TIBERIUS. My comforts are so flowing in my joys, As, in them, all my streams of grief are lost, No less than are land-waters in the sea, Or showers in rivers; though their cause was such, As might have sprinkled ev’n the gods with tears: Yet, since the greater doth embrace the less, We covetously obey. ARRUNTIUS. Well acted, Cæsar. [_Aside_.] TIBERIUS. And now I am the happy witness made Of your so much desired affections To this great issue, I could wish, the Fates Would here set peaceful period to my days; However to my labours, I entreat, And beg it of this senate, some fit ease. ARRUNTIUS. Laugh, fathers, laugh: have you no spleens about you? [_Aside_.] TIBERIUS. The burden is too heavy I sustain On my unwilling shoulders; and I pray It may be taken off, and reconferred Upon the consuls, or some other Roman, More able, and more worthy. ARRUNTIUS. Laugh on still. [_Aside_.] SABINUS. Why this doth render all the rest suspected! GALLUS. It poisons all. ARRUNTIUS. O, do you taste it then? SABINUS. It takes away my faith to any thing, He shall hereafter speak. ARRUNTIUS. Ay, to pray that, Which would be to his head as hot as thunder, ’Gainst which he wears that charm should but the court Receive him at his word. GALLUS. Hear! TIBERIUS. For myself I know my weakness, and so little covet, Like some gone past, the weight that will oppress me, As my ambition is the counter-point. ARRUNTIUS. Finely maintained; good still! SEJANUS. But Rome, whose blood, Whose nerves, whose life, whose very frame relies On Cæsar’s strength, no less than heaven on Atlas, Cannot admit it but with general ruin. ARRUNTIUS. Ah! are you there to bring him off? [_Aside_.] SEJANUS. Let Cæsar No more then urge a point so contrary To Cæsar’s greatness, the grieved senate’s vows, Or Rome’s necessity. GALLUS. He comes about— ARRUNTIUS. More nimbly than Vertumnus. TIBERIUS. For the publick, I may be drawn to shew I can neglect All private aims, though I affect my rest; But if the senate still command me serve, I must be glad to practise my obedience. ARRUNTIUS. You must and will, sir. We do know it. [_Aside_.] SENATORS. Cæsar, Live long and happy, great and royal Cæsar; The gods preserve thee and thy modesty, Thy wisdom and thy innocence ARRUNTIUS. Where is’t? The prayer is made before the subject. [_Aside_.] SENATORS. Guard His meekness, Jove; his piety, his care, His bounty— ARRUNTIUS. And his subtility, I’ll put in: Yet he’ll keep that himself, without the gods. All prayers are vain for him. [_Aside_.] TIBERIUS. We will not hold Your patience, fathers, with long answer; but Shall still contend to be what you desire, And work to satisfy so great a hope. Proceed to your affairs. ARRUNTIUS. Now, Silius, guard thee; The curtain’s drawing. Afer advanceth. [_Aside_.] PRÆCONES. Silence! AFER. Cite Caius Silius.