act a tragedy, i'faith. Will nothing but our gods serve these poets
to profane? dispatch! Player, I thank thee. The emperor shall take
knowledge of thy good service. [A knocking within.] Who's there
now? Look, knave. [Exit Lictor.] A crown and a sceptre! this is
good rebellion, now.

Lic. 'Tis your pothecary, sir, master Minos.

Lup. What tell'st thou me of pothecaries, knave! Tell him, I have
affairs of state in hand; I can talk to no apothecaries now. Heart
of me! Stay the pothecary there. [Walks in a musing posture.] You
shall see, I have fish'd out a cunning piece of plot now: they have
had some intelligence, that their project is discover'd, and now
have they dealt with my apothecary, to poison me; 'tis so; knowing
that I meant to take physic to-day: as sure as death, 'tis there.
Jupiter, I thank thee, that thou hast. yet made me so much of a
politician.
[Enter Minos.
You are welcome, sir; take the potion from him there; I have an
antidote more than you wot of, sir; throw it on the ground there:
so! Now fetch in the dog; and yet we cannot tarry to try
experiments now: arrest him; you shall go with me, sir; I'll tickle
you, pothecary; I'll give you a glister, i'faith. Have I the
letter? ay, 'tis here.--Come, your fasces, lictors: the half pikes
and the Halberds, take them down from the Lares there. Player,
assist me.
[As they are going out, enter MECAENAS and HORACE.
Mec. Whither now, Asinius Lupus, with this armory?

Lup. I cannot talk now; I charge you assist me: treason! treason!