVINO, a Merchant.
BONARIO, a young Gentleman, [son to Corbaccio.]
[SIR] POLITIC WOULD-BE, a Knight.
PEREGRINE, a Gentleman Traveller.
NANO, a Dwarf.
CASTRONE, an Eunuch.
ANDROGYNO, an Hermaphrodite.

Grege [or Mob].
Commandadori, Officers [of Justice.]
Mercatori, three Merchants.
Avocatori, four Magistrates.
Notario, the Register.

Fine Madame WOULD-BE, the Knight’s Wife.
CELIA, [Corvino] the Merchant’s Wife.

Servitore, a Servant, [two Waiting-] women, &c.

SCENE.—_Venice._

THE ARGUMENT

V olpone, childless, rich, feigns sick, despairs,
O ffers his state to hopes of several heirs,
L ies languishing: his parasite receives
P resents of all, assures, deludes; then weaves
O ther cross plots, which ope themselves, are told. 5
N ew tricks for safety are sought; they thrive: when, bold,
E ach tempts th’ other again, and all are sold.