'Tis your pothecary, sir, master Minos.

Lup. What tell'st thou me of pothecaries, knave! Tell him, I have
affairs of state in hand; I can talk to no apothecaries now. Heart
of me! Stay the pothecary there. [Walks in a musing posture.] You
shall see, I have fish'd out a cunning piece of plot now: they have
had some intelligence, that their project is discover'd, and now
have they dealt with my apothecary, to poison me; 'tis so; knowing
that I meant to take physic to-day: as sure as death, 'tis there.
Jupiter, I thank thee, that thou hast. yet made me so much of a
politician.
[Enter Minos.
You are welcome, sir; take the potion from him there; I have an
antidote more than you wot of, sir; throw it on the ground there:
so! Now fetch in the dog; and yet we cannot tarry to try
experiments now: arrest him; you shall go with me, sir; I'll tickle
you, pothecary; I'll give you a glister, i'faith. Have I the
letter? ay, 'tis here.--Come, your fasces, lictors: the half pikes
and the Halberds, take them down from the Lares there. Player,
assist me.
[As they are going out, enter MECAENAS and HORACE.
Mec. Whither now, Asinius Lupus, with this armory?

Lup. I cannot talk now; I charge you assist me: treason! treason!

Hor. How! treason?

Lup. Ay: if you love the emperor, and the state, follow me.
[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-An Apartment in the Palace.

Enter OVID, JULIA, GALLUS, CYTHERIS, TIBULLUS, PLAUTIA,
ALBIUS, CHLOE, TUCCA, CRISPINUS, HERMOGENES, PYRGUS,
characteristically habited, as gods and goddesses.

Ovid. Gods and goddesses, take your several seats. Now, Mercury,
move your caduceus, and, in Jupiter's name, command silence.

Cris. In the name of Jupiter, silence.

Her. The crier of the court hath too clarified a voice.

Gal. Peace, Momus.

Ovid. Oh, he is the god of reprehension; let him alone: 'tis his
office. Mercury, go forward, and proclaim, after Phoebus, our high
pleasure, to all the deities that shall partake this high banquet.

Cris. Yes, sir.

Gal. The great god, Jupiter,--[Here, and at every break in the
line, Crispinus repeats aloud the words of Gallus.]--Of his
licentious goodness,--Willing to make this feast no fast--From any
manner of pleasure;--Nor to bi