In Pompey's theatre, (whose ruining fire With offering at thy praise, for more we cannot, For we are far from flattering our friend, Above the poor low flats of common men; Our loves unto the senate. [Exeunt Tib. Sejan. Natta, Hat. Lat. Officers, &c. Arr. Cæsar! Sab. Peace. Cor. Great Pompey's theatre was never ruin'd Till now, that proud Sejanus hath a statue Rear'd on his ashes. Arr. Place the shame of soldiers, Above the best of generals? crack the world, Tacit. Ann. Lib. iv. p. 74-76. * Vid. Sen. Cons, ad. Marc. c. 22. Sil. Check your passion; Lord Drusus tarries. Dru. Is my father mad," Weary of life, and rule, lords? thus to heave Arr. O, good prince. Dru. Allow him statues, titles, 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- Re-enter SEJANUS, SATRIUS, LATIARIS, 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 ! ▾ Tacit. Ann. Lib. iv. p. 76. z Tacit. ibid. • Tacit. sequimur Ann. Lib. iv. p. 74, quanquam apud Dionem et Zonaram aliter legitur. Dru. Nay, come, approach. [Draws his sword. It looks too full of death for thy cold spirits. Arr. A noble prince! All. A Castor, a Castor, a Castor, a Castor! With patience, and an even mind, knows how 7 There is something very striking in the silence of Sejanus. -After this speech the quarto has, Mu. Chorus, which is repeated at the end of every succeeding act. As it seems to mean, in plain English, merely the music between the acts, I have not thought it worth preserving. Servile, apud Romanos, et ignominiosissimum mortis genus erat supplicium crucis, ut ex Liv. ipso. Tacit. Dio. et omnibus fere antiquis, præsertim historicis constet. vid. Plaut. in. Mil. Amph. Aulii. Hor. Lib. i. Ser. 3. et Juv. Sat. vi. Pone crucem servo, &c. Sic Drusus ob violentiam cognominatus, vid. Dion. Rom. Hist. Lib. lvii. p. 701. ACT II. SCENE Í. The Garden of Eudemus. Enter SEJANUS, LIVIA, and EUDEMUS. Sej. Physician, thou art worthy of a province I should alone despair of aught, like means, Liv. Eudemus, I will see it, shall receive 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! Liv. But he must be wrought To the undertaking, with some labour'd art. Sej. Is he ambitious? Liv. No. Sej. Or covetous? Liv. Neither. Eud. Yet, gold is a good general charm. Liv. Faith, only wanton, light. Sej. How! is he young and fair? Sej. Send him to me, I'll work him.-Royal lady, Though I have loved you long, and with that height To a poor flash, as Drusus; but to shine Look. [Exit Eudemus.] 'Tis not Drusus, lady, do not fear. Spadonis animum stupro devinxit. Tacit. ibid. |