Sil. Poison, poison-

Agr. How, Silius!

Nero. What's that?

Sil.

Nay, nothing. There was late a certain blow Given o' the face.

Nero. Ay, to Seja.n.u.s.

Sil. True!

Dru. jun. And what of that?

Sil. I'm glad I gave it not.

Nero. But there is somewhat else?

Sil.

Yes, private meetings, With a great lady [sir], at a physician's, And a wife turn'd away.

Nero. Ha!

Sil.

Toys, mere toys: What wisdom's now in th' streets, in the common mouth?

Dru. fun.

Fears, whisperings, tumults, noise, I know not what: They say the Senate sit.

Sil.

I'll thither straight; And see what's in the forge.

Agr. Good Silius do; Sosia and I will in.

Sil.

Haste you, my lords, I To visit the sick prince; tender your loves, And sorrows to the people. This Seja.n.u.s, Trust my divining soul, hath plots on all: No tree, that stops his prospect, but must fall. [Exeunt.

ACT III

SCENE I.-The Senate-House Enter Praenes, Lictores, SEJa.n.u.s, VARRO, LATIARIS, COTTA, and AFER

Sej.

'Tis only you must urge against him, Varro; Nor I nor Caesar may appear therein, Except in your defence, who are the consul; And, under colour of late enmity Between your father and his, may better do it, As free from all suspicion of a practice.

Here be your notes, what points to touch at; read: Be cunning in them. Afer has them too.

Var. But is he summon'd?

Sej.

No. It was debated By Caesar, and concluded as most fit To take him unprepared.

Afer.

And prosecute All under name of treason.

Var. I conceive.

Enter SABINUS, GALLUS, LEPIDUS, and ARRUNTIUS.

Sab. Drusus being dead, Caesar will not be here.

Gal. What should the business of this senate be?

Arr.

That can my subtle whisperers tell you: we That are the good-dull-n.o.ble lookers on, Are only call'd to keep the marble warm.

What should we do with those deep mysteries, Proper to these fine heads? let them alone.

Our ignorance may, perchance, help us be saved From whips and furies.

Gall. See, see, see their action!

Arr.

Ay, now their heads do travail, now they work; Their faces run like s.h.i.ttles; they are weaving Some curious cobweb to catch flies.

Sab.

Observe, They take their places.

Arr. What, so low!

Gal.

O yes, They must be seen to flatter Caesar's grief, Though but in sitting.

Var. Bid us silence.

Prae. Silence!

Var.

Fathers conseript, may this our present meeting, Turn fair, and fortunate to the common-wealth!

Enter SILIUS, and other Senators.

Sej. See, Silius enters.

Sil. Hail, grave fathers!

Lic.

Stand.

Silius, forbear thy place.

Ben. How!

Prae.