Sab. 
   ’Tis true; when, contrary, the punishment
   Of wit, doth make the authority increase. 
   Nor do they aught, that use this cruelty
   Of interdiction, and this rage of burning,
   But purchase to themselves rebuke and shame,
   And to the writers an eternal name.

Lep. 
   It is an argument the times are sore,
   When virtue cannot safely be advanced;
   Nor vice reproved.

Arr. 
   Ay, noble Lepidus;
   Augustus well foresaw what we should suffer
   Under Tiberius, when he did pronounce
   The Roman race most wretched, that should live
   Between so slow jaws, and so long a bruising. [Exeunt.

Scene ii.—–­A Room in the Palace. 
Enter Tiberius and Sejanus.

Tib. 
   This business hath succeeded well, Sejanus,
   And quite removed all jealousy of practice
   ’Gainst Agrippina, and our nephews.  Now,
   We must bethink us how to plant our ingine,
   For th’ other pair, Sabinus and Arruntius,
   And Gallus too:  howe’er he flatter us,
   His heart we know.

Sej. 
   Give it some respite, Caesar. 
   Time shall mature, and bring to perfect crown,
   What we, with so good vultures have begun: 
   Sabinus shall be next.

Tib.  Rather Arruntius.

Sej. 
   By any means, preserve him.  His frank tongue
   Being let the reins, would take away all thought
   Of malice, in your course against the rest: 
   We must keep him to stalk with.

Tib. 
   Dearest head,
   To thy most fortunate design I yield it.

Sej. 
   Sir,—–­I have been so long train’d up in grace,
   First with your father, great Augustus; since,
   With your most happy bounties so familiar
   As I not sooner would commit my hopes
   Or wishes to the gods. than to your ears. 
   Nor have I ever, yet, been covetous
   Of over-bright and dazzling honour; rather
   To watch and travail in great Caesar’s safety,
   With the most common soldier.

Tib.  ’Tis confest.

Sej. 
   The only gain, and which I count most fair
   Of all my fortunes, is, that mighty Caesar
   Has thought me worthy his alliance.  Hence
   Begin my hopes.

Tib.  Umph!

Sej. 
   I have heard, Augustus,
   In the bestowing of his daughter, thought
   But even of gentlemen of Rome:  if so,—–­
   I know not how to hope so great a favour—–­
   But if a husband should be sought for Livia,
   And I be had in mind, as Caesar’s friend,
   I would but use the glory of the kindred: 
   It should not make me slothful, or less caring
   For Caesar’s state:  it were enough to me
   It did confirm, and strengthen my weak house,
   Against the now unequal opposition
   Of Agrippina; and for dear regard
   Unto my children, this I wish:  myself
   Have no ambition farther than to end
   My days in service of so dear a master.