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. 
   Bear it my fellow consul to adscribe.

Mac. 
   And tell him it must early be proclaim’d: 
   The place Apollo’s temple. [Exit Attendant

Reg.  That’s remember’d.

Mac.  And at what hour!

Reg.  Yes.

Mac. 
   You do forget
   To send one for the provost of the watch.

Reg.  I have not:  here he comes. 
                                                     Enter Laco. 
Mac. 
   Gracinus Laco,
   You are a friend most welcome:  by and by,
   I’ll speak with you.—–­You must procure this list
   Of the praetorian cohorts, with the names
   Of the centurions, and their tribunes.

Reg.  Ay.

Mac.  I bring you letters, and a health from Caesar—–­

Lac.  Sir, both come well.

Mac. 
   And hear you? with your note,
   Which are the eminent men, and most of action.

Reg.  That shall be done you too.

Mac. 
   Most worthy Laco,
   Caesar salutes you.—–­ [Exit Regulus.]
                          Consul! death and furies! 
   Gone now!——­The argument will please you, sir. 
   Ho!  Regulus!  The anger of the gods
   Follow your diligent legs, and overtake ’em,
   In likeness of the gout!—–­
                                             [Re-enter Regulus. 
                               O, my good lord,
   We lack’d you present; I would pray you send
   Another to Fulcinius Trio, straight,
   To tell him you will come, and speak with him: 
   The matter we’ll devise, to stay him there,
   While I with Laco do survey the watch. [Exit Regulus. 
   What are your strengths, Gracinus?

Lac.  Seven cohorts.

Mac. 
   You see what Caesar writes; and—–­Gone again! 
   H’ has sure a vein of mercury in his feet.—–­
   Know you what store of the praetorian soldiers
   Sejanus holds about him, for his guard?

Lac. 
   I cannot the just number; but, I think,
   Three centuries.

Mac.  Three! good.

Lac.  At most not four.

Mac.  And who be those centurions?

Lac. 
   That the consul
   Can best deliver you.

Mac. 
   When he’s away! 
   Spite on his nimble industry—–­Gracinus,
   You find what place you hold. there, in the trust
   Of royal Caesar?

Lac.  Ay, and I am—–­

Mac. 
   Sir,
   The honours there proposed are but beginnings
   Of his great favours.

Lac.  They are more—–­

Mac. 
   I heard him
   When he did study what to add.

Lac. 
   My life,
   And all I hold—–­