9)

Hat. From the senate.

Tib. So.
Wlience these?

Lat. From thence too.
Tib. Are they sitting now?
Lat. They stay thy answer, Cæsar.

Sil. If this man
Had but a mind allied unto his words,
liow blest a fate were it to us, and Rome?
We could not think that state for which to

change,
Although the aim were our old liberty:
The ghosts of those that fell for that, would

grieve Their bodies liv'd not, now, again to serve. “ 18 Men are deceiv’d, who think there can

be thrall
“ Beneath a virtuous prince. Wish'd liberty
“ Ne'er lovelier looks, than under such a

crown."
But, when his grace is merely but lip-good,
And that, no longer than he airs himself
Abroad in public, there, to seem to shun
The strukes and stripes of flatterers, which

within
Are lechery unto him, and so feed
His brutish sense with their afflicting sound,
As (dead to virtue) he permits himself
Be carried like a pitcher by the ears,
To every act of vice: this is a case
Deserves our fear, and doth presage the nigh
And close approach of bloody tyranny.
“ Flattery is midwife unto princes' rage:
“ And nothing sooner doth help forth a
tyrant,

[have the time, " Than that, and whisperers grace, who “ The place, the pow'r, to make all men offenders.

[dissemble Arr. He should be told this; and be bid

With fools and blind men: we that know the evil,

[bane; Should hunt the palace-rats, or give them Fright hence these worse than ravens, that devour

[dead : The quick, where they but prey upon the He shall be told it.

Sab. Stay, Arruntius, We must abide our opportunity; And practise what is fit, as what is needful. “It is not safe tenforce a sovereign's ear : “ Princes hear well, if they at all will hear. Arr. Ha? say you so, well. In the mean

time, love,
(Say not, but I do call upon thee now)
Of all wild beasts preserve me from a tyrant;
And of all tame, a flatterer.

Sil. 'Tis well pray'd.
Tib. Return the lords this voice, we are

their creatures,
And it is fit a good and honest prince,
Whom they out of their bounty have in-

structed 19 With so dilate and absolute a power, Should owe the office of it to their service, And good of all and every citizen. Nor shall it e'er repent us to have wish'd The senate just, and fav’ring lords unto us, “ Since their free loves do yield no less defence

[cence.” “ T'a prince's state than his own innoSay then, there can be nothing in their

thought
Shall want to please us, that hath pleased

them;
Our suffrage rather shall prevent, than stay
Bebind their wills : 'tis empire to obey,
Where such, so great, so grave, so good dea

termine.

18 Men äre deceiv'd, who think there can be thrall

Beneath a virtuous prince. 'isli'd liberty

Ne'er 1 relier looks than under such a crown.] An instance of the poet's zeal for monarchy, and of his complaisance to the prince then reigning. He has given us a translation of the Latin,

Nunquam libertas gratior exstat,

Quàm sub rege pio. 19 Whom they out of their bounty have INSTRUCTED

With so dilate and absolute a power.] This is the reading of all the editions ; but Mr. Seward imagines instructed to be a corruption for intrusted, which gives a more easy and natural construction; and Mr. Theobald has the same correction in the margin of his copy. Perhaps a Latinism is here intended, and Jonson uses instructed in the sense, which the Romans sometimes assigned to instruo, of supplying, or furnishing. And consulting the original, I find this to be really the case; for the beginning of this speech is a translation of what is preserved by Suetonius: Dixit, &: nunc, & sæpè alids, P. C. bonum & salutarem principem, quem vos tantá & tam liberá potestate instruxistis, senatui servire debere, & universis civibus sæpè, & plerumque etiam singulis : neque id dixisse me pænitet; & bonos & æquos & faventes vos habui dominos, & adhuc habeo. Tiber. Cæs. c. 29. In this instance, as well as in many others, Jonson has verified the remark of Mr. Dryden, who says of him, that perhaps he did a little too much romanize our tongue, leaving the words which he translated, almost as much Latin as he found them; wherein, though he learnedly followed their language, he did not enough comply with the idiom of ours. What follows, to the conclusion of the speech, is to be met with in Tacitus, Annal. l. 4. c. 37. & 38. I would observe, however, that the translation of the poet is entirely in the sententious manner of the original, and con cludes with the well-known maxim,

Contemptu famæ contemni virtutes.

sue.

Yet, for the suit of Spain, t' erect a teniple The one, until the period of our race,
In honour of our mother and ourself,

T' inspire us with a free and quiet mind,
We must (with pardon of the senate) not Discerning both divine and human laws;
Assent thereto. Their lordships may object The other, to vouchsafe uis after death,
Our not denying the same late request An honourble mention, and fair praise,
Unto the Asian cities: we desire

T'accompany our actions and our name: That our defence for suffering that be known The rest of greatness princes may comIn these brief reasons, with our after pur

inand, pose.

And (therefore) may neglect; only, a long,
Since deiñed Augustus hindered not

A lasting, high, and happy memory
A temple to be built at Pergamum,

They should, without being satisfied, pur-
In honour of himself and sacred Rome ;

[tue. We, that have all his deeds and words ob- Contempt of fame, begets contempt of virserv'd

Nat. Rare!
Ever, in place of laws, the rather follow'd Sat. Most divine !
That pleasing precedent, because with ours, Sej. The oracles are ceas'd,
The senate's reverence also, there, was That only Cæsar, with their tongue might
join'd.

speak 20.

(open this 2!! But as, R have once receiv'd it, may de- Arr. Let me be gone: most felt and serve

Cor. Stay.
The gain of pardon ; so, to be ador'd

Arr. What, to hear more cuining, and
With the continu'd style, and note of gods,

fine words,

[ineant ? Through all the provinces, were wild am- With their sound flatter'd, ere their sense be bition,

Tib. Their choice of Antium, there to And no less pride: yea even Augustus' name

place the gift Would early vanish, should it be profan'd Vow'd to the goddess for our mother's health, With such promiscuous flatteries. For our We will the senate know, we fairly like ; part,

[Fortuna equestris. We here protest it, and are covetous As also of their grant to Lepidus, Posterity should know it, we are mortal; For his repairing the Æmilian palace, And can but deeds of men: 'twere glory And restauration of those monuments : enough,

(adá Their grace too in confining of Silanus Could we be truly a prince. And they shall To th' other isle Cithera, at the suit Abounding grace unto our inemory, Of his religious sister, much commends That shall report us worthy our fore-fa- Their policy, so temp'red with their mercy. thers,

But for the honours which they have deCareful of your affairs, constant in dangers,

creed And not afraid of any private frown

To our Sejanus, to advance his statue For public good. These things shall be In Pompey's theatre (whose ruining fire to us

His vigilance, and labour kept restrain'd Temples and statues, reared in your minds, In that one loss) they have therein out-gone The fairest, and most during imag’ry: Their own great wisdoms, by their skilful For those of stone or brass, if they become

choice, Odious in judgment of posterity,

And placing of their bounties on a man, Are more contemn'd as dying sepulchres, Whose merit more adorns the dignity, Than ta'en for living monuments. We then Than that can him; and gives a benefit, Make here our suit, alike to gods and In taking, greater than it can receive. men ;

Blush not, Sejanus, thou great aid of Rome,

-The oracles are ceas'd, That only Cæsar, with their tongue, might speak.] The poet with great judgment lays hold on the common opinion of the cessation of oracles about this time, and turns it to a very artful piece of pattery. The fact may be false, but the received notions of Jonson's age sufficiently justify the application. If the reader is desirous to know the sentiments of the learned with regard to the cessation of oracles at this time, I refer him to Vandale de Oraculis, and Fontenelle's Histoire des Orucles.

21 Let me be gone, most FELT, and open this !] The honest-hearted Arruntius is impatient to be gone, and vent his indignation at such gross flattery; but the present reading, most fell, conveys n idea of this kind. The true reading seems to be fleet, which agrees with itse intention of the speaker.- Mr. SEWARD.

The diction is forced, and uncommon; but I believe the pointing should be corrected, and the present word retained, which is the reading of all the copies.

Arr. Let me be gone : most felt and open this. The meaning is, “Let me hasten away; this flattery is not to be endured, it is too gross, “(felt for) palpable, and open.” The poet seems to have made perspicuity of expression give place to the measure of his verse.

25

12 A Castor, a Castor, &c.] This appellation, as Jonson himself informs us from Dion Cassius, was given by the people to Drusus, on account of the warmth and violence of his temper. In this action of Drusus, the poet professeth to have followed the account of Tacitus; for the story is told otherwise by Dioli, and his epitomizer Xiphilin ; and the general character ot Diesus is represented by them in disadvantageous colours: Tn Heylon ogyn siw χαλεπη εχρηθω, ωσε και πληγας ιπτει επιφανει δαναι, και δια τείο και Κατωρ σαρωνυμιον ελαβε.

à philin. p. 104. edit. Hen. Steph. Par. 1551. • He was of so passionate a disposition, that he beat an illustrious person of the equestrian “ order, for which r-ason he had the surname of Custor given him.”

23 Chirrus of 11 seciuns.) A band of thülers as a chorus to a tragedy, wrote upon the plan of the anti-pis, makes, as Mr. Sympson observes, a very different appearance from what we meet with in Éschylus, or sophocles. Jonson was sensible of this, and offers some sort of apology for it in his preface. In the Catiline he hath endeavoured to be more exact; and introduces, yet without much mending the matter, a proper chorus, in imitation of the ancient tragedians.

A CT 11.

means

Sejanus, Liria, Eudemus. , Quickness, and will, to apprehend the Sej. PHYŞurovince, thou art worthy of a To your own good and greatness, I protest

Myself through rarified, and turn'd all For the great favours done unto our loves;

flame And, but that greatest Livia bears a part In

your affection :

: such a spirit as yours, In the requital of thy services,

Was not created for the idle second I sbould alone despair ofaught, like means, To a poor flash, as Drusus; but to shine To give them worthy satisfaction.

Bright as the moon among the lesser lights, Lir. Eudemus (I will see it) shall receive And share the sov'reignty of all the world. A fit and full reward for his large merit. Then Livia triumphs in her proper sphere, But for this portion we intend to Drusus, When she and her Sejanus shall divide (No more our husband now) whom shall The name of Cæsar, and Augusta's star we chuse

Be dimm’d with glory of a brighter beam: As the most apt and abled instrument', When Agrippina's tires are quite extinct, To minister it to him?

And the scarce-seen Tiberius borrows all Eud. i say Lygdus.

His little light from us, whose folded arms Sej. Lygius what's he?

Shall make one perfect orb. Who's that? Lic. An eunuch Drusus loves.

Eudemus, Eud. I, and his cup-bearer.

Look, 'tis not Drusus? Lady, do not fear. Sej. Name not a second.

Lid. Not I, my lord: my fear and love If Drusus loves him, and he have that place, Left me at once.

[of him We cannot think a fitter.

Sej. Illustrious lady, stayEud. True, my lord.

Eud. I'll teil his lordship. For free access, and trust, are two main aids. Sej. Who is it, Eudemus? (you word Sej. Skilful physician!

Eud. One of your lordship's servants brings Lit. But he must be wrought

The emp’ror hath sent for you. To th' undertaking, with some labour'd art. Sej. O: where is he?

[ask Sej. Is he ambitious ?

With your fair leave, dear princess, I'll but Lio. No.

A question, and return. [He goes out. Sej. Or covetous ?

Ėud. Fortunate princess! Lio. Neither.

How are you blest in the fruition Eud. Yet, gold is a good general charm. Of this unequal'd man, the soul of Rome, Sej. What is he then?

The empire's life, and voice of Cæsar's Liv. Faith, only wanton, light.

world! Sej. How ! is he

young
and fair?

Liv. So blessed, my Eudemus, as to know Eud. A delicate youth.

[lady, The bliss I have, with what I ought to owe Sej. Send him to me, I'll work him. Royal The means that wrought it. How do I look Though I have lov’d you long, and with that

to-day? height

Eud. Excellent clear, believe it. This Of zeal and duty, (like the fire, which more

same tucus It mounts it trembles) thinking nought could

Was well laid on. add

[led; Liv. Methinks 'tis here not white. Unto the fervour which your eye had kind- Eud. Lend me your scarlet, lady. 'Tis Yet, now I see your wisdom, judgment, strength,

Hath giv’n some little taint unto the ceruse”, As the most apt, and Blest instrument.] The measure is here defective, by the loss of a foot; and blest instrument is a phrase not very congruous to the place it stands in. The quarto of 1605, and holio oi 1016, both read abled, which undoubtedly is the genuine word; and as such I have adınitted it into the text. Ablest seems to have been designed by the editor, which is the reading of the folio in 1640.

Tis the sun Hath giren some little tuint unto the ceruse.] By the ceruse, I should imagine is to be understood, not any white-wash, or the common preparation of lead with vinegar, but a colour rather inclining to what the pamters call carnation. It was a composition that could not stand the warmth of the sun. Martial alludes to it, and seems to make a difference between a common white and the ceruse :

Quàm cretata timet Fabulla nimbum,
Cerussata timet Sabella solem.-L. 2. ep. 41.

the sun

2

you should

You should have us'd of the white oil I As you may lay the subtil operation
gave you,

Upon some natural disease of his.
Sejanus, for your love ! his very name Your eunuch send to me. I kiss your hands,
Commandeth above Cupid or his shafts- Glory of ladies, and commend my love

(Liv. Nay, now you've made it worse. To your best faith and memory.
Eud. I'll help it straight.)

Lit. My lord,

Sthis And but pronounc'd, is a sufficient charın I shall but change your words. Farewell. Yet Against rumcur; and of absolute power Remember for your heed, he loves you not; To satisfy for any lady's honour.

You know what I have told you: his designs (Lio. 'What do you now,

Eudemus? Are full of grudge and danger; we must use
Eud. Make a light fucus, (janus ! More than a common speed.
To touch you o'er withal.) Honour'd Se- Sej. Excellent lady,
What act (tho'ne'er so strange and insolent) How

you
do fire

my blood ! But that addition will at least bear out,

Liv. Well, you must go ?

[show If't do not expiate?

The thoughts be best, are least set forth to Lir. Here, good physician.

Eud. When will you take some physick, Eud. I like this study to preserve the love

lady? Of such a man, that comes not every

hour Lio. When
To greet the world. : ('Tis now well, lady, I shall, Eudemus : but let Drusus' drug

Be first prepar'd.
Use of the dentifrice I prescrib'd you too, Eud. 'were Lygdus made, that's done ;
To clear your teeth, and the prepar'd po- I have it re dy. And to-morrow morning
matum,

I'll send you a perfuine, first to resolve
To smooth the skin :) A lady cannot be And procure sweat, and then prepare a bath
Too curious of her form, that still would hold To cleanse and clear the cutis; against when
The heart of such a person, made her cap- I'll have an excellent new fucus made,
tive,

Resistive 'gainst the sun, the rain, or wind,
As you have this: who, to endear him more Which you shall lay on with a breath or oil,
In your clear eye, hath put away his wife, As you best like, and last some fourteen
The trouble of his bed, and your delights,

hours.

[health, Fair Apicata, and made spacious room This change came timely, lady, for your To your new pleasures.

And the restoring your complexion, Liv. Have not we return'd

Which Drusus' choler had almost burnt up: That with our hate to Drusus, and discovery Wherein

your

fortune hath prescrib’d you Of all his counsels ?

better Eud. Yes, and wisely, lady.

Than art could do. The

ages that succeed, and stand far off Liv. Thanks, good plıysician, To gaze at your high prudence, shall ad- I'll use my fortune (you shall see) with revemire,

rence. And reckon it an act, without your sex: Is my coach ready? It hath that rare appearance. Some will Eud. It attends your highness.

think Your fortune could not yield a deeper sound,

Sejanus. Than mixt with Drusus: but, when they If this be not revenge, when I have done shall hear

anand niade it perfect, let Egyptian slaves, That, and the thunder of Sejanus meet, Parthians, and bare foot Hebrews brand my Sejanus, whose high name doth strike the

face,
stars,

And print my body full of injuries.
And rings about the concave; great Sejanus, Thou lost thyself, child Drusus, when thou
Whose glories, stile and titles are hiinself,

thought'st

[out-stand The often iterating of Sejanus : [asham'd

Thou could'st out-skip my vengeance; or
They then will lose their thou gbts, and be The power I had to crush thee into air.
To take acquaintance of them.

Thy follies now shall taste what kind of man
Enter Sejanus.

They have provok'd, and this thy father's
Sej. I must make

house
A rude departure, lady: Cæsar sends Crack in the fame of my incensed rage,
With all his haste both of command and Whose fury shall admit no shame or mean.
prayer.

Adultery! it is the lightest ill
Be resolute in our plot; you have my soul, I will commit. A race of wicked acts
As certain yours as it is my body's.

Shall flow out of my anger, and o'er-spread
And, wise physician, so prepare the poison, The world's wide face, which no posterity'

Which no posterity Shall e'er approve, nor yet keep silent.] This sentiment, with what precedes and follows it, is expressed from the Thyestes of Seneca :

Age,

3