w vain and vile a passion is this fear,
What base uncomely things it makes men do!
Suspect their noblest friends, as I did this,
Flatter poor enemies, entreat their servants,
Stoop, court, and catch at the benevolence
Of creatures, unto whom, within this hour,
I would not have vouchsafed a quarter-look,
Or piece of face! By you that fools call gods,
Hang all the sky with your prodigious signs,
Fill earth with monsters, drop the scorpion down,
Out of the zodiac, or the fiercer lion,
Shake off the loosen'd globe from her long hinge,
Roll all the world in darkness, and let loose
The enraged winds to turn up groves and towns!
When I do fear again, let me be struck
With forked fire, and unpitied die:
Who fears, is worthy of calamity. [Exit.

SCENE VIl.-Another Room in the same.

Enter TERENTIUS, MINUTIUS, LACO, COTTA, LATIARIS,
and POMPONIUS; REGULUS, TRIO, and others, on different sides.

Pom. Is not my lord here?

Ter. Sir, he will be straight.

Cot. What news, Fulcinius Trio?

Tri.
Good, good tidings;
But keep it to yourself. My lord Sejanus
Is to receive this day in open senate
The tribunitial dignity.

Cot. Is't true?

Tri. No words, not to your thought: but, sir, believe it.

Lat. What says the consul?

Cot.
Speak it not again:
He tells me, that to-day my lord Sejanus----

Tri.
I must entreat you, Cotta, on your honour
Not to reveal it.

Cot. On my life, sir.

Lat. Say.

Cot.
Is to receive the tribunitial power.
But, as you are an honourable man,
Let me conjure you not to utter it;
For it is trusted to me with that bond.

Lat. I am Harpocrates.

Ter. Can you assure it?

Pom. The consul told it me, but keep it close.

Min. Lord Latiaris, what's the news?

Lat.
I'll tell you;
But you must swear to keep it secret.
Enter SEJANUS.
Sej.
I knew the Fates had on their distaff left
More of our thread, than so.

Reg. Hail, great Sejanus!

Tri. Hail, the most honour'd!

Cot. Happy!

Lat. High Sejanus!

Sej. Do you bring prodigies too?

Tri.
May all presage
Turn to those fair effects, whereof we bring
Your lordship news.

Reg. May't please my