The workes of Beniamin Ionson

Act. II. (Book 2)

SEIANVS, LIVIA, EVDEMVS. (Book 2)

PHysitian, thou art worthy of a prouince, For the great fauours done vnto our loues; And, but that greatest LIVIA beares a part In the requitall of thy seruices,

I should alone, despaire of ought, like meanes, To giue them worthy satisfaction.

LIV.

EVDEMVS, (I will see it) shall receiue A fit, and full reward, for his large merit. But for this potion, we intend to DRVSVS, (No more our husband, now) whom shall we choose As the most apt, and abled instrument, To minister it to him?

EVD.

I say, LYGDVS.

SEI.

LYGDVS? what's he?

LIV.

An Eunuch DRVSVS loues.

EVD.

I, and his cup-bearer.

SEI.

Name not a second. If DRVSVS loue him, and he haue that place, We cannot thinke a sitter.

EVD.

True, my lord, For free accesse, and trust, are two maine aides.

SEI.

Skilfull physitian!

LIV.

But he must be wrought To th'vndertaking, with some labour'd arte.

SEI.

Is he ambitious?

LIV.

No.

SEI.

Or couetous?

LIV.

Neither.

EVD.

Yet, gold is a good generall charme.

SEI.

What is he then?

LIV.

Faith, only wanton, light.

SEI.

How! Is he young? and faire?

EVD.

A delicate youth.

SEI.

Send him to me, I'le worke him. Royall ladie, Though I haue lou'd you long, and with that height Of zeale, and dutie, (like the fire, which more It mounts, it trembles) thinking nought could adde Vnto the feruour, which your eye had kindled; Yet, now I see your wisedome, iudgement, strength, Quicknesse, and will, to apprehend the meanes To your owne good, and greatnesse, I protest My selfe through rarefied, and turn'd all flame In your affection: Such a spirit as yours, Was not created for the idle second To a poore flash, as DRVSVS; but to shine Bright, as the Moone, among the lesser lights, And share the sou'raigntie of all the world. Then LIVIA triumphs in her proper spheare, When shee, and her SEIANVS shall diuide The name of CAESAR; and AVGVSTA'S starre Be dimm'd with glorie of a brighter beame: When AGRIPPINA'S fires are quite extinct, And the scarce-seene TIBERIVS borrowes all His little light from vs, whose folded armes Shall make one perfect or be. Who's that? EVDEMVS, Looke, 'tis not DRVSVS? Ladie, doe not feare.

LIV.

Not I, my Lord. My feare, and loue of him Left me at once.

SEI.

Illustrous ladie! stay—

EVD.

I'le tell his lordship.

SEI.

Who is't, EVDEMVS?

EVD.

One of your lordships seruants, brings you word The Emp'rour hath sent for you.

SEI.

O! where is he?

He goes out.

With your faire leaue, deare Princesse. I'le but aske A question, and returne.

EVD.

Fortunate Princesse! How are you blest in the fruition Of this vnequald man, this soule of Rome, The empires life, and voice of CAESARS world!

LIV.

So blessed, my EVDEMVS, as to know The blisse I haue, with what I ought to owe The meanes that wrought it. How do'I looke to day?

EVD.

Excellent cleere, beleeue it. This same fucus Was well laid on.

LIV.

Me thinkes, 'tis here not white.

EVD.

Lend me your scarlet, lady. 'Tis the sunne Hath giu'n some little taint vnto the ceruse, You should haue vs'd of the white oyle I gaue you. SEIANVS, for your loue! his very name Commandeth aboue CVPID, or his shafts—

(LIV.

Nay, now yo'haue made it worse.

EVD.

I'le helpe it straight.) And, but pronounc'd, is a sufficient charme Against all rumour; and of absolute power To satisfie for any ladies honour.

(LIV.

What doe you now, EVDEMVS?

EVD.

Make a light fucus, To touch you ore withall.) Honor'd SEIANVS! What act (though ne're so strange, and insolent) But that addition will at least beare out, If 't doe not expiate?

LIV.

Here, good physitian.

EVD.

I like this studie to preserue the loue Of such a man, that comes not euery houre To greet the world. ('Tis now well, ladie, you should Vse of the dentisrice, I prescrib'd you, too, To cleere your teeth, and the prepar'd pomatum, To smoothe the skin:) A lady cannot be Too curious of her forme, that still would hold The heart of such a person, made her captiue, As you haue his: who, to endeare him more In your cleere eye, hath put away his wife, The trouble of his bed, and your delights, Faire Apicata, and made spacious roome To your new pleasures.

LIV.

Haue not we return'd That, with our hate of DRVSVS, and discouerie Of all his councels?

EVD.

Yes, and wisely, lady, The ages that succeed, and stand far off To gaze at your high prudence, shall admire And reckon it an act, without your sexe: It hath that rare apparance. Some will thinke

Your fortune could not yeeld a deeper sound, Then mixt with DRVSVS; But, when they shall heare That, and the thunder of SEIANVS meet, SEIANVS, whose high name doth strike the starres, And rings about the concaue, great SEIANVS, Whose glories, stile, and titles are himselfe, The often iterating of SEIANVS: They then will lose their thoughts, and be asham'd To take acquaintance of them.

SEI.

I must make A rude departure, lady. CAESAR sends With all his haste both of command, and prayer. Be resolute in our plot; you haue my soule, As certayne yours, as it is my bodies. And, wise physitian, so prepare the poyson As you may lay the subtile operation Vpon some naturall disease of his. Your eunuch send to me. I kisse your hands, Glorie of ladies, and commend my loue To your best faith, and memorie.

LIV.

My lord, I shall but change your wordes. Farewell. Yet, this Remember for your heed, he loues you not; You know, what I haue told you: His designes Are full of grudge, and danger: we must vse More then a common speed.

SEI.

Excellent lady, How you doe fire my bloud!

LIV.

Well, you must goe? The thoughts be best, are least set forth to shew.

EVD.

When will you take some physick, lady?

LIV.

When I shall, EVDEMVS: But let DRVSVS drug Be first prepar'd.

EVD.

Were LYGDVS made, that's done; I haue it readie. And to morrow-morning, I'le send you a perfume, first to resolue, And procure sweat, and then prepare a bath To clense, and cleere the cutis; against when, I'le haue an excellent new fucus made, Resistiue 'gainst the sunne, the raine, or wind, Which you shall lay on with a breath, or oyle, As you best like, and last some fourteene houres. This change came timely, lady, for your health; And the restoring your complexion, Which DRVSVS choller had almost burnt vp: Wherein your fortune hath prescrib'd you better Then arte could doe.

LIV.

Thankes, good physitian, I'le vse my fortune (you shall see) with reuerence. Is my coach ready?

EVD.

It attends your highnesse.

SEIANVS.

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

TIBERIVS, SEIANVS.

IS yet SEIANVS come?

SEI.

He's here, dread CAESAR.

TIB.

Let all depart that chamber, and the next: Sit downe, my comfort. When the master-prince Of all the world, SEIANVS, saith, he feares; Is it not fatall?

SEI.

Yes, to those are fear'd.

TIB.

And not to him?

SEI.

Not, if he wisely turne That part of fate he holdeth, first on them.

TIB.

That nature, bloud, and lawes of kinde forbid.

SEI.

Doe policie, and state forbid it?

TIB.

No.

SEI.

The rest of poore respects, then, let goe by: State is inough to make th'act iust, them guilty.

TIB.

Long hate pursues such acts.

SEI.

Whom hatred frights, Let him not dreame on sou'raignty.

TIB.

Are rites Of faith, loue, piety, to be trod downe? Forgotten? and made vaine?

SEI.

All for a crowne. The prince, who shames a tyrannes name to beare,

Shall neuer dare doe any thing, but feare; All the command of scepters quite doth perish If it beginne religious thoughts to cherish: Whole Empires fall, swaid by those nice respects. It is the licence of darke deeds protects Eu'n states most hated: when no lawes resist The sword, but that it acteth what it list.

TIB.

Yet so, we may doe all things cruelly, Not safely:

SEI.

Yes, and doe them thoroughly.

TIB.

Knowes yet, SEIANVS, whom we point at?

SEI.

I, Or else my thought, my sense, or both doe erre: 'Tis AGRIPPINA?

TIB.

She; and her proud race.

SEI.

Proud? dangerous,

CAESAR.

For in them apace The fathers spirit shoots vp. GERMANICVS Liues in their lookes, their gate, their forme, t'vpbraide vs With his close death, if not reuenge the same.

TIB.

The act's not knowne.

SEI.

Not prou'd. But whispring fame Knowledge, and proofe doth to the iealous giue, Who, then to faile, would their owne thought beleeue. It is not safe, the children draw long breath, That are prouoked by a parents death.

TIB.

It is a dangerous, to make them hence, If nothing but their birth be their offence.

SEI.

Stay, till they strike at CAESAR: then their crime Will be enough, but late, and out of time For him to punish.

TIB.

Doe they purpose it?

SEI.

You know, sir, thunder speakes not till it hit. Be not secure: none swiftlier are opprest, Then they, whom confidence betrayes to rest. Let not your daring make your danger such: All power's to be fear'd, where 'tis too much. The youth's are (of themselues) hote, violent, Full of great thought; and that male-spirited dame, Their mother, slackes no meanes to put them on, By large allowance, popular presentings, Increase of traine, and state, suing for titles, Hath them commended with like praiers, like vowes, To the same Gods, with CAESAR: daies and nights Shee spends in banquets, and ambitious feasts For the Nobilitie; where CAIVS SILIVS, TITIVS SABINVS, olde ARRVNTIVS, ASINIVS GALLVS, FVRNIVS, REGVLVS, And others, of that discontented list, Are the prime guests. There, and to these, she tels Whose niece she was, whose daughter, and whose wife,

And then must they compare her with AVGVSTA, I, and preferre her too, commend her forme, Extoll her fruitfulnesse; at which a showre Fals for the memorie of GERMANICVS, Which they blow ouer straight, with windie praise, And puffing hopes of her aspiring sonnes: Who, with these hourely ticklings, grow so pleas'd, And wantonly conceited of themselues, As now, they sticke not to beleeue they're such, As these doe giue 'hem out: and would be thought (More then competitors) immediate heires. Whilest to their thirst of rule they winne the rout (That's still the friend of noueltie) with hope Of future freedome, which on euerie change, That greedily, though emptily, expects. CAESAR, 'tis age in all things breeds neglects, And princes that will keepe olde dignitie, Must not admit too youthfull heires stand by; Not their owne issue: but so darkely set As shadowes are in picture, to giue height, And lustre to themselues.

TIB.

We will command Their ranke thoughts downe, and with a stricter hand Then we haue yet put forth, their traines must bate, Their titles, feasts and factions.

SEI.

Or your state. But how sir, will you worke?

TIB.

Confine 'hem,

SEI.

No. They are too great, and that too faint a blow, To giue them now: it would haue seru'd at first, When, with the weakest touch, their knot had burst. But, now, your care must be, not to detect The smallest cord, or line of your suspect, For such, who know the weight of princes feare, Will, when they find themselues discouer'd, reare Their forces, like seene snakes, that else would lye Rould in their circles, close: Nought is more high, Daring, or desperate, then offenders found; Where guilt is, rage, and courage doth abound. The course must be, to let 'hem still swell vp, Riot, and surfet on blind fortunes cup; Giue 'hem more place, more dignities, more stile, Call 'hem to court, to senate: in the while, Take from their strength some one or twaine, or more Of the maine Fautors; (It will fright the store) And, by some by-occasion. Thus, with slight You shall disarme first, and they (in night Of their ambition) not perceiue the traine,

Till, in the ingine, they are caught, and slaine.

TIB.

We would not kill, if we knew how to saue; Yet, then a throne, 'tis cheaper giue a graue. Is there no way to bind them by deserts?

SEI.

Sir, wolues do change their haire, but not their harts. While thus your thought vnto a meane is tied, You neither dare inough, nor doe prouide. All modestie is fond; and chiefly where The subiect is no lesse compeld to beare, Then praise his sou'raignes acts.

TIB.

We can no longer Keepe on our masque to thee, our deare SEIANVS; Thy thoughts are ours, in all, and we but proou'd Their voice, in our designes, which by assenting Hath more confirm'd vs, then if heartning IOVE Had, from his hundred statues, bid vs strike, And at the stroke clickt all his marble thumb's. But, who shall first be strooke?

SEI.

First, CAIVS SILIVS; He is the most of marke, and most of danger: In power, and reputation equall strong, Hauing commanded an imperiall armie Seuen yeeres together, vanquish'd SACROVIR In Germanie, and thence obtain'd to weare The ornaments triumphall. His steep fall, By how much it doth giue the weightier crack, Will send more wounding terrour to the rest, Command them stand aloofe, and giue more way To our surprising of the principall.

TIB.

But what, SABINVS?

SEI.

Let him grow awhile, His fate is not yet ripe: we must not plucke At all together, lest wee catch our selues. And ther's ARRVNTIVS too, he only talkes. But SOSIA, SILIVS wife, would be wound in Now, for she hath a furie in her brest More, then hell euer knew; and would be sent Thither in time. Then, is there one CREMVTIVS CORDVS, a writing fellow, they haue got To gather notes of the precedent times, And make them into Annal's; a most tart And bitter spirit (I heare) who, vnder colour Of praysing those, doth taxe the present state, Censures the men, the actions, leaues no tricke, No practice vn-examin'd, paralels The times, the gouernments, a profest champion, For the old libertie—

TIB.

A perishing wretch. As if there were that chaos bred in things,

The lawes, and libertie would not rather choose To be quite broken, and tane hence by vs, Then haue the staine to be preseru'd by such. Haue we the meanes, to make these guiltie, first?

SEI.

Trust that to me: let CAESAR, by his power, But cause a formall meeting of the Senate, I will haue matter, and accusers readie.

TIB.

But how? let vs consult.

SEI.

Wee shall mispend The time of action. Counsels are vnfit In businesse, where all rest is more pernicious Then rashnesse can be. Acts of this close kind Thriue more by execution, then aduice. There is no lingring in that worke begun, Which cannot praised be, vntill through done.

TIB.

Our edict shall, forthwith, command a court. While I can liue, I will preuent earths furie: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

POSTHVMVS, SEIANVS.

MY Lord SEIANVS—

SEI.

IVLIVS POSTHVMVS, Come with my wish! what newes from AGRIPPINA'S?

POS.

Faith none. They all locke vp themselues a'late; Or talke in character: I haue not seene A companie chang'd. Except they had Intelligence by augurie of our practice.

SEI.

When were you there?

POS.

Last night.

SEI.

And what ghests found you?

POS.

SABINVS, SILIVS, (the olde list,) ARRVNTIVS, FVRNIVS, and GALLVS.

SEI.

Would not these talke?

POS.

Little. And yet we offered choice of argument. SATRIVS was with me.

SEI.

Well: 'tis guilt inough Their often meeting. You forgot t'extoll The hospitable ladie?

POS.

No, that tricke Was well put home, and had succeded too, But that SABINVS cought a caution out; For she began to swell:

SEI.

And may she burst. IVLIVS, * 1.1 I would haue you goe instantly, Vnto the palace of the great AVGVSTA, And, (by your kindest friend,) get swift accesse; Acquaint her, with these meetings: Tell the words You brought me, (th'other day) of SILIVS, Adde somewhat to 'hem. Make her vnderstand The danger of SABINVS, and the times, Out of his closenesse. Giue ARRVNTIVS words Of malice against CAESAR; so, to GALLVS:

But (aboue all) to AGRIPPINA. Say, (As you may truely) that her infinite pride, Propt with the hopes of her too fruitfull wombe, With popular studies gapes for soueraigntie; And threatens CAESAR. Pray AVGVSTA then, That for her owne, great CAESARS, and the pub∣lique safetie, she be pleas'd to vrge these dangers. CAESAR is too secure (he must be told, And best hee'll take it from a mothers tongue.) Alas! what is 't for vs to sound, t' explore, To watch, oppose, plot, practise, or preuent, If he, for whom it is so strongly labour'd, Shall, out of greatnesse, and free spirit, be Supinely negligent? Our citi's now Deuided as in time o'th'ciuill warre, And men forbeare not to declare themselues Of AGRIPPINA'S partie. Euery day, The faction multiplies; and will doe more If not resisted: you can best inlarge it As you find audience. Noble POSTHVMVS, Commend me to your PRISCA: and pray her, Shee will solicite this great businesse To earnest, and most present execution, With all her vtmost credit with AVGVSTA.

POS.

I shall not faile in my instructions.

SEI.

This second (from his mother) will well vrge Our late designe, and spur on CAESARS rage: Which else might grow remisse. The way, to put A prince in bloud, is to present the shapes Of dangers, greater then they are (like late, Or early shadowes) and, sometimes, to faine Where there are none, onely, to make him feare; His feare will make him cruell: And once entred, He doth not easily learne to stop, or spare Where he may doubt. This haue I made my rule, To thrust TIBERIVS into tyrannie, And make him toile, to turne aside those blockes, Which I alone, could not remooue with safetie. DRVSVS once gone, GERMANICVS three sonnes Would clog my way; whose guardes haue too much faith To be corrupted: and their mother knowne Of too-too vnreproou'd a chastitie, To be attempted, as light LIVIA was. Worke then, my art, on CAESAR'S feares, as they On those they feare, till all my betts be clear'd:

And he in ruines of his house, and hate Of all his subiects, bury his owne state: When, with my peace, and safty, I will rise, By making him the publike sacrifice.

SATRIVS, NATTA.

THey'are growne exceeding circumspect, and wary.

NAT.

They haue vs in the wind: And yet, ARRVNTIVS Cannot contayne himselfe.

SAT.

Tut, hee's not yet Look'd after, there are others more desir'd, That are more silent.

NAT.

Here he comes. Away.

SABINVS, ARRVNTIVS, CORDVS.

HOw is it, that these beagles haunt the house Of AGRIPPINA?

ARR.

O, they hunt, they hunt. There is some game here lodg'd, which they must rouse, To make the great-ones sport.

COR.

Did you obserue How they inueigh'd 'gainst CAESAR?

ARR.

I, baytes, baytes, For vs to bite at: would I haue my flesh Torne by the publique hooke, these qualified hang-men Should be my company.

COR.

Here comes another.

ARR.

I, there's a man, AFER the oratour! One, that hath phrases, figures, and fine flowres, To strew his rethorique with, and doth make haste To get him note, or name, by any offer Where bloud, or gaine be obiects; steepes his wordes, When he would kill, in artificiall teares: The Crocodile of Tyber! him I loue, That man is mine. He hath my heart, and voice, When I would curse, he, he.

SAB.

Contemne the slaues, Their present liues will be their future graues.

SILIVS, AGRIPPINA, NERO, SOSIA.

MAy't please your highnesse not forget your selfe, I dare not, with my manners, to attempt Your trouble farder.

AGR.

Farewell, noble SILIVS.

SIL.

Most royall princesse.

AGR.

SOSIA stayes with vs?

SIL.

Shee is your seruant, and doth owe your grace An honest, but vnprofitable loue.

AGR.

How can that be, when there's no gaine, but vertuous?

SIL.

You take the morall, not the politique sense.

I meant, as shee is bold, and free of speech, Earnest to vtter what her zealous thought Trauailes withall, in honour of your house; Which act, as it is simply borne in her, Pertakes of loue, and honesty, but may, By th'ouer-often, and vnseason'd vse, Turne to your losse, and danger: For your state Is wayted on by enuies, as by eyes; And euery second ghest your tables take, Is a fee'd spie, t'obserue who goes, who comes, What conference you haue, with whom, where, when, What the discourse is, what the lookes, the thoughts Of eu'ry person there, they doe extract, And make into a substance.

ARR.

Heare me, SILIVS, Were all TIBERIVS body stuck with eyes, And eu'ry wall, and hanging in my house Transparent, as this lawne I weare, or ayre; Yea, had SEIANVS both his eares as long As to my in-most closet: I would hate To whisper any thought, or change an act, To be made IVNO'S riuall. Vertues forces Shew euer noblest in conspicuous courses.

SIL.

'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 with what officious face, SATRIVS, and NATTA, AFER, and the rest Visite your house, of late, t'enquire the secrets; And with what bold, and priuiledg'd arte, they raile Against AVGVSTA: yea, and at TIBERIVS, Tell tricks of LIVIA, and SEIANVS, all T'excite, and call your indignation on, That they might heare it at more libertie.

AGR.

Yo'are too suspitious, SILIVS.

SIL.

Pray the gods, I be so AGRIPPINA: But I feare Some subtill practice. They, that durst to strike At so examp-lesse, and vn-blam'd a life, As, that of the renown'd GERMANICVS, Will not sit downe, with that exploit alone: "He threatens many, that hath iniur'd one.

NER.

'Twere best rip forth their tongues, seare out their eies, When next they come.

SOS.

A fit reward for spies.

DRVSVS in: AGRIPPINA, NERO, SILIVS.

HEare you the rumour?

AGR.

What?

DRV.

DRVSVS is dying.

AGR.

Dying?

NER.

That's strange!

AGR.

Yo'were with him, yesternight.

DRV.

One met EVDEMVS, the Physician, Sent for, but now: who thinkes he cannot liue.

SIL.

Thinkes? if't be arriu'd at that, he knowes, Or none.

AGR.

This's quicke! what should bee his disease?

SIL.

Poyson. Poyson—

AGR.

How, SILIVS!

NER.

What's that?

SIL.

Nay, nothing. There was (late) a certaine blow Giu'n o' the face.

NER.

I, to SEIANVS?

SIL.

True.

DRV.

And, what of that?

SIL.

I'am glad I gaue it not.

NER.

But, there is somewhat else?

SIL.

Yes, priuate meetings, With a great ladie, at a physicians, And, a wife turn'd away—

NER.

Ha!

SIL.

Toyes, meere toyes: What wisdom's now i'th' streets? i'th' common mouth?

DRV.

Feares, whisp'rings, tumults, noyse, I know not what: They say, the Senate sit.

SIL.

I'le thither, straight; And see what's in the forge.

AGR.

Good SILIVS doe. SOSIA, and I will in.

SIL.

Haste you, my lords, To visit the sicke prince: tender your loues, And sorrowes to the people. This SEIANVS (Trust my diuining soule) hath plots on all: No tree, that stops his prospect, but must fall.

CHORVS—Of Musicians.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mutilia Prisca.