Sejanus: His Fall Part 11

SCENE III.-A Room in AGRIPPINA'S House.

Enter SATRlUS and NATTA.

Sat. They're grown exceeding circ.u.mspect, and wary.

Nat.

They have us in the wind: and yet Arruntius Cannot contain himself.

Sat.

Tut, he's not yet Look'd after; there are others more desired That are more silent.

Nat. Here he comes. Away. [Exeunt.

Enter SABINUS, ARRUNTIUS, and CORDUS

Sab.

How is it, that these beagles haunt the house Of Agrippina?

Arr.

O, they hunt, they hunt!

There is some game here lodged, which they must rouse, To make the great ones sport.

Cor.

Did you observe How they inveigh'd 'gainst Caesar?

Arr.

Ay, baits, baits, For us to bite at: would I have my flesh Torn by the public hook, these qualified hangmen Should be my company.

Cor. Here comes another. [Dom. Afer pa.s.ses over the stage

Arr.

Ay, there's a man, Afer the orator!

One that hath phrases, figures, and fine flowers, To strew his rhetoric with, and doth make haste, To get him note, or name, by any offer Where blood or gain be objects; steeps his words, When he would kill, in artificial tears: The crocodile of Tyber! him I love, That man is mine; he hath my heart and voice When I would curse! he, he.

Sub.

Contemn the slaves, Their present lives will be their future graves. [Exeunt

SCENE IV.-Another Apartment in the same.

Enter SILIUS, AGRIPPINA, NERO, and SOSIA.

Sil.

May't please your highness not forget yourself; I dare not, with my manners, to attempt Your trouble farther.

Agr. Farewell, n.o.ble Silius!

Sil. Most royal princess.

Agr. Sosia stays with us?

Sil.

She is your servant, and doth owe your grace An honest, but unprofitable love.

Agr. How can that be, when there's no gain but virtue's?

Sil: You take the moral, not the politic sense.

I meant, as she is bold, and free of speech, Earnest to utter what her zealous thought Travails withal, in honour of your house; Which act, as it is simply born in her, Partakes of love and honesty; but may, By the over-often, and unseason'd use, Turn to your loss and danger: for your state Is waited on by envies, as by eyes; And every second guest your tables take Is a fee'd spy, to observe who goes, who comes; What conference you have, with whom, where, when.

What the discourse is, what the looks, the thoughts Of every person there, they do extract, And make into a substance.

Agr.

Hear me, Silius.

Were all Tiberius' body stuck with eyes, And every wall and hanging in my house Transparent, AS this lawn I wear, or air; Yea, had Seja.n.u.s both his ears as long As to my inmost closet, I would hate To whisper any thought, or change an act, To be made Juno's rival. Virtue's forces Shew ever n.o.blest in conspicuous courses.

Sil.

'Tis great, and bravely spoken, like the spirit Of Agrippina: yet, your highness knows, There is nor loss nor shame in providence; Few can, what all should do, beware enough.

You may perceive with what officious face, Satrius, and Natta, Afer, and the rest.

Visit your house, of late, to enquire the secrets; And with what bold and privileged art, they rail Against Augusta, yea, and at Tiberius; Tell tricks of Livia, and Seja.n.u.s; all To excite, and call your indignation on, That they might hear it at more liberty.

Agr. You're too suspicious, Silius.

Sil.

Pray the G.o.ds, I be so, Agrippina; but I fear Some subtle practice. They that durst to strike At so exampless, and unblamed a life, As that of the renowned Germanicus, Will not sit down with that exploit alone: He threatens many that hath injured one.

Nero.

'Twere best rip forth their tongues, sear out their eyes.

When next they come.

Sos. A fit reward for spies.

Enter Drusus, jun.

Dru. jun. Hear you the rumour?

Agr. What?

Dru. jun. Drusus is dying.

Agr. Dying!

Nero. That's strange!

Agr. You were with him yesternight.

Dru. jun.

One met Eudemus the physician, Sent for, but now; who thinks he cannot live.

Sil.

Thinks! if it be arrived at that, he knows, Or none.

Agr. 'Tis quick! what should be his disease?