_Dom._ I count the days, Poppæa, when you yourself
Will call me aunt: and in that happy hope
I’ll stand thy friend.
_Pop._ I shall have full need, madam,
Of all good offices.
_Dom._ Maybe: my sister
Is an unscrupulous enemy. Beware! 1780
She stole from me a husband, and will now
Keep you from winning one.
_Pop._ She doth not hide
Her disapproval of my love to Cæsar,
And thus appears my foe; but in truth, madam,
Half of my heart sides with her, and the fear
Lest the full passion which I bear your nephew
May shame his rank, conquers my love so far
That oft I doubt if I have a heart to bear
The honour I have dreamed of, or a love
Worthy of him, since it so much can fear. 1790
_Dom._ Tut, tut! if you’re the woman that I think
You’re just what I would wish his wife to be.
Wronged in his marriage, he since hath wronged himself:
Octavia is a ninny, but his low
And last intrigues have scandalized the court:
Our family is hurt. You are his equal
In wit and manners, and can hold your place;
Nor in opposing you is it his good
His mother weighs: rather it suits her schemes
To have his wife a fool. ’Tis not unknown 1800
What lately she had dared to keep her place,
But that Britannicus’ so sudden death
Blasted her plots: now in her constant project
Your marriage threatens her.
_Pop._ The more I see
It blackens more. May I dare ask you, madam,
To tell your sister that I willingly
Retire, if she prevail upon her son
Quite to forget his love and put me by?
_Dom._ Which side to take? that must you first determine;
’Tis Cæsar or his mother. I supposed 1810
’Twas him you loved, not her. Now should I tell you
That she is deeply pledged to take his life,
And seize the empire...
_Pop._ Oh! what wicked crimes!
Impossible!
_Dom._ But if I prove it to you?
_Pop._ I could not hear it.
_Dom._ Nay, but if ’tis true,
Side you with us who hinder it, or her
Who pushes it?
_Pop._ O madam, ’tis incredible.
_Dom._ Ay, and to-night, as Nero sits at supper,
When Paris brings the news he’ll not believe it.
But then a word from you might turn the scale, 1820
And rouse his better judgment.
_Pop._ The very thought
That her destruction were my safety, madam,
Would hold my tongue. Indeed you have wronged me much,
Telling me this.
_Dom._ Why, such things you will hear.
_Pop._ Nay, let me go.
_Dom._ Ay, go, but think upon it.
_Pop._ Farewell. [_Exit._
_Dom._ (_sola_). Was I mistaken?
_Par._ (_re-entering_). My mind is changed.
_Dom._ How now! what say you?
_Par._ Madam, the plot will stand.
_Dom._ Did you hear all?
_Par._ And saw.
_Dom._ All that compunction...
_Par._ Ay, be sure of it.
Why she and I could carry anything. 1830
She’s a born actress: we must keep good friends
With her.
_Dom._ Then this is well; go learn your part.
[_Exeunt._