Claudius and Silanus in “Fool's Luck”

Why, Silanus? Why?

Tyrant!

Tyrant? I don't understand. What harm have I ever done you? I brought you back from Spain, I made you a minister, I connected you by marriage with my family.

Yes! To put me in bed with your wife and service her like a bull!

[outraged] What do you mean? What do you mean?!

You're all the same! Don't toy with me, Caesar, I'm not a slave. Do what you have to do.

I ask you again: what do you mean?

You know what I mean! How predictable you Emperors are! All your reigns begin and end the same. From vices timidly concealed to vices openly displayed. One follows the other as surely as decay follows death.

[to Praetorians] Fetch the Lady Messalina, and fetch her mother!

Oh, get it over with Caesar! We've seen this play before, don't make us sit through it till the end.

You will explain that calumny on my wife and on her mother. And if you do not or will not to my satisfaction, you will surely die for this attempt on my life!