Sejanus: His Fall

by Ben Jonson

ALL.
A Castor, a Castor, a Castor, a Castor!

[Exeunt all but Sejanus.]

SEJANUS.
He that, with such wrong moved, can bear it through
With patience, and an even mind, knows how
To turn it back. Wrath cover’d carries fate:
Revenge is lost, if I profess my hate.
What was my practice late, I’ll now pursue,
As my fell justice: this hath styled it new.

[Exit.]

ACT II

SCENE I.—The Garden of EUDEMUS.

Enter Sejanus, Livia and Eudemus.

SEJANUS.
Physician, thou art worthy of a province.
For the great favours done unto our loves;
And, but that greatest Livia bears a part
In the requital of thy services,
I should alone despair of aught, like means,
To give them worthy satisfaction.

LIVIA.
Eudemus, I will see it, shall receive
A fit and full reward for his large merit.—
But for this potion we intend to Drusus,
No more our husband now, whom shall we choose
As the most apt and able instrument,
To minister it to him?

EUDEMUS.
I say, Lygdus.