_Petr._ (_to Servt._) Call me my servant there.
_Anic._ Wilt thou go?
_Petr._ Ay, ’tis sadly out of place,
This business at this time. Look, Anicetus,
Thou’rt new to Cæsar’s suppers; let me tell thee
There’s ever something wrong. See how he takes it!
Mad, mad! 2050
_Ner._ (_aside_). I see. Plautus. This hits my life:
Britannicus being dead, that hope cut off,
She looks to Plautus’ claim: and I to be
Poisoned or what appears not: yet I doubt not
Poisoned. ’Tis found in time. Now ’tis plain war;
The strongest wins. Poison! ’Tis life for life.
Nay, maybe already I have swallowed down
Some death-steeped morsel; ay, this very night
Have tasted of it, and the subtle drug
Runs in my veins concocting: my spirit sickens,
I faint and tremble. What is it?
_Anic._ (_advancing_). Cæsar, a word. 2060
_Ner._ What would’st thou say?
_Anic._ (_to Ner._) ’Tis I can do this thing.
None that be here lack will: I have the means.
’Twere easy, would you give me the command.
_Ner._ What would be easy?
_Anic._ Why, this thing that hangs,
Which you for Rome so wisely, and for you
Rome and your friends have wished. If but your foe
Step on a ship of mine, I’ll beg my death
If it touch land again. We go to Baiæ,
And there upon the hazard of the sea
May this disorder sleep.
_Enter Burrus with Tigellinus._
_Ner._ (_to Anic._) I thank thy zeal; 2070
There is no need; give way.—Burrus, thou’rt called
Upon a stern occasion. Is’t not death
To any man or woman whosoe’er
That plots to murder Cæsar?
_BURRUS._
Death deserved.
_Ner._ Here be the names of some who thus offend.
Thine is amongst them: of thine honesty
I am too well persuaded to demand
More proof than this, that thou do execute
All these conspirators to-night.
_Bur._ —Cæsar
Is not mistaken in me. Let me see 2080
The names. [_Takes paper and reads._
_Par._ (_aside_). Now may Jove blast the general’s wits,
Else we be lost.
_Petr._ (_to Anic._) Take my advice. (_going_).
_Anic._ (_to Petr._) Nay, nay,
I’ll see it out. [_Exit Petronius._
_Bur._ (_aside_). What’s this? Why, ’tis mere nonsense.—
What evidence hath Cæsar of this plot?
_Ner._ Confession of the traitors. Paris brings it
Fresh from Domitia.
_Bur._ Now, with your permission,
I’ll question Paris.
_Ner._ Question! why, is’t not plain?
Question is treasonous; and thou to question,
Whose name the black suspicion pricks! wilt thou
Question?—who hast the deepest cause of all 2090
For sure conviction? Is’t not horrible
That I, to whose security the empire
Looks for stability, should most of all
Live an uneasy and precarious life,
And find no remedy because my ministers,
Who should be over-zealous to protect me
Even from imagined danger, shut their eyes
And ears to plots and perils which I hear
My slaves and women prate of?
_Bur._ Cæsar, the matter
Demands inquiry. That you have been much wronged
Is clear: by whom is doubtful. Let me pray 2101
You save your judgment from reproach of haste,
And hear what I advise.
_Ner._ Speak; I will hear.
Speak.
_Bur._ First dismiss the company: ’tis ill
To have had this audience.
_Ner._ Friends, you are all dismissed.
Begone without a word: this business presses.
_Pop._ (_to Nero_). Have some one with you, Nero; are you advised?
Keep a guard while you can.
_Ner._ (_to Pop._) Nay, have no fear.
_Pop._ I would not trust him. Did not Paris say
His name was with the rest?
_Ner._ (_to Pop._) Be not afraid.— 2110
Good night, my lords. (_To Bur._) Shall Paris stay?
_Bur._ No, none.
_Ner._ Paris, await without; the rest go home.
[_Anic. Tig. and Par. go out: Poppæa tarries._
_Pop._ (_to Nero_). Oh, do not trust this man!
_Ner._ (_to Pop._) He’s not my enemy.
_Pop._ I fear to leave thee with him.
_Ner._ Have no fear.
_Pop._ Could he not kill thee?
_Ner._ Nay, nay.
_Pop._ Oh, he will.
Alas! alas! Oh! oh! [_Faints._
_Ner._ Why, thou must go.
[_Exit Nero carrying out Poppæa._
_Bur._ (_solus_). Be hanged! the fool’s gone too.
_Re-enter Nero._
_Ner._ Now, Burrus, now.
Art thou my friend?
_Bur._ —We are alone, and while
There’s none to hear, you must excuse a soldier
If he speak plainly, Cæsar.
_Ner._ Indeed, Burrus, 2120
Thou art my only friend; speak as a friend.
_Bur._ I have heard it said the German warriors,
Meet o’er their cups, and, hot with wine, resolve
Matters of state; but ere they put in act
Their midnight policy, they meet again
In morning hours to see if sober sense
Approve what frenzied zeal inspired. The custom
Has been applauded. Chance has given to you
The one half of the method: use the other.
_Ner._ I am not drunk. 2130
_Bur._ Such wandering judgment, Cæsar,
Asks such excuse.
_Ner._ My judgment wanders not.
I am cool. My face is flushed?...
_Bur._ How will this look
If, sitting here at table, at a breath
Of hearsay you commit to instant death
Your mother and four noble citizens,
With others of less note?
_Ner._ Choose I the time?
Shall the conspirators be pardoned then
’Cause Cæsar sups? or say Cæsar must fast
And touch no wine, lest when his blood be warm
Some treasonous practice creep into his ears, 2140
And they who would befriend conspiracy
May point suspicion on his judgment! Now
Is a good hour for treason; Cæsar sups,
And must not credit it.
_Bur._ I do not blame
Your feast.
_Ner._ No more then: let it be to-night.
_Bur._ What! on a charge unproven?
_Ner._ Thou may’st prove it.
_Bur._ See, you acquit me; why not then the rest?
_Ner._ Acquit my mother! would’st thou persuade me, Burrus,
She can be acquitted?
_Bur._ Of the deeds she has done
She is guilty; for this action charged against her,
It is not hers.
_Ner._ Oh, more, much more is hers 2151
Than thou dost dream. The crime men charge on me,
My brother’s death, Burrus, indeed, I swear,
Though thou believe me not, yet if my part
In that were separate and weighed ’gainst hers ...
I would not tell thee... Oh, I had been happy had I
But heard thee then.
_Bur._ Your peace even now as much
Hangs on good counsel. You are hot: be guided, Cæsar.
_Ner._ Nay, now thou’rt changed, thou’rt wrong: thou goest round
To the other side. If thou would’st give the advice
I need, I’d take it gladly. Listen, Burrus: 2161
I have another secret; if I tell thee
Thou may’st befriend me. I will tell thee. Hark!
’Tis this: I fear my mother; I cannot sound
Her heartlessness; my terror shames the shows
And feeble efforts of my trust and love.
I have read her eyes—
Oh, there’s no tenderness, no pious scruple
Writ in my favour there; nothing but hate.
To think that I am her son but whets to fierceness
Her fury, and her hellish plots are laid 2171
More recklessly and safely that she deems
I am not knit of that obdurate nerve
To sear the tender place of natural love.
I would not do it, Burrus, though I fear her
And hate her, as I must; but let it end
Ere it be worse. I pray thee do it, Burrus.
_Bur._ The cause of fear is magnified by terror:
The present circumstance were amply met
By Agrippina’s exile, which I urge, 2180
As ever, now. But let such sentence rest
On proven crime.
_Ner._ Oh, thus were ne’er an end.
Done, we stand clear.
_Bur._ Thus done, ’twere a foul crime:
And if you have found remorse in what before
Was schemed in fear and haste, consider, Cæsar,
If you would thank me for subserviency
Did I obey; for your sake I refuse.
_Ner._ Eh!
_Bur._ I refuse.
_Ner._ I have other friends.
_Bur._ So be it.
Take my demission. But remember, Cæsar,
That he who fills my place, handles the power 2190
That holds you up; he that hath strength to help
May find the will to hurt you.
_Ner._ I meant not that.
I trust thee, Burrus: I’ll be guided by thee.
What wilt thou do?
_Bur._ The wisest course is thus:
To-morrow Seneca and I will go
With chosen witnesses to Agrippina,
And lay the charge. If she draw quit of it,
Well; but if not, I promise that her place
Shall not win favour of me.
_Ner._ Dost thou promise?
_Bur._ I promise that.
_Ner._ And if there be a doubt, 2200
Thou’lt wrest it to my side?
_Bur._ I promise that.
_Ner._ ’Tis death.
_Bur._ Ay, death.
_Ner._ If that be thy last word
I am free. I would I had more such friends as thou.
But bring it not back; take all my power. Thou saidst
I had no cause for fear?
_Bur._ What should you fear?
_Ner._ I think thou’rt right.
_Bur._ Now, Cæsar, I will leave you.
Your spirits are much moved.
_Ner._ Indeed I swear
I am not moved. There was no need to blame
My supper, Burrus.
_Bur._ Nay, I blamed it not.
_Ner._ I am not sensible to wine as others. 2210
Of all I meet there’s none, no, not the best,
Can eat and drink as I. There’s something, Burrus,
In that. I think if I, who rule the world,
Could not enjoy my wine, that were a blemish
Which scorn might hit.
_Bur._ I never blamed your supper.
_Ner._ Hadst thou been there, thou would’st have praised it well.
I have learned much lately in these things. Petronius,
Ay, he’s the man—I’m blessed in this Petronius.
Thou know’st him?
_Bur._ Ay, and would not keep his hours.
’Tis late, to bed.
_Ner._ Well, Burrus, I’ll to bed. 2220
But thou must sup with me. I’d gladly have thee
One of our party. I shall tell Petronius.
_Bur._ Cæsar, good night.
_Ner._ By heaven, I had forgot;
Where did I leave Poppæa? I remember.
Good night, Burrus, good night. [_Exit._
_Bur._ Now may brave Bacchus
Reclaim the field; for me, I’ll gather up
This quenched brand, and be off. What must men think
Of Cæsar, who would fetch him with such trash?
The Augusta marry Plautus! Master Paris
For this will need his wit to save his skin. [_Exit._