_Ner._ Invoke not thy curst ancestors to me. _Sce._ It hath been stolen from me: some slave, Cæsar, Knowing the store I set by it, hath purloined it. _Tig._ One of those thieves whom thou three days ago Didst liberate,—when thou mad’st thy will—? We know. Why didst thou that? _Sce._ It is the time of year I fix my household, and reward my servants. And for my will, it is my habit oft To change the disposition of my goods, As they change, and my friends. _Ner._ Thou hast changed thy friends, Say’st thou, of late! As for thy change of will, Thy little damnèd will, the estate of felons Passes to Cæsar at their execution. _Tig._ And why, sir, shouldst thou lay up in thy house A store of bandages, styptics and drugs Good for fresh wounds? _Sce._ I did not: I pray you, Cæsar, Who hath informed against me? _Ner._ Question me, Wilt thou? _Tig._ He hath been seen, sire, with Natalis. _Sce._ Never, I know him not. _Ner._ Get up, sir.—Take him To torture, till he tell. _Sce._ Cæsar, I pray Have me not tortured. I am innocent. 2025 _Ner._ Villain, I’ll have thee drawn out limb from limb; And thou shalt taste at leisure from this sword What stabbing is. Take him away. _Sce._ Nay, Cæsar, Have me not tortured. I am innocent. _Tig._ Take him off, guards. _Sce._ Indeed I am innocent. Cæsar, Oh Cæsar! [_Exeunt Guards carrying off Scevinus._ _Tig._ The informer Milichus, Scevinus’ slave, Saith he was with Natalis, Piso’s man: Shall I seize Piso? _Ner._ Not yet, no, I am safe Here in the palace. Have the city guarded, And go first to the prison: look thyself To the torture of Epicharis: from her Learn all, and bring it to me here. A woman Is delicately nerved: use thy full art Most exquisitely. _Tig._ She hath confessed by this: I sent at once. _Ner._ Return then soon. _Tig._ I shall. [_Exit._