THE FIRST PART OF THE HISTORY OF NERO (continued 2)

Ner. (reading). ’Tis so, ’tis so. Ye gods! and thou wert right. Poppæa, this is the end. Come not to Baiæ. Wait my return. Pop.What’s now to do, I pray? Ner. Ask not: when I return I shall be free. We will be married. Pop.Will you banish her?2570 Ner. Ask nothing. Pop.From her exile still her plottings Will reach to Rome. Ner.Not so, for she shall go Whence nothing reaches Rome. Pop.Oh, now I fear I have said too much; let not my love o’ercome thee. Maybe she meant not this. Ner.Thou meddle not! Pop. Oh, but at least no crimes, Nero, no crimes! Promise me that; rather I’ll fly to-night. Ner. Poppæa, in earnest of the happy day When thou wilt be my wife, I bid thee now 2580Depart. Pop. (kissing him). Husband, I go.[Exit. Ner.What ho! what ho! Enter a Servant. Is Anicetus in the palace? SERVANT. Ay, Cæsar. Ner. Go, bid him hither straight.[Exit Servant. It shall be done. Ay, now it shall be done. Let me consider; I must be cool, lest I be foiled once more. Where lies my hindrance? not in her; she has twice Deceived me and escaped: now in my turn I steal her weapon, and can use it better, Having been plain before. Then Seneca ... He shall not know, so are his scruples quiet. For mine, they are hushed already; but ’twere best 2591Recount the terms which reason can oppose To too rebellious nature: first there’s my motive, Huge as the earth; liberty, happiness, Empire: that cannot slide, I fear not that. Then there’s the ground of justice; Claudius’ death, O’er which the executive too long hath slept In Cæsar’s piety: the sentence now O’ertakes the murderess with a double score, Since she by her conspiracy contrived 2600Britannicus should die ... ay, for his death The heavy penalty hangs o’er some head; Now let it fall on hers,—so I am quit. All this condemns her, long-expected justice Cries, and occasion hurries on the hand. Ay, ay, I am clear. Poppæa being my stake, I cannot shrink nor swerve. What was’t she wrote? Why here is more.[Reads. Be with me in this matter, But if thou should’st refuse, we are worse foes. She dares the threat. Enter Anicetus. ANICETUS. Cæsar hath summoned me. 2610Ner. Good Anicetus, tell me, is there none Greater than Cæsar? Anic.Nay, Cæsar, there is none. Ner. But were there one to whom it might be said Cæsar owed life and fortune—dost thou take me? Anic. Cæsar would say the Augusta. Ner.Nay, thou’rt dull: ’Twas thee I meant. Anic.Me, Cæsar! Ner.Dost remember Boasting to me that thou hadst sailor means To do a certain thing? Anic.Ay. Ner.Do it now. I’ll owe thee life and fortune. Canst thou be trusted? Anic. My love for Cæsar follows hand in hand With his command in this. Ner.Then do it, I say;2620 No words, no explanation. Agrippina Will come to Baiæ: there have thou thy ship. Anic. I will have one at Bauli, one at Baiæ: If she take either it shall serve the turn. Ner. Go now contrive thy means; let nothing ’scape thee To me or any other: when ’tis done Hold thy head high. Anic.Cæsar, I go to do it.[Exit. Ner. Now comes my part: ay, though it vex my soul To stoop; tho’ this be Cæsar’s greatest wrong, That he must patch his faultless power with guile, 2631And having all command, miss of his will But for a subterfuge .... yet for this once I’ll do it—’tis little; but to write a letter, Feign to discard Poppæa, as mistrusting Her love and character; and from that vantage I surely win my mother to come forth And join the court at Baiæ—she will come.

SCENE · 1 Baiæ. A room in Agrippina’s villa; the back gives out on the sea, where a galley is seen moored to quay of villa. AGRIPPINA and FULVIA. AGRIPPINA. Is not this charming, Fulvia? what a day! I feel I have never breathed spring air before. 2640And how the people cheered! it did me good. Here’s my old seat. The villa’s looking well. Could but Domitia see us now! How smoothly Her little plot went off! My first suspicions, Fulvia, I am sure were wrong: this invitation Was most well meant; and see the tenderness Has even called up my tears. You cannot know What fond associations make this house A home indeed. I wish I had not refused To take the yacht at Bauli: ’twas an error, Over-precaution. FULVIA. Madam, I but told you2650 The very words Seleucus ....[A noise without. Agr.What is that noise? Ful. ’Tis Cæsar coming with a company. Agr. Oh, I will see. (Looking forth.) And there is Seneca And Burrus. There’s much meaning in this visit. How grand he looks with all his lords about him! There never was a Cæsar like him: others Have been but Cæsars; he’s an emperor, And wears the full magnificence of state In beardless boyhood.—Fulvia, I do love splendour. 2660To be so young and rule the world! Enter Nero, Seneca, and Burrus. Now, welcome, Welcome, my son! NERO. Welcome to Baiæ, mother. We are come the first day of the feast to pay you The season’s compliments. Agr.A prompt return. What pleasure ’tis, Nero, I cannot say. Welcome, my lords. SENECA. My loving service, lady. Ner. Crossed you the bay from Bauli? Agr.Nay, you’ll laugh; ’Twas foolish; but I wished the folk to see My joy and reconcilement, and in the thought To please so many friends I kept my litter. Ner. You’ll all sup with us?2670 Agr.I look for nothing better. Ner. Whom will you bring? Agr.I have no one with me here But Polla Acerronia. Ner.And where is she? Agr. She took the yacht, and so arrived before us, But has not left it: like the child she is, The new toy quite distracts her: she is there. Ner. Row you this afternoon upon the bay? Agr. I had thought of it; and now, if you would come That were a double pleasure. Ner.I am sorry, I must go Order to-morrow’s games. Agr.Your lords mayhap 2680Will join me. I can take them to your villa. Sen. I’ll gladly come: the dust the crowd treads up Has filled my throat and set me coughing shrewdly. Ner. Nay, I shall want you both. Agr.Some other time I hope, my lords. BURRUS. I thank your majesty. Ner. Farewell till supper. Agr.Why! so short a visit! Ner. We shall meet soon. Agr.Well, I will sail alone With Polla; ’tis her wish. Escort me, Nero? Ner. Ay. Agr.For the sake of that I’ll go at once. I love the sea. [Exeunt Nero with Agr. and Fulv. down the quay, where they are still seen. Sen.Burrus, what say you now! 2690Has not the thing I looked for come to pass? Bur. There’s as you say a most astounding change; Can you explain it? Sen.Well, you see it, Burrus. Bur. How came it all about? Sen.See now how tenderly They both embrace. Bur.Who would have thought it? Sen.I; I should have thought it: and I point to this To justify my words those many times Our speech has come to difference. Re-enter Nero. Fulvia goes into house. Ner.Now, lords, I go. Bur. and Sen. We follow, Cæsar. Ner.I have changed my mind; I want you not.[Going. Bur.Will Cæsar name the hour 2700When we shall wait on him? Ner.Why, come at once. I cannot tell what hour I may not want you. Attend me at my villa.[Exit. Bur.Of a sudden He is changed again. Sen.You see how easily He is overcome with kindness. Would you know The noble sacrifice he has made? Bur.What’s that? Sen. Why, he has renounced Poppæa. Bur.Nay! Sen.Ay. Bur.Who told you? Sen. I saw the letter. Bur.How! Poppæa shows it? Sen. ’Twas writ his mother. Bur.Then he has deceived her. Sen. Can you think that? Bur.The letter makes all plain. Why did he write it? Sen.Why? Bur.Well, well. Sen.Oh, Burrus,2710 I have every cause for hope; and here to-day The meeting in this house more than assures me He must redeem the promise of his youth. ’Twas in this very room, ten years ago, I first saw Nero—Ay, ’tis now ten years— I was arrived from Corsica at Rome, And there found summons to attend the Augusta At Baiæ: hither in all haste I came. The yearnings and the miseries of exile 2720Would make a mean deliverer seem a god, And my return drave me half mad with joy. I entered: in that chair sat Agrippina, My kind deliverer, my friend, the empress. Time had not marred her beauty, and as she spake Impatience flushed her cheek—she shared my joy. I knelt in tears there, nor ashamed of tears, Though at her side I was aware was standing A boy of some twelve years; whom, when I rose, She then presented as her son, and bade me 2730Take him for pupil. As I saw him then In fullest grace of boyhood, apt in all Boys should be manly in, and gifted further Than boys are wont with insight, and the touch Of human sympathy and learned taste, Proficient in some arts and dull in none, But coy withal and generous, ’twas no wonder If ere that evening passed I had admitted The schemes his mother had laid, which in short time Were brought to pass. Bur.’Twas a black day. Sen.And yet, 2740Burrus, if after you had seen how kindly He took instruction, how he came to love me, You would not wonder—nay, I can remember Claudius himself was shamed if his Britannicus, Being younger but by some two years, were by Where Nero was: and had I been the father I might have wished, I think, to have done as he, And called the best my son. Bur.He killed Britannicus. Sen. Burrus, if as it seems you quite distrust him, Why hold you still the office which establishes His power? Bur.Because it is an office, Seneca,2750 The top of my profession: yet, by the gods, Find you a better man, and I’ll be gone. But, as a soldier, I’ll not see the guards Commanded by some brute like Tigellinus. Sen. Nay, be not angry. Bur.Would not you be angry Thus to be questioned? Sen.Nay, indeed, by habit I question oft myself. Bur.Then, for one question I’ll be appeased. I know you, Seneca, For a man of many parts, a scholar, poet, 2760Lawyer, and politician, what you will; A courtier too besides, a man of business, A money-maker; in short, a man of the world, That like a ship lifting to every wave, Heeling to every blast, makes good her way And leaves no track. Now what I ask is this: How ride so lightly with the times, and yet Be the unbending stoic, the philosopher, The rock, I say, that planted in the deep Moves not a hair, but sees the buffeting breakers Boil and withdraw? Which is the matter, Seneca? 2771Nay, ’tis a pertinent and friendly question— I’ll take your answer as we go along. [Exeunt Burrus and Seneca. Re-enter Fulvia. Ful. Of all delights I think that liberty Is the prime element: nothing is pleasant Joined with a must. Why, even this journey hither That has so cheered my mistress, all the talk Of sky and fields and trees, tired me to death. I’m sick of servitude, with ’time for this’ And ’time for that’: I’d give my ears for freedom; [She sits in Agrippina’s chair. To have my servants, and say—Prithee, Fulvia, What is o’clock?—Fetch me the little kerchief 2782I left upon my bed—Come, Fulvia, quick; I want you—Fulvia, go, order my litter— Fulvia, be gone; we’ve business—Fulvia, stay, Amuse me for a while.—I would to heaven I were in Rome again! (Shouts heard.) Hey, what a noise! Cheering my lady! here’s a change indeed. Well, I shan’t lose by that. Gods, how they cheer! She might have taken me with her. I know well 2790I shan’t see the outside of these villa walls Till bound for home. And here no visitors, At least for me. Cheer on, my lads! and yet If I should get the chance I’d like to see These famous Neapolitans: I’m told They’re wondrous saucy, and ingenious singers. What’s that? a boat! my lady! gracious heavens! [A boat rows up to quay. My lady, O my lady, what’s the matter? Enter Agrippina up from the quay, clothes dripping; the boat remains. Agr. An accident, and I am escaped by swimming: Yet thou must know, Fulvia, ’twas a contrivance To take my life—the kindness was all hollow— 2801A dastardly contrivance: ’twas the ship Seleucus spoke of. Look, I am hurt in the shoulder, Yet ’tis not much. Ful.Alack, alack, my lady! Agr. I am cold and faint. I must at once go shift These dripping habits. When I am rested somewhat Thou shalt hear all: meanwhile, call in the sailors Who rowed me hither: get from them whate’er They saw or know, and promise a reward Worthy of my deliverance.[Going. Ful.Praised be the gods, My lady, that thou’rt safe. Agr. (turning).Polla is killed.[Exit. Ful. What, Polla! Killed! she said killed. Polla killed!2811 Ho! fellows, come within, nay, come within. Sailors enter. SAILOR. We are not fit, my lady. By thy leave, We are poor fishermen. Ful.Come, fellows, come. Which is the captain? Sail.Me, so please thee, lady. Ful. Ye have brought the empress safe, and for that service Shall have a good reward. But, tell me now, How came she in your boat? Sail.’Twas thus, my lady. It being the feast, we smartened up the boat 2820And pulled her close along the shore, to find A party of landsmen, such as love to visit Misenum, or be rowed across the bay To Pausilypum, lady, and Virgil’s villa. When, as we lay, the Augusta’s galley passed, Not half a cable’s length, and then we cheered, And after took no note of her, till Gripus, He cries, Look! see the galley. And there she was Laid on her beam-ends in the offing. Ho! We cried, and gave the alarm, and led the chase 2830To reach her first: when presently she righted, Steadied, and trimmed her oars, and drew away. While we were wondering and talking of it I spied a something floating, and again Putting about, saw ’twas a swimmer’s head. Four other boats with ours made for it too; But we gave way with a will and held our own, And coming alongside, found ’twas the Augusta. I reached her out an oar, and I and my mate Lifted her in handsomely. Then she bad us Straight row her hither. She’s a most brave lady, 2841Ay, and can swim. Ful.Know you no more? Sail.No, lady. We looked, but saw naught else, not even a spar. The Augusta told us there was none but she. Ful. What was the reason why the galley heeled? Sail. I cannot tell. Ful.What could it be? Sail.D’ye see, My lady, ’tis the Admiral’s boat, this galley. It’s not for me .... Ful.There’s not a breath of wind. Sail. The mischief was aboard. Ful.You know no more? Sail. Nothing, my lady. Ful.Then begone; to-morrow 2850Come for your recompense. I know not yet The Augusta’s pleasure. The Sailors. Thank thee, thank thee, my lady. [Exeunt Sailors. Ful. ’Tis plain the men know nothing. Sailor (returning). Please thee, lady, If not too bold, we’ll ask thee if the Augusta Has taken harm from being so long in the water. Ful. Thank you, my men. I pray she’s none the worse. Sail. ’Tis bitter cold, indeed. But I can tell She’s of good stuff; ay, and can swim. Ful.Be sure You are fortunate to have done her this good service. Sail. I make my humble duties.[Exit. Ful.Alas, alas! 2860What can this mystery mean? I die to hear. I must now go attend her; ah! here she comes. Enter Agrippina. Agr. Fetch me some wine and a warm coverlet; The fur one from my bed. Ful.Ay, madam, quickly.[Exit. Agr. I have no friend here but her and the few servants Upon the place: ’tis plotted well indeed To catch me thus alone: Mistress Poppæa Is seen in this. Yet being escaped, I think I yet will prove her match. Re-enter Fulvia. Ah, thank you, so. Ful. Are you recovered, madam, from the shock? Agr. I am warm again. I think too that my hurt 2871Is very little: but I am somewhat shaken. Ful. What is it that hath happed? The sailors knew Nothing but that they found you. Agr.Did they see Nothing? Ful. They saw the galley lurch, and say The Admiral must know. Agr.’Tis likely enough ’Twas his contrivance. Now I’ll tell thee all, Fulvia, and thou must help me all thou canst When thou hast heard: indeed I tell thee partly To clear my judgment.—We had rowed about a mile, 2880Polla and I, and sat upon the poop, Taking our pleasure, when, all on a sudden, Darkness; the awning fell, with such a crash As took away my spirits, and Polla and I Were thrown down from our couches by the weight Of falling cloth and spars: one heavy beam Grazed my left shoulder, and we lay crushed down Upon the deck. Then I heard Polla laugh, Finding we were not hurt, and she crept forth Forward, beneath the curtains; the oars stopped: 2890I heard a rush of feet, and presently Came Polla’s voice, ’Hold, slay me not, ye villains, I am Agrippina.’ Then, ’Ah me, I am slain!’ And one long deathly groan. This, when I heard, Taught me my part, and towards the other side, Crawling, I came to the window o’er the stern, Where lay my only escape; and silently, Feet foremost, I crept out, and by the ladder Slipped down without a sound into the sea. The galley still held way, and in few strokes 2900I saw that I was left and unperceived; And so swam on until the fishermen Hailed me by name, and took me in their boat. Ful. Who can have laid this plot to kill you, madam? Agr. ’Tis Nero, Fulvia, he who seemed but late So kind and dutiful: ’twas all hollowness, Part of the plot, to bring me here alone, Away from friends: ay, and perceive this too, To lay my death to charge of an accident, And hide, maybe, even my dead body, drowned And lost in the depths of the sea. Now, being alone, I shall need thee to aid me. Ful.Dearest madam,2911 What can I do? Agr.Thou must be faithful to me Whatever happens. Hearken, I said ’twas Nero Had done this: ’tis not so; my real enemy, The mover, is Poppæa. I blame not Nero: I bade him to discard her: he was driven To choose between us: she hath carried it. But being escaped, and she not here, I yet Can right myself with him. ’Tis not too late; 2920Nay, I can amply trust those broad affections, Which ’twixt a mother and her son remain At bottom, spite of all. Ay, they remain. The common knowledge of this guilty attempt Will clear the way: and when I show the path, He will be glad to escape. I have writ a letter, Which, if he read, will work. ’Tis pure submission. Remember, we must ever speak of this But as an accident. Here is the letter; Send Agerinus with it straight to Cæsar; 2930Of all my servants he’s the one must bear it: Nero has known him from a child, will trust him; Nay, he hath rid so oft upon his shoulders That he is half a brother, half a father. Send him at once: I have bidden him await: He should be here. Ful.Alas, this is a day Of sorrow indeed. I pray Minerva guard Her feast from ill.[Exit with letter. Agr.Indeed I have little fear, If he but read. Yet now, after this warning, 2939I must beware. ’Tis plain the people love me; They cheered me so. My escape will add to favour. Ful. (re-entering). He waited at the gate, and with full speed Runs with the letter. Agr.Come; one business Must now be not neglected; there’s poor Polla. Bring pens and ink and wax: we will seal up All her effects, and make an inventory In proper form, and do whate’er we may While we have time. Let us go see to it.[Exeunt. SCENE · 2 A room in Nero’s villa. A table with papers. Enter NERO, SENECA, BURRUS, and TIGELLINUS. NERO. We have an hour: sit down, my lords, we’ll hold A privy council. I have in my mind a matter Touching the subsidies. BURRUS. The day is good2950 For market matters, ’tis Minerva’s peace: The sword is sheathed. Ner. (to Servants). Set light upon the table. SENECA. To talk of subsidies hurts no man’s conscience. What is the business, Cæsar? Ner.I am vexed By the complaints against the imperial household In the gathering of tolls.—Here in these papers Are weighty charges ’gainst Pomponius Silvanus, and Sulpicius Camerinus: Read them at leisure. But I ask you first 2960Whether there be not cause for discontent In present management? Sen.’Tis a deep evil. But never was the empire better governed; Nor is there more extortion now, I think, Than ever was. Ner.And were there no extortion? Sen. Nay, while you farm the taxes there will be Extortion still. Ner.You all think that, my lords? Sen. Ay, ay. Ner.And so say I. You have my grounds. Now hear my scheme, by which for once and all I rid the empire of this blot. ’Tis this. 2970I will have no more tolls or tallages, Customs or duties levied: nay, not one Through all the empire. I will make this present To the human race: I say, their old vexation And burden shall away. TIGELLINUS. Magnificent. Sen. ’Tis generously meant, most generously. But is it possible? Ner.Why not? Sen.The treasury, Eased of this sum, must fill the deficit By other means. If you cut off the customs, You must increase the tributes, rates, and rents. 2980If one shoe pinches, ’tis no remedy To stuff both feet in the other. Ner.But my scheme Has precedent; there was no tallage taken Throughout all Italy for some six years Ere Julius. Sen. Ay, but he restored the customs As needful. Ner. Whence they seemed the price of empire. Sen. Unjustly. In the times of greatest liberty Consuls and tribunes have ordained new customs, Which yet remain. Tig.I praise the scheme. Ner. (to Bur.)And you? Bur. Where look you then for revenue? Ner.The rents, 2990We’ll have the rents. The land .... Enter Messenger with Officer of the Guard. Why, who is this? Whence come you, man? MESSENGER. Cæsar, from Anicetus. He asks great Cæsar’s pardon ere I tell. Ner. Thou’rt free to speak. Mess.There has an accident Befallen the Augusta’s yacht. Ner.Hey! what was that? Mess. At a lurch of the ship the awning fell and dragged The Augusta overboard. Ner.Speak, man, speak on. Mess. We thought her drowned. Ner.Ha! Mess.But by the grace of the gods She is escaped. Ner.Escaped! Mess.She swam to shore unharmed. Ner.Thou wretch, 2999And comest thou here in thy master’s place To bate mine anger? Forth and send him hither. Fly, or I kill thee. Mess.Pardon, great Cæsar, pardon. The Admiral follows and will straight be here. [Runs out. Ner. (aside). Escaped! after such boast, escaped! I am lost.— To have done this thing had tried me; to have attempted it And failed is ruin. Sen. (aside from Nero). What is this? Bur. (to Sen.)’Tis clear Cæsar knows what: and her escape not being His pleasure tells us that ’twas not his purpose. Sen. (aloud). Alas, alas! Ner.What friend there cries Alas? Who now stands by me? who will aid me now? Tig. If Cæsar make his will but known ... Ner.Thou dullard! 3011I need the brains of them that know my will. Now is no time for parley. Seneca, Speak what thou thinkest. Sen. Cæsar, I am so much grieved that ... Ner.What’s thy pain To mine? Speak, man! Sen.Alas, what shall I say? Ner. How hast thou guessed this thing without a word, And yet hast not foreseen it? Sen.Oh, is’t then true? The letter false; the Augusta hither brought But to be drowned! Ner.See if ye know it not. 3020Sen. Let her escape belie thy guilty purpose. Ner. Why, nay, the failure damns a thousand-fold More than her death—I am henceforth the man Who would have killed his mother, and could not. Sen. Alas, alas! Ner.Hast thou no word but that? Thou that hast ever warned me, ay, and gone So far upon this path that thou hast sought To dull the natural feeling which so long Held off my hand, hast argued ’gainst repugnance, 3029Crying, ’tis she that is the guilty one, The dangerous one, there is no peace with her: And now the day the thing thou hast foreseen, Ay, and hast led me to, is done, thou’rt silent. Hast thou no word?—Thou that wast ever ready, Hast thou no word?—What strikes thee on a sudden Dumb? Be my counsellor now that I need thee. Speak now! Why, thou dost weep! surely thou weepest! Burrus, what sayest thou? Bur.This mischief, Cæsar, Being thus arisen is the Augusta’s death. Though I bewail the occasion, yet I say 3040’Twere most untimely justice to endanger The public peace for her whose life hath been So long the shame of justice. Since the sentence We know is just, and that necessity O’errides the common forms, the less delay The better. Let her die. Ner.I thank thee, Burrus. How were this best performed? Tig.Now, if none speak, I’ll say that Burrus, being the advocate Of what is planned, and as pretorian prefect Possessed of means, is fittest for the work. 3050Bur. Look not on me, Seneca, as if to say ’Tis well; as if ’twere thy thought that my office Covered this deed. I pardon Tigellinus, That, unacquainted with a soldier’s honour, He thinks it passable in time of peace, Entering in private houses there to slay Defenceless citizens. But that the guards Would thus lay hands on one that bears the name Of Agrippina, that they could forget Their loved Germanicus, who would think this? 3060To such a deed they would not follow me, Far less another; and if Cæsar now Look for it from me, lo, I here throw down My prefecture to any man soe’er Who durst with this condition take it up. Ner. Nay, Burrus, I’ll not ask thee that. Thou’rt right. And yet, if thou could’st do it— See here the man. Enter Anicetus in haste, Paris following. Thou hast been my ruin! ANICETUS. Pardon, Cæsar, pardon. I am strangely foiled. Give me one hour, and yet I’ll make amends. Ner.If thou canst make amends, Come hither, speak with me.[They go aside to front. Bur.Is the thing known? PARIS. Ay ay. Ner. (to Anic.) What canst thou do? Ani.I have set a guard3071 Around her villa, fearing lest the people Should force their way within, or she escape. Give me the word and I will slay her there. Ner. Fool, I can give no word. Think when ’tis done, If I should punish thee less for that deed Than for thy late misdoing. What is this? Enter Officer of the Guard. Petronius follows. OFFICER. The Augusta, Cæsar, sends a freedman hither, One Agerinus, with a letter. Ner. (to Anic.)Now What to do? Ani.Bid him enter: when he comes3080 I am prepared. Lend me thy dagger, friend (to Tig.). [Takes Tigellinus’ dagger. Enter Agerinus, who runs to Cæsar. AGERINUS. Lo, Cæsar, I am sent ... Ani.Ha! where’s thy hand? Ay, as I thought, a dagger well concealed Under his cloak. Age.Indeed, indeed, good sir, I have no dagger. Ani.How no dagger? See! Had I not caught thee! Ho! the guard, the guard! Take him to prison till he can be questioned. Age. You do force treason on me. Cæsar! Cæsar! [He is borne off by Guards. Ani. This villain having come, as he confessed, From the empress armed, will Cæsar leave the enquiry Now in my hands? Ner.I do. Ani.With me who will!3091 Tig. I follow, lead the way. [Exeunt Anicetus and Tigellinus. Paris follows them. Exit Nero within doors. PETRONIUS. What will they go to do? Bur.’Tis thus: the Admiral Has gone to kill the Augusta. Petr.Gods forbid! His orders? Bur. Humph! Petr.Why, men, what thing ye do! He is shamed for ever. Bur.Ay, and were’t not done Were shamed no less. Sen.Alas! ’tis true, ’tis true. And thou wert right, Burrus; but dost thou well Permitting this? Bur.I see ’tis necessary, 3100And am not shamed to say I think the thing Itself is good. As for the motives, Seneca, Ay, and the manner of it, to defend them I shall not meddle. Petr. (to Sen.) And thou wilt take thy share? Sen. ’Tis not my counsel. Petr.’Twill be held as thine, And rightly, seeing that thou let it not. I could have stayed it. Bur.Nay, be not so sure. And if thou could’st have let it, could’st thou too Prevent the consequences? Petr.But remember, She is his mother. Oh, I thought him better. 3110Is it too late now think you, if I ran ... Bur. They are there by now. Believe ’tis for the best. If she should live but till to-morrow morn, ’Tis civil war. Consider what a party Would stir upon the tale of Claudius’ death, Or to revenge Britannicus. I say There’s nought to gain. Petr.Why, ’tis his mother, Burrus, His mother. I’ll be sworn he had not dared Thus to commit himself had I been by. He that should be a model to the world, 3120The mirror of good manners, to offend Thus against taste! Bur.If ’twere no worse ... Petr.Why, see, There are a hundred subtle ways by which, Had Cæsar done the thing, he had not been blamed. This vulgar butchery displays to all The motive, which so hurts your sense of right That ye neglect the manner. Why, I say, A just attention to the circumstance Would hide the doing; but thus done, the doing Proclaims the deed. And is’t not plain that ye 3130Must share the guilt? Seneca, look for that. Sen. ’Tis very well for you, Petronius, To take upon yourself the criticism And ordering of appearances, and say ’If aught goes ill, blame me.’ You lay your hand On any object you mislike, remove it, Replace it as you will, can please yourself: Nay, you can blame their taste who are not pleased. But he who deals with men, and seeks to mould A character to that high rule of right 3140Which so few can attain, he works, I say, With different matter, nor can he be blamed By any measure of his ill success. His best endeavours are like little dams Built ’gainst the ocean, on a sinking shore. Nature asserts her force—and the wise man Blames not himself for his defeat. For me, Much as my soul is grieved, ay, and my pride Wounded—tho’ yet, I thank philosophy, I can be glad for that,—my hopes—for this I mourn—my hopes blasted; yet, hear me say, 3151I take unto myself no self-reproach, Nay, not a tittle of the part of mischief A vulgar mind might credit to my score. I have done my best, and that’s the utmost good A man can do; and if a better man Had in my place done more, ’tis perverse Fortune That placed me ill. Thus far I argue with you, Who look on me askance, and think my heart Is tainted; as if I would in such case Do such thing, as—poison my brother at table, 3161Contrive to kill my mother: ’Tis so far From possible, that to my ears the words Carry no sense: nay, and I think such crimes May seem more horrible to other men, Whose passions make them fear them, than to me Who cannot think them mine. As for the rest, I stand with you, and never from this hour Shall mix with Cæsar more with any hope Of good. Indeed I have hoped too long, and yet 3170The end has come too soon. Re-enter Anicetus, Tigellinus, and Paris. Tig. ’Tis done, ’tis done. Ani. Where is Cæsar? Bur.Within. [Anicetus and Tigellinus hurry within. Petr. Paris, is it true? Par.The Augusta lives no longer, Most brutally and miserably slain: Yet died she bravely. Petr.And why wentest thou To soil thy hand? Par.I went not to take part: But Fortune holding nature’s ruffians up, I took their pattern. Sen.Say, who did the deed? Par. I’ll tell thee what I saw. As forth we went, The coward Tigellinus, pale as death, In needless haste foremost where was no danger, 3181Hurried us on so fast, that thro’ the street We scarce kept pace, but when he reached the wall Of the garden, and saw there the soldiers placed By Anicetus, knowing not their purpose, He shrank behind. These men being bidden seized The servants; then we entered, and with us Came the centurion. Within the room Sat Agrippina with a single maid, Who seeing the Admiral’s sword fled past us out: At which the Augusta called to her, ’Dost thou, 3191Fulvia, desert me too?’ Then to the Admiral She spoke. ’If here thou comest to enquire From Cæsar of my health, know I am well, Recovered from my shock, and little hurt. But if, as your men’s looks would mean, ye are come Deeming that Cæsar wills that I should suffer The like I late escaped, know you mistake. ’Twas not of his contrivance, and my foe In this is his.’ None answered, and awhile 3200Was such delay as makes the indivisible And smallest point of time various and broad; For Agrippina, when she saw her lie Fail of its aim, ventured no more, as knowing There was no wiser plea; but let her eyes Indifferently wander round her foes, Counting their strength. Then looked I to have seen Her spring, for her cheek swelled, and ’neath her robe Her foot moved; ay, and had she been but armed, One would have fallen. But if she had the thought 3210She set it by, choosing to take her death With dignity. Then Anicetus raised His sword, and I fled out beyond the door To see no more. First Tigellinus’ voice, ’To death, thou wretch!’ then blows, but not a groan; Only she showed her spirit to the last, And made some choice of death, offering her body, ’That bare the monster,’ crying with that curse, ’Strike here, strike here!’ Sen.Alas, poor lady, 3219Was that the end of thy unscrupulous, Towering ambition? Thou didst win indeed The best and worst of Fortune. Bur.Give her her due, Such courage as deserved the best, such crimes As make her death seem gentler than deserved. Enter Nero between Anicetus and Tigellinus. Ner. My lords, ’tis done. Nay, look not grieved. There’s none Suffers as much as I; all share the good. And think not that to keep the world at peace I grudge this sacrifice: the general care I set before my own, and therefore bid There be no public mourning, nay, to-morrow 3230We shall attend the spectacles and games, Appear as usual before the people: Ay, and I partly look, my lords, to you That I be well received. Good night to all!