Sejanus: His Fall Part 22

Bear down, o'erturn all objects in their way.

Arr.

You may be a Lynceus, Lepidus: yet I See no such cause, but that a politic tyrant, Who can so well disguise it, should have ta'en A nearer way: feign'd honest, and come home To cut his throat, by law.

Lep.

Ay, but his fear Would ne'er be mask'd, allbe his vices were.

Pom. His lordship then is still in grace?

Ter.

a.s.sure you, Never in more, either of grace or power.

Pom. The G.o.ds are wise and just.

Arr.

The fiends they are, To suffer thee belie 'em.

Ter.

I have here His last and present letters, where he writes him, The partner of his cares, and his Seja.n.u.s.----

Lac.

But is that true? it is prohibited To sacrifice unto him?

Ter.

Some such thing Caesar makes scruple of, but forbids it not; No more than to himself: says he could wish It were forborn to all.

Lac. Is it no other?

Ter.

No other, on my trust. For your more surety, Here is that letter too.

Arr.

How easily Do wretched men believe, what they would have!

Looks this like plot?

Lep. n.o.ble Arruntius, stay.

Lac. He names him here without his t.i.tles.

Lep. Note!

Arr. Yes, and come off your notable fool. I will

Lac. No other than Seja.n.u.s.

Pom.

That's but haste In him that writes: here he gives large amends.

Mar. And with his own hand written?

Pom. Yes.

Lac. Indeed?

Ter.

Believe it, gentlemen, Seja.n.u.s' breast Never received more full contentments in, Than at this present.

Pom.

Takes he well the escape Of young Caligula, with Macro?

Ter.

Faith, At the first air it somewhat troubled him.

Lep. Observe you?

Arr.

Nothing; riddles. Till I see Seja.n.u.s struck, no sound thereof strikes me.

[Exeunt Arrun. and Lepidus.

Pom.

I like it not. I muse he would not attempt Somewhat against him in the consulship, Seeing the people 'gin to favour him.

Ter.

He doth repent it now; but he has employ'd Pagonia.n.u.s after him: and he holds That correspondence there, with all that are Near about Caesar, as no thought can pa.s.s Without his knowledge, thence in act to front him.

Pom. I gratulate the news.

Lac.

But how comes Macro So in trust and favour with Caligula?

Pom.

O, sir, he has a wife; and the young prince An appet.i.te: he can look up, and spy Flies in the roof, when there are fleas i' the bed; And hath a learned nose to a.s.sure his sleeps.

Who to be favour'd of the rising sun, Would not lend little of his waning moon?

It is the saf'st ambition. n.o.ble Terentius!

Ter. The night grows fast upon us. At your service. [Exeunt.

ACT V

SCENE I.-An Apartment in SEJa.n.u.s' House.

Enter SEJa.n.u.s.

Sej.

Swell, swell, my joys; and faint not to declare Yourselves as ample as your causes are.

I did not live till now; this my first hour; Wherein I see my thoughts reach'd by my power.