Piso's conspiracy, a tragedy acted at the Duke's theatre

SCENE the Second Piso's House.

Emer Piso, Lucan, and Scevinus.

Luc.

But since we are discover'd, what remains, But put our Lives upon our Hands? our Swords Shall try us Traitors or true Romans. And what should make this Hazard doubt success? It is not now Augustus Gravity, nor Tiberius Craft, But Tigellinus and Crisogerus, Eunuches, and Women that we go against.

Sce.

Why should we keep so many vow'd Swords From such a Hated Throat? Or shall we fear To trust unto the Gods so good a Cause?

Luc.

By this we may our selves Heaven's Favour promise; Because all Nobleness, and VVorth on Earth, We see's on our side; here's the Faby's Son; Here the Corvini are take's our Parts: And so their Noble Fathers would, if now they Liv'd. There's not a Soul that claims Nobility Either by his, or his Fore-Father's merit, But is with us: with us the Gallant Youth, Whom passed Dangers, or hot Blood makes bold. Stay'd Men suspect their Wisdom, or their Faith, To whom our Counsels we have not reveal'd; And while (our Party seeking to disgrace) They Traitors calls us, each man Treason praise, And hate that thing call'd Faith, when Piso Is a Traitor.

Sce.

O Piso, Think on that day, when in the Parthian Fields Thou cryedst to the Flying Legions, turn, And look't Death in the Face, he was not Grim But Fair and Lovely: when he came in Arms, O why there dy'd we not on Syrian Swords? Were we reserv'd to Prison's, and to Chains? Must Piso's Head be fixt upon a Tower? Those Members torn, rather than Roman-like, VVith VVeapon in our Hands Fighting in Throngs of Enemies to dy?

Pis.

You see the Court and City's Arm'd, Why should we move desperate and hopeless Courses, And vainly spill that Noble Blood, that should The Median Fields, Not Tiber Colour? And the more you shew

Your readiness to lose your Lives, The unwillinger I am to adventure'em: Yet I am proud you would have dy'd for me: But live and keep your selves to worthier Ends; No Mother but my own shall weep my Death. Disgrace my Roman Courage cannot bear, Nor have I the Vanity to think we can Subdue With so few Swords. O Friends, I would not dy When I can live no longer; 'tis my Glory, That free and willingly I give up this Breath, Leaving such Courages as your's untry'd. But, to be long in talk of Dying would Shew a Relenting, and a Doubtful Mind; Since Fate would not with Fame our Cause reward: This is from Infamy a Roman's Guard.

Falls on his Sword, and Dyes.

Luc.

O that this Nóble Courage had been shown Rather on Enemies Brests, than on thy own.

Enter Nimphidius with Nero's Guard; Scevinus and Lucan offer to Fight with the Guard, but they are Surrounded by'em, and taken Prisoners

Nim.

Nay, other end your grievous Crimes await, Ends which the Law and your Deserts exact.

Sce.

What have we deserv'd?

Nim.

That Punishment, that Traitors unto Princes, And Enemies unto the State they live in, merit.

Sce.

If by the State this Government you mean, I justly am an Enemy unto it; That's but to Nero, You, and Tigellinus: That Glorious World, that even beguiles the Wise Being look't into, includes but Three or Four Corrupted Men, which were they all remov'd,

'Twould please the State, and ease the Groaning World.

Nim.

Away with'em, be carried before the Emperour.

[Exeunt.