Piso.  I see the good thoughts you have of me, Lords. 
Lets now proceede to th’purpose of our meeting: 
I pray you take your places. 
Lets have some paper brought.

Scevin.  Whose within?

Enter Milichus to them.

Mill.  My Lord.

Scevin.  Some Inke and Paper.

[Exit Mili.

Enter againe with Incke and Paper.

Flav.  Whose that, Scevinus?

Scevin.  It is my freed man, Milichus.

Lucan.  Is he trustie?

Scevin.  I, for as great matters as we are about.

Piso.  And those are great ones.

Lucan.  I aske not that we meane to need his trust; Gaine hath great soveraigntie ore servile mindes.

Scevin.  O but my benefits have bound him to me.  I from a bondman have his state not onely Advanct to freedome but to wealth and credit.

Piso. Mili. waite ith’ next chamber till we call.
                                     [abscondit se. 
The thing determinde on, our meeting now
Is of the meanes and place, due circumstance
As to the doing of things:  ’tis required
So done it names the action.[31]

Mili.  I wonder (aside)
What makes this new resort to haunt our house. 
When wonted Lucius Piso to come hither,
Or Lucan when so oft as now of late?

Piso.  And since the field and open shew of armes
Disliked you, and that for the generall good
You meane to end all styrres in end of him;
That, as the ground, must first be thought upon.

Mill.  Besides, this comming cannot be for forme, (aside) Our (Mere?) visitation; they goe aside And have long conferences by themselves.

Lucan. Piso, his coming to your house at Baiae[32]
To bathe and banquet will fit meanes afford,
Amidst his cups, to end his hated life: 
Let him die drunke that nere liv’d soberly.

Piso.  O be it farre that I should staine my Table
And Gods of Hospitalitie with blood. 
Let not our cause (now Innocent) be soyld
With such a plot, nor Pisoes name made hatefull. 
What place can better fit our action
Then his owne house, that boundlesse envied heape
Built with the spoyles and blood of Cittizens,
That hath taken up the Citie, left no roome
For Rome to stand on? Romanes get you gone
And dwell at Veiae, if that Veiae too
This (His?) house ore runne not.[33]

Lucan.  But twill be hard to doe it in his house And harder to escape, being done.