Statius does not take his seat after he has greeted Sejanus. He walks slowly to the tribunal, and petitions the consul for time to read a communication from the emperor. Then, with careful intonation and impressive gestures, he reads the charge of treason against Sejanus. Overwhelmed by this stupendous charge, Sejanus interrupts the speaker. The consul rises quickly from his curule chair and commands silence. As Statius continues reading the letter, all the Senators near Sejanus withdraw to the other side of the house. Left all alone, Sejanus shouts in rage, “’Tis a forgery!” “There is the emperor’s seal!” cries Statius, in a loud tone, pointing to the scroll stamped with the emperor’s seal. At this point Macro, accompanied by two soldiers, approaches Sejanus. The face of the sub-prefect is pale and determined. Drawing his sword and grasping the shoulder of the stupefied minister, he shouts, “I arrest thee in the name of the emperor!” “I demand a trial!” yells Sejanus. “’Tis too late,” replies Macro. “Here is thy sentence of death.” Sejanus struggles as the soldiers drag him from the Senate Chamber. Outside, cries, groans, and curses are heaped upon him by the same people who but yesterday hailed him with acclamations. “’Twas Gyges whom I met at Tusculum, O Sejanus,” hisses Macro, tauntingly, as they walked along. “’Twas Gyges who carried the evidence of the murder of Drusus. ’Twas Gyges who brought the order for thy death; for die thou shalt at once!” exclaims Macro to the terrified minister, as they proceed towards the prison. With his face livid with fear, Sejanus beseeches his soldiers for help and pity. But their ears are deaf. He is hurried to the Mamertine Prison near by. For a few moments only, he is left to think of his past life; then he is strangled; and his body, still warm, is thrown out upon the Gemmonian Steps. The suppressed hatred of the people now breaks out in all its fury. In the mob that waits outside of the prison are Senators and tribunes. The dead body is soon stripped of its robes, and after being battered about the streets of the city for a day, it is cast into the rushing muddy Tiber. Chapter XXII