Act 5 — [Scene V.][1533]

Ter. Stay here: I’ll give[1534] his lordship you are come.

Min. Marcus Terentius, pray you tell my lord Here’s Cotta, and Latiaris. Ter. Sir, I shall. [Exit.] Cot. My letter is the very same with yours; Only requires me to be present there,5 And give my voice to strengthen his design. Lat. Names he not what it is? Cot. No, nor to you. Lat. ’T is strange and singular doubtful! Cot. So it is, It may be all is left to lord Sejanus.

Nat. Gentlemen, where ’s my lord? Tri. We wait him here.10 Cot. The provost Laco! What’s the news? Lat. My lord——

Sej. Now, my right dear, noble, and trusted friends, How much I am a captive to your kindness! Most worthy Cotta, Latiaris, Laco, Your valiant hand; and, gentlemen, your loves. I wish I could divide myself unto you;15 Or that it lay within our narrow powers, To satisfy for so enlarged bounty. Gracinus, we must pray you, hold your guards Unquit when morning comes. Saw you the consul?20 Min. Trio will presently be here, my lord. Cot. They are but giving order for the edict, To warn the senate? Sej. How! the senate? Lac. Yes. This morning in Apollo’s temple— Cot. We Are charg’d by letter to be there, my lord.25 Sej. By letter! Pray you let’s see. Lat. Knows not his lordship? Cot. It seems so! Sej. A senate warn’d! without my knowledge! And on this sudden! Senators by letters Required to be there! Who brought these?

Cot. Macro,30 Sej. Mine enemy! And when? Cot. This midnight. Sej. Time, With ev’ry other circumstance, doth give It hath some strain of engine[1535] in ’t!—How now?

Sat. My lord, Sertorius Macro is without, Alone, and prays t’ have private conference35 In business of high nature with your lordship, He says to me, and which regards you much. Sej. Let him come here. Sat. Better, my lord, withdraw: You will betray what store and strength of friends Are now about you; which he comes to spy.40 Sej. Is he not arm’d? Sat. We’ll search him. Sej. No; but take, And lead him to some room, where you conceal’d May keep a guard upon us. [Exit Sat.] Noble Laco, You are our trust; and till our own cohorts Can be brought up, your strengths must be our guard.45 Now, good Minutius, honour’d Latiaris, He salutes them humbly. Most worthy and my most unwearied friends; I return instantly. [Exit.] Lat. Most worthy lord! Cot. His lordship is turn’d instant kind, methinks; I have not observ’d it in him heretofore.50 1 Tri. ’T is true, and it becomes him nobly. Min. I Am rapt withal. 2 Tri. By Mars, he has my lives, Were they a million, for this only grace. Lac. Ay, and to name a man! Lat. As he did me! Min. And me! Lat. Who would not spend his life and fortunes To purchase but the look of such a lord?55 Lac. [Aside.] He that would nor be lord’s fool, nor the world’s. [Exeunt.]