_Father, and god of gods, almighty, eternal, Invoked by many names, nature’s one lord; Hail! for ’tis right that all men call on thee. For we thine offspring are._—Well said, Cleanthes! All things and creatures are as God’s possession, But we his children: and the will we have To thwart his will, he ruleth to his will, Owning the ill which he did not create But by permission; as thou goest to show. (_Reading._) _Nor is there any work on earth astir, But by the breath of thy divinity; Nor in the starry pole, nor in the sea, Save what the wicked in their foolish minds Devise: but thou dost order the disorderly, And even unlovely things are dear to thee._ Let fools hear that, thou second Hercules! I should not fret; nay, and I shall not fret ... There’s poignancy in the utterance of this Greek That I attain not: whether it be the man Lived nearer to his nature, or that my art Clogs the clear hues of thought, and in a varnish Drowns to one tone. Would I had written that! And this too, where the bliss the poet prays for His pregnant line is witness that he hath, _A vision and a share of that high wisdom, Wherewith thy justice governs all things well: That honoured bý thee we return thee honour_ ... 440 That honoured by thee we return thee honour ... That’s admirable, noble: I’ll write myself Something like that. Ay, now I feel it within me: And while I am warm.—(_A knocking at the door._) Of course an interruption Just as I am stirred. Come in! To mask vexation In courtesy now. _Enter Lucan, Priscus, Lateranus and Flavus._ _LUCAN._ My dear uncle, good morning. _LATERANUS and others._ Good morning, my lord. _Sen._ Welcome, good nephew Lucan. Welcome, my lords. Thee, Lateranus, first Let me congratulate: thou’rt chosen consul I hear. _Lat._ That’s a month hence. I care not, Seneca, If I shall live to sacrifice my ox. 450 _Sen._ Most ominous words! _Lat._ Excuse my liberty. _Luc._ Liberty! nay, if thou have any of that, Thou mayst indeed despair to live a month. _Sen._ What purpose brings you, sirs? Pray you be seated. (_They sit. Priscus apart._)[1] What would you with me now? _Lat._ We are come as friends. _Sen._ No need to tell me this. _Luc._ But yet there is, Uncle; thy friends decrease. [1] _FLAVUS_ ┌────┐ _LATERANUS_ _SENECA_ │ │ _PRISCUS_ _LUCAN_ └────┘ _Sen._ That may well be. ’Tis what old age must look for. I have my books. _FLAVUS._ I never saw so many books before. _Sen._ And all my good tried friends. _Luc._ Uncle! _Sen._ Eh!