_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.
And how the people cheered! it did me good. 2640
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 you 2650
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.
To be so young and rule the world! 2660
_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
Will join me. I can take them to your villa. 2680
_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._