Sejanus: His Fall Part 7

Arr. Caesar!

Sab. Peace.

Cor.

Great Pompey's theatre was never ruin'd Till now, that proud Seja.n.u.s hath a statue Rear'd on his ashes.

Arr.

Place the shame of soldiers, Above the best of generals? crack the world, And bruise the name of Romans into dust, Ere we behold it!

Sil. Check your pa.s.sion; Lord Drusus tarries.

Dru.

Is my father mad, Weary of life, and rule, lords? thus to heave An idol up with praise! make him his mate, His rival in the empire!

Arr. O, good prince.

Dru.

Allow him statues, t.i.tles, honours, such As he himself refuseth!

Arr. Brave, brave Drusus!

Dru.

The first ascents to sovereignty are hard; But, entered once, there never wants or means, Or ministers, to help the aspirer on.

Arr. True, gallant Drusus.

Dru.

We must shortly pray To Modesty, that he will rest contented----

Arr.

Ay, where he is, and not write emperor.

Re-enter SEJa.n.u.s, SATBIUS, LATIARIS, Clients, etc.

Sej.

There is your bill, and yours; bring you your man.

[To Satrius.

I have moved for you, too, Latiaris.

Dru.

What!

Is your vast greatness grown so blindly bold, That you will over us?

Sej. Why then give way.

Dru.

Give way, Colossus! do you lift? advance you?

Take that! [Strikes him.

Arr. Good! brave! excellent, brave prince!

Dru. Nay, come, approach. [Draws his sword.

What, stand you off? at gaze?

It looks too full of death for thy cold spirits.

Avoid mine eye, dull camel, or my sword Shall make thy bravery fitter for a grave, Than for a triumph. I'll advance a statue O' your own bulk; but 't shall be on the cross; Where I will nail your pride at breadth and length, And crack those sinews, which are yet but stretch'd With your swoln fortune's rage.

Arr. A n.o.ble prince!

All. A Castor, a Castor, a Castor, a Castor!

[Exeunt all but Seja.n.u.s.

Sej.

He that, with such wrong moved, can bear it through With patience, and an even mind, knows how To turn it back. Wrath cover'd carries fate: Revenge is lost, if I profess my hate.

What was my practice late, I'll now pursue, As my fell justice: this hath styled it new. [Exit.

ACT II

SCENE I.----The Garden of EUDEMUS.

Enter SEJa.n.u.s, LIVIA, and EUDEMUS.

Sej.

Physician, thou art worthy of a province.

For the great favours done unto our loves; And, but that greatest Livia bears a part In the requital of thy services, I should alone despair of aught, like means, To give them worthy satisfaction.

Liv.

Eudemus, I will see it, shall receive A fit and full reward for his large merit.---- But for this potion we intend to Drusus, No more our husband now, whom shall we choose As the most apt and able instrument, To minister it to him?

Eud. I say, Lygdus.

Sej. Lygdus what's he?

Liv. An eunuch Drusus loves.

Eud. Ay, and his cup-bearer.

Sej.

Name not a second.

If Drusus love him, and he have that place, We cannot think a fitter.

Eud.

True, my lord.

For free access and trust are two main aids.

Sej. Skilful physician!