the throng, to follow,
Slipt down the Gemonies, and brake their necks!
Besides, in taking your last augury,
No prosperous bird appear'd; but croaking ravens
Flagg'd up and down, and from the sacrifice
Flew to the prison, where they sat all night,
Beating the air with their obstreperous beaks!
I dare not counsel, but I could entreat,
That great Sejanus would attempt the gods
Once more with sacrifice.

Sej.
What excellent fools
Religion makes of men! Believes Terentius,
If these were dangers, as I shame to think them,
The gods could change the certain course of fate!
Or, if they could they would, now in a moment,
For a beeve's fat, or less, be bribed to invert
Those long decrees? Then think the gods, like flies,
Are to be taken with the steam of flesh,
Or blood, diffused about their altars: think
Their power as cheap as I esteem it small.----
Of all the throng that fill th' Olympian hall,
And, without pity, lade poor Atlas' back,
I know not that one deity, but Fortune,
To whom I would throw up, in begging smoke,
One grain of incense; or whose ear I'd buy
With thus much oil. Her I, indeed, adore;
And keep her grateful image in my house,
Sometime belonging to a Roman king.
But now call'd mine, as by the better style:
To her I care not, if, for satisfying
Your scrupulous phant'sies, I go offer. Bid
Our priest prepare us honey, milk, and poppy,
His masculine odours, and night-vestments: say,
Our rites are instant; which perform'd, you'll see
How vain, and worthy laughter, your fears be. [Exeunt

SCENE II.-Another Room in the same.
Enter COTTA and POMPONIUS.

Cot. Pomponius, whither in such speed?

Pom.
I go
To give my lord Sejanus notice----

Cot. What?

Pom. Of Macro.

Cot. Is he come?

Pom.
Enter'd but now
The house of Regulus

Cot. The opposite consul!

Pom. Some half hour since.

Cot.
And by night too! Stay, sir;
I'll bear you company.

Pom. Along then---- [Exeunt

SCENE III.-A Room in REGULUS'S House.
Enter MACRO, REGULUS, and Attendant.

Mac.
Tis Caesar's will to have a frequent senate;
And therefore must your edict lay dee