Scene 4.5

L

The State is beholden to you, Fabius Sanga, For this great care: And those Allobroges Are more then wretched, if they lend a listning To such perswasion.

W

They, most worthy Consul,

As men employ'd here, from a grieued State, Groaning beneath a multitude of wrongs, And being told, there was small hope of ease To be expected, to their euils, from hence; Were willing, at the first to give an eare To any thing, that sounded liberty: But since, on better thoughts, and my vrg'd reasons, They are come about, and wonne, to the true side.

The fortune of the Common-wealth hath conquer'd.

L

What is that same Vmbrenus, was the Agent?

W

One that hath had negotiation

In Gallia oft, and knowne vnto their State.

L

Are the Ambassadours come with you?

W

Yes.

L

Well, bring them in, if they be firme, and honest, Neuer had men the meanes so to deserue Of Rome, as they. A happy, wish'd occasion, And thrust into my hands, for the discouery, And manifest conuiction of these traytors.

Be thank'd; o Iupiter. My worthy Lords, Confederates of the Senate, you are welcome.

I vnderstand by Quintus Fabius Sanga, Your carefull Patron here, you have been lately Sollicited against the Common-wealth, By one Vmbrenus (take a seate, pray you) From Publius Lentulus, to be associates In their intended warre. I could aduise, That men, whose fortunes are yet flourishig, And are Romes friends, would not, without a cause, Become her enemies; and mixe themselues And their estates, with the lost hopes of Catiline, Or Lentulus, whose meere despaire doth arme them: That were to hazard certainties, for ayre, And vndergoe all danger, for a voyce.

Beleeue me, friends; ``Loud tumults are not laid

``With halfe the easinesse that they are rais'd.

`Àll may beginne a warre, but few can end it.

The Senate have decreed, that my Colleague Shall leade their army, against Catiline, And have declar'd both him, and Manlius traitors.

Metellus Celer hath already giuen Part of their troopes defeate. Honors are promis'd Euen to slaues, that can detect their courses.

Here, in the City, I have by the Prætors, And Tribunes, plac'd my guards, and watches so, That not a foote can treade, a breath can whisper, But I have knowledge. And be sure, the Senate, And People of Rome, of their accustom'd greatnesse, Will sharply, and seuerely vindicate, Not only any fact, but any practise Or purpose, 'gainst the State. Therefore, my Lords, Consult of your owne waies, and think which hand Is best to take. You, now, are present suters For some redresse of wrongs; I will vndertake Not only that shall be assur'd you, but What grace or priuiledge else, Senate, or People Can cast upon you, worthy such a seruice, As you have now the way, and meanes, to do them;

If but your willes consent, with my designes.

W

We couet nothing more, most worthy Consul.

And how so ere we have beene tempted lately, To a defection, that not makes us guilty: We are not yet so wretched in our fortunes, Nor in our willes so lost, as to abandon A friendship, prodigally, of that price, As is the Senate, and the People of Romes, For hopes, that do præcipitate themselues.

L

You then are wise, and honest. Do but this, then: When shall you speake with Lentulus, and the rest?

W

We are to meete anone, at Brutus house.

L

Who? Decius Brutus? He is not in Rome.

W

O, but his wife, Sempronia.

L

You instruct me,

She is a Chiefe. Well, faile not you to meete them, And to expresse the best affection You can put on, to all that they intend.

Like it, applaud it, give the Common-wealth And Senate, lost to them. Promise any aides By armes, or counsell. What they can desire I would have you preuent. Only, say this, You have had dispatch, in priuate, by the Consull Of your affaires, and for the many feares The State is now in, you are will'd by him, this euening, To depart Rome: which you, by all sought meanes, Will do, of reason to decline suspicion.

Now, for the more authority of the businesse They have trusted to you, and to give it credit With your owne State, at home, you would desire Their letters to your Senate, and your People,

Which shewne, you durst engage both life, and honor, The rest should euery way answere their hopes.

Those had, pretend sodaine departure you, And, as you give me notice, at what Port You will goe out, I will have you intercepted, And all the letters taken with you: So As you shall be redeem'd in all opinions, And they conuicted of their manifest treason.

`Ìll deedes are well turn'd backe, upon their Authors:

`Ànd 'gainst an Iniurer, the reuenge is iust.

This must be done, now.

W

Chearfully, and firmely.

We are they, would rather hast to vndertake it, They stay, to say so.

L

With that confidence, goe:

Make your selues happy, while you make Rome so.

By Sanga, let me have notice from you.

W

Yes.