Chapter IV: Part 4

_Sce., Se^{o.} and Qu._ Our humble thanks.

[_Exeunt, bowing separately to Nero and Seneca._

_Ner._ Now we are private.

_Sen._ If your majesty
Will lend me attention, I will put my business
Shortly.

_Ner._ I shall not interrupt.

_Vat._ Nor I; 880
Unless I snore. (_Sits._)

_Sen._ ’Tis fourteen years, Cæsar, since I was first
Chosen your guide; and for eight years and more
You have governed the empire not without my aid.
Through all w^h time your kindness hath heaped ón me
So many dignities and so much wealth,
That nothing wants to my felicity
Save some curtailment of it.—I can allege
Precedents for my conduct: the divine Augustus,
Who was your great-great-grandfather, permitted
Marcus Agrippa to withdraw himself
To Mitylenè and a private life:
Mæcenas too he let abide in Rome,
As in a foreign country, at his ease;—
Whereof the one had served in all his wars,
The other toiled at home; and each grown rich
With presents answerable to their high deserts.
As for myself, what I have done to merit
Your prodigal favour,—being but a student,
A teacher, a philosopher,—I say not: 900
But being enriched, it comforteth my mind
’Twas not for me to strive against your gifts.
Both of us, sire, have filled our measure, you
In giving all a prince should give a friend,
I taking what a friend might from a prince.
But now, sire, in my journey of life grown old,
The business of my riches burdens me.
And ’tis by envy augmented; which if you
Be set above the sting of, yet ’tis known
What curse to peace it is. Wherefore I pray,
Let me retire. I crave your helping hand
To ease me of my wealth: that I restore
Whence first I had it, to yourself: receive it,
I pray you, as your own. You, in your flower,
May serve your generation, and permit
Your old friends to betake themselves to rest.
’Twill be your praise, sire, to have enriched such men
As could live happy in a mean estate.

_Tig._ (_half aside_). There’s something behind this.

_Ner._ (_to Tig._). Silence, I bid!

(_To Sen._) If, Seneca, I am able out of hand
To meet thy long premeditated speech
With equal answer, that I owe to thee,
And thine instruction.—First thou didst allege
Mæcenas and Agrippa: but from them
Divine Augustus took not back their wealth;
Which if they won in danger, yet I doubt not
Thy weapons and thy hand would not have wanted
Had I had need of them. But what I needed
That gavest thou; such reason and good counsel
As shall abide with me while my life lasteth. 930
Those goods material, which thou hadst of me,
Are liable to perish; and I am shamed
That thou, who art the first in my affection,
Art not first also in wealth:—nay, there be slaves
Own more than thou:—and for thine age, I know
Thou’rt lusty for thy years, and able well
To enjoy thy wealth and its commodities.
Keep thy rewards still, and still do us service:
If slipperiness of youth be overprone
To what it should not, thou mayst draw us back;
And our unseemly and unruly zeal
Temper with kind advice. Harked I to thee,
’Tis not thy moderation we should hear of,
Nay, nor thy ease, shouldst thou forsake our service:
Rather my covetousness and thy fear
Would be in all men’s mouths. ’Twould ill beseem
Such a philosopher as thou, at cost
Of thy friend’s infamy to win thy comfort.

_Tig._ Hear, hear! ’Tis well said, Cæsar!

_Vat._ Admirable!
But somewhat senecal.

_Ner._ Embrace me, Seneca. 950
Let us be friends.

_Vat._ Ye gods! I shall be jealous.
Me too, my lord.

_Sen._ If, Cæsar, in this embrace
Power kissed philosophy, ’twere well with both.

_Ner._ I have my own philosophy to kiss;
Be thou content with thine.

_Sen._ Nay, the wise man
Is so convinced of truth, he seeks to impart it.

_Ner._ I would impart my wisdom unto thee.

(_A Messenger enters and speaks to Tigellinus, who goes out with him._)

_Sen._ Alas! all schools alike spew out your doctrines,
Zeno or Epicurus.

_Ner._ That is because
You all agree to teach what none believes,
That pain and misery and death are nothing,
But goodness all-sufficient. Tell me, Seneca,
Can a good man be happy on the rack?

_Vat._ Not if the rack be good.

_Sen._ Such questions, Cæsar,
Have their fit time and place. I came to offer
My wealth and counsel both; you refuse both,
And let your fool mock me.—Knows he not whom
Ill manners hurt, that thus he wounds his master?

_Ner._ And better have no manners than be made,
As thou, of manners only. Thou affectest 970
Insensibility; thy pompous maxims
Of wordy wisdom thou wouldst pass for strong
Because they are harsh, generous because inflated.
Thy rhetoric is like a mouldy cake;
I have eaten to loathing of it: I would no more.

_Sen._ Look for no more. That speech delivers you.
Whether my words are false and empty bubbles
There’s nought to show, but ’twill appear the day
When life must answer for it:—The condition,
Cæsar, I accept, and do not fear the judgment.

[_Bows to Nero and exit._

_Re-enter Tigellinus excitedly._

_Tig._ My house is burning, Cæsar!

_Ner._ Well! if it be?
By all the gods, vex me not now.

_Tig._ My house!

_Ner._ And what’s thy house, curse it? when half the city
Was burned to the ground, wert thou not cool? why now
Fume for thy house?

_Tig._ Cæsar, the Vatican!

_Ner._ The Vatican!

_Tig._ You may see it from the windows.

_Ner._ (_going to window_). Then Rome will all be burned.

_Tig._ (_aside_). And by thy foes.
When the wínd was in the south, they fired the south:
Now it hath changed, they fire the north.

_Ner._ (_returning_). ’Tis true.
I can do nó móre: it must búrn.

_Tig._ What, sire, 990
To tell the captains? May they use discretion
To pull down?

_Ner._ Bid them change the wind, man: bid them
Snow from the south. Wóod must búrn; when ’tis burnt,
I will rebuild in stone. Go: tell them that!
Go, sir! Stay: hark! Have supper laid to-night
On the palace roof, music beneath, and ladders
Outside for the attendance. [_Exit Tig. and Vat._
If Rome must burn,
Well, let me see it. (_Goes to window._)

_Enter Poppæa._

_POPPÆA._

Ah, Nero, Nero! Rome will all be burned.
Canst thou do nought?

_Ner._ Nothing. Come watch it with me.
What are my spectacles to this? The gods
Burn at my feet the capital of the world,
’Tis done for me to look on.

_Pop._ Hast thou a heart?

_Ner._ There is no mischief, love, I am not a match for.
Rome is a second Troy, but when Troy burned
None built it up; but I will rebuild Rome:
Its name shall be Neropolis.

_Pop._ Vain thou art!

_Ner._ Eh! wouldst thou have it Poppæapolis?

_Pop._ I would not jest to think of all the misery,
These homeless thousands....

_Ner._ Seneca hath taught me
The good man cannot suffer, and the bad 1011
Deserves ill-fortune.

_Pop._ Woe to me! alas,
That e’er I loved thee! one day too shall I
Taste of thy scorn.

_Ner._ Nay, love; thy will’s my law.
Tell me what I shall do.

_Pop._ If thou didst love me
Thou wouldst not suffer Acte in the palace.

_Ner._ Acte! what’s she to do with it now? and yet
If that’s thy sorrow, she shall go to-day.
Send the witch hither.

_Pop._ And never to return.

_Ner._ Send her at once. I promised thee.

[_Exit Poppæa._

See how
’Tis private pleasure that she seeks, nought else:
And Seneca the same. That’s the true fire,
That burns unquenchable in all human hearts.
Let it rage, and consume the rotten timbers
Of old convention, the dry mouldering houses
Of sad philosophy, that in their stead
I may build up the free and ample structure
Of modern wisdom. Ay, and let Rome burn.
Blow, wind, and fan the flames till all’s consumed;
That out of full destruction may arise 1030
The perfect city of my reconstruction,
Beautiful, incombustible, Neronic;
Good out of ill: or rather there’s no ill:
’Tis good’s condition, cradle: ’tis good itself.
But now for Acte, my Acte: poor little Acte!
That bearest all so patiently; the insult
And domineering scorn, which this fine lady,
Whom for her beauty I have made my empress,
Pours on thy head! Thou shalt have full protection:
I cannot give it here, but I can send thee
To those who hate thy rival, and for that
Will cherish thee. Thy rival! rob me of thee!
Why, there’s no clown in my subservient world,
No drudge of lot the vilest, but may smile
Secure in tyranny of one fair province,
Where young love first campaigned, the tender trust
Of a devoted woman: and shall Cæsar
Throw up this allmen’s joy? nay, here the heart rules:
Who aims at thee wounds me.

_Re-enter Poppæa with Acte._

I thank thee, love; now leave us. Hither, Acte!

(_Poppæa goes out, and is seen to hide where she can be seen by the audience, and can overhear._)

_ACTE._

_Act._ Cæsar sent for me. 1051

_Ner._ My sweetest, dearest girl: my only pleasure.
I have ill news for thee.

_Act._ Nought can seem ill
Told me by Nero.

_Ner._ Acte, thy noble Cæsar
Is sometimes sad.

_Act._ Ah, ’tis the fire: thou’rt sorry
For thy poor folk. Would I had strength to cheer thee,
If thou didst send for this.

_Ner._ No: but to see thee
Doth comfort me. It comforts me to tell thee
I am not happy.

_Act._ Let the happiness
Which thy love gives me, turn to thee again. 1060

_Ner._ Acte, I think, I know, Acte, that thou
Art the only one in the world that truly loves me.

_Act._ I wish it were no crime to wish I were.
Yet I would have all love thee, since I know
None can as I.

_Ner._ And none hath loved so long:
Thou wert my first delight.

_Act._ Did Cæsar send
To tell me this bad news?

_Ner._ Nay, but I love to tell it:
Now for the bad. Hark: thou must leave the palace:
Poppæa is jealous, and the day draws near
When she and I must solemnize our nuptials:
Rome needs an heir.

_Act._ I am not jealous óf her,
If Cæsar love me; for I know that Cæsar
Cannot be bound like other men.

_Ner._ ’Tis true:
And I can send thee too where they will love thee;
To Silia’s house; thou wilt be happier there.

_Act._ I think so.

_Ner._ This is not dismissal.

_Act._ Nay.

_Ner._ ’Tis needful for thy sake.

_Act._ I know that Nero
Will not love Acte less, when she is away
From his dislikes.

_Ner._ Ah, pretty sweet, thou know’st
My secretest heart. Come, I will write a letter
For thee to take to Silia. Come! (_The fire brightens._)

_Act._ (_turning_). O, Nero, 1081
The fire, the fire! I am frightened.

_Ner._ Hide thine eyes
And think not of it.

_Act._ Nay, but I can hear it,
And smell the smoke.

_Ner._ It shall not hurt thee, darling:
And Silia’s house lies down beyond the Tiber,
Far from the flames. Come, sweetest, thou shalt sit
Beside me while I write the letter. Come!
I treasure thee ’bove all I have. Fear not!

[_Exeunt Nero and Acte. Poppæa comes out from
where she was hid. The fire rages._

_Pop._ Accursed wretch! I knew it: she is thy wife.
And I thy harlot. Yet I can dissemble—
I can dissemble too—I, sanctified
By long devotion to the Queen of heaven,
Shelter too well thy godless head. I live
To reign when thou art dead. Vain, hideous fool!
Whose heart not murder scathes nor fire can scare,
Proof by self-evil against all outer evil:
There is one mischief that thou’rt not a match for,
The hate of thy bed-fellow. I shall be avenged.

(_There is at the end of this act such a tableau of fire as the stage machinery will allow of. The fire is first seen thro’ the windows when Tigellinus sends Nero to the window at line 986. At Acte’s speech, ‘Nero, the fire!’ it is very bright: and its climax is during Poppæa’s last speech._)

ACT · III

SCENE · 1

_A burned street in Rome: night._

_THRASEA._

In these burned streets I wander like a ghost:
Rome is no more: O see, my memoried Rome,
My senatorial city is burned and gone! 1101
The city of Camillus, whose abrupt
And tortuous streets my ancestors have threaded,
Here going about a tower of Servius,
Here an Etruscan temple of carved wood,
Here by some patriot tribune’s gabled home:
All gone, as the free spirit that made it, gone:
And I, like this old beam, in vain escaped
The burning, shall be cast out, nor find place
In the new Rome that Cæsar promises,
O’erlaid with perfected monotony,
The textbook ornaments of shallow taste,
Imperial gewgaws.—What poet was it said
That Desolation was a beautiful thing?
What parricidal spirit? To cut down
And burn the gnarl’d trunk of a thousand years,
And plant the trifling shoot of one gay summer
Rootless in the ground. (_Cries heard._) What noise is this?
Some wretched Christian, that in blind revenge
The maddened people sacrifice.

_Enter the mob carrying off Clitus—Epicharis following._

_MOB._

Burn him! To the Vatican! to the Vatican! Burn him!

_EPICHARIS._

Pity, pity, pity, sirs! He is guiltless, indeed he is guiltless. He is my brother.

_Thr._ Stay, ye mad fools! To what detestable,
Forbidden crime of hellish witchcraft haste ye!

_Mob._ Here’s another. He’s a Christian. Seize him!

_Thr._ Hands off, fools! I am Thrasea.

_Mob._ Thrasea! 1130

_Thr._ Are ye Romans?

_Citizen._ ’Tis Nero’s order.

_Ep._ (_kneeling to Thrasea_). O sir, save thou my brother.

_Cit._ If thou wert Thrasea, man, thou wouldst not hinder us from punishing them that fired the city.

_Mob._ On! on!

_Another Cit._ Nay, nor let any Christian woman touch thee.

_Mob._ To the Vatican! on! (_Going._)

_Thr._ Fools, I am Thrasea, and I bid you stay.

_Mob._ Burn him, burn him! [_Exeunt Mob, etc._

_Thr._ Stay! Are ye men?

_Ep._ O sir, ’tis my brother, my brother Clitus; save him!

_Thr._ What can I do? Alas, (_calls_) stay! stay! (_To Ep._) Thou seest. [_Exeunt running._

_Enter Lateranus and Flavus._

_LATERANUS._

This is the only way. The Fabian street
Is blocked with red-hot ashes.

_FLAVUS._

Where’s this Natalis?

_Lat._ He should be here; we must wait for him.

_Fla._ You trust him, sir?

_Lat._ Yes.

_Fla._ And Piso?

_Lat._ Certainly.

_Fla._ It is hard, sir, for a man like me, to trust a man like Piso. I yield to the choice of my betters, and the vote of the majority. I would not split the party. Yet I wish we had persuaded Seneca!

_Lat._ So do I, and it cost him a pang to refuse. ’Twas only Thrasea’s opinion that overweighted him.

_Fla._ Priscus ruined us.

_Lat._ There’s no choice for us now; and I doubt not we can make Piso emperor. He hath a wider following than Seneca. But when we have set him up, ’twill be in the power of any to pull him down.

_Fla._ And then Seneca: why not Seneca then?

_Lat._ Hush! who comes?

_Fla._ ’Tis Rufus.

_Enter Rufus._

_RUFUS._

Good evening, gentlemen; go you to Petronius’?

_Fla._ We do, general. 1171

_Lat._ We wait for Natalis.

_Ruf._ Flavus, I’m glad of thee; hast thou heard of any new adherents?

_Fla._ Too many, general: and not the least some of Cæsar’s bosom friends.

_Ruf._ Who are they?

_Fla._ There’s Scevinus, hot as fire, who drags with him Senecio and Quintian, with one or two more filibustering fellows.

_Ruf._ The household contingent should help us when we come to close quarters.

_Fla._ If they are to be trusted.

_Ruf._ If a man cannot be trusted to hate Nero for a week or ten days, there’s little to reckon on in this world.

_Lat._ Here is Natalis.

_Enter Natalis._

_NATALIS._

All’s well. Piso is at Petronius’s.

_Ruf._ Hath he consented to head our party?

_Nat._ Yes, believe me. But you will find him cautious and delicate in speaking of it.

_Fla._ If he speak not, how shall we trust him? He may turn on us.

_Nat._ My life for yours; my assurance; what oath you will ...

_Ruf._ We know, Natalis, thou art a man of honour,
One that would not deceive us, wert thou not
As heartily with us as I know thou art.

_Nat._ I am much hurt that Flavus questions Piso.

_Ruf._ He knows not, sir, the perfect intimacy
’Twixt Piso and thee. For my part, I should think
Piso unreliable, if I should find him 1201
Hasty and indiscreet in such a matter.

_Fla._ I use but the same caution.

_Nat._ I do not blame you:
But be assured he is won.—My part is done.
Go you and prosper. Farewell, sirs. (_Going._)

_All._ Farewell. [_Exit Natalis._

_Ruf._ ’Tis good, now let us to Petronius’. [_Exeunt._

SCENE · 2

_The previous scene withdraws, showing a supper-room in the house of PETRONIUS. Slaves removing the last of the feast. PETRONIUS, PISO, LUCAN, SCEVINUS, SENECIO, and QUINTIAN. Three places are empty._

_PETRONIUS_ (_to Piso_).

That’s the last dish, my lord: a little banquet
Of fruit remains, and, best of all my supper,
Three jars of Otho’s wine.

_PISO._

Ha! merry Otho,
Become a man of affairs. Drink we to him
And Lusitania.

_LUCAN_ (_rising excitedly_).

A toast with Otho’s name!
Republican integrity!

_Pet._ What a fuss,
Lucan, you make, because a gentleman
Is honest. What else could you expect of Otho?

_SENECIO._

When, too, there’s nought worth stealing in his province.

_Pis._ (_to Petr._). You, sir, would underrate high qualities,
Being proved in them yourself. Bithynia
Praises you still, though Rome forgets your zeal
In the grace of your retirement. Will you never
Mix in affairs again?

_Pet._ Nothing could tempt me. 1220
The very thought of travelling wearies me,
And the occupation of the mind in matters
That any clerk is fit for.—Yet I praise
The world and all its fret: its vanity,
Advertisement, vulgarity and dirt
Are precious for one thing; they make retirement
Positive joy. Blest are the gods who sit
On changeless seats. I think they framed the world
That they might look upon it and rejoice
They lived not in it: that’s its use to me.

_Luc._ True, as Rome says, Petronius, thou art steeped
In gross epicurism.

_Pet._ Bravo, stoic!
I may be what men say: yet very few
Are what they show the world: there’s a screw-twist
In every mind. It is the sensuous man
Follows asceticism: the passionate man
Who is practised in reserve. Why _Know thyself_,
Unless to hide thyself? Look at the houses
Of our philosophers: the epicurean,
Who holds the happiness of life depends 1240
On small accessories, lives in discomfort:
The stoic, he who says all outward matters
Concern him not a pin, orders his home
With scrupulous care; however nice your taste,
There’s not a better host.

_QUINTIAN._

You’d tell us then
You set no store by elegance and culture.

_Pet._ Eh! I´ may bé an exception, sir: and yet
I’d have you think I most love elegance
Where ’tis most rare and out of reach of the world.
I’d not without reserve praise Lucan’s style 1250
In poetry.

_SCEVINUS._

Nor his matter.

_Se^{o.}_ Yes, his matter,
Where he laments the fall of the republic;
‘_But if the fates could find no other way
For Cæsar to succeed_’ ... what was’t he said?

_Qu._ ‘_All crimes and horrors we with joy regard,
Since thou, O Nero, art our great reward._’ (_Laughter._)

_Luc._ Let that be read with what I have written since.
What thinkest thou, Senecio, of the days
When thou wert Nero’s darling? If what thou didst
Be as well condoned by what thou goest to do,
As what I wrote shall be by what I write,
Thou’lt be a hero.

_Sce._ Hear, hear!

_Pet._ (_who has motioned the slaves out_). Really, sirs,
You grow obscure.

_Pis._ Explain.

_Sce._ Ay, speak your mind.

_Luc._ I ask then, is Senecio still content
To share in Nero’s deeds?

_Se^{o.}_ Nay, I abjure them.

_Luc._ (_coming to him_). Patriot, I take thy hand!

_Sce._ And I.

_Qu._ And I.

_Luc._ Ye too abjure the bloody tyrant’s guilt?
Would ye see Rome free, let us make an oath
By black Styx, and invoke the gods of crime!

_Pet._ Hey-day! here’s tinsel!—Let me refill your cup,
Piso; the gold mellows this ruby juice, 1271
As music comforts poetry, and the eye
Assists the palate (_pouring_).

_Luc._ Is’t not true, Petronius,
Thou dost hate Nero too? Thou hast held aloof
From all his crimes. Thou sippest an exile’s wine,
Thou laughest and art comfortable: ah! man,
Stop well thine ears with luxury, lest thou hear
The shrieks in Cæsar’s garden, where men burn
To light his revels up.

_Se^{o.}_ Ay, burned alive,
Because he saith they burned the city,—and he
Did it himself: would he were burned.

_Qu._ I heard him
Whisper to Tigellinus, ‘I had liefer
’Twere all burnt than a little; help it, master!’
And so it was.—

_Pet._ I have come to see the purpose of this supper.
(_To Piso_) The company, my lord, was gathered here
By Fænius Rufus: he and other two
Have disappointed me ... My lord, I see
My house was chosen for security.
I’ll take it as a compliment: you are welcome
To all but my attention. Ha! I think
Here be the others.—(_Letting in Rufus, Lateranus and
Flavus._) Welcome, my lords!

_Ruf._ I fear we are late, Petronius.

_Pet._ Make excuse
To my most honoured guest. (_They bow to Piso._)

_Pis._ Ye are come in time
To share the best of wine.

_Pet._ Pray serve yourselves:
I go to close the door ’gainst listeners.

_Ruf._ (_to Luc._). Ye have broached the business?

_Luc._ (_to Ruf._). Yes. (_Motioning._)

_Ruf._ Nay, I’ll sit here,
And fill my cup. (_Sitting._)

_Pis._ And you too, sirs, be seated.

_Ruf._ (_pouring_). I saw a sight as I came here: the mob
Dragging some wretched Christian to be burned.
And all the while his sister ran beside, 1301
With her vain anguish heightening their fury:
And he! ... believe me, I never saw a man
In all my life look better pleased.—I quaff
To Piso.

_All_ (_toasting_). Piso! Piso!

_Ruf._ And what saith
Calpurnius Piso?

_Pis_. How, general?

_Ruf._ You consent?

_Pis._ Consent to what?

_Luc._ Speak, Rufus.

_Lat._ Let the general
Make our proposals to his lordship.

_All._ Hear, hear! (_Petronius returns._)

_Ruf._ My lords and gentlemen, since I am chosen
To expound the common thought.... It sprang at first,
I think, of the earthquake: seeing Cæsar’s life
So near extinguished, as it was, at Naples,
It came into our minds that no provision
Was made for the succession; which neglect,
In case of accident, might cause disturbance, 1315
And saddle us with an upstart. We agreed
To choose our Cæsar; but, to shield ourselves,
Would sound him privately.

_Pis._ My noble friends,
Ye are justified by circumstance: I share
Your fears, and was acquainted with your purpose.
But, ere I stand committed to your party,
What are their names? Have you them writ?

_Luc._ No, no.
We write no names.

_Pis._ Who be they?

_Ruf._ You see us here.
There are besides, my tribunes Statius Proximus
And Granius Silvanus: my centurions
Scaurus and Paullus. There’s Sulpitius Asper,
And Julius Tugerinus, Martius Festus,
Proculus, a whole list,—Munatius Gratus,
Vulcatius Avaricus....

_Pis._ And the consul
Vestinus?

_Ruf._ Nay.

_Pis._ Thrasea and Priscus?

_Ruf._ No. 1330

_Pis._ We lack the senatorials then: perhaps
Seneca is with us?

_Ruf._ Nay, nor he, my lord.

_Pis._ You mentioned Proculus: doth Proculus
Bring all the navy?

_Ruf._ Nay, our Proculus
Is not Volusius.

_Pis._ Nor the navy either!

_Se^{o.}_ I know the Admiral, my lord: let me
Sound him, if he hangs back.

_Fla._ No hangers-back.

_Ruf._ Your name, my lord, when we may mention it,
Is all-sufficient.

_Pis._ I give not my name
Till Nero is dead.

_Fla._ That will be soon.

_Sce._ Three days.

_Pis._ Indeed! how know you?

_Sce._ Here I show you a sword
I have whetted for the deed.

_Fla._ Eh, sir! and who
Named thee?

_Sce._ Myself to Capitolian Jove
Offered myself and weapon.

_Fla._ And what, I pray,
Said Jupiter?

_Pet._ Peace, peace! Here in my house
Let me be chairman.——
I’ll ask Scevinus first to state his plan.

_Fla._ Yes, state it, sir.

_Sce._ I would set fire to his house,
And stab him as he hurried to and fro.

_Pet._ Enough of fire. The palace is already
Half-burned, and what remains of it is prospectively
Lord Piso’s.—Subrius Flavus, what’s your scheme?

_Fla._ I’d kill him when he is singing on the stage,
In face of all the people, a sacrifice
To his Greek Apollo.

_Pet._ Not ill thought of, sir;
But who’s to do it?—Well, Senecio?

_Se^{o.}_ Why fix the time or place? Let all here swear
That the first one of us who can approach him
Shall stab him to the heart.

_Ruf._ Yes, and be killed for it.
’Tis rare that Cæsar goes unguarded now. 1360

_Luc._ You bid us sacrifice our lives, but I
Would gaze, like Cassius, on my glorious deed.

_Pet._ Then, Lucan, have you a plan?

_Luc._ I should propose
To leave the deed to Rufus: he commands
The needful force.

_Pet._ Well, Rufus?

_Ruf._ ’Tis not easy,
As Lucan thinks: and if he escape our swords,
’Tis death to us all. There is but one way free
Of personal risk.—If my lord would invite him
To an entertainment at his house at Naples,
We might be sure of him.

_Pis._ (_rising_). What! Good Heavens, General!
Take you me for a Jew? An entertainment!
My house!

_Pet._ Hear, hear!

_Pis._ Rufus, and all my friends,
Hear me. While Nero lives, my life’s in danger:
Yet will I never move to take him off.
If you shall choose to do it, or if he die,
I’ll be your Cæsar: there’s no more to say.
I leave you to consult. (_Going._)

_Pet._ Not in my house.
As chairman I adjourn the meeting: nay,
I have done more than my duty.

_Luc._ And why, Petronius,
Wilt thou not join us?

_Pet._ Rather, I beg you each, 1380
Whoever may be Cæsar, to remember
My innocence, and leave me to myself.

_Pis._ Why, for your very virtue I shall need you.

_Pet._ Indeed, my lord, you know me not: my habits
Are incompatible with business.
You have eaten with me now, but, late as ’tis,
Your supper is my breakfast; and while you
Go to your beds, I shall begin my day:
Like an old lion....

_Luc._ Or like an owl.

_Pet._ Well, sparrow,
Or like an owl, that makes his day of night,
And when men stir hies to his barn; so I:
And by this trick of time shut myself off
From half the curse of life. You little think
What charm the witching night hath for her lovers:
How her solemnity doth deepen thought,
And bring again the lost hellenic Muse
To sing from heaven: or on moonlit swards
Of fancy shadows in transfigured scene
The history of man.—Thus, like a god,
I dwell; and take the early morning cries 1400
For calls to sleep; and from divinity
Fall to forgetfulness, while bustling day
Ravages life; and know no more of it,—
Your riot and din, the plots and crimes of Rome,—
Than doth a diver in Arabian seas,
Plunging for pearls beneath the lonely blue:
But o’er my slumbering head soft airs of dreamland
Rock their wild honey-blooms, till the shy stars
Once more are venturing forth, and I awake.
Is not that something?

_Pis._ Ha, ha! Well, good-night!
I mean good-morning. Yet ere we depart
I’ll take each by the hand,—you, sir, and you,—
And let it be an earnest of my favour
In time to come: I shall remember all.
Consult meanwhile with Rufus: I shall see him,
And shall myself make ready.

_Pet._ The slaves, my lord,
Are sent away: I’ll show you to the street:
Come: you shall see me undo the doors, and say
I care well for my safety. Pray keep silence.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE · 3

_The next morning: a room in Lucan’s house._

_Enter a Servant._

_SERVANT._

Scarce an hour after sunrise, and two ladies for my master already. This it is to be a poet. One gives no name; the other is Thrasea’s daughter, Priscus’ young wife. I am to take her first: though the other looks the more pressing. (_Goes to side, and returns ushering Fannia._) If my lady will kindly wait here a moment.

_FANNIA._

Is your master not up?

_Serv._ He was late last night, my lady; and is now breakfasting.

_Fan._ Will he not see me? 1430

_Serv._ Yes, my lady. [_Exit._

_Fan._ It is then as we feared: Lucan was there.
He is one of the conspiracy of Piso,
And he was at Petronius’ house last night:
I come too late.

_Enter Lucan, hurriedly._

LUCAN.

Fannia, good-morning!

_Fan._ Good-morning, cousin!

_Luc._ What brings you here so early?

_Fan._ Ah! if I am not too late! My husband sent me
To save thy life.

_Luc._ (_excitedly_). What’s this?

_Fan._ These were his words,
‘Bid him, by all we love and hold in common,
Withdraw from the conspiracy.’

_Luc._ (_aside_). ’Tis nothing.——
(_To Fan._). I thank thee. Take this answer to the message,
‘I bid him, by the love we hold in common,
Join the conspiracy.’

_Fan._ Judge, my dear cousin,
By them that hold aloof how ill ’tis plotted.

_Luc._ Then rather win the hearts that hold aloof,
Than tamper with the movers.

_Fan._ Sir, my husband....

_Luc._ Thou hast the fairest star in heaven to guide thee.

_Fan._ Let him guide thee.

_Luc._ I must not hear thee, cousin.
Write down my name ’mong the tyrannicides. 1450
I know I have thy prayers; and to say truth,
I need them: ’tis an anxious time: indeed
While we talk here, a secret messenger
Awaits me: the suspense distracts me. Excuse me!...
Farewell!... I must....

_Fan._ Ah, Lucan, Lucan!

_Luc._ Give
My loving thanks to Priscus.

_Fan._ Alas! Farewell.
May the gods aid thee! [_Exit._

_Luc._ In sleep or action is my mind at ease:
Betwixt the two, each moment is a world
Of scared imaginations. Better suffer
One worst at once, than all the thousand tortures
The making mind invents. Who is this woman,
That I should dread her message with more fear
Than I would grant to death?

_Enter Epicharis._

Come in! Ah, lady, I fear there’s something ill?
Com’st thou from ... say, bringst thou a secret message?
What is’t? Ay, sit and speak.

_EPICHARIS_ (_sitting_). Art thou the poet Lucan?

_Luc._ I am.

_Ep._ ’Tis well.
I bring this book. (_Giving._)

_Luc._ Ha! a passport: from whose hand?

_Ep._ A courtier gave it to me in lieu of money.

_Luc._ (_aside_). The copy I gave to Quintian.——
Was it Quintian?

_Ep._ No, sir. Ask not his name.

_Luc._ Tell me thy message;
Or if this book is all, what is thy price?

_Ep._ Sir, I was told this book, if given to Nero,
Would be thy death. ’Tis writ by thee? 1475

_Luc._ It is.

_Ep._ Then thou dost hate him.

_Luc._ (_aside_). What should this lead to?——
Thy manner frights me, lady, not thy matter.
Who art thou, pale and breathless as the grave,
That comest thus?

_Ep._ My name is Epicharis.
Three days ago, sir, when this book was given me,
I thought to bring it back to thee, from whom
No doubt ’twas stolen, and win gold for my silence.
To-day I ask not money; but much more
I’ll ask, if by this chance I have found in Rome
The man to avenge me.

_Luc._ Avenge thee? What is thy wrong?
Tremble not so.

_Ep._ Wilt thou? Art thou the man?
Dost thou hate Nero?

_Luc._ Pray, lady, be still.

_Ep._ Sir, canst thou help me?

_Luc._ If thou art wronged by Nero,
Lady, I can and will help thee.

_Ep._ And thou
Thyself too art in danger.

_Luc._ In greater danger
Than thou surmisest.

_Ep._ If all wait their turn,
Who shall be left to avenge?

_Luc._ I do not wait.
Let me beseech thee, lady, master this passion,
And tell thy grief.

_Ep._ My grief? nay, that’s past telling:
There are no words for that. Yet fear not, sir;
I can be quiet while I tell my story.

_Luc._ Be comforted to know thou tellest to one,
Thy sworn ally, before thou sayst a word.
To his strong mortal anger add thy cause.

_Ep._ I shall, sir; I can. All womanly soft feeling
I have driven for ever from me; and I have sworn
A pact with tears, that I will shed not one 1502
Till I be avenged.

_Luc._ Trust me; and tell thy wrong.

_Ep._ I live at Naples, sir; my mother keeps
The tavern where the sailors most resort.
My father died five years ago, and then
It happened that my brother, my only brother,—
Whose generous nature blamed the life of gain
That there we led,—left us, and was ere-long
Inveigled by the Christian sect. It happened
He met their leader Paulus,—whom ’twas said
Burrus protected,—for he came by Naples,
And there my brother heard him, and after had
Strange visions, and believed the end of the world
Was near, and Christ would come to reign in Rome,
And other doctrines taught by Paul; and lately,
Three days ago, he saw Paul in a dream,
Who beckoned him to Rome. Hither he came,
And I soon after him, being full of fear,
Knowing the ill-odour of his sect, and him
Inclined to boast it; and so I came. The Christians
Were seized last night, and my poor brother, sir,
Though unknown, unsuspected and unchallenged,
Gave himself up. Now all is over.

_Luc._ Thou meanest....

_Ep._ I could not stay him. I saw him taken. One Thrasea, 1525
A senator, whose voice seemed powerful with them,
Joined his commands with my poor prayers in vain:
’Twas Nero’s order.

_Luc._ Was he burned?

_Ep._ Ye gods,
If there be any gods; if there be Christ,
Or Zeus, or Jove, or who you will, look down,
Avenge!

_Luc._ Thou shalt be avenged.

_Ep._ I know not, sir,
Where I have been, nor how my brother suffered:
He had no fear; he welcomed death: and yet,—
Ah! what I saw! were it assured a dream,
I would not live after that dream; the memory
Would make a horror of joy. I pray to die,
Die and forget; but first live and avenge him:
I will do that: help me or show me how.

_Luc._ Can thy just hate teach thy tongue silence, lady?

_Ep._ Fear not my tongue: fear nothing: were I not brave,
Should I be alive? should I be here?

_Luc._ My secret,
That I shall tell thee, is my life. I am one
Of a conspiracy to rid the world
Of this black monster.

_Ep._ Thou art? thou art? Thou tellst me
That I may join? Alas, that I am a woman.

_Luc._ Prove now thy mastery of thyself by reasoning
In sober terms.

_Ep._ I can.

_Luc._ (_showing the book_). Who gave thee this?

_Ep._ Senecio.

_Luc._ Ha! Senecio! can it be....

_Ep._ Thou mayst not think it, sir, seeing me to-day:
But yesterday thou wouldst have well believed
I might have lovers.

_Luc._ ... At Naples, at this tavern,
Hast thou acquaintance with the Admiral? 1551

_Ep._ I know him well.

_Luc._ How doth he stand towards Cæsar?

_Ep._ He hates him.

_Luc._ Yes, but would he join our party?
We have no means to sound him: this Senecio
Has taken it on himself. I did not trust him;
Now I suspect him.

_Ep._ You would win the navy?

_Luc._ ’Tis that.

_Ep._ I could approach him.

_Luc._ I think thou mayst.
Bide with me here to-day; for ere we talk
Thou must have food & sleep. I shall speak with thee
More confidently then: thou art now o’erstrained.

_Ep._ I shall not sleep.

_Luc._ To the distracted heart,
To whom this life is hell, nature hath given
A perfect boon, the numbing poppy-juice:
Soothed by its gracious power thou wilt sleep well.
My mother shall attend thee: she knows all.

ACT · IV

SCENE · 1

_The tavern at Naples_ (_as in I. 2_).

_GRIPUS, MARINERS and SENECIO._

_GRIPUS._

I say weather permitting: it’s always weather permitting. 1568

_MARINERS._

_1st Mar._ There was no weather permitting in it. I heard the Admiral say he had his orders to sail for the Adriatic, and the ships at Formiæ were to join him here last night.

_Gri._ Weather permitting.

_1st M._ No: no weather permitting. If it had been weather permitting, would they have put out in the teeth of a sou’-wester? that’s what I look at.

_2nd M._ No sailor would have done it; least of all Regulus.

_Gri._ Then ’twas Cæsar’s fault not to have said weather permitting.

_3rd M._ Eight firstrates: the pick of the fleet.

_1st M._ Nay, seven, mate. The Ulysses is put in for repairs.

_SENECIO._

What is it you talk of, fellows?

_1st M._ Why, where have you been, sir? Half the fleet’s ashore off Misenum.

_Se^{o.}_ Wrecked?

_Gri._ Ay, that they be.

_Enter Epicharis._

_EPICHARIS._

Is it true, Gripus? Is the squadron lost?

_Gri._ True enough.

_Ep._ Was the Admiral with them?

_1st M._ Regulus: ’twas Regulus at Formiæ, lady.

_Ep._ Not Proculus?

_1st M._ Nay, he’s with his ships in the bay.

_Ep._ And the crews?

_2nd M._ Ther’ll not be many stand up, when they come ashore.

_Ep._ Poor fellows! And whose fault was this?

_Gri._ Cæsar’s, I say, lady: and none else.

_Se^{o.}_ Epicharis, see, I am returned. 1600

_Ep._ Well, I see you, sir. Have you been to Rome and back so soon?

_Se^{o.}_ Yes, my house is pulled down. But I saw the Christians burned.

_Ep._ Hark, sir; I have news for you. (_Takes him aside and speaks with him._)

_Enter Proculus._

_PROCULUS._

What! a dozen of you fellows here! Up with you! be sharp, and off to the point. See if you can’t be of some use. You may save a life or two yet.

_Mar._ We have no orders, my lord.

_Pro._ Where do you expect to find your orders? Go and help your mates. You may get into a scrape yourselves some day.

_Mar._ Very willing, my lord; so we be sent. (_All drain their cups standing._)

_Pro._ Come, leave your possets.

_Mar._ Ay, ay, my lord. [_Exeunt Mariners._

_Pro._ Epicharis, wine!

_Ep._ Gauran, my lord?

_Pro._ Yes.—And you, sir, I think are the gentleman that begged to go aboard the fleet to get clear of the earthquake. What did I tell you?

_Se^{o.}_ You did not tell me, my lord, that Cæsar ordered you to be shipwrecked. (_Epicharis serves Pro. with wine._)

_Pro._ Well, ’twas his doing: I’ll bear no blame of it. Three days ago it was Cæsar’s intention to go to Greece; we must therefore be ready to meet him at Brundisium. Never had more stringent orders. Now he has forgot all about it, and gone to Rome: and I have lost a third of the fleet for nothing. May all the gods....

_Ep._ The fire took him to Rome.

_Se^{o.}_ The Romans, my lord, can never spare him long: their bread depends on him.

_Pro._ Can’t that old shrimper Tigellinus feed ’em on sprats?

_Se^{o.}_ Hi, hi!

_Pro._ Well, sir!

_Se^{o.}_ I shan’t tell.

_Ep._ The wine will soothe you, my lord. (_Refilling his cup, she signs to Senecio, who goes out._)

_Pro._ Thank you, lass.

_Ep._ Did Cæsar give the order himself?

_Pro._ Don’t talk to me. Ha, that fellow’s gone, is he? He is not one to blab?

_Ep._ How should I know, my lord?

_Pro._ What’s his name?

_Ep._ Senecio.

_Pro._ Senecio, yes, of course: one of Nero’s intimates: and I called Tigellinus an old shrimper: ’twould cost me my life if he heard it.

_Ep._ No man is safe. 1650

_Pro._ Nor woman either, Epicharis: guard your tongue.

_Ep._ I am a Greek, my lord.

_Pro._ What’s that to serve thee?

_Ep._ Nothing truly; and yet
I have no share in Rome’s reproach; I laugh
Rather to see my country’s conquerors
Themselves enslaved. I have no pride in Cæsar:
Let him be a madman, one day burn his city,
The next day wreck his fleet,—poison his brother,—
Murder his mother,—behead his wife,—I care not.
Let all his courtiers be curs, and he
Sing in the theatre.... In Greece a tyrant
Had little heart for singing; nay, at night
He slept not, thinking what undaunted spirits
Were lying wide-awake for torturing shame
Till they could kill him.

_Pro._ By Jove, thou hast a tongue!

_Ep._ And they that like it not may cut it out.

_Pro._ Drink with me, lass (_offers his cup_).

_Ep._ I would I were a Roman
But for one day.

_Pro._ I love thee for thy spirit.

_Ep._ Thou lov’st to hear the words thou dar’st not say.

_Pro._ Well, give me more.

_Ep._ Greek as I am, my lord,
And woman, were I now as near to Cæsar
As I am to you, I’d stab him to the heart.

_Pro._ I would not stay thee.

_Ep._ But thou wouldst not do it.

_Pro._ Bah! thou’rt a Greek to brag what thou wouldst do: 1675
I am a Roman, and would do the thing
Before I spake it.

_Ep._ Yet mightst never do it.

_Pro._ Thou know’st me not.

_Ep._ Then none knows thee, my lord.
Were there a plot among the brave in Rome,
Which they should fear to break to thee, and say
We know him not, we cannot risk to sound him,
A woman might; then should they send a woman,
Some woman that thou lov’st, to learn thy mind,
What wouldst thou say?

_Pro._ Then were it time to speak.

_Ep._ The brave in Rome have plotted: I am the woman—
Their messenger.

_Pro._ What! a conspiracy?
’Gainst Cæsar’s life?

_Ep._ They bid thee bring the navy.

_Pro._ Art thou in earnest?

_Ep._ I am a Greek, my lord;
And risk my life for Roman liberty.

_Pro._ What are their names?

_Ep._ The best in Rome.

_Pro._ Who are they?

_Ep._ In time I’ll tell their names.

_Pro._ And what the plot?

_Ep._ In three days Cæsar will be slain: ’tis asked
Of thee that thou wilt bring thy ships to Ostia,
And seize the granaries till Rome is ours.

_Pro._ What are their names?

_Ep._ With fair security
I will tell all.

_Pro._ And what security
For me?

_Ep._ Enough, my lord, even in this risk
To well content thee.

_Pro._ Tell me the chief names.

_Ep._ When I have won thee.

_Pro._ Thou hast won me: tell.

_Ep._ In good time all.

_Pro._ What would they have me do?

_Ep._ First bring the officers whose names are here (_Giving a paper_)
To meet me here to-night. Then I shall see
Who is to trust.

_Pro._ (_reading the paper_). Give me the names of those
Who sent thee.

_Ep._ In good time.

_Pro._ I would not harm thee.

_Ep._ Thou canst not.

_Pro._ See, Epicharis, I’ll help thee
Out of this mischief. Give me up the names,
And thou shalt be informer.

_Ep._ Ah, Proculus,
Play not that part; thou that so oft in secret
Hast cursed the tyrant to me; now play not
That part; it cannot serve thee: be true, Proculus,
To the nobleness within thee, that hast not only
A heart sufficient, but in face and figure
Lookest the hero: thou that mightest stand
For a statue of Brutus, and outdo the man
As nature made him: Be thou from this day
Named with the noblest; Proculus the brave,
Who turned the tide ’gainst Nero, and delivered
Romans from shame and slavery;—or wilt thou
Be Proculus the futile; Proculus,
Who aided first infamous Anicetus
To murder Agrippina, and then perceiving
Remorseful Cæsar cast out his gross tool,
Sought to win favour of the parricide,—
And vainly tried to stay the avenger’s hands,—
And sold a trustful woman whom he had loved, 1725
On the eve of liberty?

_Pro._ That day’s not come.
Look to thyself, and I will win thy safety.
To-night thou wilt set forth with me to Rome:
In two days I shall bring thee before Cæsar.
Then, if thou tell these names, thou wilt go free,
And mayst be rich. Thou canst not ’scape: be ready
In one hour hence. [_Exit._

_Ep._ Ah, wretched Roman slave,
Thy paltry spirit hath baulked me: go thy way;
Thou knowest nought: thou’rt in my power; thou too,
If I could turn aside, shouldst bleed for Clitus:
He hated thee, condemned thee, and thou deservest.
But what care I for thee? what is’t to me
That Piso be set up on Nero’s throne?
Only make void that throne, only tear out
That monster from the world. As for thee, Proculus,
I know thee and can outwit thee: I have my tale
Ready, and false Senecio for my witness.
Where is Senecio?—I have yet an hour. [_Exit._

SCENE · 2

_A street in Rome._

_Enter SCEVINUS, followed by NATALIS and LATERANUS._

_SCEVINUS._

No more, sirs: let me go. This sword shall do it.
I am sworn.

_LATERANUS._

Stay, stay, sir! stay! be more discreet.

_Sce._ I know there’s not a man among you all
Durst risk his life but I. I have made my will:
I have set my house in order. Cæsar dies,
Dies by this hand to-day.

_NATALIS._

For heaven’s sake, stay, sir!
Have patience. Piso is unprepared.

_Lat._ Scevinus, 1750
Thou art bound to abide by and respect the voice
Of the party.—We do not choose thee.—

_Sce._ Whóm chóose ye?

_Lat._ No scheme is ready as yet. The matter needs
More judgment than thou usest.

_Nat._ And more caution.

_Sce._ Caution and judgment are for cowards. By God
I have sworn. ’Tis by this hand Cæsar shall die.

_Nat._ (_to Lat._). We must prevent him.

_Lat._ (_to Nat._). Shall we seize him?

_Sce._ My lords,
I thank you for your counsel. Go now to Piso,
And make him ready: I shall to the palace
To screen my purpose in some usual conduct.
To-night all will be over.—Fare-you-well. [_Exit._

_Lat._ Come after him, Natalis: we must make
A show of yielding, and delude him gently
By mock convincement; else he’ll ruin all. [_Exeunt._

SCENE · 3

_A room in the palace. NERO and POPPÆA meeting._

_NERO._

Empress! the emperor of the world salutes thee,
Bows to thee.

_POPPÆA._

And embraceth?

_Ner._ And embraceth.—
Didst thou sleep well in thy new chamber?

_Pop._ I did.

_Ner._ How doth it please?

_Pop._ ’Tis fine. It hath no fault,
Save that it lies so far from thine.

_Ner._ In that
See how I trust thee.

_Pop._ I shall need my litter
In this new palace: ’tis a morning’s journey
From end to end. What distances!

_Ner._ Yes, space:
Grandeur in space: we cannot emulate
Starry distinctions and ethereal peace;
Mortal conditions hamper us ... yet I’ll teach 1775
The world what may be done; and my new Rome
Shall stand for a type: the streets all laid out broad,
Straight and intelligible; and all the houses
Of fireproof stone from Alba and Gabii.
In four years ’twill be finished.

_Pop._ Four whole years
Of rubbish-heaps and hammering?

_Ner._ Come see
The plans in the library.

_Pop._ Would you believe
The plans of architects can cheer a woman?

_Ner._ If thou wert happy thou wouldst love to see
All that I do, and for my sake admire.
I wish that thou wert happier. Think, Poppæa,
What cause thou hast, being for thy peerless beauty
Chosen the world’s Augusta. I could wish
Thou didst smile oftener.

_Pop._ Well, consider, love,
I have cause for care.

_Ner._ I wish that thou couldst sing:
Music can cheer. Dost thou remember once,
When thou wast fearful in a thunderstorm,
How I diverted thee with sprightly music?
Then I should love if, when I came to see thee,
I heard thy voice afar, and in thy chamber....

(_Vatinius interrupts, entering noisily._)

Who’s there? (_Vatinius gives a note to Nero._)
(_Reads._) ‘Proculus the admiral is come from Naples
With secret tidings; he hath a lady with him!’
(_To Vat._) Let him in, or his tidings, or his lady,
Whichever is most secret—or all three. [_Exit Vat._
(_To Poppæa, who is going._) Thou needst not go, love.

_Pop._ Why! if ’tis a lady.

_Ner._ Pooh! ’tis some state affair.

_Pop._ I hate affairs. [_Exit._

_Ner._ Marriage rúins a woman: and how quickly!
And I to lead the ape-dance, who am sworn
To rid the world of this and all its plagues! 1805

_Enter Tigellinus with Proculus and Epicharis; Vatinius following._

_Ner._ Good-day, Lord Proculus; what brings you here?

_PROCULUS._ Forgive the intrusion, Cæsar.

_Ner._ The lady’s looks
Are ample excuse. You ask leave to be married?

_Pro._ Nay, Cæsar; I accuse her.

_Ner._ Bravo! divorce?

_TIGELLINUS_ (_aside to Nero_).

His story is urgent.

_Ner._ What is it?

_EPICHARIS._ Mighty Cæsar,
This is a charge ’gainst me: a foolish charge
Not worth your ear. I have a witness with me
Would make short matter of it, might he enter.

_Ner._ By all means. Why, sir, did you keep him back?
His name?

_Ep._ Senecio.

_Ner._ Good. We know him, lady.
Vatinius, fetch him in. (_Exit Vat._) What is the charge?

_Pro._ This woman, sire....

_Ner._ (_interrupting_). What is thy name, fair lady?

_Ep._ Epicharis, your majesty.

_Pro._ This lady
Was known to me at Naples.

_Ner._ I understand:
Spare your excuses.

_Pro._ At a tavern.

_Ner._ Ho!
You sailors! (_Vat. re-enters with Senecio._)
(_To Epicharis_) See your witness, lady, is come.

_Pro._ She took occasion of her intimacy
To draw me into a plot ’gainst Cæsar’s life.

_Ner._ Ha!

_Pro._ Entrusted by conspirators at Rome
Three days ago to tamper with me.

_Ner._ By heaven!
And thou dost laugh? (_to Epic._)

_Ep._ Will Cæsar hear the end?

_Ner._ (_to Pro._). Give me the names at once.

_Pro._ I know no names,
Cæsar; she would not tell.

_Ner._ No names? and whom
Wert thou then to conspire with?

_Pro._ She would tell
Nothing of her confederates, unless
I brought together certain officers,
Whose loyalty I know suspicious.

_Ner._ Dost thou? By God,
I’ll have théir names.

_Pro._ I was to sail to Rome,
And seize the granaries.

_Ner._ Enough. Now, madam;
What dost thou answer?

_Ep._ If Cæsar need an answer
To a charge so empty, ’tis enough to say
I have never been in Rome.

_Ner._ ’Tis not enough.
Didst thou speak to the Admiral in the sense
He avers?

_Ep._ I humbly crave great Cæsar’s pardon
For jesting with his name.

_Ner._ Thou didst? and why?

_Ep._ Here is my witness; Lord Senecio
Will say that my story is true. Holding with him
Some talk of Proculus, I laid a wager
That I could make the Admiral believe
Anything, no matter how ridiculous:
And this we hit on. Then straight he comes in,
And if I went too far, ’twas in my fear
To lose my money.

_Ner._ Is this so, Senecio?

_SENECIO._

’Twas so, sire; I backed the Admiral, and lost.

_Ner._ (_to Proc._). You sailors are so clumsy. You are a fool.

_Pro._ Sire! on my life ’twas true. ’Twas not a jest:
She would outface me.

_VATINIUS._

As Octavia did
That old sea-mutton Anicetus.

_Tig._ Hish!

_Ner._ First, sir,
Send me these same suspicious officers.
Meanwhile for her,—thy rank may win thy tale
So much respect,—she goes not free. (_To Tig._) Good master,
Keep her in custody.

_Ep._ (_aside to Proculus_). Hear me! I warn thee.
Join, or be first to die!

_Pro._ Now, Cæsar, again
She invites me to conspire.

_Ner._ Come, man; she mocks thee:
She hath won the privilege. (_To Tig._) Take her away;
But treat her well. You follow me: I go
To judge the cases argued yesterday.
No folly, Proculus, like being in earnest,
When others are all jesting.

[_Exeunt. Tigellinus with Epicharis: Proculus
and Vatinius with Nero._

SCENE · 4

_A room in Piso’s house._

_Enter PISO with NATALIS._

_PISO_ (_at door_).

Show them in here, Natalis; I must see them.

[_Exit Nat._

’Tis dangerous: Rufus should know better. Five,
Five of them here together! ’tis enough
To damn an innocent: mere information
By any vagabond. Why should they come?

_Re-enter Natalis with Rufus, Lateranus, Lucan, Flavus and Asper._

Come in, my lords; come in.

_All._ Good-day, Lord Piso.

_Pis._ Your purpose, gentlemen? Ye would not come
In such a dangerous body to my house
Without great cause.

_RUFUS._

’Tis urgency, my lord.
We have met to-day, and voted with one voice
Immediate action. That madman Scevinus
Hath taken the whole affair upon himself,
And full of mystery walks at large, parading
His self-importance; wearing on his face
The secret of our lives. You must come forward,
Or we are lost.

_Pis._ I shall not move.

_Ruf._ My lord! 1880
My lord! my lord! (_A servant has been speaking with
Natalis at the door._)

_NATALIS_ (_to Piso_).

Here is another come.

_Pis._ Bring him in.—(_To Ruf._) Nay, Rufus, I shall
not move. [_Exit Nat._
Why should you come to me? I made no promise
But this, when Nero is dead, to be your Cæsar.