AFER. Silius, Silius, These are the common customs of thy blood, When it is high with wine, as now with rage: This well agrees with that intemperate vaunt, Thou lately mad’st at Agrippina’s table, That, when all other of the troops were prone To fall into rebellion, only thine Remain’d in their obedience. Thou wert he That saved the empire, which had then been lost Had but thy legions, there, rebell’d, or mutined; Thy virtue met, and fronted every peril. Thou gav’st to Cæsar, and to Rome their surety; Their name, their strength, their spirit, and their state, Their being was a donative from thee. 

 ARRUNTIUS. Well worded, and most like an orator. 

 TIBERIUS. Is this true, Silius? 

 SILIUS. Save thy question, Cæsar; Thy spy of famous credit hath affirm’d it. 

 ARRUNTIUS. Excellent Roman! 

 SABINUS. He doth answer stoutly. 

 SEJANUS. If this be so, there needs no farther cause Of crime against him. 

 VARRO. What can more impeach The royal dignity and state of Cæsar, Than to be urged with a benefit He cannot pay? 

 COTTA. In this, all Ceesar’s fortune Is made unequal to the courtesy. 

 LATIARIS. His means are clean destroyed that should requite. 

 GALLUS. Nothing is great enough for Silius’ merit. 

 ARRUNTIUS. Gallus on that side too!                           [Aside.] 

 SILIUS. Come, do not hunt, And labour so about for circumstance, To make him guilty whom you have foredoom’d: Take shorter ways, I’ll meet your purposes. The words were mine, and more I now will say: Since I have done thee that great service, Cæsar, Thou still hast fear’d me; and in place of grace, Return’d me hatred: so soon all best turns, With doubtful princes, turn deep injuries In estimation, when they greater rise Than can be answer’d. Benefits, with you, Are of no longer pleasure, than you can With ease restore them; that transcended once, Your studies are not how 

 Prev. P 61/205 next