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Sylvius is suspected, as I hear.

Hush! let us to our duty; it is time To change the inner guard. [Exeunt, with music, into the gate of the palace.

A Council Chamber in the Palace: with his Counsellors discovered;  in the act of speaking.

Yes, Servius; formerly we have admitted, As minor powers, amongst the ancient gods Of high imperial Rome, the foreign deities Of friendly nations; but these Nazarenes Scorn such association, proudly claiming For that which is the object of their faith, Sole, undivided homage: and our altars, Our stately temples, the majestic forms Of Mars, Apollo, thund'ring Jove himself, By sculptor's art divine so nobly wrought, Are held by these mad zealots in contempt. Examine, sayest thou! shall imperial Cæsar Deign to examine what withstands his power? I marvel at thy folly, Servius Sillus.