Act 2 — [Scene IV.][1470]

Sil. May’t please your highness not forget yourself: I dare not, with my manners, to attempt Your trouble farther. Agr. Farewell, noble Silius! Sil. Most royal princess. Agr. Sosia stays with us? Sil. She is your servant, and doth owe your grace5 An honest, but unprofitable love. Agr. How can that be, when there’s no gain but virtue’s? Sil. You take the moral, not the politic sense. I meant, as she is bold, and free of speech, Earnest to utter what her zealous thought10 Travails withal, in honour of your house; Which act, as it is simply borne in her, Partakes of love and honesty; but may, By th’ over-often, and unseason’d use, Turn to your loss and danger: for your state15 Is waited on by envies, as by eyes; And every second guest your tables take Is a fee’d spy, to observe who goes, who comes; What conference you have, with whom, where, when, What the discourse is, what the looks, the thoughts20 Of ev’ry person there, they do extract, And make into a substance. Agr. Hear me, Silius. Were all Tiberius’ body stuck with eyes, And ev’ry wall and hanging in my house Transparent, as this lawn I wear, or air;25 Yea, had Sejanus both his ears as long As to my inmost closet, I would hate To whisper any thought, or change an act, To be made Juno’s rival. Virtue’s forces Show ever noblest in conspicuous courses.30 Sil. ’T is great, and bravely spoken, like the spirit Of Agrippina: yet, your highness knows, There is nor loss nor shame in providence;[1471] Few can, what all should do, beware enough. You may perceive with what officious face,35 Satrius, and Natta, Afer, and the rest Visit your house of late, t’ inquire the secrets; And with what bold and privileg’d art, they rail Against Augusta, yea, and at Tiberius; Tell tricks of Livia, and Sejanus: all40 T’ excite, and call your indignation on, That they might hear it at more liberty. Agr. You’re too suspicious, Silius. Sil. Pray the gods, I be so, Agrippina; but I fear44 Some subtile practice. They that durst to strike At so exampless, and unblam’d a life, As that of the renown’d Germanicus, Will not sit down with that exploit alone: He threatens many that hath injur’d one. Nero. ’T were best rip forth their tongues, sear out their eyes,50 When next they come. Sos. A fit reward for spies.

Dru. jun. Hear you the rumour? Agr. What? Dru. jun. Drusus is dying. Agr. Dying! Nero. That’s strange! Agr. You were with him yesternight. Dru. jun. One met Eudemus the physician, Sent for, but now; who thinks he cannot live.55 Sil. Thinks! If it be arriv’d at that, he knows, Or none. Agr. ’T is quick! What should be his disease? Sil. Poison, poison—— Agr. How, Silius! Nero. What’s that? Sil. Nay, nothing. There was late a certain blow Giv’n o’ the face. Nero. Ay, to Sejanus. Sil. True.60 Dru. jun. And what of that? Sil. I’m glad I gave it not. Nero. But there is somewhat else? Sil. Yes, private meetings, With a great lady at a physician’s, And a wife turn’d away— Nero. Ha! Sil. Toys, mere toys: What wisdom’s now i’ th’ streets, i’ th’ common mouth?66 Dru. jun. Fears, whisp’rings, tumults, noise, I know not what: They say the Senate sit. Sil. I’ll thither straight; And see what’s in the forge. Agr. Good Silius, do; Sosia and I will in. Sil. Haste you, my lords, To visit the sick prince; tender your loves,70 And sorrows to the people. This Sejanus, Trust my divining soul, hath plots on all: No tree, that stops his prospect, but must fall. [Exeunt.]