Tib. 
   We cannot but commend thy piety,
   Most loved Sejanus, in acknowledging
   Those bounties; which we, faintly, such remember—–­
   But to thy suit.  The rest of mortal men,
   In all their drifts and counsels, pursue profit;
   Princes alone are of a different sort,
   Directing their main actions still to fame: 
   We therefore will take time to think and answer. 
   For Livia she can best, herself, resolve
   If she will marry, after Drusus, or
   Continue in the family; besides,
   She hath a mother, and a grandam yet,
   Whose nearer counsels she may guide her by: 
   But I will simply deal.  That enmity
   Thou fear’st in Agrippina, would burn more,
   If Livia’s marriage should, as ’twere in parts,
   Divide the imperial house; an emulation
   Between the women might break forth; and discord
   Ruin the sons and nephews on both hands. 
   What if it cause some present difference? 
   Thou art not safe, Sejanus, if thou prove it. 
   Canst thou believe, that Livia, first the wife
   To Caius Caesar, then my Drusus, now
   Will be contented to grow old with thee,
   Born but a private gentleman of Rome,
   And raise thee with her loss, if not her shame? 
   Or say that I should wish it, canst thou think
   The senate, or the people (who have seen
   Her brother, father, and our ancestors,
   In highest place of empire) will endure it! 
   The state thou hold’st already, is in talk;
   Men murmur at thy greatness; and the noble! 
   Stick not, in public, to upbraid thy climbing
   Above our father’s favours, or thy scale: 
   And dare accuse me, from their hate to thee. 
   Be wise, dear friend.  We would not hide these things,
   For friendship’s dear respect:  Nor will we stand
   Adverse to thine, or Livia’s designments. 
   What we have purposed to thee, in our thought,
   And with what near degrees of love to bind thee,
   And make thee equal to us; for the present,
   We will forbear to speak.  Only thus much
   Believe, our loved Sejanus, we not know
   That height in blood or honour, which thy virtue
   And mind to us, may not aspire with merit. 
   And this we’ll publish on all watch’d occasion
   The senate or the people shall present.

Sej. 
   I am restored, and to my sense again,
   Which I had lost in this so blinding suit. 
   Caesar hath taught me better to refuse,
   Than I knew how to ask.  How pleaseth Caesar
   T’ embrace my late advice for leaving Rome!

Tib.  We are resolved.

Sej. 
   Here are some motives more, [Gives him a paper
   Which I have thought on since, may more confirm.

Tib. 
   Careful Sejanus! we will straight peruse them: 
   Go forward in our main design, and prosper. [Exit.