Sejanus: His Fall Part 23

But this, and gripe my wishes. Great and high, The world knows only two, that's Rome and I.

My roof receives me not; 'tis air I tread; And, at each step, I feel my advanced head Knock out a star in heaven! rear'd to this height, All my desires seem modest, poor, and slight, That did before sound impudent: 'tis place, Not blood, discerns the n.o.ble and the base.

Is there not something more than to be Caesar?

Must we rest there'! it irks t' have come so far, To be so near a stay. Caligula, Would thou stood'st stiff, and many in our way!

Winds lose their strength, when they do empty fly, Unmet of woods or buildings; great fires die, That want their matter to withstand them: so, It is our grief, and will be our loss, to know Our power shall want opposites; unless The G.o.ds, by mixing in the cause, would bless Our fortune with their conquest. That were worth Seja.n.u.s' strife; durst fates but bring it forth.

Enter TERENTIUS.

Ter. Safety to great Seja.n.u.s!

Sej. Now, Terentius?

Ter. Hears not my lord the wonder?

Sej. Speak it, no.

Ter.

I meet it violent in the people's mouths, Who run in routs to Pompey's theatre, To view your statue, which, they say, sends forth A smoke, as from a furnace, black and dreadful.

Sej.

Some traitor hath put fire in: you, go see, And let the head be taken oft', to look What 'tis. [Exit Terentius.]---- Some slave hath practised an imposture, To stir the people.-How now! why return you?

Reenter TERENTIUS, with SATRIUS and NATTA.

Sat.

The head, my lord, already is ta'en off, I saw it; and, at opening, there leapt out A great and monstrous serpent.

Sej.

Monstrous! why?

Had it a beard, and horns? no heart? a tongue Forked as flattery? look'd it of the hue, To such as live in great men's bosoms? was The spirit of it Macro's?

Nat.

May it please The most divine Seja.n.u.s, in my days, (And by his sacred fortune, I affirm it,) I have not seen a more extended, grown, Foul, spotted, venomous, ugly----

Sej.

O, the fates!

What a wild muster's here of attributes, T' express a worm, a snake!

Ter.

But how that should Come there, my lord!

Sej.

What, and you too, Terentius!

I think you mean to make 't a prodigy In your reporting.

Ter. Can the wise Seja.n.u.s Think heaven hath meant it less!

Sej.

O, superst.i.tion!

Why, then the falling of our bed, that brake This morning, burden'd with the populous weight, Of our expecting clients, to salute us; Or running of the cat betwixt our legs, As we set forth unto the Capitol, Were prodigies.

Ter.

I think them ominous; And would they had not happened! As, to-day, The fate of some your servants: who, declining Their way, not able, for the throng, to follow, Slipt down the Gemonies, and brake their necks!

Besides, in taking your last augury, No prosperous bird appear'd; but croaking ravens Flagg'd up and down, and from the sacrifice Flew to the prison, where they sat all night, Beating the air with their obstreperous beaks!

I dare not counsel, but I could entreat, That great Seja.n.u.s would attempt the G.o.ds Once more with sacrifice.

Sej.

What excellent fools Religion makes of men! Believes Terentius, If these were dangers, as I shame to think them, The G.o.ds could change the certain course of fate!

Or, if they could they would, now in a moment, For a beeve's fat, or less, be bribed to invert Those long decrees? Then think the G.o.ds, like flies, Are to be taken with the steam of flesh, Or blood, diffused about their altars: think Their power as cheap as I esteem it small.---- Of all the throng that fill th' Olympian hall, And, without pity, lade poor Atlas' back, I know not that one deity, but Fortune, To whom I would throw up, in begging smoke, One grain of incense; or whose ear I'd buy With thus much oil. Her I, indeed, adore; And keep her grateful image in my house, Sometime belonging to a Roman king.

But now call'd mine, as by the better style: To her I care not, if, for satisfying Your scrupulous phant'sies, I go offer. Bid Our priest prepare us honey, milk, and poppy, His masculine odours, and night-vestments: say, Our rites are instant; which perform'd, you'll see How vain, and worthy laughter, your fears be. [Exeunt

SCENE II.-Another Room in the same.

Enter COTTA and POMPONIUS.

Cot. Pomponius, whither in such speed?

Pom.

I go To give my lord Seja.n.u.s notice----

Cot. What?

Pom. Of Macro.

Cot. Is he come?

Pom.

Enter'd but now The house of Regulus

Cot. The opposite consul!

Pom. Some half hour since.

Cot.

And by night too! Stay, sir; I'll bear you company.

Pom. Along then---- [Exeunt

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

Enter MACRO, REGULUS, and Attendant.

Mac.

Tis Caesar's will to have a frequent senate; And therefore must your edict lay deep mulct On such as shall be absent.

Reg.

So it doth.