Centurion.

Annæus Seneca!

Sen. Well, sir: thy message? Art not thou Silvanus, That stoodst with Rufus and with Subrius Flavus? How hast thou wriggled out?

Cent. I am Silvanus, And bring thee Cæsar’s bidding.

Sen. Is it death?

Cent. ’Tis death.

Pau. Shame on thee.

Sen. Hush, wife: be brave.—A man Need not be shamed, sirs, that his wife bewail him. (To Paullina.) Go thou, Paullina, fetch my will.

Cent. Stay, madam: ’Tis not allowed.

Sen. This is unkind: my wealth Was Cæsar’s gift: but now he takes from me More than he ever gave, my life: ’tis mean To grudge me my last freedom, the little use I’d make of his old favours. I but wished To leave mementoes to three loving friends, Who have supped with me to-night.—In lieu thereof The example of my constancy shall be More lively undelayed by gentle speeches And farewell gifts. Come with me, all is ready.

Cent. I await thee.

Sen. Farewell, friends! Farewell, Paullina!

Pau. Not to me here.

Sen. Yes, we must part: the day Is not much hastened. See how skeleton-like Already the hand, with which I go to shear The filmy threads of life.

Pau. But I will die With thee.

Sen. Be still. Let not thy heart rebel. Now is the hour of proof.

Pau. If ’twere God’s will.

Sen. All is God’s will: and as we lived together In love, so now we part.

Pau. Why should we part? What thou doest I will do: I fear not death. I’ll hold my little candle by thy sun....

Sen. It may not be. Use thy high courage rather To live. Yes, live in peace: live long.

Pau. With thee Murdered! Alas!

Sen. Give me thy last embrace.

Pau. Was not my faith then true? Are we not one?

Sen. Yes, yes: we are one.

Pau. Then now forbid me not To die with thee.