quire the secrets;
And with what bold and privileged art, they rail
Against Augusta, yea, and at Tiberius;
Tell tricks of Livia, and Sejanus; all
To 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 fear
Some subtle practice. They that durst to strike
At so exampless, and unblamed a life,
As that of the renowned Germanicus,
Will not sit down with that exploit alone:
He threatens many that hath injured one.

Nero.
'Twere best rip forth their tongues, sear out their eyes.
When next they come.

Sos. A fit reward for spies.
Enter Drusus, jun.
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.

Sil.
Thinks! if it be arrived at that, he knows,
Or none.

Agr. 'Tis 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
Given o' the face.

Nero. Ay, to Sejanus.

Sil. True!

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 [sir], at a physician's,
And a wife turn'd away.

Nero. Ha!

Sil.
Toys, mere toys:
What wisdom's now in th' streets, in the common mouth?

Dru. fun.
Fears, whisperings, 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, I
To visit the sick prince; tender your loves,
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.

ACT III

SCENE I.-The Senate-House
Enter Praenes, Lictores, SEJANUS, VARRO, LATIARIS, COTTA, and AFER

Sej.
'Tis only you must urge against him, Varro;
Nor I nor Caesar may appear therein,
Except in your defence, who are the cons