_The room in Domitia’s house, Enter DOMITIA and
PARIS._
_DOMITIA._
’Twas a most shameful deed; we take upon us
A just revenge.
_PARIS._
But ’tis the general thought
That Nero killed his brother; that his mother
Had no hand in it, rather would have saved him.
_Dom._ ’Twas her intrigues determined him, and they
Who egg on others are the real movers. 1750
Now will he hate her more a thousand-fold
For driving him to crime. She will not ’scape:
Our plot will stand.
_Par._ Is it thy scheme to push
Silana’s accusation?
_Dom._ Ay, ’tis that.
We shall accuse the Augusta of intent
To marry Plautus, to assert his claim,
And thus assail the throne.
_Par._ How wilt thou broach it?
_Dom._ We have fixed to-night. Cæsar will dine at home,
And with convenient company. ’Tis agreed
When he’s well drunk, you enter, announce the plot
As freshly hatched, and so unmask the affair 1761
That he shall be persuaded.
_Par._ How glibly, madam,
Speech can glide o’er the hitch; I must feel flattered
That just in the awkward place I am shovelled in
To carry it through, who have no heart in the matter.
_Dom._ No heart! had you no ear then to my promise?
_Par._ ’Tis little for the risk. But what of Burrus?
_Dom._ Seeing that without his name the plot were weak,
And that to avouch his treason would discredit it,
We say he is suspected.
_Par._ ’Twill not stand. 1770
We lack confederates.
_Dom._ You forget Poppæa.
I have sent for her to try her. If I mistake not,
’Tis she that knocks. Get you behind the door,
And watch what passes. There! [_Paris hides._
_Enter Poppæa._
Now this is kind.
_POPPÆA._