Sejanus: His Fall Part 28

Cot. On my life, sir.

Lat. Say.

Cot.

Is to receive the tribunitial power.

But, as you are an honourable man, Let me conjure you not to utter it; For it is trusted to me with that bond.

Lat. I am Harpocrates.

Ter. Can you a.s.sure it?

Pom. The consul told it me, but keep it close.

Min. Lord Latiaris, what's the news?

Lat.

I'll tell you; But you must swear to keep it secret.

Enter SEJa.n.u.s.

Sej.

I knew the Fates had on their distaff left More of our thread, than so.

Reg. Hail, great Seja.n.u.s!

Tri. Hail, the most honour'd!

Cot. Happy!

Lat. High Seja.n.u.s!

Sej. Do you bring prodigies too?

Tri.

May all presage Turn to those fair effects, whereof we bring Your lords.h.i.+p news.

Reg. May't please my lord withdraw.

Sej. Yes:-I will speak with you anon. [To some that stand by.

Ter.

My lord, What is your pleasure for the tribunes?

Sej.

Why, Let them be thank'd and sent away.

Min. My lord----

Lac. Will't please your lords.h.i.+p to command me-

Sej.

No: You are troublesome.

Min. The mood is changed.

Tri.

Not speak, Nor look!

Lac.

Ay, he is wise, will make him friends Of such who never love, but for their ends. [Exeunt.

SCENE VIII.-A s.p.a.ce before the Temple of Apollo.

Enter ARRUNTIUS and LEPIDUS divers Senators pa.s.sing by them.

Arr.

Ay, go, make haste; take heed you be not last To tender your All Hail in the wide hall Of huge Seja.n.u.s: run a lictor's pace: Stay, not to put your robes on; but away, With the pale troubled ensigns of great friends.h.i.+p Stamp'd in your face! Now, Marcus Lepidus, You still believe your former augury!

Seja.n.u.s must go downward! You perceive His wane approaching fast!

Lep. Believe me, Lucius, I wonder at this rising.

Arr.

Ay, and that we Must give our suffrage to it. You will say, It is to make his fall more steep and grievous: It may be so. But think it, they that can With idle wishes 'say to bring back time: In cases desperate, all hope is crime.

See, see! what troops of his officious friends Flock to salute my lord, and start before My great proud lord! to get a lord-like nod!

Attend my lord unto the senate-house!

Bring back my lord! like servile ushers, make Way for my lord! proclaim his idol lords.h.i.+p, More than ten criers, or six noise of trumpets!

Make legs, kiss hands, and take a scatter'd hair From my lord's eminent shoulder!

[Sanquinius and Haterius pa.s.s over the stage.

See, Sanquinius With his slow belly, and his dropsy! look, What toiling haste he makes! yet here's another r.e.t.a.r.ded with the gout, will be afore him.

Get thee Liburnian porters, thou gross fool, To bear thy obsequious fatness, like thy peers.

They are met! the gout returns, and his great carriage.

[Lictors, Regulus, Trio, Seja.n.u.s, Satrius, and many other Senators, pa.s.s over the stage.

Lict. Give way, make place, room for the consul!

San.

Hail, Hail, great. Seja.n.u.s!

Hat. Hail, my honour'd lord!

Arr. We shall be mark'd anon, for our not Hail.

Lep. That is already done.

Arr.

It is a note Of upstart greatness, to observe and watch For these poor trifles, which the n.o.ble mind Neglects and scorns.