Sejanus monologue (Act 10) — Sejanus: His Fall

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.