Rome -- History -- Tiberius, 14-37 -- Drama; Sejanus, Lucius Aelius, -31 -- Drama; Tragedies (Drama)
TIBERIUS.
We are not pleased in this sad accident,
That thus hath stalled, and abused our mercy,
Intended to preserve thee, noble Roman,
And to prevent thy hopes.
ARRUNTIUS.
Excellent wolf!
Now he is full he howls. [_Aside_.]
SEJANUS.
Cæsar doth wrong
His dignity and safety thus to mourn
The deserv’d end of so profest a traitor,
And doth, by this his lenity, instruct
Others as factious to the like offence.
TIBERIUS.
The confiscation merely of his state
Had been enough.
ARRUNTIUS.
O, that was gaped for then? [_Aside_.]
VARRO.
Remove the body.
SEJANUS.
Let citation Go out for Sosia.
GALLUS.
Let her be proscribed:
And for the goods, I think it fit that half
Go to the treasure, half unto the children.
LEPIDUS.
With leave of Cæsar, I would think that fourth,
The which the law doth cast on the informers,
Should be enough; the rest go to the children.
Wherein the prince shall shew humanity,
And bounty; not to force them by their want,
Which in their parents’ trespass they deserv’d,
To take ill courses.
TIBERIUS.
It shall please us.
ARRUNTIUS.
Ay,
Out of necessity. This Lepidus
Is grave and honest, and I have observed
A moderation still in all his censures.
SABINUS.
And bending to the better—Stay, who’s this?
Enter Satrius and Natta, with Cremutius Cordus guarded.
Cremutius Cordus! What! is he brought in?
ARRUNTIUS.
More blood into the banquet! Noble Cordus,
I wish thee good: be as thy writings, free,
And honest.
TIBERIUS.
What is he?
SEJANUS.
For the Annals, Cæsar.
PRÆCONES.
Cremutius Cordus!
CORDUS.
Here.
PRÆCONES.
Satrius Secundus,
Pinnarius Natta, you are his accusers.
ARRUNTIUS.
Two of Sejanus’ blood-hounds, whom he breeds
With human flesh, to bay at citizens.
AFER.
Stand forth before the senate, and confront him.
SATRIUS.
I do accuse thee here, Cremutius Cordus,
To be a man factious and dangerous,
A sower of sedition in the state,
A turbulent and discontented spirit,
Which I will prove from thine own writings, here,
The Annals thou hast publish’d; where thou bit’st
The present age, and with a viper’s tooth,
Being a member of it, dar’st that ill
Which never yet degenerous bastard did
Upon his parent.
NATTA.
To this, I subscribe;
And, forth a world of more particulars,
Instance in only one: comparing men,
And times, thou praisest Brutus, and affirm’st
That Cassius was the last of all the Romans.
COTTA.
How! what are we then?
VARRO.
What is Cæsar? nothing?
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