Tib. 
   A perishing wretch! 
   As if there were that chaos bred in things,
   That laws and liberty would not rather choose
   To be quite broken, and ta’en hence by us,
   Than have the stain to be preserved by such. 
   Have we the means to make these guilty first?

Sej. 
   Trust that to me:  let Caesar, by his power
   But cause a formal meeting of the senate,
   I will have matter and accusers ready.

Tib.  But how? let us consult.

Sej. 
   We shall misspend
   The time of action.  Counsels are unfit
   In business, where all rest is more pernicious
   Than rashness can be.  Acts of this close kind
   Thrive more by execution than advice. 
   There is no lingering in that work begun,
   Which cannot praised be, until through done.

Tib. 
   Our edicts shall forthwith command a court. 
   While I can live, I will prevent earth’s fury: 
          
                                         [Exit

Enter Julius Posthumus.

Pos.  My lord Sejanus—–­

Sej. 
   Julius Posthumus! 
   Come with my wish!  What news from Agrippina’s?

Pos. 
   Faith, none.  They all lock up themselves a’ late,
   Or talk in character; I have not seen
   A company so changed.  Except they had
   Intelligence by augury of our practice.—–­

Sej.  When were you there?

Pos.  Last night.

Sej.  And what guests found you?

Pos.  Sabinus, Silius, the old list, Arruntius, Furmus, and Gallus.

Sej.  Would not these talk?

Pos. 
   Little: 
   And yet we offer’d choice of argument.  Satrius was with me.

Sej. 
   Well:  ’tis guilt enough
   Their often meeting.  You forgot to extol
   The hospitable lady?

Pas. 
   No; that trick
   Was well put home, and had succeeded too,
   But that Sabinus cough’d a caution out;
   For she began to swell.

Sej. 
   And may she burst! 
   Julius, I would have you go instantly
   Unto the palace of the great Augusta,
   And, by your kindest friend, get swift access;
   Acquaint her with these meetings:  tell the words
   You brought me the other day, of Silius,
   Add somewhat to them.  Make her understand
   The danger of Sabinus, and the times,
   Out of his closeness.  Give Arruntius’ words
   Of malice against Caesar; so, to Gallus: 
   But, above all, to Agrippina.  Say,
   As you may truly, that her infinite pride,
   Propt with the hopes of her too fruitful womb,
   With popular studies gapes for sovereignty,
   And threatens Caesar.  Pray Augusta then,
   That for her own, great Caesar’s, and the public
   safety, she be pleased to urge these dangers. 
   Caesar is too secure, he must be told,
   And best he’ll take it from a mother’s tongue.