_Sen._ Ha! Priscus, thou hast been silent all this while: And what said Thrasea? _Pr._ In my credit, sir, I may not tell. _Sen._ Indeed! And while ye invite me To plunge into the bowels of Hell, and wrap me In the blóody purples of a murdered Cæsar, Thou wouldst hide from me, for some petty scruple, What my best friend says of it! _Pr._ I should tell:— He said you would refuse. _Sen._ And he said right. I do refuse. _All._ Refuse! _Luc._ Uncle, consider! _Fla._ We cannot take that word, sir; ’tis not thine. The state requires thee: there is none but thou. 570 _Sen._ My word is No, I will not. _Luc._ Thou wilt nót? Wilt nót throne virtue in the seat of might? Not crown philosophy? and in thyself Fulfil the dream of wisdom, which the world Hath mocked at as impracticable? _Sen._ Yea, And yet shall mock. ’Tis not for me. Ye think Because I am rich, that I despise not wealth; Because I have been involved in courtly faction, I loathe not crime; that what ye have seen to touch me, Thát I would handle. Can ye thus mistake me? And deem that I, being such an one to serve you, Might be entrapped with flattery,—that ye style me The one man worthy? ay, to rule the world Ye said: Well! I shall rule it; but not so. I make my throne here, and with these nibbed reeds Issue my edicts to the simple-hearted, To whom all rule shall come: Yes, it shall come If God’s will count for aught. _Pr._ My lord, consider. This is the hour to set you right for ever. ’Twas of your doing Nero came to power: 590 Now with one word you may blot out the past. _Sen._ Priscus, if thou didst think I was to blame For all the wrongs and crimes, which by thy speech Thou wouldst impute, wouldst thou be here to-day To hail me Cæsar? ’Tis a stingless taunt. _Lat._ Thou shalt not be reproached. _Fla._ We do not blame thee. _Luc._ We ask but thy consent. _Sen._ Shame, nephew; shame! _Lat._ Sir, you mistake: we ask not your consent Unto the deed. _Fla._ We take that on ourselves. _Lat._ We ask of thee but this: Nero once slain, Wilt thou be Cæsar? _Sen._ No, sir: I will not. _Fla._ Thou wilt not change thy books for provinces? _Sen._ No, sir. _Lat._ Dost thou refuse? _Luc._ Oh, uncle, uncle! _Fla._ My lord, allow me. _Luc._ Hear what I would say. _Sen._ I know it, nephew, afore. Now let this end. ’Tis said. _Pr._ I was prepared, my lord, for this: And we at least may spare you further danger Of our suspicious conference. I go. (_Moving._) _Sen._ The ill is done.