ACT · V

ACT · VSCENE · 1Baiæ. 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 smoothlyHer little plot went off! My first suspicions,Fulvia, I am sure were wrong: this invitationWas most well meant; and see the tendernessHas even called up my tears. You cannot knowWhat fond associations make this houseA home indeed. I wish I had not refusedTo take the yacht at Bauli: ’twas an error,Over-precaution.FULVIA.Madam, I but told you2650The 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 isSenecaAnd 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: othersHave been but Cæsars; he’s an emperor,And wears the full magnificence of stateIn 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 youThe 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 seeMy joy and reconcilement, and in the thoughtTo please so many friends I kept my litter.Ner.You’ll all sup with us?2670Agr.I look for nothing better.Ner.Whom will you bring?Agr.I have no one with me hereBut 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 comeThat were a double pleasure.Ner.I am sorry, I must goOrder to-morrow’s games.Agr.Your lords mayhap2680Will join me. I can take them to your villa.Sen.I’ll gladly come: the dust the crowd treads upHas filled my throat and set me coughing shrewdly.Ner.Nay, I shall want you both.Agr.Some other timeI 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 aloneWith 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 tenderlyThey both embrace.Bur.Who would have thought it?Sen.I;I should have thought it: and I point to thisTo justify my words those many timesOur 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 hour2700When 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 suddenHe is changed again.Sen.You see how easilyHe is overcome with kindness. Would you knowThe 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,2710I have every cause for hope; and here to-dayThe meeting in this house more than assures meHe 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 AugustaAt Baiæ: hither in all haste I came.The yearnings and the miseries of exile2720Would 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 spakeImpatience flushed her cheek—she shared my joy.I knelt in tears there, nor ashamed of tears,Though at her side I was aware was standingA boy of some twelve years; whom, when I rose,She then presented as her son, and bade me2730Take him for pupil. As I saw him thenIn fullest grace of boyhood, apt in allBoys should be manly in, and gifted furtherThan boys are wont with insight, and the touchOf human sympathy and learned taste,Proficient in some arts and dull in none,But coy withal and generous, ’twas no wonderIf ere that evening passed I had admittedThe schemes his mother had laid, which in short timeWere brought to pass.Bur.’Twas a black day.Sen.And yet,2740Burrus, if after you had seen how kindlyHe took instruction, how he came to love me,You would not wonder—nay, I can rememberClaudius himself was shamed if his Britannicus,Being younger but by some two years, were byWhere Nero was: and had I been the fatherI 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 establishesHis power?Bur.Because it is an office, Seneca,2750The 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 guardsCommanded by some brute like Tigellinus.Sen.Nay, be not angry.Bur.Would not you be angryThus to be questioned?Sen.Nay, indeed, by habitI question oft myself.Bur.Then, for one questionI’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 wayAnd leaves no track. Now what I ask is this:How ride so lightly with the times, and yetBe the unbending stoic, the philosopher,The rock, I say, that planted in the deepMoves not a hair, but sees the buffeting breakersBoil 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 libertyIs the prime element: nothing is pleasantJoined with a must. Why, even this journey hitherThat has so cheered my mistress, all the talkOf 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 kerchief2782I 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 heavenI 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 well2790I shan’t see the outside of these villa wallsTill bound for home. And here no visitors,At least for me. Cheer on, my lads! and yetIf I should get the chance I’d like to seeThese famous Neapolitans: I’m toldThey’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 contrivanceTo take my life—the kindness was all hollow—2801A dastardly contrivance: ’twas the shipSeleucus 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 shiftThese dripping habits. When I am rested somewhatThou shalt hear all: meanwhile, call in the sailorsWho rowed me hither: get from them whate’erThey saw or know, and promise a rewardWorthy 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!2811Ho! 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 serviceShall 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 boat2820And pulled her close along the shore, to findA party of landsmen, such as love to visitMisenum, or be rowed across the bayTo 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 wasLaid on her beam-ends in the offing. Ho!We cried, and gave the alarm, and led the chase2830To reach her first: when presently she righted,Steadied, and trimmed her oars, and drew away.While we were wondering and talking of itI spied a something floating, and againPutting 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 mateLifted her in handsomely. Then she bad usStraight 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-morrow2850Come for your recompense. I know not yetThe 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 AugustaHas 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 tellShe’s of good stuff; ay, and can swim.Ful.Be sureYou 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 servantsUpon the place: ’tis plotted well indeedTo catch me thus alone: Mistress PoppæaIs seen in this. Yet being escaped, I thinkI 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 hurt2871Is very little: but I am somewhat shaken.Ful.What is it that hath happed? The sailors knewNothing but that they found you.Agr.Did they seeNothing?Ful.They saw the galley lurch, and sayThe Admiral must know.Agr.’Tis likely enough’Twas his contrivance. Now I’ll tell thee all,Fulvia, and thou must help me all thou canstWhen thou hast heard: indeed I tell thee partlyTo 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 crashAs took away my spirits, and Polla and IWere thrown down from our couches by the weightOf falling cloth and spars: one heavy beamGrazed my left shoulder, and we lay crushed downUpon the deck. Then I heard Polla laugh,Finding we were not hurt, and she crept forthForward, beneath the curtains; the oars stopped:2890I heard a rush of feet, and presentlyCame 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 ladderSlipped down without a sound into the sea.The galley still held way, and in few strokes2900I saw that I was left and unperceived;And so swam on until the fishermenHailed 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 lateSo 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, drownedAnd lost in the depths of the sea. Now, being alone,I shall need thee to aid me.Ful.Dearest madam,2911What can I do?Agr.Thou must be faithful to meWhatever happens. Hearken, I said ’twas NeroHad done this: ’tis not so; my real enemy,The mover, is Poppæa. I blame not Nero:I bade him to discard her: he was drivenTo choose between us: she hath carried it.But being escaped, and she not here, I yetCan right myself with him. ’Tis not too late;2920Nay, I can amply trust those broad affections,Which ’twixt a mother and her son remainAt bottom, spite of all. Ay, they remain.The common knowledge of this guilty attemptWill 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 thisBut 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 shouldersThat 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 dayOf sorrow indeed. I pray Minerva guardHer 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 withfull speedRuns with the letter.Agr.Come; one businessMust now be not neglected; there’s poor Polla.Bring pens and ink and wax: we will seal upAll her effects, and make an inventoryIn proper form, and do whate’er we mayWhile we have time. Let us go see to it.[Exeunt.SCENE · 2A 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 holdA privy council. I have in my mind a matterTouching the subsidies.BURRUS.The day is good2950For 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 vexedBy the complaints against the imperial householdIn the gathering of tolls.—Here in these papersAre weighty charges ’gainst PomponiusSilvanus, and Sulpicius Camerinus:Read them at leisure. But I ask you first2960Whether there be not cause for discontentIn 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 beExtortion 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 allI rid the empire of this blot. ’Tis this.2970I will have no more tolls or tallages,Customs or duties levied: nay, not oneThrough all the empire. I will make this presentTo the human race: I say, their old vexationAnd 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 deficitBy other means. If you cut off the customs,You must increase the tributes, rates, and rents.2980If one shoe pinches, ’tis no remedyTo stuff both feet in the other.Ner.But my schemeHas precedent; there was no tallage takenThroughout all Italy for some six yearsEre Julius.Sen.Ay, but he restored the customsAs needful.Ner.Whence they seemed the price of empire.Sen.Unjustly. In the times of greatest libertyConsuls 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 accidentBefallen the Augusta’s yacht.Ner.Hey! what was that?Mess.At a lurch of the ship the awning fell and draggedThe Augusta overboard.Ner.Speak, man, speak on.Mess.We thought her drowned.Ner.Ha!Mess.But by the grace of the godsShe is escaped.Ner.Escaped!Mess.She swam to shore unharmed.Ner.Thou wretch,2999And comest thou here in thy master’s placeTo 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 itAnd failed is ruin.Sen.(aside from Nero). What is this?Bur.(to Sen.)’Tis clearCæsar knows what: and her escape not beingHis 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 painTo 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 broughtBut 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-foldMore than her death—I am henceforth the manWho 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 goneSo far upon this path that thou hast soughtTo dull the natural feeling which so longHeld 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 suddenDumb? 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 say3040’Twere most untimely justice to endangerThe public peace for her whose life hath beenSo long the shame of justice. Since the sentenceWe know is just, and that necessityO’errides the common forms, the less delayThe 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 advocateOf what is planned, and as pretorian prefectPossessed 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 officeCovered 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 slayDefenceless citizens. But that the guardsWould thus lay hands on one that bears the nameOf Agrippina, that they could forgetTheir loved Germanicus, who would think this?3060To such a deed they would not follow me,Far less another; and if Cæsar nowLook for it from me, lo, I here throw downMy prefecture to any man soe’erWho 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 yetI’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 guard3071Around her villa, fearing lest the peopleShould 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 deedThan 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.)NowWhat to do?Ani.Bid him enter: when he comes3080I 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 concealedUnder 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 enquiryNow in my hands?Ner.I do.Ani.With me who will!3091Tig.I follow, lead the way.[Exeunt Anicetus and Tigellinus. Paris followsthem. Exit Nero within doors.PETRONIUS.What will they go to do?Bur.’Tis thus: the AdmiralHas 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 doneWere shamed no less.Sen.Alas! ’tis true, ’tis true.And thou wert right, Burrus; but dost thou wellPermitting this?Bur.I see ’tis necessary,3100And am not shamed to say I think the thingItself is good. As for the motives, Seneca,Ay, and the manner of it, to defend themI 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 tooPrevent 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 partyWould stir upon the tale of Claudius’ death,Or to revenge Britannicus. I sayThere’s nought to gain.Petr.Why, ’tis his mother, Burrus,His mother. I’ll be sworn he had not daredThus to commit himself had I been by.He that should be a model to the world,3120The mirror of good manners, to offendThus 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 allThe motive, which so hurts your sense of rightThat ye neglect the manner. Why, I say,A just attention to the circumstanceWould hide the doing; but thus done, the doingProclaims the deed. And is’t not plain that ye3130Must share the guilt? Seneca, look for that.Sen.’Tis very well for you, Petronius,To take upon yourself the criticismAnd ordering of appearances, and say’If aught goes ill, blame me.’ You lay your handOn 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 mouldA character to that high rule of right3140Which so few can attain, he works, I say,With different matter, nor can he be blamedBy any measure of his ill success.His best endeavours are like little damsBuilt ’gainst the ocean, on a sinking shore.Nature asserts her force—and the wise manBlames not himself for his defeat. For me,Much as my soul is grieved, ay, and my prideWounded—tho’ yet, I thank philosophy,I can be glad for that,—my hopes—for thisI mourn—my hopes blasted; yet, hear me say,3151I take unto myself no self-reproach,Nay, not a tittle of the part of mischiefA vulgar mind might credit to my score.I have done my best, and that’s the utmost goodA man can do; and if a better manHad in my place done more, ’tis perverse FortuneThat placed me ill. Thus far I argue with you,Who look on me askance, and think my heartIs tainted; as if I would in such caseDo such thing, as—poison my brother at table,3161Contrive to kill my mother: ’Tis so farFrom possible, that to my ears the wordsCarry no sense: nay, and I think such crimesMay seem more horrible to other men,Whose passions make them fear them, than to meWho cannot think them mine. As for the rest,I stand with you, and never from this hourShall mix with Cæsar more with any hopeOf good. Indeed I have hoped too long, and yet3170The 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 thouTo 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 streetWe scarce kept pace, but when he reached the wallOf the garden, and saw there the soldiers placedBy Anicetus, knowing not their purpose,He shrank behind. These men being bidden seizedThe servants; then we entered, and with usCame the centurion. Within the roomSat 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 AdmiralShe spoke. ’If here thou comest to enquireFrom 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 comeDeeming that Cæsar wills that I should sufferThe like I late escaped, know you mistake.’Twas not of his contrivance, and my foeIn this is his.’ None answered, and awhile3200Was such delay as makes the indivisibleAnd smallest point of time various and broad;For Agrippina, when she saw her lieFail of its aim, ventured no more, as knowingThere was no wiser plea; but let her eyesIndifferently wander round her foes,Counting their strength. Then looked I to have seenHer spring, for her cheek swelled, and ’neath her robeHer foot moved; ay, and had she been but armed,One would have fallen. But if she had the thought3210She set it by, choosing to take her deathWith dignity. Then Anicetus raisedHis sword, and I fled out beyond the doorTo 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 indeedThe best and worst of Fortune.Bur.Give her her due,Such courage as deserved the best, such crimesAs make her death seem gentler than deserved.Enter Nero between Anicetus and Tigellinus.Ner.My lords, ’tis done. Nay, look not grieved. There’s noneSuffers as much as I; all share the good.And think not that to keep the world at peaceI grudge this sacrifice: the general careI set before my own, and therefore bidThere be no public mourning, nay, to-morrow3230We shall attend the spectacles and games,Appear as usual before the people:Ay, and I partly look, my lords, to youThat I be well received. Good night to all!

SCENE · 1Baiæ. 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 smoothlyHer little plot went off! My first suspicions,Fulvia, I am sure were wrong: this invitationWas most well meant; and see the tendernessHas even called up my tears. You cannot knowWhat fond associations make this houseA home indeed. I wish I had not refusedTo take the yacht at Bauli: ’twas an error,Over-precaution.FULVIA.Madam, I but told you2650The 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 isSenecaAnd 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: othersHave been but Cæsars; he’s an emperor,And wears the full magnificence of stateIn 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 youThe 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 seeMy joy and reconcilement, and in the thoughtTo please so many friends I kept my litter.Ner.You’ll all sup with us?2670Agr.I look for nothing better.Ner.Whom will you bring?Agr.I have no one with me hereBut 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 comeThat were a double pleasure.Ner.I am sorry, I must goOrder to-morrow’s games.Agr.Your lords mayhap2680Will join me. I can take them to your villa.Sen.I’ll gladly come: the dust the crowd treads upHas filled my throat and set me coughing shrewdly.Ner.Nay, I shall want you both.Agr.Some other timeI 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 aloneWith 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 tenderlyThey both embrace.Bur.Who would have thought it?Sen.I;I should have thought it: and I point to thisTo justify my words those many timesOur 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 hour2700When 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 suddenHe is changed again.Sen.You see how easilyHe is overcome with kindness. Would you knowThe 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,2710I have every cause for hope; and here to-dayThe meeting in this house more than assures meHe 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 AugustaAt Baiæ: hither in all haste I came.The yearnings and the miseries of exile2720Would 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 spakeImpatience flushed her cheek—she shared my joy.I knelt in tears there, nor ashamed of tears,Though at her side I was aware was standingA boy of some twelve years; whom, when I rose,She then presented as her son, and bade me2730Take him for pupil. As I saw him thenIn fullest grace of boyhood, apt in allBoys should be manly in, and gifted furtherThan boys are wont with insight, and the touchOf human sympathy and learned taste,Proficient in some arts and dull in none,But coy withal and generous, ’twas no wonderIf ere that evening passed I had admittedThe schemes his mother had laid, which in short timeWere brought to pass.Bur.’Twas a black day.Sen.And yet,2740Burrus, if after you had seen how kindlyHe took instruction, how he came to love me,You would not wonder—nay, I can rememberClaudius himself was shamed if his Britannicus,Being younger but by some two years, were byWhere Nero was: and had I been the fatherI 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 establishesHis power?Bur.Because it is an office, Seneca,2750The 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 guardsCommanded by some brute like Tigellinus.Sen.Nay, be not angry.Bur.Would not you be angryThus to be questioned?Sen.Nay, indeed, by habitI question oft myself.Bur.Then, for one questionI’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 wayAnd leaves no track. Now what I ask is this:How ride so lightly with the times, and yetBe the unbending stoic, the philosopher,The rock, I say, that planted in the deepMoves not a hair, but sees the buffeting breakersBoil 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 libertyIs the prime element: nothing is pleasantJoined with a must. Why, even this journey hitherThat has so cheered my mistress, all the talkOf 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 kerchief2782I 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 heavenI 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 well2790I shan’t see the outside of these villa wallsTill bound for home. And here no visitors,At least for me. Cheer on, my lads! and yetIf I should get the chance I’d like to seeThese famous Neapolitans: I’m toldThey’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 contrivanceTo take my life—the kindness was all hollow—2801A dastardly contrivance: ’twas the shipSeleucus 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 shiftThese dripping habits. When I am rested somewhatThou shalt hear all: meanwhile, call in the sailorsWho rowed me hither: get from them whate’erThey saw or know, and promise a rewardWorthy 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!2811Ho! 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 serviceShall 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 boat2820And pulled her close along the shore, to findA party of landsmen, such as love to visitMisenum, or be rowed across the bayTo 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 wasLaid on her beam-ends in the offing. Ho!We cried, and gave the alarm, and led the chase2830To reach her first: when presently she righted,Steadied, and trimmed her oars, and drew away.While we were wondering and talking of itI spied a something floating, and againPutting 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 mateLifted her in handsomely. Then she bad usStraight 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-morrow2850Come for your recompense. I know not yetThe 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 AugustaHas 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 tellShe’s of good stuff; ay, and can swim.Ful.Be sureYou 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 servantsUpon the place: ’tis plotted well indeedTo catch me thus alone: Mistress PoppæaIs seen in this. Yet being escaped, I thinkI 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 hurt2871Is very little: but I am somewhat shaken.Ful.What is it that hath happed? The sailors knewNothing but that they found you.Agr.Did they seeNothing?Ful.They saw the galley lurch, and sayThe Admiral must know.Agr.’Tis likely enough’Twas his contrivance. Now I’ll tell thee all,Fulvia, and thou must help me all thou canstWhen thou hast heard: indeed I tell thee partlyTo 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 crashAs took away my spirits, and Polla and IWere thrown down from our couches by the weightOf falling cloth and spars: one heavy beamGrazed my left shoulder, and we lay crushed downUpon the deck. Then I heard Polla laugh,Finding we were not hurt, and she crept forthForward, beneath the curtains; the oars stopped:2890I heard a rush of feet, and presentlyCame 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 ladderSlipped down without a sound into the sea.The galley still held way, and in few strokes2900I saw that I was left and unperceived;And so swam on until the fishermenHailed 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 lateSo 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, drownedAnd lost in the depths of the sea. Now, being alone,I shall need thee to aid me.Ful.Dearest madam,2911What can I do?Agr.Thou must be faithful to meWhatever happens. Hearken, I said ’twas NeroHad done this: ’tis not so; my real enemy,The mover, is Poppæa. I blame not Nero:I bade him to discard her: he was drivenTo choose between us: she hath carried it.But being escaped, and she not here, I yetCan right myself with him. ’Tis not too late;2920Nay, I can amply trust those broad affections,Which ’twixt a mother and her son remainAt bottom, spite of all. Ay, they remain.The common knowledge of this guilty attemptWill 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 thisBut 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 shouldersThat 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 dayOf sorrow indeed. I pray Minerva guardHer 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 withfull speedRuns with the letter.Agr.Come; one businessMust now be not neglected; there’s poor Polla.Bring pens and ink and wax: we will seal upAll her effects, and make an inventoryIn proper form, and do whate’er we mayWhile we have time. Let us go see to it.[Exeunt.SCENE · 2A 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 holdA privy council. I have in my mind a matterTouching the subsidies.BURRUS.The day is good2950For 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 vexedBy the complaints against the imperial householdIn the gathering of tolls.—Here in these papersAre weighty charges ’gainst PomponiusSilvanus, and Sulpicius Camerinus:Read them at leisure. But I ask you first2960Whether there be not cause for discontentIn 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 beExtortion 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 allI rid the empire of this blot. ’Tis this.2970I will have no more tolls or tallages,Customs or duties levied: nay, not oneThrough all the empire. I will make this presentTo the human race: I say, their old vexationAnd 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 deficitBy other means. If you cut off the customs,You must increase the tributes, rates, and rents.2980If one shoe pinches, ’tis no remedyTo stuff both feet in the other.Ner.But my schemeHas precedent; there was no tallage takenThroughout all Italy for some six yearsEre Julius.Sen.Ay, but he restored the customsAs needful.Ner.Whence they seemed the price of empire.Sen.Unjustly. In the times of greatest libertyConsuls 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 accidentBefallen the Augusta’s yacht.Ner.Hey! what was that?Mess.At a lurch of the ship the awning fell and draggedThe Augusta overboard.Ner.Speak, man, speak on.Mess.We thought her drowned.Ner.Ha!Mess.But by the grace of the godsShe is escaped.Ner.Escaped!Mess.She swam to shore unharmed.Ner.Thou wretch,2999And comest thou here in thy master’s placeTo 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 itAnd failed is ruin.Sen.(aside from Nero). What is this?Bur.(to Sen.)’Tis clearCæsar knows what: and her escape not beingHis 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 painTo 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 broughtBut 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-foldMore than her death—I am henceforth the manWho 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 goneSo far upon this path that thou hast soughtTo dull the natural feeling which so longHeld 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 suddenDumb? 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 say3040’Twere most untimely justice to endangerThe public peace for her whose life hath beenSo long the shame of justice. Since the sentenceWe know is just, and that necessityO’errides the common forms, the less delayThe 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 advocateOf what is planned, and as pretorian prefectPossessed 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 officeCovered 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 slayDefenceless citizens. But that the guardsWould thus lay hands on one that bears the nameOf Agrippina, that they could forgetTheir loved Germanicus, who would think this?3060To such a deed they would not follow me,Far less another; and if Cæsar nowLook for it from me, lo, I here throw downMy prefecture to any man soe’erWho 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 yetI’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 guard3071Around her villa, fearing lest the peopleShould 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 deedThan 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.)NowWhat to do?Ani.Bid him enter: when he comes3080I 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 concealedUnder 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 enquiryNow in my hands?Ner.I do.Ani.With me who will!3091Tig.I follow, lead the way.[Exeunt Anicetus and Tigellinus. Paris followsthem. Exit Nero within doors.PETRONIUS.What will they go to do?Bur.’Tis thus: the AdmiralHas 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 doneWere shamed no less.Sen.Alas! ’tis true, ’tis true.And thou wert right, Burrus; but dost thou wellPermitting this?Bur.I see ’tis necessary,3100And am not shamed to say I think the thingItself is good. As for the motives, Seneca,Ay, and the manner of it, to defend themI 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 tooPrevent 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 partyWould stir upon the tale of Claudius’ death,Or to revenge Britannicus. I sayThere’s nought to gain.Petr.Why, ’tis his mother, Burrus,His mother. I’ll be sworn he had not daredThus to commit himself had I been by.He that should be a model to the world,3120The mirror of good manners, to offendThus 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 allThe motive, which so hurts your sense of rightThat ye neglect the manner. Why, I say,A just attention to the circumstanceWould hide the doing; but thus done, the doingProclaims the deed. And is’t not plain that ye3130Must share the guilt? Seneca, look for that.Sen.’Tis very well for you, Petronius,To take upon yourself the criticismAnd ordering of appearances, and say’If aught goes ill, blame me.’ You lay your handOn 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 mouldA character to that high rule of right3140Which so few can attain, he works, I say,With different matter, nor can he be blamedBy any measure of his ill success.His best endeavours are like little damsBuilt ’gainst the ocean, on a sinking shore.Nature asserts her force—and the wise manBlames not himself for his defeat. For me,Much as my soul is grieved, ay, and my prideWounded—tho’ yet, I thank philosophy,I can be glad for that,—my hopes—for thisI mourn—my hopes blasted; yet, hear me say,3151I take unto myself no self-reproach,Nay, not a tittle of the part of mischiefA vulgar mind might credit to my score.I have done my best, and that’s the utmost goodA man can do; and if a better manHad in my place done more, ’tis perverse FortuneThat placed me ill. Thus far I argue with you,Who look on me askance, and think my heartIs tainted; as if I would in such caseDo such thing, as—poison my brother at table,3161Contrive to kill my mother: ’Tis so farFrom possible, that to my ears the wordsCarry no sense: nay, and I think such crimesMay seem more horrible to other men,Whose passions make them fear them, than to meWho cannot think them mine. As for the rest,I stand with you, and never from this hourShall mix with Cæsar more with any hopeOf good. Indeed I have hoped too long, and yet3170The 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 thouTo 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 streetWe scarce kept pace, but when he reached the wallOf the garden, and saw there the soldiers placedBy Anicetus, knowing not their purpose,He shrank behind. These men being bidden seizedThe servants; then we entered, and with usCame the centurion. Within the roomSat 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 AdmiralShe spoke. ’If here thou comest to enquireFrom 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 comeDeeming that Cæsar wills that I should sufferThe like I late escaped, know you mistake.’Twas not of his contrivance, and my foeIn this is his.’ None answered, and awhile3200Was such delay as makes the indivisibleAnd smallest point of time various and broad;For Agrippina, when she saw her lieFail of its aim, ventured no more, as knowingThere was no wiser plea; but let her eyesIndifferently wander round her foes,Counting their strength. Then looked I to have seenHer spring, for her cheek swelled, and ’neath her robeHer foot moved; ay, and had she been but armed,One would have fallen. But if she had the thought3210She set it by, choosing to take her deathWith dignity. Then Anicetus raisedHis sword, and I fled out beyond the doorTo 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 indeedThe best and worst of Fortune.Bur.Give her her due,Such courage as deserved the best, such crimesAs make her death seem gentler than deserved.Enter Nero between Anicetus and Tigellinus.Ner.My lords, ’tis done. Nay, look not grieved. There’s noneSuffers as much as I; all share the good.And think not that to keep the world at peaceI grudge this sacrifice: the general careI set before my own, and therefore bidThere be no public mourning, nay, to-morrow3230We shall attend the spectacles and games,Appear as usual before the people:Ay, and I partly look, my lords, to youThat I be well received. Good night to all!

SCENE · 1Baiæ. 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.

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 smoothlyHer little plot went off! My first suspicions,Fulvia, I am sure were wrong: this invitationWas most well meant; and see the tendernessHas even called up my tears. You cannot knowWhat fond associations make this houseA home indeed. I wish I had not refusedTo take the yacht at Bauli: ’twas an error,Over-precaution.

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.

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 you2650The very words Seleucus ....[A noise without.

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 isSenecaAnd 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: othersHave been but Cæsars; he’s an emperor,And wears the full magnificence of stateIn beardless boyhood.—Fulvia, I do love splendour.2660To be so young and rule the world!

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!

Enter Nero, Seneca, and Burrus.

Now, welcome,Welcome, my son!

Now, welcome,

Welcome, my son!

NERO.

Welcome to Baiæ, mother.We are come the first day of the feast to pay youThe season’s compliments.

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.

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 seeMy joy and reconcilement, and in the thoughtTo please so many friends I kept my litter.

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 hereBut Polla Acerronia.

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.

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 comeThat were a double pleasure.

Agr.I had thought of it; and now, if you would come

That were a double pleasure.

Ner.I am sorry, I must goOrder to-morrow’s games.

Ner.I am sorry, I must go

Order to-morrow’s games.

Agr.Your lords mayhap2680Will join me. I can take them to your villa.

Agr.Your lords mayhap

Will join me. I can take them to your villa.

Sen.I’ll gladly come: the dust the crowd treads upHas filled my throat and set me coughing shrewdly.

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 timeI hope, my lords.

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 aloneWith Polla; ’tis her wish. Escort me, Nero?

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.

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?

Sen.Burrus, what say you now!

Has not the thing I looked for come to pass?

Bur.There’s as you say a most astounding change;Can you explain it?

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 tenderlyThey both embrace.

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 thisTo justify my words those many timesOur speech has come to difference.

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.

Ner.Now, lords,

I go.

Bur. and Sen.We follow, Cæsar.

Ner.I have changed my mind;I want you not.[Going.

Ner.I have changed my mind;

I want you not.[Going.

Bur.Will Cæsar name the hour2700When we shall wait on him?

Bur.Will Cæsar name the hour

When 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.

Ner.Why, come at once.

I cannot tell what hour I may not want you.

Attend me at my villa.[Exit.

Bur.Of a suddenHe is changed again.

Bur.Of a sudden

He is changed again.

Sen.You see how easilyHe is overcome with kindness. Would you knowThe noble sacrifice he has made?

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?

Bur.The letter makes all plain.

Why did he write it?

Sen.Why?

Bur.Well, well.

Sen.Oh, Burrus,2710I have every cause for hope; and here to-dayThe meeting in this house more than assures meHe 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 AugustaAt Baiæ: hither in all haste I came.The yearnings and the miseries of exile2720Would 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 spakeImpatience flushed her cheek—she shared my joy.I knelt in tears there, nor ashamed of tears,Though at her side I was aware was standingA boy of some twelve years; whom, when I rose,She then presented as her son, and bade me2730Take him for pupil. As I saw him thenIn fullest grace of boyhood, apt in allBoys should be manly in, and gifted furtherThan boys are wont with insight, and the touchOf human sympathy and learned taste,Proficient in some arts and dull in none,But coy withal and generous, ’twas no wonderIf ere that evening passed I had admittedThe schemes his mother had laid, which in short timeWere brought to pass.

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

Would 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

Take 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 kindlyHe took instruction, how he came to love me,You would not wonder—nay, I can rememberClaudius himself was shamed if his Britannicus,Being younger but by some two years, were byWhere Nero was: and had I been the fatherI might have wished, I think, to have done as he,And called the best my son.

Sen.And yet,

Burrus, 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 establishesHis power?

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,2750The 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 guardsCommanded by some brute like Tigellinus.

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 angryThus to be questioned?

Bur.Would not you be angry

Thus to be questioned?

Sen.Nay, indeed, by habitI question oft myself.

Sen.Nay, indeed, by habit

I question oft myself.

Bur.Then, for one questionI’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 wayAnd leaves no track. Now what I ask is this:How ride so lightly with the times, and yetBe the unbending stoic, the philosopher,The rock, I say, that planted in the deepMoves not a hair, but sees the buffeting breakersBoil 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.

Bur.Then, for one question

I’ll be appeased. I know you, Seneca,

For a man of many parts, a scholar, poet,

Lawyer, 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?

Nay, ’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 libertyIs the prime element: nothing is pleasantJoined with a must. Why, even this journey hitherThat has so cheered my mistress, all the talkOf 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.

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 kerchief2782I 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 heavenI 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 well2790I shan’t see the outside of these villa wallsTill bound for home. And here no visitors,At least for me. Cheer on, my lads! and yetIf I should get the chance I’d like to seeThese famous Neapolitans: I’m toldThey’re wondrous saucy, and ingenious singers.What’s that? a boat! my lady! gracious heavens![A boat rows up to quay.

To have my servants, and say—Prithee, Fulvia,

What is o’clock?—Fetch me the little kerchief

I 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

I 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 contrivanceTo take my life—the kindness was all hollow—2801A dastardly contrivance: ’twas the shipSeleucus spoke of. Look, I am hurt in the shoulder,Yet ’tis not much.

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—

A 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 shiftThese dripping habits. When I am rested somewhatThou shalt hear all: meanwhile, call in the sailorsWho rowed me hither: get from them whate’erThey saw or know, and promise a rewardWorthy of my deliverance.[Going.

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.

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!2811Ho! fellows, come within, nay, come within.

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.

We are not fit, my lady. By thy leave,

We are poor fishermen.

Ful.Come, fellows, come.Which is the captain?

Ful.Come, fellows, come.

Which is the captain?

Sail.Me, so please thee, lady.

Ful.Ye have brought the empress safe, and for that serviceShall have a good reward. But, tell me now,How came she in your boat?

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 boat2820And pulled her close along the shore, to findA party of landsmen, such as love to visitMisenum, or be rowed across the bayTo 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 wasLaid on her beam-ends in the offing. Ho!We cried, and gave the alarm, and led the chase2830To reach her first: when presently she righted,Steadied, and trimmed her oars, and drew away.While we were wondering and talking of itI spied a something floating, and againPutting 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 mateLifted her in handsomely. Then she bad usStraight row her hither. She’s a most brave lady,2841Ay, and can swim.

Sail.’Twas thus, my lady.

It being the feast, we smartened up the boat

And 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

To 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,

Ay, 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.

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 ....

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-morrow2850Come for your recompense. I know not yetThe Augusta’s pleasure.

Ful.Then begone; to-morrow

Come for your recompense. I know not yet

The Augusta’s pleasure.

The Sailors.Thank thee, thank thee, my lady.[Exeunt Sailors.

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 AugustaHas taken harm from being so long in the water.

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 tellShe’s of good stuff; ay, and can swim.

Sail.’Tis bitter cold, indeed. But I can tell

She’s of good stuff; ay, and can swim.

Ful.Be sureYou are fortunate to have done her this good service.

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.

Ful.Alas, alas!

What 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.

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 servantsUpon the place: ’tis plotted well indeedTo catch me thus alone: Mistress PoppæaIs seen in this. Yet being escaped, I thinkI yet will prove her match.

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 hurt2871Is very little: but I am somewhat shaken.

Agr.I am warm again. I think too that my hurt

Is very little: but I am somewhat shaken.

Ful.What is it that hath happed? The sailors knewNothing but that they found you.

Ful.What is it that hath happed? The sailors knew

Nothing but that they found you.

Agr.Did they seeNothing?

Agr.Did they see

Nothing?

Ful.They saw the galley lurch, and sayThe Admiral must know.

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 canstWhen thou hast heard: indeed I tell thee partlyTo 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 crashAs took away my spirits, and Polla and IWere thrown down from our couches by the weightOf falling cloth and spars: one heavy beamGrazed my left shoulder, and we lay crushed downUpon the deck. Then I heard Polla laugh,Finding we were not hurt, and she crept forthForward, beneath the curtains; the oars stopped:2890I heard a rush of feet, and presentlyCame 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 ladderSlipped down without a sound into the sea.The galley still held way, and in few strokes2900I saw that I was left and unperceived;And so swam on until the fishermenHailed me by name, and took me in their boat.

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,

Polla 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:

I 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

I 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 lateSo 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, drownedAnd lost in the depths of the sea. Now, being alone,I shall need thee to aid me.

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,2911What can I do?

Ful.Dearest madam,2911

What can I do?

Agr.Thou must be faithful to meWhatever happens. Hearken, I said ’twas NeroHad done this: ’tis not so; my real enemy,The mover, is Poppæa. I blame not Nero:I bade him to discard her: he was drivenTo choose between us: she hath carried it.But being escaped, and she not here, I yetCan right myself with him. ’Tis not too late;2920Nay, I can amply trust those broad affections,Which ’twixt a mother and her son remainAt bottom, spite of all. Ay, they remain.The common knowledge of this guilty attemptWill 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 thisBut 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 shouldersThat he is half a brother, half a father.Send him at once: I have bidden him await:He should be here.

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;

Nay, 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;

Of 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 dayOf sorrow indeed. I pray Minerva guardHer feast from ill.[Exit with letter.

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.

Agr.Indeed I have little fear,

If he but read. Yet now, after this warning,

I 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 withfull speedRuns with the letter.

Ful.(re-entering). He waited at the gate, and with

full speed

Runs with the letter.

Agr.Come; one businessMust now be not neglected; there’s poor Polla.Bring pens and ink and wax: we will seal upAll her effects, and make an inventoryIn proper form, and do whate’er we mayWhile we have time. Let us go see to it.[Exeunt.

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 · 2A room in Nero’s villa. A table with papers. Enter NERO, SENECA, BURRUS, and TIGELLINUS.

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 holdA privy council. I have in my mind a matterTouching the subsidies.

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 good2950For market matters, ’tis Minerva’s peace:The sword is sheathed.

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?

To talk of subsidies hurts no man’s conscience.

What is the business, Cæsar?

Ner.I am vexedBy the complaints against the imperial householdIn the gathering of tolls.—Here in these papersAre weighty charges ’gainst PomponiusSilvanus, and Sulpicius Camerinus:Read them at leisure. But I ask you first2960Whether there be not cause for discontentIn present management?

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

Whether 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.

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 beExtortion still.

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 allI rid the empire of this blot. ’Tis this.2970I will have no more tolls or tallages,Customs or duties levied: nay, not oneThrough all the empire. I will make this presentTo the human race: I say, their old vexationAnd burden shall away.

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.

I 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?

Sen.’Tis generously meant, most generously.

But is it possible?

Ner.Why not?

Sen.The treasury,Eased of this sum, must fill the deficitBy other means. If you cut off the customs,You must increase the tributes, rates, and rents.2980If one shoe pinches, ’tis no remedyTo stuff both feet in the other.

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.

If one shoe pinches, ’tis no remedy

To stuff both feet in the other.

Ner.But my schemeHas precedent; there was no tallage takenThroughout all Italy for some six yearsEre Julius.

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 customsAs needful.

Sen.Ay, but he restored the customs

As needful.

Ner.Whence they seemed the price of empire.

Sen.Unjustly. In the times of greatest libertyConsuls and tribunes have ordained new customs,Which yet remain.

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 ....

Ner.The rents,

We’ll have the rents. The land ....

Enter Messenger with Officer of the Guard.

Why, who is this?Whence come you, man?

Why, who is this?

Whence come you, man?

MESSENGER.

Cæsar, from Anicetus.He asks great Cæsar’s pardon ere I tell.

Cæsar, from Anicetus.

He asks great Cæsar’s pardon ere I tell.

Ner.Thou’rt free to speak.

Mess.There has an accidentBefallen the Augusta’s yacht.

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 draggedThe Augusta overboard.

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 godsShe is escaped.

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 placeTo bate mine anger? Forth and send him hither.Fly, or I kill thee.

Ner.Thou wretch,

And 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.

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 itAnd failed is ruin.

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 clearCæsar knows what: and her escape not beingHis pleasure tells us that ’twas not his purpose.

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?

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.

Ner.Thou dullard!

I 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 painTo mine? Speak, man!

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?

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 broughtBut to be drowned!

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.

Sen.Let her escape belie thy guilty purpose.

Ner.Why, nay, the failure damns a thousand-foldMore than her death—I am henceforth the manWho would have killed his mother, and could not.

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 goneSo far upon this path that thou hast soughtTo dull the natural feeling which so longHeld 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 suddenDumb? Be my counsellor now that I need thee.Speak now! Why, thou dost weep! surely thou weepest!Burrus, what sayest thou?

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,

Crying, ’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 say3040’Twere most untimely justice to endangerThe public peace for her whose life hath beenSo long the shame of justice. Since the sentenceWe know is just, and that necessityO’errides the common forms, the less delayThe better. Let her die.

Bur.This mischief, Cæsar,

Being thus arisen is the Augusta’s death.

Though I bewail the occasion, yet I say

’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?

Ner.I thank thee, Burrus.

How were this best performed?

Tig.Now, if none speak,I’ll say that Burrus, being the advocateOf what is planned, and as pretorian prefectPossessed of means, is fittest for the work.

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 officeCovered 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 slayDefenceless citizens. But that the guardsWould thus lay hands on one that bears the nameOf Agrippina, that they could forgetTheir loved Germanicus, who would think this?3060To such a deed they would not follow me,Far less another; and if Cæsar nowLook for it from me, lo, I here throw downMy prefecture to any man soe’erWho durst with this condition take it up.

Bur.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?

To 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.

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 yetI’ll make amends.

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.

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 guard3071Around her villa, fearing lest the peopleShould force their way within, or she escape.Give me the word and I will slay her there.

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 deedThan for thy late misdoing. What is this?

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.

The Augusta, Cæsar, sends a freedman hither,

One Agerinus, with a letter.

Ner.(to Anic.)NowWhat to do?

Ner.(to Anic.)Now

What to do?

Ani.Bid him enter: when he comes3080I am prepared. Lend me thy dagger, friend (to Tig.).[Takes Tigellinus’ dagger.

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 concealedUnder his cloak.

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.

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.

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.

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 enquiryNow in my hands?

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 followsthem. Exit Nero within doors.

Tig.I follow, lead the way.

[Exeunt Anicetus and Tigellinus. Paris followsthem. Exit Nero within doors.

PETRONIUS.

What will they go to do?

Bur.’Tis thus: the AdmiralHas gone to kill the Augusta.

Bur.’Tis thus: the Admiral

Has gone to kill the Augusta.

Petr.Gods forbid!His orders?

Petr.Gods forbid!

His orders?

Bur.Humph!

Petr.Why, men, what thing ye do!He is shamed for ever.

Petr.Why, men, what thing ye do!

He is shamed for ever.

Bur.Ay, and were’t not doneWere shamed no less.

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 wellPermitting this?

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 thingItself is good. As for the motives, Seneca,Ay, and the manner of it, to defend themI shall not meddle.

Bur.I see ’tis necessary,

And 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.

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 tooPrevent the consequences?

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 ...

Petr.But remember,

She is his mother. Oh, I thought him better.

Is 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 partyWould stir upon the tale of Claudius’ death,Or to revenge Britannicus. I sayThere’s nought to gain.

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 daredThus to commit himself had I been by.He that should be a model to the world,3120The mirror of good manners, to offendThus against taste!

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,

The 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 allThe motive, which so hurts your sense of rightThat ye neglect the manner. Why, I say,A just attention to the circumstanceWould hide the doing; but thus done, the doingProclaims the deed. And is’t not plain that ye3130Must share the guilt? Seneca, look for that.

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

Must share the guilt? Seneca, look for that.

Sen.’Tis very well for you, Petronius,To take upon yourself the criticismAnd ordering of appearances, and say’If aught goes ill, blame me.’ You lay your handOn 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 mouldA character to that high rule of right3140Which so few can attain, he works, I say,With different matter, nor can he be blamedBy any measure of his ill success.His best endeavours are like little damsBuilt ’gainst the ocean, on a sinking shore.Nature asserts her force—and the wise manBlames not himself for his defeat. For me,Much as my soul is grieved, ay, and my prideWounded—tho’ yet, I thank philosophy,I can be glad for that,—my hopes—for thisI mourn—my hopes blasted; yet, hear me say,3151I take unto myself no self-reproach,Nay, not a tittle of the part of mischiefA vulgar mind might credit to my score.I have done my best, and that’s the utmost goodA man can do; and if a better manHad in my place done more, ’tis perverse FortuneThat placed me ill. Thus far I argue with you,Who look on me askance, and think my heartIs tainted; as if I would in such caseDo such thing, as—poison my brother at table,3161Contrive to kill my mother: ’Tis so farFrom possible, that to my ears the wordsCarry no sense: nay, and I think such crimesMay seem more horrible to other men,Whose passions make them fear them, than to meWho cannot think them mine. As for the rest,I stand with you, and never from this hourShall mix with Cæsar more with any hopeOf good. Indeed I have hoped too long, and yet3170The end has come too soon.

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

Which 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,

I 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,

Contrive 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

The 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.

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.

Par.The Augusta lives no longer,

Most brutally and miserably slain:

Yet died she bravely.

Petr.And why wentest thouTo soil thy hand?

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.

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 streetWe scarce kept pace, but when he reached the wallOf the garden, and saw there the soldiers placedBy Anicetus, knowing not their purpose,He shrank behind. These men being bidden seizedThe servants; then we entered, and with usCame the centurion. Within the roomSat 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 AdmiralShe spoke. ’If here thou comest to enquireFrom 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 comeDeeming that Cæsar wills that I should sufferThe like I late escaped, know you mistake.’Twas not of his contrivance, and my foeIn this is his.’ None answered, and awhile3200Was such delay as makes the indivisibleAnd smallest point of time various and broad;For Agrippina, when she saw her lieFail of its aim, ventured no more, as knowingThere was no wiser plea; but let her eyesIndifferently wander round her foes,Counting their strength. Then looked I to have seenHer spring, for her cheek swelled, and ’neath her robeHer foot moved; ay, and had she been but armed,One would have fallen. But if she had the thought3210She set it by, choosing to take her deathWith dignity. Then Anicetus raisedHis sword, and I fled out beyond the doorTo 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!’

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,

Hurried 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,

Fulvia, 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

Was 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

She 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 indeedThe best and worst of Fortune.

Sen.Alas, poor lady,

Was 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 crimesAs make her death seem gentler than deserved.

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 noneSuffers as much as I; all share the good.And think not that to keep the world at peaceI grudge this sacrifice: the general careI set before my own, and therefore bidThere be no public mourning, nay, to-morrow3230We shall attend the spectacles and games,Appear as usual before the people:Ay, and I partly look, my lords, to youThat I be well received. Good night to all!

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

We 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!

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