[Exeunt all but Arruntius, Sabinus and Lepidus.]
ARRUNTIUS.
Let them be burnt! O, how ridiculous
Appears the senate’s brainless diligence,
Who think they can, with present power, extinguish
The memory of all succeeding times!
SABINUS.
’Tis true; when, contrary, the punishment
Of wit, doth make the authority increase.
Nor do they aught, that use this cruelty
Of interdiction, and this rage of burning,
But purchase to themselves rebuke and shame,
And to the writers an eternal name.
LEPIDUS.
It is an argument the times are sore,
When virtue cannot safely be advanced;
Nor vice reproved.
ARRUNTIUS.
Ay, noble Lepidus;
Augustus well foresaw what we should suffer
Under Tiberius, when he did pronounce
The Roman race most wretched, that should live
Between so slow jaws, and so long a bruising.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE II.—A Room in the Palace.
Enter Tiberius and Sejanus.
TIBERIUS.
This business hath succeeded well, Sejanus,
And quite removed all jealousy of practice
’Gainst Agrippina, and our nephews. Now,
We must bethink us how to plant our ingine,
For th’ other pair, Sabinus and Arruntius,
And Gallus too: howe’er he flatter us,
His heart we know.
SEJANUS.
Give it some respite, Cæsar.
Time shall mature, and bring to perfect crown,
What we, with so good vultures have begun:
Sabinus shall be next.