HAile ^aCaius Silius.

^bTitius Sabinus, Hayle.

Yo'are rarely met in Court!

Therfore, well met.

'Tis true: Indeed, this Place is not our Sphære.

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 ^c 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 ^d can say, we owe vnto our Crimes;

We burne with no ^e 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.

But yonder leane

A paire that doe.

(Good Cossen ^fLatiaris.)

^gDe Satrius Secundus, & ^h Pinnario 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, ⁱ informe,

Smile, and betray; make guilty men; then beg

The forfeit liues, to get the liuings; cut

Mens throates with whisprings; fell 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 ^a 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.

Alasse! these things

Deserue no note, confer'd with other vile,

And ^b filthier Flatteries, that corrupt the times:

When, not alone our Gentries Chiefe, are faine

To make their safty from such sordide Acts,

But ^c all our Consuls, and no little part

Of such as haue bene Prætors, yea, the most

Of ^dSenators, 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, ^e 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.

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, æquall 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: ^f Euery ministring Spie

That will accuse, and sweare, is Lord of you,

Of me, of all, our Fortunes, and our Liues.

Our ^a 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 'twill be Treason.

”Tirannes Artes

“Are to giue Flatterers grace, Accusers power,

“That those may seeme to kill whom they deuoure.

Now ^b good Cremutius Cordus.

Haile to your Lordship.

Who's that salutes your Cosin?

'Tis one Cordus,

A Gentleman of Rome; one, that has writ

Annal's of late, they say, and very well.

Annal's? of what times?

I thinke of Pompei's,

And Caius Cæsars; and ^c so downe to these,

How stands h'affected to the present state?

Is he or ^dDrusian? or Germanican?

Or ours? or neutrall?

I know him not so far.

Those Times are somewhat queasie to be toucht.

Haue you or seene, or heard part of his worke?

Not I, he meanes they shall be publike shortly.

O. Cordus do you call him?

But these our times

Are not the same Arruntius.^e

Times? the Men,

The Men are not the same: 'Tis 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 Cæsar 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: Tis true, that Cordus lay's,

Braue Cassius was the last of all that race.

Stãd by, Lord ^aDrusus.

Th'Emp'rours son, giue place.

I like the Prince well.

^b A riotous youth,

There's little hope of him.

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 ^c for opposing to Seianus.

And I ^d for gracing his yong kinsmen so,

The ^e sonnes of Prince ^fGermanicus; It shewes

A gallant clearnesse in him, a streight minde,

That enuies not, in them, their Fathers name.

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.

He had the fruicts, Arruntius,

More then the seedes: ^gSabinus, 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: ^h 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.

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,

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[unclear]

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: ^aPompei's dignity,

The innocence of Cato, Cæsar'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.

I am sure

He was to great for vs,^b and that they knew

Who did remooue him hence.

When men grow fast

Honor'd, and lou'd, There is a trick in state

(which lealous 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; ^c 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, ^d a fine poison

Was thought on, to mature their practises.

Here comes ^eSeianus.

Now obserue the stoupes,

The bendings, and the falls.

Most creeping base!

I note 'hem well, No more. Say you.

My Lord,

There is a Gentleman of Rome would buy—

How cal you him you talk'd with?

Please your Lordsh.

It is ^aEVDEMVS, the Phisitian

To Liuia, Drusu's wife.

On with your suit.

Would buy you said.

A Tribunes place, my Lord.

What will he giue?

^bFiftie Sestertia,

Liuia's Phisitian say you, is that fellow?

It is my Lord; your Lordships answere?

To what!

The place, my Lord. Tis for a Gentleman,

Your Lordship wil well like off, when you see him;

And one, you may make yours, by the graunt.

Well, let him bring his monie, and his name.

Thank your lordship. He shal my Lord.

Come hither.

Know you this same Eudemus? Is he learn'd?

Reputed so, my Lord: and of deepe practise.

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?

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.

Nothing so.

^cSeianus 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. 'Tis he

Makes vs our day, or night; Hell, and Elisium

Are in his looke: We talke of Rhadamænth,

Furies, and fire-brands; But 'tis 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—

A seruing boy.

I knew him, at ^eCaiu's trencher, when for hire,

He ³⁸ prostituted his abused bodie

To that great Gourmond, fat Apicius;

And was the noted Pathike of the time.

And, now, ^a the second face of the whole world.

TIhe partner of the empire, hath his image

Rear'd equall with Tiberius, borne in Ensignes;

Command's, disposes euery dignity,

Centurions, Tribunes, Heads of Prouinces,

Prætors, 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.

He hath of late

Made him a strength too, strangely, by reducing

All the Prætorian 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,

Where, now, he builds, what kind of Fort's he please,

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.

And, though he nere were liberall by kind,

Yet, to his owne darke endes, hee's most profuse,

Lauish, and letting flie, he cares not what

To his Ambition.

yet, hath hee ambition?

Is there that step in state can make him higher?

Or more? or any thing he is, but lesse?

Nothing, but Emp'rour.

The Name Tiberius

I hope, will keepe; how ere he hath fore-gone

The dignity, and power.

Sure, while he liues.

And dead, it comes to Drusus. should he faile,

To the braue Issue of Germanicus;

And ^b they are three; To many (ha?) for him

To haue a plot vpon?

I doe not know

The heart of his disseignes; but, sure, their face

Lookes farther then the present.

By the Gods,

If I could gesse he had but such a thought

My sword should cleaue him downe from head to heart,

But I would 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—

You'are obseru'd, Arruntius.

Death! I dare tell him so; and all his Spies:

You Sir, I would, do you looke? and you.

Forbeare.

Here, he will instant be; Lett's walke a turne.

Yo'are in a muse, Eudemus?

Not I, Sir.

I wonder he should marke me out so! well,

Ioue, and Apollo forme it for the best.

^aYour 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.

Now, good Satrius.

This is the Gentleman, my Lord.

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?

Yes.

Sir?

It is my Lord.

I heare, you are

Phisitian to ^bLiuia, the Princesse?

I minister vnto her, my good Lord.

You minister to a roy all Lady, then.

She is, my Lord; and faire.

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.

Your Lordship is conceited.

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?

Many, my good Lord.

The great^cAugusta,^dVrgulania,

Mutilia^aPrisca, and ^bPlancina, diuers—

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?

Else, my Lord, we know not

How to prescribe the Remedies.

Goe to,

Yo'are a subtill Nation, you Physitians!

And growne the ^c only Cabinets, in Court,

To Ladies priuacies. Faith; which of these

Is the most pleasant Lady, in her physick?

Come, you are modest now.

'Tis fit, my Lord.

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?

Shee'is so, my Lord.

I knew it. And Mutilia the most iocund?

'Tis very true, my Lord.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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 ^a 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.

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:

As safely, my Eudemus,

(I now dare call thee so) as I haue put

The secret into thee.

My Lord—

Protest not.

Thy lookes are vowes to me, vse onely speed,

And but affect her with ^bSeianus loue,

Thou art a man, made, to make Consuls. Goe.

My Lord, Ile promise you a priuate meeting

This day, together.

Canst thou?

Yes.

The place?

My Gardens. whether I shall fetch your Lordship.

Let me adore my Æsculapius.

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. For 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 trusty slaues, then Need.

These ^c 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.

^aWe 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.

How like a God speakes Cæsar!

There, obserue.

He can indure that second, thats no Flatterie.

O what is it, proud Slime will not beleeue.

Of his owne worth, to heare it equall prais'd

Thus with the Gods?

He did not heare it, sir.

He did not? Tut, he must not, we thinke meanely.

Tis your most courtly, knowne confederacie,

To haue your priuate Parasite redeeme

What hee, in publique subtilty, will loose

To making him a name.

Right mighty Lord.

^b 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.

^cRarely dissembled.

Princelike, to the life.

“When power, that may command, so much descends,

“Their bondage, whome it stoupes to, it intends.

Whence are these Letters?

From the Senate.

So.

Whence these?

From thence too.

Are they sitting now?

They stay thy answere, Cæsar.

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^a 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,^b 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^c 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.

He should be told this; and be bid dissemble

With fooles, and blindmen: We that know the euill,

Should hunt the^dPallace-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.

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.

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:

Tis well prai'd.

Returne the Lords this voice, we are their Creature:

And it is fit, a good, and honest Prince,

Whom^a 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: Tis Empire, to obey

Where such, so great, so graue, so good determine.

Yet, for the^b 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 afterpurpose.

Since Deified Augustus hindred not

A Temple to be built, at Pergamum,

In honour of himselfe, and sacred Rome,

We, ^c 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: 'twere 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 p[unclear: n]blike 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.

Rare!

most diuine.

The Oracles are ceas'd,

That onely Cæsar, with their tongue, might speake.

Let me be gone, most felt, & open this!

Stay.

What? to heare more cunning, and fine words,

with their sound flatter'd, ere their sense be meant?

Their^a choise of Antium, there to place the guift

vow'd to the^b Goddesse, for our Mothers health,

We will the Senate know, wee fayrely like;

As also of their ^c grant to Lepidus,

For his repayring the Æmilian place,

And restauration of those Monuments;

Their Grace too^d in confining of Silanus,

to th'other Is'le Cithera. at the sute

Of his^e religious Sister, much commends

Their policie, so tempred with their mercy.

But,^a 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 therein 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,^b 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,

“Aboue 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.

Cæsar.

Peace.

^cGreat Pompei's Theatre was neuer ruin'd

Till now, that proud Seianus hath a statue

Rear'd on his ashes.

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.

Check your passion;

Lord Drusus tarries.

^dIs 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?

O good Prince!

^eAllow him statues? titles? honors? such

As he himselfe refuseth?

Braue, braue Drusus!

”The first, ascents to soueraignty are hard

”But, entred once, there neuer wants or meanes,

” Or ministers, to helpe th' Aspirer on.

True, gallant Drusus.

We must shortly pray

To Modesty, that he will rest contented

I, where he is, and not write Emp'rour.

There is your Bill, and yours; Bring you your man:

I'haue mou'd for you too, Latiaris.

What?

Is your vast Greatnesse growne so blindly bold,

That you will ouer vs?

Why, then giue way.

Giue way, Colossus? Do you lift? Aduance you?

Take^a that.

Good! Braue! Excellent braue Prince!

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. Ile aduance a statue

O'your owne bulke; but 't shall be on the^b 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.

A noble Prince!

A^cCastor, a Castor, a Castor, &c.

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.

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.

Eudemus, (I will see it) shall receiue

A fit, and full reward, for his large merit.

But for^a 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?

I say, ^bLygdus:

Lygdus? what's he?

An Eunuch Drusus loues.

I, and his Cup-bearer.

Name not a second.

If Drusus loue him, and he haue that place,

We cannot thinke a fitter.

True, my Lord,

For free Accesse, and Trust are two maine aydes.

Skilfull Phisitian!

But he must be wrought

To th'vndertaking, with some labour'd Arte.

Is he ambitious?

No.

Or couetous?

Neither.

Yet, ”Gold is a good generall Charme.

What is he then?

Faith only wanton, light.

How! Is he young? and faire?

A delicate youth.

^cSend 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 Cæsar, and Augusta's starre

Be dimm'd with glory of a brighter beame;

When ^aAggrippina'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, 'tis not Drusus? Lady, do not feare.

Not I, my Lord. My feare, and loue of him

Left me at once.

Illustrous Lady! stay.

Ile tell his Lordship.

Who is't, Eudemus?

One of your Lordships seruants, brings you word

The Emp'rour hath sent for you.

ô! where is he?

With your faire leaue, deare Princesse. Ile but aske

A question, and returne.

Fortunate Princesse!

How are you blest in the fruition

Of this vnæquald man, this Soule of Rome,

The Empires life, and voyce of Cæsars world!

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?

Excellent cleare, beleeue it. This same Fucus

Was well laid on.

Me thinkes, 'tis here not white.

Lend me your Scarlet, Lady. 'Tis the Sunne

Hath giu'n some little taint vnto the^bCeruse,

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—

(Nay, now yo'haue made it worse.

I'le help it straight.)

And, but pronounc'd, is a sufficient Charme

Against all rumor: and of absolute power

To satisfie for any Lad yes honor,

What do you now, Eudemus?

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?

Here good Phisitian.

I like this studie to preserue the loue

Of such a man, that comes not euery houre

To greete the world. ('Tis 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^a put away his Wife,

The Trouble of his bed, and your delights,

Fayre Apicata, and made spacious roome

To your new pleasures.

Haue not we return'd

That, with our hate of Drusus, and^b discouery

Of all his councels?

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.

I must make

A rude departure, Lady. Cæsar 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,^c 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.

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.

Excellent Lady,

How you do fire my bloud!

Well, you must goe?

“The thoughts be best, are least set forth to shew.

when will you take some Phisicke, Lady?

When

I shall, Eudemus: But let Drusus drug

Be first prepard.

Were Lygdus made, that's done;

I haue it ready. And tomorrowe 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 præscrib'd you better

Then Art could doe.

Thankes good Phisitian,

Ile vse my fortune (you shall see) with reuerence.

Is my coach readie?

It attends your highnesse.

If this be not Reuenge, when I haue done

And made it perfect, let^aÆgyptian 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.

Twas^a only Feare, first, in the world made Gods.

Is yet Seianus come?

H'is here dreâd Cæsar.

Let all depart that chamber, and the next:

Sit downe my Comfort.^b When the master Prince

Of all the world, Seianus, saith, he feares;

Is it not fatall?

Yes, to those are fear'd.

And not to him?

Not if he wisely turne

That part of fate he holdeth, first on them.

That nature, bloud, and lawes of kind forbid.

Do pollicie, and state forbid it?

no.

The rest of poore respects, then, let goe by;

”State is inough to make th'act iust, them guilty.

”Long hate pursues such acts.

Whom hatred frights

”Let him not dreame on sou'raignty.

Are rites

”Of faith, loue, pietie to be trod downe?

”Forgotten? and made vaine?

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.

”Yet so we may do all things cruelly,

”Not safely:

Yes, and do them throughly.

Knowes yet, Seianus, whom we point at?

I,

,Or else my thought, my sense, or both do erre:

Tis^aAgrippina?

She; and her proud race.

Proud?^b dangerous, Cæsar. For in them apace

The fathers spirit shootes vp. Germanicus

Liues in their lookes, their gate, their forme,^c t'vpbraide vs

With his close death, if not reuenge the same.

The act's not known.

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.

“It is as daungerous, to make them hence,

“If nothing but their birth be their offence.

Stay, till they strike at Cæsar: then their crime

Will be inough, but late, and out of time

For him to punish.

Do they purpose it?

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 'tis to much.

The Youth's are (of themselues) hot, violent,

Ful of great thought; and that^dmale-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^e them commended with like prayers, like vowes,

To the same Gods, with Cæsar: 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^f 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^g 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)^a with hope

Of future freedome, which on euery change,

That greedily, though emptily, expects.

“Cæsar, tis 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.

^bWe 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.

Or your State,

But how Sr. will you worke?

Confine 'hem.

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,

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.

We would not kill, if we knew how to saue;

“Yet, then a Throne, tis cheaper giue a Graue.

Is there no way to bind them by deserts?

“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.

^aWe 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^b clickt all his marble Thumb's.

But, who shall first be strooke?

first, Caius Silius;

He is the most of marke, and most of danger:

In powre, and reputation equall strong,

Hauing^c 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.

But what^d Sabinus?

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^eSosia, 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^aCremutius

Cordus, a writing fellow, they haue got

To gather Notes of the præcedent 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:

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?

Trust that to me; let Cæsar, by his power,

But cause a formall meeting of the Senate,

I will haue matter, and Accusers ready.

But how? let vs consult.

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.

^bOur Edict shall forthwith, commaund a Court.

While I can liue, I will præuent Earths fury;

^c

My Lord Seianus?

^dIulius Postumus,

Come with my wish! what newes from Agrippina's,

Faith none. They all lock vp themselues, a'late;

Or talke in character: I haue not seene

A company so chang'd. Except they had

Intelligence by Augury' of our practise.

When were you there?

Last night.

And what ghests found you?

Sabinus, Silius, (the old list,) Arruntius,

Furnius, and Gallus.

Would not these talke?

Little.

And yet we offered choyse of argument.

Satrius was with me.

Well: 'tis guilt inough

Their often meeting. You forgot^a t'extoll

The hospitable Lady?

No, that trick

Was well put home, and had succeeded too,

But that Sabinus cought a caution out;

For she began to swell:

And, may shee burst.

Iulius, I would haue you goe instantly,

Vnto the Pallace of the great Augusta,

And, by^b your kindest friend, get swift accesse;

Acquaint her, with these meetings. Tell^c 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 Cæsar; so, to Gallus:

But (aboue all) to Agrippina. Say,

(As you may truely)^d that her infinite Pride,

Propt with the hopes of her too-fruictfull wombe,

With popular studies gapes for sou'raigntie;

And threatens Cæsar. Pray Augusta, then,

That for her owne, great Cæsars, and the pub-

Lique

safety, she bee pleasd 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?^e 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 businesle

To earnest, and most present execution,

With all her vtmost credit with Augusta.

I shall not faile in my instructions.

SEI, This second (from his Mother) will well vrge

Our late dissigne, and spur on Cæsars 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, ^aGermanicus 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 Cæsar'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.

They'are growne exceeding circumspect, and wary.

They haue vs in the wind: And yet, Arruntius

Cannot containe himselfe.

Tut. hee's not yet

Look'd after, ^b there are others more desir'd,

That are more silent.

Here he comes. Away.

How is it, that these Beagles haunt the house

Of Agrippina?

O^a they hunt, they hunt.

There is some Game here lodg'd, which they must rouse,

To make the great ones sport.

Did you obserue

How they inueigh'd gainst Cæsar?

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.

Here comes another.

I, ther's a man,^bAfer the Oratour,

One, that hath phrases, figures, and fine flowers,

To strew his Rethorique with, and ^c 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.

Contemne the Slaues,

“Their present liues will be their future graues.

May't please your Highnes not forget your selfe,

I dare not, with my manners, to attempt

Your trouble farder.

Farewell. noble Silius.

Most royall Princesse.

Sosia staies with vs?

Shee is your seruant, and doth owe your grace

An honest, but vnprofitable loue.

How can that be, when ther's no gaine, but vertu's?

You take the morall, not the politique sense.

I meant, as shee is bold, and free of speech,

Earnest ^d 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:^e 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.

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 ayres

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.

'Tis 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^a 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 Liuia, and Seianus, all

T' excite, and call your indignation on,

That they might heare it at more liberty.

Yo'are too suspitious, Silius.

Pray the Gods

I be so Agrippina: But I feare

Some subtill practise.^b 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.

'Twere best rip forth their tongues, seare out their eyes,

When next they come.

A fit reward for spies.

Heare you the rumour?

What?

^cDrusus is dying:

dying?

That's strãg!

yo'were with him yesternight.

One met Eudemus, the Physitian,

Sent for, but now: who thinkes he cannot liue.

Thinkes? if't be arriu'd at that, he knowes,

Or none.

This's quick! what should be his disease?

Poison. poyson.

How, Silius!

What's that?

Nay, nothing. There was (late) a certaine blow

Giu'n o' the face.

I, to Seianus?

True.

And what of that?

I'am glad I gaue it not.

But, there is somwhat else?

Yes, priuate meetings,

With a great Lady, at a Phisitians,

And, a Wife turn'd away.

Ha!

Toyes, meere toyes:

What wisdom's now i'th' streetes? i'th' common mouth?

Feares, whisp'rings, tumults, noyse, I know not what:

They say, ^a the Senate sit.

I'le thether, straight;

And see what's in the Forge.

Good Silius doe.

Sosia, and I will in.

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.

'Tis only ^b you must vrge against him, Varro,

Nor I, nor Cæsar 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.

But is he summon'd?

No. It was debated

By Cæsar, and concluded as most fit

To take him vnprepar'd.

And prosecute

All ^a vnder name of Treason.

I conceiue.

Drusus being dead, Cœsar will not be here.

What should the businesse of this Senate be?

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.

See, see, see, their action[unclear: !]

I, now their Heads do trauaile, now they worke;

Their Faces runne like shittles, they are weauing

Some curious cobweb to catch Flies.

Obserue,

They take their places.

What ^b solow?

ô yes,

They must be seene to flatter Cæsars griefe

Though but in sitting.

Bid vs silence.

Silence.

^cFATHERS CONSCRIPT may this our present meeting

Turne faire, and fortunate to the COMMON WEALTH.

See, Silius enters.

Haile graue Fathers.

Stand.

Silius, forbeare thy place.

How!

Silius, stand forth,

The Consul hath to charge thee.

Roome for Cæsar.

Is he come too? nay then expect a trick.

Silius accusd? sure he will answere nobly.

We stand amazed, Fathers, to behold

This generall deiection. ^d 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.

By Ioue, I am not Oedipus inough,

To vnderstand this Sphynx.

The Princes come.

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, (^a) these shalbe 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.

May all the Gods consent to Cœsar's wish,

And adde to any honors, that may crowne

The hopefull Issue of Germanicus.

We thanke you, Reuerend Fathers, in their right.

If this were true now! but the space, the space

Betweene the brest, and lips–Tiberius heart

Lies a thought farder then another Mans.

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

(Well acted, Cæsar.)

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 peace full period to my dayes;

How euer, to my Labours, I intreat

(And beg it of this Senate) some fit ease:

^b (Laugh Fathers, laugh: Ha'you no spleenes about you?)

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:

(Laugh on, still.

Why, this doth render all the rest suspected!

It poysons all.

O, do'you tast it then?

It takes away my fayth to any thing

Hee shall hereafter speake.

I, to pray that,

Which would be to his head as hot as Thunder,

(Gayn'st which he weares ^a that Charme) should but the Court

Receyue him at his word.

Heare.

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.

(Finely mainteind; good still.)

But Rome, whose bloud,

whose nerues, whose life, whose very frame relyes

On Cæsar's strength, no lesse then Heau'n on Atlas.

Cannot admit it but with generall ruine.

(Ah! are you there, to bring him of?)

Let Cæsar,

No more then vrge a point so contrary

To Cæsars greatnesse, the greiu'd Senates vowes,

Or Romes necessity.

(He comes about.

More nimbly then Vertumnus.)

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 ^b be glad to practise my obedience.

(You must, and will Sir. We do know it.)

Cæsar.

Liue long, and happy, great, and royall Cæsar,

The Gods preserue thee, and thy Modesty,

Thy Wisdome, and thy Innnocence.

(where is't?

The Prayer's made before the Subiect.)

Guard

His Meekenesse, Ioue, his Piety, his Care,

His Bounty—

And his Subtelty, I'le put in:

Yet hee'll keepe that himselfe, without the Gods.

All prayer's are vayne for him.

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.

Now, Silius, guard thee;

The Curtin's drawing. Afer aduanceth.

Silence.

Cite Caius Silius.

^aCaius Silius.

Here.

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 Cæsar,

Or Rome admit, that thou wert then defrauded

Of any honours, thy deserts could claime[unclear: :]

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 Cæsar, and this Senate,

Thou hast defil'd those Glories, with thy crimes —

Crimes?

Patience, Silius.

Tell thy Moile of patiẽce,

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 ^b now are crimes.

Nay Silius, if the Name

Of crime so touch thee, with what impotence

Wilt thou endure the Matter to be search'd?

I tell thee, Afer, with more scorne, then feare:

Employ your mercenary Tongue, and Art.

Wher's my Accuser?

Here.

Varro? The Consul?

Is he thrust in?

'Tis I accuse thee, Silius.

Against the Maiestie of Rome, and Cæsar,

I do pronounce thee here a guilty cause,

First,^c of beginning, and occasioning,

Next, drawing out the warre in ^dGallia,

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.

Thou liest.

I thanke thee Silius, speake so still, and often.

^a If I not proue it Cæsar, but iniustly

Haue call'd him into tryall, here I bind

My selfe to suffer, what I claime 'gainst him;

And yeeld, to hane what I haue spoke, confirm'd

By iudgement of the Court, and all good men.

Cæsar, I craue to haue my cause defer'd,

Till this mans Consul-ship be out,

We cannot,

Nor may we graunt it.

Why? shall he designe

My day of triall? is he my accuser?

And must hee be my iudge?

It hath beene vsuall,

And is a right, that custome hath allow'd

The ^bMagistrate, 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.

Cæsar, thy fraud is worse then violence.

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.

Beleeue him Silius.

Why so he may Arruntius.

I say so.

And he may choose too.

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.

Please' Cæsar to giue way vnto his tryall.

He shall haue iustice.

Nay, I shall haue Law;

Shall I not Afer? speake.

Would you haue more?

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.

He raues, he raues.

Thou durst not tell me so,

Had'st thou not Cæsars warrant. I can see

Whose power condemnes me.

This betrayes his spirit.

This doth inough declare him what he is.

What am I? speake.

An enemie to the State.

Because I am an enemie to thee,

And such corrupted Ministers of the State,

That here art made a present instrument

To ^a gratifie it with thine owne disgrace.

This, to the Consull, is most insolent!

And impious!

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 Phœbus 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^v 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 Cæsar, 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.)

Silius, Silius,

These are the common customes of thy blood,

When it is high with wine, as now with rage:

This well agrees, with ^a 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 Cæsar, and to Rome their surety.

Their Name, their Strength, their Spirit, and their State,

Their Beeing was a Donatiue from thee.

Well worded, and most like an Orator.

Is this true, Silius?

Saue thy question, Cæsar.

Thy Spie, of famous credit, hath affirmd it.

Excellent Romane!

He doth answer stoutly.

If this be so, there needes no farder cause

Of crime against him.

What can more impeach

The royall dignity, and state of Cæsar,

Then to be vrged with a benefit

He cannot pay?

In this, all Cæsars fortune

Is made vnequall to the courtesie.

His meanes are cleane destroy'd, that should requite.

Nothing is great inough for Silius merit.

Gallus o' that side to?

Come, do not hunt,

And labour so about for circumstance,

To make him guilty, whom you haue fore-dom'd:

Take shorter wayes, Ile meete your purposes.

The wordes were mine; and more I now will say:

Since I haue done thee that great seruice, Cæsar,

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.

Suffer him speake no more.

Note but his spirit.

This shewes him in the rest.

Let him be censur'd.

He'hath spoke inough to proue him Cæsars foe.

His thoughts looke through his words.

A Censure.

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 Cæsar, 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.

O desperate Act!

An honourable hand!

Looke, is he dead?

'Twas nobly strooke, and home.

My thought did prompt him to it. Farewell Silius.

Be famous euer for thy great example.

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.

Excellent Wolfe!

Now he is full, he howles.

Cæsar 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.

The confiscation meerely of his state

Had bene inough.

ô, that was gap'd for then?

Remoue the Body.

Let Citation

Goe out for Sosia.

Let her be proscrib'd.

And for the goods, I thinke it fit that halfe

Goe to the treasure, halfe vnto the Children.

With leaue of Cæsar, 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.

It shall please vs.

I,

Out of necessity. This Lepidus

Is graue and honest, and I haue obseru'd

A moderation still in all his Censures.

And bending to the better—Stay, who's this?

Cremutius Cordus? what? is he brought in?

More bloud vnto the banquet? Noble Cordus,

I wish thee good: Be as thy writings, free,

And honest.

What is he?

Forth' Annal's, Cæsar.

Cremutius Cordus.

Here.

Satrius Secundus,

Pinnarius Natta, You are his Accusers.

Two of Seianus Bloud-hounds, whom he breeds

With humane flesh, to bay at Citizens.

Stand forth before the Senate, and confront him.

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.

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.

How! what are we then?

What is Cæsar? nothing?

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'st the Time alone is here dispris'd,

But the whole man of Time, yea Cæsar's selfe

Brought in disualew; and he aym'd at most

By oblique glaunce of his licentious pen?

Cæsar, if Cassius were the last of Romanes,

Thou hast no name.

Let's heare him answere. Silence.

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

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

Æquall with heau'n, what else did Cæsar 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 Cæsars;

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 did scape vnpunished:

Or where some one (by chance) exception tooke,

He words with words reueng'd. But, in my worke,

What could be aim'd more free, or farder of

From the Times scandale, then to write of those,

Whom Death from grace, or hatred had exempted?

Did I, with 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.

Freely, and nobly spoken.

With good temper,

I like him, that hee is not moou'd with passion.

He puts 'hem to their whisper.

Take ^a him hence,

We shall determine of him at next sitting.

Meane time, giue order that his bookes be burn'd.

To the' Ædiles.

You haue well aduisd.

It fits not such licentious things should liue

T'upbraid the Age.

If th'Age were good, they might.

Let 'hem be burnt.

All sought, and burnt. To day.

The Court is vp, Lictors resume the Fasces.

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.

Tis 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 ^b eternall name.

It is an argument the Times are sore,

When vertue cannot safely be aduanc'd;

Nor vice reproou'd.

I, noble Lepidus.

Augustus well foresaw what we should suffer,

Vnder Tiberius, when he did pronounce

The ^cRoman race most wretched, that should liue

Betweene so slowe iawes, and so long a bruising.

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 ^aGallus too; (how ere he flatter vs,)

His heart we know.

Giue it some respite, Cæsar.

Time shall mature, and bring to perfect crowne,

What we with so good Vultures haue begun:

Sabinus shall be next.

Rather Arruntius.

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.

Dearest head,

To thy most fortunate designe I yeeld it.

^b 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 Cæsar's safety,

With the most common Souldier.

Tis confest.

The only Gaine, and which I count most faire

Of all my fortunes, is that mighty Cæsar

Hath thought me ^c worthy his alliance. Hence

Beginne my Hopes.

H'mh?

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 Cæsars friend,

I would but vse the glory of the Kindred,

It should not make me slothfull, or lesse caring

For Cæsars state, it were inough to me

It did confirme, and strengthen my weake house,

Against the-now-vnæquall 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.

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 'twere in parts)

Deuide th'imperiall house; an Æmulation

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 ^aCaius Cæsar 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 æquall 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.

I am restor'd, and to my sense againe,

Which I had lost in this so blinding suite.

Cæsar hath taught me better to refuse,

Then I knew how to aske. How pleaseth Cæsar

T'imbrace my late aduise, for leauing Rome?

We are resolu'd.

Here are some Motiues more

Which I haue thought on since, may more confirme.

Carefull Seianus! we will straight peruse them:

Goe forward in our maine dissigne, and prosper.

If those but take, I shall. Dull, heauie Cæsar!

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 thosefond 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 Cæsar, 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;

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 Cæsar, fall.

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:

'Tis true. But yet with caution, and fit care.

And, now we better thinke, who's there, within?

Cæsar?

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 'tis the Fauorite hath the power, to strike:

“And Furie euer boyles more high, and strong,

“Heat with Ambition, then Reuenge of wrong.

“Tis 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.

Tis thought. Is ^aMacro 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.

Macro, we sent for you.

I heard so, Cæsar.

(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.

The humblest place in Cæsars choyse, or trust,

May make glad Macro proud; without ambition,

Saue to do Cæsar seruice:

Leaue our Courtings.

We are in purpose, Macro, to ^b 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:

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: 'tis 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,

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 Cæsar, and of Rome.

We will not take thy answere, but in Act:

Whereto, as thou proceed'st, we hope to heare

By trusted Messengers: If't be enquir'd,

Wherefore we 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.

I will not aske, why Cæsar 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;

“Profit, their lustre: and what else is, vaine.

If then it be the Lust of Cæsars 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.

^a You must haue patience, royall Agrippina.

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.

Deare Princesse,

These Tyrannies on your selfe are worse then Cæsar's.

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?

You might be safe, if you would—

What, my Gallus?

Be lewd Seianus Strumpet? Or the Baud

To Cæsars 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 Neice, ^b deare Claudia Pulchra safe?

Or innocent Furnius? They that latest haue

(By being made guilty) ^c 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 Cæsars Cause of raging must forsake him,

Before his Will? A way, 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.

You heare, Seianus is come back from Cæsar?

No. How? Disgrac'd?

More graced now, then euer.

By what mischance?

A Fortune, like inough

Once to be bad.

But turnd too good, to both.

What was't?

^aTiberius sitting at his meat,

In a Farme house, they call ¹⁵⁰*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 Cæsar, did oppose himselfe