Sej.  Terentius!

Per.  My lord.

Sej. 
   Send for the tribunes, we will straight have up
   More of the soldiers for our guard. [Exit Per.] Minutius,
   We pray you go for Cotta, Latiaris,
   Trio, the consul, or what senators
   You know are sure, and ours. [Exit Min.] You, my good Natta,
   For Laco, provost of the watch. [Exit Nat.] Now, Satrius,
   The time of proof comes on; arm all our servants,
   And without tumult. [Exit Sat.] You, Pomponius,
   Hold some good correspondence with the consul: 
   Attempt him, noble friend. [Exit Pomp.] These things begin
   To look like dangers, now, worthy my fates. 
   Fortune, I see thy worst:  let doubtful states,
   And things uncertain, hang upon thy will: 
   Me surest death shall render certain still. 
   Yet, why is now my thought turn’d toward death,
   Whom fates have let go on, so far in breath,
   Uncheck’d or unreproved?  I that did help
   To fell the lofty cedar of the world,
   Germanicus; that at one stroke cut down
   Drusus, that upright elm; wither’d his vine;
   Laid Silius and Sabinus, two strong oaks,
   Flat on the earth; besides those other shrubs,
   Cordus and Sosia, Claudia Pulchra,
   Furnius and Gallus, which I have grubb’d up;
   And since, have set my axe so strong and deep
   Into the root of spreading Agrippina;
   Lopt off and scatter’d her proud branches,
   Nero.  Drusus; and Caius too, although re-planted. 
   If you will, Destinies, that after all,
   I faint now ere I touch my period,
   You are but cruel; and I already have done
   Things great enough.  All Rome hath been my slave;
   The senate sate an idle looker on,
   And witness of my power; when I have blush’d
   More to command than it to suffer:  all
   The fathers have sate ready and prepared. 
   To give me empire, temples, or their throats. 
   When I would ask ’em; and what crowns the top,
   Rome, senate, people, all the world have seen
   Jove, but my equal; Caesar, but my second. 
   ’Tis then your malice, Fates, who, but your own,
   Envy and fear to have any power long known.

Scene V.—–­A Room in the same.

Enter Terentius and Tribunes.

Ter.  Stay here:  I’ll give his lordship, you are come. 
                        Enter Minutius, with Cotta and Latiaris. 
Min. 
   Marcus Terentius, ’pray you tell my lord
   Here’s Cotta, and Latiaris.

Ter.  Sir, I shall.

Cot. 
   My letter is the very same with yours;
   Only requires me to be present there,
   And give my voice to strengthen his design.

Lat.  Names he not what it is?

Cot.  No, nor to you.

Lat.  ’Tis strange and singular doubtful!

Cot. 
   So it is. 
   It may be all is left to lord Sejanus. 
                                 Enter Natta and Gracinus Laco.