C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
From ‘Sejanus’
By Ben Jonson (1572–1637)
S
For the great favors done unto our loves;
And but that greatest Livia bears a part
In the requital of thy services,
I should alone despair of aught like means
To give them worthy satisfaction.
Livia—Eudemus, I will see it, shall receive
A fit and full reward for his large merit.
But for this potion we intend to Drusus,—
No more our husband now,—whom shall we choose
As the most apt and abled instrument
To minister it to him?
Eudemus—I say, Lydgus.
Sejanus—Lydgus? what’s he?
Livia—An eunuch Drusus loves.
Eudemus—Ay, and his cup-bearer….
Sejanus—Send him to me; I’ll work him.—Royal lady,
Though I have loved you long, and with that height
Of zeal and duty, like the fire, which more
It mounts it trembles, thinking naught could add
Unto the fervor which your eye had kindled,—
Yet now I see your wisdom, judgment, strength,
Quickness and will to apprehend the means
To your own good and greatness, I protest
Myself through rarefied and turned all flame
In your affection: such a spirit as yours
Was not created for the idle second
To a poor flash, as Drusus; but to shine
Bright as the moon among the lesser lights,
And share the sovereignty of all the world.
Then Livia triumphs in her proper sphere,
When she and her Sejanus shall divide
The name of Cæsar, and Augusta’s star
Be dimmed with glory of a brighter beam;
When Agrippina’s fires are quite extinct,
And the scarce-seen Tiberius borrows all
His little light from us, whose folded arms
Shall make one perfect orb.
Look. ’Tis not Drusus, lady; do not fear.
Livia—Not I, my lord: my fear and love of him
Left me at once.
Sejanus—Illustrious lady, stay—
Eudemus[within]—I’ll tell his Lordship.
Eudemus—One of your Lordship’s servants brings you word
The Emperor hath sent for you.
Sejanus—Oh, where is he?
With your fair leave, dear princess, I’ll but ask
A question, and return.[Exit.]
Eudemus—Fortunate princess!
How are you blest in the fruition
Of this unequaled man, the soul of Rome,
The Empire’s life, and voice of Cæsar’s world!
So blessèd, my Eudemus, as to know
The bliss I have, with what I ought to owe
The means that wrought it. How do I look to-day?
Eudemus—Excellent clear, believe it. This same fucus
Was well laid on.
Livia—Methinks ’tis here not white.
Eudemus—Lend me your scarlet, lady. ’Tis the sun
Hath given some little taint unto the ceruse;
You should have used of the white oil I gave you.
Sejanus, for your love! his very name
Commandeth above Cupid or his shafts—
Livia—Nay, now you’ve made it worse.
Eudemus—I’ll help it straight—
And but pronounced, is a sufficient charm
Against all rumor; and of absolute power
To satisfy for any lady’s honor.
Livia—What do you now, Eudemus?
Eudemus—Make a light fucus,
To touch you o’er withal. Honored Sejanus!
What act, though ne’er so strange and insolent,
But that addition will at least bear out,
If’t do not expiate?
Livia—Here, good physician.
Eudemus—I like this study to preserve the love
Of such a man, that comes not every hour
To greet the world.—’Tis now well, lady, you should
Use of this dentifrice I prescribed you too,
To clear your teeth; and the prepared pomatum,
To smooth the skin. A lady cannot be
Too curious of her form, that still would hold
The heart of such a person, made her captive,
As you have his; who, to endear him more
In your clear eye, hath put away his wife,
The trouble of his bed, and your delights,
Fair Apicata, and made spacious room
To your new pleasures.
Livia—Have not we returned
That with our hate to Drusus, and discovery
Of all his counsels?
Eudemus—Yes, and wisely, lady.
The ages that succeed, and stand far off
To gaze at your high prudence, shall admire,
And reckon it an act without your sex:
It hath that rare appearance. Some will think
Your fortune could not yield a deeper sound
Than mixed with Drusus; but when they shall hear
That and the thunder of Sejanus meet,—
Sejanus, whose high name doth strike the stars,
And rings about the concave; great Sejanus,
Whose glories, style, and titles are himself,
The often iterating of Sejanus,—
They then will lose their thoughts, and be ashamed
To take acquaintance of them.
A rude departure, lady: Cæsar sends
With all his haste both of command and prayer.
Be resolute in our plot: you have my soul,
As certain yours as it is my body’s.
And, wise physician, so prepare the poison,
As you may lay the subtle operation
Upon some natural disease of his;
Your eunuch send to me. I kiss your hands,
Glory of ladies, and commend my love
To your best faith and memory.
Livia—My lord,
I shall but change your words. Farewell. Yet this
Remember for your heed: he loves you not;
You know what I have told you; his designs
Are full of grudge and danger; we must use
More than a common speed.
Sejanus—Excellent lady,
How you do fire my blood!
Livia—Well, you must go?
The thoughts be best, are least set forth to show.[Exit Sejanus.]
Eudemus—When will you take some physic, lady?
Livia—When
I shall, Eudemus: but let Drusus’s drug
Be first prepared.