(SCENE 3.)
Reading edition
Enter Tigellinus solus.
What multitudes of villaines are here gotten In a conspiracy, which Hydra like Still in the cutting off increaseth more. The more we take the more are still appeach[t], And every man brings in new company. I wonder what we shall doe with them all! The prisons cannot hold more then they have, The Iayles are full, the holes with Gallants stincke; Strawe and gold lace together live, I thinke. 'Twere best even shut the gates oth' Citie up And make it all one Iayle; for this I am sure, There's not an honest man within the walles. And, though the guilty doth exceed the free,[73] Yet through a base and fatall cowardise They all assist in taking one another And by their owne hands are to prison led. There's no condition nor degree of men But here are met; men of the sword and gowne, Plebeians, Senators, and women too; Ladies that might have slaine him with their eye Would use their hands; Philosophers And Polititians. Polititians? Their plot was laid too short. Poets would now Not only write but be the arguments Of Tragedies. The Emperour's much pleased: But[74] some have named Seneca; and I Will have Petronius. One promise of pardon Or feare of torture will accusers find. [Exit.