LEPIDUS.
Arts, Arruntius!
None, but the plain and passive fortitude,
To suffer and be silent; never stretch
These arms against the torrent; live at home,
With my own thoughts, and innocence about me,
Not tempting the wolves’ jaws: these are my arts.
ARRUNTIUS.
I would begin to study ’em, if I thought
They would secure me. May I pray to Jove
In secret and be safe? ay, or aloud,
With open wishes, so I do not mention
Tiberius or Sejanus? yes, I must,
If I speak out. ’Tis hard that. May I think,
And not be rack’d? What danger is’t to dream,
Talk in one’s sleep, or cough? Who knows the law?
May I shake my head without a comment? say
It rains, or it holds up, and not be thrown
Upon the Gemonies? These now are things,
Whereon men’s fortune, yea, their faith depends.
Nothing hath privilege ’gainst the violent ear.
No place, no day, no hour, we see, is free,
Not our religious and most sacred times,
From some one kind of cruelty: all matter
Nay, all occasion pleaseth. Madmen’s rage,
The idleness of drunkards, women’s nothing,
Jester’s simplicity, all, all is good
That can be catcht at...Nor is now the event
Of any person, or for any crime,
To be expected; for ’tis always one:
Death, with some little difference of place,
Or time—What’s this? Prince Nero, guarded!
Enter Laco and Nero with Guards.
LACO.
On, lictors, keep your way. My lords, forbear.
On pain of Cæsar’s wrath, no man attempt
Speech with the prisoner.
NERO.
Noble friends, be safe;
To lose yourselves for words, were as vain hazard,
As unto me small comfort: fare you well.
Would all Rome’s sufferings in my fate did dwell!
LACO.
Lictors, away.
LEPIDUS.
Where goes he, Laco?
LACO.
Sir,
He’s banish’d into Pontia by the senate.
ARRUNTIUS.
Do I see, hear, and feel? May I trust sense,
Or doth my phant’sie form it?
LEPIDUS.
Where’s his brother?