Latiaris monologue (Act 9) — Sejanus: His Fall

Methinks the genius of the Roman race Should not be so extinct, but that bright flame Of liberty might be revived again, (Which no good man but. with his life should lose) And we not sit like spent and patient fools, Still puffing in the dark at one poor coal, Held on by hope till the last spark is out. The cause is public, and the honour, name, The immortality of every soul, That is not bastard or a slave in Rome, Therein concern’d: whereto, if men would change The wearied arm, and for the weighty shield So long sustain’d, employ the facile sword, We might soon have assurance of our vows. This ass’s fortitude doth tire us all: It must be active valour must redeem Our loss, or none. The rock and our hard steel Should meet to enforce those glorious fires again, Whose splendour cheer’d the world, and heat gave life, No less than doth the sun’s.