The workes of Beniamin Ionson

Act V. (Book 5)

SEIANVS.

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

That want their matter to with-stand them: so, It is our griefe, and will be' our losse, to know Our power shall want opposites; vnlesse The gods, by mixing in the cause, would blesse Our fortune, with their conquest. That were worth SEIANVS strife: durst fates but bring it forth.

TERENTIVS, SEIANVS.

SAfety, to great SEIANVS.

SEI.

Now, TERENTIVS?

TER.

Heares not my lord the wonder?

SEI.

Speake it, no.

TER.

I meete it violent in the peoples mouthes, Who runne, in routs, to POMPEY'S theatre, To view your statue: which, they say, sends forth A smoke, as from a fornace, black, and dreadfull.

SEI.

Some traytor hath put fire in: (you, goe see.) And let the head be taken off, to looke What 'tis— Some slaue hath practis'd an imposture, To stirre the people. How now? why returne you?

SATRIVS, NATTA.

To them.

THe head, my lord, already is tane off, I saw it: and, at op'ning, there leap't out A great, and monstrous serpent!

SEI.

Monstrous! why? Had it a beard? and hornes? no heart? a tongue Forked as flatterie? look'd it of the hue, To such as liue in great mens bosomes? was The spirit of it MACRO'S?

NAT.

May it please The most diuine SEIANVS, in my dayes, (And by his sacred fortune, I affirme it) I haue not seene a more extended, growne, Foule, spotted, venomous, vgly—

SEI.

O, the fates! What a wild muster's here of attributes, T'expresse a worme, a snake?

TER.

But how that should Come there, my lord!

SEI.

What! and you too, TERENTIVS? I thinke you meane to make 't a prodigie In your reporting?

TER.

Can the wise SEIANVS Thinke heau'n hath meant it lesse?

SEI.

O, superstition! Why, then the falling of our bed, that brake This morning, burd'ned with the populous weight Of our expecting clients, to salute vs; Or running of the cat, betwixt our legs, As we set forth vnto the capitoll, Were prodigies.

TER.

I thinke them ominous!

And, would they had not hap'ned. As, to day, The fate of some your seruants! who, declining Their way, not able, for the throng, to follow, Slip't downe the Gemonies, and brake their necks! Besides, in taking your last augurie, No prosperous bird appear'd, but croking rauens Flag'd vp and downe: and from the sacrifice Flew to the prison, where they sate, all night, Beating the aire with their obstreperous beakes! I dare not counsell, but I could entreat That great SEIANVS would attempt the gods, Once more, with sacrifice.

SEI.

What excellent fooles Religion makes of men? Beleeues TERENTIVS, (If these were dangers, as I shame to thinke them) The gods could change the certayne course of fate? Or, if they could, they would (now, in a moment) For a beeues fat, or lesse, be brib'd t'inuert Those long decrees? Then thinke the gods, like flies, Are to be taken with the steame of flesh, Or bloud, diffus'd about their altars: thinke Their power as cheape, as I esteeme it small. Of all the throng, that fill th'Olympian hall, And (without pitty) lade poore ATLAS back, I know not that one deity, but Fortune; To whom, I would throw vp, in begging smoke, One grane of incense: or whose eare I'ld buy With thus much oyle. Her, I, indeed, adore; And keepe her gratefull image in my house, Some-times belonging to a Romane king, But, now call'd mine, as by the better stile: To her, I care not, if (for satisfying Your scrupulous phant'sies) I goe offer. Bid Our priest prepare vs honny, milke, and poppy, His masculine odours, and night-vestments: say, Our rites are instant, which perform'd, you'll see How vaine, and worthy laughter, your feares be.

COTTA, POMPONIVS.

POMPONIVS! whither in such speed?

POM.

I goe To giue my lord SEIANVS notice—

COT.

What?

POM.

Of MACRO.

COT.

Is he come?

POM.

Entr'd but now The house of REGVLVS.

COT.

The opposite Consul?

POM.

Some halfe houre since.

COT.

And, by night too! stay, sir; I'le beare you companie.

POM.

Along, then—

MACRO, REGVLVS, LACO.

TIs CAESARS will, to haue a frequent Senate. And therefore must your edict lay deepe mulct On such, as shall be absent.

REG.

So it doth. Beare it my fellow Consul to adscribe.

MAC.

And tell him it must early be proclaim'd; The place, APOLLO'S temple.

REG.

That's remembred.

MAC.

And at what houre?

REG.

Yes.

MAC.

You doe forget To send one for the Prouost of the watch?

REG.

I haue not: here he comes.

MAC.

GRACINVS LACO, You'are a friend most welcome: by, and by, I'le speake with you. (You must procure this list Of the Praetorian cohorts, with the names Of the Centurions, and their Tribunes.

REG.

I.)

MAC.

I bring you letters, and a health from CAESAR—

LAC.

Sir, both come well.

MAC.

(And heare you, with your note, Which are the eminent men, and most of action.

REG.

The Consul goes out.

That shall be done you too.)

MAC.

Most worthy LACO, CAESAR salutes you. (Consul! death, and furies! Gone now?) the argument will please you, sir. (Hough! REGVLVS? The anger of the gods Follow his diligent legs, and ouer'take 'hem,

Returnes:

In likenesse of the gout.) O, good my lord, We lackt you present; I would pray you send Another to FVLCINIVS TRIO, straight, To tell him, you will come, and speake with him: (The matter wee'le deuise) to stay him, there, While I, with LACO, doe suruay the watch.

Goes out againe.

What are your strengths, GRACINVS?

LAC.

Seuen cohorts.

MAC.

You see, what CAESAR writes: and (—gone againe? H'has sure a veine of mercury in his feet) Knew you, what store of the praetorian souldiers SEIANVS holds, about him, for his guard?

LAC.

I cannot the iust number: but, I thinke, Three centuries.

MAC.

Three? good.

LAC.

At most, not foure.

MAC.

And who be those Centurions?

LAC.

That the Consul Can best deliuer you.

MAC.

(When h'is away: Spight, on his nimble industrie.) GRACINVS, You find what place you hold, there, in the trust Of royall CAESAR?

LAC.

I, and I am—

MAC.

Sir, The honours, there propos'd, are but beginnings Of his great fauours.

LAC.

They are more—

MAC.

I heard him When he did studie, what to adde—

LAC.

My life, And all I hold—

MAC.

You were his owne first choise;

Which doth confirme as much, as you can speake: And will (if we succeed) make more— Your guardes Are seuen cohorts, you say?

LAC.

Yes.

MAC.

Those we must Hold still in readinesse, and vndischarg'd.

LAC.

I vnderstand so much. But how it can—

MAC.

Be done without suspition, you'll obiect?

REG.

What's that?

LAC.

Returnes.

The keeping of the watch in armes, When morning comes.

MAC.

The Senate shall be met, and set So early, in the temple, as all marke Of that will be auoided.

REG.

If we need, We haue commission, to possesse the palace, Enlarge prince DRVSVS, and make him our chiefe.

MAC.

(That secret would haue burn't his reuerend mouth, Had he not spit it out, now:) by the gods, You carry things too—let me borrow'a man, Or two, to beare these— That of freeing DRVSVS, CAESAR proiected as the last, and vtmost; Not else to be remembred.

REG.

Here are seruants.

MAC.

These to ARRVNTIVS, these to LEPIDVS, This beare to COTTA, this to LATIARIS. If they demand you'of me: say, I haue tane Fresh horse, and am departed. You (my lord) To your colleague, and be you sure, to hold him With long narration, of the new fresh fauours, Meant to SEIANVS, his great patron; I, With trusted LACO, here, are for the guards: Then, to diuide. For, night hath many eies, Whereof, though most doe sleepe, yet some are spies.

PRAECONES, FLAMEN, MINISTRI, SEIANVS, TERENTIVS, SATRIVS, &c.

BE all profane farre hence; Flie, flie farre off: Be absent farre. Farre hence be all profane.

FLA.

Tub. Tib. Sound, while the Flamen washeth.

We haue beene faultie, but repent vs now, And bring pure hands, pure vestments, and pure minds.

MIN.

Pure vessells.

MIN.

And pure offrings.

MIN.

Garlands pure.

FLA.

Bestow your garlands: and (with reuerence) place The veruin on the altar.

PRAE.

Fauour your tongues.

FLA.

Great mother FORTVNE, Queene of humane state, Rectresse of action, Arbitresse of fate, To whom all sway, all power, all empire bowes, Be present, and propitious to our vowes.

PRAE.

Fauour it with your tongues.

MIN.

Be present, and propitious to our vowes.

While they sound againe, the Flamen takes of the hony, with his finger, & tasts, then ministers to all the rest▪ so of the milk, in an earthen vessel, he deals about; which done, he sprin∣kleth, vpon the altar, milke; then imposeth the hony, and kindleth his gummes, and after censing about the altar placeth his censer there∣on, into which they put seue∣rall branches of poppy, and the musique ceasing, proceed.

Accept our offring, and be pleas'd, great goddesse.

TER.

See, see, the image stirres!

SAT.

And turnes away!

NAT.

Fortune auerts her face!

FLA.

Auert, you gods, The prodigie. Still! still! Some pious rite We haue neglected. Yet! heau'n, be appeas'd. And be all tokens false, or void, that speake Thy present wrath.

SEI.

Be thou dumbe, scrupulous priest: And gather vp thy selfe, with these thy wares, Which I, in spight of thy blind mistris, or Thy iuggling mysterie, religion, throw Thus, scorned on the earth. Nay, hold thy looke Auerted, till I woo thee, turne againe; And thou shalt stand, to all posteritie, Th'eternall game, and laughter, with thy neck Writh'd to thy taile, like a ridiculous cat. Auoid these fumes, these superstitious lights, And all these coos'ning ceremonies: you, Your pure, and spiced conscience. I, the slaue, And mock of fooles, (scorne on my worthy head) That haue beene titled, and ador'd a god, Yea, sacrific'd vnto, my selfe, in Rome, No lesse then IOVE: and I be brought, to doe A peeuish gigglot rites? Perhaps, the thought, And shame of that made Fortune turne her face, Knowing her selfe the lesser deitie, And but my seruant. Bashfull queene, if so, SEIANVS thankes thy modestie. Who's that?

POMPONIVS, SEIANVS, MINVTIVS, &c.

HIs fortune suffers, till he heares my newes: I haue waited here too long. MACRO, my lord—

SEI.

Speake lower, & with-draw.

TER.

Are these things true?

MIN.

Thousands are gazing at it, in the streets.

SEI.

What's that?

TER.

MINVTIVS tells vs here, my lord, That, a new head being set vpon your statue, A rope is since found wreath'd about it! and, But now, a fierie meteor, in the forme Of a great ball, was seene to rowle along The troubled ayre, where yet it hangs, vnperfect, The amazing wonder of the multitude!

SEI.

No more. That MACRO'S come, is more then all!

TER.

Is MACRO come?

POM.

I saw him.

TER.

Where? with whom?

POM.

With REGVLVS.

SEI.

TERENTIVS—

TER.

My lord?

SEI.

Send for the Tribunes, we will straight haue vp More of the souldiers, for our guard. MINVTIVS, We pray you, goe for COTTA, LATIARIS, TRIO the Consul, or what Senators You know are sure, and ours. You, my good NATTA, For LACO, Prouost of the watch. Now, SATRIVS, The time of proofe comes on. Arme all our seruants, And without tumult. You, POMPONIVS, Hold some good correspondence, with the Consul, Attempt him, noble friend. These things begin To looke like dangers, now, worthy my fates. Fortune, I see thy worst: Let doubtfull states, And things vncertaine hang vpon thy will: Me surest death shall render certaine still. Yet, why is, now, my thought turn'd toward death, Whom fates haue let goe on, so farre, in breath, Vncheck'd, or vnreprou'd? I, that did helpe To fell the loftie Cedar of the world, GERMANICVS; that, at one stroke, cut downe DRVSVS, that vpright Elme; wither'd his vine; Laid SILIVS, and SABINVS, two strong Okes, Flat on the earth; besides, those other shrubs, CORDVS, and SOSIA, CLAVDIA PVLCHRA, FVRNIVS, and GALLVS, which I haue grub'd vp; And since, haue set my axe so strong, and deepe Into the roote of spreading AGRIPPINE; Lopt off and scatter'd her proud branches, NERO, DRVSVS, and CAIVS too, although re-planted; If you will, destinies, that, after all, I faint, now, ere I touch my period; You are but cruell: and I alreadie haue done Things great inough. All Rome hath beene my slaue; The Senate sate an idle looker on, And witnesse of my power; when I haue blush'd, More, to command, then it to suffer; all The Fathers haue sate readie, and prepar'd, To giue me empire, temples, or their throtes, When I would aske 'hem; and (what crownes the top) Rome, Senate, people, all the world haue seene IOVE, but my equall: CAESAR, but my second. 'Tis then your malice, fates, who (but your owne) Enuy, and feare, t'haue any power long knowne.

TERENTIVS, TRIBVNES.

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

MINVTIVS, COTTA, LA∣TIARIS.

They confer their letters.

MARCVS, TERENTIVS, pray you tell my lord, Here's COTTA, and LATIARIS.

TER.

Sir, I shall.

COT.

My letter is the very same with yours; Onely requires mee to bee present there, And giue my voyce, to strengthen his designe.

LAT.

Names he not what it is?

COT.

No, nor to you.

LAT.

'Tis strange, and singular doubtfull!

COT.

So it is? It may bee all is left to lord SEIANVS.

NATTA, LACO.

To them.

GEntlemen, where's my lord?

TRI.

Wee wait him here.

COT.

The Prouost LACO? what's the newes?

LAT.

My lord—

SEIANVS.

To them.

NOw, my right deare, noble, and trusted friends; How much I am a captiue to your kindnesse! Most worthy COTTA, LATIARIS; LACO, Your valiant hand; and gentlemen, your loues. I wish I could diuide my selfe vnto you; Or that it lay, within our narrow powers, To satisfie for so enlarged bountie. GRACINVS, we must pray you, hold your guardes Vnquit, when morning comes. Saw you the Consul?

MIN.

TRIO will presently be here, my lord.

COT.

They are but giuing order for the edict, To warne the Senate.

SEI.

How! the Senate?

LAT.

Yes. This morning, in APOLLO'S temple.

COT.

We Are charg'd, by letter, to be there, my lord.

SEI.

By letter? pray you let's see!

LAT.

Knowes not his lordship!

COT.

It seemes so!

SEI.

A Senate warn'd? without my knowledge? And on this sodaine? Senators by letters Required to be there! who brought these?

COT.

MACRO.

SEI.

Mine enemie! And when?

COT.

This mid-night.

SEI.

Time, With eu'ry other circumstance, doth giue It hath some streine of engin in't! How now?

SATRIVS, SEIANVS, &c.

MY lord, SERTORIVS MACRO is without, Alone, and prayes t' haue priuate conference In businesse, of high nature, with your lordship, (He say's to me) and which reguards you much.

SEI.

Let him come here.

SAT.

Better, my lord, with-draw, You will betray what store, and strength of friends Are now about you; which he comes to spie.

SEI.

Is he not arm'd?

SAT.

Wee'll search him.

SEI.

No, but take, And lead him to some roome, where you, conceal'd, May keepe a guard vpon vs. Noble LACO, You are our trust: and, till our owne cohorts Can be brought vp, your strengths must be our guard.

He salutes them humbly.

Now, good MINVTIVS, honour'd LATIARIS, Most worthy, and my most vnwearied friends: I returne instantly.

LAT.

Most worthy lord!

COT.

His lordship is turn'd instant kind, me thinkes, I' haue not obseru'd it in him, heretofore.

TRI. 1.

'Tis true, and it becomes him nobly.

MIN.

I Am rap't withall.

TRI. 2.

By MARS, he has my liues, (Were they a million) for this onely grace.

LAC.

I, and to name a man!

LAT.

As he did me!

MIN.

And me!

LAT.

Who would not spend his life and fortunes, To purchase but the looke of such a lord?

LAC.

He, that would nor be lords foole, nor the worlds.

SEIANVS, MACRO.

MACRO! most welcome, as most coueted friend! Let me enioy my longings. When arriu'd you?

MAC.

About the noone of night.

SEI.

SATRIVS, giue leaue.

MAC.

I haue beene, since I came, with both the Consuls, On a particular designe from CAESAR.

SEI.

How fares it with our great, and royall master?

MAC.

Right plentifully well; as, with a prince, That still holds out the great proportion Of his large fauours, where his iudgement hath Made once diuine election: like the god, That wants not, nor is wearied to bestow Where merit meets his bountie, as it doth In you, alreadie the most happy, and ere The sunne shall climbe the south, most high SEIANVS. Let not my lord be' amus'd. For, to this end Was I by CAESAR sent for, to the isle,

With speciall caution to conceale my iourney; And, thence, had my dispatch as priuately Againe to Rome; charg'd to come here by night; And, onely to the Consuls, make narration Of his great purpose: that the benefit Might come more full, and striking, by how much It was lesse look'd for, or aspir'd by you, Or least informed to the common thought.

SEI.

What may this be? part of my selfe, deare MACRO! If good, speake out: and share with your SEIANVS.

MAC.

If bad, I should for euer lothe my selfe, To be the messenger to so good a lord. I doe exceed m' instructions, to acquaint Your lordship with thus much; but 'tis my venture On your retentiue wisedome: and, because I would no iealous scruple should molest Or racke your peace of thought. For, I assure My noble lord, no Senator yet knowes The businesse meant: though all, by seuerall letters, Are warned to be there, and giue their voyces, Onely to adde vnto the state, and grace Of what is purpos'd.

SEI.

You take pleasure, MACRO, Like a coy wench, in torturing your louer. What can be worth this suffering?

MAC.

That which followes, The tribuniciall dignitie, and power: Both which SEIANVS is to haue this day Confer'd vpon him, and by publique Senate.

SEI.

Fortune, be mine againe; thou hast satisfied For thy suspected loyaltie.

MAC.

My lord, I haue no longer time, the day approcheth, And I must backe to CAESAR.

SEI.

Where's CALIGVLA?

MAC.

That I forgot to tell your lordship. Why, He lingers yonder, about Capreae, Disgrac'd; TIBERIVS hath not seene him yet: He needs would thrust himselfe to goe with me, Against my wish, or will, but I haue quitted His forward trouble, with as tardie note As my neglect, or silence could afford him. Your lordship cannot now command me ought, Because, I take no knowledge that I saw you, But I shall boast to liue to serue your lordship: And so take leaue.

SEI.

Honest, and worthy MACRO, Your loue, and friendship. Who's there? SATRIVS, Attend my honourable friend forth. O! How vaine, and vile a passion is this feare?

What base, vncomely things it makes men doe? Suspect their noblest friends, (as I did this) Flatter poore enemies, intreat their seruants, Stoupe, court, and catch at the beneuolence Of creatures, vnto whom (within this houre) I would not haue vouchsaf'd a quarter-looke, Or piece of face? By you, that fooles call gods, Hang all the skie with your prodigious signes, Fill earth with monsters, drop the scorpion downe, Out of the zodiack, or the fiercer lyon, Shake off the loos'ned globe from her long henge, Rowle all the world in darkenesse, and let loose Th'inraged windes to turne vp groues and townes; When I doe feare againe, let me be strooke With forked fire, and vnpittyed die: Who feares, is worthy of calamitie.

POMPONIVS, REGVLVS, TRIO.

To the rest.

IS not my lord here?

TER.

Sir, he will be straight.

COT.

What newes, FVLCINIVS TRIO?

TRI.

Good, good tidings. (But, keepe it to your selfe) My lord SEIANVS Is to receiue this day, in open Senate, The tribuniciall dignitie.

COT.

Is't true?

TRI.

No wordes; not to your thought: but, sir, beleeue it.

LAT.

What sayes the Consul?

COT.

(Speake it not againe,) He tells me, that to day my lord SEIANVS —

(TRI.

I must entreat you COTTA, on your honour Not to reueale it.

COT.

On my life, sir.)

LAT.

Say.

COT.

Is to receiue the tribuniciall power. But, as you are an honourable man, Let me coniure you, not to vtter it: For it is trusted to me, with that bond.

LAT.

I am HARPOCRATES.

TER.

Can you assure it?

POM.

The Consul told it me, but keepe it close.

MIN.

Lord LATIARIS, what's the newes?

LAT.

I'le tell you, But you must sweare to keepe it secret—

SEIANVS.

To them.

I Knew the sates had on their distaffe left More of our thread, then so.

REG.

Haile, great SEIANVS.

TRI.

Haile, the most honor'd.

COT.

Happy.

LAT.

High SEIAN{us}.

SEI.

Doe you bring prodigies too?

TRI.

May all presage Turne to those faire effects, whereof we bring

Your lordship newes.

REG.

May 't please my lord with-draw.

SEI.

To some that stand by.

Yes (I will speake with you, anon.)

TER.

My lord, What is your pleasure for the Tribunes?

SEI.

Why, Let 'hem be thank't, and sent away.

MIN.

My lord—

LAC.

Wilt please your lordship to command me—

SEI.

No. You are troublesome.

MIN.

The mood is chang'd.

TRI.

Not speake?

TRI.

Nor looke?

LAC.

I. He is wise, will make him friends Of such, who neuer loue, but for their ends.

ARRVNTIVS, LEPIDVS.

Diuers other Senators passing by them.

I, Goe, make haste; take heed you be not last To tender your All haile, in the wide hall Of huge SEIANVS: runne, a Lictors pace; Stay not to put your robes on; but, away, With the pale troubled ensignes of great friendship Stamp't i' your face! Now, MARCVS LEPIDVS, You still beleeue your former augurie? SEIANVS must goe downe-ward? you perceiue His wane approching fast?

LEP.

Beleeue me, LVCIVS, I wonder at this rising!

ARR.

I, and that we Must giue our suffrage to it? you will say, It is to make his fall more steepe, and grieuous? It may be so. But thinke it, they that can With idle wishes 'ssay to bring backe time: In cases desperate, all hope is crime. See, see! what troups of his officious friends Flock to salute my lord! and start before My great, proud lord! to get a lord-like nod! Attend my lord, vnto the Senate-house! Bring back my lord! like seruile huishers, make Way for my lord! proclaime his idoll lord-ship, More then ten cryers, or sixe noise of trumpets! Make legs, kisse hands, and take a scatter'd haire From my lords eminent shoulder! See, SANQVINIVS! With his slow belly, and his dropsie! looke, What toyling haste he makes! yet, here's another, Retarded with the gout, will be afore him! Get thee liburnian porters, thou grosse foole, To beare thy obsequious fatnesse, like thy peeres. They are met! The gout returnes, and his great carriage.

LICTORS, CONSVLS, SEIANVS, &c.

Passe ouer the stage.

GIue way, make place; roome for the Consul.

SAN.

Haile, Haile, great SEIANVS.

HAT.

Haile, my honor'd lord.

ARR.

We shall be markt anon, for our not-haile.

LEP.

That is already done.

ARR.

It is a note Of vpstart greatnesse, to obserue, and watch For these poore trisles, which the noble mind Neglects, and scornes.

LEP.

I, and they thinke themselues Deepely dishonor'd, where they are omitted, As if they were necessities, that helpt To the perfection of their dignities: And hate the men, that but refraine 'hem.

ARR.

O! There is a farder cause of hate. Their brests Are guiltie, that we know their obscure springs, And base beginnings: thence the anger growes. On. Follow.

MACRO, LACO.

WHen all are entred, shut the temple doores; And bring your guardes vp to the gate.

LAC.

I will.

MAC.

If you shall heare commotion in the Senate, Present your selfe: and charge on any man Shall offer to come forth.

LAC.

I am instructed.

THE SENATE.

HATERIVS, TRIO, SANQVINIVS, COTTA, REGVLVS, SEIANVS, POMPONIVS, LATIARIS, LEPIDVS, ARRVNTIVS, PRAECONES, LICTORES.

HOw well his lordship lookes to day!

TRI.

As if He had beene borne, or made for this houres state.

COT.

Your fellow Consul's come about, me thinkes?

TRI.

I, he is wise.

SAN.

SEIANVS trusts him well.

TRI.

SEIANVS is a noble, bounteous lord.

HAT.

He is so, and most valiant.

LAT.

And most wise.

SEN.

Hee's euery thing.

LAT.

Worthy of all, and more Then bountie can bestow.

TRI.

This dignitie Will make him worthy.

POM.

Aboue CAESAR.

SAN.

Tut, CAESAR is but the rector of an I'sle, He of the empire.

TRI.

Now he will haue power

More to reward, then euer.

COT.

Let vs looke We be not slack in giuing him our voyces.

LAT.

Not I.

SAN.

Nor I.

COT.

The readier we seeme To propagate his honours, will more bind His thought, to ours.

HAT.

I thinke right, with your lordship. It is the way to haue vs hold our places.

SAN.

I, and get more.

LAT.

More office, and more titles.

POM.

I will not lose the part, I hope to share In these his fortunes, for my patrimonie.

LAT.

See, how ARRVNTIVS sits, and LEPIDVS.

TRI.

Let 'hem alone, they will be markt anon.

SEN.

I'le doe with others.

SEN.

So will I.

SEN.

And I. Men grow not in the state, but as they are planted Warme in his fauours.

COT.

Noble SEIANVS!

HAT.

Honor'd SEIANVS!

LAT.

Worthy, and great SEIANVS!

ARR.

Gods! how the spunges open, and take in! And shut againe! looke, looke! is not he blest That gets a seate in eye-reach of him? more, That comes in eare, or tongue-reach? Ô, but most, Can claw his subtle elbow, or with a buzze Fly-blow his eares.

PRAET.

Proclaime the Senates peace; And giue last summons by the edict.

PRAE.

Silence: In name of CAESAR, and the SENATE. Silence. MEMMIVS REGVLVS, and FVLCINIVS TRIO, consuls, these present kalends of Iune, with the first light, shall hold a senate, in the temple of APOLLO PALATINE, all that are Fathers, and are registred Fathers, that haue right of entring the Senate, we warne, or command, you be frequently present, take knowledge the businesse is the common-wealths, whosoeuer is absent, his fine, or mulct, will be taken, his excuse will not be taken.

TRI.

Note, who are absent, and record their names.

REG.

Fathers Conscript. May, what I am to vtter. Turne good, and happy, for the common-wealth. And thou APOLLO, in whose holy house We here are met, inspire vs all, with truth, And libertie of censure, to our thought. The maiestie of great TIBERIVS CAESAR Propounds to this graue Senate, the bestowing Vpon the man he loues, honour'd SEIANVS, The tribuniciall dignitie, and power; Here are his letters, signed with his signet: What pleaseth now the Fathers to be done?

SEN.

Reade, reade 'hem, open, publiquely, reade 'hem.

COT.

CAESAR hath honour'd his owne greatnesse much, In thinking of this act.

TRI.

It was a thought Happy, and worthy CAESAR.

LAT.

And the lord,

As worthy it, on whom it is directed!

HAT.

Most worthy!

SAN.

Rome did neuer boast the vertue That could giue enuie bounds, but his: SEIANVS —

SEN.

Honour'd, and noble!

SEN.

Good, and great SEIANVS!

ARR.

O, most tame slauerie, and fierce flatterie!

PRAE.

Silence.

The Epistle is read.

TIBERIVS CAESAR TO THE SENATE, GREETING.

IF you, Conscript Fathers, with your children, bee in health, it is aboun∣dantly well: wee with our friends here, are so. The care of the common-wealth, howsoeuer we are remoou'd in person, cannot be absent to our thought; although, oftentimes, euen to princes most present, the truth of their owne af∣faires is hid: then which, nothing fals out more miserable to a state, or makes the art of gouerning more difficult. But since it hath beene our ease-full happinesse to enioy both the aides, and industrie of so vigilant a Senate, wee professe to haue beene the more indulgent to our pleasures, not as being carelesse of our office, but rather secure of the necessitie. Neyther doe these common rumors of many, and infamous libels, published against our retirement, at all afflict vs; being born more out of mens ignorance, then their malice: and will, neglected, finde their owne graue quickly; whereas too sensibly acknowledg'd, it would make their obloquie ours. Nor doe we desire their authors (though found) bee censur'd, since in a free state (as ours) all men ought to enioy both their mindes, and tongues free.

(ARR.

The lapwing, the lapwing.)

Yet, in things, which shall worthily, and more neere concerne the maiestie of a prince, we shall feare to be so vnnaturally cruell to our owne fame, as to neglect them. True it is, Conscript Fathers, that wee haue raysed SEIANVS, from obscure, and almost vnknowne gentrie,

(SEN.

How! how!)

to the highest, and most conspicuous point of greatnesse, and (wee hope) deser∣uingly; yet, not without danger: it being a most bold hazard in that sou'raigne, who, by his particular loue to one, dares aduenture the hatred of all his other subiects.

(ARR.

This touches, the bloud turnes.)

But wee affie in your loues, and vnderstandings, and doe no way suspect the merit of our SEIANVS to make our fauours offensiue to any.

(SEN.

O! good, good.)

Though we could haue wished his zeale had runne a calmer course against A∣GRIPPINA, and our Nephewes, howsoeuer the opennesse of their actions, de∣clared them delinquents; and, that he would haue remembred, no innocence is so safe, but it reioyceth to stand in the sight of mercie: The vse of which in vs, hee hath so quite taken away, toward them, by his loyall furie, as now our clemencie would be thought but wearied crueltie, if we should offer to exercise it.

(ARR.

I thanke him, there I look'd for't. A good fox!)

Some there bee, that would interpret this his publique seueritie to bee particu∣lar

ambition; and that, vnder a pretext of seruice to vs, hee doth but remooue his owne lets: alleadging the strengths he hath made to himselfe, by the Praetorian souldiers, by his faction in Court, and Senate, by the offices hee holdes himselfe, and conferres on others, his popularitie, and dependents, his vrging (and almost driuing) vs to this our vnwilling retirement, and lastly his aspiring to be our sonne in-law.

(SEN.

This 's strange!

ARR.

I shall anon beleeue your vultures, MARCVS.)

Your wisedomes, Conscript Fathers, are able to examine, and censure these suggestions. But, were they left to our absoluing voyce, we durst pronounce them, as we thinke them, most malicious.

(SEN.

O, he has restor'd all, list.)

Yet, are they offer'd to bee auerr'd, and on the liues of the informers. What wee should say, or rather what we should not say, Lords of the Senate, if this bee true, our gods, and goddesses confound vs if we know! Only, we must thinke, we haue plac'd our benefits ill: and conclude, that, in our choise, either we were wan∣ting to the gods, or the gods to vs.

(ARR.

The Senators shift their places.

The place growes hot, they shift.)

We haue not beene couetous, Honourable Fathers, to change; neither is it now, any new lust that alters our affection, or old lothing: but those needfull iealousies of state, that warne wiser princes, hourely, to prouide their safetie; and doe teach them how learned a thing it is to beware of the humblest enemy; much more of those great ones, whom their owne employ'd fauours haue made fit for their feares.

(SEN.

Away.

SEN.

Sit farder.

COT.

Let's remooue—

ARR.

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

We therefore desire, that the offices he holds, bee first seized by the Senate; and himselfe suspended from all exercise of place, or power—

(SEN.

How!

SAN.

By your leaue.

ARR.

Come, Porcpisce, (wher's HA∣TERIVS? His gout keepes him most miserably constant.) Your dancing shewes a tempest.

SEI.

Reade no more.

REG.

Lords of the Senate, hold your seates: reade on.

SEI.

Late enters with the guards.

These letters, they are forg'd.

REG.

A guard, sit still.

ARR.

There's change.

REG.

Bid silence, and reade forward.

PRAE.

Silence— and himselfe suspended from all exercise of place, or power, but till due and mature tryall be made of his innocency, which yet we can faintly apprehend the necessitie, to doubt. If, Conscript Fathers, to your more searching wisedomes, there shall appeare farther cause (or of farder pro∣ceeding, either to seizure of lands, goods, or more—) it is not our power that shall limit your authoritie, or our fauour, that must corrupt your iustice: either were dishonourable in you, and both vncharitable to our selfe. We would willing∣ly he present with your counsailes in this businesse, but the danger of so potent a faction (if it should proue so) forbids our attempting it: except one of the Consuls would be intreated for our safetie, to vndertake the guard of vs home, then wee should most readily aduenture. In the meane time, it shall not bee fit for vs to

importune so iudicious a Senate, who know how much they hurt the innocent, that spare the guiltie: and how gratefull a sacrifice, to the gods, is the life of an ingratefull person. We reflect not, in this, on SEIANVS (notwithstanding, if you keepe an eye vpon him— and there is LATIARIS a Senator, and PINNA∣RIVS NATTA, two of his most trusted ministers, and so profest, whom we de∣sire not to haue apprênded) but as the necessitie of the cause exacts it.

REG.

A guard on LATIARIS.

ARR.

O, the spie! The reuerend spie is caught, who pitties him? Reward, sir, for your se••uice: now, you ha' done Your propertie, you see what vse is made? Hang vp the instrument.

SEI.

Giue leaue.

LAC.

Stand, stand, He comes vpon his death, that doth aduance An inch toward my point.

SEI.

Haue we no friends here?

ARR.

Hush't. Where now are all the hailes, and acclamations?

MACRO, SENATE.

HAile, to the Consuls, and this noble Senate.

SEI.

Is MACRO here? O, thou art lost, SEIANVS.

MAC.

Sit still, and vn-affrighted, reuerend Fathers. MACRO, by CAESARS grace, the new-made Prouost, And now possest of the praetorian bands, An honour late belong'd to that proud man, Bids you, be safe: and to your constant doome Of his deseruings, offers you the surety Of all the souldiers, tribunes, and centurions, Receiu'd in our command.

REG.

SEIANVS, SEIANVS, Stand forth, SEIANVS.

SEI.

Am I call'd?

MAC.

I, thou, Thou insolent monster, art bid stand.

SEI.

Why, MACRO, It hath beene otherwise, betweene you, and I? This court, that knowes vs both, hath seene a difference, And can (if it be pleas'd to speake) confirme, Whose insolence is most.

MAC.

Come downe Typhoeus, If mine be most, loe, thus I make it more; Kicke vp thy heeles in ayre, teare off thy robe, Play with thy beard, and nostrills. Thus 'tis fit, (And no man take compassion of thy state) To vse th'ingratefull viper, tread his braines Into the earth.

REG.

Forbeare.

MAC.

If I could lose All my humanitie now, 'twere well to torture So meriting a traytor. VVherefore, Fathers, Sit you amaz'd, and silent? and not censure This wretch, who in the houre he first rebell'd 'Gainst CAESARS bountie, did condemne himselfe?

P'hlegra, the field, where all the sonnes of earth Muster'd against the gods, did ne're acknowledge So proud, and huge a monster.

REG.

Take him hence. And all the gods guard CAESAR.

TRI.

Take him hence.

HAT.

Hence.

COT.

To the dungeon with him.

SAN.

He deserues it.

SEN.

Crowne all our doores with bayes.

SAN.

And let an oxe With gilded hornes, and garlands, straight be led Vnto the capitoll.

HAT.

And sacrific'd To IOVE, for CAESARS safety.

TRI.

All our gods Be present still to CAESAR.

COT.

PHOEBVS.

SAN.

MARS.

HAT.

DIANA.

SAN.

PALLAS.

SEN.

IVNO, MERCVRIE, All guard him.

MAC.

Forth, thou prodigie of men.

COT.

Let all the traytors titles be defac'd.

TRI.

His images, and statues be pull'd downe.

HAT.

His chariot-wheeles be broken.

ARR.

And the legs Of the poore horses, that deserued naught, Let them be broken too.

LEP.

O, violent change, And whirle of mens affections!

ARR.

Like, as both Their bulkes and soules were bound on fortunes wheele, And must act onely with her motion!

LEPIDVS, ARRVNTIVS.

WHo would depend vpon the popular ayre, Or voyce of men, that haue to day beheld (That which if all the gods had fore-declar'd, Would not haue beene beleeu'd) SEIANVS fall? He, that this morne rose proudly, as the sunne? And, breaking through a mist of clients breath, Came on as gaz'd at, and admir'd, as he When superstitious Moores salute his light! That had our seruile nobles waiting him As common groomes; and hanging on his looke, No lesse then humane life on destinie! That had mens knees as frequent, as the gods; And sacrifices, more, then Rome had altars: And this man fall! fall? I, without a looke, That durst appeare his friend; or lend so much Of vaine reliefe, to his chang'd state, as pitty!

ARR.

They, that before like gnats plaid in his beames, And throng'd to circumscribe him, now not seene! Nor deigne to hold a common seate with him! Others, that wayted him vnto the Senate, Now, inhumanely rauish him to prison!

Whom (but this morne) they follow'd as their lord, Guard through the streets, bound like a fugitiue! In stead of wreaths, giue fetters; strokes, for stoops: Blind shame, for honours; and black taunts, for titles! Who would trust slippery chance?

LEP.

They, that would make Themselues her spoile: and foolishly forget, When shee doth flatter, that shee comes to prey. Fortune, thou hadst no deitie, if men Had wisedome: we haue placed thee so high, By fond beliefe in thy felicitie.

SEN.

Shout within.

The gods guard CAESAR. All the gods guard CAESAR.

MACRO, REGVLVS, SENATORS.

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

REG.

Thanks, to the gods.

SEN.

And praise to MACRO, that hath saued Rome. Liberty, liberty, liberty. Lead on, And praise to MACRO, that hath saued Rome.

ARRVNTIVS, LEPIDVS, TERENTIVS.

I Prophesie, out of this Senates flatterie, That this new fellow, MACRO, will become A greater prodigie in Rome, then he That now is falne.

TER.

O you, whose minds are good, And haue not forc'd all mankind, from your brests; That yet haue so much stock of vertue left, To pitty guiltie states, when they are wretched: Lend your soft eares to heare, and eyes to weepe Deeds done by men, beyond the acts of furies. The eager multitude, (who neuer yet Knew why to loue, or hate, but onely pleas'd T'expresse their rage of power) no sooner heard The murmure of SEIANVS in decline, But with that speed, and heate of appetite,

With which they greedily deuoure the way To some great sports, or a new theatre; They fill'd the capitoll, and POMPEI'S circke, Where, like so many mastiues, biting stones, As if his statues now were sensitiue Of their wild furie; first, they teare them downe: Then fastning ropes, drag them along the streets, Crying in scorne, this, this was that rich head Was crown'd with garlands, and with odours, this That was in Rome so reuerenced. Now The fornace, and the bellowes shall too worke The great SEIANVS crack, and piece, by piece, Drop i' the founders pit.

LEP.

O, popular rage!

TER.

The whilst, the Senate, at the temple of Concord, Make haste to meet againe, and thronging cry, Let vs condemne him, tread him downe in water, While he doth lie vpon the banke; away: Where some, more tardie, cry vnto their bearers, He will be censur'd ere we come, runne knaues, And vse that furious diligence, for feare Their bond-men should informe against their slacknesse, And bring their quaking flesh vnto the hooke: The rout, they follow with confused voyce, Crying, they'are glad, say they could ne're abide him; Enquire, what man he was? what kind of face? What beard he had? what nose? what lips? protest, They euer did presage h' would come to this: They neuer thought him wise, nor valiant: Aske After his garments, when he dies? what death? And not a beast of all the herd demands, What was his crime? or, who were his accusers? Vnder what roofe, or testimonie, he fell? There came (sayes one) a huge, long, worded letter From Capreae against him. Did there so? O, they are satisfied, no more.

LEP.

Alas! They follow fortune, and hate men condemn'd, Guiltie, or not.

ARR.

But, had SEIANVS thriu'd In his designe, and prosperously opprest The old TIBERIVS, then, in that same minute These very raskals, that now rage like furies, Would haue proclaim'd SEIANVS emperour.

LEP.

But what hath follow'd?

TER.

Sentence, by the Senate; To lose his head: which was no sooner off, But that, and th'vnfortunate trunke were seiz'd

By the rude multitude; who not content With what the forward iustice of the state, Officiously had done, with violent rage Haue rent it limbe, from limbe. A thousand heads, A thousand hands, ten thousand tongues, and voyces, Employ'd at once in seuerall acts of malice! Old men not staid with age, virgins with shame, Late wiues with losse of husbands, mothers of children, Losing all griefe in ioy of his sad fall, Runne quite transported with their crueltie! These mounting at his head, these at his face, These digging out his eyes, those with his braine, Sprinkling themselues, their houses, and their friends; Others are met, haue rauish'd thence an arme, And deale small pieces of the flesh for fauours; These with a thigh; this hath cut off his hands; And this his feet; these fingers, and these toes; That hath his liuer; he his heart: there wants Nothing but roome for wrath, and place for hatred! What cannot oft be done, is now ore-done. The whole, and all of what was great SEIANVS, And next to CAESAR did possesse the world, Now torne, and scatter'd, as he needs no graue, Each little dust couers a little part: So lyes he no where, and yet often buryed!

ARRVNTIVS, NVNTIVS, LEPIDVS, TERENTIVS.

MOre of SEIANVS?

NVN.

Yes.

LEP.

What can be added? We know him dead.

NVN.

Then, there begin your pitty. There is inough behind, to melt eu'n Rome, And CAESAR into teares: (since neuer slaue Could yet so highly offend, but tyrannie, In torturing him, would make him worth lamenting.) A sonne, and daughter, to the dead SEIANVS, (Of whom there is not now so much remayning As would giue fastning to the hang-mans hooke) Haue they drawne forth for farder sacrifice; Whose tendernesse of knowledge, vnripe yeares, And childish silly innocence was such, As scarse would lend them feeling of their danger: The girle so simple, as shee often askt, Where they would lead her? for what cause they drag'd her? Cry'd, shee would doe no more. That shee could take

Warning with beating. And because our lawes Admit no virgin immature to die, The wittily, and strangely-cruell MACRO, Deliuer'd her to be deflowr'd, and spoil'd, By the rude lust of the licentious hang-man, Then, to be strangled with her harmelesse brother.

LEP.

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

NVN.

Their bodies throwne Into the Gemonies, (I know not how, Or by what accident return'd) the mother, Th'expulsed APICATA, finds them there; Whom when shee saw lie spred on the degrees, After a world of furie on her selfe, Tearing her haire, defacing of her face, Beating her brests, and wombe, kneeling amaz'd, Crying to heauen, then to them; at last, Her drowned voyce gate vp aboue her woes: And with such black, and bitter execrations, (As might affright the gods, and force the sunne Runne back-ward to the east, nay, make the old Deformed CITAOS rise againe, t' ore-whelme Them, vs, and all the world) shee fills the aire; Vpbraids the heauens with their partiall doomes, Defies their tyrannous powers, and demands, What shee, and those poore innocents haue transgress'd, That they must suffer such a share in vengeance, Whilst LIVIA, LYGDVS, and EVDEMVS liue, Who, (as shee say's, and firmely vowes, to proue it To CAESAR, and the Senate) poyson'd DRVSVS?

LEP.

Confederates with her husband?

NVN.

I.

LEP.

Strange act!

ARR.

And strangely open'd: what say's now my monster, The multitude? they reele now? doe they not?

NVN.

Their gall is gone, and now they 'gin to weepe The mischiefe they haue done.

ARR.

I thanke 'hem, rogues!

NVN.

Part are so stupide, or so flexible, As they beleeue him innocent; all grieue: And some, whose hands yet reeke with his warme bloud, And gripe the part which they did teare of him, Wish him collected, and created new.

LEP.

How fortune plies her sports, when shee begins To practise'hem! pursues, continues, addes! Con••ounds, with varying her empassion'd moodes!

ARR.

Do'st thou hope fortune to redeeme thy crimes? To make amends, for thy ill placed fauours,

With these strange punishments? Forbeare, you things, That stand vpon the pinnacles of state, To boast your slippery height; when you doe fall, You pash your selues in pieces, nere to rise: And he that lends you pitty, is not wise.

TER.

Let this example mooue th'insolent man, Not to grow proud, and carelesse of the gods: It is an odious wisedome, to blaspheme, Much more to slighten, or denie their powers. For, whom the morning saw so great, and high, Thus low, and little, 'fore the 'euen doth lie.

THE END.