mnus.

Tib.
For the publick,
I may be drawn to shew I can neglect
All private aims, though I affect my rest;
But if the senate still command me serve,
I must be glad to practise my obedience.

Arr. You must and will, sir. We do know it. [Aside.

Senators.
Caesar,
Live long and happy, great and royal Caesar;
The gods preserve thee and thy modesty,
Thy wisdom and thy innocence

Arr.
Where is't?
The prayer is made before the subject. [Aside.

Senators.
Guard
His meekness, Jove; his piety, his care,
His bounty----

Arr.
And his subtility, I'll put in:
Yet he'll keep that himself, without the gods.
All prayers are vain for him. [Aside.
Tib.
We will not hold
Your patience, fathers, with long answer; but
Shall still contend to be what you desire,
And work to satisfy so great a hope.
Proceed to your affairs.

Arr.
Now, Silius, guard thee;
The curtain's drawing. Afer advanceth. [Aside.

Prae. Silence!

Afer. Cite Caius Silius.

Prae. Caius Silius!

Sil. Here.

Afer.
The triumph that thou hadst in Germany
For thy late victory on Sacrovir,
Thou hast enjoy'd so freely, Caius Silius,
As no man it envied thee; nor would Caesar,
Or Rome admit, that thou wert then defrauded
Of any honours thy deserts could claim,
In the fair service of the common-wealth:
But now, if, after all their loves and graces,
(Thy actions, and their courses being discover'd)
It shall appear to Caesar and this senate,
Thou hast defiled those glories with thy crimes----

Sil. Crimes!

Afer. Patience, Silius.

Sil.
Tell thy mule of patience;
I am a Roman. What are my crimes? proclaim them.
Am I too rich, too honest for the times?
Have I or treasure, jewels, land, or houses
That some informer gapes for? is my strength
Too much to be admitted, or my knowledge?
These now are crimes.

Afer.
Nay, Silius, if the name
Of crime so touch thee, with what impotence
Wilt thou endure the matter to be search'd?

Sil.
I tell thee, Afer, with more scorn than fear:
Employ your mercenary tongue and art.
Where's my accuser?

Var. Here.

Arr.
Varro, the consul!
Is he thrust in?