Macro monologue (Act 9) — Sejanus: His Fall

Return’d so soon! renew’d in trust and grace! Is Cæsar then so weak, or hath the place But wrought this alteration with the air; And he, on next remove, will all repair? Macro, thou art engaged: and what before Was public; now, must be thy private, more. The weal of Cæsar, fitness did imply; But thine own fate confers necessity On thy employment; and the thoughts born nearest Unto ourselves, move swiftest still, and dearest. If he recover, thou art lost; yea, all The weight of preparation to his fall Will turn on thee, and crush thee: therefore strike Before he settle, to prevent the like Upon thyself. He doth his vantage know, That makes it home, and gives the foremost blow.