Sejanus monologue (Act 10) — Sejanus: His Fall

Send for the tribunes, we will straight have up More of the soldiers for our guard. [_Exit Terentius._] Minutius, We pray you go for Cotta, Latiaris, Trio, the consul, or what senators You know are sure, and ours. [_Exit Minutius._] You, my good Natta, For Laco, provost of the watch. [_Exit Natta._] Now, Satrius, The time of proof comes on; arm all our servants, And without tumult. [_Exit Satrius._] You, Pomponius, Hold some good correspondence with the consul: Attempt him, noble friend. [_Exit Pomponius._] These things begin To look like dangers, now, worthy my fates. Fortune, I see thy worst: let doubtful states, And things uncertain, hang upon thy will: Me surest death shall render certain still. Yet, why is now my thought turn’d toward death, Whom fates have let go on, so far in breath, Uncheck’d or unreproved? I that did help To fell the lofty cedar of the world, Germanicus; that at one stroke cut down Drusus, that upright elm; wither’d his vine; Laid Silius and Sabinus, two strong oaks, Flat on the earth; besides those other shrubs, Cordus and Sosia, Claudia Pulchra, Furnius and Gallus, which I have grubb’d up; And since, have set my axe so strong and deep Into the root of spreading Agrippina; Lopt off and scatter’d her proud branches, Nero. Drusus; and Caius too, although re-planted. If you will, Destinies, that after all, I faint now ere I touch my period, You are but cruel; and I already have done Things great enough. All Rome hath been my slave; The senate sate an idle looker on, And witness of my power; when I have blush’d More to command than it to suffer: all The fathers have sate ready and prepared. To give me empire, temples, or their throats. When I would ask ’em; and what crowns the top, Rome, senate, people, all the world have seen Jove, but my equal; Cæsar, but my second. ’Tis then your malice, Fates, who, but your own, Envy and fear to have any power long known.